Saint Thomas Aquinas Regional Catholic High School
Counseling Department Policies & Procedures
The Counseling Department at Saint Thomas Aquinas Regional Catholic High School
would like to communicate their policies and procedures that are based on The American
School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model used for School Counselors
developing Counseling Programs in their schools
(http://ascamodel.timberlakepublishing.com/files/ExecSumm.pdf).
The counseling program at STA is designed to assist your child in making the most of his
or her educational experience. As your child's Counselor, we are concerned about their
emotional well-being, academic progress, and personal and social development. The
following specific activities are offered by the counseling program at STA:

Periodic classroom presentations related to positive, personal growth and
development.

Individual and group counseling

Facilitation of Parent/Teacher/Student conferences

Provide appropriate and current information on education planning and careers

Consultation services concerning the growth and development of students.
We may contact you regarding your children for, but not limited to the following:

Assistance needed in specific areas to help child achieve success in school

Concern regarding your students emotional well-being or behavioral issue

Schedule conference at the request of the teacher

Excessive absences
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide the following services to your child and/or the
parent:

Testifying in court in child custody matters
Saint Thomas Aquinas Regional Catholic High School
Counseling Department Policies & Procedures

Providing intensive long-term counseling services when they are needed by the
child.
The counselors are here to serve the needs of our students in the most efficient way
possible:

All requests by students, faculty, staff, coaches, parents/guardians, and
colleges/universities for any information (i.e. transcript, letter of recommendation,
etc.) from the Counseling Department must be made through a Request of
Information Form. This form is located in the Counseling Department, front office,
or electronically at http://www.stafalcons.org/counseling. We want to be easily
accessible to all students, teachers, coaches, and parents. Feel free to select the
most convenient method for your needs.

All referrals by students, faculty, staff, coaches, and parents/guardians (either self or
the referral of another) must be made through a Referral Form. This form is located
in the Counseling Department, front office, or electronically at
http://www.stafalcons.org/counseling. These forms must be submitted in a sealed
envelope and placed in the counselor’s mailbox to ensure confidentiality. We want
to be easily accessible to all students, teachers, coaches, and parents. Feel free to
select the most convenient method for your needs.
Parents/Guardians: Should you need to schedule a meeting with your student’s counselor,
please complete the Referral Form.

Counselor Contact. Personal cell phone numbers of the counselors should never be
distributed to any client (parent or student). In case of an emergency, the principal
will contact the counselor.
Saint Thomas Aquinas Regional Catholic High School
Counseling Department Policies & Procedures

Counselor Door Messages. Please understand that the “DO NOT DISTURB” door
message and/or when the light is “ON” indicates that no one should knock on the
door unless it is an emergency/crisis. It also indicates that the counselor is in a
meeting, with a student/faculty/parent, or on the phone. Feel free to fill out a
Request of Information Form or Referral Form in the Counseling Office and drop
into your counselor’s drop box located on the door or submit it electronically using
the office computers.

Crisis. A crisis is defined by a student who is suicidal, homicidal, or suspected abuse
seems apparent. A student should not be allowed to leave class to see a counselor
unless a crisis occurs or an emotional disturbance during class. For non-crisis
related issues, please call the counselor(s) before sending a child down to his/her
counselor as we may not be available. If a crisis occurs while the counselors are out
of the office, seek administration.
Teachers/Coaches/Parents: Should a student need to visit their counselor for any noncrisis issue, please advise students to complete a Request of Information Form or Referral
Form in the office or online. This will ensure that the counselors meet their needs in a
timely manner.

Confidentiality. Material revealed in counseling will remain strictly confidential
except under the following circumstances in accordance with state law:
1) The client signs a written release of information indicating informed consent of such
release,
2) The client expresses intent to harm him/herself or someone else,
3) There is a reasonable suspicion of abuse/neglect against a minor child, elderly person
(60 or older), or a dependent adult, or
4) A court order is received directing the disclosure of information.
Saint Thomas Aquinas Regional Catholic High School
Counseling Department Policies & Procedures
It is our policy to assert privileged communication on behalf of the client and the right to
consult with the client if at all possible, except during an emergency, before mandated
disclosure. I will endeavor to apprise clients of all mandated disclosures as conceivable. In
the event of marriage or family counseling, material obtained from an adult client
individually may be shared with the client's spouse or other family members only with the
client's written permission. Any material obtained from a minor client may be shared with
the client's parent or guardian at the counselor’s discretion.

Outside Referrals. School Counselors make referrals when necessary or appropriate
to outside resources for student and/or family support. Appropriate referrals may
necessitate informing both parents/guardians and students of applicable resources
and making proper plans for transitions with minimal interruption of services.
Students retain the right to discontinue the counseling relationship at any time.