School Counselors provide a wide array of services, working both with groups and individuals, in the areas of social, academic, behavioral, mental, and emotional health, including providing classroom lessons, class scheduling, credit recovery, career planning, substance abuse prevention lessons, and facilitating collaboration amongst parents/guardians, teachers, support staff, administration, and students. School counselors do NOT provide therapeutic counseling but rather short-term, solution-focused counseling for ACADEMIC PURPOSES ONLY. Needs that extend beyond academics will be given outside counseling referral options.
School counselors provide short-term, and solution-focused mental health services when needed. School counselors recognize family or guardians' legal and inherent rights to be the guiding voice in their children’s lives, including those found in the Idaho Parental Rights Act. (Section 33-6001, Idaho Code). While students are granted confidentiality in their discussions with counseling staff, that confidentiality is limited in that counselors will disclose to guardians and/or others when: 1) the student poses a danger to self or others, 2) there is a court-ordered disclosure, 3) consulting with other professionals (colleagues, treatment teams) in support of the student, 4) substance use and treatment are concerns (Guidance obtained by the American School Counselors Association) and 5) Under the Parental Rights Act when there is a change in the physical, mental, or emotional state of the minor student (consistent and persistent change). Under no circumstance would a school counselor encourage a student to withhold information from a parent or legal guardian. Our goal is always to work with the student to disclose and seek support from their support systems at home, including parental engagement.
Twin Falls School District school counselors will ensure your student knows their school counselor must disclose any information that leads to changes in your student's mental, emotional, or physical health or well-being that is consistent and persistent.
This statement serves as notice of the school counseling services available at your child’s school. If you have questions about any counseling services or would like to opt out of your student receiving these services, please contact your student’s school counselor or administrator.