The Counseling Staff at Independent Hill School / PACE East Program consist of School Psychologists and Social Workers committed to providing a broad range of high quality, innovative, and ethical services that address the psychological, educational, social, and developmental needs of students with disabilities. To this end, counseling staff are committed to providing a range of supportive services intended to help students with disabilities develop improved coping skills in order to address emotional, interpersonal and academic concerns. We also actively contribute to the school's broader academic mission by supporting and developing students and teaching staff, helping build a multicultural learning community, and providing leadership in forming collaborative partnerships among students, parents, school staff, and community stakeholders.

Counseling Services

Counselors provide both group and individual counseling to students on a broad range of issues. The counseling program incorporates several important concepts in its effort to assist students in their academic, personal/social, and career development. To achieve this goal, the counseling program will:

• provide for student equity, access, and support for academic success
• assist all students in achieving academic standards; recognize that students need a personalized and developmental approach to learning
• assist in the development of a positive learning
  environment that is primarily preventative
• assist students in developing goals for the future and plans for reaching those goals.

Group counseling covers a range of topics and themes relating to academic, career, and personal issues such as communication skills, relationships, stress, self-esteem, procrastination, anger management, and decision making. Many students find that counseling groups offer unique opportunities to increase self- awareness, try out new behavior, and receive support from peers. Sharing ideas and coping strategies can be especially beneficial for students feeling isolated or concerned about how they relate to others.

Individual counseling is provided to students that express discomfort with discussing personal problems, concerns or questions in a group setting. These problems are typically related to stress, depression, anxiety, and relationships. In addition, counselors provide consultation to help students develop ways to enhance academic performance, identify skills and interest, understand their career potential, and define career goals. Students requiring counseling on a regular basis are provided this service through their IEP.