School Counseling at Licton Springs

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Our vision is that students realize their value, act on their potential, and participate in our democracy. They seek out challenges, expand worldviews, nurture relationships, and are social justice leaders in our diverse global world.

Our mission is to provide a comprehensive developmental school counseling program. We work collaboratively to meet the social, emotional, and academic needs of all students. We promote personal growth, resiliency-building, self-advocacy, and college and career readiness.

The Role of School Counselor

Counselor Em holds a master’s degree and post-graduate specializations in mental health counseling, anxiety and stress relief, lifestyle medicine, and coaching. She is a member of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) and the International Coaching Federation (ICF). Em follows the ASCA National Model for program delivery and relies on solution-focused and strengths-based counseling and utilizes techniques from cognitive behavior therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy and motivational interviewing.

Social Emotional Learning

Curriculum for 22-23

SEL is a big focus for all of our grades this year as we come back to a more traditional-looking school year. Second Step is a research-based SEL program that we use in all grades, K-8. In addition to this curriculum, all grades use elements of RULER (Mood Meter, Meta Moment, and Blueprint) to build self-management, self-awareness, and self-efficacy skills. Character Strong is our character and social skills building program for grades 6-8 used during morning Advisory, while grades K-5 will use their Morning Meetings time to build self and social SEL skills. We’re excited to also offer Plant Teachings in the Spring to our 7th and 8th graders who take Environmental Studies. Plant Teachings was developed through a partnership between GRuB, Squaxin Island Tribe’s Northwest Indian Treatment Center, and Seattle Indian Health Board to expand SEL.

Responsive Services

Responsive services includes 1-1 counseling, small group counseling, crisis intervention, and conflict resolution.

Small Group Counseling
Small group counseling is a great way to work on skill-building while processing and building bonds with peers. Em offers resiliency building groups (values and strengths based), social skills groups (friendship and relational aggression), CBT in the schools groups (great for processing old trauma and intrusive negative thoughts), and DBT in the schools groups (great for emotional regulation and self-harm).

Fun Friday Lunch Groups
As a continuation of last year’s popular lunch groups, Fridays will be our social lunch bunches. They have been a low stress way to relax, socialize, and play games with peers. They are open to all students and new groups begin every 5-6 weeks. They have been quite popular and the hope is every student will have a chance to participate before the year ends!

Resources & Partnerships

Ballard Food Bank provides weekly Food for Kids Weekend Bags– this includes snacks and meals for students. There are no income restrictions or requirements, and we pick up every Thursday to go home with students before the weekend.

The Community Hub Resource Center provides assistance with navigating housing, healthcare, transportation, child care, utilities and more. Call directly 206-789-7800, extension 4, email financialassistance@ballardfoodbank.org, or visit in person Mondays & Thursdays 10-6:45pm or Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10-3:45pm.

Right Now Needs Fund provides financial assistance for basic needs of students. Examples include warm clothing, adequate food, shelter, and necessary school supplies.

We partner with several outside agencies and providers, including: mental health therapy, case management, and wraparound services. Let us know if you are in need and we will do our best to get you connected as soon as possible! Check out our Resources page for more!