Counseling
Hannah Niblock
School Counselor, M. Ed.
Clark Elementary
Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Call: 424-837-6267
Email: NiblockH@issaquah.wednet.edu
Experiencing a crisis?
Please contact one of the following helplines:
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- King County local 24/7 Crisis Line (suicide, mental health, substance use): 866-427-4747
(866-4CRISIS) - Crisis Text Line: text “Heal” to 741-741
- Trevor Project (specifically for the LGBTQ+ community): 1-866-488-7386
Role of the School Counselor
- Advocates and provides free services for all students
- Teaches classroom lessons
- Facilitates small groups
- Provides individual brief solution-focused counseling
- Provides support during personal challenges or crisis
- Teaches coping strategies to regulate emotions
- Consults and collaborates with parents and teachers to remove barriers to learning
- Provides learning, behavioral and community resources to students, staff and parents
Other duties -
- Coordinates 504 program for students who may need special accommodations at school due to a disability
- Assist families experiencing homelessness (McKinney -Vento Act)—school support, resources, services for homeless students
- Connects students and families to food, clothing, school supplies, and other community resources
- Reports suspected child abuse as a mandated reporter
School Counseling Referrals
- Students can self refer
- (“Request to see the School Counselor” forms are available by counselor mailbox in the hallway by the library)
- Staff or teacher referral
- Administrative referral
- Parent or guardian request
- Request from an outside counselor
*Note that I provide brief solution-focused student check-ins, or short term Counseling. If your student needs ongoing counseling or therapy services, please contact your Pediatrician for a referral, insurance company for a list of in-network providers, or visit the district's Community Resource Directory.
What can the School Counselor Support Students with?
- Friendship
- Self Concept/Self-Esteem
- Decision Making/Problem Solving
- Goal Setting
- Understanding Others' Perspectives
- Accepting Differences
- Feelings/Emotional Regulation
- Grief/loss
- Transitions
- Career Awareness
- Expected vs. Unexpected Behaviors
- Study Skills/Executive Functioning
- Peer and Family Relationships
- Conflict Resolution
- Executive Functioning
Direct Student Services Provided by School Counselor
Classroom Lessons
The counselor will teach classroom counseling lessons throughout the school year. These lessons include bully prevention and other lessons that support student's social/emotional, academic and career needs.
Small Group Counseling
The Counselor can work with small groups of students (6-8). Small groups are created based on data that shows a common concern, need, or growth area. Referrals for small groups are screened, and student participation is based on need.
Lunch Bunches
Students are invited to eat lunch, play games, and connect with peers in the counselor's office. I have students in my office for lunch bunches nearly every day for a variety of reasons: new student welcome, friendship connections, class rewards, conflict resolution support, formal and informal skill building and practice, or just for fun.
Individual Counseling
The Counselor will work with students who are self-referred, teacher/staff -referred, or parent-referred. Therapy services are not provided, but the counselor will make parents aware of students that may benefit from long term options. (Please note: the counselor is unable to refer or endorse specific outside counselors or agencies)
Counselor Class Lessons
I visit each classroom various times throughout the year. See below for this year's Counselor lesson calendar:
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September Counselor Introduction lessons: I introduce myself, my role, and how students can reach me if they need to talk. Zone's of Regulation (video lessons): How to identify emotions using the 4 zones - blue, green, yellow, red Administer Family Needs Assessment |
October/November Administer Student Needs Assessment Small/Big problems (video lessons) Kelso’s Choices (video lessons) Talk it out, Share and Take Turns, Ignore It, Walk Away, Tell Them to Stop, Apologize, Make a Deal, Wait and Cool Off, Go to Another Game |
November/December Zones of Regulation - Coping Strategies lessons Small/Big problems (video lessons) Kelso’s Choices (video lessons) Talk it out, Share and Take Turns, Ignore It, Walk Away, Tell Them to Stop, Apologize, Make a Deal, Wait and Cool Off, Go to Another Game *School-wide Gratitude Week |
January Bullying Prevention lessons Second Step curriculum |
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February/March February school-wide Kindness Week Students complete daily kindness challenges Executive Functioning
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April Stress, Anxiety, and Coping skills lessons |
May 5th grade Transition to Middle School lessons
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June Coping with Change 5th grade Transition to Middle School |
School Counseling and Mental Health in the Issaquah School District
Issaquah schools provide comprehensive guidance and school counseling services in each building. All students have access to and the right to participate in these programs, which focus on academic, career, and social/emotional development to enhance the learning process, provide access to education, and support student readiness and success. Our school counseling teams plan and implement their programs with consideration for student, family, school, and community members, and can help to connect students and families to resources and supports in our schools and community. Our ultimate goal is to help students obtain the knowledge, skills and attitudes that lead to academic, career, and personal success.