The school counselor’s visits with a student are to provide a safe place without judgment to work together to gain strategies to solve problems and ease concerns, allow for safe conversation and an area to refocus. Visits are confidential unless that student is found harming self or others. Students are encouraged to talk with parents and/or school the counselor will talk with parents if students ask for help in regards to personal matters. The school counselor and teachers work together on an appropriate time to visit so it does not impede on important instruction time but know that some students need immediate help and will adjust assignments accordingly. 

Any questions regarding the school counseling process please don’t hesitate to call, email or set up an appointment to meet with the school counselor, Tina Cruz.

If a student requires more intense therapy or Crisis help,  Columbia now has a Mental Health Clinician provided by the County School Office on campus.  The Clinician’s name is Maria Barajas. All referrals to see Maria will go through the school counselor first. Parents/guardians will be notified that a referral has been made before a student can see Maria, unless that student is in an immediate mental health crisis(i.e. suicide threat, cutting,extreme anxiety attack etc).