Mrs. Patty Farrell
Guidance Counselor
(703) 880-4350
p.farrell@sjschoolva.org
Mrs. Farrell’s school hours for the 2018-2019 school year are as follows:
Monday - 8am-1pm
Tuesday - 10:30am-3:30pm
Wednesday - 10:30am-3:30pm
Thursday - 10:30am-3:30pm
Friday - 8am-1pm
Counselor’s Corner
The St. Joseph Catholic School’s school counseling program is structured to assist and to support each student with his/her academic, social-emotional, spiritual, and future career-related needs. The goal is to provide each student with the necessary support and tools needed in order to achieve his/her full potential and to be successful. The program supports St. Joseph Catholic School’s mission and is rooted in the Catholic faith. Each child will be respected and is valued.
The school counselor will work closely with parents, teachers and administrators to develop and implement strategies and interventions that address the individual needs of each child. Through the counseling program, students will be encouraged to become independent and academically responsible learners, learn to develop and/or strengthen coping strategies, effective problem-solving and decision-making skills and work to improve personal relationships.
Parents, teachers, and administrators may refer students for counseling services and students may self-refer as well. School counseling services are available for all students at St. Joseph Catholic School, not just those with identified academic or emotional needs. Counseling is voluntary and confidential.
How does the school counselor work with students?
Classroom Guidance Lessons
The school counselor will provide monthly guidance lessons in the classroom focusing on various topics relevant to age and specific needs. Lessons may include topics such as friendship/peer relations, bullying, conflict resolution, stress management, and communication skills.
Individual Counseling
Students may self-refer to meet with the counselor to discuss typical developmental issues like feelings of stress or worry, friendship concerns, to problem-solve situations, and to develop coping skills. The counselor is also available to help students with difficult life transitions such as moving, the deployment of a parent, separation and/or divorce or the death of a loved one. Referrals for individual counseling may also come from parents, teachers, administrators, and staff. Parental permission will be sought after
two to three sessions on the same topic.
Small Group Counseling
The school counselor will run various small groups during the school year in order for students to learn a specific skill or to cope with a particular situation. These groups require parental permission and will meet once a week during recess/lunch for a five-six week period. A minimum of three students is necessary for a group.
Mediation
The school counselor may act as a facilitator in the process of conflict resolution between students when their efforts to resolve a conflict has not been successful.
Furthermore, the school counselor is able to connect parents to community resources as needed/recommended and consults with other outside professionals (with parental consent) to ensure the success of each student.
If you have any questions regarding St. Joseph Catholic School’s counseling program, please feel free to contact our school counselor.