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Meet Our Counselor
Mrs. Beth Henry, NCC, MS
Pastoral Counselor
(703) 880-4323
b.henry@sjschoolva.org
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Welcome Back!!
2023-2024
Let's make is a great year to grow in faith and friendship!!❤️
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Meet the Counselor
Mrs. Beth Henry is excited for her fifth year at St. Joseph Catholic School. She works with SJS students in grades K-5 in counseling classes. Mrs. Henry also works with students from any grade in small group/individual meetings. Lunch bunch groups will also be held this year in Mrs. Henry's office. Mrs. Henry has worked in Catholic school counseling programs in the Diocese for the past 8 years. Before moving to Virginia, she worked as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in a pastoral counseling practice in Maryland. -
Our Counseling ProgramThe St. Joseph Catholic School counseling program's mission is to assist students with their academic and social/emotional development, promote spiritual growth, and encourage service to others. We employ an individualized, child-centered approach that is rooted in the Catholic faith and honors the dignity of each child. Our goal is to provide each student with the support and skills needed to achieve their full potential and to be successful.
Our counselor works 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 are encouraged to become independent, responsible learners, to develop and/or strengthen coping strategies, effective problem-solving and decision-making skills and to improve relationships.
Counselors play a vital role in schools where they advocate for a safe, nurturing, and dynamic learning environment for all students. Parents, teachers, and administrators may refer students for counseling services and students may self-refer as well. Counseling is voluntary and confidential.
How does our counselor work with students?
Classroom Social Emotional Learning
Our counselor provides weekly classroom lessons that focus on social-emotional learning skills, such as friendship/peer relations, conflict resolution, respect, courtesy, stress management, and communication. Students also learn about virtues and the stories of saints who provide examples of how to live out these virtues in our daily lives.
Individual Meetings
Students may self-refer to meet with the counselor to talk about issues like stress and worry or friendship concerns. They can pracitice, problem-solving and coping skills. The counselor is also available to help students with difficult life transitions such as moving, the deployment of a parent, 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 meetings on the same topic.
Our counselor can also provide parents with referrals and resources for outside consultation/evaluation/therapy as needed to ensure the success of each student and can also consult with outside professionals currently working with SJS students (with parental permission) to work as a team to develop and implement strategies to address the individual needs of each child.
Small Groups
Our counselor runs various small groups during the school year for students that focus on developing stronger social-emotional skills, such as making & keeping friends, and managing difficult emotions. She also offers weekly lunch bunch groups which are informal opportunities for students in grades 3-8 to make new friends or just to enjoy a small group lunch.
If you have any questions regarding St. Joseph Catholic School's counseling program, please feel free to contact Mrs. Henry directly.