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Informed Consent

School Counseling Informed Consent

Introduction

DePaul Catholic High School, in partnership with the community, will provide an exemplary, comprehensive education that develops all students to be knowledgeable, responsible citizens in a global environment. In an effort to achieve this goal, parent/guardian(s), students, or school staff may refer students for counseling. The focus of the school counseling program helps its students with academic, college/career, and social/emotional concerns. There is no cost for counseling services provided at DePaul Catholic High School.

Background

DePaul Catholic High School counselors include Anne Gregory, Cynthia Covello, and Kelsey Hall, all of whom have a Master's Degree in School Counseling, and are certified by the New Jersey Department of Education as a School Counselor. With a Master's in School Counseling, all of the school counselors are "uniquely qualified to address students' academic, college/career, and social/emotional development needs through the implementation of a school counseling program that promotes and enhances student success" (ASCA, 2019).

School Counseling Program

It is the policy of DePaul Catholic High School for ALL DePaul Catholic students to have access to the school counseling curriculum, which covers a variety of developmentally appropriate topics and is provided at various times throughout the year in the student's classrooms. School counselors will also see students for short-term, individual counseling on topics ranging from academic, college/career, and social/emotional issues. As needs arise, school counselors will provide group counseling, and will obtain parent/guardian written permission for students to participate in these groups. The school counselors also participate in a number of school-based committees advocating for their students. In the event the student needs long-term counseling, the school counselors will provide referrals to outside mental health providers upon request.

OFFICE HOURS

Monday - Friday from 7:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Emails/inquiries received after school hours will be answered during the next business day.
If you or someone you know is in immediate crisis, please dial 911,go to the nearest emergency room, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to reach a 24-hour crisis center or text MHA to 741741 at the Crisis Text Line.

Virtual/Distance Counseling

School counselors may use forms of digital communication (e.g., email, phone, video conferencing) on a regular basis to help facilitate interactions with students and parents that expedite program or service delivery or allow interaction with students/parents/guardians who may not be able to come to the school. School counselors cannot interact with students via social media platforms or accept friend requests. The School Counseling Department, during emergency situations, may operate entirely virtual and will take reasonable steps to ensure user identity. For a full list of benefits and limitations of virtual counseling, please refer to the DPCHS Virtual School Counseling link at the top of this section.

Counselor Confidentiality Statement

Information students share with the Counselor is confidential. The student's right to privacy is guarded as much as permitted by law, ethics, and school rules. All meetings held with the Counselor will remain confidential unless the student or parent gives permission to share information with related parties. As Professional School Counselors, we respect the rights of confidentiality of personal information disclosed during the course of a conversation between ourselves and students, except in the following cases:

  • If the student presents a danger to themselves.
  • If the student presents a danger to others.
  • If the student has been neglected or abused by others.
  • If required to do so by court order.
  • If the parent or adult student gives permission for the information to be shared.

As mandated reporters, we are bound by Federal and State law to break confidentiality in the situations mentioned above and will do so to protect our students and to remain legally and ethically true to our profession. The Professional School Counselor may consult with other school professionals but will only share information necessary for achieving the goals of the consultation. In addition, it is important to note that if a student is a part of group counseling, there is the risk that other students may share information outside the group setting.

NOTE: If you would like the school counselor to share information with a third party, such as a community counselor, psychiatrist, social services worker, or pediatrician, you will need to sign an additional release of information form.