What is a Life Counselor?
RCPS Life Counselor Program:
The role of the LIFE counselor is to lead individuals and foster empowerment with students. LIFE Counselors establish productive relationships with students, parents, staff, and community members to achieve this goal. LIFE Counselors utilize a multi-disciplinary team approach to ensure that student needs are being addressed. The focus is on prevention and intervention to promote academic success, personal growth, and well-being. Students are referred to the LIFE counseling program through a variety of avenues. Teachers, school counselors, and school administrators are able to provide referrals based on observed needs. Students can self-refer, and parents and/or guardians can reach out directly to refer their student. Once a referral has been received, the LIFE Counselor will contact the parent and/or guardian to provide further information and gain consent for services. Students are evaluated to determine the best form of support to put in place, based on each individual students’ specific needs.
Students who exhibit symptoms of mental health concerns could benefit from support from a LIFE Counselor. These include but are not limited to the following:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Stress management
- Anger management
- Defiance
- Behavior
- Substance use
LIFE Counselors can provide:
- Individual counseling
- Group counseling
- Education on mental health, trauma, and substance topics
- Substance abuse prevention and intervention
- Life skills training
- Crisis intervention
- Case management services