The Counselor's
Corner
Pam Brown
I believe counseling is for all students.
Referrals to the counseling center are made primarily to increase the learning potential of students. My goal is to help young people achieve in school and life. Teachers and parents are key components of any successful counseling program. Parents and teachers often recognize the needs of their child/student before the student arrives in the counseling center; therefore, a team approach is necessary. Counseling is a way of helping healthy functioning students capitalize on their strengths and reach higher levels of development. Counseling also supports students who have concerns about the direction and purpose of their lives.
I believe counselors continue to be educators.
I am a former classroom teacher and an educator committed to lifelong learning. I stay current on counseling issues through professional affiliations and periodicals. I am a member of the American Counseling Association (ACA), the Georgia School Counselors Association (GSCA), and the Region 11 School Counselors Council.
I believe counselors are accessible and available to students, teachers, and parents.
My policy is to maintain a flexible schedule. This flexibility enables me to handle crises as they occur in the school day. However, crises not withstanding, it is imperative that a schedule is maintained and I remain accountable to those I serve. I believe good counselors' respect the rights of confidentiality between the counselor and student and/or teacher. Students and teachers need an opportunity to air their concerns without fear that their feelings will be revealed to others. Counselors are bound ethically to maintain confidentiality when talking with students, teachers, and parents. However, counselors must report abusive situations and potentially dangerous activities to appropriate agencies. Counselors must state to their counselees up front their policy for maintaining confidentiality and exceptions must be made clear.
I believe counselors are accountable.
To ensure the appropriateness of services provided, it is essential that ongoing evaluation of programs occur. I have been given the opportunity to coordinate several programs at WCMS. It is my duty to evaluate these services and work toward excellence.
