How to make a referral to see the school counselor?

There are two referral forms. Pick the one for your needs, either a PARENT form or a TEACHER form 

Click on the PARENT referral form image below

Click on the TEACHER referral form image below

A referral is made when a student has a need for support here at school. It can be social/emotional or academic. Anyone can make a referral, but this form is specific for parents or others. Teachers have a separate form accessible through our school drive. Parents, family members, teachers, other staff, administrators, or community members can and have made referrals if they feel a child needs counseling support. Simply click on the form above and fill out the referral form. Remember, this form is NOT to report child abuse or neglect. If child abuse or neglect is suspected, TN law states that you must report this to the Department of Children's Services. 

Call the Child Abuse Hotline to report child abuse or neglect in the State of Tennessee. 877-237-0004 Reports can also be made online on our secure site. Direct link: https://apps.tn.gov/carat/

Counselors can meet with a student individually or in small groups, if they have been referred. Students are taught how to refer to themselves, either in person or by filling out a check-in form on Ms. Patricia's CANVAS page. The counselor sees students for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to, academic help, coping skills, processing grief, school related anxiety, learning emotional regulation skills for success in the classroom, divorce or other family issues, and supporting other emotional/ behavioral needs. 

When should I call the School Counselor and under what circumstances should I expect a call from the counselor?

•  When something is happening in your family, that may affect your child’s school performance.
•  If you need support, information, or counseling related resources.
•  If you need the East Knox staff to be watchful of your child for any particular reason and/or you need feedback about your child while he/she is at school.
• You should expect a phone call from the counselor if concerns about your child are repeatedly brought to the counselor’s attention or if the counselor has contact with your child regarding a concern that requires help or involvement.

What is confidentiality and what does it mean?

Confidentiality means that information exchanged in a counseling/group session is kept private/confidential unless released by parent or student permission. Professional School Counselors are required to follow ethical and legal guidelines in maintaining confidentiality. For the safety and well being of children, limits to confidentiality include the occasional need to consult with a child’s teacher or the school administrator; or the need to report to proper authorities if a student discloses that he or she is being harmed, has harmed, or is planning to do harm to him/herself or someone else.