The Counseling Department is committed to providing compassionate, confidential care and social-emotional support to our students. We offer a comprehensive program to proactively address the stress and anxiety young women face today and we equip all students with tools and resources to learn more about themselves and the impact they will make on our world.
Our exceptionally small caseloads allow us to offer a variety of opportunities for the girls to grow both academically and emotionally. Guidance sessions teach students about maintaining healthy friendships, communication, and personal safety, and we offer optional therapeutic small groups addressing grief, wellness, and organizational skills. We mentor our student-led Mental Health Alliance, assisting our students with advocacy efforts, and meeting each month to plan activities and educational sessions. We offer a Brain Break each quarter at exam time to de-stress and have fun.
The Freshman Seminar class, required in the freshman year, targets mental health education, school-readiness skills, and cultural readiness. The class provides a safe forum for students to learn about and discuss current and relevant topics impacting their social-emotional and academic development. Each weekly topic offers education through a speaker, counselor-led discussion in a small group, and community outreach activities.
In addition to leading our Freshman Seminar class, our Student Success Counselor also provides both preventative and responsive services to all students requiring academic assistance, including individualized Academic Assistance plans, connection to faculty during office hours, and both small group and one-on-one tutoring with our NHS peer tutors during the school day.
Saint Ursula Academy Counseling utilizes the SOS Signs of Suicide data-validated program through Mindwise Innovations to provide suicide prevention programming each year to each student, as well as regular risk assessments to ensure the health and safety of each student. For students requiring greater support, we confidentially provide students and families with appropriate referrals to outside counseling resources.