Student Well-Being

School based therapists can provide students with individual therapy during the school day. During this time, a child is pulled from class for a 20 to 30 minute session to work one-on-one with the mental health professional. During this time, the mental health professional will utilize therapeutic interventions to assess the student’s needs and growth towards identified treatment goals.

School based therapists can provide students with group therapy sessions during the school day.  Group therapy sessions can occur during class time, or during the lunch break. In group therapy, several students come together to work on similar treatment goals, as well as to normalize their experiences. The mental health professional will cater the therapeutic intervention to the needs of the group rather than one specific child.

School based therapists can assist with behavioral interventions that a child may need while in the school building. This could look like pushing in to the classroom to help the child improve their ability to engage with their classroom community, or providing “scheduled breaks.” School based therapists support teachers and admin in their work with students and can assist in developing behavior intervention plans.

School based therapists will often provide social-emotional learning in classroom settings. This support helps all students in the classroom with tasks related to self-esteem, coping skills, emotion management, and social skills. These classroom lessons are often developed in conjunction with other school staff to be proactive in supporting students’ needs.

School based therapists aid in crisis intervention for students. This could look like being a part of the building’s suicide prevention team. As part of that team, the therapist will assess student’s for suicidal ideation, plan, or behaviors as well as coordinate with staff, parents, and student.  The mental health professional assists the student in safety planning and developing a plan for maintaining safety outside of the school setting. School based therapists are also available for assistance for support to students and staff following a tragedy, such as a death of a student or staff.

School based therapists want to see students succeed not only in the classroom, but in their homes and communities as well. School based therapists maintain communication with caregivers to assist caregivers in supporting their children’s growth, or to provide additional resources or education to caregivers.

School based therapists often assist in advocacy for students’ needs as the whole child. Because of the mental health professionals’ training and expertise, they can provide a different perspective and viewpoint from others when school teams seek to meet the child’s educational needs. School based therapists advocate for the health and well-being of the whole child; taking into consideration the many attributes a child has- as well as seeking to remain strength based in view.

School based therapists have developed an online presence through each school’s learning management programs. School based therapists remain available to students when there are school closures due to inclement weather. If a child is placed in an alternative learning program, the school based can assist with check-ins to aid the student in remaining connected to their home school.  FWCS is now placing a Virtual Therapist within the Fort Wayne Virtual Academy, so that our students who do not attend brick and mortar school can still have mental health supports and services.