Families » School Counseling Services

School Counseling Services

Mrs. Sunny Ceron, MS, PPSC
Big Pine TK-12 School Counselor
 
As Big Pine's School Counselor I work alongside teachers, parents, students, community members, and community agencies to create partnerships that will support student success. 
 
In school counseling services include:
  • Academic advising
  • College and Career advising
  • Social emotional development
  • Solution focused brief individual counseling
  • Solution focused brief small group counseling
 
I look forward to collaborating with you and working with your students! Please email me at [email protected] or call me at 760-938-2222 ext. 2459 if I may be of service. 
 
Solution Focused Brief Individual Counseling
I work with a student in a safe, positive, and confidential setting to address challenges they may be having at home, with school, or socially. Topics are based on the needs of the student and may include: understanding feelings, coping skills, changing families/divorce, grief, stress management, social skills, academics, bullying, problem-solving, decision-making, and communication skills.  Individual counseling is offered on a short-term basis and is solution focused. If you feel your child would benefit from longer term counseling, a referral to an outside community agency can be provided. 
 
Solution Focused Brief Small Group Counseling
I work with groups of students who share similar challenges or concerns (consisting of about 3-8 peers). The group sessions usually last about 30 minutes and are held once a week. Topics are based on the needs of the students as determined by data collected from report cards, teacher observation, parent input, and counselor experience with the student.  The school counseling program is focusing on groups that teach friendship and social skills, life skills, study skills, conflict resolution, anger management, self-esteem, stress-management, and coping skills.
 
What services does the counselor provide?
School Counselors provide preventive and intervention services, which are integrated into all aspects of children’s lives. Counselors provide appropriate tools for communicating, making decisions, and developing friendships and coping skills. Counselors provide services by developing and delivering classroom presentations that teach skills for achieving success, facilitating small group counseling, providing immediate short-term counseling when needed, and providing support during personal crisis. In addition, counselors work collaboratively with parents to connect them to community resources if needed and to help their student succeed in their academic, career, personal and social development.
 
How does my student get referred to the counselor?
Students can see their School Counselor via self-referral, parental request, request of the counselor, administrative referral, and/or teacher or staff referral. Parental referral forms are linked above.
 
​​​​​​​For how long does the school counselor see the student?
Sessions may be held on a regular, ongoing basis or simply as needed. The counselor's priority is for the student to succeed here at school and to do so the student must be in his/her classroom as much as possible. Therefore the counselor will not remove the student from his/her class for longer than 15 minutes unless crisis management is needed.
​​​​​​​
How do I get referred for outside services?
The role of a school counselor is to assist children during their school day. This may include issues with friends, test anxiety, social issues, and problems at home that are affecting their school day. There are times when outside, private counseling may be necessary, such as when there are difficulties at home (i.e. divorce, death of a loved one, deployment, mental health concerns, etc.) that are either not affecting the child at school or could benefit from professional therapeutic support. If you decide private counseling is necessary for your family, the counselor can provide information regarding local counseling agencies.
 
If it is a weekend, how do I get help for Crisis Counseling?
If you are worried about your student or a student you know that is in immediate danger to themselves or others call 911 or take them to the emergency room immediately.
 
California Youth Crisis Line, 24/7 Call/Text 1-800-843-5200
CA Youth Crisis Line Website
 
If a student is getting outside services, what is the school counselor’s role?
The school counselor can collaborate with the outside service providers if needed. There is a form that the school counselor might give you titled "Authorization for Use and/or Disclosure of Confidential Information" which will allow communication between providers. 
 
What are the parameters around confidentiality?
Confidentiality is an important aspect of counseling; this is how the counselor builds trust with the student. What the child says during counseling is to remain between the counselor and the child unless: 1. The child is in imminent danger. 2. The child is threatening to harm him/herself or someone else. 3. The child reports an incident of abuse and/or neglect. 4. The child gives permission to disclose. When a breach in confidentiality is necessary, the counselor would make a report to the appropriate agencies, support staff and/or parents depending on the situation.
 
Note: Our highest priority is keeping your student safe. School counselors and other school staff members are mandated reporters. Mandated reporters are required by law to report to CPS any time a student is suspected of being in danger.
 
How can I get ahold of the counselor? 
The counselor is available Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. and can be reached by phone, email, or through ParentSquare. If you would like a meeting, please contact the counselor ahead of time to make an appointment. The counselor's schedule is not always open to immediate walk-in meetings, however parental involvement is a priority for us and the counselor will try to schedule a meeting for as soon as possible. 
 
​​​​​​​Why would my child see you? 
Students may be referred to the school counselor if there are concerns that are inhibiting their learning here at school. Some concerns, but not limited to are: behavioral difficulties, social/emotional concerns, conflict with peers, attendance concerns, and academic concerns.
​​​​​​​
Will you notify me if you spoke to my child?
Parents are notified at the discretion of the counselor. If a counselor will be seeing a student on an on-going basis, the counselor will then notify the parent and seek parental consent for school counseling if it has not already been given.
 
What topics do you cover in small groups?
Small group topics are determined based on the need of the small group. Previous groups held are listed below:
Citizenship, Life Skills, Personal/Social Skills, Study Skills​​​​​​​.
 
Where is the Counselor’s office?
The Counselor’s office is in room 12 on the 2nd floor of the main school building. Please contact Mrs. Ceron for an appointment. All school visitors will be asked to check in with the front office before going to the Counseling office.