Confidentiality
is an important aspect of the work of a counselor. Communication
(verbal and/or written) between a student and the counselor is
confidential unless first waived by the student. All communication
(verbal and/or written) between student/ family and the counseling
staff is held in strict confidence unless confidentiality is first
waived by the minor child’s legal guardian. Exceptions include
information regarding danger to self or others or abuse of a child.
Legally and ethically, confidentiality must be broken in such instances
and all relevant parties notified with, whenever possible, the
knowledge of the student. When confidentiality must be breeched and
when appropriate, students are given the choice to disclose information
directly (with the counselor present) or to have the counselor make the
disclosure.
The counselor maintains a strong
relationship with the other members of the Lower School faculty, as
well as the school’s Counseling Department and cultivates the same
within the community in order to be aware of resources that could be of
value to the Walker community, particularly the students. The
Counseling Department’s Coffee Talk is researched and organized by the
counselor of the Lower School. These Coffee Talks, which are held
several times during the school year, feature a guest speaker who
focuses on a specific topic of interest and concern to
parents.
It is the goal of the counseling
department to support the mission of the school by enabling the
students to reach their highest potential academically, socially, and
emotionally. The goal can be accomplished best when the parents,
faculty, and counselor work in a cooperative manner as the support team
for the students. Parents are not routinely informed of non-safety
issues unless with the student’s invitation.
Release
of Information forms are available for families who wish the school
counselor to be in communication with a private therapist or
doctor.