The counselors at McNicholas are trained professionals who serve as:
- Consultants - Group Leaders - Mediators - Child advocates -
- Liaisons between the home and the school -
- People who help teachers, adults, and parents understand children

 
What does a counselor do?
· Helps students to recognize and make the best of their capabilities
· Helps students to better adjust to their school and home environments
· Helps in identifying the needs of students
· Facilitates group counseling and guidance activities
· Promotes positive attitudes and values among students
· Aids teachers and parents in helping students
· Uses tests to provide information about abilities, achievement,
       interests, and needs
· Assists in the identification of and referrals for crisis situations
· Coordinates efforts with other school specialists
· Helps with school, college, job, career and personal plans
· Maintains student confidences
· Provides individual counseling
· Serves as a mediator for conflict resolution
· Meets with parents as needed

How does a student see their counselor?
· Self-referral
· Appointment made by counselor
· Parent referral
· Administrative referral
· Teacher or other staff referral
· Referral by friend(s)
· Dropping in

How and why do parents contact a counselor?
· Concerns over student achievement
· Test interpretation
· Discussing special needs of your child
· Family health problems
· Early discussion of potential student crisis
· Family difficulties and concerns