Grades, peer relationships, extracurricular activities, 7-hour days, managing health… school is hard. Children and adolescent brains are changing as fast as their bodies and environment are, which can bring an onslaught of turmoil, fear, and hopelessness. That’s not to mention the school system that can end up being a hinderance to many students, instead of cultivating their growth and learning.
Yes, school is hard. But it doesn’t have to be impossible. Thriveworks Decatur providers understand the unique struggles kids from kindergarten to college face, and we are here to help guide them through it.
What Do You Mean By “School Concerns”?
Counseling for academic and school concerns is vague on purpose. There is so much variety in the concerns teachers, parents, and students have that we couldn’t narrow it down any farther! We do see some common themes, though. Counseling for school concerns can include:
- Perfectionism, fear of failure
- Learning difficulties
- Time management and organization
- Social connections. Lack of friends and/or bullying
- Disrupting the classroom
- Peer pressure
- Stress management
- Depression and anxiety
- Deviant behavior (skipping class, getting in fights, etc.)
- Or even simply not being where you want to be academically!
Sometimes a student can feel like there’s no way out, that they just “aren’t smart enough”, “can’t help it,” “aren’t a likable person,” or “will never make it.”
These are all lies! And neither you or your student are alone. Thriveworks Decatur has professional counselors who understand both the school system and the emotional and behavioral problems students are facing. We can be that link between the two and provide a bridge for your student to thrive.
What Does Counseling for Academic and School Concerns Look Like?
That varies widely depending on the concern we are facing. Our counselors make sure to work with each student individually, keeping in mind their goals. We want to not only meet those goals, but set them up for future success on their own. Our approach is always nonjudgmental and focused on the client. Sometimes, what starts as a school concern actually is depression, manifesting in poor grades. Or anxiety, showing itself as difficulty with peer relationships.
It is important we get to the root issue of things. This can mean shifting our focus from a purely academic standpoint to an emotional one. Or, it may mean treating a learning disability such as dyslexia or ADHD. Our Thriveworks counselors have experience with all types of cognitive, behavioral, and emotional struggles.
We can also be a liaison between your student and the school if that is what is needed to help them best succeed. Our clinicians have ample experience working in schools and can demystify some of the confusing plans and terms used in the academic setting. We can help you and your student navigate academic plans (IEP, 504, TAG) and behavioral plans (MTSS, point sheets). With a signed release of information, we can also advocate for your child by directly contacting the school and their teacher.
Growing up is not an easy task. The developmental stages your child goes through from childhood, to teenager, to young adult, can be confusing and even painful. But with a little bit of educated help, your student can flourish academically and beyond.
