Therapeutic Supports
Individual Counseling
Individual counseling services are provided weekly to all students to address current social and emotional goals some of which include: improving communication and social skills; addressing emotional needs; promoting problem-solving, anger management and conflict resolution; reinforcing positive coping skills and resilience; and promoting positive interpersonal relationships and social problem solving. Individual counseling services are an integral part of addressing students’ individual needs and facilitating socioemotional development.
Group Counseling
Group counseling services are facilitated weekly and consist of small groups up to five students that share similar social emotional goals. Group counseling is an efficient, effective, and positive way of providing direct service to students by allowing them to develop insights into themselves and others and develop supportive relationships.
Social Skills/Monthly Team Building
Incorporated into our students’ daily schedule, is a time period for Monthly Team Building. With their individual homerooms, students participate in planned interactive activities focusing on team building and social skills to further promote healthy and positive interactions. Engaging students in team building activities help with the development of the following skills: problem solving, communication, cooperation, listening, self-esteem, idea exchange, working with others and different groups, leadership, and creative thinking.
Lunch Bunch
Woodward provides students the opportunity to voluntarily join small, interactive groups facilitated by the Clinical Team. This provides students the opportunity to share and discuss topics in which they would like additional support. Lunch Bunch groups take place during the students lunch period reinforcing an inviting and social atmosphere. This process encourages and promotes self-awareness, ownership and independence. Lunch Bunch is a safe place where students meet with a trained clinician to discuss matters that concern them.
Peer Mediation
Peer mediation is a process where students work with their peers to uncover the root causes of their disputes and decide on fair and positive ways of resolving a conflict. The clinical team facilitates peer mediations and helps students use and foster empathy, perspective-taking, self-awareness, communication skills and problem-solving skills to resolve conflict among their peers and reach a mutually beneficial agreement.
Therapeutic Supports Throughout the School Day
Aside from students’ weekly scheduled counseling services, therapeutic supports are offered to students throughout the school day. A clinician is available when needed to provide therapeutic intervention to students such as reflective listening, verbal calming, peer mediation, short break in the Reflection Room, supportive phone call home, safety planning, and facilitation of coping skills. Clinicians are trained in crisis intervention supports and verbal de-escalation strategies. All clinicians and educators work together in a collaborative effort to support students’ individual needs.
Reflection Room
Students know that they are welcome to voluntarily use the Reflection Room comfortably and without judgment. It serves as a place where students will receive support from our certified clinical staff. The Reflection Room is a safe space for students to self-express any negative emotions they may be experiencing. Following a period of reflection, in a calm and purposeful environment, students leave the Reflection Room ready to rejoin the school community and engage in learning.
