Counseling
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
The school counselor works with all students and encourages a safe school climate of trust and respect. The school counselor is able to meet with students in an individual or small group setting that involves short term, brief, and solution-focused counseling. The goal is to help students who are struggling to make positive behavior choices. The hope is to collaborate with parents, guardians, teachers, support staff, and administration all with the common purpose of doing what is in the best interest of the student. The school counselor maintains the confidentiality of students and their families unless there is a need to know or safety concern. Additionally, the counselor provides the Westminster community with educational information about students' social-emotional needs. The counselor does not provide long term individual counseling, but can provide referrals and help connect families with outside resources. The counselor does not assist in disciplinary action, tell teachers how to teach, or parents how to parent. However, the counselor’s intentions are to come alongside and be a part of your team to help your student navigate situations that may arise so that students and families may flourish.
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Core Values in Counseling
At Westminster, our counseling approach is deeply rooted in our commitment to integrating Christian thought, faith, and practice, ensuring each student is guided and nurtured within a biblical worldview:
- We seek to integrate Christian thought, faith and practice into every counseling interaction.
- We reflect from the lens of a biblical worldview.
- We desire that students know and enjoy Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior and grow in relationship with Him.
- We seek to know, love and serve all students as individuals, recognizing and developing their unique gifts and abilities, that they may accomplish God’s purpose for their lives.
- We acknowledge, appreciate and adjust to the various ways that students learn.
- We prepare students to have knowledge, skills, courage and leadership to engage the challenges of today’s world.
- We develop students who find joy in serving others before self.
- We strive to be a school community known for love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Services Offered
- Student check-ins
- Brief individual counseling
- Group meetings directed towards student needs
- Classroom lessons
- Consultation services with parents and caretakers
- Crisis intervention and referral as needed
- How the Counselor Can Help the Students
- Manage Stress and Anxiety
- Deal with peer pressure & bullying
- Deal with family dynamics/issues
- Set realistic goals for personal development
- Learn healthy coping skills
- Learn social skills
- Learn self-management
- How the Counselor Can Help the Parents
- Improving parent-child communication
- Understand the developmental changes of childhood
- Explore healthy ways to help your child succeed
- Help with referrals for community resources
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Meet Our School Counselor
Caitlin Vinson
B.S., Georgia College & State University
M.S., North Georgia College & State University
National Certified Counselor
Contact: cvinson@wsa.net or (706) 731-5260 ext. 2204
Office Hours: 8:00-2:30 Monday-Friday
Lower School Office location Pamplin Hall
Middle School Office location 100 Building