Counseling

Why do students need school counseling?

• Students learn best when they feel good about themselves and their relationships with others
• Students who understand their feelings are better able to control their behavior
• We know that stress can affect focus and learning, but its impact can be reduced with proven self-regulation strategies
• Schools, parents, and communities that communicate and collaborate provide the most effective support to children
• Attitudes formed during middle school shape future attitudes towards learning, self, and society

What does a middle school counselor do?

Much like the school nurse, our services are available to ALL students. It is our job to make sure students are happy and doing their best at school. This is a tall order since so many factors go into students doing well--their ability to focus and pay attention, their relationships with peers and teachers, how well they can manage their feelings and impulses, and their lives outside of school. We address these issues using individual or small group solution-focused counseling, as well as classroom guidance lessons. We ask students to think of us as a coach who helps them solve their problems.

How are you different from a therapist from an outside agency?

We frequently see students once or twice, or in the classroom setting rather than in our office. Although we do often help students with family problems and behavior at home, our primary role is to deal with school-related problems. Sometimes an issue is better addressed more intensively in a therapeutic setting, and with greater direct parent involvement. Contact us if you’d like us to recommend an outside therapist for your child.

How do students come to see you?

Students will come to us in a variety of ways. Usually, it’s by recommendation of the classroom teacher and/or the parent. Sometimes they are referred by the office. Often, students will approach us themselves and ask if they can schedule an appointment. They may also ask their teacher or someone in the office to give us a message.

• Centro Savila
  Phone: (505) 312-7296
• First Choice (South Valley)
  Phone: (505) 873-7400
• Southwest Family Guidance Center and Institute (SWFGC)
  Phone: (505) 830-1871
• Rio Grande Counseling Services
  Phone: (505) 246-8700 
• First Nations Healthcare
  Phone: (505) 262-2481
• Family Workshop
  Phone: (505) 880-0100 
• SAGE Neuroscience Center
  Phone: (505) 405-2171
• YDI/Amistad
  Phone: (505) 212-7405
• Attachment Healing Center
  Phone: (505) 237-0061 
• Small Steps Child Counseling
  Phone: (505) 933-4639
• NM Children’s Grief Center
  Phone: (505) 323-0478
• Eating Disorders Treatment Center
  Phone: (505) 266-6121

• All Faiths Receiving Home
  Phone: (505) 271-0329
• Barret House
  Phone: (505) 243-4887
• S.A.F.E. House
  Phone: (505) 247-4219

• Albuquerque Housing Authority
  Phone: (505) 764-3920
• Albuquerque HUD Office
  Phone: (505) 346-6463
• Bernalillo County Community Services
  Phone: (505) 468-7000/468-7140

• Albuquerque Indian Center
  Phone: (505) 268-1751
• Albuquerque Indian Health Center
  Phone: (505) 248-4000
• Enlace Comunitario (DV Center)
  Phone: (505) 246-8972
• Native American Professional Parent Resources
  Phone: (505) 345-6289
• NM Coalition Against Domestic
  Violence
  Phone: (505) 246-9240
• NM Immigrant Law Center
  Phone: (505) 247-1023
• NM Legal Aid
  Phone: 1 (833) 545-4357/(505) 243-7871
• Parents Reaching Out
  Phone: (505) 247-0192
  Provides support to families w/children who have special needs and/or disabilities.