Mrs. Jamie Rickman

Mission Statement

The mission of Dresden Middle School's Counseling Program is to provide a comprehensive, developmental counseling program which addresses the academic, career, and personal/social development of all students.  School counselors are professional school advocates who provide support to maximize student potential and academic achievement.  The counselor will work with other teachers, parents, students, community members and school personnel to ensure that each student develops the skills necessary to become productive members of society.

Orientation

Although school counselors serve the students through the school, it is important for parents, teachers and students to understand confidentialty does apply to the student-counselor relationship.  As a counselor, I am bound by the rules of confidentiality.  I will not reveal the details of any session that I have with a student.  This applies to both individual and group counseling sessions.

There are exceptions to the rule of confidentiality.  This includes situations in which a student indicates to the counselor that he/she intends to hurt someone else or himself/herself.  Another exception occurs when a student reports that another person plans to harm himself/herself or someone else.

There are often times when a teacher, parent or student refers a student for assistance.  These referrals are very important; however, once a referral is made, the counselor cannot discuss the interaction between the student and counselor as a result of that referral.