Rolling Valley School Counselors

Elementary school counselors assist students in reaching their potential to become effective learners. They use a child-centered, preventative, and developmental approach when working with students, teachers and parents.

School counseling will be conducted within the classroom through psycho-educational lessons, usually focusing on academic skills as well as personal/social-emotional skills.  School Counselors also meet with students individually and in small groups, when requested by parents and teachers and when determined appropriate. This service is short-term, voluntary, and confidential. Parent notification is given to any extended individual or group counseling.  Students can also ask to meet with the counselors at any time.  School counselors also provide crisis counseling as needed.

All school counselors have a Master’s Degree in Counseling (no fewer than 52 credits) with required internships in a school setting.  Some school counselors are also LPCs (licensed professional counselors) or hold additional accreditations or degrees.

School Psychology Services

School psychologists are mental health specialists with knowledge of child development, the psychology of learning, behavior management and intervention, monitoring the progress of students, and program evaluation. School psychologists apply this knowledge using a problem-solving approach to help bring about positive changes in the learning environment, attitude, and motivation. Services offered by the school psychologist may be provided directly to the student or indirectly by working with teachers, parents, and other care givers; however, all services provided by the school psychologist are intended to enhance the academic and social emotional success of students. Minimum requirements to be a school psychologist include a 60-hour master's degree program and a one-year full-time internship; many FCPS school psychologists hold doctoral degrees.

Social Work and Support Services

School social workers focus on family and community factors that influence learning. They provide intensive services for students facing issues that pose risks to their academic success such as parent divorce and separation, poverty, truancy, chronic illness, mental health problems, conduct problems, child abuse, etc.

All FCPS social workers hold a Master of Social Work (MSW) or Master of Social Science (MSS) degree; many have earned a Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) degree. All school social workers are licensed by the Virginia Department of Education. The majority of the staff is clinically licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Social Work (LCSW) or in other jurisdictions and trained to provide mental health services in any setting.