Social Emotional Health

Parker’s Counseling Department believes every student is capable of learning and relating and wants to learn and grow. When students encounter temporary or permanent circumstances that interfere with their ability to learn or relate, we aim to provide appropriate support, insight and strategies to help them succeed both individually and as part of the larger community.

The Counseling Department views each student as a complex learner developing as an emotional, social and physical member of a larger community encompassing home, school and society. We understand that a child’s growing sense of personal identity within our diverse community is a key aspect of life-span development. We work to understand how each child and family’s unique identity impacts their school experience. We are inspired to help create an inclusive community, free of hate or bullying, where all children and families feel at home and safe. Success results from a partnership between students, their parents, the school and the community.

We offer individual and group counseling for students struggling with life transitions or other social/emotional and mental health concerns. The focus of the groups varies according to the developmental concerns of each age group as well as the specific needs of the students enrolled in each group. Some groups address existing difficulties while others proactively address the normal developmental challenges of a certain grade level. We use a team approach and work closely with faculty and other colleagues, within and outside the school.

In addition to these therapeutic activities, we guide students in helping themselves and each other to become healthy, concerned, responsible citizens.
Francis W. Parker School educates students to think and act with empathy, courage and clarity as responsible citizens and leaders in a diverse democratic society and global community.