Counseling

School Counselor’s Role:

Middle school is an ideal time for self-development, personal/social growth, and setting academic goals.

School counselors develop comprehensive guidance programs aimed at meeting the academic, personal/social, and career needs of all students. Some common middle school issues include academic support, friendship dilemmas, grief, family concerns, bullying, peer conflicts, divorce, anger management, college-preparation etc.

Typical Counseling Tasks:

• Individual sessions
• Parent meetings
• Group sessions
• Conflict-resolution meetings
• SST (Student Study Team) meetings
• 504 Plans
• Scheduling (master schedule, student schedules)
• Classroom guidance lessons
• College and Career Week
• Goal setting for college and career planning
• High school transition program for 8th grade students
• Referrals to therapists for on-going counseling
• Referrals to community agencies
• On-going collaboration with teachers and all staff members

How are Students Referred to the Counselor?

We are available to all students, parents and staff. Referrals are made by teachers, parents and students (self-referrals). 

We are aware that students are not sure what the process is to set up a meeting. We have good news! Students have several options:

• If you have an urgent matter, stop in before school, during break, lunch or after-school to see if we are available
• Send us an e-mail
• Let us know that we need to meet when you see us around campus (We love this!)
• Hand us a note when you see us around campus if you do not want anyone to overhear what you are telling us
• Ask your teacher at an appropriate time if you can come to our office, if you have an urgent matter

We realize that some students may feel shy or nervous about coming in to the office to meet with a school counselor for the first time. School counselors are trained to listen to others and create a safe environment for students to share thoughts and feelings. Our favorite part of the counseling process is collaborating with students to create a variety of appropriate solutions.

We are available to all students, parents and staff. Referrals are made by teachers, parents and students (self-referrals). You can reach us via:

• Laura Switzer - email: lswitzer@tustin.k12.ca.us
• Christine MacInnis - email: cmacinnis@tustin.k12.ca.us
• Sarah Montes - email: smontes@tustin.k12.ca.us
• Phone: 714-430-2078
• Or, you may fill out this FORM and leave it with someone in the front office.

We are aware that students are not sure what the process is to set up a meeting. We have good news! Students have several options:

• Stop in before school, during break, lunch or after-school to see if we are available
• Send us an e-mail
• Leave a note for us in the front office or fill out a “Request to Meet with Counselor” form
• Let us know that we need to meet when you see us around campus (I love this!)
• Hand us a note when you see us around campus if you do not want anyone to overhear what you are telling us
• Ask your teacher at an appropriate time if you can come to our office
• Leave us a voicemail

We realize that some students may feel shy or nervous about coming in to the office to meet with a school counselor for the first time. School counselors are trained to listen to others and create a safe environment for students to share thoughts and feelings. Our favorite part of the counseling process is collaborating with students to create a variety of appropriate solutions.