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Counseling & Mental Health

Gresham-Barlow School District Counseling Program

We hope that this page serves as a useful resource for GBSD students, families, staff, and community members.  GBSD school counselors are working in numerous ways to support the academic, personal/social, and career needs of all students. We want to highlight some of the work that is being done here, while also providing a space to collect resources for our students, families, and community partners.

Comprehensive School Counseling Plan Vision

The vision of the Gresham-Barlow School District Counseling Program is to provide an equity focused comprehensive program that cultivates community involvement, academic, personal and social skills, as well as career exploration and connections for all students. The program seeks to empower all students to become culturally responsive, productive and involved community members and life‐long learners. 

Comprehensive School Counseling Plan Mission Statement 

In partnership with other educators, families and the community, the mission of the GBSD Comprehensive School Counseling Program is to provide each and every student with an equitable, comprehensive, and preventative program to support all students in meeting high academic, career, social/emotional and community involvement standards.   

What Do School Counselors do?

School counselors are licensed educators who work to ensure student success in multiple ways. School counselors are important advocates for all students, and they help promote a positive and inclusive school environment that allows access and equity for all. They also help students apply academic achievement strategies, learn about, manage and apply interpersonal skills, and help students with post-high school planning. School counselors can also consult with families and provide referrals and resources when needed.

All school counselors develop programs and activities that are developmentally appropriate, meet the specific needs of their students and families, and that are in accordance with Gresham Barlow School District’s Comprehensive School Counseling Program document.

At the elementary level, school counselors engage in the following activities:

  • Regularly visit classrooms to deliver lessons on social and emotional topics, such as managing feelings, bullying, friendship skills, cooperation skills and personal safety.
  • Lead small groups based on the needs of students, such as managing anxiety, improving friendship skills, coping with grief or family changes, or building social and emotional skills.  
  • Work short-term with individual students who need emotional or behavioral support, or targeted social skills instruction.
  • Provide crisis support for students and families, including resources and referrals. 
  • Collaborate with school based teams on issues related to attendance, academic or behavioral support for students, and programs and activities that enhance the school culture, and promote the safety and wellbeing of all students.

At the middle school level, school counselors engage in the following activities:

  • Visit classrooms to speak with students about topics related to academic achievement, social and emotional health, and personal safety.
  • Lead small groups based on the needs of students, such as managing anxiety, or coping with grief or family changes. 
  • Work short-term with individual students who need emotional support.
  • Provide crisis support for students and families, including resources and referrals.
  • Collaborate with school based teams on issues related to attendance, middle school transitions, and academic or behavioral support for students.

At the high school level, school counselors engage in the following activities:

  • Visit classrooms to speak with students about topics related to academic forecasting, post high school planning, social and emotional health, and personal safety.
  • Lead small groups based on the needs of students, such as managing anxiety, or coping with grief or family changes. 
  • Work with individual students for academic or post high school planning. 
  • Work with individual students who need emotional support.
  • Provide crisis support for students and families, including resources and referrals.
  • Collaborate with school based teams on issues related to attendance, and academic or behavioral support for students.

Click HERE to locate the counselor for your school.

District 504 Coordinator -
Carla Gay, Executive Director of Innovations and PartnershipsCarla Gay

Counselor on Special Assignment
Gloria Hull
hull20@gresham.k12.or.us 


Karen Harshfield
Counselor on Special Assignment 
 

Program Director of Student Support Services
John Gordon
gordon21@gresham.k12.or.us


Executive Director of Student Support Services
Donna Ravenberg
ravenberg@gresham.k12.or.us