Counseling Services

SMS School Counseling Mission:

The Sweetwater Middle School counseling department will deliver a comprehensive, developmental and preventive program appropriate for the needs of all students.  This program will support the Local School Plan of Improvement as well as the American School Counselor’s Association competencies.

SMS Vision Statement:

Sweetwater Middle School will be a world-class school for the 21st century, committed to honoring the dreams of the families who choose our school.

• When your student is having difficulty achieving academically.

• When family changes interfere with academic progress.

• When you want to arrange a meeting with several teachers or with both teacher and a counselor.

• When you need help to interpret tests and school records and track school progress.

Middle school is a special place that gives students new opportunities and more independence. Students feel excited, sad and nervous. Classes are different, rules are new, schedules are busier, and students have their own lockers. Here are some tips for success in middle school.

• Organization- getting organized is an important key to success.
• Use agenda books to write down assignments each day. Keep your locker and back pack cleaned out.
• Homework- schedule time for homework, break  big projects into small steps, and prepare the night before.
• Talk to your teachers- ask questions if you are unsure of your assignment, if you do not understand something, or if you need help.
• Get good grades- Turn your homework in on time and always do your best work
• Get involved in extra- curricular activities- find things that you enjoy like sports, clubs, and community activities. This is a great way to meet to new people and to have fun.
• Stay healthy- get plenty of rest at night and eat a good breakfast.
• Communication- talk with your parent/guardian regularly about what is going on with you at school.
• Friends- choose your friends wisely and always surround yourself with positive people.
• Attendance- be sure that you are here each and every day. If you are not here, you can't learn.

Helpful Websites and Resources:

GCPS TV: http://www.gcpstv.org

Children with Eating Disorders: http://eatingdisordersanonymous.org/

Cyberbullying: https://www.onlinecybersecurity.org/articles/online-safety/​

ADHD/ADD:   www.Chadd.org

Summer camps: www.summer-daycamps.com

Camps for children with special needs: www.camptwinlakes.org

Free Grief Counseling Service for Students in the Metro Area:  http://katesclub.org

If you are at least fourteen years old and interested in obtaining a job, you will need to file a work permit.

You will need to print the completed Work Permit Data Sheet and present it to your employer. Once your employer returns the form to you, bring the completed work permit and your social security number to the Twin Rivers front office. Your completed permit will be ready to pick up from the front office within 24 hours.

Directions for filing an online work permit can be found on the following Georgia Department of Labor website.  https://dol.georgia.gov/

Crisis Mental/Behavioral Health Resources

Please contact your insurance provider FIRST to determine where they have authorized access for mental health services. Please confirm, either while making an appointment or prior to going to an appointment, if your insurance provider is accepted. In addition, your insurance provider may have referrals to specific therapists who specialize in children and adolescent issues.

Hospitals/Crisis
Georgia Crisis & Access Line (GCAL)
1-800-715-4225
www.mygcal.com

• MyGCAL App can be downloaded on smartphones to access services.
• Provide crisis intervention services over the phone.
• If unable to de-escalate over the phone a mobile crisis team goes to location of crisis.
• Staff able to 10-13 (involuntary transport) or go with the family to the hospital with their assessment information.
• Links individuals with urgent appointment services.

Laurelwood Hospital (Northeast GA Health System)
770-219-3800
200 Wisteria Drive Gainesville, GA 30501
www.nghs.com

• Age Range: 12-18.
• Insurance: Free assessments, accepts most major insurance (except Cigna)
• Inpatient only.
• Free assessments at NCMC Braselton (1400 River Place Braselton, GA 30517)

Peachford Hospital
770-455-3200
2151 Peachford Road Atlanta, GA 30339
www.peachford.com

• Age Range: 4-18.
• Insurance: Free assessments, accepts most major insurance and CMOs.
• Inpatient, intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, parenting classes, pharmacy.

Ridgeview Institute
844-350-8800
709 Breedlove Drive Monroe, GA 30655
3995 South Cobb Drive Smyrna, GA 30080
www.ridgeviewinstitute.com

• Age Range: 12-17.
• Insurance: Free assessments, accepts most major insurance and CMOs.
• Inpatient, stabilization.

Riverwoods Hospital
877-293-5168
223 Medical Center Drive Riverdale, GA 30274
www.riverwoodsbehavioral.com

• Age Range: 10-17.
• Insurance: Accepts most major insurance and CMOs.
• Inpatient only.

Summit Ridge Hospital
678-442-5858
250 Scenic Highway Lawrenceville, GA 30045
www.summittridgehospital.net

• Age Range: 11-18.
• Insurance: Free assessments, Accepts most private insurances.
• Inpatient, Partial Hospitalization.

View Point Health Crisis Stabilization Unit
678-209-2710
2591 Candler Road Decatur, GA 30032
www.myviewpointhealth.org

• Age Range: 14-18.
• Insurance: Accepts most major insurance and CMOs.

GCPS does not endorse or recommend any of the above agencies, as this list is for informational use only. Any fees incurred are the responsibility of the
parent and/or student. This is not a complete list of resources for Crisis Mental/Behavioral Health assistance in Gwinnett or the Metro Atlanta Area.
Please check with your insurance provider for referrals as well as with other sources of information for additional resources.

Updated 10/19

** Will my child be in trouble if he/she visits the school counselor?

No. School Counselors are not disciplinarians! Our role is different from an administrative role and does not include issuing citations, referrals or any other discipline consequence. Our primary role is to assist in removing barriers that may keep the student from being successful in the academic environment.

** Will others know that my child is being seen by the counselor?

** If the counselor sees my child, is this on the student's permanent record?

No information shared with the counselor is included in the permanent record. Again, information is only shared with others when there is a clear and present danger to the student or other persons.

**If my child sees the school counselor, will I be contacted?

Many times parents initiate the referral process and may speak to the counselor before counseling sessions take place with the students. However, parents are not called every time a counselor meets with a child. And, should parents be called in to meet with the school counselor in a collaborative effort to help the student, parents must also realize that confidentiality is the hallmark of a school counselors’ work. When students enter into a counseling relationship, the school counselor will educate the student about the purposes, goals, techniques and rules of procedure under which they may receive counseling. As counseling with a student progresses, it may become beneficial or necessary for the school counselor to consult and collaborate with parents. It’s the school counselor’s responsibility to reach an agreement with the student about what information to share with the parents; unless, of course, there is a clear and imminent danger to the student or others. While respecting the rights and responsibilities of parents/guardians for their children, the school counselor works to establish a mutual relationship with parents/guardians to maximize a student’s development. In addition, school counselors respect students’ values and beliefs without imposing their own personal values on the situation.

** What are the limitations to confidentiality that parents should know about?

The limitations of confidentiality don’t include information of possible abuse or harm to a child. By law, school counselor must report any case of abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities.

** Can the school counselor provide therapy?

While school counselors have specific training in regards to mental health issues, they are not intended to function as therapists. The role of school counselors is to assist students with academic issues that may interfere with their academic success. School counselors are equipped to serve as liaisons with outside agencies and can consult with families about the steps to take to link to outside therapeutic services.

** Will my child miss academic time when they see the school counselor?

While the school counselor makes every effort to protect academic time, it may occur that a student briefly misses academic time to meet with the counselor. School counselors do their very best to prevent the counseling session from being a burden on the students academically.

**How does my child request to see a counselor?

Counselor appointment request can be made online via the students landing page.