Counseling and Guidance Department
Mission
For counselors to provide a comprehensive program to ensure every student maximizes growth in academic achievement, personal/emotional, and career development.
PSJA ISD students will have many opportunities to obtain necessary knowledge and skills in the areas of decisionmaking, goal-setting, problem-solving, communication and interpersonal effectiveness to become responsible and self-confident citizens.
Goals
Provide a collaborative/systemic approach to meet student needs
-Learning opportunities for all students
-Appreciate different learning styles
-Collaborate with families and stakeholders
-Respect family values and beliefs
Academic & personal/social support
-Individual counseling
-Small group counseling
-Classroom guidance lessons
-Crisis intervention
-Identifying academic strengths and exploring career interests
-Create individualized plans for academic success
-Advisory and college readiness support
Support school staff, parents & community members to promote student success
-Conferences with parents and teachers
-Help teachers and administrators understand individual student needs
-Collaborate on interventions and strategies for students in need of support
-Refer students to outside agencies and therapists when necessary
-Provide parents with support when seeking help
-Provide information regarding available community resources
Confidentiality
Student and family privacy is very important. All information shared with a school counselor remains confidential unless:
1) A student shares a plan to harm him or herself, someone harms them or if they plan to hurt someone else.
2) There is suspicion a student may be a victim of abuse or neglect.
- Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC)
- Parent Tool Kit-Links
- About Social and Emotional Learning
- Social and Emotional Learning Team
- Kindness Challenge Week
- 10 Ways to Improve Mental Health
Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC)
A licensed professional counselor (LPC) is a mental health professional who provides professional therapeutic services to individuals and groups that involve the application of mental health, psychotherapeutic and human development principles to facilitate human development and adjustment throughout the life span. Individuals must possess a master’s degree in counseling or a counseling related field and have completed 3,000 hours of supervised experience.
Licensed professional counselors treat individuals with mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders. This process includes utilizing assessments and evaluations to establish treatment goals and objectives; and plan, implement, and evaluate treatment plans using counseling treatment interventions that include:
- "Counseling" which means assisting one or more clients through the therapeutic relationship, using a combination of mental health and human development principles, methods, and techniques;
- "Assessment" which means selecting, administering, scoring, and interpreting instruments designed to assess an individual's aptitudes, attitudes, abilities, achievements, interests, personal characteristics, disabilities, and mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders;
- "Consulting" which means the application of scientific principles and procedures in counseling and human development to provide assistance in understanding and solving current or potential problems that the person seeking consultation may have with regard to a third party, including an individual, group, or an organization; and
- "Referral" which means determining the advisability of referral to other specialists, informing the counselee of such judgement, and communicating as requested or deemed appropriate.
Parent Tool Kit-Links
Testing Resources
Talking about COVID-19-
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/talking-with-children.html
Hablando sobre COVID-19-
https://espanol.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/talking-with-children.html
All about emotions-
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/emotions/?WT.ac=p-nav-emotions
Todo sobre emociones-
https://kidshealth.org/es/parents/emotions-esp/?WT.ac=p-nav-emotions-esp#catfeelings
Positive thinking-
Stress management-
https://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/stress-management
Activities:
Why exercise helps-
Managing stress-
https://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/stress-management
Stress-busting tips-
https://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/stress-management
Social Media
Social & Emotional
Mental Health
Bullying
High School 101
9th Grade Parent Guide to Meet with Counselor
10th Grade Parent Guide to Meet with Counselor
11th Grade Parent Guide to Meet with Counselor
12th Grade Parent Guide to Meet with Counselor
High School Grade Level Prep for College
How to get Your Child Back into a Routine When a New School Year Starts
How to Get Your Teen College Ready
Supporting Young Adult's Goal-Setting and Self-Management
The Importance of Goal Setting in High School
About Social and Emotional Learning
Social & Emotional Learning (SEL)
Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which individuals acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.
Wraparound Services
Wraparound is a process of working with students and their families to build and enhance social emotional growth by connecting them to resources that meet their basic needs to succeed in school, careers, and life.
Philosophy
We believe in the need to serve every student, parent, and our community in any time of crisis by committing to provide systems of support. We will collaborate to assist families in need with a comprehensive plan to connect non-academic resources that will improve the well-being of all students.
Vision & Mission
Vision
To empower PSJA students with meaningful connections to excel academically and interpersonally through social emotional learning skills essential to succeed in school, career, and life.
Mission
To provide a system of care and support through a dedicated and committed team of school support professionals including School Counselors, LSSPs, LPCs, and Wraparound Specialists. The PSJA team will build positive and trusting relationships with students and families to identify and address non-academic concerns related to basic needs, social emotional learning, and over-all well-being.
Services Offered
•Mental health and health needs,
•Food insecurity,
•Lack of stable housing,
•Recreational services,
•Domestic violence,
•Student’s emotional stability by parents’ unemployment
•Experiences by the impact of COVID-19
•Legal and crisis support,
•Self-actualization, relationship and soft skills,
•Trauma, coping support systems for students and families impacted by COVID-19, and;
•Many other challenges that can have adverse effects on a student’s readiness and ability to learn.
Social and Emotional Learning Team
As a way to continue providing coordinated support for students and families following the effects of COVID-19, Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD has implemented a districtwide program that will offer students and families Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) with wraparound services.
The program officially launched during the 2020-2021 school year to ensure that students can effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. A wraparound service is a process that focuses on individualized care management for children with specific needs.
Contact
Virginia Saenz
Phone: 354.2088
Kindness Challenge Week
2024 Kindness Challenge Week
As part of our district’s efforts to connect all students with social-emotional support, we are excited to announce that PSJA ISD is participating in the 2024-2025 Great Kindness Challenge where we will join thousands of schools across the country to create a culture of kindness! Your school will be part of a powerful and positive bullying prevention initiative that will lead to more kindness, unity, and respect at school and beyond.
This week, all across PSJA ISD, the United States of America, and the world students will be taking the Great Kindness Challenge. The Great Kindness Challenge started 12 years ago with just 3 schools in California and now there are over 17 million students in 33,000 schools and 115 countries participating in The Great Kindness Challenge, and we are part of this kindness revolution!
As a Kindness Certified School District, we thank you for joining us once again in this endeavor.
How you can join:
1) Sign up your campus to participate in the 2025 Kindness Challenge happening Jan. 27-Jan 31.
Every school that participates in The Great Kindness Challenge is automatically recognized as a Kindness Certified School. After the challenge ends, you will receive an electronic Kindness Certified School seal to use on your school website, newsletter or eblast and you can even print a copy to frame for the front office! Sign up here: https://thegreatkindnesschallenge.com/signupform
2) Share photos of your celebrations on social media using #PSJAKindness and to our PSJA Communications Department to be highlighted at the district level.
Photos can be sent to your designated campus PR Rep for submission or emailed to photos@psjaisd.us
For more information on The Great Kindness Challenge, please visit www.thegreatkindnesschallenge.com. Thank you in advance for helping to create a culture of kindness and compassion in our community and beyond!
10 Ways to Improve Mental Health
Counselor Directory
Elementary Counselor Directory
School |
Name |
EXT: |
|
|
Cantu Elementary |
Eva Cardenas |
3104 |
eva.cardenas@psjaisd.us |
|
Carman Elementary |
Roel Luna |
1704 |
roel.luna@psjaisd.us |
|
Carman (2) |
Betzabeth Garcia |
1725 |
||
Clover Elementary |
Jose Martinez |
1904 |
||
DoedynsElementary |
Raquel Duberney-Guerrero |
2004 |
||
Garza-Pena Elem. |
Patricia Robles |
2604 |
patricia.robles@psjaisd.us |
|
Sorensen Elementary |
Liliana Garcia |
3704 |
||
|
|
|
|
|
M. Garza Elementary |
Erika Cantu |
2404 |
||
M. Garza (2) |
Audra Benavidez |
2424 |
||
Guerra Elementary |
Elda Valdez |
2717 |
elda.valdez@psjaisd.us |
|
Guerra Elem. (2) |
Natalia Rodriguez |
2704 |
||
Farias Elementary |
Yolanda Gonzalez |
2204 |
||
Livas Elementary |
Susibeth Elisarraras |
3004 |
Susubeth.elisarraras@psjaisd.us |
|
McKeever Elem. |
Ana Ortiz |
1404 |
||
McKeever Elem. |
Diana Lucio |
1424 |
||
Reed & Mock Elem. |
Jessica Alvarez |
3504 |
jessica.alvarez@psjaisd.us |
|
Trevino Elementary |
Marisa Rubio |
3604 |
||
|
|
|
|
|
Kelly-Pharr Elem. |
|
3303 |
|
|
Kelly-Pharr Elem. (2) |
Amanda Esqueda |
3304 |
||
Longoria Elementary |
Melissa Casanova |
2804 |
melissa.casanova@psjaisd.us |
|
Arnold Elementary |
Ana Hernandez |
1606 |
||
Long Elementary |
Cristina Rodriguez |
2104 |
||
Dr. Long Elem. (2) |
Marcia Ramos |
2116 |
||
Ford Elementary |
Christina Mercado |
2304 |
christina.mercado@psjaisd.us | |
Ford Elementary (2) |
Denise Flores |
2302 |
denise.flores@psjaisd.us |
|
Ramirez Elementary |
Claudia De La Cruz |
3404 |
claudia.delacruz@psjaisd.us |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Palacios Elementary |
Sandra Gonzalez |
4004 |
||
Anaya Elementary |
Crystal Garcia |
3804 |
crystal.garcia@psjaisd.us |
|
Chavez Elementary |
Crystal Cervantes |
1804 |
crystal.cervantes@psjaisd.us |
|
Escobar Elementary |
Stephanie Gomez-Gonzalez |
3904 |
stephanie.gonzalez@psjaisd.us |
|
Escobar Elem. (2) |
Ellie Estrada |
3924 |
||
Palmer Elementary |
Martha Gomez |
3204 |
Martha.gomez@psjaisd.us |
|
Palmer (2) |
Cynthia Alaniz |
3220 |
||
Garcia Elementary |
Debbie Lopez |
2504 |
Debbie.lopez@psjaisd.us |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Building Blocks Academy | Julia Concepcion | julia.concepcion@psjaisd.us |
MS Counselor Directory
School |
Name |
EXT: |
|
Austin (956) 354-2570 |
Claudia Obregon |
4507 |
|
Veronica Flores |
4506 |
||
Viridiana Rangel |
4509 |
viridiana.rangel@psjaisd.us |
|
|
|
|
|
Escalante 9956) 354-2670 |
Shirley Villescas |
5508 |
|
Veronica Garza |
5507 |
||
|
|
|
|
LBJ (956) 354-2590 |
Belinda Lizcano* |
4708 |
|
Karin Cervantes |
4709 |
||
Gloria Cardona |
4707 |
||
|
|
|
|
Alamo (956) 354-2550 |
Patricia Viera-Espinoza |
4309 |
|
Nora Rivera |
4308 |
||
|
Erika Caprio |
4310 |
erika.carpio@psjaisd.us |
Kennedy (956) 354-2650 |
Jessica Elizondo |
5307 |
jessica.elizondo@psjaisd.us |
Gloria Castellano |
5308 |
||
|
|
|
|
(956) 354- 2630 |
Patricia Villarreal |
5108 |
|
Maria Zuniga |
5107 |
||
|
Roxanne Cantu |
5159 |
roxanne.cantu@psjaisd.us |
MURPHY (956) 354- 2530 |
Lisandro Espinoza |
5708 |
|
Yvonne Galindo |
4709 |
||
|
Juan Garza |
5750 |
juan.garza@psjaisd.us |
Liberty (956) 354-2610 |
Sonia Arce |
4909 |
|
Anabelle Jaime |
4910 |
||
Maria. Lujan | 4902 | maria.lujan@psjaisd.us |
HS Counselor Directory
School |
Name |
Extension |
|
PSJA (956) 354-2300 |
JESSICA SALINAS |
6007 |
jessica.salinas1@psjaisd.us |
ANNA MARTINEZ |
6008 |
anna.martinez2@psjaisd.us |
|
VICTORIANA LUEBANOS |
6010 |
||
SONIA OLIVAREZ |
6095 |
sonia.olivarez@psjaisd.us |
|
*MICHELLE GUTIERREZ (HC) |
6012 |
||
FAVIOLA GARCIA |
6011 |
faviola.garcia@psjaisd.us |
|
IDALIA SALINAS | 6083 | Idalia.salinas@psjaisd.us | |
Southwest (956) 354-2480 |
JESSICA SALINAS |
7109 |
jessica.salinass@psjaisd.us |
ERIC GUERRA |
7110 |
eric.guerra@psjaisd.us |
|
MARLENE CASAS |
7111 |
||
AMY URIBE |
7116 |
amy.uribe@psjaisd.us |
|
*RAYDA POE (HC) |
7188 |
||
NORTH (956) 354-2360 |
JENNIFER CASIANO |
6611 |
|
GIESEL GUZMAN |
6608 |
||
DENISE ALONZO |
6609 |
||
VALERIE ARENAS |
6613 |
||
VICKY ALCANTAR |
6610 |
||
ROCIO GUAJARDO (HC) |
6612 |
||
CYNTHIA GARCIA | 6614 | cynthia.garcia2@psjaisd.us | |
MEMORIAL (956) 354-2420 |
DOMINIQUE CARO-GARZA |
6309 |
|
ROSA CARDENAS (HC) |
6308 |
||
ROEL GUAJARDO |
6310 |
||
SARAI LOPEZ |
6313 |
Sarai.lopez@psjaisd.us |
|
GLORIA GUTIERREZ |
6311 |
||
|
6312 |
||
THOMAS JEFFERSON (956) 354-8525
|
ANA VILLARREAL (HC) |
7064 |
ana.villarreal@psjaisd.us |
BEATRIZ BLASSINGAME |
7055 |
||
CCTA(956) 784-8515 |
MARIA TORRES |
5962 |
maria.torres@psjaisd.us |
BUELL DAEP |
HILDA ARAIZA |
5904 |
hilda.araizas@psjaisd.us |
PSJA Collegiate (956) 354-2290 |
MARLEN PEREZ |
7222 |
Contact us
Virginia Saenz, Director
Phone: (956) 354-2088
Fax: (956) 354-3043
Address: 704 W. Ridge Rd., San Juan 78589