St. Mary's Academy Mental Health Services
Cathy Green-Miner, M.Ed, NCC, LPC-I
Mental Health Provider

St. Mary's Academy uses a holistic approach in nurturing her students. With the academic and the spiritual, St. Mary's also provides mental health services to all enrolled students. Mental health providers are certified and provide individual and group counseling to students. Students are referred to the counseling center by parents, teachers, principals, and the Discipline Board. Students can self-refer and are encouraged to seek counseling services if they are experiencing problems with behavior, depression, grief and loss, self-esteem and interpersonal relationships, along with family and personal issues. Referral forms are available through the counseling center. Consent forms are sent home for parental approval.

What is counseling?

The central function of counseling is to help clients recognize their own strengths, discover what is preventing them from using their strengths, and clarify what kind of person they want to be. Counseling is a process by which clients are invited to look honestly at their behavior and lifestyle and make certain decisions about the way they want to modify the quality of their life. (Corey,1996)

Who is eligible for counseling?

Any student at St. Mary's Academy can receive counseling services. Teachers and staff are also encouraged to consult with the counselor.

Who can refer students for counseling?

Teachers, faculty, staff and parents can refer students for counseling. Students can self-refer.

How do I refer a student for counseling?

Teachers, faculty, staff, parents and/or students fill out a Referral for Counseling Services Form or the Group Referral Form to receive individual or group counseling.

How long is counseling process?

Students come in for brief counseling (10-20 minutes) or for more intense therapy (50-60 minutes). Students come in by appointment and are given passes to return to class.

How do I know a student needs counseling? Faculty and staff should refer students who:

• Are depressed, angry or crying                                     
• Have failing grades
• Are perceived as bullies                                    
  
• Come to school unkempt
• Have dark or confusing writing or art                       
  
• Isolate themselves from peers
• Are combative, defiant and disobedient                       
  
• Experienced loss of a loved one
• Are showing signs of physical abuse or who disclose that she/he has been sexually abused
• Use the restroom all day long without a medical excuse and especially after meals

Who do I contact if I want my child(ren) to see a counselor?

Cathy Green-Miner (school counselor) can be reached at (504) 345- 0200 x126 or at cminor@smaneworleans.com. Cora Toney (middle school counselor) can be reached at ctoney@smaneworleans.com. Kate Worley (elementary school counselor) can be reached at (504) 245-0200 x115.