Family Resources » Counselor's Corner

Counselor's Corner

To support student well-being, AoA offers a growing, comprehensive School Counseling program. Our Counseling team consists of a variety of Professionals within the School Counseling, Mental Health, and Educational Psychology fields. 


Counseling Services

AoA School Counseling services include:

  • Crisis Counseling
  • Parent Consultations
  • Individual Counseling
  • Small Group Counseling
  • Classroom Presentations

Referrals for outside services and community resources are available for students and families. Parents and guardians of students in grades TK-5 can submit counseling referrals here, and parents and guardians of students in grades 6-8 can submit counseling referrals here.


Students in grades 6-8 can self-request an appointment with Counseling Services here.


Counseling Purpose

AoA School Counseling is here to help students with:

  • Making and keeping friends
  • Setting goals for academic success
  • Working with others
  • Feeling good about yourself
  • Adjusting to a new school
  • Managing feelings (stress, worry, anger, etc.)
  • Dealing with peer pressure and bullying

AoA School Counseling is here to help parents with:

  • Improving parent-child communication
  • Exploring ways to help students succeed in academic, personal, and social development
  • Providing referrals for community resources

Counseling Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where is the Counselor’s office?

A: The Counselor’s office is in room 214.


Q: Why would my child see the School Counselor?

A: School Counselors assist in issues with friends, test anxiety, social issues, and problems at home that are affecting their school day.


Additionally, students may be referred to the school counselor if there are, for example, behavioral difficulties, social/emotional concerns, conflict with peers, attendance concerns, and academic concerns.


Q: Am I in trouble if I see the School Counselor?

A: No. A Counselor is an adult who acts as your advocate. An advocate is someone who wants to listen to what you have to say and help you come up with a solution to make your situation better.


It does not mean that your counselor can solve the problem for you. It means you have a safe place that you can go to when you are not sure what to do.


Q: What services do School Counselors provide?

A: School Counselors provide appropriate tools for communicating, making decisions, and developing friendships.


Counselors deliver classroom presentations that teach skills for achieving success, facilitate small group counseling and short-term counseling, when needed, and provide support during personal crises.


Counseling Team

To contact AoA’s School Counseling team, please reach out to:

 

Counseling Resources

The role of Counselors is to work with students and parents to help students' academic, behavioral and social growth. Please remember, your student does not need to be “in crisis” to receive support from a counselor!

 

While we do not provide therapy or long term counseling, we can recognize and respond to mental health needs and help families in seeking resources. Please note AoA does not formally recommend organizations.

 

School and Mental Resources


Alameda Community Resources

  • California Counseling Associates (510) 521-3500
    • Offers psychotherapy and counseling for individual children, adolescents and adults as well as counseling for couples and families.
  • Crisis Support Services of Alameda County (510) 420-2460
    • Offers various counseling supports for adults, children, and families as well community education and crisis services
    • 24/7 Crisis Line 1-800-273-8255

Outside-Alameda Community Resources

  • Behavioral Health Care Services, (510) 567-8100, Oakland
    • Offers an extensive network of behavioral and mental health resources in Alameda County.
  • Family Paths, (510) 893-9230, Oakland 
    • Provides therapy (individual, family, play, co-parenting), case management, and peer support with free and sliding-scale options for children, teens, and families. 
  • BANANAS, (510) 658-7353, Oakland
    • Childcare information, referral and parent support, including respite services and parent workshops
  • WestCoast, (510) 269-9030, Oakland
    • Provides mental health services to promote the healthy development of children and families.
  • Circle of Care, (510) 531-7551, Oakland
    • Offers group support to children and families suffering with serious illness or loss.
  • Pathways to Wellness, (510) 273-4200, Oakland, Union City, Pleasanton
    • Offers assessment, counseling, individual and family therapy, support groups. Urgent care appointments are available.
  • Asian Health Services, (510) 735-3900, Oakland.
    • AHS provides: prevention, early intervention, and treatment services for people with mental health conditions. Staff are bilingual and bicultural in Cantonese, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Mandarin, Mien, Vietnamese, and English. 
  • Quest Camp, (925) 743-1370, San Ramon.
  • Therapeutic camps that offer social skills facilitation.
  • Communication Works, (510) 639-2929, Oakland.
    • Offers speech, language, social and occupational therapy.
  • La Familia, 510-881-5921, Hayward
    • No-cost counseling services for adults and children. Spanish-speaking counselors available. 

State Resources 

      • Digital mental health support for youth, young adults, and families
      • Mental health coaching and resources for parents with kids ages 0-12
      • Mental Health App for teens and young adults 
    • A series of free, evidence-based video and print resources that caregivers and educators can use to teach their kids critical mental health and coping skills

 

National Resources

      • 24 Hr. Crisis Intervention & suicide prevention lifeline for LGBTQ+ Youth
      • 1-866-488-7386
      • Dial 988
      • Text HOME or HOLA to 741741
      • 1-877-565-8860
  • SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357 (HELP) is a confidential, free, 24 hr, information service in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community based organizations.

Additional Resources