Counseling Services
When someone experiences emotional difficulty, it may affect their general daily functioning. For students, school-related problems may be symptomatic of these difficulties which are often evident in the student’s academic and social-emotional functioning. School-based mental health professionals can assist in connecting families to school-based and community mental health resources.
Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) and School-Based Mental Health Counselors
What happens when a student is struggling emotionally?
If a student is having emotional difficulties that make it hard to learn or participate in school, counseling can help. School-based mental health professionals such as School Couselors, School Social Workers, and School Psychologists support students by helping them talk about their feelings and learn healthy coping skills.
What do school-based mental health professionals do?
School-based mental health professionals:
- Provide short‑term, targeted support
- Work with your child’s support team which includes school, family, and community resources, as needed
- Help create a plan for continued success
When your child is doing better and showing steady progress, services may be faded gradually.
When is a community-based mental health provider involved?
Sometimes a student needs more support than what the school-based support can provide. A referral to a community-based mental health provider may happen when:
- The student isn’t making enough progress with school-based counseling or intervention, or
- The student’s needs go beyond what is typically offered at the school level.
- This step is taken only after other school-based options have been tried or found to be not the best fit.
Have questions?
If you have already talked with your child’s school and still have questions about mental health services, please contact your child’s school counselor for more information.
School Counselors
School counseling today is an essential part of helping students succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. Our counselors support students, families, and staff by following Florida’s School Counseling Standards. Here’s what that looks like in everyday school life:
Professional, Legal, and Ethical Standards
Counselors follow strong ethical and professional guidelines. Their priority is your child’s safety, well‑being, and academic success.
Data‑Driven Support
Counselors use school data like attendance, grades, and behavior to understand student needs and guide the services they provide.
Comprehensive School Counseling Programs
Each school has a counseling program designed to support all students. Counselors regularly review and improve these programs to keep them effective and helpful.
Collaboration & Communication
Counselors work closely with families, teachers, administrators, and community partners to support students from every angle.
Counseling & Support Services
Students receive direct support through individual or group counseling, classroom lessons, and referrals if extra help is needed. These services focus on safety, mental health, and emotional well‑being.
Academic Advising & Planning
Counselors help students make informed decisions about classes, set academic goals, and stay on track for success.
Career & Future Planning
Students learn about careers, explore their interests, and build skills like responsibility, perseverance, and strong work habits that prepare them for life after graduation.
For more information and contacts, please visit:
School Counseling Services - Marion County Public Schools
School Social Workers
School Social Workers help students and families overcome challenges that may get in the way of school success. They work closely with parents, teachers, and community agencies to support regular attendance, healthy development, and positive school engagement.
What School Social Workers Do
- Support regular school attendance and enforce Florida’s compulsory attendance laws.
- Identify early patterns of absences and help find out why a student is missing school.
- Encourage positive attitudes toward school, attendance, and learning.
- Provide home visits and outreach to better understand student and family needs.
- Consult with teachers and school staff to offer insight into a child’s needs or behaviors.
- Complete social development history assessments as part of a student’s psycho‑educational evaluation.
- Serve on the school’s MTSS team to support students with attendance, academic, social, emotional, or health concerns.
- Participate in meetings with families, school teams, and community agencies to create coordinated support plans.
- Provide counseling as written in the child’s IEP or as referred by the school’s multi-disciplinary team.
- Connect families to services such as medical, mental health, and social service providers.
- Provide crisis prevention and intervention in urgent situations.
- Offer professional development and training for school staff.
- Serve on community committees and boards to strengthen partnerships and support students.
- Advocate for students and families to ensure their needs are understood and supported.
For more information, please visit:
Social Work Services – Marion County Public Schools
School Psychologists
School Psychologists help students learn, grow, and thrive. They specialize in understanding how children learn and how to support their social, emotional, and behavioral needs.
They work closely with families, teachers, administrators, and mental health professionals to create a safe, supportive school environment.
How School Psychologists Support Students
- Provide direct support and interventions to students.
- Consult with teachers, families, school counselors, and social workers to strengthen support strategies.
- Work with administrators to improve school‑wide practices and policies.
- Partner with community providers to help coordinate services students may need.
School Psychologists Help Schools:
- Improve academic achievement
- Promote positive behavior and mental health
- Support diverse learners
- Strengthen family–school partnerships
- Improve school-wide assessments and accountability
- Monitor individual student progress in academics and behavior
For more information and contacts, please visit:
Psychological Services - Marion County Public Schools
Community-Based Mental Health Counselors
The school district partners with specific community mental health agencies that can provide counseling on school campuses.
If you believe your child may benefit from counseling:
👉 Please contact your child’s school counselor or school social worker to start the referral process.
Important Note: These agencies work with the district through agreements, but families should choose the provider that best meets their needs.
Helpful Resources
Marion County Counseling Availabilities List
Parent Guide to Mental and Behavioral Health Resources
Youth Crisis Center