School counselors are an invaluable resource to students, parents, and teachers. Counselors provide guidance to help students navigate the sometimes turbulent waters of social, academic, and behavioral development. School counselors also help connect students with the appropriate resources to achieve academic success. Finding child therapy in Suffolk County, NY by a qualified and quality child specialist is within your reach.

Sometimes, a school counselor will refer a student to an outside behavioral health provider (i.e., counselor, therapist, psychologist, etc.) that specializes in child therapy in Suffolk County, NY. When this happens, the student and their guardians may have questions about why the referral is being made and what will happen next.

When do school counselors choose to make a referral to an outside therapist?

• When a student’s needs require more than the counselor can provide in the school setting.
• When there are concerns about the student’s mental health.
• When more extensive evaluation or testing is needed.

Why do school counselors refer to outside therapists?

• To provide the student with the opportunity for more one on one support.
• For more targeted and individualized interventions. 
• For more privacy and confidentiality for the student and their family. 
• To provide the student with a safe place away from the school setting. This is especially helpful in cases where children are being bullied or experiencing other social stressors.
• To reduce disruption to the student’s learning. Since meetings with a school counselor would occur during school hours, recurring meetings might interrupt the student’s time in the classroom. 
• To allow for more involvement of the student’s parents and/or family in the therapy setting, if necessary.

How do school counselor referrals for child therapy in Suffolk County NY work?

• A school counselor will review the needs of the student and the issues identified and determine if outside help is needed.
• Sometimes, a school counselor might refer the student to a specific therapist or practice. Other times, the counselor will leave it up to the student’s guardians to find a counselor for the student.
• With your consent, the outside therapist will communicate with the school in order to improve coordination of the student’s care.
• It is important to find someone who specializes in Child Therapy in Suffolk County, NY that also understands the Committee on Special Education (CSE) process and what services and accommodations your child is entitled to within the school.

Knowledgable Child Therapy in Suffolk County, NY

Suffolk Family Therapy LCSW PC takes the guesswork out of finding the right therapist for your child or your family. Contact us to be connected with a child therapist today.