Staff members of the Counseling Office strive to build relationships with Darlington students on a daily basis. The office staff, which consists of three counselors serving grades Pre-K to 12, helps students with issues associated with age-appropriate development. Students may receive assistance and support in a variety of areas, including personal adjustment issues, interpersonal and peer relationships, family difficulties, grief, anxiety, substance abuse, and peer pressure.
While the Counseling Office is not a part of the disciplinary process at Darlington School, counselors work closely with the Student Life Office to support students who come through the disciplinary process. Through the Counseling Office, students struggling with substance abuse issues have access to drug and alcohol education.
The Counseling Office also plays a large role in Darlington’s commitment to excellence and ethics. From facilitating classes focused on character education to arranging speakers to talk with students and parents about relevant topics, school counselors play a vital role in helping students achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Confidentiality
Students are encouraged to seek support from the adult members of the community and to draw on their advice and counsel as they confront difficult life issues. Speaking in confidence with an adult in the community is an option available to each student when difficulties arise in their lives. At Darlington, trust is a cornerstone; therefore, it is imperative that both students and adults understand confidentiality and use it in constructive and affirming ways.
Any student who seeks a confidential conversation with an adult should make that request known at the beginning of the conversation with the parameters of confidentiality mutually understood and agreed upon by all present. Students should understand prior to entering into a confidential conversation with faculty or staff members that adults would be obligated to break that confidentiality if potential harm were possible for the student, other members of the community, or the school. Physical and emotional safety will not be compromised for the sake of confidentiality. If necessary, the adult should consult with a school counselor. The adult would not exercise the obligation to break confidentiality without informing the student first. Students should understand that they cannot seek to hide behind confidentiality once a violation of school rules has become openly apparent.
Mandatory Reporting
In accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia, all Darlington School personnel and volunteers who have reasonable cause to believe that any student has been abused or neglected shall report the suspected abuse or neglect to the Head of School or a school counselor immediately. Failure to legally report suspected abuse, neglect and/or exploitation may result in criminal prosecution of the person who fails to report. The designated school employees shall in turn a report to the Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS).
For more information about this policy, please contact the Upper School Personal Counselors.
