Welcome to Central! The school counseling program at Central Intermediate is available for all students to assist them in achieving success. School counseling seeks to remove any barriers to a student’s learning and development. Personal and social issues, as well as academic and career needs are addressed through individual counseling, small groups, and in-classroom lessons. If your child needs to see a school counselor please fill out this form.
Classroom Lessons
Classroom lessons address academic, personal/social, and career aspects of students’ development. The lessons may focus on goal-setting, cooperation, kindness, diversity and culture, respect, bullying, responsibility, and career exploration.
Group Counseling
Small group counseling helps students build skills in relation to a particular issue over several weeks. Small Groups consist of:
- Academic Assistance (Organization, study skills, coping with stress)
- Grief Group (coping with the loss of a loved one)
- Girls in Progress (year long group focusing on healthy relationships, emotional well being and self-esteem)
- Changing Families (parents' divorce and/or separation)
- Student Ambassadors (Peer Tutoring, helping and orienting new students, helping to promote a positive school environment)
Individual Counseling
Mrs. Krouse and Mrs. Ehinger are always available for individual counseling for students in need of support. Individual counseling may be needed just once, or more regularly.
Individual Counseling and Group Counseling will be determined by a Needs Assessment given at the beginning of the year, and will be reassessed throughout the entire school year. As a professional school counselor, Mrs. Krouse and Mrs. Ehinger adhere to the American School Counselor Association’s Code of Ethics. Counseling sessions are confidential unless they believe there is a threat of harm.
Collaboration and Consultation
School counselors work closely with parents, guardians, teachers and school staff, and the community to find ways to best support students’ success. We are fortunate to work with organizations such as Pathways of Central Ohio, Ohio Health and Licking Health America of Licking County to support us in our Group Counseling.
Meet Our Resident Good Boy, Ollie the Therapy Dog
As part of our school counseling services, Ollie the therapy dog is available on certain days of the week in Mrs. Krouse's room to meet with students. Ollie is a five-year-old Golden Retriever and trained therapy dog. He will be here to help with some specialized small groupings and working with students individually.
Research has shown that therapy dogs can provide a calming atmosphere promoting positive emotional regulation, behaviors, and social interactions. Ollie’s handler is Pam Rippl, who is a retired teacher from Gahanna-Jefferson and who currently holds a K-8 teaching certificate. Ollie will always be with his handler in the Counselor’s office.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the Counseling Department. Learn more about Ollie here.