School Psychologist

Students see the school psychologist for a variety of reasons including friendship skills, problem solving, peer mediation, emotion management, academic improvement, divorce, grief/loss, and crisis intervention. 

The following counseling services are provided to our students at every grade level as needed:

• Individual Counseling, through self, teacher, or parent referral
• Small Group Counseling for elementary school
• Small Group Counseling for middle school
• Behavioral coaching
• Conflict resolution
• Consultation & Collaboration
• Referrals to outside agencies, programs, or therapists

Second Step

Second step is the Social Emotional and Bullying Prevention Curriculum used in grades K-8. Sacred Heart is excited to update our curriculum for the 2022-23 school year! The classroom teacher will lead lessons in Kindergarten - 5^th grade; Middle School lessons are taught by Nicole Morton or Vice Principal Erica Pierson, together with the Homeroom Teacher.

• Bullying Prevention curriculum includes how to recognize, report, and refuse bullying
• Social Emotional curriculum includes:
• K-Grade 5 students develop their social-emotional skills including making friends, managing emotions, and solving problems. 

• What is Second Step K-5?

• Middle School (grades 6-8) students develop skills that help them navigate adolescence including communication, coping, and decision-making skills which help them make good choices and avoid pitfalls such as peer pressure, substance abuse, and bullying. 

• What is Second Step in Middle School?

More Information on the Second Step Program can be found here: https://www.secondstep.org/families

Kelso’s Choices

Kelso's Choices is the Conflict Management Curriculum used in grades K-5.

It is a structured conflict management curriculum that helps empower students to become effective and positive problem solvers and self-advocates.

Students in grades K-3 are taught the difference between SMALL problems and BIG problems. They learn that they are big and strong enough to solve small problems by themselves finding a good choice on Kelso's Choices Wheel. Big problems are those that will need adult help.

Students in grades 4-5 are taught how to recognize the difference between MINOR and SERIOUS problems. They learn how to make good choices to solve minor problems on their own, and that serious problems require an adult's help.

View Kelso's Choices Wheel

Additional Topics Covered in Classroom Social Emotional Lessons

• Internet & Technology Safety
• The role of a Powerful Bystander
• Goal setting and decision making
• Education of understanding of self and others
• Individual Student Planning
• Communication, problem-solving and conflict resolution
• Career Awareness, exploration, and test taking

Lunch Bunch group sessions are offered to our 1st-8th grade students. A small group of students participates in each session, which meet once a week. The sessions take place during lunch time with Mrs. Morton in her office. Each group meets for 4-6 sessions, before new groups are formed and rotated. Every student will have the chance to participate!

The group sessions, facilitated by Mrs. Morton, provide students with the opportunity to connect with peers, talk about peer relationships and to problem solve together in a small group setting. Students participate in activities that highlight each participants positive qualities, while nurturing them all to become positive role models and self-advocates.

The Seattle Archdiocese has partnered with Care Solace to provide wraparound support for mental health care coordination services. Care Solace is a liaison between individuals, insurance, and providers. Over 50% of people who need mental health support don't receive the care they need, and Care Solace is here to help.

• Who is Eligible: Every student, staff member, and family member of the student in need.
• What about insurance? Care Solace supports equitable access to care regardless of coverage, including private insurance, Medicaid, and sliding scale options for those without insurance.

There are 2 ways to find assistance with Care Solace:

1. Connect with School Coordinator (Nicole Morton, School Psychologist) – Mrs. Morton has access to Care Solace software and can input the necessary information for you or with you, to begin the process and submit a referral. She will navigate the mental health care system on your behalf and provide real-time updates on the progress of each referral. (Remember everything discussed is bound by confidentiality).

2. Use the Care Match Self-Service Tool: For an anonymous pathway to care, you can utilize Care Match, our self-service tool, to find verified providers on your own  https://caresolace.com/site/archseattle

Immediate Mental Health Resources

• In person: Go to Seattle Children’s Emergency Room
• If you need a mental health professional to come to your home during a crisis:
  • King County Children’s Crisis Outreach Response System (CCORS): (206) 461-3222
  • Snohomish County Crisis Response: (425) 388-7215
• By text: Crisis Text Line - Text HOME or HELLO to 741-741

Mental Health Resources

• 988Lifeline.org: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formally the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline)
• (800) 273-TALK (8255), Spanish (888) 628-9454
• Crisis Text Line - Trained counselors available for individuals, families and friends. Call 1-866-427-4747, text: HOME to 741741
• National Alliance on Mental Illness - Text or call 988 for suicide or mental health crisis support
• Substance Abuse and National Mental Health Services Administration
• 1-800-662-HELP (4357) 
• Teenlink - A free helpline for teens and those who are care for them. Call 1-866-833-6546, chat, or text
• Washington 211 - Call 211 for help connecting to Washington State community resources
• Harborview Abuse and Trauma Center - Information and resources for children of all ages who have experienced abuse or trauma.
• StopBullying.gov - Managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this site is about bullying, who is at risk, and how you can prevent and respond to bullying
• ParentMap.com - ParentMap connects parents to information and resources of all kinds
• Good Grief – Not-for-profit that provides resources for children and families experiencing loss
• What is Grief?
• Grief in Developmental Stages

Social Media and Online Safety

• Common Sense Media
• Family Engagement Toolkit
• Parenting Tips by Topic
• SCREENAGERS: Growing Up in the Digital Age & Resources