- The department is composed of two collaborative teams, school and college counselors, that offer individualized support based on grade-specific needs.
- School counselors support students from freshman year through the fall of junior year, and college counselors then support students through the end of their senior year.
- The Cathedral Catholic counseling program strives to develop intentional and meaningful connections with students to advocate for and cultivate an inclusive environment.
Statement of Confidentiality
The counseling relationship between students and their counselor requires an atmosphere of trust and confidence. Communication between counselors and students is confidential to allow for open and honest conversations.
- That said, counselors are mandated reporters required by law to report to law enforcement or social services known or suspected cases of child abuse or neglect.
- Counselors will also contact appropriate authorities or support personnel if necessary to prevent serious foreseeable harm to students, themselves or others.
Counseling Services
Cathedral Catholic’s school counselors support students’ academic, career and social-emotional development needs through a comprehensive school counseling program designed to promote student success.
School counselors help freshmen in their transition from middle school to high school by introducing them to effective academic-success skills and by providing social-emotional support. Counselors also help freshmen assimilate into high school by proactively scheduling one-on-one meetings, helping them build four-year plans and cultivating connections between students and the Dons community.
School counselors continue to support students in their sophomore year with academics and social-emotional development. One-on-one counseling sessions occur in the spring to discuss course selection, various pathways after high school and possible career aspirations. School counselors introduce sophomores to Naviance, an online resource to explore colleges and learn more about the college application process.
School counselors support junior students in the fall before they transition to their college counselor in the second semester. Areas of support include exploring community involvement, leadership opportunities and extracurricular activities. Juniors will also have the exciting opportunity to meet and connect with college admissions representatives in the fall.
In the fall semester, college counselors present to 12th-grade classes and then meet individually with each senior to discuss and help organize the post-secondary process. Counselors support students by finalizing college lists, planning standardized testing, writing letters of recommendation, discussing financial aid and scholarships, hosting college application workshops and being available for students’ specific questions.
Wellness
- Red Ribbon Week is a nationally hosted event focused on alcohol, tobacco, drug and violence prevention held each October.
- The school’s mission is to educate students on the dangers of drugs and alcohol and offer healthy alternatives.
- During the week students can expect educational and community-building activities, California Highway Patrol hosted events, an introduction to therapy dogs and an all-school speaker.
- Yellow Ribbon Week is held each spring and focuses on suicide awareness and prevention combined with mental health education.
- Each student’s mental health and wellbeing is the priority. Cathedral Catholic’s goal is to foster a safe community and educate students on how to get help when needed.
- During the week students can expect educational resources, therapy dogs, community-building events, organized classroom conversations and an all-school speaker.
If you or someone you know needs help during the school day, please contact a counselor or administrator for support.
The below community resources are available at any time for anyone. In a true emergency, please call 911.