Counseling	Policy 
The	mission	and	purpose	of	the	school	is	education.	Schools	do	not	assume	the	responsibilities	
proper	to	the	family	and	to	society.	Schools	may	not	assume	the	responsibility for	psychological	
counseling	or	therapy	because	they	are	not	qualified	or	licensed	to	provide	such	counseling	or	
therapy.
 Schools	may	engage	in	the	following	activities	in	addition	to	providing	classroom	instruction:
 Provide	advice	regarding	academic	subjects	and	student	progress	in	school; 
Give	limited	guidance	to	students	who	present	with	non-academic	personal	issues	or	situations;	
provide	referrals	to	marriage	and	family	counselor,	child	psychologists,	licensed	academic	
psychologist,	psychiatrists, and	similar	professional	for	diagnosis	and	treatment.	If	the	school	
provides	referrals	to	parents, the	list	must	include	at	least	three	names	of	qualified	persons	or	
entities; 
Retain,	where	necessary,	appropriate	professionals	to	provide	educational	testing	that	is	
needed	for	assessment	of	a	student’s	academic	ability,	learning	patterns,	achievement	
motivation,	and	personality	factors	directly	related	to	academic	learning	problems,	or	
psychological	counseling	services	for	the	school.	Prior	to	entering	into	such	a	contractual	
relationship,	the	principal	will	ensure	that	the	person	is	credentialed,	licensed	or	otherwise	
properly	qualified.	The	school	may	refer	a	student	for	specific	or	additional	testing,	as	
appropriate,	generally	at	the	parent/guardian’s	expense.
 In	cases	of	actual	or	suspected	child	abuse	or	abuse	of	vulnerable	adults,	the	Archdiocesan	
Victims’	Assistance	Ministry	is	available	as	a	resource.	The	Victims’	Assistance	Ministry	provides	
outreach	and	guidance	to	those	suffering	from	abuse;	sponsors	a	faith-based	trauma	recovery	
program;	and	assists	in	informing	parish,	school,	Archdiocesan, and	governmental	authorities	of	
the	allegations	of	abuse.	Referral	to	the	Victim’s	Assistance	Ministry	is	not	a	substitute	for	
mandated	reporting	of	suspected	abuse.	Such	a	report	must	be	made	in	accordance	with	
Archdiocesan	policy.