School-Based Services

 MIYFS licensed mental health counselors are a critical part of the learning environment in each public school on the Island. Counselors work collaboratively with students, families and school staff to support the social and emotional needs of students in every school, helping them build a strong foundation for their future.

We encourage all parents to reach out to your child’s MIYFS school counselor, just as you would their teacher, as they can be a valuable resource for helping your children thrive in school. 

MIYFS counselors provide classroom and group work along with confidential individual counseling to help young students establish the building blocks for their social and emotional well-being. Counselors provide a wide range of services to the four elementary schools in the Mercer Island School District including teaching mindfulness, stress management and friendship skills while also treating depression or anxiety directly in the school setting.

Counselors also offer consultation to parents and school staff. Reach out to your school’s counselor at any time.

A MIYFS Counselor and Counseling Intern are located at the Islander Middle School to provide individual and group counseling, parent/teacher consultations and student support groups to develop the skills to manage the social-emotional challenges of middle school. Counselors work with students on building their resilience, skills for peer leadership and personal empowerment while also helping them manage specific issues including options to expressing anger or dealing with parents’ divorce.

Counselors also offer consultation to parents and teachers. Reach out to your school’s counselor at any time.

The Resource and Referral (R & R) Place at the Mercer Island High School offers students a safe, confidential space to gather informally on a drop-in basis and to seek support and guidance around the many issues and concerns facing adolescents today. A full-time MIYFS Counselor is on site to provide a range services, including individual counseling, facilitating youth leadership development programs and teaching emotional self-care. A full-time Alcohol and Drug Intervention Specialist is also onsite offering guidance to help prevent substance abuse and, if necessary, to find other recovery support services. These services are also available to high school students who are based at Crest Learning Center.

Counselors also offers consultation to parents and school staff.  Please reach out to your school’s counselor at any time.