Ardmore school district works to provide more mental health resources
The Daily ArdmoreiteAug 20, 2021
Aug. 20—Ardmore City Schools is partnering with
The
The program seeks to address students' mental health needs as well as alleviate the Oklahoma's student to counselor ratio.
After applying and receiving funding for both a certified school counselor and a licensed mental health professional, director of Ardmore Behavioral Health Collaborative
"Lighthouse was very happy to be able to provide that," Roberts said. "We already have a counselor in place that is an LPC, licensed professional counselor, that will be stepping into that role."
Roberts said children's therapist
Working to beenfit
Tynes received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Master of Psychological Services from
She has specialized training in working with children and adolescents who have experienced trauma and is trained in trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy. Tynes will provide assessments, counseling services, crisis intervention, group therapy, referrals for wraparound services for families at Lighthouse and staff collaboration and training for the district staff.
"Bria will be able to refer to services that Lighthouse offers," Roberts said. "We will be able to provide support for that whole family. So if that caregiver is needing some mental health services, then we can refer to that. But maybe they need some support because of the mental health services that child is needing. It will depend on the situation. We're hopeful we will be able to holistically provide services for the entire family.
The partnership aims to improve student's mental health and support staff, and Roberts hopes the program will create positive outcomes and prove the need to continue the position after three years.
"[Our goals] are to identify what those mental health needs are and find ways where we can provide interventions when necessary or refer to services when necessary," Roberts said. "Then we also want to support staff in understanding when a student is having a behavioral issue or academic issues or mental health needs that might be causing some issues."
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