Hi!  Welcome to Ascent West Valley School Guidance Counselor

School counselors have the opportunity to help students with Social, Emotional, Academic, and Career Guidance!

Here at the West Valley Campus, I have the great opportunity to work with students, in my office, as well as teach lessons in their classrooms.  

Here are some of the ways this happens:

• Students come in before or after school, and/or during recess or lunch if they need my help.  

• Students also ask their teacher if they can come to see me.

• Parents come in, call, or email asking for my help with their student(s.)

• Administration and/or Teachers ask for my help with their student(s.)  

Students have the opportunity to come in individually or work in a small group setting, depending on their needs.  Both of these situations require parents/guardians to sign a permission form. Typically this is for 6 to 8 weeks. (Some groups may run longer.)  There are times when I meet with students for an immediate need, maybe to help with calming down, or anger management, or conflict resolution. These are often not scheduled.

Here are some ideas of the topics that we are working on:  Zones of Regulation, Kindness, Friendship, Communication, Decision Making, Knowledge is Power, Social Skills, The GRUMP meter (dealing with anger), Choices and Consequences, Mindfulness, Cooperation, Coping Skills.  

For parents who are looking for therapeutic support (counselor, social worker, therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist) it is advised that you talk to your pediatrician for suggestions and/or your insurance provider.  Local resources may also be able to help.

I am excited to be at Ascent and look forward to helping our students!

Jill Zuniga, MMHC

School Counselor, Ascent Academy West Valley Campus

Ascent Academy offers online courses in accordance with Utah's Statewide Online Education Program (SOEP).  See your school counselor for details.