Resources and Support
School Counselor
Welcome to School Counseling at Freedom Elementary! Ms. Imrisek's Virtual Office
Hello Freedom Families!
My name is Ms. Imrisek and I am the School Counselor. This is my fourth year at Freedom, but I have lived and worked in Carroll County for over 10 years. Outside of school I enjoy traveling, hiking, reading, and spending time with my dog, Maggie.
The School Counselor and School Counseling program are in place to help every student with their academic, social, and emotional concerns. I meet with students in a few different ways including classroom lessons, small groups, and individual counseling sessions.
During classroom lessons, we cover topics such as identifying and managing feelings, being a good friend, problem solving, and career exploration. All students will receive classroom lessons throughout the school year. Small group counseling may be provided for students needing extra support with navigating friendships, social skills, self-regulation, etc. Individual counseling is available on a short-term basis for students requiring additional 1:1 support.
If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s social-emotional development throughout the year or would like connection to community resources, please reach out by calling the school (410-751-3525) or sending an email (HeidiImrisek@carrollk12.org). My door is always open!
School Counseling Program
The school counseling program includes many supports to help your student with any academic, social, or emotional concerns. Some of these supports include:
Classroom Lessons- Each student will receive classroom counseling lessons throughout the school year. These lessons will take place approximately once a month and will last between 30 and 45 minutes. Each grade level will cover different topics tailored to age and developmental level. Some sample topics include naming and regulating emotions, being a super learner, resolving conflict, using coping skills, setting goals, and knowing your learning style.
Small Group Counseling- Small group counseling consists of 6-8 weekly sessions that last approximately 30-40 minutes each. Groups of 5-8 students who share similar concerns come together to learn new skills, participate in facilitated discussion, and provide support to their peers. Group topics are identified each year based on the needs of the school. Topics may include grief, family change, social skills, and self-regulation.
Individual Counseling- Some students may benefit from one on one sessions with the school counselor. These sessions are often solution focused and geared toward helping the student discover ways to resolve problems, explore feelings and emotions, and brainstorm new strategies. The goal of any counseling session is to help students reach their highest level of success. Students may only see the school counselor for one session or may return for multiple sessions. Students are encouraged to self-refer if they have concerns during the school day or they can be referred by a teacher or caregiver.