Resources and Support

School Counselor

Welcome to School Counseling at Freedom Elementary! Ms. Imrisek's Virtual Office 

My name is Heidi Imrisek and this is my first year at Freedom! While new to Freedom, I have been in Carroll County for about 10 years working with children and families. I earned my Master’s Degree in School Counseling from McDaniel College and my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from James Madison University. When I am not at school, I enjoy walking my dog Maggie, reading, and traveling. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out by phone (410-751-3525). I look forward to working with you!

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 10 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.