Counseling

Katherine Finchy has a full-time school counselor, Mrs. McCormack. Please see the information below to find out more about the counseling and/or mental health options for your child at school. After reading the information, if you would like your child to obtain counseling services, please click here to apply.

About Our Counselor

Hello! My name is Sarah McCormack (Ms. Mack) and I have been an Elementary school counselor for the last several years! I have a B.S in Psychology and an M.Ed. in School Counseling from Cal Baptist.

I feel like I have the BEST job in the whole school. I love my students and I’m fully committed to see them learn and succeed! When I’m not at school, I love spending time with my friends, family and my dog Gus! I love rock climbing and reading a good book. I’m looking forward to having a great year!

What Does a School Counselor Do?

As a School Counselor, I am here to provide support for all students and help students achieve academic success, career, and social/emotional development! So that students can meet their personal and academic goals for this school year and beyond. Counselors work with staff, teachers, families and the community to support students by providing a comprehensive counseling program which includes education, intervention, and/or consultation.

What is Social Emotional Learning?

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is the process through which students acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships and make responsible decisions. SEL can be a significant part of a student's overall education. Targeting the development of these skills can help prepare students for a productive future.

What Services May be Provided?

*We use data to identify the needs of our students and base our interventions on what is happening at our site and with our students.

Classroom Lessons

I try to reach most of the student population through teaching classroom character education lessons throughout the year. The subjects for the school year will be:

Social emotional learning
Conflict resolution
Diversity
Bullying prevention and awareness

Group Counseling

Group counseling is available for students. Group topics include:

Anxiety and stress reduction
Anger Management
Impulse Control and Emotional Regulation
Friendship
Family Changes
Social Skills
Grief

Individual Counseling

Individual counseling sessions are available based on the needs of the student. If you have an interest in individual counseling for your child, please call or email me directly.

When is Our Counselor Available?

How Do I Contact the Counselor?

PSUSD Counseling Mission Statement

The mission of Palm Springs Unified School District’s Elementary School Counseling Program is to deliver a comprehensive program that allows for continuous self-evaluation and improvement as we strive to support and enhance the academic, college/career readiness, and personal/social/emotional development of all students. This is done through the delivery of data-driven classroom lessons, small group instruction and individual counseling.

Elementary school counselors advocate for the success, equity and equal access for all students. We endeavor to create a school climate that supports inclusion, safety, academic success and the ability for all students to be responsible members of society as well as life-long learners that are prepared for all the challenges the future holds.