Services Available through the Counseling Center

The Lake Washington High School Counselors are educators uniquely trained in child and adolescent development, learning strategies, self-management and social skills who understand and promote success for today’s diverse students. We provide support to students during times of transition, heightened stress, critical challenge, or other situations impeding student success.

Additionally, we work with students to explore future plans and prepare for those future plans emotionally, academically and socially.

The LWHS Counseling Team also works with families and students to provide support in the realms of basic needs, mental health resources, academic success, and personal growth.

One of the Counseling Center’s main goals is to facilitate your student through their high school years & to make the experience as successful as possible. Students meet with their counselor by parent, teacher/administrator or self-referral.

Your student’s counselor is available to help on many different fronts.

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Academic Counseling

Counselors meet with students during spring registration to help them select courses that meet both graduation requirements and expand on their personal interests. We also work with students who are struggling in academics by reviewing more efficient study habits and organizational skills. For students whose academic life is sometimes a little too hectic, we are happy to share some stress and time management techniques. It isn’t always easy to balance courses, activities, leadership roles, athletics, employment, and family commitments!

Visit our FAQs page for answers to common questions.

Personal Counseling

Counselors also work with students who are dealing with relationship issues, personal concerns, academic or behavioral difficulties, and normal developmental challenges. Counseling is short term, skill based, and goal oriented. Counseling and support are provided to students and their families facing emergency situations. Upon request, we provide referrals to other professional resources such as mental health professionals, social services, special school programs, and juvenile services.

Additional resources for for Emotional Health & Well-Being. 

Post High School Planning

Most students take advantage of the wealth of information that is available from the Counseling Center and the College & Career Center. We offer college advising, testing, scholarship and financial aid information. We support students in their entire application process from completing applications and securing recommendations to writing their personal statements and resumes. Together with the College & Career Center, we also have information on two-year community colleges, apprenticeship programs, vocational and specialty colleges as well as the military.

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How can families support the work we are doing in schools?

• Encourage school/life balance
• Encourage scheduled time to unplug
• Support your student being advocates for themselves
• Work with your student on organization methods and time management strategies.
• Implement "Brain Breaks" during study time
• Help them with strategies on acknowledging that sometimes things can be hard, but that is ok!
• Take care of your mind and body!
• Teach and encourage the importance of attendance and arriving to class and appointments on time
• We encourage you to have frequent conversations about difficult topics.
• Work with your student on what is appropriate forms of formal communication vs casual communication.
• Find ways to incorporate patience in daily life.
• Both you and your student establishing a frequent routine of checking skyward for grades.
• Find a way to establish a non-distraction zone for studying
• Encourage and establish perspective when students are involved in social media.

Related Links

King County Library Tutoring Resources The King County Library provides a variety of resources to help students succeed in their classes. Tutors are available at the library and/or online.