Counseling
Classroom Guidance
An important part of teaching courage is ensuring a child's social and emotional progress throughout the school experience. At TLS, classroom guidance units allow me to enter the classroom and talk with students about topics that affect their social and emotional growth. Classroom guidance units are offered every other year, beginning in Pre-School and continuing through 5th grade. Teachers and students may also request additional units for topics that are of particular concern. Our classroom guidance units address: Friendship (Pre-K), Friendship and Self-Esteem (1st), Conflict Management (3rd), and Drug Prevention and Health Education (5th).
Individual Counseling
While classroom guidance units are designed to help students address broad-based concerns before they arise, individual counseling allows students to receive one-on-one counseling for immediate concerns. There are a wide range of issues that students may face on a daily basis, arising from interactions at home, in school, or with their friends. These may include divorce, anxiety, social discomfort, death, stress, or friendships. I am available and eager to talk with students each day. Most often, students have scheduled individual counseling during which time we brainstorm helpful strategies and discuss student progress. Students can recommend themselves for individual counseling, but I am most often contacted by concerned families or teachers. If you have a question or concern about an issue that may be troubling your child, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Parent Groups
In addition to providing classroom guidance and individual counseling opportunities for students at TLS, I am committed to helping parents address general and specific parenting concerns. Often times, parents find that they are not alone in questioning parenting style or practice. As School Counselor, part of my responsibility is to help you find other parents that may share your interests or concerns. In the past, we have facilitated a parent group dedicated to raising gifted children as well as a Pre-School Parent Forum . We strive to provide as much additional information and assistance as possible, so please do not hesitate to let us know if there is a particular topic that is of interest to you.
Referrals
I provide school-based individual counseling and classroom guidance throughout the year. Referrals are made by teachers, families, and even students themselves. I then meet with students for three to five sessions in order to address their specific concerns. Often times families feel that outside resources would complement the school-based counseling. I am happy to help families find resources outside of the school. I welcome any questions or concerns that you may have and would love to speak with you. Please feel free to call!
Dr. Laura Blake,
School Counselor
Contact Information
lblake@thelexingtonschool.org
(859) 278-0501 ext. 245
Hello! My name is Laura Blake, and I am the School Counselor at TLS. I also teach Speech and Drama in our Middle School. As a Lexington native, I attended Henry Clay High School, graduating in May of 1995. I attended The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where I studied Drama and Psychology. After graduation, I worked for two years in Wake County Public Schools as an Elementary School Drama Teacher. Following my interest in psychology and counseling, I continued my education with an MEd in School Counseling from UNC-Chapel Hill and graduated in August 2002. I received a doctorate in Educational Leadership Studies from The University of Kentucky in December of 2008.
I am very fortunate to have found such a warm and welcoming environment at TLS. Teaching and counseling have allowed me to fulfill my passion--working with children. I love to listen and have a knack for bringing out the brightest stories and the deepest concerns of my children. Whether it is a smile in the hallway or a whispered talk in the library, I strive to be a part of all of the young lives here at TLS.