School Counseling

Academy Singers female students hug with fall trees in the background.

COUNSELING MISSION

Every child at NCCS, from K3 through 12th grade, is supported, seen and known.

The mission of the NCCS counseling department is to provide a Christ-centered, comprehensive, developmental counseling program that addresses academic support, personal and social skills development, and the exploration of natural gifts and career interests.

ASCA (American School Counselor Association) National Standards:

Academic development: Implement strategies and activities to support and maximize each student’s ability to learn.
Career development: Provide foundation for the acquisition of skills, attitudes, and knowledge that enable students to make a successful transition from school to the world of work.
Personal/social development: Provide the foundation for personal and social growth as students progress through school and into adulthood.

SERVICES + PROGRAMS

Individual Counseling

Students are encouraged to visit and get to know their counselor throughout the year. We have an open-door policy, and students may visit at any time. Solution-focused sessions can be set up for students with experiences at home or school that significantly impact their ability to learn. School counselors do not provide long-term therapy. However, we are prepared to recognize and respond to student needs and assist students and families in seeking resources.

Group Counseling

Classroom Counseling Curriculum

Parent Academies

Multi-cultural Awareness & Diversity

The purpose of the NCCS counseling effort to love our neighbor is to reflect the love of Christ throughout the entirety of our growing, diverse community. Diversity and multicultural awareness are explored and celebrated during counselor lessons, chapel, student programs, mentoring opportunities, clubs, and Spring Term local and global experiences.

With the Scriptures as our guide, we aim to embrace creativity, celebrate our diversity and differences, and deepen our respect for others while assessing curricular and co-curricular programs to ensure that they reflect the love of God. The result will be a deeper love for each other and those around us that models His Kingdom as we strive to impact the world for Christ.

“Unquestionably, my children would not be who they are without North Cobb Christian School. Our commitment to a NCCS education has been an investment into the very minds, hearts, spirits and souls of our children. There is nothing on earth that could be a better investment.”

NCCS Parent

IDENTITY EXPLORATION + CAREER FORMATION

To help students with the exploration of natural gifts, talent discovery, and career interests.

YouScience

Pathways

Our goal is to help students learn through curriculum, assessments, and experiences how they are uniquely created and can become influencers in God’s kingdom. The Pathways Program is designed to assess and cultivate character in 5th grade, identity in 6th grade, leadership in 7th grade, and teamwork in 8th grade which sets them on a journey of self-discovery and career readiness as they move into upper school.

Academies

Safety Day

The NCCS "Safety Day" expo, in honor of Red Ribbon Week, is hosted by the NCCS Counseling department annually. This interactive day of activities and demonstrations encourages students to make wise choices and learn more about personal health and safety. From a helicopter landing on the softball field to a wrecker towing away a mock accident, students glean insights into overcoming peer pressure, making wise nutrition choices, practicing Internet safety, implementing introductory self-defense strategies and more!

College/Career Day

The annual College and Career Day at North Cobb Christian School provides all Upper School students with myriad future opportunities from our own campus. The morning offers a variety of professionals sharing glimpses of their careers and backgrounds in small session settings. The afternoon is reserved for a college fair of 60+ admissions representatives from colleges and universities nationwide, as well as military and missions-focused organizations.

Remember Whose You Are (Identity/Sexuality)

Remember Whose You Are is a Biblically-based, scientifically-accurate program designed to show middle school students (5th-8th grade) how human sexuality is rooted in Gospel identity. Building upon a developmentally appropriate year-by-year foundation, Remember Whose You Are combines a systematic study of Genesis 1-3 (integrated with other Scriptural texts when necessary) alongside evidence-based scientific research on identity & sexuality. Students will grasp an understanding of how being made in the image of the Creator God gives basis to what it means to be made as male/female as well as to the act of sex itself, and how the fall of man distorts (but does not destroy) God’s design for both. Students will subsequently explore how to navigate current culture in light of living out Biblical principles related to gospel identity & human sexuality thus preparing them to make holy choices that honor God & healthy choices that honor both themselves and others.

Students in first grade smile on a green grassy field in front of a medi-vac helicopter during NCCS Safety Day.

COUNSELORS

Students pose outside of school holding homemade signs with encouraging phrases on them.

Carol Ribeiro, Lower School Counselor

Carol Ribeiro holds a Master of Education in School Counseling from Georgia State University, is a National Certified Counselor, a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, and an Associate Professional Counselor under the supervision of Mary Teresa Freeman, MS, MAC, LPC, CPCS and Beth Palumbo, LCSW, RPT/S. She is currently pursuing licensure as a registered play therapist and an Ed.S. in counseling. She is also trained in play therapy, Restorative Practices, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills (ASIST), and Stewards of Children. She has presented at the Cobb County Counselors mini-conferences for two consecutive years.

Carol came to NCCS in 2018 as the Lower School Counselor. Before joining the staff at NCCS, she worked as an intern school counselor at Clarkdale and Dowell Elementary where she created curriculum, taught classroom lessons, ran small groups, and delivered teacher trainings. She has three years experience as a school counselor and three years teaching experience. She also has six years experience providing personal and spiritual guidance to adolescents and young adults at her home church as a youth leader.

Carol and her husband, Lucas, have three children who attend NCCS. They are currently active members of the Valor Center where Carol is heavily involved in inner healing and outreach. In her spare time, Carol enjoys spending time with her family, dance, reading, running, and traveling.

Scripture: One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek, that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. Psalm 16:8

Personal mission: Carol is passionate about awakening a generation, calling them into their individual purpose and corporate responsibility as the hands and feet of Christ. I believe in students, wholly given to God, living in His divine realities and living out their personal callings in their daily walk.

Carrie Nickell, Middle School Counselor

Amanda Johnson, Upper School Counselor

RESOURCES

Counseling resources, helpful links, hotlines and more.

Topics + Articles

Grief
Stress/Anxiety
- Self-Harm & What to look for
Self-Esteem
Identity Formation
Interpersonal Skills
Personal Wellness (nutrition, exercise)
Families in Transition/ Divorce
Coordinating Academic Support
Navigating Technology in a healthy way
Insensitivity Form
Body Safety
Students with sick family members
Learning Differences
Anger Management
Sex Respect

Amanda Johnson
Upper School Counselor

Our NCCS Counseling team strives to serve our students and to help them grow into their full God-given potential.