Harlingen CISD to offer summer mental health counseling sessions

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District is offering free mental health counseling sessions for students this summer.

The sessions will be available from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, June 3 to 27 and July 8 to 18.

Counseling will take place at the HCISD Annex Building and walk-ins are welcome.

Cathy Steadman, Student Wellness Specialist in the Guidance Counseling Department for Harlingen CISD, says it is a great opportunity for students to get one-on-one counseling.

"In our summer counseling, we incorporate games so we teach kids social skills, learning how to win and lose with grace, self-awareness, regulation of emotions and work with them on emotional intelligence," Steadman said.

Students who are registered to HCISD from age 3 to 18, in grades from Pre-K to 12th grade, are eligible to enroll in summer counseling.

Steadman adds they will also have emotional support animals during the summer counseling sessions.

^{Harlingen CISD is providing emotional support animals for students participating in the summer counseling sessions. (Photo by: Gerardo Salinas/ValleyCentral)}

"For some kids, they really rely on mental health support during the school year and with this program, they are able to have continuity of mental health support through the summer," she said.

Harlingen CISD will also provide a licensed professional counselor available from 5 to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays.