School-Based Mental Health Services in Michigan | Counseling & Therapy

School-Based Mental Health Services in Michigan bring counseling and support to students where they already are—at school. If your child is having a hard time with stress, mood, behavior, or friendships, getting help can feel overwhelming for the whole family. Many parents worry about missing work, long drives, or long waitlists. School-based care can reduce these barriers and help students feel safer, calmer, and more ready to learn.

Signs You Might Benefit

Kids and teens do not always say “I need help.” Many show it through changes in feelings, actions, or schoolwork. School-based services can support students who need short-term help, ongoing therapy, or help during a tough season.

• Big worries or fear: constant nervousness, panic feelings, trouble separating from caregivers, or frequent “what if” thoughts
• Sad mood: low energy, tearfulness, loss of interest in friends or activities, or talking about feeling hopeless
• Anger and behavior changes: more fights, yelling, defiance, or trouble following rules at school and home
• School problems: falling grades, missing assignments, frequent absences, or refusing to go to school
• Body complaints with no clear medical cause: headaches, stomachaches, or trouble sleeping that gets worse with stress
• Friendship and social struggles: bullying (as target or aggressor), isolation, or trouble reading social cues
• Trauma stress: strong startle response, nightmares, “shutting down,” or feeling unsafe after a tough event
• Attention and organization issues: forgetfulness, impulsivity, or trouble staying on task (sometimes seen with ADHD)

Benefits of school-based care may include:

• Faster access to support and fewer missed appointments
• Skills that can be practiced in real school situations (classroom, lunch, hallway, bus)
• Better coordination with school supports when families give permission (for example, teachers, school counselor, or IEP/504 teams)
• Improved coping skills, behavior, and attendance over time
• A plan for safety if your child ever talks about self-harm or feels unsafe

Evidence-Based Approach

Our goal is to use methods that are proven to help kids and teens. We focus on skills that match your child’s age, needs, and strengths. We also keep family culture, values, and school expectations in mind.

Therapy methods we may use

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): helps students notice unhelpful thoughts and practice new coping skills. CBT is widely supported for anxiety and depression and is recommended in many clinical guidelines (American Psychological Association, APA).
• Behavior therapy and parent coaching: builds clear routines, rewards, and consistent responses to reduce problem behaviors and support healthy choices.
• Trauma-informed care (including TF-CBT when appropriate): helps students process hard events safely and learn calming tools. Trauma-focused approaches have strong evidence for reducing trauma symptoms in youth (NIH/National Library of Medicine summaries and peer-reviewed research).
• Social skills and emotional regulation training: teaches naming feelings, solving problems, handling conflict, and building friendships.
• Motivational Interviewing (MI) skills: helps teens explore goals, choices, and motivation in a respectful way.

How we choose the right plan

We start with a careful assessment and use clinical reasoning to match services to the problem. For example, if a student has strong worry and avoidance, we may use CBT skills and gentle “step-by-step” practice (sometimes called exposure). If behavior problems are the main concern, we may focus on clear goals, coaching, and school-home routines. If trauma symptoms are present, we move at a safe pace and focus on stability first.

Licensing and safety standards in Michigan

In Michigan, mental health professionals must meet state rules for training, scope of practice, and ethical care. Services may be provided by clinicians licensed through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), such as Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs), Licensed Master’s Social Workers (LMSWs), psychologists, and other qualified providers. We follow confidentiality laws, mandated reporting rules, and clinical documentation standards required in the state.

What to Expect

We try to make the process simple and clear for families, students, and schools. Services are provided during the school day in a private space when available, or by secure telehealth if appropriate and approved.

Step 1: Referral and consent

A parent/guardian (or school partner) can request services. We gather signed consent forms before starting. We also explain privacy rules, including what we can share with school staff and what stays private. We do not share therapy details with the school without written permission, except when required for safety.

Step 2: Intake assessment

The first visits focus on understanding what is happening and what your child needs. We may review:

• Current concerns (school, home, friends, mood, behavior)
• Strengths and interests
• Health history, sleep, and stress
• Safety screening (self-harm thoughts, bullying, or unsafe situations)
• Goals that matter to your child and your family

Step 3: Ongoing sessions

Most sessions are 30–50 minutes, depending on school schedules and clinical need. Students learn skills and practice them between sessions. When families agree, we may coordinate with school supports so skills are reinforced in class or with a trusted staff member.

Step 4: Progress checks and plan updates

We review progress over time using simple rating scales, school feedback (with permission), and family input. If your child needs a higher level of care (like intensive outpatient, psychiatry, or crisis services), we help guide next steps and referrals.

Safety and crisis planning

If a student is at risk of harm to self or others, we follow a clear safety process. This may include contacting parents/guardians, school administration, and emergency services when needed. We also create practical safety plans and coping tools students can use right away.

Insurance

We work with families to understand coverage and costs. Because plans vary, we verify benefits before starting whenever possible.

Common costs you may see

• Copay: a set amount due per visit (for example, $20–$50)
• Deductible: the amount you may need to pay before insurance starts paying
• Coinsurance: a percentage you may owe after the deductible (for example, 10–30%)

Mental health parity basics

Many health plans must follow mental health parity rules. This means mental health benefits should be covered in a way that is not more restrictive than medical benefits (for example, similar rules for copays and visit limits). If coverage is denied, we can often help you ask the plan for the reason and next steps for an appeal.

What if insurance does not cover services?

If a plan is out-of-network or not accepted, we can discuss self-pay options and provide documentation families may use for reimbursement if their plan allows it. We can also help connect families to community resources when cost is a barrier.

FAQ

Will my child miss class for therapy?

We aim to reduce missed learning time. Sessions are scheduled with the school day in mind, and we try to avoid the same class period every time when possible. Some students do short, more frequent check-ins; others do longer weekly sessions.

Is what my child says confidential?

Yes, therapy is private. We share information with school staff only if you sign permission (a release of information). There are limits to confidentiality required by Michigan law and professional ethics, such as when a student may be in danger, reports abuse or neglect, or there is a serious safety risk.

Can you work with the school counselor, teacher, or IEP/504 team?

Yes—if a parent/guardian provides written consent. Collaboration can help students use coping skills in real situations and align supports across home and school. We can also offer general strategies to school teams without sharing private therapy details.

What if my child needs medication?

Therapists do not prescribe medication unless they are licensed prescribers. If medication may help, we can coordinate referrals to a pediatrician, psychiatrist, or other qualified prescriber. Therapy and medication can be used together when clinically appropriate, and research supports combined care for some conditions (NIH/National Library of Medicine and APA-aligned guidance).

References: American Psychological Association (APA) clinical practice guidelines and NIH/National Library of Medicine (NLM) evidence summaries support CBT and other evidence-based approaches for common youth mental health conditions. Michigan provider licensing and professional standards are regulated through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).