NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - A North Charleston school's mental health counselor is seeking tools to help provide comfort and support to her students.
"I have a purpose when I come to school every day, and I want these kids to feel loved and supported every time they come through the door," Allegro Charter School of Music's Interim Mental Health Counselor Constance Goodnight says.
But for her, counseling duties do not apply only to students.
"I do students, families, as well as faculty." she says.
With a busy schedule and open door, she says all aspects of her room are tailored to make sure everyone feels comfortable during tough conversations with things like fidget toys, cozy corners, and conversation blocks.
"I wanted to make sure this room felt like home," she says. "I wanted to make sure they could come here and relax because when a kid comes in here we talk about very heavy things and very uncomfortable things."
She says small tactical gadgets can help with focus, anxiety and stress, but can be beneficial emotionally as well.
"When they come in here and sit on the couch or sit in the corner and they grab one of the sensory toys it helps them regulate their nervous system to the point where they can feel calm and be able to open up more and be more vulnerable," Goodnight says.
Goodnight says because of her title of interim mental health counselor, she does not receive the incentive at the beginning of the year other teachers do, limiting her ability to purchase things with funding that students need for their emotional and social well-being.
"We really care about the student and we care about their families and really want the best for them." Goodnight says.
She is specifically looking for supplies such as health management books, calm strips, conversation cards and other fidget toys to help regulate student emotions in the classroom.
"The more time that they are moving it helps decrease the nervous system to the point where they are able to regulate their emotions and they can be calm," Goodnight says.
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