Care where students already are.

Students do not leave their challenges at home. Anxiety, behavioral concerns, family stress, trauma. These show up in the classroom, often before anyone has the words to explain what is happening.

For more than 25 years, Saint Louis Counseling’s School Partnership Program has placed licensed therapists directly inside schools across 10 counties. Today, we partner with more than 100 schools, reaching over 3,000 students each year.

When care is embedded in the school day, barriers are reduced. Students do not need to travel. Families are not left navigating complex systems. Support becomes immediate, visible, and part of the environment where students spend most of their time. This is not a referral model. It is integrated care, delivered where it can make the greatest impact.

School Partnership Program

Counseling inside your school, not across town.

School counselors are balancing academic planning, scheduling, and student support, often all at once. The demand for clinical mental health care continues to grow, and schools need more than referral options. Our School Partnership Program places licensed therapists directly inside your building, working alongside your team to provide consistent, clinically grounded support for students. This is not an outside service. It is an extension of your school community.

School-based mental health support is most effective when it is consistent, accessible, and integrated into the daily rhythm of the school. Our therapists are embedded within your building, becoming a trusted part of the environment. This allows for earlier identification of concerns, faster response, and more consistent support over time.

Support includes:

  • Embedded, school-based counseling for students in grades K through 12
  • Targeted outreach for students showing early signs of concern
  • Crisis response and stabilization when critical incidents occur
  • Ongoing consultation with school staff and caregivers
  • Classroom-based support that promotes emotional awareness and resilience

This approach reduces barriers to care, strengthens collaboration with school teams, and ensures students receive support in the moments it is needed most.

saint-louis-counseling-home-2

How the School Partnership Program works

saint-louis-counseling-browse
Step 1
We learn about your school

Every school community is different. We begin with a conversation to understand your student population, existing supports, and where gaps may exist. This ensures the model fits your building, not the other way around.

saint-louis-counseling-call
Step 2
We place and embed a therapist

A licensed Saint Louis Counseling therapist is assigned to your school and becomes a consistent presence on-site. They are not a visitor. They are part of your community, aligned with your schedule, your team, and your students’ needs.

saint-louis-counseling-test
Step 3
Students and families connect to care

Referrals can come from teachers, counselors, parents, or students themselves. Our therapist manages intake, consent, and ongoing sessions, reducing administrative burden on your staff while keeping communication clear and appropriate.

saint-louis-counseling-home-3
Supporting Educators Too

We support the adults, too.

Teachers, counselors, and administrators carry significant responsibility. Supporting student mental health often becomes part of that role, whether or not there is time, training, or capacity. Our School Partnership Program therapists work alongside your staff, providing real-time support, consultation, and guidance when it is needed.

Support includes:

  • Consultation on student mental health concerns
  • Collaboration with staff to navigate complex situations
  • Crisis response support for school communities
  • Practical guidance that helps staff respond with clarity and confidence

This support is not separate from the work of the school. It is integrated into it, helping your team respond more effectively while maintaining focus on their primary roles.

Common Questions from School Administrators

Does SLC work with public schools, or only Catholic/private schools?

We serve all schools — public, private, parochial, charter, and Catholic. Our team works across 10 counties and the City of St. Louis with schools of every type.

How is the program funded?
What licensing do your school therapists hold?
Can parents opt their child out?

Let's talk about your school.

Whether you’re exploring the program for the first time or ready to bring SLC into your building, we’d love to connect. Fill out the form below and our School Partnership Program Director will be in touch.

"*" indicates required fields

Name*