High School Anxiety with School Counselor Katie Holman, MS, LPC
When your teen is angry, stressed, or easily overwhelmed, you do your best to support your child.
And sometimes the best way to support your teen is to bring in outside help and build up a team. That’s why we’ve reached out to Katie Holman, MS, LPC, School Counselor at St. John Vianney High School! We’re excited to have her interview with us. She’s got great insight into high school anxiety and how you, the school, and your teen can partner together.
Katie Holman, MS, LPC, School Counselor at St. John Vianney High School
Why did you choose to become a school counselor in St. Louis?
I want to help advocate, advise, and support students and families as they navigate the teen years. I lost my dad my freshman year of high school and support from the school was very impactful in my life. As a school counselor, I can offer a safe space for students to go if they are struggling.
Briefly, what do you feel like is the most important part of your role as a school counselor?
I am here to advocate for students, helping them overcome challenges and reach their fullest potential.
What grades do you work with?
I work with boys in grades 9-12.
What signs can parents be on the lookout for that their child is having anxiety related to school?
Attendance issues and school refusal are clear indicators that there's anxiety related to school. Perfectionism, seeking excessive reassurance, frustration when things are disorganized, anger when routines are changed, conflict with peers or teachers, and trouble sleeping, especially the night before a test or presentation, are other signs. If you notice your child feels exhausted after school, is irritable, easily angered, has poor test scores, or trouble concentrating, then there's reason to be concerned. Physical symptoms also may be present, such as frequent headaches, stomachaches, sore neck or back pain, or even panic attacks.
When do you recommend that parents reach out to the school counselor?
If there has been a history of mental health or school-related concerns with your teen, it's helpful to reach out before the start of school so the school counselor can check in on your child during the school year and connect you with community resources as needed. Anytime your child or your family needs support for academic or wellness issues, it's helpful to reach out to the school counselor, especially if there are significant changes at home or a recent loss. If your child is struggling academically or will be absent for an extended period of time, the school counselor can help them with an academic plan to get caught up. The school counselor can also help facilitate communication with teachers and administration.
The pressures on teens to do well can sometimes be hard for them to manage. When would you recommend private counseling for teens who are struggling with perfectionism, feeling overwhelmed, feeling under pressure to do well in sports, or navigating their social life?
When the stress is keeping teens from performing at their best, they are showing signs of depression or anxiety that lasts more than two weeks, or you are concerned with self-harm or suicidal ideation, I'd recommend private counseling and speaking with medical doctor/psychiatrist. School counselors are not therapists; so if your teen needs regular (weekly/biweekly) sessions to speak with a mental health professional then a referral for private counseling is needed in addition to the support offered at school.
Parent teacher conferences are coming up! We’d love your advice on how parents and schools can work together to best support their anxious students:
School counselors are usually available during parent-teacher conferences too, so it's a great time to meet with them about any concerns or questions you have. I find it's best for parents to see the school counselor after they've met with teachers so they have a full picture of what's going on at school and in the classroom. The school counselor can help communicate with teachers if there are concerns about anxiety at school and can meet with the student to discuss coping skills and how to better manage the workload and stress of school. Also, if parents aren't available during the scheduled conferences, you can ask your school counselor to schedule a meeting with specific teachers at another time.
Katie works at Saint John Vianney High School
Share one fun fact about you that most people don’t know.
I have a large fish tank at home with African Cichlids. I often just sit and watch the fish swim around; it's soothing and helps me relax.
Here at Compassionate Counseling St. Louis, we love working with anxious, angry, and easily overwhelmed kids, teens, and young adults, from age 4 on up.
Curious to learn more about high school anxiety? Contact Compassionate Counseling St. Louis to set up a free 15-minute phone consult. We’ll talk about what’s going on and best next steps - and if we’re not the right fit, we’ll connect you with other wonderful St. Louis-based support!
Compassionate Counseling St. Louis provides specialized anger management and anxiety therapy in St. Louis for kids, teens, and college students and support for their parents. We work in Clayton, MO and serve kids, teens, and college students throughout St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Ladue, University City, Town and Country, Webster Groves, Creve Coeur, Kirkwood, Richmond Heights, and Brentwood.