Middle School Counseling in the Virtual Environment

Description

Supporting middle schoolers virtually isn't just about tech—it’s about connection, ethics, and compassion in a digital space where so much can be lost if you're not prepared. This course offers vital guidance for clinicians stepping into or navigating the complex world of virtual school counseling.

In an era when students’ emotional, academic, and safety needs don’t pause for pandemics or remote platforms, learning to adapt your school counseling strategies to the virtual environment has never been more urgent—or more empowering.

Lyn H. Bush, M.Ed., brings over a decade of school counseling experience and statewide leadership as Past-President of the North Carolina Association of School Counselors. With hands-on knowledge from her work in K-8 settings and a recognized commitment to advocacy and ethical practice, Lyn provides both wisdom and practical guidance drawn from years on the front lines.

Through real-world examples, vetted tools, and district-aligned approaches, Lyn leads participants through the essentials of transforming in-person support into meaningful, responsible virtual engagement—without losing your footing or your purpose.

This course covers how to establish ethical guidelines and clear virtual boundaries, engage students and families through digital tools, and build collaborative networks with teachers, administrators, and mental health partners. You’ll also explore strategies for suicide risk assessment protocols, crisis response planning, virtual group counseling, and maintaining student confidentiality within the limitations of online settings.

Key Takeaways:

• Clarity on Ethics and Boundaries: Understand how to ethically support students in a virtual setting with attention to ASCA guidelines and FERPA compliance.

• Virtual Program Planning: Begin developing a comprehensive, sustainable counseling program tailored for online environments.

• Practical Tools and Resources: Gain access to templates, scripts, communication platforms, and community resources to ease your virtual workload.

Why this course?

• Designed by a Recognized Leader: Learn from Lyn H. Bush, a widely respected school counseling expert who helped shape state-level policies and training during the pandemic.

• Backed by a Trusted CE Provider: Offered by the Telehealth Certification Institute, whose mission is to equip clinicians with exceptional, relevant training to elevate care.

• Focused, Practical, and Immediately Applicable: This is not just theory—it's built on actual, proven solutions that help you serve students more effectively right now.

Learning Objectives:

• The participant will have a better understanding of ethical considerations for a virtual setting.

• The participant will begin to formulate a plan to implement a comprehensive school counseling program in a virtual setting.

• The participant will receive ideas and resources for managing their responsibilities in a virtual setting.

Whether you’re new to virtual school counseling or looking to refine your current practice, this course offers the insights and support you need to thrive in today’s evolving educational landscape.

Enroll today to strengthen your virtual counseling impact, protect your students, and lead with clarity—even in times of crisis.

Format and Access

This is a non-interactive self-study course. Instruction consists of 1 hour of video instruction and a post-test.

Course Details

Availability: 

From the time of registration, you have six months to access the coursework.

Who Should Attend: 

This course is intended for clinicians who provide behavioral health services.

Teaching Methods: 

This is a non-interactive, self-study course. Teaching methods for this course include recorded lectures, videos, a post-test, and a course evaluation.

How to Attend: 

Course access and completion instructions.

Instructor and Disclosures

Instructor

About Lyn H. Bush, M.Ed. in School Counseling, North Carolina Association of School Counselors Past-President

Lyn worked as a School Counselor in the Buncombe County School System for the past 13 years. She has had the opportunity to work in Elementary, Intermediate, and currently Middle School as the 8th Grade Counselor. She continues to advocate for students and School Counselors across the state. She was voted School Counselor of the Year for Buncombe County while serving Glen Arden Elementary School students. She is active in the state association (North Carolina School Counselor Association -NCSCA). She is currently serving as the association’s Past-President after completing two years as President-Elect and President. She also served four years as Vice President of the West Region prior to her election to the Presidential term. She is an active member of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) where she served as a Delegate in 2019. Lyn has served on numerous committees in her county and state. Most recently she served on the North Carolina School Counseling Strategic Leadership Team and presented to the North Carolina Child Well-Being Transformation Council – established through NC Legislation. 

Although beginning her career in Education as a teacher and coach at Socastee High School in Myrtle Beach, S.C., she realized that her passion to support all students would be achieved best by returning to school to study School Counseling. Lyn attended Eastern Kentucky University where she earned her Master’s degree. Lyn is married to David (33 years) and they have two adult children  - by far- two of the greatest accomplishments. 

Lyn's focus continues to be on developing a comprehensive School Counseling program that best serves the students she works with each year - even during Covid-19.  You can email Lyn: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or follow her on Twitter: @counselorschatr

Disclosure Statement: 

The instructor for this course receive compensation for their services. There are no reported conflicts of interest to disclose.

CE Hours

Credit Hours:

This course consists of 1 continuing education hour of credit.

Counselors:

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No, 6693.  Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified.  Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. 

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Mental Health Counselors. #MHC-0048.

Marriage and Family Therapists: 

Many MFT licensing boards accept our courses or one of the approvals which we have from professional associations.  You can check with your board to determine if your licensing board would accept this course.

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0135, effective May 8, 2025.

Social Workers:

Telehealth Certification Institute LLC, #1609, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 05/02/2024 – 05/02/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 1 clinical continuing education credit.

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Social Workers #SW-0435.

Addiction Professionals:

This course has been approved by Telehealth Certification Institute LLC, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits, effective 2/23/2021. NAADAC Provider #193104, Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is responsible for all aspects of the programming.

Psychologists:

Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Telehealth Certification Institute LLC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Psychologists #PSY-0128.

Art Therapists: 

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Creative Arts Therapists #CAT-0093.

Other Professionals:

This course qualifies for 60 minutes of instructional content as required by many national, state and local licensing boards and professional organizations.  Retain your certificate of completion and contact your board or organization for specific filing requirements.

Accommodations and Policies

Close Captioning is available for live webinars and recorded video presentations.

You can click on the following links to view our policies:

• Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities.
• Cancellation Policy
• Grievance Policy
• Support Options
• Disclosure Statement