School Counselor

More Information for School Counselors

Given all the responsibilities school counselors have, let TCHATT support you in supporting the mental health needs of your students. We offer free, virtual, and targeted mental health care with licensed clinicians. TCHATT is a school-based program that partners with you to make sure students have access to care but don’t miss too much class time. TCHATT is a free service paid for by the state and does not require any insurance. We are a free service paid for by the state and do not require any insurance. TCHATT may ask about insurance in the intake to be able to connect families to other community services, when needed. TCHATT is a statewide program based at [HRI] in your community. [HRI name] operates this program in your school district. TCHATT is offered across Texas.

Targeted Services/How TCHATT Provides Care – TCHATT gives students the care they need, when they need it, conveniently arranged through you and your school. Our targeted services assess and address a student’s mental health needs, and if those needs extend beyond what TCHATT offers, we will recommend and connect the family to community services. This may include communication with doctors, community mental health programs, and more. TCHATT assists in getting mental health care to students across our region, mental health education, and linking families with community resources. 

De-Stigmatizing Mental Health Care – TCHATT helps students ages 4-21 all over the state with mental health, learning, or behavioral conditions. We are in over 6,000 campuses in around 70% of districts in Texas available to over 4 million students.

Signing Up – We work to make the signup process as easy as possible. Follow these steps: Step 1) Discuss TCHATT with the parent/guardian of a student who may benefit. Step 2) If they are interested, contact TCHATT to begin the referral process and paperwork. The parent/guardian will have to give written permission to TCHATT. Step 3) Someone from TCHATT will call, text, or email the parent/guardian from [phone#] or to schedule the first appointment with the parent/guardian and student.

*All TCHATT sessions are virtual.*

Who will Contact the Parent/Guardian – Someone from [HRI] will call, text, or email the student’s parent/guardian. We will call from [phone #] or email from to schedule the first appointment for a student and family. Have parents/guardians look out for this phone number. Alternate text for HRIs/schools that have the school counselor schedule the first appointment: You will work with the student’s parent/guardian to schedule the first appointment in the TCHATT system.

Parent Involvement in Session and Confidentially – It’s important for parents/guardians to know how treatment is going for their child. Parents/guardians must be part of the first TCHATT appointment (intake) with their child and are encouraged to be part of other sessions too as possible and appropriate. All sessions are virtual and confidential. They must be held in a quiet, private place. A parent or guardian is required to attend each virtual session with their child. They can log in from wherever they are or be with their child in person.

Benefits to Students – Mental health care and support can help students be more successful in school and have more self-confidence. TCHATT helps students reduce anxiety, manage emotions,
and cope with challenges. Students who get treatment can and do improve.

Step by Step Program Process: Step 1) Talk to a student’s parent or guardian about TCHATT. Step 2) If they are interested, you can help the parent/guardian sign up and give written consent. (If the child is 18 or older, they can give their own consent.) Step 3) The school counselor or liaison is responsible for helping the student attend their in-school TCHATT appointments. You and the parent/guardian will receive appointment reminders. Step 4) Someone from TCHATT will call, text, or email the parent/guardian from [phone #] or to schedule the first appointment with the parent/guardian and child. All TCHATT sessions are virtual. Step 5) The student will begin virtual sessions in a private space at their school, another location, or at home. Sessions can include assessments, coping techniques, and education for your child on managing their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Parents/guardians are encouraged to participate. Step 6) If your child needs more mental health care, TCHATT will help you find other community services.