Counseling

COUNSELING

Frequently Asked Questions

How do school counselors help me?

How do I request a transcript?

Contact

Counseling Office
651-425-7310
tarrigon@sowashco.org

crisis phone numbers

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255

Washington County Crisis Response Unit
651-275-7400

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Text 988

Crisis Text Line

Text 741741

Emergency Line
911 - Please call 911 if you or someone you know is in immediate danger of harming themselves or someone else.

Course Registration for 2025-2026 School Year (Jan 6 - Jan 17)

Evening of Opportunity - January 6th 5:30 - 7:30pm at ERHS, PHS, & WHS

Incoming 9th Grade - Class of 2029

Incoming 9th grade students are initially zoned for their home high school (ERHS, PHS, WHS) and should complete their initial registration through that school. We have included some materials below that can help support you as you are making your registration decisions.

Registration Worksheet Grade 9 (by clicking on the link, it will force you to make a copy)

Registration Instructions (Slideshow)

Registration Instructions (Video)

Printable Course Guide

Grade 10 (Class of 2028)

Registration Worksheet Grade 10 (by clicking on the link, it will force you to make a copy)

Printable Course Guide

Additional Information:

SoWashCo Online Courses at a Glance - this document lists all course titles and course numbers available at SoWashCo Online

Registration Instructions (Video) - this is a video with step by step instructions on how to complete the registration process

Registration Instructions (Slideshow) - this is a slideshow with step by step instruction on how to complete the registration process

If you have additional questions about registration please contact the SoWashCo Online school counselor, Trista Arrigoni at tarrigon@sowashco.org.

Grade 11 (Class of 2027)

Registration Worksheet Grade 11 (by clicking on the link, it will force you to make a copy)

Printable Course Guide

Additional Information:

SoWashCo Online Courses at a Glance - this document lists all course titles and course numbers available at SoWashCo Online

Registration Instructions (Video) - this is a video with step by step instructions on how to complete the registration process

Registration Instructions (Slideshow) - this is a slideshow with step by step instruction on how to complete the registration process

If you have additional questions about registration please contact the SoWashCo Online school counselor, Trista Arrigoni at tarrigon@sowashco.org.

Grade 12 (Class of 2026)

Registration Worksheet Grade 12 (by clicking the link, it will force you to make a copy)

Printable Course Guide

Additional Information:

SoWashCo Online Courses at a Glance - this document lists all course titles and course numbers available at SoWashCo Online

Registration Instructions (Video) - this is a video with step by step instructions on how to complete the registration process

Registration Instructions (Slideshow) - this is a slideshow with step by step instruction on how to complete the registration process

If you have additional questions about registration please contact the SoWashCo Online school counselor, Trista Arrigoni at tarrigon@sowashco.org.

RESOURCES

Student Opportunities (Job and Summer)

PSEO

Pass/No Credit Grading

Credit by Assessment

Credit by Assessment is an opportunity to earn credits for a course a student has not yet taken at any institution or online. Students may not attempt to earn credit through assessment for a course in why they have been previously enrolled.

The steps below outline the SoWashCo Online Credit by Assessment process.

Step 1: Student and guardian will complete and sign the Application for Credit by Assessment and turn it into the counseling office.

Step 2: The Administrative Assistant in the Counseling Office will ensure the application is completed accurately, stamp it with the date received, and then submit it to the Credit by Assessment Coordinator.

Step 3: The Credit by Assessment Coordinator will connect the student and academic teacher to set up a time and date to take the test within the assessment window.

Step 4: Once the test has been administered, the academic teacher will notify the Credit by Assessment Coordinator as to whether the student passed or not. Any score of 80% or higher will result in credit for the course with a "P" being added to the student's transcript by the Administrative Assistant in the Counseling Office.

Credit by Assessment Application

Credit By Assessment Application Deadlines

Application Deadline for Spring - May 1

Application Deadline for Fall - August 1

Tutoring

POST SECONDARY OPTIONS

2 Year College

Technical College

Military

4 Year College

Workforce

Apprenticeship

Gap Year

Resources on mental health, college, career, employment, and chemical health. Click on logo above to access Schoolshelf.

The log in and password are both ERHS (all caps)

Mental Health and Crisis Resources

Note: Although we do not give specific referrals for any agencies, the following is a list of community resources available for you to contact for counseling and related services. Many of these services offer sliding fee scales or free services. Nearly all of the following information was taken from the Washington County Family Resources Directory.

We strongly recommended that students review the following resources with a parent, guardian, or trusted adult.

Crisis Counseling Resources

chrysalis: 612-871-0118

Programs include chemical dependency treatment, mental health clinic, peer support groups, and legal services

Website: www.chrysaliswomen.org

the emily program: 651-645-5323

Personalized treatment for eating disorders.

Website: www.emilyprogram.com

working family resource center: 651-293-5330

Seminars on work/life topics throughout life.

family services inc. – east community: 651-222-0311

A variety of services including youth programs, individual and family counseling, and educational programs.

wilder foundation: 651-642-4000

Counseling, community assistance, child care, in=home services, domestic abuse programs, older adults support, community and neighborhood services, housing information, employment and life skills counseling, and cultural support programs.

Website: www.wilder.org

Canvas health (formerly called hsi)

Comprehensive psychological and psychiatric assessment and treatment of emotional disturbances, mental illness, chemical dependency, physical and sexual abuse, services for seniors, individual and group therapy for children, parents, and families.

Website: www.hsicares.org

Cottage Grove 651.458.4116
Oakdale** 651.777.5222
Stillwater 651.430.2720
Forest Lake 651.251.5220

** Walk-in Crisis Counseling is available daily at the Oakdale location.

fairview lakes regional medical center: 651-982-7000

Many support groups such as Attention Deficit Disorder, community service programs such as Stop Smoking classes, and prenatal classes.

Website: www.lakes.fairview.org

familymeans – support for families: 651-439-4840

A wide variety of services for families including mental health counseling, financial counseling, debt repayment program, support for seniors, caregiver support, respite care, and prevention programs with the schools.

Website: www.familymeans.org

youth service bureau

Prevention, intervention, and counseling services provided to elementary through high school aged youth and their families. Services include individual and family counseling and diversion/restorative justice programs.

Website: www.ysb.net

Woodbury 651.735.9534
Cottage Grove 651.458.5224
Stillwater 651.439.8800
Forest Lake 651.464.3685

fairview behavioral emergency center (bec)

The center is designed to address mental health or substance use emergencies by eliminating the long waits customary in medical ERs. The BEC is open 11:00 AM to 1:00 AM. It is staffed with MDs, RNs, mental health therapists and psychiatric associates. The center is located at the University of Minnesota Medical Center-Riverside Campus.

It will provide assessment and referral to an appropriate source for treatment or further consultation. Individuals seeking services from the BEC would present themselves to the Emergency Room for triage and evaluation to determine if there is a medical emergency. The individual is then directed to the BEC.

lakeview hospital (stillwater): 651-439-5330

Programs include health education, childbirth, support groups, and Community Health Library.

Website: www.lakeview.org

2-1-1 united way (formerly first call): 2-1-1

Information and referrals concerning counseling and other human service resources for Minnesota residents. Get connected with local resources by calling or visiting their website.

Website: www.211unitedway.org

Anxiety

It's normal to feel anxious from time to time, especially if your life is stressful. However, if you experience excessive, ongoing anxiety and worries that are difficult to control and interfere with day-to-day activities please speak with a parent/guardian, health care provider or counselor right away.

More information about anxiety can be found on the Mayo Clinic website.

symptoms

Symptoms may vary but can include:

Persistent worrying or anxiety about a number of areas that are out of proportion to the impact of the events
Overthinking plans and solutions to all possible worst-case outcomes
Perceiving situations and events as threatening, even when they aren't
Difficulty handling uncertainty, indecisiveness and fear of making the wrong decision
Inability to set aside or let go of a worry
Inability to relax, feeling restless and feeling keyed up or on edge
Difficulty concentrating, or the feeling that your mind "goes blank"

Physical signs/symptoms may include:

Fatigue
Trouble sleeping
Muscle tension or muscle aches
Trembling, feeling twitchy
Nervousness or being easily startled
Sweating
Nausea
Diarrhea

teens with anxiety

May experience excessive worries about:

Performance at school or sporting events
Family members' safety
Being on time (punctuality)
Fear of catastrophic events (severe weather, war, etc.)

Teens with excessive worry may:

Feel overly anxious to fit in
Redo tasks because they aren't perfect the first time (spending excessive time doing homework)
Lack confidence or strive for approval
Require a lot of reassurance about performance
Have frequent stomachaches or other physical complaints
Avoid going to school or avoid social situations

Chemical Health

If you have questions about chemical health, please reach out to your counselor or one of the Clinical Chemical Health Specialist at Youth Service Bureau.

Youth Service Bureau

Cottage Grove

7064 W Point Douglas Rd
Suite #201
Cottage Grove, MN 55016
651-458-5224

Stillwater

6120 Oren Avenue N
Stillwater, MN 55082
651-439-8800

Woodbury

7876 Hudson Rd
Suite #1
Woodbury, MN 55125
651-735-9534

Signs of suspected substance use in students

Substance use: a resource guide for parents

Depression

Note: It is critical to discuss any concerns with a parent/guardian, family doctor, or counselor.
If you think you may hurt yourself or attempt suicide, call 911 immediately.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

Depression is a serious mental health problem that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest in activities. It affects how a teenager thinks, feels and behaves, and it can cause emotional, functional and physical problems. Although depression can occur at any time in life, symptoms may be different between teens and adults.

Depression isn't a weakness or something that can be overcome with willpower - it can have serious consequences and requires long-term treatment. For most teens, depression symptoms ease with treatment such as medication and counseling.

Signs and symptoms include a change in attitude and behavior that can cause significant distress and problems at school or home, in social activities, or in other areas of life. If depression signs and symptoms continue and impact your daily life, please speak with a parent/guardian, health care provider or counselor.

Symptoms and more information can be found on the Mayo Clinic website.

Identifying Depression

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are serious conditions related to persistent eating behaviors that negatively impact your health, your emotions and your ability to function in important areas of life. The most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder.

Most eating disorders involve focusing too much on your weight, body shape and food, leading to dangerous eating behaviors. These behaviors can significantly impact your body's ability to get appropriate nutrition. Eating disorders can harm the heart, digestive system, bones, teeth and mouth, and lead to other diseases.

Eating disorders often develop in the teen and young adult years. With treatment, you can return to healthier eating habits and sometimes reverse serious complications caused by the eating disorder.

More information can be found on the Mayo Clinic website, Eating disorder recovery during a crisis.

Identifying eating disorders