Social Emotional Support

The Counseling Support Services Team is composed of school social workers. The team is available as part of the counseling team to provide individual service to students, consultation to parents/guardians, and support group opportunities. Support Team offices are located in the Counseling Center.

*     Jewish Child and Family Services (Northbrook, IL) 847-412-4379

**   Haven Youth and Family Services (Wilmette, IL), 847-251-6630

*** The Family Institute at Northwestern (Evanston, IL), 847-733-4300

*** Family Service of Lake County (Highland Park, IL), 847-432-4981

*** Joselyn Center (Northfield, IL), 847-441-5600 ext. 190

*** Lake County Health Department (Waukegan, IL), 847-377-8180

*** OMNI Youth Service (Buffalo Grove, IL), 847-353-1500

*** Village of Deerfield Social Worker Katharina Rygiel, LCSW (Deerfield, IL), 847-794-7511

If student resides in new Trier Township, they can apply for sliding scale. Does not accept Medicaid but sometimes they allow people with Medicaid to apply for sliding fee scale; accepts BCBS and Aetna PPO)

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*     Indicates agency accepts Medicaid

**   Indicates agency operates on a sliding fee scale

*** No fee for services

Deerfield High School offers a variety of student support groups that address social and emotional needs in a safe, supportive, and confidential place. While these groups are open to all students, they are designed to support students whose identities align with the specific group. The group environment creates a greater sense of community within the school while promoting overall school functioning and academic success. Groups are voluntary and of a confidential nature. Groups meet weekly during the school day on a rotating schedule. Students may be referred to a group by parents/guardians, teachers, counselors, or by self-referral. District 113 does not require parent/guardian permission for student participation in support groups. If you do not want your student to participate in any of the support groups listed, please state your objection in writing to Shana Axelrod, Counseling Department Chair (saxelrod@dist113.org).

Alliance: For LGBTQIA+ and questioning students

Culture Connections: For students who identify as APIDA (East Asian, South Asian, Southeast Asian, & Pacific Islander) and AMENA (American Arab, Middle Eastern & North African) to discuss issues and life experiences

Family Connections: For students who would like to talk about difficult family situations they encounter

Girls Group: For students who identify as female to create meaningful social connections

Latino Group: For students who identify as Latino/Latina/Latinx to discuss issues and life experiences

Soul: The Black Student Union- For Black students to discuss issues and life experiences

Thrive: For students who would like to talk about stress or anxiety and learn strategies to manage them

Transfer Students: For students transferring into Deerfield High School

How can students access support if they are in crisis?

If a student is experiencing a crisis situation that requires immediate intervention, the student should come to the Counseling Center. The School Counselor or Social Worker will then make an assessment based on the situation to determine the need for further intervention or contact with parents/guardians and other staff.

How is the role of a Social Worker different from a School Counselor?

In middle school, the role of a School Counselor is commonly defined differently than at the high school level. At Deerfield High School, each student is assigned a School Counselor for their four years of high school. The School Counselors assist with course selection, educational goal-setting, and social-emotional issues. At times, students may require additional support for social/emotional and/or school functioning. Based on the needs of the student, a Social Worker may conduct a diagnostic assessment or provide ongoing support through weekly individual sessions or support group meetings.

When is ongoing social work support appropriate?

When making a determination for ongoing social work services, areas such as the student’s behavior, attendance, grades, and social/emotional functioning are considered.

What kinds of issues do students talk about with Social Workers?

Social Workers provide a safe and confidential place for students to discuss a variety of issues that are of concern to them. These issues may be related to school performance, communication with teachers, relationships with friends or classmates, relationships with siblings and parents/guardians, or any other concerns important to the student’s school functioning. In order to protect students, the Social Workers are required to break confidentiality if concerns about safety are raised by the student.

What kinds of services do Social Workers provide?

Social Workers function in a variety of ways to meet the needs of our students. Most often they meet with students individually on a short-term basis or for the duration of the school year. In addition, they assist individual students or the school as a whole in a time of crisis. Social Workers are also responsible for leading support groups that help students who are dealing with similar issues. In each of these settings, Social Workers support students with individualized goal setting and assist with problem-solving to promote student success.

What kinds of support groups are available, and how does a student join one?

A variety of support groups are provided by the Counseling Department and are available to all students throughout the school year. Typically, groups meet weekly during the school day on a rotating schedule. Students may be referred by various staff members, parents/guardians, or via self-referral. The appropriateness of a specific group will be discussed with each student. To find out more about a specific group, students or parents/guardians may contact their student’s School Counselor or Maria Anagnostopoulos, School Social Worker. For a list of DHS support groups, click here.