Our Counseling Philosophy

Our counseling philosophy begins with the individual’s creation in God’s image, strong, self-determined, resourceful and resilient. Our approach is relationship-based. Through our partnership with you and your family, together we can actively meet needs as they arise. All of our efforts focus on the unique student, and we provide individualized services. Our goal is to serve the student in their totality – mind, body, heart and spirit – and to strive for complete wellness and well-being.

Hear Counseling Services Director Robyn Knecht explain Counseling Services’ role in the “Circle of Care,” our approach to student care at St. Joseph’s Indian School on our Hóčhoka Podcast.

Our counselors are trained in the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) Framework. The four-hour training is proven to have better outcomes, reduce suicidal behavior and increase hope. Focusing on the person’s suicidal drivers, counselors are able to develop problem-focused treatment plans and track suicide risk until it is significantly reduced or eliminated. The CAMS approach is adaptable across a range of settings, empathetic, non-judgmental and evidence-based.