Being a teenager isn’t always easy. And being the parent of a teen isn’t always simple.
Luckily, North East ISD counselors like Lori More are here to help. She has been a counselor at Harris Middle School for the past ten years. Whether it’s schedule changes, stress management or facilitating long-term counseling – More is a lifeline of support to our parents and students.
“There’s no way we could do this job without our parents,” said More. “They are our best line of support. Having kids myself, I understand that this is a really scary age for some parents. If I can give them the resources to help their kid, then we’re going to have happy, healthier kids who are here to learn.”
While our counselors are a trusted resource for short-term counseling, sometimes additional support is needed. NEISD partners with UT Health to provide free virtual counseling through the Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine (TCHATT) program.
“It’s okay to seek help, just like you would for diabetes or the flu. And it’s treatable.”
This service connects students with mental health care in a private environment either on campus or in your home at no charge to our families. If a parent is interested in pursuing TCHATT, all they need to do is let their child’s counselor know. It’s that simple.
“TCHATT is amazing. It’s local, which I think makes a lot of people feel more comfortable. TCHATT then reaches out to me after they speak with the parents, and we schedule an appointment for the student. And it’s all free of charge.”
One meaningful connection could make all the difference. More is always looking for ways to make connections with the students at Harris. She does everything she can to be a positive, visible presence everywhere she goes.
If you’re looking for a simple way to connect with your kids, More recommends asking specific questions.
“Talking to their parents at this age can be really tough. I think for parents, the biggest thing you can do is ask a lot of questions. Ask specific, direct questions that don’t have a yes or no answer. Something like, ‘Tell me something good that happened today.’”
