Counseling department

Personal Counseling at CIC

Personal counseling is offered to students in grades K-12 in both individual and small group settings. Both counselors are available to meet with students to address their personal concerns as needed. During these personal counseling sessions, the counselor and student work together to determine what the problem is, how the student has already attempted to solve the problem, and what other solutions might be possible. In this way, we empower the students by asking them to take an active role in resolving their own academic and personal problems.

Though each student’s situation is unique, some of the more common issues we deal with are:

family difficulties, including:
lack of communication between family members
difficulty setting boundaries
separation due to work obligations
depression (for more information, please click here)
school-related stress
conflicts with friends
feelings of loss due to frequent relocation
body image issues
social skills
assertiveness training

If a family or student requires more help than a counselor in the school setting can realistically provide, the counselor will refer the family to an outside psychologist or counselor.

Counselors are available during school hours and can be reached by calling CIC’s main office at (011) 58.212.945.0444. Secondary school counselor, Zoe Losada, can be reached via email at losadaz@ciccaracas.com.ve. Elementary and middle school counselor, Jose Acevedo, can be reached via email at acevedoj@ciccaracas.com.ve. Please do not hesitate to contact either counselor if you have a question or comment or would like to schedule a meeting.

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Depression is a disorder that involves the body, mood, and thoughts. It affects the way one feels about oneself and the way one thinks about things. It is important to realize that depression is not simply a passing “bad mood,” nor is it a sign of weakness. Symptoms of depression in children and adolescents may include:

• Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood
• Feelings of hopelessness
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed
• Decreased energy, fatigue, being "slowed down"
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
• Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
• Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain
• Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts
• Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain

Although depression is a highly treatable disorder, it is unrealistic to expect a person suffering from depression to “snap out of it” without any form of treatment. Treatment options include individual therapy, herbal supplements, and medications. Those who suspect that they or someone they know might be suffering from depression should seek professional advice as soon as possible, since the possible risks associated with depression can be deadly.