Welcome to Mrs. Ballard's Web Page!

Coming to you from the Counseling Office
at Barker Road. 

You can e-mail Mrs. Ballard at gail_ballard@pittsford.monroe.edu

or call 267-3584.

A little about Mrs. Ballard .....
Mrs. Ballard received her Bachelors degree from St. John Fisher College and has her Master of Science in Education degree from the Counselor Education Program at SUNY Brockport. She has worked with both the chronically mentally ill population and as an out-patient mental health therapist before coming to the Pittsford School District in 1998. She is married and a mother of two sons.

The purpose of this web site is to provide parents and students with up to date counseling information on parenting, test taking, stress management, and conflict resolution as well as a number of other topics.

Counseling services are made available to students in a number of ways. Developmentally appropriate classroom lessons are presented on each grade level including lessons on respect, sexual harassment, and bullying. Small groups are also offered, depending on need, focusing on social skills, anxiety management and for students of separated or divorced families. Both parents and teachers may make a referral to a group.

Individual, short term counseling is also available as needed to address anxiety, school difficulties, social skills, and family issues. If a student also works with an outside counselor, collaboration with that professional can be particularly helpful in improving your child's concerns.  Permission to speak with the outside professional will be required in writing from the parent.

Please Note: Confidentiality is strictly adhered to during individual and group counseling. Students are informed that what they say is kept private unless it is found that the student may be harmed in some way or threatens to harm another. In this rare instance, Mrs. Ballard has a professional obligation to keep the student safe, and can breech confidentiality. If it is necessary that Mrs. Ballard speak to the students parents or teacher, it is discussed with the student first. Confidentiality is insured so that the student can feel comfortable in addressing concerns.