Liberty Elementary School Counseling Program
Welcome to Liberty Elementary's Counseling website! Here you will find information about the school counseling program and additional resources that we hope will support you and your family!
Liberty's School Counseling Team
Traci Glover, M.Ed., LSW, LPC (at Liberty Monday through Thursday)
Masters in Education, Licensed Social Worker, Licensed Professional Counselor
I have been a Licensed Social Worker (ID) since 1994, a Licensed Professional Counselor (ID) since 2009, and a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (CO) since 2021. I plan to have my clinical counseling license by the end of this school year. I began work in the mental health profession when I was 22 as a Licensed Social Worker for the Idaho Youth Ranch, where I was trained in Solution Focused Therapy for Families. I received my Master's in Education and became a school counselor in 1999.
Since I was fourteen years old, I have been interested in the mental health field. I spent hours listening to my mom share all she was learning in her continuing education classes about Attachment Disorders. While at the dinner table, I loved hearing my dad talk about how he managed his employees at his construction business. These conversations were critical in my development and love for mental health.
I love helping children face their critical issues and, as a result, seeing them grow and become more confident and mature.
My training includes over 1200 hours of continuing Education beyond my Master's degree, including EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing), various forms of Trauma Therapy, Attachment Therapy, Restorative Justice, Restorative Circles, Love and Logic Parent Education Facilitator, and a Love and Logic School-Wide Discipline Facilitator. I have read over 35 books and I have co-authored three books about mental health. I hold the firm belief that through life's challenges children and adults have the remarkable capacity not just to overcome and heal past hurts and pains, but to thrive and extend a helping hand to others.
I received the Friend of the School Psychologist award in 2007 from the Idaho School Psychologist Association and the Elementary School Counselor of the Year award in 2010 from the Boise School District.
This is my 24th year at Liberty; I love this school.
Please feel free to call or email me anytime 208-854-5410 or traci.glover@boiseschools.org.
Amaya Eiguren, Psy.D., LPC (at Liberty on Monday)
I am a licensed clinical psychologist and professional counselor as well as certified as a school psychologist and school counselor. As a Boise native, I have worked in the area since 2006, including at a non-profit outpatient counseling center for 11 years and at two small Pre-K through 8th-grade elementary schools as a school counselor the past 5 years. My background includes assessments/evaluations, individual and family counseling, as well as group counseling focused on social skills and friendships. An additional area of interest of mine is sleep and helping families establish healthy sleep habits for life. This year I am very excited to be working at Liberty and White Pine teaching counseling lessons. Outside of work, I stay busy with my family of 3 boys. I enjoy watching all of their sports games and when I have time, I love to read and do puzzles.
School Counseling Program
What is a school counselor? Elementary school counselors are educators uniquely trained in child development, learning strategies, self-management, and social skills. One of our favorite parts of our job is working closely with parents, students & staff to help students achieve success. Working together as a team creates the best outcomes for our students. Your child's enrollment in this school means they have access to school counseling services. This may include:
Classroom lessons. Counseling lessons help children understand themselves better, build self confidence, develop communication skills, get along with others, protect themselves from strangers, manage stress effectively, and prevent drug use.
Small groups. Small groups typically last 6-8 weeks and take place during school hours. Small groups are an excellent way for children to develop skills to be better students, adjust to life changes, develop self-control, get along with others, and develop self-confidence and maturity. You may refer your child for a small group with the counselor, or a teacher may recommend your child participate in a small group. Participation in a small group requires parent/guardian permission.
Individual student counseling. Individual counseling support can help children adjust to school or deal with a specific problem they are experiencing. Individual counseling in the school is structured to be short-term (3 sessions) and involves problem-solving & skill-building. If, after three sessions, a child still needs additional counseling support, we will help direct you to professional counselors in the community who can provide more long-term, in-depth services.
Consult with parents & school staff. We work closely with teachers, administration, parents & other staff to advocate for and support student success. We are also available to discuss any concerns or questions you may have about your child, as we believe that students benefit most when the school and parent(s) work together as a team.
How do I contact the school counselor? We love partnering with parents. Please call or email us anytime (208) 854-5410, or traci.glover@boiseschools.org / Amaya.eiguren@boiseschools.org.
We look forward to working with you and your child this year!
Disclaimer: I can not meet with any Liberty students or families for private coaching because it would be a conflict of interest.
Toxic Thoughts
One of the concepts I teach Liberty students is learning how to identify, face, and replace Toxic Thoughts. Toxic Thoughts are lies we tell ourselves that discourage and upset us. Many times, feelings of shame and doubt are attached to Toxic Thoughts. They can come from misunderstanding a situation, a traumatic event, or unrealistic expectations we can have about ourselves or others. It is something we all deal with. Identifying, facing, and replacing our toxic thinking is crucial to managing life's ups and downs, feeling energized and happy, being more creative, and problem-solving. It helps us understand ourselves and the world around us and have true confidence. The bottom line is it is a game changer in our mental health. Hawk from Sector Seventeen (a local Boise artist) created this beautiful image of facing and replacing our Toxic Thinking. I have a giant poster of it in my office, and I use it often with students. Explaining how the dark lines are toxic thoughts and, as we talk about them and understand them, they can be replaced with true positive thoughts, helping the darkness go away and turn into a beautiful crocus (a symbol of hope and joy). I have attached a video my business partner and I made for teens for you to review. Sometimes, I use parts of the video in my classroom lessons, individual counseling, or in my small groups. It helps to have parents understand the concept because you can help your child identify their toxic thinking when they discuss a problem with you. My students will often tell me that their parents will say, "That sounds like a Toxic Thought," when they are struggling with destructive thinking, and that helps stop it in its path. Please call or email me if you have any questions!
Red Ribbon Week
Liberty students had the privilege of hearing from Jason McGatlin for our Red Ribbon Week Assembly. Jason is the executive producer of many Star Wars films, including Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens, Rogue One: a Star Wars Story, Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi, Solo: a Star Wars Story, and Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker, to name a few. I grew up with Jason and asked him to speak with Liberty students because he exemplifies persistence and accomplishment. Jason stayed away from drugs and is living his dream (he made movies with his twin brother as a child). It was an honor to have Jason speak to Liberty students!
Small Groups
The counseling program at school offers opportunities for students to build skills, confidence, and gain information in a small group setting. Most groups will last from six to eight weeks meeting once a week during the student’s lunch hour or during the student’s recess.
Curriculum Letters and Forms
