Counseling

The Franklin Special District has a collaborative partnership with Mercy Community Healthcare to offer clinical therapy in all of the FSD schools. This approach eliminates transportation and time-related barriers for children to receive services, with parent permission/referral. 

The approach is unique and integrative, as the Mercy therapists are able to meet with the child at the school during the school day. The therapists are often able to accommodate the demands of the academic day, by seeing children during times coordinated by the therapist and the child's teacher to ensure a holistically supportive process.

Mercy's highly trained and licensed therapists provide a variety of interventions, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), play therapy, bibliotherapy, art therapy, and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT).

They offer individual and group counseling, depending on the need. Because the therapists are in the school buildings, they are able to meet the social and emotional needs of their clients within their comfort zone, and foster a safe, loving and nurturing environment. With permission, the Mercy therapists can also provide integrative services and continuation of care, by collaborating with other providers and team members to create “wrap-around” services and support maximum growth.

Liberty's Mercy School-Based Therapist - Katie Dow, LMSW - provides mental health services for our students, as well as supports the overall Liberty community in several ways, including individual and group clinical services, as an active member of our Academic & Behavioral Support Team, as a WLES Liberty Live guest for "Mindful Mondays," and as a member of the team of directors for Liberty's most recent 3rd & 4th grade musical Aladdin KIDS. 

"I am so grateful to continue to be Liberty's Mercy Therapist, and to be a part of the LES community! I am here to be a resource and a support to our students, families, faculty, and staff. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns to dowkat@fssd.org. Go Liberty! Go Lions!" - Ms. Katie, LES Mercy School-Based Therapist.