EML Therapeutic Counseling Team

The mission of the Emergent Multilingual Learners (EML) Therapeutic Counseling Team is to provide targeted (Tier 2) and intensive (Tier 3) culturally responsive mental health and social-emotional support to Emergent Multilingual Learners experiencing significant emotional, behavioral, acculturation, or adjustment challenges that interfere with their academic success and overall well-being. Through specialized therapeutic interventions, collaboration with school teams and families, and culturally and linguistically responsive practices, the team empowers students to build resilience, overcome barriers, thrive academically, and successfully navigate their new school, community, and cultural environments.

 Aligned with the Maryland Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework, our specialized services are strictly intended for students requiring Tier 2 (targeted small-group/short-term) or Tier 3 (intensive 1-on-1 crisis/complex) interventions whose needs extend beyond core classroom strategies.

Due to changes in staffing, the EML Therapeutic Counseling Team will implement a pilot service model during the 2026–2027 school year. Under this model, targeted (Tier 2) and intensive (Tier 3) multilingual, culturally responsive counseling services will be provided exclusively to middle and high school students with English Language Proficiency (ELP) Levels 1 and 2.

Core Pilot services include:

• Targeted & Intensive Counseling: Delivering short-term small-group (Tier 2) and 1-on-1 crisis or complex individual counseling (Tier 3) for secondary EML students.
• Cultural & Socio-Emotional Adjustment: Assisting newcomer middle and high school students with complex social-emotional, trauma, and acculturation needs through culturally responsive counseling that promotes successful adjustment to MCPS and overall well-being.
• Crisis Response & Conflict Resolution: Supporting school teams with crisis intervention and addressing severe conflicts stemming from cross-cultural misunderstandings.
• Coping & Self-Regulation Skills: Guiding ELP 1–2 students in developing healthy coping mechanisms, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Collaborative Consultation: Partnering directly with school-based counselors, administrators, student support teams, and MCPS community-based partners to coordinate Tier 2 and Tier 3 care plans.

Languages spoken by staff: Amharic, French, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish, and Tigrinya.