School counseling includes K–12 activities that are organized and implemented by certified, professional school counselors with the support of teachers, administrators, other school personnel, parents, and business and community members. School counselors provide individual, group, and classroom guidance sessions. School counselors help all students in the areas of academic achievement, career and social/emotional development, ensuring today's students become the productive, well-adjusted adults of tomorrow.

Professional school counselors are licensed/certified educators with a minimum of a master’s degree in school counseling, making them uniquely qualified to address all students’ academic, social/emotional and career developmental needs by designing, implementing, and evaluating a comprehensive school counseling program that promotes and enhances student success. 

School counselors embrace the framework of a comprehensive program that includes four key components: foundation, management, delivery and accountability. 

Career specialists are part of the Education and Economic Development Act’s (EEDA) initiative of Personal Pathways to Success and are required to complete the 120 hour Facilitating Career Development(GCDF/CDF) Course and become certified as a Global Career Development Facilitator. They serve as part of the school counseling team and implement the “Learning to Work” portion of the SC Comprehensive School Counseling Model.

The South Carolina Comprehensive School Counseling and Career Guidance Model

Golden Harvest Food Bank
For assistance, call 706-736-1199 during business hours (Mon-Fri 8am-12pm and 1pm-5pm) and the team will help you find a food resource that fits your needs. You can also visit the Master's Table Soup Kitchen for a hot meal served daily Monday-Saturday at 11am and Sunday at 1pm. It's located at 702 Fenwick Street, Augusta, GA 30901.

ACTS of Aiken:
Food pantry, medical, and utility assistance is available from Monday-Friday 11:00AM-3:00PM. Call 803-642-5919.
ACTS of Aiken is located at 340 Park Avenue, SW in Aiken SC 29801.

Aiken 2-1-1:
This is a great resource for connecting families to local human service resources. Dial 211 or visit their website: Aiken 211

• After a Loved One Dies-How Children Grieve

• The Dougy Center: The National Grief Center for Children and Families

• Responding to Change and Loss (Spanish Version) Respondiendo Al Cambio Y Perdida

The main office number for Aiken Barnwell Mental Health is 803-641-7700. Locations are in Aiken and North Augusta.  

Aurora Pavilion is located beside the Aiken Regional hospital and are open Monday-Friday from 8am-8pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 8am-4:30pm. Call 641-5900 for assistance. Walk-ins are welcome. Aurora provides walk-in crisis assessments, crisis stabilization, inpatient stabilization, and outpatient services.

The Wagener Medical Clinic also provides counseling services with Aiken Barnwell Mental Health. They are located at 120 Louie Street in Wagener. The phone number is 803-564-8803.

• Office of Suicide Prevention Crisis Line: 988

• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect to a volunteer crisis counselor

12th Grade Students and Parents:

• Understanding your College Financial Aid Offer

 Take a Virtual College Tour

• E-Campus Tours

• You Visit

Online Career Awareness Activities:

• Click here for career resources you can use from home.

Free Academic Tutoring and Test Prep

• SC Discus: Free Tutoring 

• SC Dept. of Ed Remote Learning Site 

• ACT Test Preparation

• SAT Test Preparation

• ASVAB Test Preparation 

Sharon Worley, Ed.S, NBCC
Coordinator for Counseling & Career Services
1000 Brookhaven Drive
Aiken, SC 29803
803-641-2651  Ext: 12651
Email Counseling Departments