School Counseling

Group of girl students walking and talking in the hallways

HMS School Counseling

Welcome to the Houston Middle School Counseling page! Our HMS Counseling Team is here to ensure that every Mustang has the opportunity and resources for personal, social, and academic growth. We believe in helping students grow where they are planted and are committed to supporting students and their families. We especially offer support to those new to Houston Middle School as they transition, thrive, and succeed throughout the middle school experience. Whether you’re looking for guidance, resources, or a trusted partner throughout the school year, our counseling team is here to support you and your student every step of the way.

In This Section

Counseling Consent Form

Houston Middle School offers short-term individual counseling to students. Parents/guardians or school staff may refer students for counseling, or students may request counseling. It is standard protocol that if a student is in a crisis a counseling staff member may offer support without consent but for any type of ongoing support, consent must be signed. Counseling services are designed to provide short-term support for students’ academic, social, and emotional well-being while partnering with families to ensure students receive the support they need.

Counseling Consent Form

*A hard copy of this form can/will be sent home from the School Counselor, with your child, in the event that individual or small-group counseling is suggested to provide additional support for success.

What does a School Counselor do?

Responsive Services: small group support, individual interventions, response to crisis situations, consult with teachers, families, and specialists, and resource referral
Individual Student Planning: academic goal setting, prepare students for transitions
System Support: advocate for the school and program, foster partnerships to collaborate with the community

The Tennessee School Counseling Model & Standards policy 5.103 includes the following areas: academic standards, social and emotional standards, and college and career readiness standards.

Ethical Standards for School Counselors

School Counseling Standards in Tennessee

ASCA Student Standards: Behaviors and Mindsets that Drive School Counseling

Counseling Related Resources

High School Transition

Houston High School offers the Honors Academy and the Leadership Academy, open to both residents of Germantown and non-residents. The advantage of being part of one of these academies is that they offer a focused educational experience tailored to your interests and goals. Joining an academy offers an exclusive opportunity to engage deeply in your areas of interest alongside fellow students who share your same passion and drive, fostering a unique environment for specialized learning and personal growth. The Honors Academy provides rigorous academic challenges and opportunities to earn college credits, while the Leadership Academy emphasizes developing leadership skills, fostering community impact, and enhancing personal growth within a small cohort of students with similar goals.

Academy application for the 26-27 school year are now open - Apply Now!

Learn more about the Honors Academy

Learn more about the Leadership Academy

Study Skills

Did you know that studying, test taking, organization are all skills? Just like learning to read and write and do math, students must learn them, practice them, and find a method that works for them in order to be good studiers and good test takers. Unfortunately, it's not always something that we teach in schools, so students who don't know these skills often end up feeling bad about their school performance. Counselors at HMS are ready to help your student with their school habits by working on the specific area they need assistant with including: Organization, Studying, Test Taking, Note Taking, Time Management, or whatever they may need help with! Reach out to your student's grade level counselor on their profiles below!

Suicide Prevention

Parents can approach suicide prevention the same way they do other health and safety concerns by educating themselves about risk factors, warning signs, and protective factors that can affect a child’s well-being. Knowing what increases risk, such as mental health challenges, withdrawal, hopelessness, or changes in behavior, can help you spot when something isn’t typical and take action early. Open and supportive conversations about mental health and suicide are important; asking directly about how your child is feeling shows that you care and does not increase risk. If you are seriously concerned about your child’s safety, seek help from a professional right away and remember that immediate support is available through resources like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a United States-based suicide prevention network of over 160 crisis centers that provides 24/7 service via a toll-free hotline with the number 9-8-8. It is available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.

Learn more at the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention

Signs of Suicide (SOS)

Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network

The Jason Foundation

Other Resources

Classroom Lessons

HMS counselors provide Classroom Lessons as part of our comprehensive counseling program. These lessons are delivered during the school day through Schoology and are designed to meet students where they are, offering guidance on topics such as goal-setting, transition planning, mental wellness, and preparing for future success. Classroom Lessons allow counselors to connect with all students, provide consistent information, and ensure every Mustang has access to resources and support.

Individual or Small Group Counseling

The counselor meets with students as needed for short term counseling services during the school hours. After meeting with a student once, permission will be required for additional consultation. Some of the groups offered may include new student, self-esteem, social skills, friendship, anger management, or study skills. These groups will typically last 4-6 weeks.

Decorative Rule

Brianna Pickard

6th Grade Counselor

Ms. Bri has served as a school counselor for five years and has been a member of the GMSD community for the past three years. She earned her Master of Science in School Counseling from the University of Tennessee at Martin. Ms. Bri is passionate about providing a safe and supportive environment where students can take a moment to reset, reflect, and return to the classroom feeling prepared and confident. She recognizes that middle school students manage many academic, social, and personal responsibilities and enjoys helping them develop practical strategies that empower them to reach their full potential.

Outside of school, Ms. Bri enjoys spending time with her family as a wife and mother to her one-year-old son. In her free time, she appreciates long walks with her dog and experimenting with creative iced coffee combinations using her new espresso machine.

Email Brianna Pickard

Diana Lang

8th Grade Counselor

Ms. Diana has served as a school counselor at Houston Middle School since 2018. She holds a Master of Science in Counseling from Johns Hopkins University and brings a student-centered, practical approach to supporting adolescents through academic, social, and emotional challenges. In addition to providing individual and group counseling, Ms. Diana plays an active role in school wide initiatives, including school climate programming, and prevention-focused counseling lessons that support student growth throughout the year.

Ms. Diana believes middle school is a critical time to develop self-awareness, resilience, and problem-solving skills, and she works intentionally to help students navigate this stage with honesty, humor, and high expectations. She also serves as the social media and marketing manager for the school. Outside of school, she likes hanging with her cats, Dolly Pawton and Otis Shedding, crafting, working with local theatrical groups on community theater initiatives, and is studying at the Rhode Island School of Design to get a certificate in graphic design.

Email Diana Lang

Jonathan Pritchett

7th Grade Counselor

Mr. Pritchett is excited at Houston Middle School, bringing 16 years of experience as a school counselor. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Christian Brothers University and his Master of Science in Counseling from The University of Memphis. Throughout his career, he has been passionate about supporting students through initiatives such as character education and bullying prevention, both at the school and district level. Mr. Pritchett truly enjoys building meaningful relationships with students and encouraging them to grow, believe in themselves, and reach their full potential both in and out of the classroom. Outside of school, he loves being involved in his local church, playing and writing music, keeping up with sports, and making memories with his eight-year-old son, Elijah.

Email Jonathan Pritchett