Counseling

Counseling Program Overview

Irvine Unified School District and Northwood Elementary support the social-emotional development of your child. Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, establish and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships and make responsible decisions. (Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning, CASEL) We understand the foundation SEL provides for safe and positive learning, which enhances student’s ability to succeed in school, careers, and life.

For students experiencing specific barriers to academic success and emotional wellbeing, individual and small group counseling is available at Northwood Elementary. This service is provided by Kascha Turchi, our Elementary Resource Counseling Specialist (ERC), and offers a wide range of support services such as short-term, solution-focused individual or small group counseling, parenting support and consultation, and community resource outreach and linkage. If students are in need of longer-term or more intensive counseling services, the Elementary Resource Counseling Specialist can provide parents with resources for local counseling agencies or assist them with finding service providers through their medical insurance.

In addition, Lunch Bunch gatherings are available each week where students have the option to join the ERC during their lunch break to meet new peers, socialize with friends while participating in games as well as fun activities! Lastly, we collaborate with local outside agencies to provide FREE parent education workshops on various important topics throughout the school year.

Meet your eRC

Hello everyone! My name is Kascha Turchi and I am the Elementary Resource Counseling Specialist at Northwood Elementary. I received my Bachelor’s of Science degree in Human Services and my Master’s degree in Counseling from California State University, Fullerton. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and my passion is working with school-aged children and helping them learn ways to navigate and overcome life’s challenges. I focus on various aspects of our students’ needs including; increasing emotional-awareness, developing coping skills, social skills, and fostering self-esteem and confidence. I value our students’ social-emotional well-being and offer short-term counseling services for individuals and small groups, as well as social-emotional lessons throughout the year to whole classrooms.

In addition to supporting our students, I am also here to support our parents in the form of coordinating parent-meetings, crisis intervention, and providing connections to community resources. When I am not on campus I enjoy doing yoga, baking, and spending time with my husband and our new puppy.

Should you feel that your child may benefit from counseling services, please feel free to contact me. I am on site Monday through Friday (7:30am-4:00pm). You can reach me via phone at (949) 936-5963 or email Kaschaturchi@iusd.org.

Parent Resources

Below are a few helpful articles related to your child's wellbeing and social and emotional development. Should you need further support or information, please contact Kascha Rowland at (949) 936- 5963 or Kaschaturchi@iusd.org.

Community Resources

Irvine Family Counseling Center

Short -term, solution-focused individual and family therapy, resource linkage and referrals, and parent education/support groups to IUSD families K-12.

949) 936-7580 I https://iusd.org/about/departments/education-services/student-support-services/mental-health-and-wellness/irvine

Thriveworks:

Child/Family/Individual/Teen counseling/psychiatric testing/Takes insurance

(657) 315-1250 https://thriveworks.com/irvine-counseling/

Didi Hirsch Mental Health Center:

Santa Ana Services: Crisis line, outreach and survivor support services for family members of a person who committed suicide.

(714) 547- 0855 I https://didihirsch.org/about-us/

Families Forward:

Non-profit organization that helps OC families who are homeless or at risk.

(949) 552-2727 I https://www.families-forward.org/

Western Youth Services:

(949) 855- 1556 I https://www.westernyouthservices.org/