Helping Children Heal, Grow, and Thrive!
Sticks & Stones® is a school-based counseling program designed to support children and youth who have experienced trauma, violence, or emotional challenges. In a safe, supportive environment, students learn to express their feelings in healthy ways, build resilience, and develop the tools they need to succeed in school and in life.
Why It Matters
Many children face difficult experiences at home, in school, and within their communities that can profoundly shape their self-perception and relationships with others. Without appropriate support, these experiences can lead to challenges with emotional regulation, behavior, and relationships.
Sticks & Stones® provides early intervention to help students process difficult experiences and develop healthier patterns that can last a lifetime.
What Students Learn
Through guided small-group and/or 1:1 sessions, students develop essential life skills, including healthy emotional expression, coping strategies for stress and trauma, communication and conflict resolution, personal safety awareness, and building self-esteem and confidence.
How the Program Works
Sticks & Stones® is designed to be accessible, consistent, and impactful:
- 10-week structured program
- Small groups of 2–5 students or 1:1 sessions
- Sessions held during the school day
- Led by trained, trauma-informed counselors
This small-group setting allows students to feel seen, supported, and connected while learning from one another. One-on-one sessions also support older students by providing privacy and encouraging self-directed learning.
The Impact
Students who are part of the Sticks & Stones® program show significant positive changes in emotional well-being, behavior, and ability to deal with life’s challenges. This equips students to be successful academically and socially.
Most significantly, it helps to break the cycle of trauma, creating a foundation for healthy relationships and a healthy society. By breaking the cycle of trauma early on and providing students with skills that will benefit them for the rest of their lives, Sticks & Stones® is not just a counseling program. It’s a roadmap to healing, growth, and positive change.
Get Involved
Interested in bringing Sticks & Stones® to your school, learning more about the program, or being part of the team?
Contact our Counseling Program Manager, Lorena Rodriguez, to get started.
