Inside the walls of East High School, a therapist is quietly making a huge impact, offering vital emotional and academic help that ensures every student can succeed in a nurturing environment. Meet Kailee Becker, East High School’s therapist.

As East’s school therapist, Kailee Becker’s passion to offer personalized support to students is astonishing.
“I was inspired by my past experiences to want to become a positive adult in students’ lives and a safe space to help them during times of need,” Becker said.
Many students hesitate to ask for assistance, but it’s an important step in your academic journey.
“The advice I would give to students who are hesitant to seek help is letting them know they are not alone and asking for help can be scary at first. The therapist is there to help you process life stressors, emotions and learn skills to better manage emotions… I also tell them to think of the therapist like a coach. They’re there to teach you knew skills that will improve your “game.” Once you’ve mastered those skills, you won’t need the coach anymore,” Becker said.
As student needs change, it’s essential to reflect on how a therapist’s role has developed to meet these new challenges.
“Over the years I believe school-therapists roles have evolved from primarily focusing on academic guidance to now encompassing a much broader focus on student mental health and well-being, actively addressing social-emotional needs, providing interventions for complex issues like trauma or anxiety, and collaborating with teachers, parents, and administrators to create a supportive school environment, all in response to changing educational landscapes and increasingly diverse student needs,” Becker said.
Identifying the most effective resources and programs is crucial for supporting student success. Different tools and initiatives can make a significant impact on students’ academic and personal growth.
“As a school-based therapist, some of the most effective resources and programs for helping students include individual therapy sessions, group therapy for specific issues like social skills or anxiety, classroom interventions focused on behavior management, collaborative work with teachers and parents, psycho-education workshops on mental health topics, and access to crisis intervention services; all tailored to the unique needs of each student and school environments,” Becker said.
Collaboration is key to providing comprehensive support for students. Working closely with both teachers and parents ensures that students receive the guidance and resources they need to succeed.
“Typically, I collaborate with teachers and parents through setting up specific times to meet in person or via phone calls. Working together to develop individualized support plans that can be implemented both in the classroom and at home, ensuring a consistent approach to the student’s needs,” Becker said.
Some main work that Becker does in a day is, provide individual and family therapy to students directly in the school, provide consultation and education to schools about mental health topics, and help kids experience success, have hope, and build resiliency in their lives.