NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – A mental health counselor for a school in North Charleston is looking for tools to help provide comfort and support to her students.

“I have a purpose when I come to school every day, and I want these kids to feel loved and supported every time they walk through the door,” says Constance Goodnight, Internal Mental Health Counselor at Allegro Charter School of Music.

But for him, his advisory duties don’t just apply to students.

“I serve students, families, and faculty.” he says.

While she has a busy schedule and an open door, she says every aspect of her room is specifically designed to make everyone feel comfortable during difficult conversations, with things like fidget toys, cozy corners, and talking blocks.

“I wanted to make sure this room felt like home,” she says. “I wanted to make sure they could come here and relax because when a kid comes here, we’re talking about some very heavy and uncomfortable things.”

Small tactical gadgets can help with focus, anxiety and stress, but can also be emotionally beneficial, he says.

“When they come in here and sit on the couch or sit in the corner and pick up one of the sensory toys, it helps them regulate their nervous system to a point where they can feel calm and they can open up more and be more vulnerable. “Good night,” she says.

Goodnight says she didn’t get the same encouragement at the start of the year that other teachers did because of her title as an in-house mental health counselor, which limited her ability to purchase things with the funding students needed for their emotional and social well-being.

“We really care about the student, we care about their families, and we really want the best for them.” He says good night.

In the classroom, students are specifically looking for materials to help regulate their emotions, such as health management books, calming strips, talking cards and other fidget toys.

“The more they move, the more it helps their nervous system decrease to the point where they can regulate their emotions and be calm,” Goodnight says.

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