Counseling Home

The School Counselor Department welcomes you to CSMS.

Parents and students are encouraged to contact their child’s counselor to discuss any concerns they may have involving the educational, vocational or socio-personal development of students

Life Counselor: Miranda Martin, MS, LPC

LIFE-Leading Individuals, Fostering Empowerment

The LIFE Counselor role involves supporting students in achieving goals through empowerment, establishing and maintaining meaningful relationships, advocacy, and psychoeducation/skill building. The main focus as your LIFE Counselor is: prevention and intervention services to promote academic success, personal growth, and wellbeing. LIFE Counselors use a multi-disciplinary team approach to ensure that all participating student's needs are met. 

LIFE services are available to students to address challenges related to: anger management, aggression, stress, anxiety, family stressors, depression, relationship issues, peer conflict, substance use/abuse (alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, vape, etc)., defiance, etc. Students are served in a variety of settings and treatment modalities/activities that are determined to best fit the level and intensity of the presented needs:

 

LIFE support is voluntary and therefore requires a referral and parent/guardian permission to participate in services. Students are able to access services through a referral request made by the student themselves, parents, or teachers/staff. Parent/Guardian permission is required prior to student beginning services. Referrals are managed in confidence to ensure privacy of both the student and referral source are maintained throughout the process. 

A referral can be made by contacting your LIFE Counselor directly via phone or email or by contacting the School Counselor office for a paper or online referral form. Following a referral, parents are contacted immediately, information gathered through assessment and treatment planning will support the LIFE Counselor and student in identifying needed services as well as duration (how long) and frequency (how often) and treatment approach.

 

Meet your LIFE Counselor: 

Miranda A. Martin has been an educator for 15 years across Public School Systems in NC and VA. Ms. Martin began her career in the helping profession in 2008 as an Exceptional Children's teacher in a separate classroom setting for 2 1/2 years. Ms. Martin has also served as an itinerant teacher, social worker, High School life skills and vocational development teacher, Elementary and Middle School Counselor, Rehabilitation Counselor, and Outpatient Therapist through Carilion Children's Clinic. 

Ms. Martin obtained her BS in Human Development and Family Studies with a minor in Birth Through Kindergarten dual licensure from the University of NC at Greensboro in 2008, a Master's of Science in Mental Health Counseling (Rehabilitation) with a minor in Addictions Medicine from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in 2013, and a Post Master's Certification in School Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2020. Ms. Martin became licensed as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) February of 2025. 

As a helping professional my priority is always to support self-sufficiency in every aspect of overall wellness as well as improved relationships with self and others, however that is viewed individually in the lives of students.

This unique work in schools requires partnership and shared commitment in doing "the work" necessary to establish success throughout a student's academic career. My role as a LIFE counselors allows for partnership with other important stakeholders while also removing barriers to access services to meet the mental health needs of all our students in need. With that said, effectiveness will require shared commitment and support. I look forward to serving CSMS students as LIFE Counselor this year !!!