School Views: Meeting students where they are with School-Based Therapy Program

Across our community, schools are about much more than academics. They are places where students learn to manage emotions, build relationships, and navigate challenges that extend far beyond the classroom. Eagle County School District believes in supporting the whole child — academically, socially and emotionally.

For the past seven years, Eagle County School District has recognized the value of partnering with Your Hope Center, which placed school-based therapists directly in schools across the district. When Your Hope Center dissolved in June 2025, we made the intentional decision to ensure these critical services continued. As a result, Eagle County School District launched its own School-Based Therapy Program (SBTP), bringing therapeutic support directly into schools, removing barriers and continuing to meet students where they are.

The School-Based Therapy Program provides confidential mental health services to students during the school day completely free of charge to families. Our program currently includes two full-time therapists at Eagle Valley High School and Battle Mountain High School, as well as part-time therapists at each middle and elementary school. In total, the program has 12 therapists and a program director, including several bilingual clinicians.

Therapists are embedded directly within the schools they serve and support students experiencing anxiety, depression, grief and loss, trauma, behavioral challenges and significant life stressors. All services are voluntary and tailored to each student’s individual needs.

Since launching in August 2025, the School-Based Therapy Program has been committed to providing quality therapeutic services, has received more than 350 referrals and has supported students across 16 schools. Therapists utilize a range of evidence-based and developmentally appropriate approaches, including play-based therapy, expressive arts therapies, skill-building interventions and several other evidenced based practices, to address both short-term challenges and long-standing mental health needs.

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For many families, accessing therapy outside of school can be challenging. Long waitlists, transportation difficulties, insurance limitations, and time constraints often prevent students from receiving the help they need. By embedding therapists directly into schools, our School-Based Therapy Program removes many of these obstacles and allows students to receive consistent, high-quality care in a familiar and supportive environment.

The benefits of school-based therapy extend beyond individual students. When students receive appropriate mental health support, schools often see improved attendance, increased engagement in learning, and fewer behavioral disruptions. Teachers and staff are better supported, and classrooms become more regulated, focused spaces for learning. Most importantly, students develop skills they can carry with them long after graduation, including emotional regulation, coping strategies, communication skills and resilience.

One key strength of our program is collaboration. School-based therapists work closely with educators, counselors, administrators, primary care providers, outside service agencies, and (most importantly) families to ensure students receive coordinated care. While therapy remains confidential, therapists partner with school teams to support the academic and social success of students. This collaborative approach strengthens school communities and reinforces the idea that student well-being is a shared responsibility.

Accessibility is central to the values of the School-Based Therapy Program. Services are provided at no cost to families, regardless of immigration or insurance status. Eagle County School District continues to explore options for financial sustainability of the program; however, current funding comes from a combination of local, state and federal grants, private donations, and fundraising efforts. 

Therapists in our program are certified providers for Health First Colorado (Medicaid). With parental permission, the program can receive reimbursement for eligible services, with funds going directly toward sustaining and expanding the program. This process does not impact family benefits, does not create any cost to parents, and participation in billing is optional. The School-Based Therapy Program does not bill private insurance and does not collect copays, ensuring services remain 100% free for all families.

At its core, Eagle County School District’s School-Based Therapy Program sends a powerful message: Mental health matters, and students deserve access to care in the places where they spend most of their time. By investing in prevention, early intervention, and ongoing support, Eagle County School District and the School-Based Therapy Program are helping students build healthier futures inside the classroom and beyond.

Families interested in learning more about the School-Based Therapy Program can visit the Eagle County School District website, contact me at emily.kunkel@eagleschools.net, or contact their school counselor or administrator.

Emily Kunkel is the Eagle County School District’s school-based therapy program director. Email her at emily.kunkel@eagleschools.net.