Seek help from a school guidance counselor if your child is having problems that you're not equipped to handle. If you sense he's battling a school bully, fighting depression over friends, in the middle of a conflict with a teacher or struggling with classes, for example, a counselor is not only an expert in child behavior, but also up to date on this particular school's students and staff.
Tell your child that you're going to talk to the school counselor so she won't be shocked when she finds out. If she fears retaliation from a school bully or problem teacher, for example, insist that the counselor keeps your meeting confidential and merely watches the situation and offers advice for dealing with it.
Ask about your school counselor's privacy policy before discussing any situation, however. There are instances where he is required to report the meeting and situation to authorities like child protective services, school administrators or the police.
Plan and rehearse what you're going to say in the meeting, particularly if you worry that you'll become too emotional to speak. Some counselors are also available via phone or email if you'd rather not meet face-to-face initially.
Work with the school counselor to find strategies to help your child. They may involve additional resources or therapists. Follow up after the meeting to provide updates and tweak the solutions if they're not quite working.