All About School Counseling

What does a school counselor do?

The role of the elementary counselor is constantly expanding! School counselors have many responsibilities that are sometimes dependent upon specific situations. In general it is the school counselor's job to provide counseling, consultation and coordination for the school system that she serves. School counselors work closely with administration and teachers to promote a safe school environment and positive learning experience for everyone. School counselors work with students in their individual classrooms through guidance lessons addressing issues such as bullying, self-esteem, personal relationships, career awareness, and health and safety. At times counselors may work one-on-one with a student through individual counseling or with small groups of students through group counseling, to help them cope with situations that are adversely affecting their personal and academic performance such as grief, divorce, domestic/school violence, drug abuse, step families, and diversity. In addition, it is the school counselor's responsibility to work closely with students who have special needs. The school counselor, classroom teacher and parent(s)/guardian(s) work collaboratively to ensure that students who have special learning needs are accommodated in their classroom following the guidelines set forth by public law 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. As you can see, the school counselor gets to do so many things for so many people, and that is what makes her job so much fun!

When do I see the school counselor?

Anyone can see the school counselor by making an appointment with her after receiving permission from his/her classroom teacher. Some students will see the counselor without even having to leave their classrooms. The school counselor will visit a classroom for guidance lessons when requested to do so by the classroom teacher or the school support team. Some students may also see the counselor in a private setting, if needed, for an individual or group counseling session. Teachers, administrators and parents may work with the counselor in coordinating school-wide functions, individualized education plans for students in special education, or in consultation regarding special circumstances or preventative measures needed to improve the school environment. The following paragraphs explain in further detail some situations in which a student, parent, teacher or administrator may want to see the school counselor.

INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING: Individual Counseling is a personal and private interaction between a counselor and a student in which they work together on a problem or topic of interest. A face-to-face, one-on-one meeting with a counselor provides a student maximum privacy in which to freely explore ideas, feelings, and behaviors. School counselors establish trust and build a helping relationship. They respect the privacy of information, always considering actions in terms of the rights, integrity, and welfare of students. Counselors are obligated by law and ethical standards to report and refer a case when a person's welfare is in jeopardy. It is a counselor's duty to inform an individual of the conditions and limitations under which assistance may be provided.

SMALL GROUP COUNSELING: Small Group Counseling involves a counselor working with two or more students together. Group size generally ranges from 6 to 8 members. Group discussions may be relatively unstructured or may be based on structured learning activities. Group members have an opportunity to learn from each other. They can share ideas, give and receive feedback, increase their awareness, gain new knowledge, practice skills, and think about their goals and actions. Group discussions may be problem-centered, where attention is given to particular concerns or problems. Discussions may be growth-centered, where general topics are related to personal and academic development.

GUIDANCE LESSONS: Large Group Guidance offers the best opportunity to provide guidance to the largest number of students in a school. Counselors first work with students in large groups wherever appropriate because it is the most efficient use of time. Large group work may involve cooperative learning methods, in which the larger group is divided into smaller working groups under the supervision of a counselor and/or teacher. The guidance and counseling curriculum, composed of organized objectives and activities, is delivered in individual classrooms with content modified to suit appropriate developmental levels. School counselors and teachers may co-lead some activities. Counselors develop and present special guidance units which give attention to particular developmental issues or areas of concern in their respective schools and they help prepare teachers to infuse the guidance lessons into their classroom curriculum.

CONSULTATION: The counselor as a consultant helps teachers, parents and/or administrators to be more effective in working with others. Consultation helps individuals think through problems and concerns, acquire more knowledge and skill, and become more objective and self-confident. This intervention can take place in individual or group conferences, or it could happen through staff development activities.

COORDINATION: Coordination as a counselor intervention is the process of managing various indirect services, which benefit students, and being a liaison between school and community agencies. It may include organizing special events that involve parents or resources and people in the community in guidance projects. It often entails collecting data and disseminating information. Counselors might coordinate a student needs assessment, behavioral assessment, the interpretation of standardized tests, a child study team, or a guidance related teacher or parent education group. Not all counselors do all of these activities at every school. But, counselors are trained and certified to do all of the above activities.