What Does a School Counselor Do?

School Counselors design, implement, and manage a data-driven, comprehensive school counseling program that fulfills the mission of the school by:

• Working individually with students - Students can request to meet with me by completing a request slip in the office

• Creating small groups – Students can sign up for topic-specific small groups

• Teaching social/emotional, academic, and college and career curriculum in the classroom setting

Collaborate with students, parents, staff, and the community to create a caring, supportive school climate where students can demonstrate:

• College and Career Readiness: Students can show pride for their future as productive, contributing members of society by setting appropriate college and career goals. School Counselors help students consider their high school and career options. We can explore personal qualities, financial goals, and educational strengths to match career paths, personal strenghts, and ambitions.

• Academic Success: Students can learn to persevere through academic challenges to realize their full academic potential and achieve academic success. School Counselors help support learning in scohol, help students prepare for high school, and make connections between students' academic lives and future opportunties. 

• Social and Emotional Growth: Students can create positive relationships through appropriate social and emotional skills and optimal personal growth. Counselors can also work with students to develop interpersonal skills, increase their sense of a positive-self, and provide support through the many emotions students face. They can also help students work on decision making, goal setting, and supporting steps to accomplish those goals. Counselors are also there to help in crisis situations and help support families in need. 

School Counseling Services

The School Counselor:

• Promotes a safe, caring, climate and a positive school experience for all students

• Guides and supports students with personal, social, and academic goals

• Encourages students to have healthy perceptions of themselves

• Inspires students to show kindness, respect, and empathy toward others

• Advocates for students, and empowers students to make positive choices, by using appropriate tools for problem-solving and decision making

The Role of the School Counselor:

• Offers short-term, solution focused, individual and group counseling (group counseling is based on availability).

• Teaches whole group class lessons with district approved curriculum

• Observes students in various settings

• Consults and collaborates with parents, staff, students, and community agencies

• Provides community referrals and resources for families

• Coordinates Section 504 Accommodation Plans

• Provides support during a crisis

The School Counselor's Referral Process:

• Referrals typically come from parents, staff, and students

• Students fill out a Counselor Visit Request Form at the kiosk in the counseling office

• Staff and parents may contact the counselor at any time via phone or email

 Note: For issues beyond the scope of a school counselor, and/or when more intensive, long-term services may be needed, parents may request referrals for outside counseling services

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is important in the counseling relationship. Sometimes, confidentiality must be broken to protect the safety and well-being of your child. These are called Exceptions to Confidentiality. Counselors are required by law to report any information that includes:

• You want to harm yourself

• Someone is harming you or has harmed you

• You want to hurt someone else

• Any illegal activity.

If you have any questions about the boundaries of confidentiality, please feel free to contact your school counselor.

Resources and Information