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What Do School Counselors Do?

 

Professional school counselors provide a wide-range of services in the schools, based on individual student needs and student interests, including, but not limited to:

 

• Mental, emotional, social, developmental, and behavioral services to students and families;

• Academic guidance and support services, including organizational, study and test-taking skills for students;

• Special education services, including serving as integral member of the student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP); Career awareness, exploration and planning services, including goal setting and decision making assistance for students;

• School crisis intervention and response services; Collaboration and coordination of more in-depth services needed through community agencies.

 

School Counselors Help You Cope

School counselors know how to listen and help. They'll take your problem seriously and work with you to find a good solution. School counselors are trained to help with everything — and it doesn't have to be just school stuff. A counselor can help you deal with the sadness when someone has died as well as advise you on taking the right classes to get into your dream college.

It takes a lot of training to be a school counselor. Most not only have college degrees but also master's degrees, as well as special training and certification in counseling. One of the many good things about school counselors is that they are up-to-date on all the top things that affect students, including any trends that might affect your school.

School counselors can give you all sorts of tips and support on solving problems and making good decisions. Chances are that whatever problem you have, your counselor has seen it before — and has lots of good advice on how to help you work through it. Counselors can give you tips on standing up for yourself if you're being bullied, managing stress, talking to your parents, and dealing with anger and other difficult moods. Counselors also can advise you on problems you may have with a teacher, such as communication difficulties or questions over grades.

School counselors are plugged in to the rest of the school community and, in many cases, the outside community as well. So they can refer students to outside resources like substance abuse treatment centers, professional therapists, and even health clinics.

It can help to know the different types of support your counselor offers — even if you don't think you need it now. Some schools and school districts use their websites to explain what the counselor does and how to get a counseling appointment. You may find their services listed under headings like "student resources," "student services," or "student counseling."

Your school's website may also explain the roles of other school staff members who can help students with problems or school issues. Depending on the size of your school, these people may include school psychologists, tutors, college or career counselors, and school nurses.

The counselor's role varies from school to school and district to district, so don't assume your counselor provides the same services as the counselor in a friend's school.

SO, IN SUMMARY

 

WHEN DO YOU NEED TO  SEE YOUR SCHOOL COUNSELOR

•School concerns

1. If you feel harassed or made fun of in any way at school.

2. If your grades need to be better and you need assistance

getting the academic help you need.

3. If you have test anxiety.

4. If you need help with your study skills.

5. Any other issues that make you feel nervous or upset at

school.

•When you want to plan what classes you want to take for the next

semester. (MRS. MILLER)

•College planning

•Career planning

•Crisis intervention-if you feel like hurting yourself or someone else or you

feel really upset about something going on in your life.

•Conflict management-If you are having a hard time getting along with

anyone at school or home.

•Behavioral management-If you are having a hard time paying attention in

class or find yourself getting into more trouble than you want to.

•Personal awareness-If you have a hard time making or keeping friends, or

you have other personal or social issues that would like to talk to your

counselor about.

•Family concerns-If you are having a hard time getting along with your

parents, if there has been a lot of stress in your house because of a change

in your family’s finances , if there are issues of substance abuse, other abuse,

or a divorce of your parents.

•Suicide prevention-If a friend has told you that they might do something to

hurt him/herself, or if you notice signs or symptoms of suicide in yourself or

someone you know.

 

How to See Your Counselor

•Students may meet with Mr. Deffenbaugh, their school counselor by appointment or by filling

out a form to request a meeting. If an appointment is made, you should come to MY office at the beginning of the period of the appointment time and I will write you a pass or escort you back to your study hall or lunch. If you fill out a form to request a meeting with ME, I will come get you as soon as I can.

•Students may sign up for an appointment by signing their names in the appointment book during a study hall, lunch period, or before or after school.

•In the case of an emergency, no appointment is necessary.