Counseling Services

Classroom Guidance

Classroom guidance is provided and designed to support the development of students’ growth. This service is how counselors deliver techniques and methods to students through planned lessons geared towards teaching students skills and attitudes appropriate to their developmental levels (Dack & Merlin-Knoblich, 2021). This service is included in the school’s curriculum.

Breakfast and Lunch Bunch

Students can meet with the counselor and possibly other students in the counselor’s office during their breakfast or lunch time to eat while they learn new skills. No classroom instruction time is missed and students enjoy participating in skill building. A few of the skills students could learn include following directions, getting the teacher’s attention, accepting criticism/consequences, disagreeing appropriately, staying on task, asking for help, listening, ignoring distractions, making good choices, solving problems, working with others, and showing respect. It is a fun and productive experience for students! This service requires signed consent from the parent or guardian.

Small Group Counseling

Small group counseling is a direct service in which the counselor meets with a small number of students who have shared tasks. Group counseling help develop supportive relationships, teach social skills, and gain a sense of belonging. Research has shown that group counseling is linked to improving study skills, achievement, and school adjustment (ASCA, 2020). This service requires signed consent from the parent or guardian.

Individual Counseling

Short-term individual counseling is a responsive service in which the counselor meets with a student one-on-one to address and support individual needs. Individual counseling focuses on creating mutual goals and providing support for students who are experiencing distress or a crisis. Research has shown that individual counseling in a school setting is related to a decrease in truancy and instances of disciplinary action (ASCA, 2019). This service requires signed consent from the parent or guardian. NOTE: Counseling at the school level does not generate diagnoses. For more intensive counseling, contact the school counselor to request referrals to outside counseling. 

Consultation with Teachers and Parents

School counselors meet with teachers and parents to discuss ways in which everyone can support student development and achievement. Consultation with teachers  involve addressing behavior issues in the classroom and ways to implement the school counseling plan. Consultation with parents involve meeting to discuss advice, information, available resources and/or deliberation to address a student’s need (ASCA, 2016).

Resources

American School Counselor Association. (2020). The school counselor and group counseling. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/Standards-Positions/Position-Statements/ASCA-Position-Statements/The-School-Counselor-and-Group-Counseling

American School Counselor Association (ASCA). (2019). The ASCA national model: A framework for school counseling programs (4th ed.). Author.

American School Counselor Association. (2016). 2016 ASCA ethical standards for school counselors. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/f041cbd0-7004-47a5-ba01-3a5d657c6743/Ethical-Standards.pdf

Dack, H., Merlin-Knoblich, C. (2021). Improving classroom guidance curriculum with understanding by design. The Professional Counselor. https://tpcjournal.nbcc.org/improving-classroom-guidance-curriculum-with-understanding-by-design/