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What is a School Counselor?
The school counselor is committed to addressing the holistic needs of the entire student body. According to ASCA, professional school counselors serve a vital role in maximizing student success. Through leadership, advocacy and collaboration, professional school counselors promote equity and access to rigorous educational experiences for all students. Professional school counselors support a safe learning environment and work to safeguard the human rights of all members of the school community, and address the needs of all students.
What are the Roles of the School Counselor?
What are the Roles of the School Counselor?
The school counselor is a professionally trained and certified person whose responsibility it is to help all students grow in academics, personal, social, and career awareness.
A confidant to students
A consultant to students, teachers, and parents
A helper for the struggling individual
An instructor of a developmental program
A team member with other professionals
A coordinator of programs and educational leader
A source for a wide variety of information
An interpreter of records and tests
What are the counselor's goals?
What are the counselor's goals?
The school counselor seeks to help students realize their full potential as unique human beings:
To develop understanding of themselves and others
To recognize and make the best use of their own capabilities and the educational opportunities afforded them
To acquire confidence and self-esteem
To learn to make their own decisions and to solve problems
To identify choices in vocational and academic planning
How are These Goals Accomplished?
How are These Goals Accomplished?
The school counselor strives to accomplish these goals by:
Listening to students
Observing student behavior
Conferring and consulting with parents, teachers, administrators, services staff and private agencies and others who interact with students
Reviewing test results, student records, and student activities
Helping parents to increase their awareness of developmental changes in their children
Alerting teachers and administrators to special circumstances which may affect a student's performance and behavior
Assisting in referral of students to outside agencies when appropriate
Working with teachers and administrators to develop a challenging and rewarding curriculum and a positive school climate
What can families expect of a school counselor?
What can families expect of a school counselor?
A school counselor can be expected to:
Know each student
Be available to discuss concerns with students and parents
Help students to deal with personal problems and emotional concerns
Be available for individual or group counseling as needs arise and time permits
Keep information confidential, except in instances where doing so will endanger someone
Act as moderator among students, parents, and teachers
Assist in educational planning
Provide information to students and parents concerning progression from elementary school to middle school, from middle school to high school, from high school to post-high school education or vocations
Discuss standardized test results with students, parents, and teachers when requested
Help students to develop decision making skills
Encourage students to take responsibility for their own behavior
Share in the maintenance of complete and accurate student record
Assist in referrals to outside agencies when appropriate
A school counselor can not be expected to:
Make decisions for students or parents
Help students to "take the easy way out" to avoid unpleasant consequences of their own behavior
Provide long term counseling
Act on hearsay
Reveal information given in confidence
Subvert school policy
Make administrative decisions
Reverse the final decision of a teacher/administrator
Administer or interpret psychological tests
Take the role of a disciplinarian
Provide therapy
School counseling is designed to address the normal stresses of childhood and adolescence and is focused upon the educational development of the student. Therapy is the treatment of a disorder. Psychological or psychiatric therapy is designed to treat mental or emotional disturbances which interfere with the functioning of an individual.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can my student meet with the school counselor?
How can my student meet with the school counselor?
Students may request to speak with their counselor at school. Parents, teachers, administrators, and other school staff may also refer a student when they believe additional support would be helpful.
Parents and caregivers are also welcome to contact their child's counselor directly with questions or concerns.
My child is struggling in a class, who should I contact first?
My child is struggling in a class, who should I contact first?
For questions involving a specific class, assignment, grade, or classroom concern, the classroom teacher should generally be the first contact.
Teachers can explain current performance, missing assignments, classroom expectations, and available supports.
If difficulties continue across several classes or there are broader academic concerns, the school counselor can help coordinate additional support.
Can a school counselor provide long-term therapy for my child?
Can a school counselor provide long-term therapy for my child?
No. School counselors provide short-term, solution-focused individual or small-group support. If your child requires long-term mental health therapy, the counselor will help connect your family to community-based providers or your insurance network.
What is "Career Ready PA" and how does the counselor use it?
What is "Career Ready PA" and how does the counselor use it?
Pennsylvania mandates that all students compile a career readiness portfolio by grades 5, 8, and 11. Counselors guide students through lessons, job shadows, and skills inventories to meet these state-required benchmarks.
What stays confidential between my child and the school counselor?
What stays confidential between my child and the school counselor?
Conversations remain confidential to build trust and protect student privacy. Counselors follow the ethical guidelines of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) and Pennsylvania state code, keeping general discussions secure.
When is a school counselor legally required to break confidentiality?
When is a school counselor legally required to break confidentiality?
A counselor must break confidentiality and immediately notify parents or authorities if a student indicates they want to hurt themselves, hurt someone else, or if someone is hurting them (abuse/neglect).
Will the counselor tell me if my child talks about minor personal issues?
Will the counselor tell me if my child talks about minor personal issues?
Generally, no. For minor peer conflicts, academic stress, or routine worries, the counselor works to empower the student to solve the issue or encourages them to talk to you directly, rather than calling home for every conversation.
Does my child need to have a serious problem to see their counselor?
Does my child need to have a serious problem to see their counselor?
No.
Students may meet with their counselor for many reasons, including friendship concerns, academic difficulties, stress, family changes, career questions, scheduling, college planning, or simply because they need someone to talk to.
Students do not need to wait until a concern becomes a crisis before asking for help.
When should I contact the counselor about my child's emotional well-being?
When should I contact the counselor about my child's emotional well-being?
Consider contacting the counselor if you notice significant or persistent changes involving:
Mood
Anxiety or worry
Friendships
School attendance
Motivation
Behavior
Academic performance
Sleep
Social withdrawal
Ability to cope with everyday challenges
You know your child well. If something feels different or concerning, reaching out early can be helpful.
My child is anxious about school. What should I do?
My child is anxious about school. What should I do?
Begin by listening and trying to understand what specifically is causing the worry.
Maintain regular routines and communicate with the school rather than allowing anxiety to quietly become a pattern of school avoidance.
Your child's school counselor can help identify possible concerns, develop school-based strategies, and connect your family with additional resources when appropriate.
What's the difference between peer conflict and bullying?
What's the difference between peer conflict and bullying?
Conflict can occur when students disagree, become frustrated with one another, or experience difficulties in a relationship.
Bullying generally involves repeated unwanted behavior and a real or perceived imbalance of power.
Both situations deserve attention, but they may require different responses.
Who should I contact about bullying?
Who should I contact about bullying?
Students and families should report concerns to a school counselor, teacher, or administrator.
Situations involving safety, harassment, threats, or disciplinary concerns should be brought to the attention of school administration.
What is the Student Assistance Program (SAP)?
What is the Student Assistance Program (SAP)?
SAP is a state-mandated team of school professionals trained to identify issues, including alcohol, tobacco, other drugs, and mental health concerns, which pose a barrier to a student’s learning.
Can a school counselor diagnose my child with a mental health condition (like ADHD or Anxiety)?
Can a school counselor diagnose my child with a mental health condition (like ADHD or Anxiety)?
No. School counselors do not provide medical or psychological diagnoses. They can share observations of school behavior and offer screening resources to help you seek a clinical evaluation externally.
How can students improve organization and time management?
How can students improve organization and time management?
Students can begin by using one consistent system for tracking assignments and deadlines.
Helpful strategies include:
Using a planner or digital calendar
Breaking large projects into smaller steps
Checking grades regularly
Creating a homework routine
Preparing materials the night before
Setting reminders for important deadlines
Limiting distractions while working
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