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What Does an Elementary School Counselor Do?
What Does an Elementary School Counselor Do?
An elementary school counselor supports all students by helping them succeed socially, emotionally, and academically. The counselor works with students, parents, and staff to create a positive and safe school environment.
The counselor’s role includes:
Teaching classroom guidance lessons on topics like friendship, respect, bullying prevention, and managing emotions
Leading small groups to help students with social skills, family changes, grief, or anxiety
Providing short-term, one-on-one support for students who need help coping with challenges
Supporting students in making positive choices and solving problems in healthy ways
Collaborating with teachers and parents to support student success
Work with the social worker to identify families who may need outside resources for additional mental health or community support
What Does an Elementary School Counselor NOT Do?
What Does an Elementary School Counselor NOT Do?
School counselors are not clinical psychologists or psychiatrists.
They do not provide diagnoses like ADHD, depression, or autism.
They may refer students to licensed professionals for evaluation and treatment.
Counselors do not provide ongoing therapy or psychotherapy; they offer short-term, solution-focused support.
Students needing regular therapy are referred to outside mental health providers.
Counselors do not share what a student says unless:
The student is in danger,
Someone else is in danger, or
It’s legally required
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