Together.

What is Counseling?

What does “Counseling” look like for a School Counselor?

By the International School Counselor Association

Counseling* is the professional assistance and support provided to a student or small group of students during times of transition, heightened stress, critical change or other situations impeding student success. It is short term in nature and based on counseling theories and techniques that are effective in a school setting to support a student’s development.
Counseling should be proactive as well as responsive and helps students identify problems, causes, potential consequences and benefits, alternatives and outcomes so they can make decisions and take appropriate actions.
Counseling is used to support students during and after a crisis. When students require long- term counseling to address mental health issues or to provide long-term support after a crisis, school counselors collaborate with families and other professionals to make referrals to appropriate community resources.
*School counselors do not provide therapy or long-term counseling in schools to address psychological disorders.

What is a counselor’s role?

At FIS, our counseling program

helps ensure that students’ personal, social and emotional needs are met and nurtured
empowers our students to be future-ready, global citizens
celebrates diversity as a strength and promotes equal opportunity for all
nurtures the values of care, compassion, and responsible action
helps each student, parent, and family bring to light their unique strengths, gifts, and purpose to their world

"I" statements

I have...

people I trust, who love and respect me, no matter what
people who help me make smart choices
people who help me learn things on my own
people who keep me safe
people who help me set goals and limits

I am...

a person people can like and love
allowed to make mistakes, learn, and get back up again
respectful to myself and others
willing to take responsibility for my actions
confident things will turn out right

I can...

figure out when to talk to my trusted adults about things on my mind
find ways and use strategies to solve my own problems
control my emotions and make smart choices
help others in need
contribute positively to my school, home & community environment

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