School Counselors are trained professionals who are credentialed by the state (similar to teachers) in the area of school counseling.
School counseling is meant to encourage students' academic, social, emotional, and personal development through providing a variety of services in the school environment.
Through classroom guidance, small groups, individual services, and daily interactions on campus, school counseling aims to help students get to know themselves better, understand and manage emotions, find strategies to be successful academically, and to have a toolbox full of tools and solutions for managing daily challenges and problems that may arise.
Consultation & Collaboration
The school counselor consults and collaborates with teachers, parents and administrators to ensure the needs of all students are met.
Please keep in mind that psychotherapy/long term counseling is not a service school counselors are able to provide. The school counselor can provide direction and recommendations if parents choose to access additional outside support services as needed.
Confidentiality
It is important that students feel comfortable and safe about sharing their thoughts and feelings. Because of this, confidentiality is the basis for an effective counseling relationship. Confidentiality ensures that school counselors won’t share students’ disclosures with others, including, but not limited to, parents, teachers, administrators, and other students. Keep in mind that confidentiality will always be maintained with students unless
1. their safety is threatened by someone,
2. their safety is threatened by themselves,
3. they are threatening someone else's safety