School counselors are professionals that are trained to work in every grade level from kindergarten through 12th grade. They work with students, staff, administrators, parents, and the community to help students promote academic success, emotional well being, and prepare for post secondary success.
Provide individual academic and goal planning
Provide classroom lessons on social emotional learning, academic planning, and post secondary options
Provide short term counseling to students
Run small group sessions
Provide referrals for long term support, if needed
Advocate for students needs through IEPs, 504s, or other means
Collaborate with students, teachers, administrators, other school staff, parents, and community members to support students
Collect data to support the school counseling program
Yes! School counselors maintain confidentiality. That means what is said to me stays between me and that individual. There are a few exceptions though; if someone threatens to hurt themself, someone threatens to hurt someone else, someone else is hurting that individual, or if I receive permission for this information to be shared.
School counselors are to complete the following to become a school counselor and maintain their status:
Complete a masters program for school counseling
Meet all state requirements (internship hours, state testing, etc)
Keep up to date on professional development
Uphold the ethical standards set by the American School Counselor Association
All information on School Counselors roles, expectations, and ethics was found on the American School Counselors Associations website.