Help from School Counselors:
- Bullying
- Family Problems
- Academic Issues
- Substance Abuse
- Career & College Pathways
School counselors in the 1960s usually helped students choose colleges or enter career training programs. The role of the counselor has grown along with education and training. The job now includes working with students on:
- interpersonal issues
- academic issues
- family issues
A qualified school counselor can teach important coping skills and can help students with special needs on an emotional, physical, or academic basis. The role of the school counselor is to provide support to:
- students
- teachers
- sometimes family members
Issues where counselors can help students differ from school to school as well as between grade levels. Five areas are most common no matter which age levels and community the counselor serves.
1. Bullying
As many as one out of every three students report being bullied at school, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Stopbullying.gov website. Students can be bullied:
- at school
- in their neighborhoods
- on the internet
. Cyberbullying via social media platforms has been associated with tragic consequences, including suicide. Bullying can cause depression and anxiety leading to school avoidance. Bullies, too, have been shown to be at-risk of:
- dropping out
- fighting
- substance abuse
They may also benefit from counseling and interventions.
2. Family Problems
Counselors may provide individual therapy or conduct groups for students and their families, depending on:
- the school district
- grade level
- counselor’s training
Counselors may offer crisis counseling:
- after a death in the family
- divorce
- a serious illness
Family issues such as alcoholism or mental health problems can also come up in school counseling. Family violence is a serious issue that requires an outside referral. However, counselors may help families learn better communications skills, including parenting support groups and instruction.
3. Academic Issues
When a student experiences academic problems, the school counselor is often on the front line of determining where the problem lies and helping to find solutions. Part of the school counselor’s role is helping to prevent dropouts and increasing academic success. The American School Counselor Association provides guidance for counselors on working with students at risk of dropping out. Counselors can:
- develop peer mentor programs
- conduct staff development
- provide referrals to academic support services
Support services can include working as part of the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) team with:
- teachers
- administrators
- specialists
- parents.
4. Substance Abuse
Although substance abuse has been declining in recent years, drug, alcohol, and tobacco use is still a major issue in schools. A school counselor can help students overcome substance abuse or misuse. The counselor has a number of screening tools which can help identify problems and can create a group or individual counseling program. A school counselor can also access community resources and refer students and parents to programs that can help reduce substance abuse.
Read: 10 Best Deals on Online Master’s in School Counseling Degree Programs
5. Career and College Pathways
The original school counseling role of helping students to choose and follow an educational pathway through high school and beyond continues. The school counselor helps students apply for college and follow through with:
- applications
- tests
- recommendation letters and more
There is a variety of:
- vocational certificate programs
- technical training
- two-year college options and pathways
A school counselor has many ways to assist students to complete their K-12 education and transition to work or further education and training.
Not every school counselor will be asked to work with students on every issue ranging from bullying to substance abuse. Counseling education, training, and certification will match the roles that school counselors are asked to take in:
- individual districts
- grade levels
- school settings.