What does a school counselor do?

In high school, a school counselor:

• Assists with academic planning.
• Counsels children individually and/or in groups.
• Teaches guidance lessons in classrooms.

Processes interventions and referrals for students.

• Consults with parents and teachers.
• Conducts parent workshops and training.
• Refers and links students with school and community resources (school wide and/or outside agencies).
• Adheres to ethical and legal standards in the performance of all of the above mentioned duties.

How can a student contact the school counselor?

• Student self-referral
• Teacher, staff, parent or administrative referral
• Counselor identification or referral
• Peer identification or referral

What happens in individual and/or group counseling?

In individual and/or group counseling children:

• Learn how to cope with difficult and/or unchangeable events.
• Build self-esteem and confidence.
• Receive the opportunity to share their feelings and concerns.
• Develop problem-solving ability and decision making skills.
• Receives academic guidance.

Overall, the goal is to empower students with the skills to be successful inside and outside of school.

What topics are taught during classroom guidance lessons?

• Student orientation (meeting the counselor)
• Student handbook (school rules)
• Anti-victimization
• Anti-harassment/No bullying
• Career/Postsecondary Education
• Suicide Prevention
• Dual Credit
• Wellness

 Please contact your child’s counselor if you have any concerns about your child including and not limited to the following:

• Classroom performance or behavior
• Sudden change in your child’s behavior (depressed, sad, angry)
• Family changes (moving, death, divorce or separation)
• Interpreting test results