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School Counselor
Sessions

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Year One Sessions

  • Effective school counseling begins with a clear role definition followed by an organized workspace, a strong knowledge of policies & procedures, and a crisis response toolkit.

  • A well-maintained calendar, clear student sign-up protocol, and an organized appointment system are essential for time management.

  • School counselors are mandated to secure student records, use information systems accurately and comply with privacy laws including FERPA during any type of correspondence.

  • School counselors play a critical role in threat and suicide assessments in order to ensure the safety of all students. Explore examples located in the Learning Launchers for reference.

  • Fostering strong relationships with staff, students, parents, and the community is a vital part of a school counselor’s role. Effective strategies include practicing active listening, maintaining consistent and open communication and demonstrating empathy.

  • School counselors should have a thorough understanding of caseload students who have an IEP, 504 plan, medical plan, and/or homebound service. This ensures they can provide personalized and effective support that meets each student's unique needs.

  • New school counselors should prioritize identifying and connecting with frequently used wrap-around services, such as mental health support, tutoring and community resources.

  • New school counselors should build strong connections with academic teams, law enforcement, government agencies, discipline staff and parents to create a supportive network for students.

  • Counselors should present in classrooms especially when there’s a need to address specific topics such as mental health, bullying prevention, social skills or academic support.

  • Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT) is a brief, goal-oriented approach that school counselors can use to support students by emphasizing their strengths and future possibilities rather than focusing on past problems.

  • Depending on the level, school counselors have various tasks to complete to close out the school year, such as updating records, master schedule, notes for new counselors and purging files. Getting these tasks completed ensures a more restful summer break.

  • This self-reflection activity invites you to pause and consider your growth as a new counselor. Through guided prompts, you will reflect on your successes, challenges and the impact you are having.

Year Two Sessions

  • The new school year is a powerful opportunity to reignite your purpose, build from the previous year’s successes and deepen your professional practice.

  • Setting boundaries empowers school counselors to protect their well-being and ensure they can consistently show up with clarity and compassion for their students.

  • School counselors should use data to identify student needs, measure the impact of their programs and make informed decisions that drive meaningful change.

  • School counselors can advocate for their role by clearly communicating the value of their work and focusing on how it supports student success.

  • Building a comprehensive school counseling program is essential, as it provides a structured and intentional approach to addressing students' academic, social, and emotional needs. It grows over time and is not expected to ever be static.

  • A school counselor should facilitate group sessions to promote peer support, enhance social skills and address shared challenges among students.

  • School counselors should practice Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) within a comprehensive program to provide targeted interventions for students at various levels of need.

  • Tier I school counseling, also known as universal support, provides services to all students in the school. This includes a school-wide counseling curriculum, individual student planning and school-wide activities.

  • Tier II school counseling focuses on providing targeted interventions and support for students who have not responded well to universal supports (Tier I), but don't require intensive or individualized interventions.

  • Tier III school counseling provides intensive, individualized support for students who haven't responded to Tier I or Tier II interventions, or who have complex needs that require specialized attention outside scope of practice.

  • School counselor professional growth involves continuous learning and development to enhance skills, expand knowledge and stay current with best practices in the field. Networking with counselors in other districts is extremely powerful as well.

  • Self reflection involves critically examining one's experiences, actions and decisions in a particular field to understand their impact and inform future choices.