The Importance of School Counseling in Today's World

In the past decade, school shootings, drug abuse, teen pregnancy and other serious issues have been on the rise in the U.S. Now, more than ever, school counselors are needed to educate children about these issues and to help counsel them when such trauma is experienced.
 
In addition to helping students cope with life's more serious incidents, school counseling professionals also aid students in navigating the many issues that arise during these formative years in their lives. By working together with parents, teachers and the students themselves, counselors help resolve a variety of issues, ranging from a student's class work to peer pressure.
 
Whether you are interested in elementary school counseling, middle school counseling, high school counseling or professional school counseling, a counselor's work is highly rewarding and satisfying at any level.

Elementary School Counseling

Elementary school children (kindergarten to fourth or sixth grade) are very impressionable. They see adult situations on television and movies, yet may not fully understand what is going on. Sadly, not every parent is in tune with their child's actions and reactions during this formative time. Elementary school counseling is available to help children deal with issues like family deaths, bullying, peer pressure and learning disabilities.
 
According to the American School Counseling Association, elementary school counselor job duties include assisting parents, students and teachers with:
  • anxiety
  • behavioral management
  • community involvement
  • crisis intervention
  • developing leadership skills
  • drug dangers education
  • interactions between teachers and parents
  • parenting skills
  • peer pressure education/prevention
  • school stress
  • social development
  • support groups.

Middle School Counseling

As children enter puberty, their needs change. Therefore, the role of a middle school counselor adapts to fit children's growth. Middle school counselors spend their days helping children with issues such as:
  • alcohol abuse
  • bullying
  • career planning
  • crisis intervention
  • drug awareness
  • goal setting
  • multicultural differences
  • peer pressure
  • self-awareness
  • social development
  • support groups
  • test-taking pressures.

High School Counseling

By the time a student reaches high school, focus shifts to career planning, pregnancy matters and college goals. High school counselors help a student choose colleges, seek financial aid and take appropriate classes for their career goals.
 
High school counselors also face grief counseling, especially as students start driving and may face mortality for the first time. School shootings, though terrifying to think of, are a real issue, and high school counselors must have a plan of action should a situation occur where students might need help dealing with such trauma. Finally, high school counselors work with children and parents to keep a child from dropping out before he or she has earned a high school diploma.

Professional School Counseling

At the college or professional school level, counselors help students come up with career goals. One of their immediate duties is to help a student complete their degree or certificate and avoid dropping out. They also help with grief counseling, family assistance and may even teach a course or two.
 
School counselors are required to hold master's degrees in school counseling. These programs differ from mental health counselors because they generally have a stronger focus on working with children.

Education Requirements

Working as a school counselor requires a master's degree. Before any secondary college program will accept you, you must obtain a bachelor's degree in psychology.
 
Typically, master's degrees in school counseling are achieved after completing 100 credit hours of practicum. During the practicum, students work in small groups, creating scenarios for a counseling session and offering feedback to each other on strengths and weaknesses. A program also requires 600 hours interning in a school setting. Most colleges advise students to work for 200 hours in each school level: elementary, middle and high school.
 
School counseling jobs are extremely rewarding, but they can also be very stressful. Counseling is a career that often comes with high burnout rates. To best help children in need, counselors must also take care of themselves by getting the rest and rejuvenation that such demanding work clearly requires.
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