Recognizing Counselors During National School Counseling Week

National School Counseling Week was founded by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) to support counselors' efforts and drive awareness of the value these professionals hold for their school systems and their communities. Even if you’re not currently attending school, you can seek professional help from a licensed counselor in person or through an online therapy platform.

School counselors often take on significant duties to support students at every age level, from kindergarten through college. People in the school counseling profession usually provide mental health support, academic guidance, and other critical services to students. 

What is National School Counseling Week? 

National School Counseling Week typically occurs in the first week of February to focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors and their impact on students, staff, and school systems. Counselors are often responsible for academic and career development and planning for children, as well as supporting students who may benefit from mental health guidance.

What do school counselors do?  

People in this profession can have a strong influence in helping students achieve school success. School counselors may have unique duties depending on their role, but they all pursue appropriate professional development and adhere to ASCA student standards. Some counselors may be licensed therapists and offer counseling to students directly. Others may have a degree in education and take a more academic or career-oriented approach to helping students focus on their lives. However, some of the most common roles school counselors take on are listed below. 

Provide mental health support and guidance

School counselors are generally responsible for identifying areas to support students, including mental health and well-being. They may perform assessments to see if a child is at risk of a mental health condition and offer resources and recommendations to parents. 

For example, a counselor may be responsible for helping parents and the school system get in touch with crisis resources if a child expresses a crisis including suicidal thoughts or self-harm.* 

Depending on the age level of the students they serve, the contribution of the school counselor to mental health support can look different. A counselor may guide students after losing a classmate or offer moral support when a child is going through a difficult moment in their life. 

In some cases, counselors may talk one-on-one with students to learn more about what they’re going through and to offer guidance. Counselors with a behavioral health or psychology degree and a license to practice counseling may also provide short-term therapy to students to help them with interpersonal relationships and other challenges within ASCA standards. 

Offer career and college guidance

Counselors working with older children of high school age may offer career and academic guidance to help students transition to college. They may help students apply for scholarships, send college applications, and ensure they meet their classes' requirements to graduate. 

In some cases, counselors may help students change their schedules and switch classes to ensure they meet the credit requirements. On an elementary and middle school level, counselors may help students ensure they meet grade requirements, achieve academic success, and guide them to make beneficial choices in the classroom. National School Counseling Week can help recognize all of these efforts. 

Maintain student records

Counselors may oversee student records involving previous visits to the counselor’s office, grades, academic performance, write-ups, missed school days, and reports from teachers, parents, and other students. These records are often personal, so counselors may keep them locked away or take extra measures to ensure there is no breach of information. 

Resolve conflict

Conflicts can occur in children from kindergarten until graduation. Conflict between friends, bullying, cyberbullying, and arguments between students and staff can be mediated by a counselor. In these cases, the counselor might have all the parties involved participate in a group counseling session to discuss what led up to the conflict and find ways to resolve it. 

If a student is being bullied, the counselor may take down information about the occurrence and report it to other staff members to determine a way to prevent further bullying. Parents and caregivers are often included in these efforts to ensure bullying prevention continues at home. Because bullying can be associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental illnesses, it can be crucial for counselors to take bullying seriously. 

Communicate with parents or caregivers

Counselors are frequently responsible for communicating with parents or caregivers when students experience certain risks or challenges. For example, if a child is going through a mental health challenge, the counselor may guide the parents in supporting the child through it at home. They may also report challenges at school, such as low grades, skipping classes, or difficulty fitting in with peers. 

Counselors may not report specific details to parents, such as what a child confided in them during counseling sessions. However, if a child is at risk of harm to themselves or others, counselors may be legally required to report this information. In addition, the counselor may schedule meetings for the caregivers to attend with the child so that everyone can come up with solutions together. 

Facilitate 504s and IEPs

Two government-sponsored plans for students can allow students to receive accommodations for a disability. 504 plans are usually implemented for students who might benefit from class accommodations. For example, a 504 plan might state that students can have more time on tests or take tests in an alternate location. Although counselors are not necessarily the only ones who work on these plans, they may help implement them and advocate for the student when discussing possible accommodations.

 Individual education plans (IEPs) tend to be more intensive, and their purpose is usually to support children in special education and those who might benefit from a complete case management team at school to succeed. Counselors can attend meetings for IEPs to discuss student functioning and how accommodations might benefit the child. Some children might also join mental health groups offered by a school psychologist to have other children to talk to about their challenges and help them lead fulfilling lives. 

How parents and caregivers can use school counseling services 

Some students may not know anything about their school counselor beyond what they hear in the morning announcements or read on signs outside the counselor’s office. It can be crucial for parents and counselors to work together, as both are often in pursuit of the student's well-being. It may be helpful to call, email, or have meetings with your child’s counselor if you are having difficulty at home or want to work together to set up a better system at school for your child to succeed. Below are a few ways counselors and parents can work together: 

• Establish accommodations for a child with a disability.

• Discuss topics at home that may be impacting the child’s academic performance.

• Develop interventions for children in crisis.

• Help a child transition into a new school environment or class.

• Discuss disagreements in how the child is being taught.

• Find resources available in the school and on a community level for parents, children, and families.

Being involved in your child’s schooling by working with counselors can show your child you are present and care that they achieve success in school. However, try to give them some space to help them feel safe talking to their counselor about challenges they may face. 

How to celebrate National School Counselor Week 

National School Counseling Week can drive awareness of the importance of school counselors. To celebrate this week, consider the following: 

• Send your child's school counselor a thank you letter or card. 

• Spread posts about National School Counselor Week on social media channels with the hashtag #NSCW or #NSCW24. 

• Purchase an appropriate book for your counselor’s library. 

• Go shopping with your child for a small gift for their counselor to thank them. 

• Give a compliment and show gratitude. 

• Recommend that your school district or school celebrate National School Counselor Week with projects, an assembly, or other events. 

For more ideas, promotional materials, and information regarding National School Counseling Week, you can also check out the American School Counselor Association website.

Support options 

Parenting can be challenging, and children aren’t the only ones who may benefit from talking to a counselor. Parents may receive support with difficult emotions, thoughts, and behaviors by speaking to a parenting counselor. If you are too busy to attend in-person appointments, you can also try online counseling through a platform like BetterHelp for adults or TeenCounseling for those aged 13 to 19. 

Benefits of online therapy

With online therapy, you can sign up and get matched with a therapist, often within 48 hours. In addition, you can choose an appointment time that works for you, even if that’s outside of standard business hours. This flexibility can be essential for parents, allowing them to take breaks to care for themselves. 

Effectiveness of online therapy

Studies show online mental health interventions can be highly effective. Internet-based therapy can be more effective in symptom reduction and increasing the quality of life for clients than in-office therapy. In addition, it may be more affordable for those on a budget.