The Essential Role of a School Counselor in Middle School
Middle school counselors are educators uniquely trained in child and adolescent development, learning strategies, self-management, and social skills. They implement a school counseling program to support students through this important developmental period. The school counseling program provides education, prevention, and intervention activities, which are integrated into all aspects of students’ lives. The program teaches students the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary for academic, career, and social/ emotional development.
Direct Student Services include:
- Instruction – teaching the school counseling curriculum to students
- Appraisal and advisement – assessing student abilities, interests, and achievements to help them make decisions about their future
- Counseling – provide short-term individual and group counseling services to students
Indirect Student Services:
- Consultation – share strategies supporting student achievement with parents, teachers, other educators, and community organizations
- Collaboration – work with other educators, parents, and the community to support student achievement
- Referrals – support for students and families to school or community resources for additional assistance and information
Topics Covered:
- Academics – classes, study skills, organization
- Social/Emotional Learning – self-esteem, positive self-image, friends, conflict management, family issues, bullying, harassment, drug and alcohol abuse, grief, abuse
- College and Career – college options, exploring careers, financial aid options
VISITS ARE CONFIDENTIAL
An important obligation of counselors is to maintain confidentiality with our students. This means that your records and the information received is safeguarded. The counselor is not required to disclose information that a student has shared, unless the information is necessary to protect the student from posing a serious harm to themselves or to others.
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Crisis Hotline: Call or text 988