A counselor can help you deal with the sadness when someone has died as well as advise you on taking the right classes to get into your dream college. It takes a lot of training to be a school counselor. Most not only have college degrees but also master's degrees, as well as special training and certification in counseling. One of the many good things about school counselors is that they are up-to-date on all the top things that affect students, including any trends that might affect your school.
School counselors can give you all sorts of tips and support on solving problems and making good decisions. Chances are that whatever problem you have, your counselor has seen it before — and has lots of good advice on how to help you work through it.
Counselors can give you tips on standing up for yourself if you're being bullied, managing stress, talking to your parents, and dealing with anger and other difficult moods. Counselors also can advise you on problems you may have with a teacher, such as communication difficulties or questions over grades.
School counselors are plugged in to the rest of the school community and, in many cases, the outside community as well. So they can refer students to outside resources like substance abuse treatment centers, professional therapists, and even health clinics.
It can help to know the different types of support your counselor offers — even if you don't think you need it now. Some schools and school districts use their websites to explain what the counselor does and how to get a counseling appointment. You may find their services listed under headings like "student resources," "student services," or "student counseling.
Your school's website may also explain the roles of other school staff members who can help students with problems or school issues. Depending on the size of your school, these people may include school psychologists, tutors, college or career counselors, and school nurses. The counselor's role varies from school to school and district to district, so don't assume your counselor provides the same services as the counselor in a friend's school. You may have been assigned a counselor when you started the school year.
Or your school may leave it up to you to go to the counseling office on your own. A counselor might also visit your class to talk about certain subjects and let you know when he or she is available. In some schools, teachers or school nurses refer students to counselors if they think there's something the student needs to work through.
Different schools have different policies on putting students in touch with counselors. Your school's website, administrator's office, or a trusted teacher can also tell you how to contact the counselor for an appointment. In many schools, there's a guidance secretary who coordinates appointments. Many counselors are willing to meet with students at times that fit into the student's schedule — such as before or after school or during lunch. It's probably a good idea to visit your counselor and get to know him or her even if you don't have a problem.
This helps you feel comfortable with the counselor in case you ever do need to meet in a time of crisis. It's usually easier to talk about a tough issue or a problem when you already feel comfortable with the counselor. Meeting your counselor when you're not in the middle of a crisis also gives you a chance to discuss such issues as what the counselor will keep confidential and how he or she works with a student to resolve a problem.
Counselors meet with students individually or in small groups. The most common setting for most students is a private meeting just between the student and the counselor. If you're seeing the counselor to discuss college admissions, it could be helpful for them to see your prospective college's application guidelines or highlight specific steps in the application process you haven't understood.
Part 2. Explain your problem as clearly and honestly as possible. Don't hold out on information that could help your counselor. The counselor will listen and offer either individual counseling or group counseling, or a combination of the two.
If you don't know what the source of your problem is school-related, family-related, personal , give your counselor a bigger picture of your life and they will help you figure out what it might be linked to. Don't feel guilty if you don't open up on everything on the first appointment. However, remember that the objective is to establish a relationship with your counselor based on mutual trust. A counselor will speak to you frankly and expect you to be just as upfront in expressing all of your concerns.
Listen to your counselor's advice. Depending on what your questions are about, it may be helpful for you to carry something to take notes on. For example, college application can be a very elaborate process and you want to make sure you don't miss or forget any point and step you need to take. Tell your counselor you don't think their suggestion could work and explain why. Feel free to suggest other courses of action and discuss them.
Be prepared for complex solutions. Counselors are not magicians who can solve any problem with the touch of a wand. Their job is to listen to you carefully, help you cope with a problem and find a solution, not give you ready-made solutions. This won't always be easy and will first of all demand your cooperation and active involvement. For example, if someone bullies you, your counselor won't make this person magically disappear from your life.
They will discuss the problem with you and suggest some strategies on how to deal with this person. Or, they might approach the bully themselves, a teacher or even your parents if you think that would help. Thank your counselor after each session. Although helping you is the counselor's job, it's polite to show appreciation for their time and advice. Expressing your gratitude will build a stronger bond between you and your counselor.
Being nice to your counselor can also help you in your long-term goals. Part 3. Check if the nature of your problem is academic. Counselors are trained to help you cope with any problem related to your school performance and provide guidance on study methods.
Academic problems include: improving your study skills having troubles with some subjects not knowing how to deal with a demanding teacher being unable to keep up with your homework having difficulties in reconciling schoolwork and leisure.
Consider whether you need help with a school or college application process. Counselors' original job was to advise students on how to best deal with admission procedures and increase their chances of success. Although their area of expertise is now much broader, this is still one of their main roles. Prepare clear questions like: What classes do I have to take to enter college? Do I have to take admission tests, and how can I prepare for them?
Are there any college handbooks that I can browse to help me make a decision? Can I get in touch with former students who are now attending my prospective college? What else can I do to prepare for college? Ask yourself whether your problem is of a more personal nature. Remember that school-related or career-related problems, like not succeeding or having no idea what to do at college, could also be linked to personal problems and can better be solved if you address them at the source.
Social or personal problems that your counselor can advise you on include: being bullied by a schoolmate having trouble making friends in a new school lack of confidence family issues affecting your school life for example your parents' divorce concerns of a friend being abused.
Seek external help if needed. School counselors will do their best to help you on a wide range of issues. However, sometimes it's best to consult someone outside school, like a therapist, doctor or social worker, if your problem is not related to school or could be better solved by someone else. Things are constantly happening during the school day: fights, rumors, nerve-racking exams, and stress from home.
Take advantage of being able to walk down the hallway and have a quick vent session! What we actually do is present the options you have in front of you and help you reach a decision by considering each one. Besides helping you weigh your options, we also just let you talk — about anything. Therapy gives you the freedom to make better-informed decisions, which is a valuable skill for your later years.
The answer is no. However, therapists will tell you about times where they have to breach confidentiality. This happens when your safety is in jeopardy e.
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