Social-Emotional

School Counselors play a vital role in the Social-Emotional development and needs of our students. It is our duty to ensure we are providing students with a safe space to learn, grow, and build positive trusting relationships. The focus on the social-emotional aspect of counseling is aimed towards guiding students to promote healthy mindsets and behaviors so that they can lead positive lives that set them up for growth and success in terms of personal development, academics, college, and career readiness.

Here are some helpful ASCA resources School Counselors can use to address and learn more about common Social-Emotional Counseling Topics and how to deal with them

Affirming Multiple Cultural Identities

School Counselors are expected to be culturally competent. It is essential that counselors are informed and embrace multiculturalism and diversity. Counselors must use interventions based on the knowledge that all students experience and think differently based on cultural factors, race, gender, sexuality, religion, socioeconomic status.

Managing Stress

School Counselors must ensure their students are able to manage stress and cope with stressful situations. It is our job to ensure that students are practicing self-care and engaging in healthy behaviors. Stress management and self-care can include informing our students about the importance of sleep, exercise, eating well, teaching appropriate coping behaviors, breathing methods & guided imagery. Stress management and self-care is also essential for counselors to practice themselves to ensure they do not become unsatisfied with their role due to feeling over worked and become a victim of burnout.

Signs of Addiction

School Counselors play a vital role in preventing negative behaviors in students. Drug and alcohol use is a common cause of death in teens. Counselors must be able to identify signs and provide knowledge to students on the effects of drug and alcohol use leading to addictive and dangerous outcomes and for students at risk counselors must provide resources and intervene accordingly.

Anti-bullying and Anti-violence

Bullying and violence can prevent and threaten students physical and emotional safety and can impact them negatively in a variety of ways. Bullying can come in many forms and it is a School Counselors duty to familiarize themselves with all forms that can take place and recognize when its occurring. School Counselors need to place emphasis on no-tolerance for bullying and violence to ensure students have a safe space to learn by teaching students the affects that bullying and violence can have on others and themselves. School Counselors must also be able to handle and identify situations where students are getting bullied and be able to take appropriate action in ensuring students aren't at risk.

Anxiety/Depression/PTSD

School Counselors should hold mental health to the upmost importance. If Students are experiencing anxiety, depression, and signs of trauma it is essential that we provide the appropriate resources and guidance students need to cope in attempt to alleviate these symptoms. Anxiety, depression, and trauma caused by events can have a large impact on student performance and everyday life. It is essential that counselors know the signs, precautions, and protocol they must take to ensure students are safe and on their way to positive and healthy mindsets and behaviors.

Healthy Relationships/Friendships

The Social-emotional aspect of counseling focuses on the importance of building a strong relationship with oneself and with others. School Counselors must advocate for students to engage in healthy relationships and friendships that they benefit from. It is our job to ensure students are not staying in toxic relationships and friendships that can lead to negative outcomes. We must be mediators and advocates for students to engage themselves socially with individuals who enhance their day to day lives.

Sexuality/LGBTQ+ youth

Skilled and competent School Counselors are trained in working with LGBTQ+ youth and understand appropriate language and pronouns when speaking with these students. School counselors play a vital role in having a safe space for students in the LGBTQ+ community and being a positive force in which these students can ensure you are open and accepting. School counselors must promote healthy relationships for all students regardless of preference with the main goal of having all students engaging in safe practices in all aspects of their relationships.

Cyber-Safety and Cyber-security of data and device

In the age of technology it is easy for students to engage in negative behaviors behind the screens. It is important that School Counselors update themselves on technology and understand how it works. Counselors must teach their students the importance of the internet and what should and shouldn't be put there. This includes personal/private information, pictures, text messages and posts. Students should be informed what they put on the internet can be seen by colleges and jobs. Also that if they put their location or personal information they can put themselves in danger.

Immigration Support

School Counselors work with students from all diverse backgrounds and it is essential that school counselors learn, and understand how to work with children who come from immigrant families. School Counselors must stay up to date with all policies and practices and be aware or the resources and needs of these students and families. We must provide a safe space and always make students aware that they are welcome in our school community.