What does the School Counselor Do?
The profession of school counseling has evolved a lot in recent years. According to the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), a school counseling program is "comprehensive in scope, preventative in design, and developmental in nature." At Ephesus, the school counselor works with all parents, staff, and students to design programming that positively impacts the personal/social, career, and academic development of ALL students within the American School Counselor Association's National Model. This is done in several ways:
Classroom Lessons
The counselor is regularly in the classroom to provide lessons on a variety of topics pertinent to our school and students, such as bullying, character development, and internet safety. Lessons are developmentally appropriate and align with the North Carolina Essential Standards for Guidance and the American School Counselor Association's Standards for Students.
Counseling Groups
Counseling Groups are held on a regular basis on a variety of topics, such as study skills, conflict resolution, friendship, divorce, or grief/loss. Topics are chosen based on a school needs assessment. Teachers are regularly approached for referrals for counseling groups. Parents are always welcome to recommend their child for a particular group.
Individual Counseling
Students can meet with the counselor for an individual session to discuss goal setting, academic concerns, social/personal issues, or to celebrate and share an accomplishment. Individual counseling is short term, solution-focused, and is not the same as psychotherapy. Referrals for an individual session can come from staff, parents, or students.
Check out this short video describing a comprehensive school counseling program here
For additional information, visit the FAQ section.
Classroom Lessons
The counselor is regularly in the classroom to provide lessons on a variety of topics pertinent to our school and students, such as bullying, character development, and internet safety. Lessons are developmentally appropriate and align with the North Carolina Essential Standards for Guidance and the American School Counselor Association's Standards for Students.
Counseling Groups
Counseling Groups are held on a regular basis on a variety of topics, such as study skills, conflict resolution, friendship, divorce, or grief/loss. Topics are chosen based on a school needs assessment. Teachers are regularly approached for referrals for counseling groups. Parents are always welcome to recommend their child for a particular group.
Individual Counseling
Students can meet with the counselor for an individual session to discuss goal setting, academic concerns, social/personal issues, or to celebrate and share an accomplishment. Individual counseling is short term, solution-focused, and is not the same as psychotherapy. Referrals for an individual session can come from staff, parents, or students.
Check out this short video describing a comprehensive school counseling program here
For additional information, visit the FAQ section.