The main purpose of this article, "Bringing Mental Health needs into focus through School Counseling Program Transformation” was to explained how a transformation of a program in a school setting can help tremendously the overall well-being of students. This transformation was done with the collaboration and effort of school counselors, administration, and teachers. This article focus on the need for school counselors to be involved more into the mental health problems of the students, rather than being so overwhelmed with managing testing, clerical tasks, and tracking credits (Gruman, Marston, & Koon, 2013). The first main point this article wanted to explain to the reader was the link between students’ psychological concerns and the students’ ability to succeed academically in school. In addition, to point out the difficulties that school counselors experienced to help students with high risk mental problems. For example, due to the limited time that a school counselor has to actually use to the fullest his or her counseling skills in a school setting, the school counselor may face difficulties identifying students’ mental health problems (Gruman, et al., 2013). The main purpose of this article was to explain the importance of the elements that were used to transform the school program, and how incorporating counseling interventions in a school setting helps the students academically and their overall well-being. One important element of this transformation was the Navigation 101 guidance program, which is a program where teachers, administration, school counselors, and parents had access to input and track the student status. This program with the help of those who worked and care for students help t... ... middle of paper ... ... lost when it comes to school counseling duties, school systems, or programs that are allow to used in a school setting, but this article gave me a understanding of how programs can help school counselors on assisting students' needs. I believe that school counselors should advocate for their profession, even if it is hard to get support from administration that only believe that old ways should stay and no changes should be done. I truly believe that changes are beneficial because everything is evolving around you, so you must keep up to be updated. References Gruman, D. H., Marston, T., & Koon, H. (2013). Bringing Mental Health needs into focus through School Counseling Program Transformation. Professional School Counseling, 16(5), 333-341. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=91853456&site=ehost-live
It is my goal to become a school counselor in a local high school. As a school counselor, it is also important to try and understand the different experiences that children go through in order to get through to them. After studying the different counseling theories, I have discovered that each theory is valid and there are ideas and techniques that I would use out of each of them. However, there are some theories more than others that I would use to guide me daily as a school counselor. Modern day counseling is equipped with a wide variety of therapies, techniques and approaches. The purpose of this essay is to compare and contrast three approaches of therapy. Also in this essay the views of the person and the Therapeutic process will be discussed. The three models that are going to be compared are Adlerian, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Solution Focused Brief therapy (SFBT). This essay is going to highlight the similarities and differences of the models and their main focus, and how the three models will help the clients choose goals that best fit their environment and resources. The main goal of using these models is to help people.
The responsibilities of a professional school counselor are to design and deliver comprehensive programs to promote student achievement. The guidelines
This seems particularly relevant to the role of the school counsellor as it recognises a child does not exist in isolation and the inclusion of teachers and parents, and potentially other health care workers, in Mary’s counselling process is beneficial in achieving the best possible outcomes for her (Horne, 2013). Further, Pearce, Sewell, and Cromarty (2015) state that in order to be an effective counselling service within an educational setting, the counsellor needs to be approachable, adaptable, and sensitive to systemic complexities of this setting. That is, the role of a counsellor within an educational setting creates a unique set of challenges. For example, the therapist may find that their goals for Mary do not necessarily align with the school’s expectations. Learning to communicate with staff in a professional manner that is respectful of the school setting is vital as it allows for the negotiation of differing needs and requirements of the two environments (Ray, 2010). Further, initiatives about mental health need to be integrated into the school curriculum as a means of increasing community understanding and reducing stigma (Baker, 2017). Without this, students may not be aware when their mental health is deteriorating or feel shamed when seeking help (Ray, 2010). Including mental
Texas Counseling Association. (2004). A model comprehensive, developmental guidance and counseling program for Texas public schools: A guide for program development Pre-K-12th grade. Austin, TX. Retrieved from https://courses.letu.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-2687557-dt-content-rid-3559846_4/institution/SGPS_Curriculum/Course%20Materials/MEDU5593/OL-7-1.0/Texas%20Counseling%20Program%20Guide.pdf
Hess, R. S., Magnuson, S., & Beeler. L. (2012). Counseling children and adolescents in schools. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.
Whiston, S. C., Tai, W. L., Rahardja, D., & Eder, K. (2009, May 27). School Counseling Outcome: A Meta-Analytic Examination of Interventions. Lamar Library Database. Retrieved June 8, 2014, from http://web.b.ebscohost.com.libproxy.lamar.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=bf1a795d-657c-406a-83fc-99831939c79c%40sessionmgr113&vid=5&hi
I have seen that The Masters of School Counseling degree provides students with a chance to learn more about their inner selves and abilities. Not only will this program prepare me for life beyond the classroom, but it will also provide me with the opportunity to offer the needed support to the students with whom I will be working. When students develop a positive and trustworthy relationship with a School Counselor, there is no limit to the things that they can accomplish. School systems shouldn’t just teach content knowledge, they should also offer real world experience. Sharing simple things about our lives can be used as a tool when teaching. I feel that students can overcome obstacles they have experienced in their lives and begin to find many successes that encourage them to be the best that they can be. One of the biggest ways I think children find success is when their curiosity creates creativity “getting the wheels turning”. During my undergraduate program at Piedmont College, I observed in many classes in which it was clear the students had a variety of abilities and skills. While observing techniques that the teachers utilized I learned that there is a great deal of strategy involved in teaching, mentoring and guiding
“Competent school counselors are cognizant of the research on interventions for specific problems, this enables them to use the most effective interventions to address certain populations within their comprehensive school counseling programs” (Connolly & Green, 2009). However, realistic expectations of the school counselors must also be set. Although it is important for school counselors to meet their own expectations in facilitating intervention programs in schools, not every child is as receptive to these programs. In terms of working with children of divorce, children divorce groups generally serve the purpose of diffusing children’s feelings and offer peer group support in the organic school setting (Sonnenshein-Schneider & Baird, 1980). It is vital for school counselors to provide each student with the necessary patience that is required in conjunction with each intervention program that it is facilitated. School counselors are not only expected to consult with the students who they are working with in terms of informing and debriefing, but to also consult with the parents and teachers of those particular students. Consultation is considered an integral element of a school counselor’s comprehensive, developmental program (Connolly & Green, 2009). Consultations further inform
Huss, S., Bryant., & Mulet, S. (2008). Managing the Quagmire of Counseling in s School, Bringin the Parents Onboard. Professional School of Counseling, 11(6), 362,367.
The Professional School Counselor and Student Mental Health. (2009, January). School Counselor. Retrieved April 19, 2014, from http://www.schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/PositionStatements/PS_StudentMentalHealth.pdf
I will soon be beginning my Field Studies; it is during this course that I hope to learn more about the school counselor’s role in administering tests along with utilizing counseling assessments with students. Assessments, including different forms of testing has been connected with the role of the counselor, however, they are not used solely for the purpose of gathering data, as it is also a valuable tool in measuring “human constructs as emotion, intelligence, personality, self-esteem and aptitude” (Naugle, p.32, 2009). Counselors use the information to “evaluate, define and diagnosis the client’s problem and implement effective treatment plans (Naugle, p.32, 2009)
School-linked mental health services are essential to a school’s ability to ensure a safe and healthy learning environment for all students, address classroom behavior and discipline, promote students’ academic success, prevent and respond to crisis, support students’ social-emotional needs, identify and respond to a serious mental health problem, and support and partner with at-risk families. Without all youth having access to school-linked mental health services their mental health needs remain unmet. Due to a lack of access to treatment resources and this could negatively affect students development as well as impact their ability to learn and be successful in school. By our group advocating on behalf of all youth for access to school-linked mental health services we are challenging social injustice in order promote equality in the school system.
At the beginning of the school year, the counselors had a scope and sequence they followed with the areas of; transitions, character and diversity, personal safety/wellness, and careers. The scope and sequence is modeled after the WCSCM’s Academic Standards for School Counseling covering the three domains of academic, personal/social, and career development. The standards help answer the question, “How are students different as a result of the school counseling program.” After each description of a lessons plans, was an explanation of each content standard which correlated with the lesson. While at my internships, I assisted with lesson planning and facilitating guidance lessons on careers, transitions or Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), as well as, groups on character development, new student groups, and diversity. The WCSCM is completely embedded in the counseling programs at both of the districts I worked
Individual academic development counseling culminates in the high school with career and post-secondary school planning in coordination to the students plan of study to reach college and career readiness by the time of graduation. The personal plan of study, at this level especially, must be reviewed and revised annually with the school counselor to ensure that it continues to provide direction towards the students’ academic and career goals. The student will work with the counselor in continuing to build upon their personal plan of study through the use of developing interests, skills, and values. School counselors in the high school should conduct individual meetings with students to encourage registering, and interpreting test results in
Thompson, Rosemary. School Counseling Renewal: Strategies for the Twenty-first Century. Muncie: Accelerated Development Inc., 1992.