23rd September 2021

Counseling has been extensively used to guide and support students toward new insights. Counseling learners is not an easy task as it requires a lot of training and knowledge. However, there are certain errors that must be sidestepped to run a successful school counseling program.

So, how do you find your way through various challenges as a school counselor?

To save yourself from some challenges, here we have shared some tips to help you avoid a school counselor outlandish. 

1. Student Information Sharing

As a skilled school counsellor, you cannot release secret information to the wrong individual or release data about a student without the parent's permission. According to rubrics, you may release info to the following parties without written accord from the parents or guardians:
 

• Other schools to which a learner is transferring
• School officers with genuine educational awareness
• Definite officials for audit or evaluation purposes
• Apt parties in connection with fiscal support to a student
• Establishments conducting firm studies for or on behalf of the school
• To obey a judicial order or legally issued order
• Proper officials in cases of health and safety crises
• State and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to specific State law

Nevertheless, schools also do have the right to reveal directory information like student name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, honors, and dates of attendance. But parents have the right to appeal that the not to disclose (something is missing) directory info about them which should be reserved in the student data system.

2. Suicidal Threats

Needless to say, bullying is one of the most common problems counselors face but suicidal threats can be the creepiest. Various students will say they have not supposed of hurting themselves even if they have, because they are humiliated or embarrassed. Overlooking this issue is another mistake that counsellors sometimes do, not intentionally though, but it happened a lot of times, expert says!

Suicidal coercions are not to be brushed off or taken casually. School counselors must create accurate treatment goals and develop a network of conceivable resources to ensure the student’s protection.
 

Watch this video to learn more about the ‘Role of a School Counsellor’.

3. Child Exploitation

As a school counsellor, you can report when you -
 

• Have a complete duty to report
• Have a responsibility to report within 48 hours
• Are dwindling as good faith reporting is expected
• Understand that there is not a statute of limits on child abuse reporting

Also, don’t be amazed to learn that schoolchildren often come to you with a question about alcohol or other drugs. There are generally different programs put in place by the schools to deal with substance abuse, but it’s your job to see that learners do follow this command.

4. It’s Fine to Say No

Sometimes, It’s Ok to Say No! Generally, numerous new counselors want to gratify everyone. It’s one of the most common novice counselor faults.  Even further into your career, you might find yourself in this condition again. Therefore, just say “no” when you feel it’s just a little too much to handle.  Recognize your boundaries and stick to them!

5. Rapport Building

Counseling often encompasses sharing deeply personal as well as distressing information. It takes a lot of time for a student to feel safe enough to open up to you, chiefly when they have trust problems to start with.

Effective counseling means that a skilled counselor does not make the error of jumping in too rapidly. Instead, try to build relationship early on by taking satisfactory time to establish confidence.

A huge number of students undergo mental health counseling each year worldwide. The related skills to avoid these crucial errors are broad and fall into different types such as rapport building, privacy, child exploitation and so on. These can be learned with the online counselling course for teachers program. By distinguishing the importance of these perceptions, counselors can avoid various mistakes by being well equipped to support their students in achieving eloquent beneficial results.

Written By: Rimpa Ghosh