When working with young children and adolescents as a school counselor, it's important to be competent in learning about the development characteristics in order to get a better sense of who they are as individuals. When being knowledgeable about young children and adolescents developmental characteristics, it important to use that along with the problems that students are going through to use the best strategies and counseling interventions (Hess, Magnusion, Beeler, & 2011). The first reason why a professional school counselor must be knowledgeable about development when working with young children and adolescents is due to how they develop and function physically. For instance, the physical changes that a sixteen year old will go through …show more content…
As a school counselor, they must find ways to help those students who are dealing with body image issues by giving them important skills or exercises to practice so they can be able to gain the confidence that they need. The second reason why a professional school counselor working with young children and adolescents needs to be knowledgeable about development is to know how they think. For instance, Vernon mentions that school counselors must be competent in knowing that kids in middle childhood are concrete operational thinkers and they have the "ability to think logically and see possibilities" (Vernon, 2009, p. 14). Also, school counselors should keep in mind that when working with young children and adolescents who's thinking is preoperational, concrete, or formal operational, they must use how the way they think in their counseling sessions in order to better assist them when trying to help with any problems that they're …show more content…
School counselors should be mindful that children in early childhood tend to have a egocentric of who they are thinking that others have the same perspective as them, while entering into middle childhood, they begin to compare themselves to other kids and feel down which causes them to have low self-esteem. Counselors also need to be mindful that when they are in their teens, they're trying to figure out who they are and also tend to worry about how other people see them which is also known as the imaginary audience (Vernon, 2009). In order for school counselors to help young children and adolescents with how they see themselves as a person, they must help come up with solutions on how to gain better self-awareness skills along with practicing blocking out how others view them. The fourth reason why school counselors should be knowledgeable about development is to see how young children and adolescents are being social along with dealing with emotions. In early and middle childhood, children begin to understand their emotions and express how they feel to others. As for adolescents, they are more likely to hide their emotions from others and towards the end of adolescence they're able to communicate with others about how they feel. When it comes to being socializing, some young children and adolescents are able to
In this research paper there will be a discussion on how effective school counseling programs are in school. The reason this topic is being researched is because questions have come up asking whether or not school counseling programs are helping the students and what is the role of the school counselor. According to the American School Counseling Association (ASCA) ?A Comprehensive school counseling program is, driven by student data and based on standards in academic, career and personal/social
This paper will provide a brief historical view of the counseling profession. In addition, it will focus on the importance of the philosophies of wellness, resilience, and prevention. Furthermore, it will identify the preferred counseling specialization and give a concise detail of how the profession was formed. Moreover, it will also discuss another counseling specialization that will go hand in hand with the preferred counseling specialization analyzing the case of a 12 year old female name Ashley. Hence, a brief discussion of the roles and functions of each professional will be given in details on how it would benefit Ashley and her family. Lastly, I will provide a brief example of how we would work as a team so that the end result will benefit each member of the family.
school counseling, making them qualified to tend to all students academic and career/personal, and social life needs by guiding and evaluating in a school program that promotes the success of every student. You can be an elementary, middle school, or high school counselor. I chose this carrier for my senior exit project because therapy has been a very big part of my entire life, but I want to also be able to be that person in high school that every student knows they can come to about anything. I want to be a mentor and guide kids and help them create the most successful high school career that they can have and also be there mentally and emotionally.
It is my desire to have involvement with students, parents, education professionals, community, and community agencies. As I move forward with learning the role and responsibilities of the professional school counselor, I am reminded of a quote by Carol Allen Simmons, “I want to lend a helping to show someone the way. I want my life to be an example as I go, cause I never pass this way again.” I will lead, learn and grow in the knowledge of this profession because I only have a short time to impact students with direction and care. As I advance on how to educate the whole student; I am attentive, motivated, and conscious of the huge responsible to education all.
Counselors are very dependent on the research of others. Counselors are among many who are responsible for producing evidence based practice. Counselors have a responsibility to be eager and capable of locating and using evidence based interventions. Research reports are used to help summarize the findings of different types of research in the counseling profession. The results of a research report should summarize the findings of the research. According to Sheperis, Young, and Daniels 2010, “it should be easy for the reader to connect the findings with the stated research questions and to determine whether the finding support or refute your hypothesis” (p.239). The following are two challenges that the counseling profession is faced with when it comes to outcome research: (1) producing sufficient volumes of evidence and (2) being able to find, interpret, and use the evidence from previous research. These challenges place a limit on the variety of interventions that are available to the counseling profession. One intervention that works for one child, might not produce the same results for another child. So it is very important that research provides information that is useful and effective. The lack of studies makes it more challenging to determine whether or not an intervention is an effective solution that will improve a student’s behavior or academics. “Ultimately, regardless of how effective a counselor may be, if the problems are not properly measured and assessed, intervention is disadvantaged and treatment is comprised” (Sheperis, Young, & Daniels, 2010, p. 3). In order to best serve clients we have to complete comprehensive research and use the results to the advantage of the client.
...and then peer approval, trying to be accepted in a group. Having strong counselors is a good foundation for a school; these educators are here to help promote academic success.
Middle school marks a very exciting, yet challenging time for many students, parents, and teachers. During this time period students are exploring their interests, moving deeply into their studies, taking on more responsibilities, and trying to find their personal identities. Most importantly, this is a time where students turn from their parents and seek advice and approval from their peers. Because many adolescents are emotionally sensitive and vulnerable during this stage of development, their heavy reliance on peers for acceptance and approval makes them more susceptible to emotional damage. For that reason, school counselors plays an essential role in the lives of their students. Gonkawon Strother and Sheree Leonard, middle school counselors at Thurgood Marshall Middle School in Temple Hills, Maryland understands the importance of their role. Gonkawon Strother, the primary counselor for sixth and seventh grade students, has been a counselor for five years. His colleague, Sheree Leonard, has been a professional school counselor for three years. Leonard primarily
As a school counselor, it is important to be knowledgeable about children and adolescents developmental level in order to choose the appropriate intervention. Vernon (2009) mentions in the text that "counselors must also consider developmental factors in conceptualizing problems, in designing or selecting age-appropriate assessment instruments, and in developing interventions that take into account the child's developmental capabilities" (p. 5). The effect that the developmental levels have on the choice of internvention is that it depends on children and adolescents situtation in terms of physical, cognitive, social and emotional factors. When it comes to those factors, School counselors need to be mindful that children and adolescents
American School Counselor Association. (2012). The ASCA National Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs, Third Edition. Alexandria, VA: Author.
Counselors are open-minded and do not pass judgment verbally or physically at anytime while assisting students. Prejudging minimizes responses from distressed or problematic students. Giving advice and assistance should not be based on counselors’ personal opinion. Good counselors will refrain from bias and therefore communicate effective skills to empower students. Counselor should become listeners, observers, and advisers.
I cannot recall a more rewarding experience than helping facilitate a child’s education while enabling parent participation alike. These experiences have drawn me to my current position as an Educational Assistant where I am constantly interacting and establishing relationships with students, learning about their goals and aspirations. It is that same desire to empower our future students that has steered me towards a career as a school counselor. By enrolling in the Masters in counseling program, I aspire to develop methods and experience to become an effective, experienced, and adaptable school counselor that promotes self-awareness, allowing students to realize their full potential and impetus them towards a promising future. I want to learn skills that facilitate personal and career development, ensuring that our students grow accomplishing their goals and ambitions. To discover techniques that help students improve in all areas of academic achievement, establishing relationships with students and parents alike. By becoming a school counselor, I am determined to become an advocate for underserved youth. I aim to become an effective agent educational reform, providing support for students in the various institutions that may disempower
Counselors have large shoes to fill. They not only administer assessments, but are also involved in group counseling, individual counseling, and have to plan and implement comprehensive school guidance programs. A counselor must know and be competent in all realms of their position. School counselors work with all children, including children with disabilities in various settings within the school (Villalba, Latus, Hamilton, & Kendrick (2005 p 449). As stated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), school counseling services must be made available to all students in special education programs as part of their right to a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) (Bowen & Glenn, 1998; Clark, 1998). School counselors are to take on this role in the educational and personal-social well being of students in special education programs. Federal law does require that children, who receive special education services, and do not display appropriate behavior have a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) team (Villalba, Latus, Hamilton, & Kendrick (2005) p 449). This team constructs a BIP. Since counselors should be active on the FBA team, there is a need here that must be addressed because this article defines a lack of knowledge present with practicing counselors. With that, counselors do receive relevant training throughout their program. There are only so many classes and hours of instruction that the pre-counselors receive. The curriculum that is generated encompasses what counselors need, but could their be a few gaps and missing pieces? This study was conducted to determine counselors awareness, knowledge, and role in the Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) process (Villalba, Latus, Hamilton, & Ken...
Within the individual psychology relationship the counselor has several roles that they hold. The counselor establishes an egalitarian relationship, working as teachers in their relationships. They model, teach, and assess areas of the client’s life such as how Ana grew up the middle child and her ways of responding and functioning. The counselor’s role is also to direct and encourage Ana, being warm and human, and admitting their own mistakes when necessary (Gladding, 2005; Murdock, 2013).
Youth counselors must be passionate about what they do; counseling is not a career that a person chooses because of the salary, but because they want to make a difference in the lives of others. They have to have the right intensions, or else it will reflect in the way they do their job and impact the community. Active listening skills and communication skills are a necessity when being a counselor because this career requires being sensitive to others’ needs and feelings. This understanding and respect for a client’s perspective and worldview is the foundation of building relationships not only with your clients, but also with the parents as well. Counselors must be able to give their undivided attention to what other people are saying, taking the time to understand the messages being conveyed, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting others. Another skill that is required is having self-control. Being able to maintain one’s composure, keeping emotions in check, having unbiased and nonjudgmental opinions, and avoiding aggressive behavior even in very difficult situations. These foundational and raw skills are vital, yet must be polished and interwoven with formal education and
Guidance counseling, also called school counseling, has evolved over the years into an important part of the education system. Counselors are now taking on new roles in schools as leaders so much so that the ways in which counseling is being implemented has become a much talked about topic in schools. The effectiveness of counseling in schools is looked at by the education system more frequently than it was in the past. Though all school counselors must follow a national model for counseling, the roles and functions of counselors at various levels in the school system are different, however, school counselors at all levels of education before college are generally effective despite implications.