Counseling as a Related Service for Students with Emotional or Behavioral Disorders: Issues and Recommendations

Abstract

The related services component of the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) has been one of the most difficult requirements in providing a free appropriate public education (FAPE) for students with disabilities, and it continues to be a persistent challenge with considerable legal precedent. A related service that is receiving increasing attention for students with emotional or behavioral disorders (EBD) is counseling. Counseling services are defined as services provided by qualified social workers, psychologists, guidance counselors, or other qualified personnel. The purposes of this article are to examine the controversial provision of counseling as a related service and provide recommendations for improved practice. To accomplish these goals, we will first delineate the type of service options and personnel who may provide counseling under the related services clause of IDEA. Second, we will examine the legal mandates of IDEA involving counseling as a related service. Finally, we will provide recommendations to schools for providing counseling services to students with EBD being served under IDEA.