From Guidance to School Counseling: New Models in School Mental Health

Abstract

A variety of professionals work in conjunction with one another to encourage the successful academic and personal development of students within an educational environment. Teachers, principals, and school counselors work collaboratively to support the student body and encourage the personal achievement of those with whom they work. The role of the school counselor, however, has changed considerably between the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. As student needs began to change over time, the responsibilities and roles of the school counselor have also shifted to address them. The expansion of the school counselor’s role does not just include a new focus on social and supportive counseling, but also encompasses a new responsiveness to student issues. Former models of counseling within the school environment often involved a “quick fix” mentality, meaning that students’ needs were addressed expeditiously so they could promptly return to the classroom setting.