Guidance counselors: solace or punishment?
Last week one of my teachers raised a topic that brought up some difficult questions: He reminded us that if he knew a student was cutting him or herself, he was legally required to report them to a higher authority. He expressed his own contradicting feelings on this issue, which prompted an extremely emotional class conversation. In general, my classmates understood the reasoning behind the rule; school authorities have a responsibility to keep young people safe. But teachers are not necessarily trained in dealing with serious issues, like cutting, that may be life-threatening to the student and surely signal deeper troubles. However, many students were extremely opposed to the idea of being sent by a teacher to the guidance counselor against their will. Though there are wonderful exceptions, I have heard from students in many different schools that going to “their” guidance counselor is something they generally seek to avoid.
I think one of the biggest problems is that guidance counselors in many schools do not know their students on a personal level. Big schools and low budgets make it hard to get enough personal attention to every student. I believe in the idea of a small-group advisory period each week, led by counselors, who would have the chance to get to know students and build relationships over time, before a crisis. Additionally, individual meetings should be arranged at some point so every student can meet their guidance counselor.
I know there are some really great guidance counselors out there, and I respect their efforts and their important role in students’ lives. However, many schools need to find a way for counselors to become more involved with their students — not on a disciplinary level, but on a personal one — and really provide the ’safe space’ students need.
Subscribe to 
I agree that it would be ideal if guidance counselors had the opportunity to establish a more intimate, supportive and trusting relationship with students. What I have seen, however, is that most schools (at least in high needs neighborhoods) don’t have enough guidance staff to work with most of their students in a more therapeutic way. Often, guidance counselors are saddled with numerous responsibilities that used to fall outside the realm of guidance due to the severe cuts to schools budgets.
I have collaborated with some outstanding, smart, clinically savvy guidance counselors who simply are not permitted to provide the clinical support that they could. Some guidance counselors don’t even have a private space in which to counsel students. Why would a student want to delve into why they’re cutting him/herself with other staff in the office or other kids coming in and out?
I think there are multiple ways to address this including alleviating overcrowding in schools (leaving counselors with manageable numbers of students), re-examining the roles of guidance counselors and their assigned tasks, and tackling the stigma of seeking mental health support that is prevalent in many cultures.
Also, I think sometimes teachers and staff perpetuate the myth that something is “wrong” with a student who “has to see a guidance counselor”. Time and again I hear from students who say that a teacher or dean made a derogatory comment after they disclosed that they were going to meet with a counselor (guidance, therapist, etc.).
I think you’re on point in saying that weekly, small group advisory periods may be useful, but how can 2 guidance counselors responsible for perhaps 600 students manage that along with their other duties? A counselor managing such a case load would have to dedicate their entire work week to just advisory groups.
Comment by Bronx mom — April 24, 2009 @ 12:53 am
I do think Bronx mom is correct in saying that one of the most major problems is just resources. If each guidance counselor had less students they were responsible for, they could form relationships with each child and have more interaction time. It really is just a budgeting issue.
On the other side, it also is up to the students to seek out any guidance if they need. Besides when students are looking to change their schedules, the guidance suite at my school is normally very empty. I spend time talking not only to my assigned counselor, but a few others, and have no problem in getting to them.
There should be more effort to reach out to students from the guidance counselors, but without any resources, for now at least, I think students need to step up if they need any help or someone to talk to.
Comment by A Student — June 7, 2009 @ 12:48 pm