What does a School Counsellor do?
ISD counsellors are an important part of the Pastoral Care system that we have in place to support our students and families. We work within the framework of four major components to deliver a comprehensive school counselling program:
The Guidance Curriculum consists of structured developmental lessons designed to assist students in achieving the desired competencies and to provide all students with the knowledge and skills appropriate for their developmental level. The guidance curriculum is infused throughout the IB PYP and MYP curriculum and is presented through classroom and group activities. In grades 6-10, much of this is accomplished through Life Skills classes.
The Individual Student Planning component provides all students an opportunity to work closely with their parents or guardians to plan, monitor and understand their growth and development to take action on their next steps personally, educationally and occupationally. School counsellors coordinate ongoing activities designed to assist students individually in establishing personal goals and developing future plans.
The Responsive Services component responds to the direct, immediate concerns of students usually necessitated by life events or situations and conditions in the students’ lives. These needs require, but are not limited to, individual counselling, crisis counselling, referrals or consultations with parents or guardians, teachers, other in-school specialists and/or outside therapeutic support. To facilitate the school counselling process, school counsellors use theories and techniques including developmental, cognitive-behavioural, person-centred (Rogerian) listening and influencing skills, systemic, family, multicultural, narrative, brief and play therapy. Some typical issues school counsellors help students to handle include:
The System Support component enables the school counselling process to be effective through leadership and advocacy, consultation, collaboration and teaming within the ISD Pastoral Care system, program management and professional development to enhance the total counselling program. This component also provides appropriate support to other programs in the school.
*Edited from “The International Model for School Counselling Programs”, p. 14
*Edited from “The Role of the School Counsellor”
The Guidance Curriculum consists of structured developmental lessons designed to assist students in achieving the desired competencies and to provide all students with the knowledge and skills appropriate for their developmental level. The guidance curriculum is infused throughout the IB PYP and MYP curriculum and is presented through classroom and group activities. In grades 6-10, much of this is accomplished through Life Skills classes.
The Individual Student Planning component provides all students an opportunity to work closely with their parents or guardians to plan, monitor and understand their growth and development to take action on their next steps personally, educationally and occupationally. School counsellors coordinate ongoing activities designed to assist students individually in establishing personal goals and developing future plans.
The Responsive Services component responds to the direct, immediate concerns of students usually necessitated by life events or situations and conditions in the students’ lives. These needs require, but are not limited to, individual counselling, crisis counselling, referrals or consultations with parents or guardians, teachers, other in-school specialists and/or outside therapeutic support. To facilitate the school counselling process, school counsellors use theories and techniques including developmental, cognitive-behavioural, person-centred (Rogerian) listening and influencing skills, systemic, family, multicultural, narrative, brief and play therapy. Some typical issues school counsellors help students to handle include:
- Transitions (new students / departing students)
- Friendships and peer relationships
- Stress management
- Time management and organization
- Bullying
- Self-esteem
- Social development
- Family issues
- Substance use and misuse
- Behavioural issues
- Conflict management
- Bereavement and grief
- Problem-solving and responsible decision-making
- Career and university planning
The System Support component enables the school counselling process to be effective through leadership and advocacy, consultation, collaboration and teaming within the ISD Pastoral Care system, program management and professional development to enhance the total counselling program. This component also provides appropriate support to other programs in the school.
*Edited from “The International Model for School Counselling Programs”, p. 14
*Edited from “The Role of the School Counsellor”