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Theory of School Counseling

Professional school counselors assume multiple responsibilities throughout their career,


and the carrying out of duties that align with the ASCA (American School Counselor
Association) National Model is central to school counselors professional role. First and
foremost, I believe that the primary role of a professional school counselor is to support students
and promote their holistic development to make certain that they perform at their optimal level
across various aspects of their life. In order to support students, it is imperative that school
counselors establish and maintain rapport with students throughout the counseling process
because the quality of the relationship between the student and the school counselor determines
the successfulness of the intervention. Therefore, good student-counselor relationships yield
favorable counseling outcomes. It is also equally important that school counselors remain
genuine and empathetic toward students; students receptiveness to support and assistance
depends on school counselors attitudes and demeanor. And finally, acting in students best
interests is the chief professional responsibility of a school counselor. Counseling strategies and
techniques are to be centered around the students individually and to be uniquely developed
based on their individual differences, preferences, conduct, aspirations, circumstances, and so
forth. Upholding the aforementioned professional tasks is key to supporting students and
facilitating their overall development growth, which will subsequently enable them to achieve
their maximum potential.
In addition, professional school counselors serve as leaders and advocates in the school
community; they voice and address the concerns and issues raised by students, their parents or
guardians, teachers, and members of their community. In collaboration with stakeholders, they
strive to eliminate potential or existing factors and barriers that may prevent students from

demonstrating their true abilities and to ascertain students, parents or guardians, faculty
members satisfaction with the school system and culture. I believe school counselors play a
significant role as advocates; to combat inequity, they question and challenge school rules and
regulations that contribute to achievement gaps, limit student access to educational resources,
and allow for unequal opportunities for underrepresented students. Furthermore, they collect
qualitative and quantitative data to draw an informative picture of academic trends and gaps, and
identify and target barriers that obstruct students passage to success. And in effort to create an
enriching learning environment for the entire student body, school counselors actively push for
improvement in school policies and for positive change in school climate and culture. As
advocates, school counselors make a profound difference in students lives by ensuring they are
successful in their academic, personal/social, and career development.

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