This week, I want to take a break from my standard parenting content and have a conversation that is a little more personal to me. Even if you feel like this topic doesn’t directly relate to your parenting journey right now, I’d still love for you to stick around. And if you know a school counselor or if your child has one at their school, I’d love for you to share this with them—because this week is National School Counseling Week, and I want to take a moment to highlight the work that school counselors do every single day.
If you’re reading this on my Substack, you know I came prepared. I’m rocking my yellow school counselor hoodie. Teachers always get so much merch—so why not take a moment to celebrate the counselors too? In my previous district, I was the district counseling rep, and I worked alongside a small but mighty group of about 20 counselors. Last year, I even designed shirts for us to celebrate National School Counseling Week. It was a fun way to recognize the work we do, but here’s something interesting—and a little odd—about this week: unlike Teacher Appreciation Week, which is all about celebrating educators, National School Counseling Week is actually about advocating for our profession. Because school counseling is so misunderstood, we constantly have to explain and defend the role we play in supporting kids.
So today, I want to send a little love letter to all the school counselors out there. I’m going to share some of my favorite things about being a counselor, advocate for the role, let families know what they should be expecting from their school counselor, and address some of the common myths about the profession. My hope is that by the end of this, you’ll have a greater appreciation for what school counselors really do.
For 13 years, being a school counselor was a huge part of my identity. My master’s program was the first time I felt like everything truly clicked. I loved talking about mental health, connecting with people, and understanding what was happening underneath kids’ behaviors. I started out as a teacher, but I quickly realized that I didn’t just want to teach content—I wanted to talk with kids about what they were going through. School counseling brought that vision to life.
Basically, I wanted to do for kids what I wish would have happened for me, especially during those late elementary and middle school years.
The Misconception: School Counselors vs. Guidance Counselors
One of the biggest misconceptions about school counseling is the outdated term guidance counselor. If you are a school counselor, you know that hearing “guidance counselor” is like nails on a chalkboard. That’s because the role has evolved. The term guidance counselor refers to what many of us experienced growing up—someone primarily focused on scheduling and career planning, with little to no training in mental health. But school counselors? We are mental health professionals.
I actually followed both the clinical and school counseling track during my master’s program, and the only difference between them was about two courses that focused on diagnosing. Otherwise, school counselors receive the same mental health training as clinical counselors. And yet, I’ve often felt like school counselors are perceived as less qualified, as if we are just administrators handling logistics. That perception is a disservice to the work we do every single day.
What Do School Counselors Actually Do?
One of my favorite aspects of being a school counselor was having a caseload of students for three full years in middle school. You get to watch them grow from sixth graders to eighth graders, witnessing all the ways they change and develop. And because school counselors are embedded in the school environment, we have a unique perspective that clinical counselors simply don’t. Clinical counselors typically have a caseload of about 20 students, while school counselors have about 260 students each. And while clinical counselors often need to provide a diagnosis for insurance purposes, school counselors focus on academic, social, and emotional needs in a more flexible way.
School counselors support students through classroom lessons, small groups, and one-on-one meetings. We see kids on their best days, their worst days, and all the in-between moments. We know the dynamics of their friendships because we’re around their peers all day long. We see their struggles and their dreams. And we advocate for them within the school system—working with teachers, families, and administration to support the whole child.
Yet, because we aren’t tied to a bell schedule or a specific curriculum, our role can feel like a mystery. People don’t always see the day-to-day work we do, but trust me—it’s complex, demanding, and absolutely vital.
The Power of Check-Ins
Every year, I conducted a needs assessment with my students to determine what kind of support was needed. Out of 260 students, about 20% requested a one-on-one meeting with me. That number might seem overwhelming, but here’s the thing—most kids don’t need intensive therapy. They just need a check-in. A trusted adult who sees them, listens to them, and helps them process their emotions in the moment. And that’s where school counselors make a difference.
I’ve been there when a student was struggling just to walk into the building. I’ve helped students navigate panic attacks after a test. I’ve seen kids spiral over a glance from a friend in the hallway. These moments might seem small from an outside perspective, but to a kid? They mean everything. School counselors are there to help kids process these moments so they don’t carry them all day.
The Heart of School Counseling: Belonging
At the core of our work is one powerful goal: helping students feel a sense of belonging. We know that belonging is one of the biggest protective factors for kids. It buffers against mental health challenges. It helps them feel safe, valued, and connected.
While we may not provide one-on-one counseling to every student, we are a constant, caring presence. Someone who listens. Someone kids can turn to—whether for something big or small. And that, above everything else, is the most meaningful part of this role.
If you’re a parent, know that your child’s school counselor is a trained, compassionate professional who is there to support their growth. If you’re looking to connect with someone in the school who will advocate for your child, reach out to the counselor. Let them know how your child is feeling at home. Share what they’re saying about school. Having that trusted person in the building can make all the difference.
Before I sat down to write this, I got a thoughtful text about a former student—someone I haven’t spoken to in over six years. But when she was in middle school, I met with her daily for all three years. It reminded me that we are always planting seeds. We don’t always see the impact of our work right away, but it matters.
So to the school counselors out there: please know that what you do every day makes a difference. To the parents reading this: know that school counselors are an invaluable resource for your kids. And to everyone: take a moment to appreciate and advocate for the people doing this work in schools every single day.
Thank you for being here. And if you know a school counselor, send them this post, shoot them a text, or simply let them know that their work is valued.
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