School counselor v. guidance counselor: Does it really matter? When we talk about the role of the counseling position in schools, many would argue that the title doesn't matter.
When we talk about the role of the counseling position in schools, many would argue that the title doesn't matter. However, the title used to describe the role of the counselor in schools often informs me whether or not individuals understand the role of this position in schools today. It clues me in to whether or not individuals are well versed in current practices in the profession.
Although the school counseling profession is relatively young (ca 100 years), its focus has taken a major shift in recent years as educational reform has stormed the hallways. Once viewed as an ancillary position, the title of guidance counselor harkens back to the day when counselors in schools focused on providing students with a variety of guidance services concerned primarily with individual students' issues. They were professionals who provided direction and guidance to students who reached out for the counselor's assistance.
Today the focus of the counselor in schools has turned toward being an integral member of the education team concerned with the academic success of all students in schools not only those seeking specific assistance. Professional school counselors are no longer only focused on providing individual students with a variety of services. Rather, school counselors are more interested in managing comprehensive guidance and counseling programs designed to develop student competencies that support their school success and demonstrate how all students are different because of these programs in schools.
When trained to manage comprehensive guidance and counseling programs, professional school counselors deliver responsive services (e.g., individual and small group counseling) to help students focus in school so that they can benefit from instruction. School counselors are also trained to collaborate with teachers to engage all students in the classroom using guidance curriculum and individual student planning to help ensure the academic success of every student. These activities set professional school counselors apart from other school professionals like school social workers and school psychologists who more often than not limit their service to those students with special needs.In spite of this insight into how the profession has changed in recent years, those who have difficulty letting go of antiquated titles might continue referring to counselors in schools as guidance counselors.
Those who understand that this position has undergone a major shift in both role and function might use the preferred title of school counselor with an intentionality that borders obsession. Whatever title you use, you may wish to review more details on the role of the professional school counselor in schools. However, if you are married to using the title of guidance counselor, you will have to acquiesce and use the preferred title of school counselor to locate this information at the website maintained by the American School Counselor Association at http://www.schoolcounselor.org/.
