Counseling

Counseling is a helping relationship with several key characteristics:

Affectiveness

Intensity

Growth and change

Privacy

Support

Honesty

Counseling as a profession

Both title and practice regulated by State

Legal penalties can be applied to non-licensed practitioners

Licensed practitioners may have protections provided by the State

Teachers may be encouraged to deliver counseling curriculum, but only with children

When to refer

The parent presents a concern beyond your level of competency

Your district has a policy on referral

The parent asks for suggestions and you are not restricted in offering a referral

You have worked with the parent and see no changes in his/her behavior

How to refer

Follow district policy, if present

Refer to specific person in agency if possible

Some authors suggest offering up to 3 names or agencies

Follow-up not recommended by some authors, but supported by others

Defined as process of interaction between two parties--help giver and help seeker--in which the latter asks for consultant's help in solving a problem. The help will be offered within the consultant's area of competence

The consultant accepts no responsibility for implementing remedial action: Responsibility rests with help seeker

Other characteristics

Problem solving, focus in present

Focus on third party (e.g., child)

Indirect service

Collegial relationship, voluntary

Knowledge utilization

Promotes mental health, educational development

Key writers

Caplan: Mental health

Bergan: Behavioral

Meyers: Combination

Meyers' model

Level I--Direct service to child

Level II--Indirect service to child

Level III--Direct service to teacher

Check understanding, skill, self-confidence, objectivity

Level IV--Service to the relevant system (school or family)