Counseling Foundations and Professional Practice
Counseling Foundations and Professional Practice
This domain tests how school counselors apply the ASCA Ethical Standards and school law within a school system: role boundaries, confidentiality, informed consent, crisis response, documentation, and culturally responsive counseling. Expect scenario questions that ask what to do next, not just definitions.
Core rules
- Confidentiality is limited and must be explained in developmentally appropriate language. Explain its limits in advance: danger to self or others, suspected abuse or neglect, court orders, and serious health/safety concerns.
- Stay within role. School counselors do not diagnose mental disorders or provide long-term therapy; they assess, intervene briefly, refer, and coordinate.
- Use a protocol for suicide risk. Ask directly about ideation, plan, means, and intent; review protective factors; involve guardians and emergency services when indicated; document actions.
- Protect records. FERPA governs education records; keep sole-possession notes separate and do not place them in the cumulative file.
- Get informed consent for counseling and groups, and screen group members for fit and confidentiality limits.
Worked example
A 14-year-old tells you they have been cutting and have a plan to overdose tonight, then begs you not to tell anyone. The priority is safety, not the promise. You stay with the student, complete a risk assessment, notify the administrator and guardian according to district protocol, arrange emergency evaluation, and document. You do not promise absolute confidentiality, and you do not rely on a no-suicide contract as a substitute for safety planning.
Traps
Promising secrecy before explaining limits; telling the whole team more than necessary; diagnosing; ignoring cultural or family context; or sending a student home alone after a high-risk disclosure.