Foundations of School Counseling
Core ideas
School counseling foundations cover the profession’s developmental, preventive, and systemic orientation; the counselor’s roles as counselor, educator, leader, advocate, and consultant; and ethical/legal obligations. Know the ASCA National Model’s framework and the ASCA Ethical Standards, but also know that district policy and law control. Distinguish FERPA (education records) from HIPAA (health information; generally not the main statute for schools), informed consent from assent for minors, and confidentiality from privileged communication. Confidentiality limits typically include danger to self or others, suspected abuse or neglect, and court orders; share only with need-to-know staff.
Traps
Questions may cast the counselor as disciplinarian, attendance clerk, or scheduler. Those are administrative tasks unless narrowly connected to counseling and appropriately assigned. Another trap is absolute confidentiality or assuming a parent must approve every routine school counseling contact. Also watch referral versus consultation versus advocacy: referral transfers service, consultation advises another caregiver, advocacy champions systemic change.
Worked example
A 14-year-old discloses self-harm and asks you not to tell anyone. Do not promise secrecy. Assess immediate safety, follow the district suicide/self-harm protocol, notify a guardian unless doing so would create danger, document actions, and refer for further evaluation. Rule of thumb: ask, “What does my role require, what do law and ethics permit, and what is in the student’s best interest?”