Blog Updated on September 24, 2025.

School is a place for academic learning, but it’s also a place for students to develop personally and socially. A strong sense of well-being, confidence, and security can help young people transition to adulthood successfully. However, this sense of well-being isn’t always easy to attain. Students may have behavioral or mental health challenges, or they may be dealing with difficult circumstances in their home lives.

A 2024 report by Mental Health America (MHA) found that 1 in 5 youth had experienced at least one major depressive episode in the previous year, with 5 percent of adults and 13 percent of youth having experienced suicidal thoughts. These statistics highlight the importance of professionals who support students in academic environments and who can help them improve their mental and emotional well-being.

School counselors can go a long way in helping students navigate multifaceted challenges and maintain positive mental health. However, to understand the impact of counseling on students’ well-being, it’s crucial to first understand what school counselors do.

 

What Do School Counselors Do?

School counselors are mental health professionals who provide holistic guidance to students in elementary, middle, and high school. They administer counseling to students struggling with academic challenges and also offer support to students dealing with mental health or behavioral challenges.

The core of what school counselors do today is quite different from when the concept was initially developed in the early 20th century. School counseling originally focused on vocational help to prepare students to enter the workforce. In the 1950s, advances in psychological philosophies, such as humanism, affected the nature of the field, and by the 1970s, counseling in schools had broadened to address students’ personal, social, and academic lives.

Today, school counselors work to maximize the success of every student. They design and implement programming that enhances students’ academic, social, and career outcomes. As students progress through their education and plan for adulthood, school counselors provide guidance and support.

A comprehensive school counseling program links the school, home, and community. Every day, school counselors work with not only students but also families, teachers, and school administrators. Together, their goal is to develop students so that they succeed at school and beyond.

What Are the Duties of School Counselors?

The key to answering what school counselors do revolves around guidance. The role of school counselors is to enhance academic, social, and career success for every student. Therefore, their primary duties involve helping students improve their academic achievement, navigate emotions and social interactions, and plan for life after high school.

Every day is different for school counselors, but their duties may involve the following:

• Leading a classroom lesson about best practices for writing a college essay
• Helping students set academic goals
• Providing students with referrals for long-term mental health counseling
• Developing an educational program about suicide prevention and awareness
• Analyzing student attendance data to identify challenges and needs

School Counselor Work Environment

Several industries employ school counselors. The highest level of employment is in elementary and secondary schools, but school counselors also work in the following settings:

• Colleges, universities, and professional schools
• Junior colleges
• Other private educational services

Wherever they work, school counselors connect with diverse people, promote successful outcomes, and can build a stable and positive career.

 

Different Types of Student Support

The goal of school counseling is to provide individualized strategies to guide students while protecting and nurturing their well-being. The path toward achieving this goal typically fits within a framework known as a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). This system is typically divided into three categories:

• Academic
• Behavioral
• Social-Emotional

The purpose of MTSS is to offer comprehensive support that fully addresses a child’s needs. By focusing on a specific aspect of counseling at a time, school counselors may be able to identify issues that would otherwise go undetected.

 

How Do School Counselors’ Duties Change for Specific Age Groups?

School counselors work in elementary, middle, and high schools. Because children in these schools are at different stages of their development and, therefore, have different needs, counselors’ approaches can vary significantly.

In elementary schools, school counselors commonly focus on the essential components that help shape and define students’ maturing personalities and abilities. This can mean concentrating on foundational life skills or developing special events to encourage character building. Elementary school counselors may also connect families with community resources, such as child care services or family activity groups. Additionally, they may counsel students who are struggling inside and outside the school environment, which can affect their well-being, such as playground bullying or dramatic family changes.

In middle schools, school counselors typically focus on helping students develop coping strategies to deal with the physical, social, and emotional changes of adolescence and puberty. They also offer behavioral support that can help students thrive academically while going through these changes. Counselors work to help students see the bigger picture as opposed to hyperfocusing on immediate issues.

In high schools, school counselors typically help students prepare for life after graduation. This includes helping them with continued education, such as applications for college admissions or vocational training programs. They may also work with students to help them identify their strengths and interests. In addition, school counselors help students address issues that can impact their academic and social lives, such as substance use or bullying.

School Counseling and Technology

Technological innovation has impacted society in countless ways, and it has become crucial for counselors to help their students navigate the potential dangers of the digital world, such as cyberbullying, disruption of privacy, and accessing or distributing inappropriate content. 

This guidance is increasingly critical: According to a 2023 report by the Cyberbullying Research Center, 55 percent of students aged 13 to 17 years old experienced cyberbullying at least once, with 27 percent having experienced a cyberbullying episode in the last 30 days.

 

The Goals of School Counseling

The essential goals of counseling include the following:

• Academic success
• Emotional and social support
• Career planning
• College preparedness
• Crisis intervention

School counselors who successfully meet these goals are offering students comprehensive help that addresses all key elements of school life. This prepares students both to thrive in educational settings and to enjoy success in the future.

 

How Do School Counselors Help Students?

What a school counselor is may be best defined by what they do for their students. They provide multifaceted support for students that includes academic planning and support, evaluation, career projections, and advocacy. They may also examine some of the root causes of behavioral challenges and low academic performance. Common school counselor responsibilities include the following:

• Providing individualized academic counseling that encourages optimal student outcomes
• Providing support for personal and social challenges
• Preparing students for life after school via career and postsecondary education guidance
• Delivering support to students during times of crisis, including interventions
• Advocating for students’ needs within the school environment
• Cultivating connections with community resources to support students

These essential duties help students have the best educational experience possible and prepare them for successful futures.

Simply being present for students is another key component of what school counselors do. American School Counselor Association (ASCA) research indicates that school counselors can be instrumental in helping students prepare for life after high school. Specifically, schools that adhered to ASCA guidelines regarding student-to-counselor ratios saw students obtain better ACT and SAT scores, make more informed college decisions, have better school attendance, and face fewer disciplinary incidents. Additionally, prepandemic research indicates that low-income students and students of color particularly benefited from lower student-to-counselor ratios in terms of postsecondary education preparation.

This is significant considering the ongoing school counselor shortage in the United States, where only two states meet the recommended student-to-counselor ratio of 250-to-1. This shortage means that those who choose to become school counselors can have an even greater impact on students’ well-being.

 

Resources

Developing an effective school counseling program requires access to materials that help counselors carry out their duties. Fortunately, resources are widely available.

• ASCA offers tool kits and documents that reference several vital topics regarding school counseling and student success.
• WholeHearted School Counseling provides a resource library of activities and materials focused on helping elementary school students.
• Education Advanced offers a wide range of links to resources and applications for high school counselors on topics such as bullying and effective time management.
• ERIC, sponsored by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) in the U.S. Department of Education (ED), provides keyword-driven access to a library of relevant articles and data on counseling techniques, social topics, and counselor training.
• The National Institute of Mental Health (NIH) features frequently updated links to mental health topics, research materials, brochures, and fact sheets that counselors can access to keep abreast of the integration of education and mental health.

Key Strategies School Counselors Use to Support Students

Helping students successfully navigate the challenges of school, both inside and outside the classroom, requires an approach that addresses several key strategies. The ASCA National Model outlines a framework to ensure that all school counseling programs operate according to a positive, ethical, and professional ethos. 

1. Define

School counselors develop and implement counseling programs that adhere to specific student and professional standards established by ASCA.

2. Manage

School counseling programs must be effectively managed to succeed, and counselors use various tools and resources to oversee counseling programs as they evolve. Management is commonly divided into two areas:

• Program Focus: School counselors articulate their beliefs about their role within a school environment. This includes creating a vision statement and a mission statement.
• Program Planning: Planning involves establishing concrete ways to achieve students’ goals and to measure their reactions to the program. This can include the following:
  • Summary of school data
  • Annual student outcome goals
  • Action plans to optimize plan efficiency
  • Lesson plans
  • Time management strategies
  • Calendar build-outs
  • Professional planning, such as working with a school’s advisory council or attending work-related conferences

3. Deliver

School counselors implement their plans and strategies by delivering services and activities to their students, both individually and in groups. Direct services to students include instruction, counseling, student appraisal, and advising. Indirect services to student groups include consultation, collaboration, and referrals.

4. Assess

To measure success, school counselors review program performance to determine its impact on student outcomes. This involves highlighting successful outreach and interventions and noting areas of improvement. In addition, school counselors evaluate their own performance and development within the role. This activity is typically carried out via a performance appraisal.

 

How Does a School Counselor Help With Students’ Mental Health?

Addressing students’ mental health concerns is a critical component of school counseling that affects a significant number of children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that in 2023, 40 percent of high school students reported steady feelings of hopelessness and sadness, while 29 percent stated that they experienced poor mental health.

Mental health concerns among young people should be taken seriously, particularly as they’re still developing physically and emotionally. School counselors must offer help to students in a careful, deliberate manner. They can do this by dividing this responsibility into the areas below.

1. Advocate for Students’ Mental Health Needs

Once a school counselor identifies that a student is struggling with their mental health, they must ensure access to the tools, resources, and accommodations a student may need, both at school and in the community. Serious issues may require the intervention of a clinical psychologist or a similarly qualified mental health professional. Counselors should be prepared to coordinate referrals to mental health experts or physicians.

2. Apply a Section 504 Plan

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is legislation that protects students with disabilities and prohibits disability-based discrimination. School counselors are part of a student’s Section 504 team and should work to ensure that students with mental health concerns are incorporated into the plan’s protective elements. They can also use the plan to help identify and correct systemic issues that may inadvertently hinder equity.

3. Implement an Individualized Education Program

An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a specialized education plan tailored to accommodate a student’s unique needs. While IEPs are commonly associated with students with disabilities, they can be effective plans to help students with mental health struggles remain on track academically. School counselors should be prepared to advocate for these programs for students who can benefit from them.

4. Collaborate With Teachers and Parents

Helping students work through their mental health concerns should be a team effort. School counselors should coordinate information and communication strategies with students’ teachers and parents. This allows student progress to be monitored in different environments and student support systems to extend beyond the counselor’s office.

5. Guide Students Toward Appropriate Outside Resources

While communities may have resources or mental health providers available, students may not know they exist or may not understand how to access them. School counselors can serve as advocates who connect students with the services they need.

6. Develop and Coordinate School-Based Mental Health Initiatives

School counselors can create and implement initiatives that create safe and inclusive spaces for students seeking mental health support. Possibilities include educational workshops, awareness promotions, and wellness activities.

7. Host Counseling Sessions for Individuals and Groups

Sometimes, students just need an outlet to talk to someone, whether it’s a professional or a group of their peers. School counselors can facilitate this by hosting sessions that encourage students to have an open dialogue in ways that make them feel most comfortable.

 

What Is the Salary of a School Counselor?

After learning what a school counselor is and what they do, it’s only natural to be curious about their earning potential. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the 2024 median annual salary for school and career counselors and advisors was $65,140. Factors such as education level, years of experience, and location can all affect salaries.

What Is the Career Outlook for School Counselors?

According to the BLS, employment for school and career counselors is expected to grow by 4% between 2024 and 2034, which equates to approximately 31,000 openings each year on average. 

 

Counseling: An Essential Part of the Educational Experience

While what a school counselor does can vary, they ultimately work to help students experience positive well-being at school and in their personal lives. Well-being is critical to a rewarding educational experience and helps prepare students for successful futures after graduation.

Individuals who pursue careers and education in school counseling can give students the support they need. This can help them improve their academic success, address mental health and behavioral issues, and effectively prepare for their futures.

 

Begin Your School Counseling Journey at St. Bonaventure University

There has never been a better time to start your career as a school counselor. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects this field to grow by 5% by 2032, faster than the national average. With 26,600 job openings projected annually, earning your MSED and sitting for your state certification exam gives you an advantage as you land a job in a elementary, middle, or high school.

At St. Bonaventure University, an Online Master’s in School Counseling will prepare you to counsel and equip students for their educational journeys. Whether you’re pursuing your first career or ready to make a change, SBU’s online degree program combines quality, flexibility, and affordability. With enrollments beginning in fall, spring, and summer, you can start your journey to becoming a school counselor when it works for you. Online coursework allows you to learn from anywhere, and internship placement support gives you the assistance you need to earn valuable hands-on experience in a qualified setting.;

Want to prepare tomorrow’s students for a balanced, happy, and well-adjusted educational experience? Talk to an SBU advisor about the MSED in School Counseling today. 

 

Infographic Sources:

Counselor Brief, How Do School Counselors Advocate for a Student’s Mental Health Needs Within the School System?

Education Advanced, “The Vital Role of School Counselors: Primary Guides for Student Success”