These ideas come as a result of the writer (Luis South) engaging many Education Counselors, as well
Student
A CLARIFICATION OF BASIC CONCEPTS These ideas come as a result of the writer (Luis South) engaging many Education Counselors, as well as other Health and Human Services staff, in discussion over the past 18 years. THESE IDEAS ARE OFFFERED AS A MEANS TO SHARE BASIC CONCEPTS DERIVED FROM DIALOGUES AMONG EDUCATORS AND OTHERS INTERESTED IN FURTHER STRUCTURING HOW COUNSELING WORKS BEST IN EDUCATION SETTINGS preK-12. 1) Professional educators must acknowledge and accept the distinguishing factors that differentiate COUNSELING from GUIDANCE. GUIDANCE IS DIRECTIVE AND IS MOST OFTEN COMMON SENSE INSTRUCTION. NO ONE NEEDS TO GO TO COLLEGE IN ORDER TO PROVIDE SPONTANEOUS GUIDANCE TO STUDENTS. THERE ARE CURRICULAE THAT ARE GUIDANCE ORIENTED TO DEVELOP LIFE SKILLS. THESE DO REQUIRE SPECIALIZED TRAINING (e.g. Second Step). COUNSELING, LIKE A STRUCTURED GUIDANCE CURRICULUM, REQUIRES PREPARATION AND UTILIZES CONTINUITY OF IDEAS AS A MEANS TO DEVELOP GROWTH IN STUDENTS. HOWEVER COUNSELING IS DISTINGUISHABLE FROM GUIDANCE BY VIRTUE OF ALLOWING THE GREATEST AMOUNT OF PERSONAL SPACE FOR THE STUDENT TO OWN THEIR SELF-AWARENESS. 2) AN EDUCATION COUNSELING PROGRAM MAY INCLUDE A CLINICAL COUNSELING COMPONENT, BUT EDUCATIONAL COUNSELING IS FOCUSED UPON PROMOTING AND ENHANCING THE OVERALL EXPERIENCE OF STUDENT, FAMILY, AND STAFF BY IMPLEMENTING A RESOLUTION PROCESS WITHIN THE SCHOOL SETTING. 3) EDUCATION COUNSELORS LOSE FLEXIBILITY TO HELP IN DAILY SITUATIONS ...