Best Practices for Effective Secondary School Counselors

Written from the perspective of a practicing, certified counselor, this guide contains essential information needed to smoothly transition from service-based to program-based counseling.

"Middle and high school counselors will find this book to be very helpful for its practical and hands-on approach."
—Karen Thompson, Assistant Professor Psychology & Counseling
Valdosta State University  

"This is a great collection of resources to aid secondary school counselors."
—John Littrell, Professor of Counselor Education/Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
Iowa State University  

"This is an outstanding addition to the field."
—Greg Brigman, Professor of Counselor Education
Florida Atlantic University  

"The material is especially helpful because of the separation in grade levels.  I often find it difficult to find material specifically designed for transitions from ninth to tenth grade AND from sixth to seventh. This is one of the most valued sections of the book for me."
—Judy Buchholz, Ninth-Grade School Counselor
D. W. Holmes Junior High School, CA  

"This is a major contribution to best practices in school counseling."
—Gerald Monk, Professor of Psychology & Counseling
San Diego State University  

"…an invaluable resource for school counselors."
—Barbara Blackburn, ASCA Secondary Vice President and President Elect

Innovative and essential strategies for charting a course toward an effective secondary school counseling program!

The recent wave of accountability reform movements has largely overlooked the needs of middle and high school counselors, yet has generated daunting pressure for guidance programs to be standards-based and data-driven. Written from the perspective of a practicing, certified counselor, this guide contains essential information needed to implement the American School Counselor Association′s National Model and smoothly transition from service-based to program-based counseling. The book affirms that the school′s guidance and counseling program play an integral role in the instructional program and overall school success.

Best Practices for Effective Secondary School Counselors centers on six best practices and highlights specific action plans and examples for each one, allowing counseling staff to easily implement the comprehensive programs outlined.

Key features include:

• Time-saving checklists, surveys, and forms
• Straightforward tactics for applying six best practices
• Strategies for stress management
• Tips for writing successful letters of recommendation
• An extensive resource and Web site list

From evaluation, advisement and communication, to career education, transition, and professional development, this user-friendly text features relevant and proven solutions for counselors′ primary concerns.