Diary of a School Counselor

The first question I often get when I mention that I work at a school is, “Are you a
teacher?” Closely followed by, “So, what does a counselor actually do at a school?” After
eight years in this role, I’ve come to realize how few people truly understand the impact
a school counselor can have on a student’s life.
We adults often look at students and think, “They have it easy.” After all, what’s to
worry about when your main job is to study? But being a learner today is far from easy.
Students are growing up in a world that moves faster than ever where academic
pressure, social media influence, identity struggles, and future uncertainty all collide.
Mental health surveys consistently show that anxiety and stress among adolescents have
risen sharply in the past decade, with studies by the World Health Organization (WHO)
estimating that one in seven adolescents between ages 10 and 19 experiences a mental
health condition.
That’s where the counselor’s office becomes more than just a room; it becomes a refuge.
It’s where students arrive with sighs, tears, or laughter, and begin conversations with
lines like, “Do you know what that teacher said to me?” or “I’m stressed about exams
and college.” Sometimes, it’s “How do I handle toxic friendships?” or “How do I spot
red flags in a relationship?” Every story matter, and every emotion is valid.

Unlike psychotherapists who often work through long-term, structured sessions, school
counselors work within a different rhythm. Our interactions are fluid and we might see a
student once a week, sometimes three times in one week, or perhaps just once in a
month. The relationship is guided not by a schedule but by need. During exam weeks,
my office usually hums with nervous energy. Before holidays, I see students who find
unstructured time unsettling. And through it all, the goal remains the same: to help
them find clarity, resilience, and practical strategies they can carry beyond the session.
In my practice, I rely heavily on elements of Solution‑Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)—a
research‑backed, goal‑oriented approach that emphasizes identifying strengths and
building steps toward realistic solutions. This method helps students focus on what’s
working, not just what’s wrong, creating a sense of agency and momentum.
People often imagine school counselors as softspoken; endlessly patient figures
surrounded by posters about kindness. While empathy is at the core of what we do, the
job also demands firmness and accountability. Students may initially come for comfort,
but they also learn to reflect, take ownership, and grow. We listen deeply, but we
challenge them too because guidance without responsibility doesn’t prepare them for
the real world.
When I look back at the teachers and mentors who shaped me, it wasn’t always the ones
who were the kindest that left the deepest mark, it was those who believed in my
potential and dared to challenge me. Every day, I try to be that person for my students.
Because in these small, candid, sometimes messy conversations, we’re not just talking
about school, we’re helping to build empathetic, responsible citizens of the future.