Referral Procedures
School counselors are responsible for providing short-term individual and small-group counseling services to students. At times they may also handle initial crisis management. However, school counselors are not responsible for "providing therapy or long-term counseling to address psychological disorders" (ASCA, n.d.). As such when students do require this type of assistance counselors often provide referrals to outside counseling. These referrals provide students with direction in getting the help they need. Students may also need other forms of assistance that the counselor or the school may not be able to fully provide, such as access to affordable physical health offices, food pantries,or a myriad of other services. It is important that school counselors become familiar with surrounding programs and services that may be of use to their students and their school as a whole. School counselors should not only be knowledgeable of these services, but should also establish working relationships with those who work for these programs when possible. During my internship at Wes-Del Middle/High School it was my responsibility to compile a list of potential mental health facilities in the surrounding area where we could refer students. Some of the programs included in my initial list of potential referral sites in the areas surrounding Wes-Del Middle/High School are listed below.
Resources
Appropriate and Inappropriate Activities for School Counselors (ASCA). (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.schoolcounselor.org/