Are School Counselors And School Psychologists Really The Same Thing?

23rd September 2022

Careers in mental health in education play a crucial role in the success of both the community and the individual student. In addition to offering a wide range of beneficial therapeutic treatments, professionals in this sector love working directly with students and their families. In order for potential employees to choose their career routes wisely, it is crucial to comprehend the distinctions and overlaps between school psychologists and counselors.

Required Educational Qualifications
 

• School Counselors:

Professionals in the field of school counselling who possess at least a master's degree in the subject as well as state certification or licence are known as school counsellors.

Coursework for school counselling often includes of
 

1. Human development and growth
2. Testing and research
3. Career advancement
4. Social and cultural sensitivity
5. Group therapy
6. Individual therapy
7. Theories and framework

• School Psychologists:

Professionals with postgraduate degrees, such as a master's in psychology, and state licence or certification in school psychology are known as school psychologists.

Typical school psychology program coursework includes
 

1. Interventions for learning and academics
2. Testing and evaluation
3. Psychological treatments
4. Services for special education
5. Crisis management and restoration
6. Research and programme effectiveness
7. Risk factors and resiliency

Apart from these general qualifications, we have got something extra to provide that would give you an edge over the others. International Teaching Diploma Courses in Kolkata that provides one with knowledge in Early Childhood Care, Pre & Primary, Montessori, Nursery and Special Education Needs. This course would enable one to identify or understand if any interventions for students with more targeted needs are required or not.

Role in the Workplace
 

• School Counselors:

Counselors in schools encourage good grades, social and personal growth, and overall career planning and development.

Although the primary focus is on providing direct assistance to adolescents, school counsellors often evaluate and work with families, teachers, administrators, and other mental health experts to determine the most effective treatment strategies.

Some common job descriptions for school counselors
 

1. Goal-oriented therapy
2. Individual academic planning for students
3. Arranging group activities
4. Helping with college and career preparation
5. Teaching social and interpersonal skills
6. Encouraging secure settings for learning
7. Defending the needs and desires of students
8. Settling disputes among students
9. Supplying recommendations for outside resources
10. Evaluation and interpretation of the data
11. Identify the main problems in educational environments
     

How international teaching diploma course benefit the learners?
 

• School Psychologists:

Teachers, parents, and students can all get academic and emotional help from school psychologists. In order to both detect problems that could be inhibiting a student's overall achievement and discover suitable, practical remedies, they draw on their professional expertise in human development and mental health.

The following may be found in typical job descriptions for school psychologists:
 

1. Offering guidance to youngsters and teenagers
2. Making arrangements for skill instruction and assistance
3. Recognising major problems in schools and developing solutions
4. Identifying and assessing a student's needs and strengths
5. Working together with teachers and parents
6. Investigating successful academic interventions
7. Promoting mental health and equality
8. Giving crisis assistance

Summing everything up, the difference between the two professions lies in the primary area of attention and intervention. Consider International Teaching Diploma Courses in Kolkata. School counsellors have a greater emphasis on enhancing behavioural symptoms and mental health via individual and group therapy and instruction. Typically, they provide services to all students in the school. Through testing, study, and assessment, school psychologists concentrate on understanding behavioural symptoms and academic problems.

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Written By : Aditi Rao