The Rural School Counselor: Relationships Among Rural Sociology, Counselor Role, and Counselor Training

Abstract

Recommendations for the training of rural school counselors are derived from characteristics of the rural American population and the resultant role of the school counselor.

Unique Issues in Rural Couple and Family Counseling

“…This seclusion has led to feelings of personal and professional isolation among mental health professionals working in these communities (Boyer, 1987;Whittington, 1985). Rural isolation has been defined by Saba (1991) as "separation, by miles, geographic obstacles or both, from easy access to regional shopping, medical resources, entertainment, and business and government resources" (p. 323). Beeson (1998b) has expanded this definition in describing professional isolation:…”

The Complex Decision-Making Processes of Rural Emerging Adults: Counseling Beyond Dualism

“…Rural school counselors may be the only mental health professional troubled students see; however, these counselors are often constrained in their response to mental health concerns because of stigma, inadequate referral options, and the limited way their roles are construed, and these limitations can impact social-emotional well-being, education, and career development (Hastings & Cohn, 2013;Saba, 1991). In addition, there is a structural reality that affects all students: school counselors' formal role with emerging adults ends just as that life stage begins.…”

“…In addition, there is a structural reality that affects all students: school counselors' formal role with emerging adults ends just as that life stage begins. School counselors are vested with building an on-ramp to a bridge, but their work stops at the edge of the water (Hastings & Cohn, 2013;Saba 1991).…”

Ratings of helper roles by multicultural psychologists and Asian American students: Initial support for the three-dimensional model of multicultural counseling.

“…Some of the conventional roles identified as appropriate for counselors and psychologists in educational settings include personal counseling; career planning; academic advising; consulting; assessment; referral; evaluation and research; program development; placement; and, in higher education or other direct service settings, psychotherapy. Debate over the role of counselors in educational settings can still be found in contemporary professional literature (Murray, 1995; Saba, 1991; Studer & Allton, 1996; Thomas, 1990; Welch & cCarroll, 1993).…”