There are 5 great books for school counselors who are working with the diverse challenges of the next generation. Each book offers insight for supporting students that are experiencing personal or developmental change in the academic setting. As professional educators, school counselors provide a mental health perspective in conjunction with the student population and needs.
1. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens, by Sean Covey
Working proactively with students, the professional counselor supports the student before a crisis. These are individual planning sessions such as goal setting, career planning, and problem solving. Using information from essential counseling books such as 7 Habits the counselor can work through exercises specific to the student or with students in a small group. This type of activity encourages life-long understanding of the self in terms of strengths and weaknesses.
2. A Framework for Understanding Poverty, by Ruby Payne, Ph.D
Having an understanding of student-background creates an awareness of possible bias. More importantly, one of five great books for school counselors includes Payne’s work on the understanding of poverty. In A Framework for Understanding Poverty she helps professionals who did not experience poverty see decision-making from another perspective. This is an essential read for diversity and proactive and reactive counseling needs. The ASCA National Model: A Framework For School Counseling Programs is a data-driven and results-based guide for today’s school counselor. The model encourages counselors to work proactively but to also be prepared for reactive responses.
3. Choice Theory A New Psychology of Personal Freedom, by William Glasser, M.D.
In the school setting, there is very little time for extended sessions. Group counseling and brief counseling are often infused into the school settings. Choice Theory is a great tool for the counseling toolbox. Glasser’s reality therapy fits nicely within all sessions. Of course reality therapy is part of every counseling program, but investing in this book as one of your top five school counseling books is a wise choice.
4. Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls, by Mary Pipher, Ph.D
The peer group is the biggest influence leaving the student to search for a place to belong and rely on peer acceptance and feedback. In the top five of school counselor books, Reviving Ophelia gives an important look at the adolescent girl and the affect society has on her. This relevant work reminds counselors to be vigilant with noted change.
5. Pyramid Response to Intervention, by Austin Buffum, Mike Mattos and Chris Weber
School counselors work in many capacities within the school. Often, they are the bridge between student and teacher, student and parent, and teacher and administrator. If the school is actively engaged in a response to intervention (RTI) program, the counselors are usually part of the equation. This intervention program is used when students are not learning, and it is structured to teaching at multiple levels. Because this is an important consideration in the school, Pyramid Response to Intervention must be one of the five counseling books on the shelf.
Related Resource: 50 Most Affordable Small Colleges for a Master’s in Education 2016
School Counselors Collaborate with parents, students, teachers and administrators. The handle academics and crisis interventions. In order to remain current as a certified counselor, the five great books for school counselors should be explored and integrated into on-going professional growth.
