A Spotlight on School Counselor Interventions

Strangely compelling, I could not stop reading the vignettes offered throughout this work that showed the dark side of humanity and how school counselors work with it. This makes one realize that the school counselor's work is essential as he or she is often the only individual in the school adequately trained to deal with the many devastating and traumatic situations facing children and others. Edward Neukrug, Ed.D., NCC, LPC, BC-HSP, Licensed Psychologist - Professor of Counseling and Human Services, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA This in-depth review shows how school counselors look beyond the surface of childhood issues-past the disruption a child may show in the classroom and past the walls they put up to hide. With their knowledge and expertise, school counselors see into the chaos, trauma, and distress that are often invisible at first glance. Without their intervention, guidance, and care, so many children slip into despair, re-victimization, and helplessness. As a psychologist in the college setting, I often see this aftermath and the nearly irrevocable damage it has on life. I applaud this publication for demonstrating how much the concern and involvement of a school counselor can change the trajectory of a student from hopelessness to possibility. Elissa McElrath Dyer, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist - Student Counseling Center, University of Central Oklahoma This text provides an excellent explanation of the challenges school counselors are facing with today's children. It also shows the reader the unfortunate family situations our children are facing every day. My hope would be that this text is provided to all school personnel to raise awareness of our children's plight and the need for professional development to enhance the skill level of not only our school counselors, but all school personnel. Patricia Damron, M.Ed., LPC, Coordinator for the Child Abuse Training and Coordination Program, Oklahoma State Department of Health.