Although a vast amount of research now exists concerning the provision of competent counseling services to LGBTQ+ clients and students, a gaping aperture remains in the literature regarding the experiences of counselors who identify as LGBTQ+. This gap in the literature is especially evident for the profession of school counseling. In this study,…

Elementary school counselors are instrumental in student success and well-being; unfortunately, school counselors at the elementary level also have higher caseloads and more tenuous job opportunities. Thus, there exists a need to advocate for elementary school counseling. Previous research has examined school counseling advocacy across K-12…

In the United States, K-12 schools have been going through a double pandemic: the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing systemic racial injustices. Multitiered systems of support (MTSS), including universal mental health screening (UMHS), are highly recommended to assist students through these pandemics. While research on MTSS for school counselors is…

The purpose of this phenomenological investigation was to explore the lived experiences of rural high school counselors when providing career development services. Several key themes emerged, including (a) contextual factors, (b) direct services, (c) indirect services, (d) rewarding aspects, and (e) challenging aspects. The findings support…

This study explored rural school counselors' experiences regarding their preparation and response to natural disasters. Using descriptive phenomenology, we examined the perspectives of 10 school counselors and identified four themes that captured their experiences: (a) the need for disaster mental health training, (b) the value of rural community…

Although the literature contains many recommendations for professional advocacy for school counseling, there is a dearth of research providing clear and contemporary evidence of effective strategies for advocating for elementary school counseling. In response to this gap in the literature, we conducted a phenomenological qualitative study of 13…

This qualitative study explored the experiences of 23 school counselors in addressing the needs of students experiencing homelessness. Phenomenological analysis revealed two overarching themes: (a) school counselors as the first line of support and (b) the desire to help while feeling helpless. Findings suggest that participants feel underprepared…

Researchers conducted a qualitative, phenomenological investigation of the lived experiences of a sample of 10 school counselors in current or recent RAMP (Recognized ASCA [American School Counselor Association] Model Program) schools that also implemented positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) with high fidelity. Researchers found…

Scholars have explored the impact of comprehensive school counseling programs on student outcomes, including those programs that garnered the RAMP (Recognized ASCA [American School Counselor Association] Model Program) designation. A surfeit of empirical examinations of positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) outcomes also are…

A paucity of empirical scholarship exists on school counselor advocacy in general and virtually none as it relates to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students specifically. Addressing this gap in the literature, the purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine the experiences of high school counselors in the southeastern…

Findings from this phenomenological study of 11 school counselors' perceptions of and work with students adopted transracially (SATr) were amplified through eight themes reflecting their shared storyline as a "continuum of comfort and confidence." These school counselors relied on their understanding of human development, using…

To better understand school counselors' experiences related to students' use of social media, the authors conducted a qualitative study, utilizing a phenomenological approach, with eight practicing high school counselors. Three major themes emerged from the study: "the digital cultural divide," "frustration and fear," and…

Social stories are an evidence-based practice used to address students' social skills. Current literature primarily addresses special education teachers' use of social stories when working with youth with autism spectrum disorder. Although school counselors meet students' social/emotional needs, little research exists documenting their experiences…

This phenomenological study sought to understand how lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) college students described their high school experiences and their later transitions to college. The study data revealed five findings: (a) enduring unsupportive/hostile educational environments, (b) experiencing a lack of family and social…

This phenomenological, qualitative study examined a national sample of academically resilient, low-income middle school students' (N = 24) perspectives of what school counselors can do to promote their academic achievement. Three main themes and nine subthemes were identified: build meaningful relationships, build on the cultural wealth of…