Individual Counseling: A Guide for School Counselors
Hey there, school counselor friend! If you are juggling classroom lessons, small groups, crisis response, and paperwork, it can be easy to wonder where individual counseling fits into it all. And yet, individual counseling sessions are often where some of the most meaningful work happens.
While group counseling allows us to reach more students at once, individual counseling in schools offers something different. It gives students a quiet, safe space to open up one-on-one. For many elementary and middle school students, that personal connection is exactly what they need.
Hi, I’m Rachel Davis! I’m a former school counselor with over 8 years of experience in the classroom. I specialize in creating easy-to-implement strategies for busy school counselors, and I am the counselor and curriculum designer behind Bright Futures Counseling, a community designed to offer counselors the support they need to feel confident serving their students well.
Let’s walk through a clear, realistic approach to individual counseling that feels doable, supportive, and aligned with the role of a school counselor.
What Exactly is Individual Counseling?
Individual counseling is a one-on-one counseling session between a school counselor and a student. Unlike group counseling, which supports multiple students with similar needs, individual counseling focuses on the unique experiences, emotions, and goals of one child.
This personalized approach helps build trust, strengthens rapport, and allows students to share things they may not feel comfortable saying in front of peers. For many students, individual counseling sessions become a place where they finally feel heard.
When Is Individual Counseling Needed?
Individual counseling for students often comes into play after tier one and tier two supports are already in place. Many students referred for individual counseling have participated in classroom guidance lessons and small groups, but still need additional support.
You may also see students for individual counseling sessions when they are experiencing a specific situation or stressor, such as grief, peer conflict, anxiety, or a sudden life change. Sometimes these are short-term check-ins. Other times, students benefit from a series of sessions with clear goals and a defined time frame.
Common Focus Areas for Individual Counseling Sessions
Individual counseling in schools can support a wide range of student needs. Some of the most common areas include:
Emotional Regulation
Helping students understand their emotions, strengths, and reactions builds emotional resilience and confidence. You may have students who could benefit from a tier 3 self-regulation curriculum.
Peer pressure and friendships
Individual counseling sessions help students recognize unhealthy peer pressure and practice making choices that align with their values. I love using this Decision Making Tier 3 Curriculum with my middle school students.
Relational aggression and social conflict
Relational aggression, also known as social bullying, shows up frequently in elementary and middle school settings. Individual counseling gives students space to process these experiences and build healthy relationship skills.
Even our littlest learners can benefit from individual social skills lessons.
Responsible Decision Making
Students learn to slow down, reflect, and think through choices in a supportive, non-judgmental environment.
Self Advocacy
Individual counseling helps students practice using their voice, setting boundaries, and asking for help when they need it.
Mental Health Concerns
School counselors often support students experiencing anxiety, low mood, or ongoing stress while staying within the scope of short term, solution focused counseling.
Life Stressors
Changes at home, grief, divorce, or transitions can feel overwhelming for students. Individual counseling sessions give them a place to process and cope.
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Setting Students Up for Success in Individual Counseling
Before the first individual counseling session, take time to connect with the student. Explain what individual counseling is, what your role will be, and what they can expect. This initial conversation helps reduce anxiety and builds trust.
Confidentiality should be explained in clear, student friendly language so students know they are in a safe space.
Creating a Safe and Supportive Counseling Environment
The space where individual counseling happens matters. Choose a quiet, neutral location where students feel comfortable. Invite students to help make the space feel safe for them.
During sessions, listen actively and pay attention to both verbal and nonverbal cues. Respond with empathy and curiosity. Students often share more when they feel truly understood.
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Asking the Right Questions
Effective individual counseling sessions rely on open ended questions. Avoid leading questions and focus instead on inviting students to tell their story in their own words.
Questions like “What happened next?” or “How did that make you feel?” allow students to reflect and explore without feeling pressured.
Be mindful of emotional overwhelm. It is okay to pause, take breaks, or offer grounding strategies when needed.
Collaborating With Teachers and Families
Although individual counseling is one on one, collaboration strengthens outcomes. Communicate with teachers and caregivers to share goals, monitor progress, and reinforce strategies across settings.
When appropriate, involve families in simple behavior support plans or skill building goals so students receive consistent support.
Tracking Progress With Self Assessment Tools for Students
Self assessment tools for students are incredibly helpful in individual counseling. Simple check ins, reflection sheets, journals, or rating scales allow students to track their own growth and help counselors collect meaningful data.
Many counselors use self assessments at the beginning and end of an individual counseling cycle to evaluate progress and guide next steps.
Knowing When to Transition or Refer
Individual counseling in schools is short term and solution focused. As students build skills and confidence, reassess whether continued individual counseling is needed or if a transition to group support or a referral is more appropriate.
This reflection protects students from becoming overly dependent and ensures they have a strong support system beyond the counseling office.
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Final Thoughts: Individual Counseling Is a Powerful Part of Your Program
Individual counseling remains a vital part of a comprehensive school counseling program. While it may not reach as many students as groups or classroom lessons, the impact of individual counseling sessions is often deep and lasting.
You are not expected to fix everything. Your role is to support, guide, and equip students with the skills they need to succeed.
You are doing meaningful work. And those one on one moments matter more than you know!
Join IMPACT: Your All-In-One Counseling Support System
If you are looking for ready-made SEL lessons, planning support, and a community of counselors who understand the unique challenges of this role, you will love IMPACT, my monthly membership for school counselors.
Inside IMPACT, you will receive access to hundreds of counseling resources, monthly professional development with certificates, structured curriculum support, planning tools, and a community of counselors ready to encourage and collaborate with you.
You do not have to navigate school counseling alone. IMPACT gives you the clarity, confidence, and tools to serve your students well all year long.
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