"This study was designed to explore, with five grade twelve students, their understandings of the counselling relationships they shared with their counsellors in a single northern B.C. secondary school setting. The investigation was guided by four questions: (1) What conditions make it possible for the students to talk to a school counsellor? (2) What conditions give students the confidence to share private and confidential information with their counsellor? (3) What are the critical incidents during their counselling which affected the development of the counselling relationship? (4) What were the characteristic elements that constituted the counselling relationship between a school counsellor and a student client? Participants were identified by their school counsellors based on the following criteria: (1) the students were grade twelve students, (2) they were familiar with the counselling programme in their school, (3) they had developed a personal counselling relationship with the students, ( 4) the students could articulate their understandings of those relationships, and (5) they had not had a counselling relationship with the researcher. A series of open ended, in-depth interviews were conducted with the students. Grounded Theory method was used to analyse the data that was transcribed from these interviews. A conceptual model of the counselling relationship was developed consisting of five stages: the Motivating Stage, the Initiating Stage, the Comfort Stage, the Working Alliance Stage, and the Change Stage. Each stage was further divided into Key Categories and Subsidiary Categories that provided insights into conditions that fostered the development of the counselling relationship in the secondary school setting. The search for comfort in the counselling relationship was a constant theme throughout all stages and was identified as the core concept of the model. Several implications for practice were identified and included: ( 1) the centrality of the personal counselling relationship to the school counsellor's role, (2) the conflict between supervisory roles and the development of a personal counselling relationship, (3) the advantages of a multifaceted role for school counsellors, (4) the role of counselling as an arena of comfort, (5) the importance of giving students a role in the design of counselling services, (6) the importance of a professional friendship in the counselling relationship, and (7) the importance of clearly articulated professional identities for school counsellors."--Pages ii-iii.

School Counselling in an Asian Cultural Context focuses on the ways in which cultural setting influences the practice of school counseling, its effectiveness, and the experience of young people as they engage in counseling in schools. The mental health of young people is increasingly a cause for concern, particularly in Asia’s high-pressured league-topping education systems, and the wellbeing of students is becoming more a part of the wider remit of schools. Mark Harrison presents a broad overview of the development and current practice of school counseling in Hong Kong in both local and international schools and examines this in relation to school counseling in US and UK settings as well as the wider Asia-Pacific region. The book brings together two foci: the practice of school counseling in the Asian cultural context of Hong Kong, and the effectiveness and experience of school counseling from the perspective of young people and counselors. The diversity of schools in Hong Kong makes it a microcosm of trends and practices in school counseling globally and, as such, offers insights which will be of interest to students in training; school counselors, administrators and policy makers in the Asia-Pacific region and further afield.

"Middle and high school counselors will find this book to be very helpful for its practical and hands-on approach." —Karen Thompson, Assistant Professor Psychology & Counseling Valdosta State University "This is a great collection of resources to aid secondary school counselors." —John Littrell, Professor of Counselor Education/Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Iowa State University "This is an outstanding addition to the field." —Greg Brigman, Professor of Counselor Education Florida Atlantic University "The material is especially helpful because of the separation in grade levels. I often find it difficult to find material specifically designed for transitions from ninth to tenth grade AND from sixth to seventh. This is one of the most valued sections of the book for me." —Judy Buchholz, Ninth-Grade School Counselor D. W. Holmes Junior High School, CA "This is a major contribution to best practices in school counseling." —Gerald Monk, Professor of Psychology & Counseling San Diego State University "...an invaluable resource for school counselors." —Barbara Blackburn, ASCA Secondary Vice President and President Elect Innovative and essential strategies for charting a course toward an effective secondary school counseling program! The recent wave of accountability reform movements has largely overlooked the needs of middle and high school counselors, yet has generated daunting pressure for guidance programs to be standards-based and data-driven. Written from the perspective of a practicing, certified counselor, this guide contains essential information needed to implement the American School Counselor Association′s National Model and smoothly transition from service-based to program-based counseling. The book affirms that the school′s guidance and counseling program play an integral role in the instructional program and overall school success. Best Practices for Effective Secondary School Counselors centers on six best practices and highlights specific action plans and examples for each one, allowing counseling staff to easily implement the comprehensive programs outlined. Key features include: Time-saving checklists, surveys, and forms Straightforward tactics for applying six best practices Strategies for stress management Tips for writing successful letters of recommendation An extensive resource and Web site list From evaluation, advisement and communication, to career education, transition, and professional development, this user-friendly text features relevant and proven solutions for counselors′ primary concerns.

The Comprehensive School: Guidelines for the Reorganization of Secondary Education focuses on the main issues basic to the reform of secondary education as part of the move toward comprehensivization in schools. These issues concern the less able and the culturally disadvantaged children; the streaming/non-streaming controversy; guidance and counseling; and the curriculum. This book has 10 chapters; the first of which provides an overview of the comprehensive movement in education and the concept of the common school, as well as the effects of reorganization on academic standards. The discussion then turns to the controversy concerning streaming and non-streaming in the comprehensive school; how to educate at the secondary level children who are less able and/or are culturally deprived; and the importance of vocational guidance and counseling. The chapters that follow explore issues associated with the curriculum and general school policy in the light of the school's aims and its function in society; the problem of size of school; and the nature and scope of secondary school curriculum. This book concludes by assessing the relative advantages and disadvantages of different types of reorganized school. Educators and policymakers with an interest in comprehensive education will find this book extremely helpful.