What is a primary role of the school counselor during a crisis?

A primary role of the school counselor during a crisis is to provide immediate support and ensure safety. In crisis situations, the school counselor acts as a first responder within the educational environment, working to stabilize the situation for students and staff. This includes assessing the immediate needs of students who are affected, offering emotional support, and implementing safety protocols to protect individuals from harm.

Providing immediate support involves listening to students, validating their feelings, and helping them process the event in a supportive environment. It also includes coordinating with other staff members and emergency services, if necessary, to create a secure and safe atmosphere for students to express their concerns and feelings.

While developing an ongoing support network and notifying teachers about the incident may be important tasks following the initial crisis response, they do not align with the immediate priorities during a crisis. Long-term therapy is typically not the role of the school counselor during a crisis, as it focuses on more extended engagement rather than addressing urgent needs.