The need for skilled mental health professionals is widespread today, particularly in educational institutions such as schools, colleges, and universities. Schools play a vital role in the growth and development of children. Therefore, the role of a counsellor in school creates a significant difference. A school Counsellor not only supports the mental health of students but also fosters a safe and positive learning environment for them, ultimately benefiting their future.
In simple terms, a School Counsellor is a professionally trained individual who offers comprehensive support and guidance for students’ academic, emotional, and social growth in educational institutions. School counsellors serve as vital links among students, their parents, teachers, administrators, and the rest of society, creating an ideal learning environment.
In today’s blog, we will cover everything you need to know about school counselling, including its scope, eligibility criteria, and job roles. We will also be covering how much you can earn as a school counsellor in India and how you can build a career in this field stepwise.
Let’s begin…
Scope of School Counsellors In India
The scarcity of Counsellors in schools is evident, highlighting the need for well-trained school Counsellors. Previous reports suggest that India needs 15 lakh counsellors for 315 million students who, every day, become a part of competitions, study pressures, bullying, and more. There are many mental health problems students face alone at school, and due to a lack of counsellors, they are unable to cope with them.
This mainly includes academic stress and suicide rates. Apart from these, the latest research has found that boys suffer from higher stress than girls. This includes students from middle-class families who hold part-time jobs. This also highlights the importance of direct communication with these students and their families to provide support at the earliest possible level.
To address these discrepancies, the CBSE guidelines for school counsellors stipulate that every school must appoint a full-time school counsellor or a wellness guide, which is a mandatory requirement for every institution. Thus, our education system places a strong emphasis on the need for professional school Counsellors to help students manage stress and ensure their overall well-being. This initiative demonstrates a promising scope for school counselling in India.
Your Journey To Become A School Counsellor
Now, since you all know that school counselling has a vast scope and you have made up your mind to pursue this field in 2025, here’s a simple guide you need to follow before working as a school counsellor:
- Start With A Research – Launch by understanding what a school counsellor does daily and the challenges they encounter on an ongoing basis. Investigate any specific requirements in your chosen location, as rules vary by region. Some might require certification courses for school Counsellors, while others might only need basic competencies for this role. Conducting initial research helps plan out your journey effectively.
- Pursue A Bachelor’s Degree – Your educational journey starts here with a bachelor’s degree. Choose a field such as Psychology, Education, or Social Work; these offer solid foundations on which to build. These disciplines also teach valuable lessons in human development and foundational counselling principles, making a relevant bachelor’s degree the first academic step on your way toward becoming a school counsellor.
- Finish Your Master’s – Master’s degrees are essential for most school counseling positions. Consider programs in Counselling Psychology or School Counselling that will give you in-depth knowledge in counselling theories, mental health issues, and crisis intervention – master’s degrees significantly strengthen qualifications while equipping you for the challenges involved with such roles.
- Opt For Additional Certificate Course – Consider enrolling in an additional Certificate Course in School Counselling for maximum effectiveness. These specialized training sessions often cover specific techniques or age groups that will make you stand out among candidates applying to schools or regions requiring certified Counsellors, making your application stand out among its competition.
- Gain Field Experience – Practical experience is of vital importance, and most master’s programs include an internship component as part of their curriculum. Here, you’ll be exposed to real school settings where you’ll put into action what you’ve learned under supervision. This invaluable opportunity helps develop essential skills while instilling confidence in you for your future as a school counsellor.
Skills Required To Become A School Counsellor
Becoming a skilled school counsellor requires patience and practice. What skills do you need to become a school counsellor? Here’s a checklist you need to tick before taking your first session with a student:
Communication Skills
As a school counsellor, your priority is to listen actively to your students and their concerns. This includes paying attention to their verbal and nonverbal cues. Be sure to ask questions, take notes, and provide timely reassurance when needed. When talking, you must be empathetic and compassionate towards. Make sure not to judge their problems in any way.
Team Up With Students
Once the student openly shares their problem, your next goal is to create a healthy bond with them. Be their friend, their guide, or someone with whom the child is comfortable. This collaborative approach between Counsellors and students will help solve students’ problems more quickly and ensure that students mention their issues every time before taking any significant step.
Problem-Solving Skills
Your ultimate goal as a school Counsellor is to provide practical solutions to the kids. This can begin with assessing or analyzing the root cause of the student’s issues, such as academic problems, family issues, or any underlying emotional concerns. Crafting customized strategies and action plans that enable students to overcome hurdles and reach their goals is integral to academic success.
Unbiased Attention To All
As a counsellor, you should treat each student equally, irrespective of their culture, religion, or family status. Please treat everyone with unbiasedness and create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students where they are respected and supported in every way.
Maintaining Confidentiality and Professional Demeanor
Establishing and upholding strict confidentiality for student information is central to counselling relationships, with knowledge of when and how to break that confidentiality being essential (i.e., in cases of potential self-harm or harm to others). Adhering to professional codes of conduct, as well as legal guidelines governing school counselling practice, is also integral.
Time Management Skills
Manage a high volume of student cases efficiently while keeping accurate and confidential student records up-to-date, planning school-wide guidance programs, workshops, and events.
Job Opportunities of A School Counsellor
With a positive demand for school counsellors in India, it is clear that you can expect various job opportunities in this field. Here’s a list of job roles you can fit in as a skilled school counsellor:
- Full-time School Counsellor (Private Schools)
- Full-time School Counsellor (Government Schools)
- Academic Counsellor/Advisor
- Career Counsellor (School-Based
- Behavioural Counsellor
- Special Education Counsellor
- Admission Counsellor
- School Wellness Expert/Instructor
- Counsellor in Integrated Educational Services
- Counsellor (NGOs/Non-Profits working with Youth)
- Private Practice (Specializing in Child/Adolescent Counselling)
How Much Can You Earn As A School Counsellor?
Now, one of the most critical questions is how much you can earn as a school counsellor. Indeed suggests that you can earn between 20,000 and 25,000 INR per month for various counseling roles at schools and other higher educational institutions. Now, your earnings also depend on various other factors, such as location, educational background, and your competitive skills.
In contrast, big cities like Delhi, Noida, Gurgaon, and Mumbai may offer salaries that exceed the expected range. In comparison, smaller towns with limited concern for skilled mental health professionals may result in lower wages for these professionals. It also depends on the kind of school you are applying to.
In well-reputed schools that charge high fees for quality education, you can expect a decent increase or decrease in tuition fees for vice-versa cases. Lastly, it’s all about your hard work, dedication to this career, and the skills you will be paid for. Make sure to work on it as much as possible.
Final Words
Concluding today’s blog, I hope you gain clear insights into becoming a school Counsellor. We covered everything that you need to know about this field and what you can expect in the future. Overall, it has a fantastic scope in India and has a decent CTA too.
If you enjoy working with children, particularly school students, then you should not miss the opportunity to work in this field. According to the above reports, it is evident that there is a shortage of school counsellors in India. At the same time, CBSE has mandated that educational institutions hire school counsellors since last year. You must have figured out by now how lucrative this field is.
However, if you’re concerned about how to start as a school Counsellor, we’re here to support you. Indian Counselling Services provides a short-term and a Diploma course in school counselling online. Both courses are practical and skill-oriented, and will make a valuable impact if you aspire to be a future school Counsellor. Join us today and learn about these courses!
Ready to upskill your learning and empower the next generation?
Enroll in our Advanced Online School Counselling Course Today!
