The need for mental health support at school has become quite important in India. Especially after we have witnessed cases of suicides, higher exam stress on students, anxiety rates, and increasing societal pressure. Various authorities like the Supreme Court, Ministry of Education, CBSE, and IITs have mandated the placement of psychologists and Counsellors in schools, colleges, and coaching institutions. With this, it is clearly visible how the education system is serious about mental health professionals, and so are we.
In one of our previous blog, we have explained in detail the steps of become a school counsellor. Today, we are going to find out what makes a school counsellor different from a school psychologist. Many enthusiasts get confused about these fields because both work in school settings. Let’s make things clear by first learning their meaning, and then we will understand each other through an apparent breakdown.
School Counsellor vs School Psychologist: Meaning
A school counsellor helps students in managing their emotions, social and academic development, and acts more like a guide and mentor to many students. Their main goal is to provide guidance, conduct workshops, talk with parents and teachers, and provide support to all students to improve their academic targets, career planning, or advice, and help in cases of bullying or school conflicts.
For example, if a student is suffering from peer pressure or feeling nervous about their upcoming exams, they may talk to a school counsellor for guidance, relaxation exercises, and seek help at an early stage.
A school psychologist is someone who solves a student’s psychological, behavioural, or learning issues. They look into more complex problems related to depression, suicidal thoughts, or trauma. They provide one-to-one sessions, evaluate students carefully, provide detailed interventions, and give therapy if required.
For example, suppose a child is showcasing signs of anxiety, and it is affecting his academic performance. In that case, the Psychologist can take sessions, talk with parents and teachers to create a therapy plan, and perform psychological assessments if required.
School Counsellor vs. School Psychologist: Key Differences
Here are the clear differences between a school counsellor and school psychologist:
| Key Aspect | School Counsellor | School Psychologist |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Provides broad academic, career, social, and emotional support to all students. | Specialized mental health professional assessing and addressing psychological and behavioural needs of specific students. |
| Focus Area | Academic advising, career planning, social development, and emotional support. | Psychological assessments, diagnoses, interventions for behavioural/emotional disorders. |
| Training And Qualifications | Master’s degree in counselling or related field; licensing varies. | Advanced degrees in school or clinical psychology; licensed psychologists. |
| Key Responsibilities | Academic & career guidance, conflict resolution, group workshops. | Psychological testing, crisis intervention, special education support, therapy. |
| Collaboration Approach | Primarily students, some collaboration with teachers and parents. | Collaborates closely with teachers, parents, administrators for interventions. |
A school counsellor provides general help to students. It could be career advice, academic support, and social and emotional support to all students. Whereas, a school psychologist helps students with behavioural problems and learning difficulties by using assessment tools and interventions.
A school counsellor usually has a master’s in counselling or a relevant field with a certified school counselling course online. Such courses are vital for learning how counselling can be applied at schools, in crisis management, and in educational guidance.
A school psychologist requires higher degrees, such as a master’s in clinical psychology, and sometimes with a licence to assess students and give accurate diagnoses.
A school counsellor provides educational guidance, conducts workshops, and supports the social and emotional learning of students. A school psychologist, on the other hand, provides interventions, diagnoses (if any), and offers therapies to students suffering from severe mental health issues.
School counsellors interact with parents or guardians to talk about the overall development. In contrast, school psychologists interact with parents or teachers to talk about the mental health struggles of a student, the therapy plan, and consent to get started for overall support.
Conclusion
Whether you are planning to become a school counsellor or a school psychologist, both differ not only in their areas of responsibility but also in their educational criteria. We hope we can provide you with a clear difference between the two, so when you start your interaction with kids, you are clear on how you are supposed to give them mental health support. Always remember, just like the counsellor and psychologist roles are different, it similarly applies to the school settings.
If you require any further guidance in becoming a school counsellor or Psychologist or looking for a valuable school counselling course in India, Indian Counselling Services is providing one, and that too in short-term and diploma programs.
Want to know more, get in touch!
