The School Counselor and Trauma-Informed Practice

ASCA Position

School counselors understand the impact adverse childhood experiences have on students’ academic achievement and social/emotional development. Through the implementation of a school counseling program, school counselors strive to identify, support and promote the success of students who have experienced trauma. 

The Rationale

Schools are increasingly recognizing the lasting negative impact on children exposed to traumatic events (Davis, et al., 2022).  Children’s trauma exposure, either as direct victims or as witnesses, can lead to social/emotional harm that manifests in negative ways in schools, including low academic performance, maladaptive behavior, lack of attention and focus, and an increase in absenteeism and drop-out rates (Rumsey & Milsom, 2019). 

A trauma-sensitive school is one in which all students feel safe, welcomed and supported (Cole et al., 2013). Establishing a trauma-informed school counseling program paired with a multitiered system of supports (MTSS) and a preventive focus can decrease the effects of trauma exposure (Davis, et al., 2022; Martinez et al., 2020; and Rumsey & Milsom, 2019).  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2014) describes four characteristics of a trauma-informed program or system: 

• realizes the impact of trauma and understands the potential for recovery
• recognizes the signs and symptoms of trauma in system members
• responds by integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures and practices 
• actively resists re-traumatization 

The School Counselor's Role

• recognize the signs of trauma in students
• understand traumas need not predict individual failure if sufficient focus on resilience and strengths is present
• avoid practices that may re-traumatize students
• create connected communities and positive school climates that are trauma-sensitive to keep students healthy and in school and involved in positive social networks
• implement effective academic and behavioral practices, such as positive behavioral interventions and supports and social and emotional learning
• promote safe, stable and nurturing relationships. Research shows this is critical in helping students succeed even in the face of deprivation and adversity (The Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning Act of 2015).
• provide community resource information to students and families dealing with trauma
• educate staff on the effects of trauma and how to refer students to the school counselor
• collaborate with community resources to provide support for students
• promote a trauma-sensitive framework for policies, procedures and behaviors to entire staff
• recognize the role technology can play in magnifying trauma incidents for students

Summary

A trauma-sensitive school is one in which all students feel safe, welcomed and supported. School counselors, collaborating with school staff and community partners, can help transform the school into a safe, supportive, trauma-sensitive learning environment for all students. School counselors advocate for policies and procedures focused on the trauma-sensitive framework and the establishment of a safe school climate for all students.