Overview
 
The Kenya School of Monetary Studies counseling section extends its services to all students, parents and school staff. Services are available in a variety of settings and are developmental, preventative, and remedial in nature. Counseling services and guidance programs are vital components of the educational process which enable students to assess their needs, recognize their abilities, and develop strategies to achieve their potential. School counselors are certified professionals specifically trained in counseling theory and clinical skills. Services are provided with age-specific developmental stages of growth, tasks, and interests in mind. School counselors guide students to self-awareness so that they can make sound decisions and become responsible, productive, life-long learners. School counselors themselves are committed to the pursuit of professional competence and continued growth and development by remaining current on trends and practices in the profession. School counselors are advocates for students. In addition, school counselors assume a variety of roles and select the most appropriate one depending on the presenting concern. The tasks that counselors, most often carry out, fall under one of three primary roles: that of counselor, consultant and facilitator.
 
The Role of Counselor
 
Counseling is a helping process in which the school counselor provides a safe, nurturing environment. By establishing a trusting, confidential working relationship, students can share their feelings and develop positive solutions to personal issues. Often, the focus is on problem solving, decision making and discovering personal meaning related to learning and development. Parents, teachers, school authorities, and students can initiate a referral to the school counselor.
 
Counseling Tasks:
• advocate for students
• listen to students, assess their needs and develop realistic interventions
• provide short-term personal and crisis counseling in individual and group settings
• help students to cope with social/emotional pressures, set realistic goals, and become responsible young adults
• help students to understand and accept their capabilities, limitations, and learning style, and to assess their overall needs
• report and/or refer a case when a person's welfare is in jeopardy
• assist students with transition issues and orientation
• develop a network of community referral agencies and therapists to provide services to individual students
• make referrals for long-term or specialized therapy and act as school liaison
• work with the police department, hospital personnel, The Department of Social Services and court systems when necessary
• channel concerns to the appropriate school personnel
 
The Role of Consultant
 
Consultation is a cooperative process in which the school counselor assists parents, teachers, and administrators to think through problems and develop skills that enhance their effectiveness in working with students.
 
Consultation Tasks:
• provide professional expertise to staff, parents, and the community
• assist in the identification of problems that arise in school which are not always recognized at home, and help provide recommendations that lead to solutions
• make formal observations of students
• assist with classroom and behavior management issues
• provide on-going feedback to parents and teachers concerning individual student's counseling needs
• develop educational strategies with school personnel and community mental health specialists to meet the needs of individual students who are experiencing difficulties 
 

The Role of Facilitator
 
Facilitation is a leadership process in which the school counselor manages a school's counseling program and related services. Facilitation also involves the direct, teaching of formal and informal programs.
 
Facilitation Tasks:
Identify those students having personal problems that may impact or have impacted their academic progress. Problems may include: adolescent transition issues, substance use, abuse and addiction, eating disorders, depression, other medical, psychological and psychiatric problems, divorce, step-family and blended family issues, and loss and grief.
Once identified, a student's individual needs are assessed and recommendations made. Services may include: information/education, short-term counseling, specialized group work, family consultation, crisis intervention, and referrals to a wide range of resources.
• consult to the Student Assistance Team
• consult and collaborate with faculty around the referral process 
• serve on a variety of community committees
• coordinate debriefing for students, faculty, families and the community during crises
 
Confidentiality
 
An important obligation of school counselors is to maintain the confidentiality of their relationships with students. Therefore, the confidentiality of information received, and of any written or student records, is safeguarded. School counselors are obliged not to disclose information that a student has shared within the context of the counseling relationship, unless such disclosures are necessary to protect the student from posing a serious threat to him or herself or to others.
 
School Counseling
 
The primary role of the school counselor is to implement a developmental guidance program that will help all students acquire the skills in the educational, social and vocational areas necessary for living in a multi-cultural society. At this level, students become aware of the world of work and survey careers, post-school education and life-styles. 

Specific Functions:
• assist with transition and new student orientation
• review and maintain all records
• monitor students  progress throughout the school years
• communicate with teachers, parents, and students regarding academic status