Benefits of Membership in the American School Counselor Association

Benefits of Membership in the American School Counselor Association

The American School Counselor Association provides its members with a range of services, such as periodicals, professional development and peer networking opportunities. However, perhaps most significantly is its focus on helping school counselors enhance their practice and assist students in reaching their full potential.

Membership with ASCA provides more than just access to periodicals, professional development and peer networking – it’s an investment in your future as a professional school counselor. By joining the only organization dedicated to furthering this profession’s needs and mission, you’ll have access to valuable information that will enable both professional growth and personal development!

The ASCA National Model identifies leadership, advocacy, collaboration and systemic change as essential components of school counseling programs. These abilities are necessary for a comprehensive school counseling approach and can help promote student success (ASCA, 2012).

ASCA has developed an ethics policy that requires counselor educators to possess the knowledge and skills required for supporting social justice advocacy efforts as well as teaching graduate students how to become culturally competent school counselors and leaders. Furthermore, counselor educators should be ready to provide training on relevant research techniques as well as legal and ethical standards.

Collaborative relationships are an integral element of successful school counseling programs. They require trust, respect, openness, active listening and clear communication (ASCA, 2008). These bonds create opportunities to collaborate with other staff members, community partners and students on counseling interventions and support.

School counselor trainees should form collaborative relationships with other school counselors, students and staff in order to promote student learning and academic success. This is especially crucial when working with at-risk or disabled students.