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Last week was National School Counseling Week, and its theme was School Counseling: Helping Students Thrive. National School Counseling Week, presented by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. National School Counseling Week is always celebrated the first full week in February. It was a time to honor the hard work, acknowledge the challenges school counselors face, and to celebrate the impact they make. A school counselor’s presence changes lives. Their voices uplift communities. They make schools a place where students don’t just survive but thrive.
As I reflect on my journey—from a high school teacher and school counselor to a counselor educator and now the President of the Louisiana School Counselor Association—I’m reminded that our work has always been about helping students rise above challenges, find their voices, and envision a future where they can thrive.
For me, this isn’t just a job—it’s a calling rooted in advocacy, mentorship, and the belief that every student, especially those who feel unseen or unheard, deserves access to opportunity and growth. I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside students who faced systemic barriers, witnessed the strength of young Black boys searching for identity and belonging, and supported families navigating life’s uncertainties. I know firsthand how much school counselors give of themselves daily, showing up with compassion, resilience, and hope.
In today’s complex and often divisive political climate, our role as school counselors has grown even more critical. Policies, debates, and restrictions may try to limit what we can say or do, but our core mission remains unchanged: to ensure that students have safe spaces to learn, grow, and become who they are meant to be. We’re often the first line of support when students face crises, the champions when they succeed, and the advocates when they encounter obstacles.
Throughout my journey, I’ve learned that our work goes beyond academic advice and college readiness. We are counselors, mentors, educators, advocates, and change agents. Whether it’s supporting a student dealing with trauma, navigating intersectional identities, or helping a young mind envision life beyond societal expectations, we are building futures—one student at a time.
As change agents, we all have the obligation to help students thrive. Helping students thrive means more than supporting their academic success. It involves fostering their personal growth, emotional well-being, and social belonging. As we guide students, it’s essential to create environments where they feel motivated, resilient, and empowered to succeed.
Here’s a guide on how professionals across roles—counselors, mentors, educators, advocates, and change agents—can help students thrive.
1. Start with Relatable, Student-Centered Examples
Whether you’re mentoring, teaching, or counseling, connect the idea of thriving to real-life situations:
- “Remember how you felt when you finally mastered that new math problem or received praise for a creative project?”
- Use relatable examples, like success in a sports activity or meaningful moments with friends, to help them recognize small wins as part of thriving.
2. Emphasize the Key Dimensions of Thriving
Break down the concept into manageable and relatable areas so students can understand its depth:
- Purpose and Joy: Encourage students to explore what excites them—whether in academics, hobbies, or relationships.
- Managing Challenges: Help students see obstacles as learning opportunities rather than failures.
- Supportive Relationships: Guide them in recognizing the role of family, peers, and mentors in personal growth.
- Growth and Resilience: Reinforce that setbacks are normal and thriving means learning to adapt and bounce back.
3. Develop Social-Emotional Learning Skills
Across various roles, support students in developing these essential skills:
- Resilience: Teach students how to respond to setbacks constructively.
- Self-Motivation: Encourage goal-setting and personal accountability.
- Adaptability: Help them embrace change and uncertainty.
- Effective Communication: Develop their ability to express feelings and needs productively.
Tip: Mentors and educators can integrate SEL skills into activities and lessons, while advocates and change agents can work on systemic supports to enhance skill development.
4. Offer Opportunities for Reflection and Goal Setting
Create safe spaces for students to reflect on their progress and set goals:
- Ask reflective questions like:
- “What’s something you’re proud of this week?”
- “What’s an area you’d like to improve?”
- “Who in your life do you feel supports you the most, and how can you expand that network?”
- Tailor responses based on individual strengths and challenges to encourage continuous development.
5. Foster a Growth Mindset
Across roles, encourage students to view learning as a process of growth rather than perfection:
- Normalize mistakes by showing how setbacks can be opportunities for growth.
- Provide affirmations like:
- “You don’t have to be perfect; it’s about progress.”
- “Every step you take, even if small, contributes to your larger journey.”
Tip for Change Agents: Advocate for policies and systems that reward effort and progress rather than just outcomes, reinforcing a growth-oriented environment.
6. Build Trusting, Supportive Relationships
Relationships are central to thriving. Build trust by showing empathy and being consistent in your support:
- For counselors and mentors: Offer one-on-one support to help students process challenges.
- For educators: Integrate activities that promote collaboration and peer support.
- For advocates: Promote programs that create inclusive spaces where students feel they belong.
7. Model and Teach Balance
Show students how to balance academics, relationships, and self-care:
- Teach stress management techniques like mindfulness, breathing exercises, or journaling.
- Encourage participation in activities outside academics, like sports, music, or clubs.
- Remind students that thriving doesn’t mean being busy all the time—it means knowing when to rest and recharge.
8. Collaborate and Leverage Community Resources
Thriving students often have access to a strong support network:
- Collaborate with school counselors, community organizations, and mental health professionals.
- Refer students to services when necessary, such as peer mentorship programs or extracurricular activities.
Tip: Change agents can work on creating partnerships that provide holistic support, while educators and counselors can identify students’ needs and make referrals.
Conversation Starter: “Thriving isn’t about being perfect—it’s about making progress, learning from mistakes, and feeling connected to those around you. I’m here to help you build the skills you need to handle challenges, find joy in your day-to-day activities, and feel like you belong. What’s one area you’d like us to work on together?”
Helping students thrive is a shared responsibility. Whether through individual counseling, classroom instruction, mentorship, or systemic change, each interaction plants the seeds for growth, resilience, and belonging. By working together, we can create environments where every student is given the opportunity to thrive.
Let students know: “I believe in your potential, and I’m here to support you every step of the way.”
Bernell L. Elzey, Jr., PhD, LPC, NCC
Bernell Elzey, Jr., PhD, LPC, NCC, is a Teaching faculty member Program Director for the Low-Residential Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at Antioch University in Seattle, President of the Louisiana School Counseling Association, Co-Chair of the Diversity and Social Justice Committee within the Southern Association of Counselor Education and Supervision, and Member of the Louisiana Counseling Association’s Administrative Council. He is also a National School Counselor Fellow with San Diego State University’s Center for Equity and Postsecondary Attainment (CEPA). Elzey’s work focuses on culturally responsive counseling, social justice, and advancing mental health equity. As the founder of Conscious Therapy and Wellness, LLC, Elzey provides inclusive clinical and consulting services. His research focuses on African-American adolescent males, father absenteeism, and social justice counseling. A dedicated leader and presenter, he advances culturally responsive and trauma-informed counseling practices.
