Improving the effectiveness of school psychological counseling: Where students dare to speak their hearts

GD&TĐ - In high schools, school counseling can be implemented in any suitable space for students to share their confidential questions with teachers and psychologists.

Student-oriented model

At My Tho High School (Ninh Binh), Dr. Ha Van Hai - Principal discussed that the school identified school psychological counseling as an important part of comprehensive education . Therefore, the unit has proactively implemented many solutions so that this activity is not limited to a separate room, but expanded in both space and approach.

Specifically, My Tho High School built "Friendly Psychology Corners" in many locations on campus such as the library, medical room, hallway, school yard, etc. to help students easily stop, chat or share with homeroom teachers, Youth Union Secretary or psychologist at appropriate times.

“What I Want to Say” mailboxes are placed in convenient locations so that students can express their thoughts and wishes in a confidential manner. The advisory board will periodically receive and respond appropriately. Take advantage of online platforms such as Zalo groups and the school advisory board’s own fanpage to listen to and support students remotely. Special cases will be connected with a psychologist outside the school.

Teachers integrate psychological counseling content into class activities, experiential topics, and career guidance with familiar topics such as: "Emotional management skills", "Responding to school violence", "Friendship - love at school age"... to help students approach psychological knowledge in a gentle and natural way.

In addition, the school has built a team of “companions” who are exemplary students, trained to recognize early signs of abnormalities in their friends and promptly inform the teachers in charge. Strengthening the connection between subject teachers, homeroom teachers and parents to create a coordinated network to detect early and promptly support cases with psychological problems.

“Through the implementation process, we have found that the effectiveness of school counseling depends largely on the synchronous coordination between school - parents - students - psychologists. When students feel listened to in every space and time, they are more open and ready to receive the necessary support,” emphasized Dr. Ha Van Hai.

According to Ms. Vo Huong Lam - Principal of Nguyen Binh Khiem Secondary School (Phuc Loi, Hanoi ), school psychological counseling plays an important role in shaping students' thinking and personality in addition to teaching professional subjects. This is the stage when students begin to have quite complex changes in their psychology and physiology, so the approach to identification and counseling must be done well.

“Not only in the school psychology room, students can go to the room and meet directly with the principal to share about the problems they are facing. In many cases, I let students write down on paper the things they did wrong to reflect on themselves; discuss with them about what they should do related to relationships with friends, family, teachers and students to know right from wrong. Many students have really changed themselves and made progress in their studies,” said Ms. Huong Lam.

MSc. Le Trung Kien provides psychological counseling to students and parents. Photo: Dinh Tue

Flexible space and time

MSc. Le Trung Kien - Deputy Director of the Institute of Educational Psychology and Training (IPET) said that not only in the school campus but in reality anywhere, at any time, there needs to be a suitable space for students to share their thoughts, questions, concerns, and difficulties they encounter because the need for psychological counseling and advice for students is very large.

You can argue by using “confession” on social networks, but in reality, exposing your feelings on the internet often brings bad consequences and negative results. Choosing the right person and doing it the right way will make counseling effective.

For example, “Psychology Inbox” - students write their worries and send them anonymously; “Sharing Corner/Hotline” - where students can schedule consultations with experts or teachers of appropriate qualifications. In addition, activities such as “No Judgment Day” can be organized - an extracurricular activity where students and teachers can exchange openly without being judged. Being proactive and creative in creating a space will be the key factor for students to feel truly supported, not just a formal service.

One of the biggest problems is removing psychological barriers for students. Many students feel shy when entering the counseling room. This is the fundamental reason why counseling rooms in many schools are ineffective. An open, friendly space that helps students feel that this is not a place to “come because of problems”, but a place to “get to know themselves” would be much more effective.

In addition, the connection is enhanced when teachers or experts actively present themselves in common spaces, students feel cared for, and thus open up more easily. According to the assessment of Master Le Trung Kien, the ability to observe, be subtle and sensitive is extremely necessary for every teacher, especially homeroom teachers. Teachers need to notice "problems" from students early on and must come from sincere love for children; At the same time, create immediate connections in a discreet and tactful way.

When sensing that a student has a problem, teachers can give a small gift, a random statement of concern to make them feel cared for. After creating a premise, teachers should proactively discuss privately with the student's parents, and a few other students (but must keep the information confidential) to find out the cause. From there, create suitable spaces for chatting, confiding, sharing to support students in solving psychological problems. - Master Le Trung Kien - Deputy Director of the Institute of Educational Psychology and Training

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/nang-cao-hieu-qua-tu-van-tam-ly-hoc-duong-noi-hoc-tro-dam-noi-that-long-post744367.html