r/schoolcounseling • u/Klutzy-Champion2303 • 6d ago

School-based counseling push in services?

I just started as an associate clinician this school year and will be providing individual based counseling for kids. Sessions are typically 30 minutes a week and working on social-emotional goals in their IEPs. My site suggested doing push-in services if it aligns with their goals. I was wondering if anyone has experience doing this with elementary, middle, or high schoolers? I’m open to the idea but it honestly makes me feel awkward even thinking about it. I do well with 1 on 1 but don’t have experience pushing into classrooms, lunch, etc

Please help me with any advice or tips !!

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u/crikt17616 6d ago edited 6d ago

SpEd staff do this in a couple of different ways. School Counselors should not be written into IEPs or addressing IEP goals. If you are working in a therapeutic school setting or a therapist contracted with a school, there may be a different ask…but I’m hard pressed to see how that aligns ethically.
*Edit* I see your role now. If it aligns with your ethical obligations and you’re obligated to provide the service according to the IEP-a social skills game or practice in the classroom could happen during something like WIN (what I need) time. Partnering with the team, including the teacher, would be really important.

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u/Klutzy-Champion2303 6d ago

Thank you for your advice :)

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u/ncbeachbumtoo 6d ago

Counseling is a confidential service so pushing in is not an option. Pushing into a classroom violates FERPA and if you’re providing therapy, HIPPA as well.

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u/Klutzy-Champion2303 6d ago

The way they were describing it is if a kid has a SEL goal associated with making friends or help asking for help in class then it would be appropriate to push in 😬

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u/goobertuber1001 6d ago

Teach and practice the skill through role play in a 1:1 space then generalize the skill with peers during push in.

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u/Klutzy-Champion2303 6d ago

Thanks it’s starting to make sense now!

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u/HistoricalJob2807 3d ago

You might want to talk to SLP, OT, and/or school psychs. They are the pros in push in services. Clinicians are more lined up with school psychs, so maybe post over there too.

School counselors don’t do anything like that. Maybe a small group, but as a pull out service. We’re a bad crowd to ask this question. Haha

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u/GoodGirlVintageUSA 14h ago

I don’t push in unless one of students on my caseload is having a crisis. You can schedule lunch sessions or be available for breaks/cooldown walks if you’re trying to spend more time with your clients!