Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-dlnhk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-27T16:02:13.642Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Counselling Elementary School Students — Experiences of School Counsellors from Serbia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 July 2020

Sladjana Zuković  and
Senka Slijepčević
Sladjana Zuković
Affiliation:
Department of Pedagogy, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
Senka Slijepčević*
Affiliation:
Department of Pedagogy, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
*
*Corresponding author. Email: [email protected]
Get access

Abstract

Starting from the importance and purpose of school counselling, the article highlights the content-methodical specifics and assumptions of effective counselling work with students, and gives a brief overview of the practice of school counselling in Serbia. On that basis, this study aimed at examining school counsellors’ experiences in counselling elementary/primary school children (e.g., reasons for counselling, ways of implementation and difficulties). A sample of 81 school counsellors participated in a semistructured interview. The results show that undesirable behaviour and learning difficulties are the most common reasons for counselling, initiative is mainly coming from teachers or counsellors, and individual work and corrective counselling are more common. The difficulties respondents mentioned mainly related to the students’ personalities. The experiences of practitioners imply that the counselling practice insufficiently appreciates the importance of an integrative-systematic approach in student counselling. In this regard, the conclusion provides some recommendations that could contribute to improving the practice of counselling in schools in Serbia.

Keywords

school counsellingpedagoguestudentsintegrative/systemic model
Type
Original Article
Information
Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools , Volume 32 , Issue 2 , December 2022 , pp. 185 - 197
Check for updates
Copyright
© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Adams, S.A. (2015). A counseling formula: Introducing beginning counseling students to basic skills. The Professional Counselor, 5, 114–123.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Astramovich, R.L., Hoskins, W.J., Gutierrez, A.P., & Bartlett, K.A. (2013). Identifying role diffusion in school counseling. The Professional Counselor, 3, 175–184.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Baruth, L.G., & Robinson, E.H. (1987). An introduction to the counselling profession. London: Prentice-Hall International.Google Scholar
Bor, R., Ebner-Landy, J., Gill, S., & Brace, C. (2002). Counselling in schools. London: SAGE Publications.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brasher, K.L. (2009). Solution-focused brief therapy: Overview and implications for school counselors. The Alabama Counseling Association Journal, 34, 20–30.Google Scholar
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3, 77–101.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bryan, J., & Henry, L. (2008). Strengths-based partnerships: A school-family-community partnership approach to empowering students. Professional School Counseling, 12, 149–156.Google Scholar
Bryan, J., Griffin, D., Kim, J., Griffin, D.M., & Young, A. (2019). School counselor leadership in school-family-community partnerships: An equity-focused partnership process model for moving the field forward. In Sheldon, S. & Turner-Vorbeck, T. (Eds.), The Wiley handbook on family, school, and community relationships in education (pp. 265–287). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.Google Scholar
Bryan, J., Moore-Thomas, C., Day-Vines, N.L., Holcomb-McCoy, C., & Mitchell, N. (2009). Characteristics of students who receive school counseling services: implications for practice and research. Journal of School Counseling, 7, 1–29.Google Scholar
Chan, D.W. (2000). Brief intervention for school problems: A practical approach for Hong Kong teachers. Asian Journal of Counselling, 7, 65–83.Google Scholar
Corey, G. (2011). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy (9th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning.Google Scholar
DeKruyf, L., Auger, R.W., & Trice-Black, S. (2013). The role of school counselors in meeting students’ mental health needs: Examining issues of professional identity. Professional School Counseling, 16, 271–282.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Department of Education (2016). Counselling in schools: A blueprint for the future. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/497825/Counselling_in_schools.pdf.Google Scholar
Domitrovich, C.E., Bradshaw, C.P., Greenberg, M.T., Embry, D., Poduska, J., & Ialongo, N.S. (2010). Integrated models of school-based prevention: Logic and theory. Psychology in the School, 47, 71–85.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Eatough, V., & Smith, J.A. (2008). Interpretative phenomenological analysis. In Willing, C. & Stainton-Rogers, W. (Eds.), The SAGE handbook of qualitative research in psychology (pp. 179–194). London: Sage Publications.Google Scholar
Farrington, D.P., & Welsh, B.C. (2014). Saving children from a life of crime: The benefits greatly outweigh the costs! International Annals of Criminology, 52, 67–92.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fergus, S., & Zimmerman, M.A. (2005). Adolescent resilience: Understanding healthy development in the face of risk. Annual Review of Public Health, 26, 399–419.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Goodman-Scott, E. (2015). School counselors’ perceptions of their academic preparedness and job activities. Counselor Education & Supervision, 54, 57–67.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Goodman-Scott, E., Betters-Bubon, J., & Donohue, P. (2015). Aligning comprehensive school counseling programs and positive behavioral interventions and supports to maximize school counselors’ efforts. Professional School Counseling, 19, 57–67.Google Scholar
Gutvajn, N., & Ševkušić, S. (2013). Kako stručni saradnici doživljavaju školski neuspeh učenika [How school counselors perceive students’ underachievement]. Zbornik Instituta za Pedagoška Istraživanja, 45, 342–362.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hawkins, J.D., van Horn, M.L., & Arthur, M.W. (2004). Community variation in risk and protective factors and substance use outcomes. Prevention Science, 5, 213–220.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hebib, E. (2014). Dimenzije uloge školskog pedagoga [Dimensions of the role of the school pedagogue]. Nastava i vaspitanje, 63, 337–350.Google Scholar
Hechler, O. (2012). Pedagoško savjetovanje – teorija i praksa odgojnog sredstva [Pedagogical counselling – theory and practice of educational tool]. Zagreb: Erudita.Google Scholar
Herrenkohl, T.I., Hill, K.G., Chung, I.J., Guo, J., Abbott, R.D., & Hawkins, J.D. (2003). Protective factors against serious violent behavior in adolescence: A prospective study of aggressive children. Social Work Research, 27, 179–190.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hines, E.M., Moore, J.L., Mayes, R.D., Harris, P.C., Vega, D., Robinson, D.V., Gray, C.N., & Jackson, C.E. (2020). Making student achievement a priority: The role of school counselors in turnaround schools. Urban Education, 55, 216–237.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kourkoutas, E., & Giovazolias, T. (2015). School-based counselling work with teachers: An integrative model. The European Journal of Counselling Psychology, 3, 137–158.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lane, K.L., Capizzi, A.M., Fisher, M.H., & Ennis, R.P. (2012). Secondary prevention efforts at the middle school level: An application of the behavior education program. Education and Treatment of Children, 35, 51–90.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lines, D. (2006). Brief counseling in schools: Working with young people from 11 to 18. London: Sage Publications.Google Scholar
Mason, E. (2010). Leadership practices of school counselors and counseling program implementation. NASSP Bulletin, 94, 274–285.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McMahon, H.G., Mason, E.C.M., & Paisley, P.O. (2009). School counselor educators as educational leaders promoting systemic change. Professional School Counseling, 13, 116–124.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McAtamney, A., & Morgan, A. (2009). Key issues in antisocial behaviour. Research in Practice No. 5. Canberra, Australia: Australian Institute of Criminology. https://aic.gov.au/publications/rip/rip05.Google Scholar
Murphy, J. (2008). Solution-focused counseling in schools. Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.Google Scholar
Murray, J., & Farrington, D.P. (2010). Risk factors for conduct disorder and delinquency: key findings from longitudinal studies. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 55, 633–640.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Nelson-Jones, R. (2007). Practical counselling and helping skills (5th ed.). London: Sage Publications.Google Scholar
Nikšić, E. (2017). Savjetodavni rad školskog pedagoga [Counselling practice of a school pedagogue]. Turk, U M. (ur.), Suvremeni izazovi u radu (školskog) pedagoga (pp. 252–268). Rijeka, Croatia: Filozofski fakultet u Rijeci.Google Scholar
Njuel, S., & Džefri, D. (2002). Transakciona analiza u učionici [Transactional analysis in the classroom]. Novi Sad, Serbia: Psihopolis Institute.Google Scholar
Olsson, C.A., Bond, L., Burns, J.M., Vella-Brodrick, D.A., & Sawyer, S.M. (2003). Adolescent resilience: A concept analysis. Journal of Adolescence, 26, 1–11.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Popov, N., & Spasenović, V. (2018). Stručni saradnik u školi – Komparativni pregled za 12 zemalja [School counselor — Comparative review for 12 countries]. Sofija, Bulgaria: Bugarsko društvo za komparativnu pedagogiju.Google Scholar
Popović, D., & Anđelković, A. (2017). Školski pedagozi o područjima rada pedagoga – Praksa, teorija i zakonska regulativa [School pedagogues on their field of work — Practice, theory and legislation]. Turk, U M. (Ur.), Suvremeni izazovi u radu (školskog) pedagoga (pp. 292–308). Rijeka, Croatia: Filozofski fakultet u Rijeci.Google Scholar
Pravilnik o programu svih oblika rada stručnih saradnika [Rulebook on the program of all forms of work of school counselors]. (2012). ‘Prosvetni glasnik’, 5/2012.Google Scholar
Resman, M. (2000). Savjetodavni rad u vrtiću i školi [Counseling in kindergarten and school]. Zagreb, Croatia: Hrvatsko-pedagoško-književni zbor.Google Scholar
Rodriguez, A.J., Watson, J.C., & Gerlach, J (2018). Comprehensive school counseling programs. Journal of Professional Counseling: Practice, Theory & Research, 45. 95–110.Google Scholar
Sakiz, H., & Sariçali, M. (2019). Paradigmatic challenges in school counselling: Correlates and reflections on practice. Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools, 29, 69–81.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Savin-Baden, M., & Howell Major, C. (2013). Qualitative research. The essential guide to theory and practice. London: Routledge.Google Scholar
Scarborough, J.L., & Culbreth, J.R. (2008). Examining discrepancies between actual and preferred practice of school counselors. Journal of Counseling & Development, 86, 446–459.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Selekman, M. (1997). Solution-focused therapy with children. Harnessing family strengths for systemic change. New York: The Guilford Press.Google Scholar
Shenton, A.K. (2004). Strategies for ensuring trustworthiness in qualitative research projects. Education for information, 22, 63–75.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sink, C.A. (2016). Incorporating a multi-tiered system of supports into school counselor preparation. The Professional Counselor, 6, 203–219.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sklare, G.B. (2005). Brief counseling that works. A solution-focused approach for school counselors and administrators. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.Google Scholar
Sobhy, M., & Cavallaro, M. (2010). Solution-focused brief counseling in schools: Theoretical perspectives and case application to an elementary school student. http://counselingoutfitters.com/vistas/vistas10/Article_81.pdf.Google Scholar
Sprague, J., & Walker, H. (2000). Early identification and intervention for youth with antisocial and violent behavior. Exceptional Children, 66, 367–379.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stjuart, I., & Džoins, V. (2011). Savremena transakciona analiza [Modern transaction analysis]. Novi Sad, Serbia: Psihopolis Institut.Google Scholar
Strear, M.M., Van Velsor, P., DeCino, D.A., & Peters, G. (2018). Transformative school counselor leadership: An intrinsic case study. Professional School Counseling, 22, 1–9.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Vanderbilt-Adriance, E., & Shaw, D.S. (2008). Protective factors and the development of resilience in the context of neighbourhood disadvantage. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 36, 887–901.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Vernon, A., & Kottman, T. (2009). Counseling theories. Practical applications with children and adolescents in school settings. Denver, CO: Love Publishing Company.Google Scholar
Wasserman, G.A., Keenan, K., Tremblay, R.E., Coie, J.D., Herrenkohl, T.I., Loeber, R., & Petechuk, D. (2003). Risk and protective factors of child delinquency. U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. https://www.ncjrs.gov.Google Scholar
Werner, E.E. (2000). Protective factors and individual resilience. In Shonkoff, J.P. & Meisels, S.J. (Eds.), Handbook of early childhood intervention (pp. 115–132). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zakon o osnovama sistema obrazovanja i vaspitanja [Law on the Basics of the Education and Upbringing System]. (2017). ‘Prosvetni glasnik’, 88/2017.Google Scholar
Zuković, S. (2017). Savetodavni rad u institucijama vaspitanja i obrazovanja – teorijski i praktični aspekti [Counseling in the institutions of education and upbringing]. Novi Sad, Serbia: Filozofski Fakultet.Google Scholar
Zuković, S., & Slijepčević, S. (2019). Counselling competences from the perspective of school pedagogues. Journal of the Institute for Educational Research, 51, 198–237.Google Scholar
Zyromski, B., Dimmitt, C., Mariani, M., & Griffith, C. (2018). Evidence-based school counseling: Models for integrated practice and school counselor education. Professional School Counseling, 21, 1–12.Google Scholar