The Role of a Trauma-Sensitive School [NRI] Counselor

School counselors along with teachers, nurses, pediatricians, and childcare providers must work daily to bring well-intentioned education and student wellness policies to life. Through their unique role in the education system, school counselors can have a broad impact on bringing ACE awareness to schools. As bridge-builders between mental health/community services and education, they bring knowledge about ACEs to their work and improve collaboration. As student advocates, they use their voice, influence, and collaborative support to improve outcomes for our traumatized students. And as staff trainers, school counselors educate others about ACEs and their impact on students. Broad awareness, advocacy, and collaborative efforts create meaningful and lasting change. Students with ACEs need to feel safe at school. Due to their dysregulated stress response system, these students are more likely to feel that school is scary, unwelcoming, or a place they don’t fit in. School counselors create a sense of safety and belonging by creating calm environments, modeling emotional support, normalizing the ACE experience, and responding appropriately to mental health emergencies.