One Counselor, Many Hats: Navigating Solo Counseling in Elementary Schools

It’s tough being the only counselor in a school.

There can be lots of issues.

It’s hard to take a day off (even when you are sick!), when there is no one else who understands your job. You worry about the kiddos when you aren’t there.

There is no one to talk to about counselor stuff: difficult challenging kids, teachers who aren’t cooperative, parents who expect too much and do too little.  Even when coworkers are awesome, they don’t truly understand. And not only that but you are supposed to have all the answers anyway.

And somehow, no matter what you are doing (teaching, counseling, eating lunch), everyone feels you should be available at the drop of a hat when they have kids in some sort of a crisis.

No matter how dedicated and caring you are, you cannot possibly do it all on your own and trying to will simply burn you out. I think school counseling is always a lonely job especially if you are the only one in your school because you truly don’t have a support group or grade level team to belong to. We recognize how important it is for kids to feel like they belong… but what about adults, right?

While the challenges are real, so are the opportunities. Let’s break down the difficulties of working solo—and how to not just survive, but thrive.

Here are a few pointers.

Feeling Overwhelmed and Pulled in Every Direction

The Challenge: With no team to divide responsibilities, you may feel constantly behind, as if you can never fully catch up.

How to Cope:

1. Define your priorities: What are the main things that you feel you need to do in a day? Then create a schedule and boundaries around them. Educate everyone to understand that you have a schedule just like everyone else. As much as you want to be available, it is not physically possible for every situation. Use Stephen Covey’s Time Management Matrix to help you establish what is urgent and/or important vs. not important and not urgent.
2. Advocate: Communicate your role and limits clearly to staff and administration. Share data showing the impact of counseling services on student outcomes.
3. Train others to handle urgent situations… at least until you can get free to work your magic. This could be the school nurse, the classroom teacher of the student, AND the student themselves. Having a panic attack… what are 3 things they can do to calm down until someone (maybe you) is available? After all, you can’t be available 24/7 and they need a plan.
4.  Make sure you are caring for yourself. Not only because you deserve it but also because when you do you provide a role model for others who need see how it is done and done well. When we don’t take care of ourselves, we are basically saying to others (children and adults alike) that it’s okay to let other’s needs overtake ours because they matter more than we do. It’s not your job to handle every emotional need in your school. It is your job to teach children how to manage their emotional needs and how to develop coping skills when they don’t yet have them.

Lack of Professional Collaboration

The Challenge: Without other counselors to consult with, you may feel isolated or uncertain when faced with difficult decisions or ethical dilemmas.

How to Cope:

• Join Online Communities: Facebook groups, ASCA Scene, and professional counseling forums are great places to brainstorm and ask for advice.
• Network Locally: Connect with other counselors in your district or region. Set up monthly check-ins or form a peer support group.
• Attend Conferences or Webinars: Stay connected to new ideas, best practices, and professional energy.

3. Role Confusion and Job Creep

The Challenge: Teachers and administrators may not fully understand what a school counselor does, leading to being assigned clerical or disciplinary duties.

How to Cope:

• Educate Your Staff: Host a brief PD session or distribute a simple infographic on what school counselors do (and don’t do).
• Use Data and Frameworks: Refer to ASCA guidelines to define your role and advocate for time spent on Tier 1 and Tier 2 services.
• Collaborate Strategically: Work with your principal to create a shared vision for your counseling program’s priorities.

Unexpected Benefits of Being the Only Counselor

Being the sole counselor isn’t all stress and struggle. There are hidden benefits that can help you flourish:

• You’re the Expert: Your voice carries weight. You get to shape the vision for social-emotional learning and mental health support.
• Flexibility and Autonomy: With no one to “check in with,” you have the freedom to design and implement the program that best meets your school’s needs.
• Deeper Relationships: You build strong, long-lasting connections with students, staff, and families across all grade levels.

Being the only counselor in an elementary school can be daunting—but it can also be deeply rewarding. By setting boundaries, connecting with others, and educating your school community, you can turn the “lone counselor” role into a leadership position that empowers both you and your students.