How do you get parent buy-in for counseling services?

Parent buy-in for counseling services can be challenging in many communities. Some parents come with preconceived ideas about counseling and what school counselors do. Our roles and the mental health field are constantly changing, and it is our job to educate our school community about what it is we do and how we can help. Let's see how three Confident Counselors get parent support for counseling services.

Compare It to a health need

Everyone that we work with (i.e., teachers, kids, parents) has been shaped by their previous experiences, cultural beliefs, and norms. These experiences may cause some families to resist counseling services. One of the concepts I always make sure to discuss is the parallel between mental and physical health.

I explain that, similar to a child needing a tool to address a physical health need (e.g., glasses, a wheelchair), there are tools their child may need to ensure success socially, emotionally, and behaviorally. Allowing their child to have access to these tools (counseling, therapy, medication) may be exactly what the child needs to excel! I have found that explaining it in this way can help to break down the stigma around mental health. 

Talk to families at Open House

Back-to-school night is a great time to display pictures, literature, and data that demonstrate the effectiveness of your program. Sometimes parents need to visualize the scope of services you provide and see that you have a data-based program that yields results.

Set up a table with a tri-fold display to showcase photos of events you hosted in years past. If you can, include colorful data charts that show clear academic growth from your programs. Include business cards, ASCA standards, an about me page, volunteer sign-up sheets, a tip sheet with advice for parents, and helpful flyers that you may have collected from mailings and conferences. Having tangible resources to take home will remind parents that you are a valuable source of support.

If you are short on time, I have a ready-to-print display kit with an editable "meet the counselor" brochure and display board images. If you really want to jazz it up, leave out a handful of social-emotional coloring brochures to show the range of topics that you support. Parents can take them if they have a specific concern and want to support their student at home as well. 

Communicate about Your Services

Throughout the school year, I look for opportunities to communicate with families about my school counseling services. These opportunities allow me to educate parents about my work as a counselor, thereby increasing buy-in. Here are a few communication methods I use:

• Send out a fall newsletter with helpful tips for the back-to-school season and info about counseling programming.
• Create a "Meet the Counselor" brochure for all new families.
• Take a photo each time I teach a classroom lesson and write a caption explaining the lesson's content. Post the image and caption on the teacher's Class Dojo page.
• Create a school counseling Weebly website with information about my counseling programming and links to free resources for families.
• Use our school Twitter account to send out Tweets about school-wide programming.
• Create a display at Open House and Parent-Teacher Conferences. Have free resources available at the display for parents to grab. Hang out at the display, when available, to answer questions.
• Send out a SignUpGenius form before Parent-Teacher Conferences so families can sign up for a time slot to talk with me.
• Send out a newsletter in November to highlight ways the school can help during the winter months (e.g., food pantries, clothing closets, holiday assistance, free medical care, etc.).