The School Counselor as Facilitator of Organizational Health

Abstract

School counselors perceive themselves dividuals to feel more comfortable, feel as agents of change in individual and greater self-worth, and consequendy take group behavior. As a result, the indi- more risks. The lack of these elements vidual student seeking assistance with in the public schools is a predominant personal-social, educational, or career cause of student failure and is associated concerns has been the traditional tar- with the rebellion or withdrawal that get of the counselor's interventions. characterizes the behavior of all too many Change has been sought through one- students. In addition, the absence of these to-one counseling relationships or small- elements is a major cause of burnout group interaction. Counselor educa- among professional staff members and tion programs have facilitated this self- is associated with the behaviors of apathy perception and intervention style by and indifference, placing heavy emphasis on theories and Change in schools can be brought techniques of one-to-one and group about in numerous ways. First, the counseling. building-level principal may assume Recently, however, various leaders leadership in implementing change, in the counseling profession have en- The need for principals to be involved couraged school counselors to view in a change program is supported by themselves as agents of change in or- the literature and research, which sug ganizational behavior. Psychological gest that principals are the keys to any theory and research indicate that the educational change within their orga organizational environment can signif- nizations (Clark & Fairman, 1983). Sec icantly influence an individual's behav- ond, a school district may employ an ior and learning. Like people, orga- external consultant to bring about nizations can be either healthy or changes in an organization. Finally, by unhealthy. providing the school counselor with in Schools have an obligation to pro- formation regarding organizational vide a healthy organizational climate health and a process for planned that is conducive to optimal personal- change, the counselor can facilitate or social and academic learning. Environ- ganizational health, ments that provide individuals with a feeling of significance, a sense of com- ]ohn H chaders> Jr i is associate professor of petence, and a belief that they have counselor education, and Marvin Fairman is some control over important aspects of professor of educational administration, both at their environment will enable these in- the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.