How to Become a School Counselor in Louisiana
:: 2025 Guide
What's Here? - Table of Contents
School counselors are often overlooked, yet they play a pivotal role in the educational landscape. They are the quiet architects of student success, guiding young minds through the complexities of adolescence. In Louisiana, the importance of school counselors has never been more evident.
Recent news reports have highlighted the alarming rise in mental health issues among Louisiana’s youth. For example, the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2022 KIDS COUNT Data Book found that 10.1% of Louisiana children ages 3-17 had been diagnosed with depression or anxiety.This trend is mirrored in national studies, underscoring the urgent need for mental health support in schools.
School counselors wear many hats. They are:
If you’re passionate about helping young people and making a tangible difference in their lives, a career in school counseling is a rewarding choice. As a school counselor in Louisiana, you’ll have the opportunity to:
While the rewards of school counseling are immense, it’s important to acknowledge the challenges. School counselors often face heavy caseloads, limited resources, and bureaucratic hurdles.
However, by advocating for their profession, collaborating with colleagues, and prioritizing self-care, school counselors can overcome these obstacles and continue to make a difference.
To make sure school counselors in Louisiana are well-qualified and can effectively help students, we need to certify them. Certification sets high standards for practice, ensuring that counselors have the skills and knowledge to meet the unique needs of Louisiana students.
To become a certified school counselor in Louisiana, you’ll need to:
By following these steps, school counselors ensure they have the knowledge and skills to best support their students. Here you can find specific instructions to satisfy Ancillary certification requirements for school counselors.