Self-Care Strategies That Stick: A Blueprint for School Counselors (Part 1)

Welcome to this three-part blog series on self-care. In Part 1, we’ll explore why self-care is essential for counselors. Part 2 will take a deeper look at what self-care truly means by dividing it into eight key categories. And, finally, in Part 3, we’ll learn how to develop a personalized self-care system that will fit our own unique needs.

Part 1: A Counselor's Need for Self-Care

It's no secret that many of us are feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. The field of education has evolved significantly over the years, bringing with it new challenges and responsibilities. As a school counselor, I frequently read posts in Facebook groups and listen to stories shared by fellow counselors on Instagram. Many express feelings of burnout, citing a growing list of mental health and safety concerns, an ever-increasing workload, non-counseling duties, rising student behavior issues, administrative pressures, limited support, feeling undervalued, compassion fatigue, and inadequate compensation.

We wear many hats, often juggling multiple roles at once. Oftentimes, our days are filled with supporting students in crisis, and then we return home to care for our own families. The emotional and physical toll can be immense. It's a demanding journey – one that deserves recognition, support, and care. While the demands are great, so is the need for a renewed commitment to caring for ourselves.

Counselors must prioritize their own physical and mental well-being in order to effectively support others. With that in mind, consider the following points:

1. Self-care is not selfish, it's self-preservation. It’s about intentionally prioritizing your own well-being so you can show up as your best self for others. When we take care of our physical, emotional, and mental health, we create the space and energy needed to support those who rely on us.

2. Practicing self-care can boost your mood, increase energy levels, build confidence, and enhance both physical health and cognitive function. 

3. For counselors, self-care is essential in preventing burnout and compassion fatigue. We often carry the emotional weight of our students' experiences. In some cases, this can lead to secondary traumatic stress. Our students need us to be present, balanced, and emotionally available – not depleted and burned out.

4. Prioritizing self-care also sharpens focus and attention. When we approach our work with a clear mind, we're better able to be fully present, listen actively, show empathy, and think clearly when solving problems. 

In Part 2, we’ll move beyond the “treat yourself” version of self-care that is often portrayed in pop culture and explore eight core categories of self-care that support true, sustainable well-being.

Note from the Publisher:

Sara Kinsey, MEd, NCC, is the author of Under the Sea Lessons for Life: Teacher & Counselor Activity Guide (Volume 1). Her second publication with Boys Town Press,Under the Sea Lessons for Life: Teacher & Counselor Activity Guide (Volume 2) is coming September 2025. For more from Sara, follow her on Facebook and Instagram.