School counselors are school employees who support students directly through academic planning and goal setting, classroom lessons that maximize student success and small-group interventions to support students as they transition through the grades. In middle school and high school, they also help students plan for higher education, the military or the workforce. Counselors do not provide therapeutic interventions or long-term supportive services in schools. School counselors are trained to recognize and respond to student emotional health needs and refer families to the school mental health team when needed.