The Power of Parent-Counselor Partnerships in School Counseling

Strong partnerships between parents and school counsellors are vital for students’ social-emotional wellbeing and academic success. Research consistently shows that collaboration between parents and counsellors leads to significant improvements in students’ mental health and academic outcomes, even surpassing the influence of socioeconomic status, race, or family background. Yet, despite this evidence, parents’ perspectives on school counselling remain underexplored, particularly in regions like Asia, where cultural factors present unique challenges.

Why Parent-Counselor Collaboration Matters

Studies highlight that parental involvement in schools is a strong predictor of academic achievement. When parents and counsellors work together, students benefit from greater self-confidence, better emotional regulation, and improved academic performance. For instance, in the United Kingdom, parents view school counseling as an accessible, confidential, and non-judgmental resource that supports their children’s growth in a familiar environment. These positive perceptions underscore the potential of strong partnerships to create a supportive ecosystem for students.

However, the story is different in Asia, where cultural norms often complicate engagement. Mental health stigma is more prevalent, and sharing personal issues outside the family can be seen as shameful. In high power-distance cultures, counsellors may be perceived as authority figures, particularly when they also serve as teachers, which is common in Hong Kong. This perception can deter parents from engaging, especially in public (local) schools, where negative attitudes toward counselling are more pronounced compared to international schools.

Understanding Parents’ Perceptions

Research into parents’ views on school counselling is limited but revealing. A recent study developed the Parental Perceptions of School Counseling (PPSC) scale, a 13-item tool designed to measure parents’ attitudes in Asian contexts. The scale identifies four key dimensions:

1. Negative Beliefs/Perceptions: Feelings of shame, embarrassment, or fear that counselling might harm academic performance. These are often tied to stigma and a lack of understanding about counselors’ roles.

2. Willingness to Meet Counselors: Parents’ openness to engaging with counsellors, influenced by proactive communication and a welcoming school environment.

3. Beliefs in Counseling Benefits: Positive attitudes toward mental health support and recognition of counselling’s role in academic and personal growth.

4. Trusting Attitude Toward Counseling: Comfort with children accessing counselling and sharing confidential information.

   
   

The study found that negative perceptions are closely linked to barriers to school engagement, such as unwelcoming school cultures or parents’ lack of clarity about counsellors’ roles.

Overcoming Barriers to Engagement

To improve parent-counsellor partnerships, schools must address both school-related and societal barriers. School invitational barriers, like poor communication or an unwelcoming attitude, can be mitigated by fostering open dialogue, clarifying counsellors’ roles, and creating inclusive environments. For example, parents in Hong Kong’s international schools generally value collaboration with counsellors and express frustration when communication is lacking. Non-school barriers, such as busy schedules or negative personal experiences with schools, also require tailored strategies, like flexible meeting times or outreach efforts.

Counsellors can use tools like the PPSC scale to better understand parents’ perceptions and tailor interventions. By addressing stigma and improving role clarity, schools can encourage positive help-seeking behaviors. For instance, parents who understand counselling’s benefits are more likely to support their children’s participation, leading to better outcomes.

The Path Forward

The development of school counselling in Asia, home to over half the world’s adolescents, holds immense potential to address the region’s high prevalence of mental health challenges. However, progress requires culturally sensitive frameworks that prioritize stakeholder collaboration. The PPSC scale offers a practical tool for researchers and practitioners to assess and improve parental engagement, enhancing counselling effectiveness. Schools should focus on building trust, reducing stigma, and fostering communication to create meaningful partnerships. They should commit to empowering parents as partners in this critical work.