According to CACREP 2009, school counselors must be able to:

According to CACREP 2009, school counselors must be able to:

• A. Demonstrate professional school counselor competencies.
• B. Become nationally certified.
• C. Encourage students to remain in school.
• D. Accurately diagnose students' mental health issues and disorders.

Answer: (A)

CACREP 2009 sets the expectation that school counselors must demonstrate professional competencies—integrating knowledge, skills, and professional behaviors to support student learning and well-being. This standard highlights applying counseling theories ethically, collaborating with families and educators, using data to guide decisions, and pursuing ongoing professional growth. Because of this, the best answer is that school counselors demonstrate professional competencies in their practice, as it directly reflects what CACREP requires for effective school counseling. Becoming nationally certified isn’t a CACREP requirement; CACREP focuses on competencies within accredited programs, while national certification is an additional credential some counselors pursue. Encouraging students to stay in school is a common counseling goal, but it’s not a stated CACREP requirement. Accurately diagnosing mental health issues and disorders is outside the school counselor’s scope; diagnosis is typically the domain of licensed mental health professionals, whereas school counselors emphasize assessment, prevention, intervention, and referrals.

CACREP 2009 sets the expectation that school counselors must demonstrate professional competencies—integrating knowledge, skills, and professional behaviors to support student learning and well-being. This standard highlights applying counseling theories ethically, collaborating with families and educators, using data to guide decisions, and pursuing ongoing professional growth. Because of this, the best answer is that school counselors demonstrate professional competencies in their practice, as it directly reflects what CACREP requires for effective school counseling.

Becoming nationally certified isn’t a CACREP requirement; CACREP focuses on competencies within accredited programs, while national certification is an additional credential some counselors pursue. Encouraging students to stay in school is a common counseling goal, but it’s not a stated CACREP requirement. Accurately diagnosing mental health issues and disorders is outside the school counselor’s scope; diagnosis is typically the domain of licensed mental health professionals, whereas school counselors emphasize assessment, prevention, intervention, and referrals.