2014 Volume 17 Issue 1 Pages 5-17
【Purpose】The importance of cooperation among school counselors (SCs) and teachers has been highlighted in previous research. However, few studies have focused on the purpose of such cooperation. Therefore, this study examines the purpose and compares the needs of these two occupations in order to promote effective cooperation.
【Methods】An open-ended questionnaire was created regarding the purpose of such cooperation after which SCs and school counseling coordinators throughout Japan were asked to respond. A total of 142 SCs and 158 school counseling coordinators responded to the questionnaire, which resulted in 533 statements. The statements were then categorized, using the KJ method, and analyzed to investigate the differences in the two occupations.
【Results】The findings show that both occupations had interests in improving the environment of their students, strengthening their ability to deal with problems, and improving the mental health of their students and their respective parents. In addition, SCs had a stronger need to improve their students’ environment, while school counseling coordinators had a greater need to improve their students’ mental health.
【Discussion/Conclusion】The results indicate that to improve future cooperation, it would be helpful for those to first admit the existence of these differences and then understand and respect their colleagues’ opinions.
