Chapter 1: Incorporating Play Interventions Within Individual and Small Group Counseling in Schools

School counselors are encouraged to spend 80% of their time providing services to students, their families, and school staff (Gysbers & Henderson, 2000). However, school counselors may struggle with providing quality services to the number of students, families, and staff requiring assistance, due to the large number of students they serve and the additional responsibilities assigned to them beyond providing direct service. The U.S. Department of Education, National Institute for Educational Statistics (n.d.) reported the national average for school counselor to student ratio as being 1:250 for the 2009-2010 school year, while a 1:459 ratio is recommended by the American School Counselor Association (American School Counselor Association [ASCA], 2012). Therefore, a need exists for providing short-term, quality, evidenced-based counseling services in an effective manner within the learning environment.