A Student Assistance Counselor (SAC) typically runs school-based mental health and substance use support — assessments, brief counseling, group facilitation, and coordination with teachers, families, and outside providers.
Daily rhythm typically blends brief individual sessions, groups, classroom observations, and consultation with teachers and families. You'll often see students whose presenting concern only becomes clear after several short contacts. Crisis intervention — suicidality, family violence, substance issues — happens regularly, not occasionally.
The dual context of clinical work inside a school surprises many — confidentiality, mandated reporting, and academic concerns intersect daily. Coordination with teachers, administrators, families, and outside therapists is constant. The school calendar shapes pacing in ways outpatient settings don't.
People who thrive here typically have clinical training, comfort with brief intervention, and strong systems navigation. Patience with adolescent ambivalence and durable self-care habits usually matter more than any single therapeutic specialty.
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Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.
Roles with similar work and overlapping career paths
View all Social Services roles →A Student Assistance Counselor (SAC) typically runs school-based mental health and substance use support — assessments, brief counseling, group facilitation, and coordination with teachers, families, and outside providers.
Median pay for a Student Assistance Counselor (SAC) is about $60K nationally, with the field ranging roughly from $39K to $101K depending on experience, employer, and metro (BLS).
Core skills for this role include Speaking, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Social Perceptiveness, and Monitoring.
Most people in this role hold a master's degree.
Closely related roles include Senior Student Assistance Counselor (Sac), Student Ministries Director, and Case Manager.
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