<p>The purpose of this study was to examine how Swedish high school students view school staff members, in general, but in particular school counselors. The research questions focused on getting the students descriptions of the staff members roles and functions within the school. The study was conducted using focus group interviews. The answers were divided into themes and then analyzed using role theory and previous research. The results showed that the students relationships with family, friends and previous knowledge about the staff members in school, affects their willingness to seek the support of school staff members. For a student in need of support to approach a school counselor, it's important that the student has previously been acquainted with them. There is no general consensus among students on what a school counselor's tasks consists of. It is also rare that a student will voluntarily contact a school counselor themselves if they don't feel they know them well. The experience students get when interacting with staff members at school affects the students decisions regarding who to approach when in need of support.</p>

The purpose of this study was to examine how Swedish high school students view school staff members, in general, but in particular school counselors. The research questions focused on getting the students descriptions of the staff members roles and functions within the school. The study was conducted using focus group interviews. The answers were divided into themes and then analyzed using role theory and previous research. The results showed that the students relationships with family, friends and previous knowledge about the staff members in school, affects their willingness to seek the support of school staff members. For a student in need of support to approach a school counselor, it's important that the student has previously been acquainted with them. There is no general consensus among students on what a school counselor's tasks consists of. It is also rare that a student will voluntarily contact a school counselor themselves if they don't feel they know them well. The experience students get when interacting with staff members at school affects the students decisions regarding who to approach when in need of support.