Kern County Counselors Gather to Recharge for School Counseling Week

They are often the first to listen, a steady source of support, and the trusted presence students rely on every day. Today in Bakersfield, counselors from across Kern County stepped away from their campuses for a rare opportunity to focus on their own well-being at the inaugural Counselor Retreat hosted by the Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS).

Held in recognition of National School Counseling Week, the retreat was designed to honor the emotional weight counselors carry while reinforcing the importance of self-wellness and mental health for those who support students, families, and school communities. The day created space for reflection, connection, and renewal for professionals who spend their careers caring for others.

Centered on the theme, “Partnering for Purpose: Reset the Mind. Reclaim the Mission. Reboot the Future,” the retreat marked a meaningful expansion of counselor-focused programming offered by the KCSOS’s College and Career Programs department. 

While KCSOS has previously hosted events such as the Counseling and Connection Network, which emphasizes early intervention strategies and sustainable college and career readiness, the retreat intentionally moved away from instructional practices. Instead, this retreat centered on equipping counselors with tools to support their own mental and emotional well-being, enabling them to better support the students and communities they serve.

Janeyle Thomas, Program Specialist for K-14 Educational Career Advising within College and Career Programs emphasized the critical role self-wellness plays in the counseling profession.

“Counselors don’t just support the system; they hold it together,” said Thomas. “When counselors are supported, entire school communities thrive.”

The retreat featured a variety of breakout sessions covering topics — such as understanding compassion fatigue, setting healthy boundaries for school counselors, and mindful strategies for effective change — offering counselors opportunities to reflect and connect with one another in a supportive and affirming environment. 

“I learned it’s okay to be vulnerable,” said Samantha Lopez, a counselor at Foothill High School. “My favorite part of the retreat was having the opportunity to learn and connect with other providers.”

For Jose Monge, a teacher at Mountain View Middle School, the retreat offered a moment to rest and refocus.  

“I feel like this conference solidifies our foundation again, as throughout your day as a counselor or teacher you can get lost in a lot of different things,” said Monge. “A day like this brings people together and back to their square one of why they chose to work in education.”

Thomas believes that becoming a counselor is never accidental, but rather a calling rooted in purpose. Counselors serve as the bridge connecting students, families, teachers, administrators, and the broader community with care and intention. Her hope is that the retreat helped participants reconnect with their ‘why’ and leave feeling recharged, inspired, supported, and truly appreciated for the impact they make every day.

“The work of a counselor is not easy,” said Thomas. “It requires heart, resilience, patience, and an unwavering commitment to others, even on the hardest days.”