Accessing special education counseling services requires a detailed and thorough assessment to determine eligibility and educational need, rather than a hasty decision by the ARD committee. Based on this assessment, student needs drive the development of a targeted plan to address deficits and promote academic, social, and behavioral success. This process can also be stressful for counselors, whose own needs must be supported to provide effective services. This session will guide counselors through evaluating students for counseling eligibility, identifying student needs, and developing counseling goals. It will also highlight practical ways to incorporate self-care throughout the workday to support counselor well-being, optimize service delivery, and prevent burnout.