Zines as a Tool for Empowerment in School Counseling

School counselors hold a unique role in schools as both educational and mental health professionals (Levy & Lemberger-Truelove, 2021, p. 2). They are tasked with supporting children and adolescents’ overall development through education about themselves and their mental health.

Creative expression can promote this development, and zines (pronounced “zeens”) can be used by school counselors to support youth in individual sessions, small or large group settings, or classroom delivery as they learn to navigate life's challenges and joys. The Journal of School Counseling offers:

Zines as a Tool for Empowerment in School Counseling

“As noted, zines can be utilized in a variety of ways, from analyzing stories to constructing stories that promote connection, healing, education, and advocacy. Prior research of zines has highlighted their deep power of individual and communal creative expression (Renk, 2024). Zines can promote connections between peers with similarities and differences, as well as help form social connections and skills. Additionally, zines can be used to engage and empower clients and students” (Henry & Shrewsbury-Braxton, 2026).

“Zines are a creative and versatile tool that school counselors can use with students at any developmental level. As a modality of expressive arts therapy, zines can be thoughtfully incorporated into many components of direct service, including individual counseling, group counseling, and classroom lessons. School counselors can leverage the creative possibilities of zines to foster connections, promote healing, provide education, and build advocacy skills with students” (Henry & Shrewsbury-Braxton, 2026).