GRADED: Needs Assessments
Needs assessments are everywhere in school counseling, and they're especially enticing when you’re just starting out. They feel like the smart, strategic thing to do. But what if they’re just giving you more to carry? In this episode, we’re taking a hard look at needs assessments: who’s pushing them, why they’ve become the go-to starting point, and what they can cost you. We’ll cover the real benefits and the overlooked drawbacks- like ethical risks, political landmines, and the guilt s…
GRADED: When Short-Term Counseling Fails Students
We’ve all been told school counseling should be short-term and goal-focused, and most of us have tried to follow that rule: running six-week groups, setting goals, and wrapping things up quickly. But when those same students ...
GRADED: The ASCA National Model
In this first episode of the Graded series, we put the ASCA National Model to the test. What was promised? What’s actually happening? And what grade does it really deserve? If you’ve ever felt like the model was built for someone else’s school, you are NOT alone! For over two decades, the ASCA Model has served as the gold standard in school counseling. But for most counselors, the support to make it work just isn’t there. Not in staffing. Not in scheduling. Not in the endless stream of “othe…
Inside the Mind of an Undeniable School Counselor
You’ve got the heart. You’ve got the training. So why does it still feel like no one’s listening? This episode is about the invisible skill no one taught you, but everyone responds to. The one that separates the school counselors who get looped in… from the ones who get left out. It’s not confidence. It’s not charisma. And it’s definitely not another credential. We’re talking about the kind of presence that shifts the energy in a room. The kind of clarity that builds trust when things get te…
Should School Counselors Get Their LPC?
More and more school counselors are saying, “I’m getting my LPC and getting out.” But is licensure really the answer- or just a new kind of stress? In this episode, we take a candid look at what licensure changes, what it doesn’t, and why your next move deserves more than burnout logic. Plus, I’ll walk you through the hidden costs, the unexpected trade-offs, and what clinical work actually involves (spoiler: it’s not school counseling in a cozier office). We’ll talk salary. We’ll talk superv…
Why School Counselors Feel Like They’re Failing (Even When They’re Not)
Still feeling unsure- even with experience under your belt? This episode explains why doubt might be the best sign you’re doing the job well, not a reason to second-guess yourself. In this episode, we’re pulling back the curt...
It’s Summer! So Why Can’t School Counselors Actually Relax?
You turned in your keys, packed up your office, and told yourself this summer would be a reset. But instead of relaxing, you feel… off. Either you can’t sit still, or you’ve completely shut down. Sound familiar? In this episo...
How School Counseling’s Best Intentions Turned Against Us
You followed the model. You tracked the data. You did everything “right.” So why does it still feel wrong? In this episode, we talk about how school counseling’s best intentions became a trap, and what to do when the map you were given stops working. If you’re tired of measuring your worth by minutes and metrics, this one’s for you. Mentioned in this episode: Episode 4, "Your Data Does Not Define Your Worth as a School Counselor" ********************************* ⭐️ Want support wi…
Why Some School Counselors Get Ignored and Others Don’t
Why do some school counselors get a seat at the table while others get sidelined, no matter how qualified they are? In this episode, we’re breaking down what actually builds trust with school leaders and how to develop the on...
5 School Counseling Mistakes That’ll Bite You in August
What you forget in May will come back to bite you in August. In this episode, we cover 5 school counseling mistakes that cause chaos when the year starts- and how to avoid them while you still can. You’re running on fumes. Ma...
Should I Quit My School Counseling Job?
You’ve been holding it in all year. The long hours, the invisible work, the constant pressure to stay calm while everything around you feels like it’s unraveling... And now that the school year’s winding down, one question keeps echoing louder than the rest: “Can I really do this again next year?” In this deeply personal episode, I’m not here to hand you a checklist or tell you what to do. I’m here as a fellow counselor, walking through the same hard questions- right alongside you. We’ll tal…
When You Love School Counseling But Hate How It Feels
You love school counseling. You believe in the mission. But right now, it just isn't feeling right. If you’ve been wondering whether you’re burned out, questioning if you can make it through another year, or feeling disconnec...
The Three Types of School Counselors: Which One Are You?
⭐️ Want support with real-world strategies that actually work on your campus? We’re doing that every day in the School for School Counselors Mastermind . Come join us! ⭐️ ********************************** Ever meet another s...
When Behavior Intervention Just Feels... Wrong
⭐️ Want support with real-world strategies that actually work on your campus? We’re doing that every day in the School for School Counselors Mastermind . Come join us! ⭐️ ********************************** Behavior charts. Co...
Behavior Plans, Explained
⭐️ Want support with real-world strategies that actually work on your campus? We’re doing that every day in the School for School Counselors Mastermind . Come join us! ⭐️ ********************************** You’ve been looped ...
What Schools Get Wrong About ADHD
⭐️ Want support with real-world strategies that actually work on your campus? We’re doing that every day in the School for School Counselors Mastermind . Come join us! ⭐️ ********************************** We’ve got to stop c...
Beyond the Behavior Bouncer
⭐️ Join the School for School Counselors Mastermind today to become the school counselor you were meant to be . ⭐️ ********************************** In the previous episode, we talked about what happens when a behavior refer...
The Behavior Problem School Counselors Aren't Supposed to Talk About
⭐️ Join the School for School Counselors Mastermind today to become the school counselor you were meant to be . ⭐️ ********************************** You get the call: “Can you come get this student?” But when you walk in, it...
Do Social Stories Really Work?
⭐️ Join the School for School Counselors Mastermind today to become the school counselor you were meant to be . ⭐️ ********************************** You’ve been asked to read a Social Story to a student—again. And if you're ...
Bullying or Just Drama? The School Counselor’s Guide to Getting It Right
➡️ JOIN THE WAITLIST FOR THE BEHAVIOR BREAKTHROUGH KIT! Every school counselor has been there—stuck in a conversation where the word "bullying" is thrown around, but something feels off. A parent demands action because their ...
Relational Aggression and Bullying
"It's just middle school drama." "Ignore them, and it'll stop." "You're gonna have to toughen up." Sound familiar? These are the kinds of dismissive responses students often hear when they report bullying or relational aggres...
How to Handle Student Behavior Like a Pro
You know that moment—the banshee scream echoes down the hall, and suddenly, all eyes are on you. The walkies go off, teachers are calling your name, and once again, you’re expected to drop everything and handle the latest beh...
The Fat-Free Fix That’s Failing School Counselors
As busy school counselors, we often find ourselves reaching for quick-fix solutions to help our students. But are these convenient resources truly serving our students' needs? In this episode, I challenge the effectiveness of...
How to Make Your School Feel Less Toxic (No Admin Approval Needed)
Can small acts of kindness truly transform a school environment? Or is that just wishful thinking? As we dive into Random Acts of Kindness Week , I’m sharing my firsthand experiences as a school counselor navigating workplace...