You know that feeling when it’s Friday, and you can’t even explain what you did all week? Use-of-time tracking is supposed to help- but too often, it feels like just another way to keep school counselors in check. This week on Graded, we’re pulling apart one of the most pushed- but least supported- tools in school counseling. We’ll talk about: Why it’s recommended in the ASCA model—and required in some states Why real-world counselors struggle to make it stick What happens when it’s used fo...

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...

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 show up in your office again weeks later- or their behavior backslides the moment your group ends- you’re left wondering:
Was it the student… or was it me?
In this episode, we’re talking about the deeper truth behind short-term counseling:

Why it feels like failure,

How i...

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...

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...

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...

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 curtain on what that uncertainty in school counseling really means. We’ll talk about the invisible labor of school counseling, what the research says about feedback-poor environments, and how self-doubt often shows up right when your skills are leveling up.
You’ll learn:

Why e...

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 episode, we’re talking about what’s

really

going on when school counselors can’t seem to rest after the school year ends.

We’ll explore the biological stress cycle, the emotional aftermath of constant crisis response, and why your body might still be on high alert... even if...

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 with r...

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-the-fly fluency and presence that turn you into the go-to, not the afterthought.

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Being good at your job isn’t always enough. You can have the training, the data, and a deep commitment to students... and still get left out of the decision-making process on your campu...

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. May is chaos. And the last thing you want is another “end-of-year checklist.”

But here’s the truth: what you forget now

will

turn into a full-on mess in August.

We’re walking through

5 school counseling mistakes

that seem small in May but turn into massive headaches w...

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 talk...

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 disconnected from the work you once loved... this episode is for you.

In this episode, we talk about:

Why April and May hit school counselors especially hard

The difference between burnout and professional fatigue

Five evidence-based strategies to protect your energy, motivati...

⭐️ 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! ⭐️
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Ever meet another school counselor and realize halfway through the conversation…
you’re not doing the same job at all?

It’s not your imagination!
Right now, the title "school counselor" covers very different realities- and depending on which kind you’re seen as, your future in this profession...

⭐️ 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! ⭐️
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Behavior charts. Consequence ladders. ABC data.

They’re everywhere- and school counselors are often expected to be in the middle of it.

But what happens when the behaviorist framework you're handed feels completely misaligned with your counseling instincts?
What if you’re tired of being the ...

⭐️ 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! ⭐️
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You’ve been looped into a student’s behavior.
The teacher wants it fixed.
Admin wants a behavior plan.
And now everyone’s looking at you.
If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “I don’t even know where to start,” this episode is for you.

We’re walking through the full behavior intervention p...

⭐️ 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! ⭐️
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We’ve got to stop calling it "defiance" when it’s actually dysregulation.

In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on what ADHD really is- and why the strategies we often use in schools aren’t cutting it. You’ll learn:

Why ADHD isn’t a behavior problem (and what it actually is)

The c...

⭐️ Join the School for School Counselors Mastermind today to become the school counselor you were meant to be. ⭐️
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In the previous episode, we talked about what happens when a behavior referral isn’t really about the student- and how counselors can shift out of the “removal service” role and into real consultation.

But what if that doesn’t feel realistic?
This bonus episode tackles the pushback:

What if your admin expects you to remove students, no questions ...

⭐️ 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’s clear- this isn’t really about the kid.

It’s about stress. Dysregulation. Maybe even burnout. For the adult.

And if school counselors keep stepping in without asking bigger questions, we’re not solving the problem… we’re just keeping the cycle going.

In this episode,...

⭐️ Join the School for School Counselors Mastermind today to become the school counselor you were meant to be. ⭐️
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You’ve been asked to read a Social Story to a student—again.

And if you're being honest… you’re not sure it’s actually doing anything.

In this episode, we’re taking a closer look at the research behind Social Stories:

Where they came from and what they were actually designed to do

What the peer-reviewed literature says about their effectiveness...

➡️ 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 child was left out of a game at recess. A teacher sends a referral for a “bullying” case that turns out to be a one-time disagreement. Meanwhile, students facing real, targeted harassment often go unnoticed in the noise.

So, how do you cut through the confusion and handle ...

"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 aggression—and they’re not helping. In fact, with 1 in 5 students reporting being bullied and 41% of those fearing it will happen again, we’ve got serious work to do.

In this episode, we’re diving deep into relational aggression and cyberbullying, breaking down what makes these ...

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 behavior meltdown.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

This time of year, behavior issues ramp up, and school counselors often find themselves at the center of the storm. But here’s the real talk—most of the advice out there on behavior intervention? It’s not designed ...

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 "print and pray" materials that have become way too common in our field.

Thinking back to the misguided "fat-free" diet craze of the 90s, I explore how mass-produced school counseling worksheets and activities might be doing more harm than good. Because while they promise ...