Imagine a career where every interaction is an opportunity for growth, understanding, and connection. That's the vision I'm casting in this episode, as we talk through the "what-to-do's" of social emotional leadership in the world of school counseling. I'm unpacking the art of leading by example, drawing upon the wisdom of Bowers, Lemberger-Truelove, & Brigman (2017) to showcase how you can put social-emotional leadership into place through affiliative, visionary and democratic behaviors to crea...

Discover how to elevate your influence on campus as we explore a leadership framework for school counselors proposed by Bowers, Lemberger-Truelove, & Brigman (2017). We'll look at the leadership dispositions that can transform school counselors into agents of change, promoting an environment where both students and staff can thrive. Reference: Bowers, H., Lemberger-Truelove, M. E., & Brigman, G. (2017). A social-emotional leadership framework for school counselors. Professional School Counseling...

Navigating ethical pitfalls and maintaining professionalism isn't just a part of our job - it's at the heart of our mission as school counselors. This episode takes a hard look at the delicate dance between best, ethical practices and the pressures that tempt us to bend or overstep our boundaries. This is the stuff few people talk about: the emotional complexities that come with truly investing in our students' lives. You'll hear firsthand how to balance empathy with professionalism, personal c...

Faster isn't always better, and "more" doesn't always hit the mark. That's what we're talking about in this episode, where the art of patience isn't just a personal virtue, it's also a very smart professional strategy. If it feels like it's taking forever to get your campus on the right track, it might help to know that embracing the slow and steady approach in building your school counseling program, despite the world's push for quick fixes, can lead to a more authentic and impactful developmen...

Hey there! Ever thought about how your own thoughts and blind spots might be shaping how you connect with others at work? In this latest episode, we're taking a close look at some tricky stuff that can trip up even the most experienced counselors: confirmation biases. We're exploring how confirmation biases work as sneaky blind spots in school counseling, subtly guiding decisions and interactions as counselors lean towards information that aligns with their existing beliefs. We'll explore the in...

Right now, people are busy talking about resolutions, goals, mindset, words of the year, etc., for the New Year. In this episode, we're not going to get into any of that! Instead, we'll walk through a very specific step by step process for making sure that you have all of the little tedious things (and the little things that jump up and bite you in the rear later on in the school year) handled. Our New Year (re)Start will help you feel confident, prepared and less stressed for the rest of your s...

Feeling overwhelmed as a school counselor? Ever get the feeling that no matter how much you've accomplished, it's never enough? I get it! (I've been there, too.) In this episode, I talk about the taboo issue of productivity guilt, a common- yet unaddressed- concern that affects lots of hardworking educators like us. I explain just what productivity guilt is and why we often feel this way, paying particular attention to heavy caseloads, high expectations, and the ceaseless demands of our roles. ...

Do you feel like a first responder, constantly reacting issues as they arise, or do you feel like you have the time and space to proactively plan for student wellness? This episode is a deep dive into the realities of reactive versus responsive school counseling. You'll be able to reflect on your daily tasks and learn why your situation, whether it's putting out fires or strategically planning, is more about your school environment than your personal capabilities, and how you can begin modifying...

Are you grappling with 80-20 expectations? Do you feel the pressure of tracking every minute of your day while managing a huge caseload? In theory, the idea of 80-20 is good, where 80% of counseling services directly impact students, with the remaining 20% of efforts supporting these services. However, a recent 80-20 mandate shows the complexities of its real-world implementation, the hurdles encountered by counselors, and the unsettling realities that have emerged. This episode further discuss...

Are you feeling overwhelmed in your role as a school counselor, perpetually stuck in a cycle where the better your perform, the more you're given to do? You could be caught in a cycle of role dysfunction, and you're definitely not alone. This episode is a heartfelt deep-dive discussion about these challenges, and how to tackle the emotional labor, compassion fatigue, and general misunderstandings about the function of a school counselor head on. Mentioned in this episode: School for School Couns...

You know that self-care is not about transforming you into an eternally cheerful person and erasing all life's challenges. It's high time we dismantle unrealistic expectations around self-care. In this episode's candid discussion, we delve into why self-care may sometimes feel like a burden rather than a blessing, particularly in our demanding profession. We also explore our own love-hate relationship with self-care and share personal insights on what truly works for us as school counselors with...

Ever been swayed by a viewpoint on the Internet only to discover it's not... quite right? You're not alone! In this episode, we take a critical look at how social media algorithms can channel us into echo chambers, potentially leading us astray- especially in specialized fields like school counseling. We'll share strategies on distinguishing the good from the bad, and how to make informed decisions that truly benefit your students. We'll also get real about the idea of collaboration and safe spa...

Can you imagine waking up to a world where every school counselor felt empowered through eight collective habits? We're exploring two of those important habits in this episode (and tell you how to access the others!) to not only give you a boost of confidence and inspiration, but to also give you a taste of our live events where we get real about the trials, tribulations, and triumphs in school counseling. ********************************** Mentioned in this episode: School for School Counselors...

What if the secret to success as a school counselor lies not just in your professional expertise? In this episode, I'll walk you through what I- and many experts in our field- have pegged as the Most Important Thing in school counseling. ********************************** Mentioned in this episode: School for School Counselors Mastermind Cholewa, B., Goodman-Scott, E., Thomas, A., & Cook, J. (2016). Teachers’ perceptions and experiences consulting with school counselors: A qualitative study. Pr...

Are you feeling the October pressure, school counselor? It's time to pause, breathe, and join us in a conversation that navigates all of October's school counseling stressors. We're all battling escalating behavioral issues while watching the stress levels rise on our campuses. But remember, heroes don't have to walk alone. In this candid episode, we delve into the 'hero complex', the all-too-real sources of our professional anxieties, and the unique solutions that are right in front of us. Love...

Ever wondered how to navigate the labyrinth-like process of behavior intervention plans in a school setting? Buckle up as we unravel this intricate process - from gathering real-world data to conducting functional behavior assessments and setting crystal clear, attainable goals. Along the way, you'll gain valuable insights into the uphill task of engaging fellow educators in this journey. But that's not all! We venture further into the heart of the matter as we address the crucial task of deploy...

Ever felt overwhelmed and feel like more of a behavior interventionist than a true school counselor? Are you unsure about your role in this critical area on campus? In this episode, we dive into the vital distinction between school counseling and behavior intervention. We talk about how as counselors, our main focus should be on prevention, guidance, and support while underlining our need to collaborate effectively with behavior intervention personnel and school psychologists. We also tackle the...

As a school counselor, you are expected to be the calm amidst the chaos- but sometimes interventions and deescalation can begin to feel frustrating or overwhelming- especially if they just keep coming! This from-the-heart conversation aims to arm you with the tools and perspectives needed to manage behavior intervention, without losing sight of your mission or your sanity. When behaviors seem to be escalating earlier than ever before, how do you remain firm yet compassionate, authoritative yet e...

What if the key to better school counseling was learning from parenting styles? In this episode, I peel back the layers of school counseling, discipline, and classroom management by drawing parallels with the four parenting styles - uninvolved, permissive, authoritarian, and authoritative. It's an unconventional approach, to be sure, but one that can bring a fresh perspective to your role as a school counselor. Dive into this conversation as I reflect on my years of experience in the schools an...

Are you ready to uplevel your approach to school counseling? Our School for School Counselors Mastermind just completed a masterclass on Solution-Focused School Counseling, and I can't wait to share some of the invaluable insights and tools from that masterclass that can help transform your approach to working with students. Gone are the days of generic solutions such as anger management or study skills groups. Instead, we talk about how to personalize each student's journey through solution-foc...

This episode brings some of the very best conversations from our recent New Counselor Academy, where we brought together a group of school counselors who are in their early years of practice, sharing insights on everything from managing unrealistic expectations to avoiding the savior complex. You'll hear some surprising thoughts on the importance of creating connections and how these relationships can be an effective tool in reducing dysregulation on campus. Learn from the experiences of those w...

What happens when we stop trying to "fix" things for our students and start showing them how to accept negative emotions? In this episode of the ​School for School Counselors Podcast​, we examine the surprisingly transformative power of acknowledging and accepting negative emotions. School counselors can serve as advocates and allies, but we are not magicians. Not every issue can be "fixed," and sometimes, the healthiest way forward may involve experiencing and accepting the not-so-pleasant emot...

What's the difference between needs assessments and climate surveys? We're diving into both the similarities and differences of these two school counseling tools in this episode. As we peel back the layers, we'll demystify their primary purposes, the kind of data they provide, and how they can be used to shape a more competent and effective school atmosphere for our students. As we go, we'll also consider the world of student privacy regulations and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA...

Welcome to the club, new school counselors! What are the "secrets" for your first year? What are the things that everyone forgets to tell you? We'll dive into four important components of OWNING your first year. Plus, I'm thrilled to announce our upcoming New Counselor Academy—an event crafted to foster growth, encourage questions, and offer additional guidance for those fresh in the field. Mentioned in this Episode: New Counselors' Academy, August 23-25 ********************* Our goal at School ...