School Counseling Simplified Podcast

As the school year is upon us, I'm sure you've been busy preparing your lessons and materials. You're probably ready for your individual, group, and classroom lessons or have at least thought about what you may want to try, or not try, for this new school year. But have you thought about what you can do from day one that may make the whole year seem easier?   That question can easily be answered b...

I'm sure I'm not the only one who was familiar with the ASCA National Model, but didn't quite know what it meant to see it in action. Of course we all heard of what it meant in grad school, but like many other areas of our profession it is very different when you have to put it into practice with your own students. That's why I will be walking you through the different steps so you can feel more c...

Whether you're a new counselor or a veteran, when you think of MTSS you are likely picturing the pyramid that outlines the system previously referred to as Response to Intervention. It's so important because it is the foundation that our program is based on. This evidence-based system may be approached by multiple positions in the school, but I'm going to outline how school counselors can support...

Back to school season is quickly approaching, or may already be here for many of you! When it comes to getting all your ducks in a row for a new school year, you could wing it, or you could make things a lot easier for yourself and have a curated plan. August is the perfect time to get organized while you have the time! One of the first things that I recommend you spend time preparing at the begin...

I don't know about you, but I have really loved this month's Small Group Series! I am super passionate about this topic and hope you feel prepared for next school year after listening to these episodes. I can't believe school will be starting soon, but it's the perfect time to talk about something very important: small group curriculum.   You may be thinking that you have already purchased a curri...

For today's "small group series" episode, I'll be talking about how to organize your small group materials to incentivize attendance. I'm sure you're thinking that those two things don't relate at all. I promise it will make more sense once you listen to my suggestions!   I'm sure we can all agree that what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for all. That is true for curriculums as well...

I'm excited to share this episode with you this week while I'm at the ASCA Conference! Make sure to come say hello if you see me! I'm also excited because this week I'll be talking about small groups again. The students in these groups are the ones that need more than that in class lesson but aren't in need of that individual session.   So how do we decide who belongs in this group? Data, of cours...

As you begin to think about going back to school, it's the perfect time to think about how to best establish small groups. Over the next few weeks, I'll be doing a new deep dive series on small groups so that you can feel prepared to dive right into forming effective small groups! In the following episodes I'll discuss using small group data, organizing small group materials, and how to design a s...

Today's episode is a great one because you get a sneak peek into my new counselor bootcamp! Now if you're not a new counselor, believe me you'll still want to listen. Newbie or veteran, I'm always here to support my fellow counselors no matter which stage you're in!   This episode will help those of you in all different seasons of your counseling career. When I entered a position that didn't have...

I'm pretty sure every school counselor has a vision of how they want their office to be decorated. Whether it's the organization or decorations, there is nothing quite like the moment you have your first job after graduating. That is why I was pretty surprised when I found out my first office was going to be shared with the school psychologist.   There are pros and cons to having a shared office a...

On today's episode we have two special guests that are joining me after they've completed the Stress Free School Counseling course. They share the specific tools that transformed their counseling programs at their schools. If you have been at all curious of what the course entails, this episode will give you all that information!    You'll find that both counselors found the framework of the cours...

I am SO excited to introduce you to the newest member of Bright Futures, Rebekah Murphy. I'm sure you'll see Rebekah on social media and now that she's a member of the team please say hello! Rebekah has been a school counselor in Kentucky for five years at the elementary level. She has a range of skills and it is easy to see that she is passionate about her career!   Rebekah has taken the Stress F...

One of the many reasons we become school counselors is to be able to provide support to students when they're experiencing a crisis. We are often given the infamous walkie talkie in order to be prepared for those exact situations. It's never long, however, until that crisis intervention begins interfering with the other duties we perform throughout our day.   Can you relate? As you're about to pic...

This month I really focused on how to use scheduling, organization, and data collection to reach more students and advocate for your role. To end the month-long series, I'll be sharing twelve strategies to increase your impact and get the recognition you deserve. As always, the simple changes I suggest will increase your efficacy and your time!   I know I've said it before, but there is truly noth...

The last two weeks I went over a scheduling tool and an organizational hack to introduce my month-long series on reaching more students and advocating for your role. This week I'll be talking about data collection and really touching upon my end of the year report. This is a great opportunity to reflect on all of the services you've provided!   Let's be honest, it's likely the case that your admin...

Last week we started the month-long series on reaching more students than ever before and advocating for your role. For week two, we are talking about a simple yet effective organizational tool. I started using this just last year and I could pinch myself for not using it sooner. What is it you ask? A counseling log!   This may seem pretty basic, but there are many benefits to using this system th...

Over the next four weeks I'm going to be putting the "simple" into School Counseling Simplified. With the end of the school year approaching, I am not here to add something more to your plate. In fact, some of the strategies I will be referring to you're probably already practicing. It's just a matter of making small changes for big impact!   This week we're specifically talking about how to batch...

As a wrap up of our month of individual sessions, today's episode is about how to facilitate individual counseling sessions. These sessions used to be intimidating to me compared to group sessions and classroom lessons. That's why I created a plan which has allowed me to love individual sessions.   I'm not sure about you, but I feel much more confident when I am organized and prepared. Let's be ho...

Let me ask you this, do you have time to reinvent the wheel? If you're a school counselor listening to this episode I can almost guarantee you do not! That's why I've created these data collection strategies that can be used across the board.    Last month I talked about collecting data in small group sessions and this episode will provide some overlap with  ways to collect data in individual sess...

Last week, I talked about how to get started with individual counseling sessions. This week we're looking at how to collaborate with parents and teachers to best support your individual students. It's important to remember that you only see your individual students for a small portion of time, the teachers see the student for another portion of time, and parents are with the student for the remain...

Happy April! Over the past couple months I've shared information on classroom lessons (tier 1) and small groups (tier 2). This month we are starting a new series all about individual counseling. Individual counseling sessions are created for tier 3 students. These are the students who need additional intervention and would benefit from a one-on-one setting. They are usually students who are also r...

Show Notes and Links In today's episode, I have a special guest on! I interview Richard Capriola about adolescent substance abuse and his new book, The Addicted Child . Join my school counselor membership IMPACT here!  https://helptheaddictedchild.com/   Get the book here. Connect with Rachel on social media: TpT Store Blog Instagram Facebook Page Facebook Group Pinterest  Youtube If you are enjoy...

Show Notes and Links In today's episode I do a complete walkthrough of a mock small group. I show you step-by-step how to facilitate a group counseling session. Join my school counselor membership IMPACT here!  Watch me facilitate a mock small group on YouTube! Connect with Rachel on social media: TpT Store Blog Instagram Facebook Page Facebook Group Pinterest  Youtube If you are enjoying School C...

Show Notes and Links In today's episode I share 2 strategies for collecting data in small group counseling. Join my school counselor membership IMPACT here!  Self-Assessments  Behavior Progress Monitoring Forms Connect with Rachel on social media: TpT Store Blog Instagram Facebook Page Facebook Group Pinterest  Youtube If you are enjoying School Counseling Simplified please subscribe and leave us...

Show Notes and Links In today's episode, I share the 5 components of an engaging small group. >>> Download your free group session here! Free Resource Library - Feelings Check and Confidentiality Poster Connect with Rachel on social media: TpT Store Blog Instagram Facebook Page Facebook Group Pinterest  Youtube If you are enjoying School Counseling Simplified please subscribe and leave us a review...