School for School Counselors Podcast

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 app...

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 int...

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) h...

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 th...

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 pl...

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 enc...

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 misunde...

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 lov...

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 in...

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 scho...

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., & Co...

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 c...

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...

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 coll...

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 b...

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...

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 s...

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 relation...

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 &quo...

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...

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...

Picture this: You’re a busy school counselor, juggling a multitude of tasks, feeling like there are never enough hours in the day. A new issue presents itself, you look around at all the binders and files and books and resources in your office, and you think, "What do I do??!!?" Ever been there? You’re not alone. This week, I reveal how adopting a capsule wardrobe revolutionized my morni...

Imagine beginning your school year fully prepared, with a clear roadmap for success. That's what we're talking about in this episode of the School for School Counselors Podcast. We dissect the best ways to plan for the year ahead, reduce cognitive load, and create effective boundaries that will streamline your school year through insights from our recent "Best Year Ever!" event...

Ever felt like a fraud in your own profession, plagued by the fear of being exposed as an imposter? Believe it or not, you're not alone. This episode takes a deep dive into the reality of imposter syndrome in the world of school counseling, a phenomenon surprisingly prevalent among all our colleagues. We dissect how factors like a new environment or a challenging atmosphere can amplify these...

Does it feel like your principal isn't listening to you? Is it difficult to inspire change on campus because it seems no one understands your role? In this episode, I highlight the power of social capital and the role it plays in school counseling advocacy efforts. It’s a long game, and I talk about the value of understanding your environment and how it influences your counseling approach, as...