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 t...

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-fo...

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 ...

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 emo...

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 (PPR...

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

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Our goal at Sc...

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 morning routine and, surprisingly, informed my counseling practice. Who thought getting dressed each day could tea...

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.

As school counselors, we're well aware of the importance of calendar management. This episode contains valuable advi...

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 feelings and emphasize the need for proactive management and understanding of each campus' unique dynami...

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 well as the importance of fostering strong bonds with your administrative team and the art of advocati...

As school counselors, we often carry the weight of our students' problems and it's a struggle to not bring those concerns home. So how do we transition from the heavy role of school counseling to being fully present in our personal lives? This episode tackles that very question, providing you with practical strategies and introducing the concept of a transition ritual - a game changer in achieving the elusive work-life balance.

You'll learn how to create a transition ritual that works for you, ...

***JOIN OUR FREE "BEST YEAR EVER!' EVENT!***
Check out the details at https://www.schoolforschoolcounselors.com/bestyearever

Ever felt queasy at the thought of addressing a room full of people? Considered calling in sick instead of presenting to campus staff? Or does imposter syndrome have you feeling worried about being judged when speaking during professional development?

This episode fo the School for School Counselors Podcast can help you not just survive, but truly rock your next presenta...

Can you believe it's been a year since the School for School Counselors podcast began? We owe our incredible success to you, our amazing school counselor colleagues.

To celebrate this milestone, my right-hand and other half of my brain, Brooke, joins me for a special episode. Together, we reminisce about our journey, discuss our experience with the podcast, and share future plans. Join us as we reflect on our first year and look forward to what's ahead- like our upcoming Best Year Ever event.

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Are you ready to level up your counseling room for the upcoming school year? We've got you covered with this week's episode, where we reveal the must-have items and resources recommended after polling over 8,000 members of our Facebook group! From technology tools and books to games and snacks, we dive into the essential elements that will create a welcoming and effective space for your students. Be sure to visit our website for the complete list, available for free, as you curate your perfect c...

Does this sound familiar? You've been told to practice summer self-care in order to recharge and prepare for the upcoming school year. But despite taking time off and engaging in self-care activities, you still feel burnt out and emotionally drained. It's frustrating and disheartening.

The good news is- there is an alternative approach that can actually utilize to improve your emotional wellness and resilience during the summer. In this episode, we'll explore the power of self-compassion and ho...

Do you ever feel like your interventions for students with ADHD are just not working as you expected? Join me, Steph Johnson, as we unravel some of the complexities of ADHD and focus on the concept of positive and negative urgency—an essential factor in understanding and supporting students with ADHD. Through a relatable example of a student shutting down in class, I'll walk you through the typical steps we take to intervene and how understanding the differences between negative and positive urg...

Are your students struggling with emotional dysregulation, self-harm, or impulsive behaviors? Discover the incredible benefits of integrating Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) approaches into school counseling! With mental health concerns on the rise in schools, DBT can provide essential life skills and support for students facing various challenges. In this episode, we dive deep into DBT resources and share valuable insights from recent studies on the topic.

Join us as we discuss the implemen...

In this episode, I've got a little trick that's going to ensure that you next-level your school counseling game for next year.

What would it be like to walk away at the end of the school year and not even think about school again until it's time to go back on duty? What would it be like to know for sure that you're going to be up-leveling your game come fall?

What if you had your program components prepared and ready to go in under half an hour?

Even if you've been school counseling for a whi...

What's happening in school counseling right now?
Everybody's EXHAUSTED.
Right?
Just absolutely exhausted.

In this episode, I offer my thoughts and ways to maintain perspective in this overwhelming and busy time of year.

Mentioned in this Episode:
**FREE DOWNLOAD- Student Summer/Safety Plan**
School for School Counselors Mastermind
"Get the Job!" Interview Prep Program

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Our goal at School for School Counselors is to help school counselors stay on fire, make huge impacts f...

Summer plans are something that you can help students develop to help hold off any "summer slide" of social emotional skills they've built during the school year.

They can also be used to support students who may be living in tenuous circumstances or for other social-emotional concerns.

But how to write them? What do we include? And how can we know that students will even utilize them over the summer?

We'll dive into all this and more in this episode.

Mentioned in this Episode:
**FREE DOWNLO...

School counselors often fall into a gray area on campus, not quite fitting into the "administrator" or "teacher" category. This can result in ambiguity around our job roles and expectations.

With Teacher Appreciation Week approaching, it's common for school counselors to be included in celebrations despite our jobs being vastly different from classroom teachers. Continuing to group counselors in with teachers could have consequences, so in this episode, we'll explore ways to set ourselves apart...

The debate regarding the implementation of character education versus social-emotional learning (SEL) has been reignited recently in light of Florida's new Resiliency Education Standards.

Character education emphasizes the development of specific virtues, such as respect, responsibility, and citizenship. Proponents of character education argue that these virtues can be taught in a structured way, and that this approach leads to better academic and social outcomes for students.

On the other han...