School Counseling Simplified Podcast

Latest Episodes:

260. 9 Must-Have Class Lessons for Back to School Season Aug 05, 2025

Show notes

Welcome back to another episode of School Counseling Simplified! August is here, which means it's officially back-to-school season and time to start planning your class lessons. While small groups and individual sessions are important, those referrals often trickle in later as teachers get to know their students. That's why I love starting the school year with a strong foundation of proactive, Tier 1 class lessons.

In this episode, I'm walking you through 9 of my must-have class lessons that are perfect for kicking off the year. These lessons help you see every student and establish a consistent, supportive presence across campus. I'll also share tips for staying organized and avoiding overwhelm by using a curriculum map. (You can grab a free one in the show notes below.)

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

Why beginning the year with class lessons sets a proactive foundation
How Tier 1 lessons help you reach every student while maximizing your time
How to avoid overwhelm with curriculum mapping
Creative ways to teach each essential lesson using games, stories, and activities

9 Back-to-School Class Lessons to Start the Year:

Meet the Counselor Introduce yourself, your role, and how students can access your services. Try using a fun format like a game show (Jeopardy style) or an escape room with missions.
Listening Skills Teach students what it really means to be an active listener. Activities like "Simon Says" are engaging and effective for younger students.
Following Directions Reinforce routines and classroom expectations early on. Simple games like "Simon Says" can double for both listening and direction-following practice.
Responsibility Foster independence and ownership among students. Use engaging stories, songs, or self-reflection activities to make it stick.
Size of the Problem + Self-Regulation Teach students to assess and regulate their reactions. Introduce tools like Zones of Regulation to build a shared school-wide language.
Self-Control Help students manage impulses and reactions. Use a social story like My Mouth is a Volcano or try a self-control escape room activity.
Friendship Guide students in what it means to be a good friend and how to build healthy connections. Role-play or use storytelling to bring these concepts to life.
Conflict Resolution Teach tools for resolving disagreements peacefully and respectfully. Programs like Kelso's Choice are a great way to introduce these concepts.
Bullying Prevention Set expectations for kindness and respect from the beginning. Share clear definitions and strategies to prevent and report bullying.

By starting the year with these lessons, you'll not only establish your presence as a school counselor but also build a foundation for a successful and supportive school year.

Resources Mentioned:

Connect with Rachel:

More About School Counseling Simplified:

School Counseling Simplified is a podcast offering easy to implement strategies for busy school counselors. The host, Rachel Davis from Bright Futures Counseling, shares tips and tricks she has learned from her years of experience as a school counselor both in the US and at an international school in Costa Rica.

You can listen to School Counseling Simplified on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more!

259. Preventing Risky Behaviors with Dr. Crystal Collier Jul 29, 2025

Show notes

Welcome back to another episode of School Counseling Simplified! Today, I'm thrilled to introduce you to an inspiring guest: Dr. Crystal Collier, PhD, LPC-S. Dr. Collier is a therapist, educator, and author, known for her powerful work in prevention education and brain development.

She is the author of The NeuroWhereAbouts Guide and the Know Your Neuro children's book series. The Know Your Neuro prevention model was selected for the Prevention and Education Commendation from the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. Dr. Collier received the Torch Bearer Award from the Texas Association of Addiction Professionals, Outstanding Research Award from the Association of Alternative Peer Groups, and was voted Counselor of the Year by the Houston Counseling Association.

In this episode, Dr. Collier dives deep into:

Risky behaviors to watch for in elementary students
How early intervention impacts brain development
The effects of screen time and technology on the brain
The case for phone-free and watch-free schools
Why it's never too early to talk to kids about feelings, empathy, and healthy coping

She shares sobering insights, like how 50% of anxiety disorders are diagnosed by age 6, and how exposure to drugs, alcohol, and even pornography can start as early as elementary school.

But the good news? The brain can change!

We can equip kids with tools early, long before they reach their "peak" development years. The key lies in prevention, consistent brain-based education, and empowering parents and counselors with the right strategies.

Key Takeaways for School Counselors:

Feelings education is critical: Teach students to name and express emotions to avoid avoidant coping strategies.
Social experience matters: Lack of play and exposure can lead to higher anxiety.
Early empathy-building can prevent bullying down the road.
Prevention strategies must begin in early childhood and evolve as students grow.
Teach executive functioning through brain-based praise and risk education.
Use tools from www.knowyourneuro.org to implement evidence-based practices.

Pro tip from Dr. Collier: Encourage parents to have six 10-minute brain conversations per year with their kids—it's a simple but powerful way to build awareness.

Birth to age 3 is foundational—more kids are sitting with screens than moving their bodies, which affects motor skill development.

Tune in to hear how you can be part of this essential work in your school and community!

Resources Mentioned:

Join IMPACT

Connect with Rachel:

Connect with Crystal:

More About School Counseling Simplified:

You can listen to School Counseling Simplified on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more!

258. What counselors think about IMPACT Jul 22, 2025

Show notes

School is right around the corner, and I want to help you feel confident and prepared as you head back! I'm offering a free live training all about how to use a Meet the Counselor lesson to introduce yourself to your students and advocate for your role as a school counselor. You'll get a free copy of my favorite lesson and a PD certificate for attending! This training is TODAY to make sure to use the link below in resources and save your seat!

In today's episode of School Counseling Simplified, I wanted to take a break from our usual content to let you hear directly from the amazing counselors inside the IMPACT membership. We've been talking about the Summer Summit and IMPACT over the last few episodes, and now you get to hear real experiences from real members.

Here's what some of them had to say about being part of IMPACT:

Madelyn, a K–8 counselor, loves the ready-to-use resources, the opportunity to collaborate with other counselors in the community, and the empowering monthly PD. She's saved so much time!
Jennifer, a school social worker, finds the data tools especially helpful for gathering feedback from both students and adults.
Lacy appreciates the small group lessons and that the plans are already aligned with ASCA standards. She feels more prepared and loves being able to print and use the resources with ease.
Kelly is a one-counselor team across multiple buildings. She says IMPACT helps her get things done faster by cutting down on indirect hours and increasing time spent with students.
Marybeth has saved so much time with the low-prep, research-based lessons that her students find fun and engaging.
Angie says IMPACT has helped her grow tremendously by offering structured support, practical tools, and a strong sense of community through monthly PD and a network of nearly 1,000 school counselors.
Lydia relies on the ASCA-aligned resources for quick support—especially on her most challenging days.
Jamie loves that IMPACT has freed up the time she used to spend creating lessons from scratch. Now she can focus more on direct services for her students.
Kailey, a first-year counselor, says IMPACT has helped her make a meaningful difference in her students' lives from day one.

Ready to feel supported and confident this school year? With school creeping up now is the perfect time to check out all the hype around IMPACT and see if it's a great fit for you at: 👉 stressfreeschoolcounseling.com/impact

Resources Mentioned:

Connect with Rachel:

More About School Counseling Simplified:

You can listen to School Counseling Simplified on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more!

257. How to Use AI in Your School Counseling Program with Bradford Goodridge Jul 15, 2025

Show notes

Welcome back to another episode of School Counseling Simplified! Today's episode features Summer Summit presenter Bradford, a seasoned school counselor from Chattanooga, TN. Bradford has six years of school counseling experience, teaches weekly at his church, and recently served as an adjunct professor. He's passionate about building strong student relationships, and he's also excited about incorporating new tech into his counseling program.

Summer Summit Replay Access

Did you miss Summer Summit? It's not too late! When you join IMPACT, my monthly membership for school counselors, you'll get access to all of the Summer Summit session recordings, along with PD hours. Sarah's session is one you don't want to miss. She shares how nervous system regulation supports executive functioning and practical tools to apply these strategies in your life and with students.

In this episode, Bradford shares how he's been using AI tools like Canva and Gemini to enhance classroom lessons and plan more efficiently. Whether it's creating engaging visuals or generating lesson ideas, Bradford explains how AI can be a time-saving support, not a replacement, for your work.

In this episode, we discuss:

How Bradford uses Canva's AI tools to create engaging classroom visuals
Why Gemini has become his go-to for brainstorming classroom lesson ideas
A real-life example of when an AI lesson didn't go to plan—and how it became a teaching moment
The importance of specificity when using AI tools
How AI can support 1:1 student session planning
Bradford's current schedule and how he prioritizes visibility and connection with students
Advice for new counselors on building student trust through presence and relationships

Bonus: Free Live Training This July!

School is starting soon, and I'm offering a free live training on how to use a Meet-the-Counselor lesson to connect with students and advocate for your role! You'll get a PD certificate and a ready-to-use lesson. I'll be sharing my favorite activity, organization tips, and strategies for using the lesson to build relationships with both students and faculty. Join us July 21 or 22!

Resources Mentioned:

Connect with Rachel:

Connect with Bradford:

Instagram

More About School Counseling Simplified:

You can listen to School Counseling Simplified on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more!

256. Executive Functioning Hacks with Sarah Lovell Jul 08, 2025

Show notes

Welcome back to another episode of School Counseling Simplified! Today, I'm joined by a special guest, Sarah Lovell—an executive function and ADHD coach who brings so much value for both our work with students and our own professional and personal lives.

Sarah Lovell (she/her) is an executive function & ADHD coach for college students, ambitious professionals, overthinkers, and recovering perfectionists who are tired of feeling stuck and are ready to work with their brains, not against them.

With 11 years of experience, Sarah helps clients who try tool after tool… only to burn out or blame themselves when nothing sticks. She helps you understand why it's so hard to get started (even on things you want to do!) and make sustainable changes in a way that feels good.

Sarah's background in social work grounds her work in compassionate practices, believing self-talk and self-care are the foundations for executive functioning. Along with 1:1 coaching, she runs a membership, Stuck to Started, that gives you extra support and accountability. She also hosts From Stuck to Started podcast, where she shares realistic, actionable strategies in 20 minutes or less.

When Sarah isn't coaching, she enjoys trail walks with her dogs, snuggling up with tea and a good book, and paddleboarding.

Summer Summit Replay Access

Sneak Peek: Sarah's Summer Summit Session

In her session, From Overwhelmed to Organized, Sarah discusses the connection between executive functioning and nervous system regulation:

When our nervous system is dysregulated, it becomes hard to access our executive functioning tools.
Self-talk is a foundation for executive function, but regulation must come first.
She walks through tools for both hyperarousal (anxiety, fight/flight) and hypoarousal (low energy, disconnection), including:

Breathing and grounding exercises
Somatic movement, like balance or tapping
Separating planning from action to reduce overwhelm

A Day in Sarah's Life

Sarah supports a wide range of adults: college students, women with ADHD, entrepreneurs, and business owners. She holds 1:1 coaching calls, runs a supportive membership, produces podcast content, and handles the daily marketing and admin needs of her business.

Advice for Counselors

"Self-talk is the foundation!" Whether you're feeling stuck, procrastinating, or overwhelmed, it starts with self-awareness.
Understand the difference between procrastination and being stuck.
Take a pause, name what you're experiencing, and give yourself credit along the way, not just when you meet the goal.

Bonus: Free Live Training This July!

Resources Mentioned:

Connect with Rachel:

Connect with Sarah:

More About School Counseling Simplified:

You can listen to School Counseling Simplified on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more!

255. Starting an Attendance Committee with Elissa Hughes Jul 01, 2025

Show notes

Welcome back to School Counseling Simplified! This week, I'm sitting down with Elissa Hughes, a middle school counselor who shared a standout presentation during Summer Summit. If you didn't get a chance to attend live, don't worry—Summer Summit recordings are available inside the IMPACT membership, along with PD certificates and hundreds of other school counseling resources.

Elissa Hughes is a middle school counselor with experience at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. She is a member of her school's attendance committee, focusing on tiered supports, student engagement, and family communication. Elissa is passionate about creative, practical strategies that build positive habits, foster resilience, and strengthen connections between schools and families. She is a certified RYT-200 yoga instructor with additional training in children's yoga and enjoys weaving mindfulness into her work to support student well-being. She holds a Specialist degree in Professional Counseling, a Master's in School Counseling, and a double major in Psychology and Sociology.

In today's episode, Elissa walks us through how her team approached improving attendance this school year through a tiered, relationship-driven strategy—and saw real results.

In this episode, Elissa shares:

Tier 1 Strategies: A fun, low-effort incentive program involving 7th period attendance tracking and Dairy Queen Blizzard rewards (yes, Dairy Queen donated them!). Teachers submitted attendance data daily, and one class per grade level was rewarded with a treat.
Tier 2 Support: A more individualized approach focused on understanding student and family challenges around attendance. Elissa discusses the importance of genuinely getting to know students, building trust, and having honest conversations with families to problem-solve together. She walks through common barriers like anxiety, transportation, trauma, and basic needs, and how to respond with empathy and actionable support.
Results: Their school's chronic absenteeism rate dropped significantly within just one year. Elissa credits this to consistent team collaboration, community involvement, and a mindset focused on connection over compliance.

Elissa also shares:

What her daily schedule looks like as a middle school counselor, including mindfulness groups, classroom lessons, and flexible student support
Her team's collaboration with counselors, a social worker, and a family engagement coordinator, and plans to integrate PBIS more deeply next year
Practical tips for embedding student wellness practices throughout the school day

Advice for New School Counselors:

"Always try to see things from another person's perspective and point of view." Elissa reminds us that the foundation of strong counseling work is empathy, curiosity, and a willingness to learn from the lived experiences of others.

If you loved this conversation and want to explore more practical tools like these, be sure to join the IMPACT membership. You'll gain access to every Summer Summit session recording, PD certificates, monthly resource drops, and a supportive community of school counselors like you.

Don't miss out!

Want access to this session and more? Join the IMPACT membership to get all Summer Summit replays, monthly PD trainings, downloadable resources, and a community of fellow school counselors.

Resources Mentioned:

Join IMPACT

Connect with Rachel:

Connect with Elisa:

Instagram
TikTok
Facebook - Not Your Average School Counselor

More About School Counseling Simplified:

You can listen to School Counseling Simplified on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more!

254. Attachment Theory in the Classroom with Patti Sutherland and Monique Gougeon Jun 24, 2025

Show notes

Welcome back to School Counseling Simplified! We're continuing our special Summer Summit speaker series, and today I'm joined by an incredible pair: Monique and Patti, two clinical social workers and certified play therapists who specialize in attachment and child development. They recently spoke at Summer Summit about a topic that's essential for every educator and school counselor: Attachment Theory in the Classroom.

If you missed Summer Summit, it's not too late. When you join IMPACT, my monthly school counselor membership, you'll gain access to all of the Summer Summit recordings and PD hours—including Monique and Patti's impactful session.

Monique Gougeon, MSW, RSW, CPTS, CTPS has a Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work and is a Certified Child Therapist and Play Therapist Supervisor with the Canadian Association of Play Therapy. Monique is certified as Theraplay Practitioner, Trainer and Supervisor with Theraplay Canada. She is also certified in Circle of Security Individual and Group models and is a Certified EMDR practitioner, specializing in Child and adolescent treatment. Monique has extensive experience working with children and families in community agencies and has worked for 20+ years in the field of children's therapy. She is the owner of Alloway Therapy Services in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, where she practices alongside her talented colleagues. Monique has special interests in supporting children who have experienced loss, developmental trauma, and attachment disruption. She regularly facilitates training and presentations for caregivers and professionals regarding child trauma and attachment disruption.

Patti has a Masters in Social Work and has been a social worker for over 30 years. She has worked with children in women's shelter's, family violence programs, schools and spent 12 years in private practice. She is a Certified Play therapist with The Canadian Association of Play Therapy. She enjoys providing training for educators in the area of developmental trauma in the classroom and is currently a school social worker in the Winnipeg School Division in Winnipeg, Canada. About a year ago Patti decided she would try her hand at creating resources for school counselors and opened a TPT shop. A major learning curve, but an exciting new adventure.

In This Episode:

Monique and Patti dive into how we can apply attachment theory and the Circle of Security framework within the classroom and school counseling settings.

We talk about:

Why attachment-based practices aren't just for "high-need" students but benefit all kids
How the Circle of Security model, originally created for caregivers, can be adapted for educators and school counselors
Ways to support students as they explore their world while also providing a secure base
Shifting from behavior-based approaches to relational ones
How restorative practices can preserve relationships, rather than relying on punitive systems
A framework to help counselors and teachers feel more confident and less burned out

They also share the PACE model—a mindset for working with children:

Playful
Accepting
Curious
Empathic

By embodying these qualities, educators can create safer, more nurturing environments for all students.

A Day in the Life (Patti):

Patti shares a glimpse into her workweek, which includes:

Direct client work 3 days per week, supporting children and caregivers
Teaching play therapy curriculum through Therapy Canada Institute
Providing supervision and training in therapeutic models: her work centers around integrating play, attachment, and trauma-informed practices to support school-aged children.

Want to Learn More?

Monique and Patti are hosting a 2-day training on August 18th and 19th. This is a fantastic opportunity to dive deeper into Circle of Security and attachment-informed practices for schools. Pre-register now to save your spot!

Don't miss out!

Want access to this session and more? Join the IMPACT membership to get all Summer Summit replays, monthly PD trainings, downloadable resources, and a community of fellow school counselors.

Resources Mentioned:

Connect with Rachel:

Connect with Patti:

Teachers Pay Teachers
Email Patti: ps@pattisutherland.ca
PS Counseling Matters Newsletter

Connect with Monique:

Email Monique: monique@allowaytherapy.com

More About School Counseling Simplified:

You can listen to School Counseling Simplified on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more!

253. Sustainable Self-Care for School Counselors with Joyce Harduvel Jun 17, 2025

Show notes

Welcome back to School Counseling Simplified! Summer Summit may be over, but the value continues. Today, I'm chatting with one of our incredible Summit speakers, Joyce Harduvel, about a topic every school counselor needs—sustainable self-care.

If you missed the Summit, it's not too late! All the recordings and PD hours are still available when you join the IMPACT membership. You'll get access to this session and so much more.

Joyce is a licensed clinical social worker. She is a passionate advocate for youth and the school counselors and social workers who support them. She worked in Chicago Public Schools for seven years, where she specialized in evidence-based and trauma-informed behavior intervention for students with chronic challenging behaviors. Joyce is an advocate for proactive professional self-care that allows school-based professionals to build the sustainable careers of their dreams so that they can do what is really important: support their students! She now works with school counselors and social workers as a coach and clinical supervisor while pursuing a law degree to further her skills in championing youth.

In this episode, we talk about:

How to create proactive, sustainable self-care routines
Why burnout is a systems issue, not a personal failure
Simple ways to make your workspace more peaceful for you and your students
The power of building a support system at work and at home
What it means to reconnect with your "why"

Joyce shares what a typical day looks like for her now:

Seeing 2–3 private practice clients (individuals, couples, kids)
Attending clinical supervision sessions with small counselor/social worker groups
Reading (a lot!) for law school—she recommends Speechify for educators to save time
Intentional self-care moments like unplugged lunch breaks, short naps, and reading for pleasure

Her routine emphasizes boundaries, rest, and balance, something we can all learn from.

Joyce's biggest tip: Don't wait to start taking care of yourself.

Create a proactive self-care plan now, not once you hit burnout
Give yourself grace and go slow; this work is a marathon, not a sprint
Set boundaries around your time and energy (especially your lunch break!)
Remember: You don't need to do everything all at once
Connect with others who "get it" and lean on your community

As Joyce puts it, "If you want to stay in schools, I want to help you stay in schools and make it sustainable."

Don't miss out!

Want access to this session and more? Join the IMPACT membership to get all Summer Summit replays, monthly PD trainings, downloadable resources, and a community of fellow school counselors.

Resources Mentioned:

Join IMPACT

Connect with Rachel:

Connect with Joyce:

More About School Counseling Simplified:

You can listen to School Counseling Simplified on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more!

252. Celebrating All Brains with Brandon Gernux Jun 10, 2025

Show notes

Welcome back to another episode of School Counseling Simplified! We're just TWO days away from Summer Summit, my virtual conference for school counselors happening June 11th and 12th! This two-day event is packed with amazing topics, live Q&A sessions, and even a virtual happy hour. For just $39, you'll get your seat at the summit plus your first month inside the IMPACT membership!

Today I'm joined by Brandon Gernux (he/they), an elementary school counselor from Santa Ana, CA, and one of our Summer Summit speakers! Brandon brings such valuable insight into making Tier 1 classroom lessons more inclusive for all brains. He's passionate about bridging the gap between school counseling and neurodivergent disability, and today's conversation is all about practical ways to infuse anti-ableist, inclusive practices into your everyday counseling work.

You'll hear us talk about:

What neurodiversity means and how to talk about it with students
Why Tier 1 supports matter and how they can create a more inclusive school culture
Brandon's sensory exploration classroom lesson idea
How to create sensory-safe spaces around your school
Why you don't need to do everything at once as a new counselor, and what to focus on instead

Brandon is beginning a PhD in Education with an emphasis on Disability Studies this fall, and he is truly a thoughtful and inspiring voice in the counseling space. You'll love hearing from him today and at Summer Summit!

Don't miss out!

Want access to hundreds of counseling resources, monthly exclusive trainings (with PD certificates), and a supportive community of school counselors? My IMPACT membership gives you all of that and your ticket to my fourth annual Summer Summit! Learn more and join today by clicking the link below!

Resources Mentioned:

Summer Summit

Connect with Rachel:

Connect with Brandon:

Instagram

More About School Counseling Simplified:

You can listen to School Counseling Simplified on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more!

251. Empowering Student Success Through Executive Functioning with Laura Filtness Jun 03, 2025

Show notes

Welcome back to another episode of School Counseling Simplified! It's June, which means Summer Summit is right around the corner. This is my virtual conference for school counselors happening June 11–12. We're featuring an incredible lineup of speakers, live Q&A sessions, and even a happy hour! For just $39, you get your seat at the Summit and your first month of IMPACT.

To celebrate, we're featuring podcast guests throughout June and July who will be presenting at the Summit. Today, I'm joined by Laura Filtness—also known as the PAWSitive School Counselor! Laura shares her insights on using therapy dogs in schools, working with students on executive functioning, and what her day-to-day role looks like as a school counselor.

Laura Filtness, M.Ed., is a seasoned school counselor based in Knoxville, TN, with over 15 years of experience. Known for her love of animals and her therapy dog Boss, Laura believes in the power of books and animals to support emotional growth and student connection. She has presented nationally on mindfulness, ADHD support, and classroom engagement, and holds multiple ASCA Specialist certifications. She is the author of the upcoming children's book My Brain Is Like a Puppy, set to be released by Boys Town Press.

When she's not counseling, Laura teaches yoga and Pilates, renovates her home, and works for a home organization business called Help You Dwell. She also enjoys staying creative through writing and speaking engagements.

In this episode, Laura shares:

How she integrates therapy dogs into her counseling program and the thoughtful steps she takes to support students who may be afraid of dogs, including family communication, opt-out options, and classroom dog-safety lessons.
A sneak peek into her Summer Summit session on helping students with executive functioning challenges. Laura explains the concept of "body doubling" and how it can be used in schools to help students initiate and complete tasks. She shares real-life examples, including how she supports first graders in their classrooms by modeling behaviors and reinforcing strategies.
What a typical day looks like as a school counselor, especially in a split-school role. Laura walks us through her daily rhythm, ranging from morning announcements, classroom lessons, and small groups to drop-in sessions and time tracking at the end of the day.
Her advice for new school counselors: Take the pressure off. Laura encourages new counselors to spend their first year observing, listening, and building relationships instead of trying to do everything at once. She also shares practical time management tips like habit stacking to create sustainable routines.
The inspiration behind her upcoming books including how her therapy dog Boss has influenced her work and writing. Plus, how storytelling and picture books can be powerful tools for building empathy and social-emotional learning in any grade level.

Join the IMPACT Membership

Want access to hundreds of counseling resources, monthly exclusive trainings (with PD certificates), and a supportive community of school counselors? My IMPACT membership gives you all of that and your ticket to Summer Summit! Learn more and join today by clicking the link in the show notes.

Resources Mentioned: