School for School Counselors Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Behavior Plans, Explained Apr 14, 2025

Show notes

⭐️ Want support with real-world strategies that actually work on your campus? We’re doing that every day in the School for School Counselors Mastermind. Come join us! ⭐️

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You’ve been looped into a student’s behavior.
The teacher wants it fixed.
Admin wants a behavior plan.
And now everyone’s looking at you.

If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “I don’t even know where to start,” this episode is for you.

We’re walking through the full behavior intervention process, from collecting ABC data to building a real Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP), so you know exactly what’s involved, what your role should be, and how to stop being the person everyone hands it off to.

You’ll learn:

What actually makes a behavior plan effective
Where school counselors fit into the process (and where we don’t)
How to avoid the “throw spaghetti at the wall” method of intervention
Why consistency- not quick fixes- is what really moves the needle

This episode won’t give you a one-size-fits-all template.

But it will help you understand the full picture, speak the language of your behavior teams, and start showing up like the professional you already are.

Resources:

American School Counselor Association. (2022). ASCA ethical standards for school counselors. https://schoolcounselor.org/ethics

Chandler, L. K., & Dahlquist, C. M. (2015). Functional assessment: Strategies to prevent and remediate challenging behavior in school settings (4th ed.). Pearson.

Shahan, T. A. (2022). A theory of the extinction burst. Perspectives on Behavior Science, 45(3), 495–519. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40614-021-00297-z

U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance. (n.d.). What Works Clearinghouse. https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/

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Our goal at School for School Counselors is to help school counselors stay on fire, make huge impacts for students, and catalyze change for our roles through grassroots advocacy and collaboration. Listen to get to know more about us and our mission, feel empowered and inspired, and set yourself up for success in the wonderful world of school counseling.
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Jump in, ask questions, share your ideas and become a part of the most empowering school counseling group on the planet! (Join us to see if we're right.)
Join the School for School Counselors Mastermind
The Mastermind is packed with all the things your grad program never taught you IN ADDITION TO unparalleled support and consultation. No more feeling alone, invisible, unappreciated, or like you just don't know what to do next. We've got you!
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This work is part of the School for School Counselors body of work developed by Steph Johnson, LPC, CSC, which centers role authority over role drift, consultative practice over fix-it culture, adult-designed systems and environments as primary drivers of student behavior, clinical judgment over compliance, and school counselor identity as leadership within complex systems.

What Schools Get Wrong About ADHD Apr 07, 2025

Show notes

⭐️ Want support with real-world strategies that actually work on your campus? We’re doing that every day in the School for School Counselors Mastermind. Come join us! ⭐️

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We’ve got to stop calling it "defiance" when it’s actually dysregulation.

In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on what ADHD really is- and why the strategies we often use in schools aren’t cutting it. You’ll learn:

Why ADHD isn’t a behavior problem (and what it actually is)
The critical difference between knowing and doing
Why worksheets, clip charts, and “just try harder” don’t work
What school counselors can do instead to actually help

If you’ve ever had a student who “knows the rules” but can’t seem to follow them, this one’s for you.

And if you’re tired of seeing kids punished for things they haven’t learned how to manage yet?

You’re in the right place... Let's go!

Resources:

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.

Barkley, R. A. (1997). ADHD and the nature of self-control. New York, NY: Guilford Press.

Barkley, R. A. (2011). Executive functions: What they are, how they work, and why they evolved. New York, NY: Guilford Press.

Brown, T. E. (2013). A new understanding of ADHD in children and adults: Executive function impairments. Routledge.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Data and statistics about ADHD. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html

Quinn, P. O., & Madhoo, M. (2014). A review of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in women and girls: uncovering this hidden diagnosis. The primary care companion for CNS disorders, 16(3), 27250.

Shaw, P., Eckstrand, K., Sharp, W., Blumenthal, J., Lerch, J. P., Greenstein, D. E. E. A., ... & Rapoport, J. L. (2007). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is characterized by a delay in cortical maturation. Proceedings of the national academy of sciences, 104(49), 19649-19654.

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Beyond the Behavior Bouncer Apr 04, 2025

Show notes

⭐️ Join the School for School Counselors Mastermind today to become the school counselor you were meant to be. ⭐️

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In the previous episode, we talked about what happens when a behavior referral isn’t really about the student- and how counselors can shift out of the “removal service” role and into real consultation.

But what if that doesn’t feel realistic?

This bonus episode tackles the pushback:

What if your admin expects you to remove students, no questions asked?
What if your teachers are too burned out to reflect?
What if you barely have time to breathe, let alone consult?

We’re walking through the most common objections counselors have and how to shift your role anyway, one step at a time.

If last week’s episode made you think, “That sounds great, but it won't work on my campus,” this one’s for you.

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The Behavior Problem School Counselors Aren't Supposed to Talk About Mar 31, 2025

Show notes

⭐️ Join the School for School Counselors Mastermind today to become the school counselor you were meant to be. ⭐️

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You get the call:

“Can you come get this student?”

But when you walk in, it’s clear- this isn’t really about the kid.

It’s about stress. Dysregulation. Maybe even burnout. For the adult.

And if school counselors keep stepping in without asking bigger questions, we’re not solving the problem… we’re just keeping the cycle going.

In this episode, we’re talking about:

How to tell when a referral isn’t about student behavior
The Five-Minute Behavior Consult you can use with teachers today
How to support staff without becoming the fixer
Why this shift protects your energy- and your job

If behavior support is starting to feel like your full-time job, this episode is for you.

00:00 Introduction: The Daily Struggles of School Counselors

02:10 Understanding Adult Dysregulation in Schools

07:17 Identifying Signs of Adult-Induced Student Behavior Issues

11:30 The Five Minute Behavior Consult: A Solution-Focused Approach

17:35 Implementing Change Despite Administrative Challenges

21:00 The Role of School Counselors in Shaping School Culture

24:40 Elevating the Role of School Counselors

References:
Gallup. (2022, June 1). K-12 workers have highest burnout rate in U.S. Gallup News. https://news.gallup.com/poll/393500/workers-highest-burnout-rate.aspx

Schwartz, S. (2022, June 15). Stress, burnout, depression: Teachers and principals are not OK right now, new data confirm. Education Week. https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/stress-burnout-depression-teachers-and-principals-are-not-doing-well-new-data-confirm/2022/06

Steiner, E. D., & Woo, A. (2021). Job-related stress threatens the teacher supply: Key findings from the 2021 State of the U.S. Teacher Survey (RR-A1108-1). RAND Corporation. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA1108-1.html

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Do Social Stories Really Work? Mar 24, 2025

Show notes

⭐️ Join the School for School Counselors Mastermind today to become the school counselor you were meant to be. ⭐️

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You’ve been asked to read a Social Story to a student—again.

And if you're being honest… you’re not sure it’s actually doing anything.

In this episode, we’re taking a closer look at the research behind Social Stories:

Where they came from and what they were actually designed to do
What the peer-reviewed literature says about their effectiveness (and what it doesn’t)
How they can support emotional regulation... if you use them the right way
The time frame for change (hint: it’s slower than you think)
What to say when someone insists you “just need a social story”

Plus, you’ll get practical guidance on when and how to use Social Stories, and a free downloadable cheat sheet to help you back up your decisions with confidence.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Is it me… or is it the tool?”—this episode is for you.

Bonus: Grab the printable Social Stories resource pdf here

00:00 The Social Story Dilemma

01:49 Origins and Purpose of Social Stories

03:08 Research Findings on Social Stories

09:02 Emotional Regulation and Social Stories

11:44 Practical Advice for School Counselors

21:20 Conclusion and Resources

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Bullying or Just Drama? The School Counselor’s Guide to Getting It Right Mar 17, 2025

Show notes

➡️ JOIN THE WAITLIST FOR THE BEHAVIOR BREAKTHROUGH KIT!

Every school counselor has been there—stuck in a conversation where the word "bullying" is thrown around, but something feels off.

A parent demands action because their child was left out of a game at recess. A teacher sends a referral for a “bullying” case that turns out to be a one-time disagreement. Meanwhile, students facing real, targeted harassment often go unnoticed in the noise.

So, how do you cut through the confusion and handle these situations the right way?

Here’s what I'm talking about in this episode:
- The 3 key markers of real bullying (and why missing even one changes everything)
- The biggest mistakes schools make when defining bullying—and how to fix them
- How to explain bullying vs. drama to parents, teachers, and admin (without the pushback)
- What to do when students over-report (or under-report) bullying
- The exact words to use when a parent insists, “This IS bullying!”

If you’re tired of mediating every social conflict and want a clear strategy for handling true bullying cases, this episode is for you.

00:00 Introduction: The Bullying Dilemma

01:23 Understanding the Difference: Bullying vs. Drama

05:15 Key Indicators of Bullying

06:54 Handling Peer Drama

08:57 Communicating with Parents and Administrators

12:48 Effective Responses to Bullying and Peer Conflict

19:27 Resources

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Relational Aggression and Bullying Mar 11, 2025

Show notes

"It's just middle school drama."
"Ignore them, and it'll stop."
"You're gonna have to toughen up."

Sound familiar? These are the kinds of dismissive responses students often hear when they report bullying or relational aggression—and they’re not helping. In fact, with 1 in 5 students reporting being bullied and 41% of those fearing it will happen again, we’ve got serious work to do.

In this episode, we’re diving deep into relational aggression and cyberbullying, breaking down what makes these behaviors so damaging, why they often go unnoticed, and—most importantly—how school counselors can step in effectively.

You’ll learn:
✅ The subtle ways relational aggression shows up in schools (and how to spot it)
✅ How cyberbullying is evolving and why it’s getting harder to combat
✅ Practical, real-world strategies for supporting students and stopping these behaviors before they escalate

Plus, I’m giving you a sneak peek at my upcoming Behavior Breakthrough Kit—a game-changing resource packed with evidence-based strategies, a behavior intervention flowchart, and more tools to help you handle tough behavior challenges with confidence. [Go here to join the waitlist]

If handling concerns around relational aggression, cyberbullying, and behavior intervention are keeping you up at night, this episode is for you.

00:00 Introduction

00:26 The Reality of Bullying Statistics

01:37 Understanding Relational Aggression

04:14 The Rise of Cyberbullying

05:43 Emotional and Academic Impact

06:58 Intervention Strategies

07:58 Creating Safe Reporting Spaces

09:32 Collaborating with Teachers

10:33 Supporting Targeted Students

15:33 Behavior Breakthrough Kit

19:51 Conclusion

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How to Handle Student Behavior Like a Pro Mar 03, 2025

Show notes

You know that moment—the banshee scream echoes down the hall, and suddenly, all eyes are on you. The walkies go off, teachers are calling your name, and once again, you’re expected to drop everything and handle the latest behavior meltdown.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

This time of year, behavior issues ramp up, and school counselors often find themselves at the center of the storm. But honestly, most of the advice out there on behavior intervention is not designed for you. You’re not a teacher managing a classroom. You’re not an administrator making discipline decisions. So what should your role be?

In this episode, we’re looking at:
✔ Why traditional behavior strategies don’t always work for school counselors
✔ The three biggest obstacles standing in your way
✔ Real, practical de-escalation techniques that actually work in the moment
✔ How to handle the pressure, the judgment, and the constant disruptions

And if you’re exhausted from being called to behavior crises over and over again, we’ve got support for you.

💡 The Behavior Breakthrough Kit is coming soon—practical, ready-to-use tools to help you navigate behavior intervention with confidence. [Click here to join the waitlist.]

💡 Want real-time troubleshooting and expert support? Join us inside the School for School Counselors Mastermind. Get weekly case consultations and practical strategies you won’t find anywhere else. [Click here to learn more]

Behavior intervention doesn’t have to drain you. Let’s talk about what actually works.

00:00 The Banshee Scream: A School Counselor's First Experience

01:25 Welcome to the School for School Counselors Podcast

02:09 The Reality of Behavior Intervention in Schools

03:32 Real Talk: Effective Behavior Intervention Strategies

04:10 The Authoritative Counselor Approach

05:30 Challenges in Behavior Intervention

10:43 Practical Techniques for De-escalation

20:00 Support and Resources for School Counselors

22:41 Conclusion: Navigating Behavior Intervention Together

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The Fat-Free Fix That’s Failing School Counselors Feb 24, 2025

Show notes

As busy school counselors, we often find ourselves reaching for quick-fix solutions to help our students. But are these convenient resources truly serving our students' needs? In this episode, I challenge the effectiveness of "print and pray" materials that have become way too common in our field.

Thinking back to the misguided "fat-free" diet craze of the 90s, I explore how mass-produced school counseling worksheets and activities might be doing more harm than good. Because while they promise quick results and seem helpful on the surface, they often lack the substance needed for meaningful change.

00:00 Introduction: 90s Diet Culture

02:21 The Problem with "Print and Pray" Resources

04:33 Effective Counseling Strategies

06:50 Behaviorism and Counseling

08:15 Trauma-Informed Care in Counseling

09:48 Solution-Focused Brief Therapy

12:39 Practical Tips for School Counselors

20:11 Conclusion

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How to Make Your School Feel Less Toxic (No Admin Approval Needed) Feb 10, 2025

Show notes

Can small acts of kindness truly transform a school environment? Or is that just wishful thinking?

As we dive into Random Acts of Kindness Week, I’m sharing my firsthand experiences as a school counselor navigating workplace challenges—and how I discovered that the simplest gestures can have the biggest impact on school culture.

Imagine a school where stress doesn’t rule the day, burnout isn’t lurking around every corner, and job satisfaction actually exists—all because kindness became a deliberate daily habit.

In this episode, we’ll break down the science behind kindness- how it can actually reduce stress, boost resilience, and create ripple effects across an entire campus- for adults AND students.

If you’re looking for a practical, zero-cost strategy to not only shift your school’s atmosphere but also protect your own mental health, this episode is for you.

Grab daily Kindness Week challenges here.

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