School for School Counselors Podcast

Latest Episodes:

School Counselors Deserve Better! The Advocacy Problem No One Admits Feb 03, 2025

Show notes

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

Happy National School Counseling Week! Or maybe not?

There’s a growing divide in how school counselors feel about this week—some dive in with enthusiasm, while others don't want to be bothered. And honestly, after what I’ve been seeing lately, I get it.

In this episode, I talk through the uncomfortable truths about school counseling advocacy: what’s missing, why it matters, and how we’ve been misled about who’s actually fighting for us. (Spoiler: If you think your national organization has your back, you might want to think again.)

I also break down concerning new legislation across the country, exposing the lack of organized advocacy in our profession, and sharing why our current efforts just aren’t cutting it. But here’s the thing—we’re not powerless. There’s a better way to advocate, and it starts with YOU.

If you’re tired of the same old conferences and feel-good slogans while school counseling falls apart behind the scenes, this episode is for you.

00:00 Mixed Reactions to National School Counseling Week

01:23 Facebook Group Insights

02:49 Legislative Concerns and ASCA's Role

04:30 Critique of ASCA and Advocacy Issues

14:30 State Organizations and Legislative Challenges

21:46 Call to Action and Positive Notes

22:32 Listener Submissions: Why We Love School Counseling

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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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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.

Mastering Caseloads in School Counseling Jan 27, 2025

Show notes

*Join the School for School Counselors Mastermind today to become the school counselor you were meant to be.*
*Leave a voicemail here for a chance to be featured in an upcoming podcast episode!*
In this episode of the School for School Counselors podcast, host Steph Johnson discusses managing school counseling caseloads efficiently. Using an iconic conveyer belt tv scene as an analogy, she highlights the overwhelmed feeling counselors often experience and the need to triage student needs effectively.
Johnson shares her method for tracking her student interactions, stressing the importance of developing sustainable habits. She references James Clear's "Atomic Habits" to emphasize the significance of cues, cravings, responses, and rewards in creating lasting habits.
Additionally, she touches on upcoming events like the listener feature opportunity and the upcoming 'Your Super Power Driven Program' masterclass on February 9th.
Join her in improving your counseling practice and ensuring no student falls through the cracks.

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

01:03 The Candy Factory Analogy

02:54 Challenges of Managing Caseloads

04:16 Strategies for Tracking Caseloads

14:05 Developing Effective Habits

22:22 Upcoming Events and Opportunities
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A Realistic Approach to National School Counseling Week Jan 20, 2025

Show notes

*Join the School for School Counselors Mastermind today to become the school counselor you were meant to be.*
In this episode, Steph Johnson, a full-time school counselor, talks through National School Counseling Week, sharing her thoughts on its purpose and the many mixed emotions it stirs among school counselors.
Steph addresses various reactions from excitement to frustration and offers simple strategies for observing the week on campus.
She highlights the importance of effective advocacy, explains why internal support and relationship-building are crucial, and emphasizes the value of recognizing and validating counselors' efforts.
Additionally, Steph provides insights into the School for School Counselors Mastermind and encourages listeners to share their voices for an upcoming podcast episode.

00:00 Introduction and Purpose of National School Counseling Week

03:55 Different Reactions to National School Counseling Week

08:03 Challenges in Advocacy and Support

11:57 Effective Advocacy From the Inside Out

22:18 Low-Stress Ways to Observe National School Counseling Week

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Stop Using AI Like This: What Every Counselor Should Know Jan 13, 2025

Show notes

*Join the School for School Counselors Mastermind today to become the school counselor you were meant to be.*
In this episode, Steph Johnson continues exploring how artificial intelligence is influencing school counseling. She unpacks the risks of depending too much on AI-generated tools and stresses the need for strong professional judgment to evaluate the quality and relevance of resources. Steph also dives into the ethical challenges posed by AI- including protecting student privacy- and underscores the irreplaceable value of authentic, human connection in counseling. This conversation is a call to action for school counselors to reflect on their practices, rekindle their passion for their craft, and deepen their impact on students.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Feeling Undervalued on Campus
00:25 Recap of AI in School Counseling (Previous Episode)
01:10 Professional Fluency: The Key to Credibility
04:23 Perceptions of School Counseling Work
07:05 The SEL Lesson Debate
13:00 Risks of AI-Generated Resources
24:28 Ethical Concerns: AI and Student Privacy
30:06 A Call to Reignite Your Passion

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A.I. and School Counseling Jan 06, 2025

Show notes

*Join the School for School Counselors Mastermind today to become the school counselor you were meant to be.*
In this episode of the School for School Counselors podcast, host Steph Johnson addresses the growing trend of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) in school counseling. Steph shares her concerns about the premature adoption of AI tools and their potential to undermine the core values and techniques of effective counseling. She emphasizes the importance of human connection, evidence-based techniques, and professional fluency over quick AI-generated solutions. This episode delves into the ethical implications, the dangers of AI biases, and the need for critical thinking before relying on AI-generated resources, encouraging school counselors to remain cautious and informed as they navigate this evolving technology.

00:00 Introduction to AI in School Counseling

01:31 The AI Hype and School Counseling

02:59 Concerns About AI in Counseling

04:51 Ethical Considerations and Professional Fluency

07:44 Personal Use and Limitations of AI

15:45 AI's Hallucinations and Biases

20:10 Next Steps
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What I'm Using Most in My School Counseling Office These Days Dec 30, 2024

Show notes

*Join the School for School Counselors Mastermind today to become the school counselor you were meant to be.*
This episode surveys some of the things I'm using most in my school counseling office right now to promote connection, self-awareness, and emotional well-being.
00:00 Welcome Back!

00:29 Holiday Reflections and New Year Goals

02:49 Preparing for the Spring Semester

05:15 Favorite Counseling Office Supplies

17:56 Join the Free Community

19:10 Final Encouragement
Resources:
Greatness Cards
Conscious Discipline Feelings Buddies
All Other Materials (in my Amazon Storefront)
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One Big Reason Behavior Charts Fail (And What You Can Do Instead) Dec 16, 2024

Show notes

*Join the School for School Counselors Mastermind today to become the school counselor you were meant to be.*
Have you ever worked with a student labeled as “ODD” and felt like nothing you tried was working? In this episode, I’m revisiting one of our most talked-about topics: oppositional defiant behaviors in schools. But instead of focusing on the label, we’re reframing the conversation to explore what’s really happening beneath the surface.

I’ll walk you through why traditional strategies like behavior charts often fail these students, and more importantly, how you can build stronger connections and create real change.
This episode is packed with practical strategies, fresh perspectives, and a little dose of encouragement to keep going.

Let’s rethink how we approach oppositional behaviors—and discover better ways to help our students thrive!
00:00 Welcome and Holiday Hustle

03:45 Introduction to Oppositional Defiant Disorder

08:55 Understanding and Addressing ODD

18:29 Building Relationships and Support

28:02 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
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Prep NOW for a Stress-Less Spring Semester Dec 09, 2024

Show notes

*Join the School for School Counselors Mastermind today for the techniques, support, and confidence you need to handle whatever this semester throws your way.*
In this episode of the School for School Counselors podcast, host Steph Johnson addresses the common issue of school counselors feeling unprepared, whether broadly from grad school or specifically day-to-day. She offers actionable tips to prepare for the new semester, emphasizing the importance of decluttering both physical and digital spaces, setting up efficient systems, and planning for self-care. Steph also highlights the significance of tracking program data and creating templates for repetitive tasks to save time. Finally, she encourages a simple return plan and shares the benefits of the School for School Counselors Mastermind community.

00:00 Introduction: The Challenge of Feeling Unprepared

01:02 Welcome to the School for School Counselors Podcast

01:44 Preparing for the New Semester: Decluttering

05:43 Digital Organization: Reducing Cognitive Load

06:54 Setting Up Systems for Success

12:02 Self-Care Plans for the Spring Semester

14:40 Creating a Simple Return Plan

17:46 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
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A Super-Simple Challenge to COMPLETELY Change Your Year Dec 02, 2024

Show notes

⭐️ Join the School for School Counselors Mastermind to finally feel supported in your career
In this episode of the School for School Counselors podcast, host Steph Johnson addresses the end-of-semester doubts many counselors feel about their impact. She emphasizes that the true value of school counseling lies in small, often unnoticed moments that ripple through students' lives. Steph shares personal experiences, the science of gratitude, and introduces 'gratitude expansion' to help counselors find deeper meaning and resilience in their work. This insightful discussion is meant to empower and validate counselors, especially during stressful times of the academic year.

00:00 Facing the End of the Semester

01:10 The Power of Small Moments

02:40 Listener Review and Community Support

04:03 A Story of Impact and Reflection

06:10 The Science and Practice of Gratitude

10:43 Implementing Gratitude in Your Daily Routine

12:54 Encouragement and Conclusion
References/For Further Reading:
Algoe, S. B. (2012). Find, remind, and bind: The functions of gratitude in everyday relationships. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 6(6), 455-469. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-9004.2012.00439.x
Amabile, T. M., & Kramer, S. J. (2011). The progress principle: Using small wins to ignite joy, engagement, and creativity at work. Boston, MA: Harvard Business Review Press. https://hbr.org/2011/05/the-power-of-small-wins
Baumeister, R. F., Bratslavsky, E., Finkenauer, C., & Vohs, K. D. (2001). Bad is stronger than good. Review of General Psychology, 5(4), 323-370. https://doi.org/10.1037/1089-2680.5.4.323
Emmons, R. A., & McCullough, M. E. (2003). Counting blessings versus burdens: An experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(2), 377-389. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.84.2.377
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Four-Tenths of One Percent Means You're NOT Failing Nov 25, 2024

Show notes

⭐️ Join the School for School Counselors Mastermind to finally feel supported in your career
In this episode of the School for School Counselors podcast, host Steph Johnson discusses the unrealistic expectations set by comprehensive school counseling programs and offers practical advice on how to find peace and redefine success in the field.
By focusing on what is within their control, embracing small victories, and finding joy in their daily tasks, school counselors can better manage the pressures of their role.

00:00 Introduction: The Struggles of School Counselors

00:34 Welcome Back: Revisiting a Popular Episode

00:52 The Holiday Pressure and Unrealistic Expectations

04:49 Making Peace with a Non-Comprehensive Program

09:15 The Circle of Control: Focusing on What You Can Change

13:05 The Reality of Comprehensive Programs

19:06 RAMP Status: Putting Things in Perspective

27:16 Final Thoughts
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