In grad school, we talked a little about human motivation and theories of change in our counseling theories class. We briefly discussed some models of consultation with teachers. That wasn’t quite enough, though. I was not prepared to function as a behavior specialist. And yet, that was very much a part of my job! This meant I was NOT great…
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I frequently hear teachers and school faculty talking about how their students lack responsibility. They wonder how to convey to students the importance of this lifelong skill. I use the word skill instead of trait because when we think of things like respect or responsibility or perseverance when related to a character trait, we’re saying you’ve got it or you…
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A couple of years ago, I moved out of my school counseling office and packed up all of the things I had bought with my own money over the previous seven years. Put all of my resources and a few fidgets on my shelves to work from home, and stashed the rest away in the garage. I keep meaning to…
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Many people who work with children are noticing a pattern of increased emotional dysregulation in children. I certainly did! The number of students that needed help with regulation when I started at a school counselor in 2012 has increased exponentially – it is now a huge focus for myself and other school counselors each year. Parents also seem a bit…
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Sometimes your last school counseling lesson of the year comes so close to the end, that it doesn’t seem helpful to teach a new social emotional skill. Or you’re looking for a lesson that feels like it provides some closure for you and the students. It can seem like after having one million different things you want to cover in…
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Lots of school counselors are tasked with writing SMART goals as part of their district’s requirements for comprehensive programs or as part of their counseling evaluation. That’s a great thing! Because setting school counseling program goals really equates to creating priorities and focusing our time. Some goals are more about the type or quantity of services you want to provide,…
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