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  • 266. Teaching Counseling Lessons

    266. Teaching Counseling Lessons
    2025/09/16

    Welcome back to another episode of School Counseling Simplified! Throughout September, we are diving deep into classroom lessons. I love using them as my tier 1 interventions. While many times we are given lessons to teach, there are also plenty of situations where you are expected to create everything on your own. That is why I am sharing strategies on how to schedule, plan, and teach classroom lessons. These ideas come from my Stress-Free Class Lessons Course, a five-module program designed to help you feel confident and prepared.

    In today’s episode, we are focusing on the teaching piece and specifically on strategies to keep counseling lessons engaging and fun. The more engaged students are, the less likely they are to act out, which makes your time in the classroom much more effective.

    You will learn how to add movement and interactive activities into your lessons, including:

    • Icebreakers: Sides of the room, Simon Says, Stand up/Sit down

    • Activities: Role play, charades, escape rooms, scoot games

    • Discussions: Beach ball toss, jumbo discussion die

    These simple strategies can transform the energy in your classroom and keep students focused while learning.

    Here are three action steps you can take right away:

    1. Find an engaging icebreaker for each topic you plan to teach.

    2. Decide which engagement activity strategy you want to try.

    3. Create a discussion beach ball to spark interactive conversations.

    Resources Mentioned:

    • Join IMPACT

    • stressfreeschoolcounseling.com/classlessons

    Connect with Rachel:

    • TpT Store

    • Blog

    • Instagram

    • Facebook Page

    • Facebook Group

    • Pinterest

    • Youtube

    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!
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    10 分
  • 265. Planning Counseling Lessons

    265. Planning Counseling Lessons
    2025/09/09

    Welcome back to another episode of School Counseling Simplified! All throughout September, we’re diving into classroom lessons, one of my favorite tier 1 interventions. While some schools provide ready-made lessons, there are many times you’ll need to design and plan them yourself. That’s why I’m excited to share tips on how to schedule, plan, and teach effective lessons. These strategies come straight from my Stress-Free Class Lessons Course, a five-module resource designed to help you feel confident and prepared.

    In today’s episode, we’re continuing the conversation by focusing on planning your counseling lessons—deciding what to teach and how to teach it. This is a sneak peek into Module 2 of my course.

    Here’s what you’ll learn:

    • Planning lessons for the year: how to select topics, incorporate seasonal and school-wide themes, and repurpose content across grade levels.

    • Using the calendar: align lessons with holidays, seasons, or events (for example, starting the year with a “Meet the Counselor” lesson, or teaching about kindness and friendship around Valentine’s Day).

    • Referencing data and needs: review referrals, attendance data, and input from administrators to identify student challenges and plan preventative lessons.

    • Combining curriculum resources: integrate any curriculum your school provides with your own lessons to fill in gaps.

    • Book-based lessons: choose books with strong themes and build lessons around them, while ensuring teachers have access to reinforce concepts.

    We’ll also talk about offering “as-needed” lessons when extra support is required, such as teaching a cybersafety lesson to a class that needed immediate guidance beyond their regular schedule.

    And here’s a planning tip: Don’t reinvent the wheel. You can easily adapt lessons to make them developmentally appropriate across different grade levels.

    Your action steps:

    • Write down monthly events you’d like to align lessons with

    • Review discipline referrals and student data

    • Prepare your needs assessment

    • Find out if your school provides a curriculum

    • Research books you might want to use in future lessons

    Resources Mentioned:

    • Join IMPACT

    • stressfreeschoolcounseling.com/classlessons

    Connect with Rachel:

    • TpT Store

    • Blog

    • Instagram

    • Facebook Page

    • Facebook Group

    • Pinterest

    • Youtube

    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!
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    13 分
  • 264. Scheduling Counseling Lessons

    264. Scheduling Counseling Lessons
    2025/09/02

    Welcome back to another episode of School Counseling Simplified! Throughout September, we’re diving deep into classroom lessons, one of my favorite Tier 1 interventions. Sometimes we’re given lesson plans, but other times we’re left to create everything from scratch. That’s why this month I’m sharing practical strategies for scheduling, planning, and teaching lessons with confidence. These tips are pulled directly from my Stress-Free Classroom Lessons course, a five-module training designed to help you feel prepared and supported when delivering class lessons.

    In this episode, I’ll walk you through three game-changing scheduling tools that make the process seamless and manageable:

    1. Google Sheets

    • Create a simple form that lists your available times.

    • Share it with teachers so they can sign up directly, avoiding endless back-and-forth emails.

    • Teachers take ownership of choosing times, while you stay in control of your availability.

    • Set it up at the beginning of the year so teachers can reserve their slots for months ahead.

    2. Calendly

    • Use this free, user-friendly website for scheduling.

    • Teachers can easily reserve lesson times for the entire school year.

    • Add important details like location, duration, and virtual links.

    • Customize hours, set time limits, and color-code events to keep everything organized.

    3. Google Calendar

    • Pair with Google Sheets or Calendly for maximum efficiency.

    • Create recurring calendar invites that include lesson details, virtual links, and reminders.

    • Invite teachers directly so lessons appear on their calendars.

    • Color-code lessons, groups, and individual sessions for quick organization at a glance.

    • While it takes time to set up initially, the payoff is a smooth, structured year.

    Pro Scheduling Tip: Be practical and remember that you’re in control. For instance, if Mondays are difficult due to travel or frequent holidays, avoid scheduling lessons on that day.

    I personally recommend having teachers sign up for the entire year in advance. This approach allows you to balance your time across class lessons, small groups, and individual sessions. At the same time, remain flexible, because your schedule will naturally shift to accommodate your needs and the evolving needs of teachers throughout the school year.

    Resources Mentioned:

    • Join IMPACT

    • stressfreeschoolcounseling.com/classlessons

    Connect with Rachel:

    • TpT Store

    • Blog

    • Instagram

    • Facebook Page

    • Facebook Group

    • Pinterest

    • Youtube

    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!
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    22 分
  • 263. Unlock the Power of Data with Joyce Harduvel from Balanced Mind Therapy

    263. Unlock the Power of Data with Joyce Harduvel from Balanced Mind Therapy
    2025/08/26
    Welcome back to another episode of School Counseling Simplified! I hope your school year is off to a wonderful start. Today I’m excited to bring you a very special guest, Joyce Harduvel. Joyce is a passionate advocate for youth and the school counselors and social workers that 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 that 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, Joyce shares her expertise on how to create positive change for students by using data. She breaks down practical steps you can take to make data meaningful and actionable in your counseling practice. Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: 1. Assessing the Situation Avoid going in with predetermined views. Begin with a holistic assessment that provides a well-rounded perspective of where a student is at. Gather information from multiple sources: families, teachers, and the students themselves. Use observations, records, and assessments to inform your starting point. 2. Developing Goals and Tracking Data Identify a lagging social-emotional skill and create a targeted goal. Explore resources like CASEL, which breaks SEL skills into five domains and offers free research and tools. Start small—choose one specific area to focus on. Establish a baseline using student records (assignments, attendance, GPA, behavior data). Incorporate tracking methods such as antecedent-behavior forms, duration or interval data, mood tracking, or SEL pre/post tests. Refine your goal to ensure it is SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, time-bound). Break goals into smaller benchmarks for clarity and progress monitoring. 3. Using Data to Drive Interventions Collect ongoing data through screeners, classroom input, or case notes. Remember—the point of collecting data is to actually use it. If progress isn’t happening, adjust your goals and strategies. Use data to guide your interventions, advocate for student needs, and identify trends that may inform Tier 1 or Tier 2 supports. Most importantly, use data to celebrate student growth and successes along the way. This episode is packed with practical strategies to help you see data not as a burden, but as a powerful tool to create meaningful, positive change for your students. Resources Mentioned: Join IMPACT CASEL Woodcock-Johnson Testing Connect with Rachel: TpT Store Blog Instagram Facebook Page Facebook Group Pinterest Youtube Connect with Joyce: www.joyce-lcsw.com Instagram 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!
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    38 分
  • 262. 4 Ways To Spruce Up Your Meet The Counselor Lesson

    262. 4 Ways To Spruce Up Your Meet The Counselor Lesson
    2025/08/19

    Welcome back to another episode of School Counseling Simplified! I hope your school year is off to a fantastic start. In this episode, I’m sharing four creative, hands-on ways to freshen up your Meet the Counselor lesson.

    I truly believe that every counselor should include a Meet the Counselor lesson at the beginning of the year. My personal favorite is a Meet the Counselor Game Show. It’s competitive, fun, and requires very little prep. Most importantly, it’s an excellent advocacy tool. It gives students clarity on who you are, what you do, and how they can access your services.

    But if you’re looking to add something new this year, I’ve got four simple ideas you can incorporate:

    1. Emotions Charades
      Turn learning into a game by having students act out emotions from a card while their classmates guess. This helps students practice reading facial expressions and body language, while also developing empathy and emotional recognition.

    2. Counseling Treasure Hunt
      Set up a scavenger hunt in your space with counseling-related items like a mandala coloring sheet, fidgets, or SEL books. As students find each object, engage them in discussion about how these items are used in counseling.

    3. Mindfulness Moments
      Introduce mindfulness by leading a guided meditation or creating a mindfulness jar. Both activities provide practical examples of self-regulation strategies that students can use throughout the year.

    4. Vision Collages
      Encourage self-expression by having students create collages that represent their goals, likes, dreams, and hopes. They can cut out images from magazines or design a digital version online. This is a creative way for students to reflect on their identities while you get to know them better.

    These activities are easy, engaging, and perfect for adding variety to your traditional Meet the Counselor lesson. Not only do they make your role more accessible to students, but they also set the tone for a supportive and engaging school year.

    Resources Mentioned:

    • Join IMPACT

    • Meet The Counselor Game Show

    • 4 Ways to Spruce Up Your Meet The Counselor Lesson - Blog

    Connect with Rachel:

    • TpT Store

    • Blog

    • Instagram

    • Facebook Page

    • Facebook Group

    • Pinterest

    • Youtube

    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!
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    8 分
  • 261. Dealing with School Refusal

    261. Dealing with School Refusal
    2025/08/12
    Welcome back to School Counseling Simplified! As we dive into the back-to-school season, many of us are seeing students who are struggling with separation anxiety and school refusal. In this episode, we’re talking about how you can support not only the students experiencing anxiety, but also the teachers in your building and the parents at home. We’ll cover a wide range of practical, school-based strategies that you can implement right away. From calming tools and classroom tips to talking points for caregivers, this episode will give you a full toolkit for addressing separation anxiety at the start of the school year. Whether you’re working with new kindergarten students, recent transfers, or kids who are just feeling unsure after summer break, these ideas will help you build connections, reduce fear, and create a strong foundation for the year ahead. Tips for Supporting Students School Tours: Offering a separate tour (outside of open house or back-to-school night) can help new or anxious students become familiar with the campus and reduce fear of the unknown. Safe Spaces: Creating a calm-down corner in your counseling office, or encouraging teachers to have one in the classroom, can give students a space to feel grounded. Daily Check-ins: Offer brief check-ins during the first few days or weeks to help students feel supported by a trusted adult. Safety Plans: For students still experiencing significant anxiety after rapport has been built, work together to create a personal safety plan that outlines their support system and calming strategies. Small Groups: Run a separation anxiety small group using CBT-based activities, mindfulness tools, and games to help students feel less alone and more empowered. Tips for Teachers Buddy Systems: Pair students experiencing anxiety with a calm, confident peer to help them feel supported and included. Visual Schedules: Use visual schedules to help students know what to expect throughout the day, reducing anxiety caused by uncertainty. SEL Integration: Incorporate social-emotional learning into daily routines with a consistent morning meeting or circle time. Read-Alouds: Use books like The Invisible String to open up conversations about separation and connection. Classroom Jobs: Assign meaningful classroom roles to help anxious students feel a sense of purpose and belonging. Transitional Objects: Allow students to bring a comforting object from home (such as a stuffed animal, small toy, or photo) during the first few days. Tips for Parents and Caregivers Validation: Encourage caregivers to acknowledge their child’s feelings without minimizing them. A simple “I see this is really hard for you” goes a long way. Consistent Routines: Remind parents of the power of predictability. A steady sleep schedule, breakfast routine, and drop-off ritual can ease anxiety. Practice Separations: Suggest that parents do short practice separations before school starts (e.g., playdates or time at a grandparent’s house). Quick Goodbyes: Encourage brief, confident goodbyes at drop-off and reassure the child about who will pick them up. Lingering can unintentionally reinforce anxiety. Positive Modeling: Remind parents that children often take cues from adults. Expressing enthusiasm and trust in the school helps children feel the same. By supporting students, teachers, and families together, you can help reduce separation anxiety and set everyone up for success this school year. This episode offers you a well-rounded approach that’s practical, compassionate, and easy to implement. Resources Mentioned: Join IMPACT Separation Anxiety Group Podcast Episode on Supporting Anxious Students Books: The Invisible String by Patrice Karst First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg A Letter from Your Teacher: On the First Day of School by Shannon Olsen Connect with Rachel: TpT Store Blog Instagram Facebook Page Facebook Group Pinterest Youtube 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!
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    17 分
  • 260. 9 Must-Have Class Lessons for Back to School Season

    260. 9 Must-Have Class Lessons for Back to School Season
    2025/08/05
    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: Join IMPACT Curriculum Map Freebie Blog - 9 Must-Have Counseling Lessons MTC Game Show MTC Escape Room Listening Skills Lesson Following Directions Lesson Responsibility Lesson - Primary Responsibility Lesson - Elementary Self-Regulation Lesson SOTP Activity Pack Self-Control Lesson - Primary Self-Control Lesson - Elementary Mission: Self-Control Friendship Lesson Mission: Tattling Vs Reporting Bullying Prevention Lesson Guidance Lessons Super Bundle Kelso's Choice My Mouth is a Volcano Book Connect with Rachel: TpT Store Blog Instagram Facebook Page Facebook Group Pinterest Youtube 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!
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    16 分
  • 259. Preventing Risky Behaviors with Dr. Crystal Collier

    259. Preventing Risky Behaviors with Dr. Crystal Collier
    2025/07/29
    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: TpT Store Blog Instagram Facebook Page Facebook Group Pinterest Youtube Connect with Crystal: www.knowyourneuro.org www.drcrystalcollier.com 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!
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    36 分