School for School Counselors Podcast

⭐️ 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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Behavior charts. Consequence ladders. ABC data.

They’re everywhere- and school counselors are often expected to be in the middle of it.

But what happens when the behaviorist framework you're handed feels completely misaligned wit...

⭐️ 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 ep...

⭐️ 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 lear...

⭐️ 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:

• Wha...

⭐️ 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…...

⭐️ 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
• ...

➡️ 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...

"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...

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 ...

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 w...

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 sat...

*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 s...

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

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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 overwhelm...

*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 o...

*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 ethi...

*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 effectiv...

*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 Suppl...

*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 ...

*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 semeste...