School Counseling Simplified Podcast

Welcome back to School Counseling Simplified! Summer Summit may be over, but the value continues. Today, I’m chatting with one of our incredible Summit speakers, Joyce Harduvel, about a topic every school counselor needs—sustainable self-care. If you missed the Summit, it’s not too late! All the recordings and PD hours are still available when you join the IMPACT membership. You’ll get access to this session and so much more. Joyce is a licensed clinical social worker. She is a passionate advocate for youth and the school counselors and social workers who 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 the 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, we talk about: * How to create proactive, sustainable self-care routines * Why burnout is a systems issue, not a personal failure * Simple ways to make your workspace more peaceful for you and your students * The power of building a support system at work and at home * What it means to reconnect with your "why"   Joyce shares what a typical day looks like for her now: * Seeing 2–3 private practice clients (individuals, couples, kids) * Attending clinical supervision sessions with small counselor/social worker groups * Reading (a lot!) for law school—she recommends Speechify for educators to save time * Intentional self-care moments like unplugged lunch breaks, short naps, and reading for pleasure Her routine emphasizes boundaries, rest, and balance, something we can all learn from.   Joyce’s biggest tip: Don’t wait to start taking care of yourself. * Create a proactive self-care plan now, not once you hit burnout * Give yourself grace and go slow; this work is a marathon, not a sprint * Set boundaries around your time and energy (especially your lunch break!) * Remember: You don't need to do everything all at once * Connect with others who “get it” and lean on your community As Joyce puts it, "If you want to stay in schools, I want to help you stay in schools and make it sustainable."   Don’t miss out! Want access to this session and more? Join the IMPACT membership to get all Summer Summit replays, monthly PD trainings, downloadable resources, and a community of fellow school counselors.   Resources Mentioned:   * Join IMPACT [https://www.stressfreeschoolcounseling.com/impact]   Connect with Rachel: * TpT Store [https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Bright-Futures-Counseling] * Blog [https://brightfutures-counseling.com/blog-1] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/brightfuturescounseling/] * Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/brightfuturescounseling] * Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/brightfuturesschoolcounselors] * Pinterest [https://www.pinterest.com/bfcounseling/] * Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfUJLx7KuaCMboq6805Nvqg] Connect with Joyce: * Instagram  [http://instagram.com/joycelcsw] * www.joyce-lcsw.com [http://www.joyce-lcsw.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 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/school-counseling-simplified-podcast/id1534494971], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5rWZYVkacJd2bECmMVSUUH?si=oV38HWf1SXm7sUDKoWAOOQ], Google Podcasts [https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9zY2hvb2xjb3Vuc2VsaW5nc2ltcGxpZmllZC5saWJzeW4uY29tL3Jzcw], and more!

Welcome back to another episode of School Counseling Simplified! We’re just TWO days away from Summer Summit, my virtual conference for school counselors happening June 11th and 12th! This two-day event is packed with amazing topics, live Q&A sessions, and even a virtual happy hour. For just $39, you’ll get your seat at the summit plus your first month inside the IMPACT membership! Today I’m joined by Brandon Gernux (he/they), an elementary school counselor from Santa Ana, CA, and one of our Summer Summit speakers! Brandon brings such valuable insight into making Tier 1 classroom lessons more inclusive for all brains. He’s passionate about bridging the gap between school counseling and neurodivergent disability, and today’s conversation is all about practical ways to infuse anti-ableist, inclusive practices into your everyday counseling work. You’ll hear us talk about: * What neurodiversity means and how to talk about it with students * Why Tier 1 supports matter and how they can create a more inclusive school culture * Brandon’s sensory exploration classroom lesson idea * How to create sensory-safe spaces around your school * Why you don’t need to do everything at once as a new counselor, and what to focus on instead Brandon is beginning a PhD in Education with an emphasis on Disability Studies this fall, and he is truly a thoughtful and inspiring voice in the counseling space. You’ll love hearing from him today and at Summer Summit! Don’t miss out! Want access to hundreds of counseling resources, monthly exclusive trainings (with PD certificates), and a supportive community of school counselors? My IMPACT membership gives you all of that and your ticket to my fourth annual Summer Summit! Learn more and join today by clicking the link below!   Resources Mentioned: * Summer Summit [https://www.stressfreeschoolcounseling.com/summit]   Connect with Rachel: * TpT Store [https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Bright-Futures-Counseling] * Blog [https://brightfutures-counseling.com/blog-1] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/brightfuturescounseling/] * Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/brightfuturescounseling] * Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/brightfuturesschoolcounselors] * Pinterest [https://www.pinterest.com/bfcounseling/] * Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfUJLx7KuaCMboq6805Nvqg] Connect with Brandon: * Instagram  [https://www.instagram.com/bigschoolcounselor/]   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 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/school-counseling-simplified-podcast/id1534494971], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5rWZYVkacJd2bECmMVSUUH?si=oV38HWf1SXm7sUDKoWAOOQ], Google Podcasts [https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9zY2hvb2xjb3Vuc2VsaW5nc2ltcGxpZmllZC5saWJzeW4uY29tL3Jzcw], and more!

Welcome back to another episode of School Counseling Simplified! It’s June, which means Summer Summit is right around the corner. This is my virtual conference for school counselors happening June 11–12. We’re featuring an incredible lineup of speakers, live Q&A sessions, and even a happy hour! For just $39, you get your seat at the Summit and your first month of IMPACT. To celebrate, we’re featuring podcast guests throughout June and July who will be presenting at the Summit. Today, I’m joined by Laura Filtness—also known as the PAWSitive School Counselor! Laura shares her insights on using therapy dogs in schools, working with students on executive functioning, and what her day-to-day role looks like as a school counselor. Laura Filtness, M.Ed., is a seasoned school counselor based in Knoxville, TN, with over 15 years of experience. Known for her love of animals and her therapy dog Boss, Laura believes in the power of books and animals to support emotional growth and student connection. She has presented nationally on mindfulness, ADHD support, and classroom engagement, and holds multiple ASCA Specialist certifications. She is the author of the upcoming children’s book My Brain Is Like a Puppy, set to be released by Boys Town Press. When she’s not counseling, Laura teaches yoga and Pilates, renovates her home, and works for a home organization business called Help You Dwell. She also enjoys staying creative through writing and speaking engagements.   In this episode, Laura shares: * How she integrates therapy dogs into her counseling program and the thoughtful steps she takes to support students who may be afraid of dogs, including family communication, opt-out options, and classroom dog-safety lessons. * A sneak peek into her Summer Summit session on helping students with executive functioning challenges. Laura explains the concept of “body doubling” and how it can be used in schools to help students initiate and complete tasks. She shares real-life examples, including how she supports first graders in their classrooms by modeling behaviors and reinforcing strategies. * What a typical day looks like as a school counselor, especially in a split-school role. Laura walks us through her daily rhythm, ranging from morning announcements, classroom lessons, and small groups to drop-in sessions and time tracking at the end of the day. * Her advice for new school counselors: Take the pressure off. Laura encourages new counselors to spend their first year observing, listening, and building relationships instead of trying to do everything at once. She also shares practical time management tips like habit stacking to create sustainable routines. * The inspiration behind her upcoming books including how her therapy dog Boss has influenced her work and writing. Plus, how storytelling and picture books can be powerful tools for building empathy and social-emotional learning in any grade level. Join the IMPACT Membership Want access to hundreds of counseling resources, monthly exclusive trainings (with PD certificates), and a supportive community of school counselors? My IMPACT membership gives you all of that and your ticket to Summer Summit! Learn more and join today by clicking the link in the show notes.   Resources Mentioned:   * Summer Summit [https://www.stressfreeschoolcounseling.com/summit]   Connect with Rachel: * TpT Store [https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Bright-Futures-Counseling] * Blog [https://brightfutures-counseling.com/blog-1] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/brightfuturescounseling/] * Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/brightfuturescounseling] * Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/brightfuturesschoolcounselors] * Pinterest [https://www.pinterest.com/bfcounseling/] * Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfUJLx7KuaCMboq6805Nvqg] Connect with Laura: * pawsitiveschoolcounselor.com  [http://pawsitiveschoolcounselor.com] * Instagram  [https://www.instagram.com/pawsitiveschoolcounselor]   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 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/school-counseling-simplified-podcast/id1534494971], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5rWZYVkacJd2bECmMVSUUH?si=oV38HWf1SXm7sUDKoWAOOQ], Google Podcasts [https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9zY2hvb2xjb3Vuc2VsaW5nc2ltcGxpZmllZC5saWJzeW4uY29tL3Jzcw], and more!

Welcome back to School Counseling Simplified! We’re wrapping up our May series on all things data with an important conversation on the two key types of data school counselors should be collecting for their end of the year reports: sessions provided data and student progress data. In this episode, I break down exactly what these two types of data are, how they help you advocate for your role, and how to collect and organize them simply and effectively. I’ll also share my favorite tools, from color-coded Google Calendars to self-assessments and behavior surveys, and how you can use them to show your impact and prepare for next year with confidence. In this episode, you’ll learn: * The difference between sessions provided data and student progress data * How to use your Google Calendar to track sessions by student or group * Tips for setting up a simple counseling log or sign-in sheet * Why student self-assessments and behavior surveys are essential for tracking progress * How this data supports advocacy and strengthens your counseling program Join the IMPACT Membership Want access to hundreds of counseling resources, monthly exclusive trainings (with PD certificates), and a supportive community of school counselors? My IMPACT membership gives you all of that—and more! Learn more and join today by clicking the link in the show notes. Don’t Miss Out: Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss upcoming episodes, and if you’ve enjoyed this data series, I’d love to hear from you! Tag me on Instagram @brightfuturescounseling [https://instagram.com/brightfuturescounseling] and share your biggest takeaway or how you're using your end-of-year report.   Resources Mentioned:   * Self-Assessments Bundle [https://brightfutures-counseling.com/products/school-counseling-self-assessments-super-bundle-with-digital-data-tracking-forms]   * Behavior Surveys [https://brightfutures-counseling.com/products/data-collection-behavior-surveys-school-counseling-data-tracking-forms]   * IMPACT [https://impact.brightfutures-counseling.com/]    * End of the Year Report [https://brightfutures-counseling.com/products/school-counseling-editable-end-of-the-year-report%E2%80%A8]   * Counseling Hub (Caseload and Log) [https://brightfutures-counseling.com/products/school-counseling-data-collection-spreadsheets-caseload-and-counseling-log]   Connect with Rachel: * TpT Store [https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Bright-Futures-Counseling] * Blog [https://brightfutures-counseling.com/blog-1] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/brightfuturescounseling/] * Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/brightfuturescounseling] * Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/brightfuturesschoolcounselors] * Pinterest [https://www.pinterest.com/bfcounseling/] * Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfUJLx7KuaCMboq6805Nvqg]   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 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/school-counseling-simplified-podcast/id1534494971], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5rWZYVkacJd2bECmMVSUUH?si=oV38HWf1SXm7sUDKoWAOOQ], Google Podcasts [https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9zY2hvb2xjb3Vuc2VsaW5nc2ltcGxpZmllZC5saWJzeW4uY29tL3Jzcw], and more!

Welcome back to another episode of School Counseling Simplified! This May, we’re diving into a series all about data: simple and practical ways to collect and use it as you wrap up the school year or begin planning for the next. So far this month, we’ve covered: * How to collect data from Tier 1 classroom lessons * How to gather meaningful insights from small groups and individual sessions Today, we’re talking all about creating an end of year report: a powerful tool that not only showcases your hard work but helps you advocate for your role and make strategic decisions for the future. In this episode, I’ll walk you through: * The key components every end-of-year report should include * How to gather and organize your data * Why creating this report can transform the way stakeholders view your role * How this tool helped elevate my own program (including a story about how a simple report led to a district-wide standard!) You’ll learn how to report on: * The number of students served (broken down by type: small group, individual, classroom, etc.) * Average time spent with students * Lessons taught and classroom visit frequency * School-wide initiatives you implemented (like career fairs or fundraisers) * Professional development hours completed * Time spent in meetings (IEPs, planning, etc.) * Standout data pulled from self-assessments and behavior surveys Whether your goal is to reflect on what worked, communicate your impact to stakeholders, or simply feel more confident about your school year, you’ll leave this episode with actionable steps to get started. Want my End-of-Year Report Template? If you attended my live training last week, you already have it! If not, grab your copy in the show notes below so you can follow along and create a polished, powerful report. Don’t forget to share your reports with me! Tag me on Instagram @brightfuturescounseling [https://instagram.com/brightfuturescounseling] so I can cheer you on! Join the IMPACT Membership Want access to hundreds of counseling resources, monthly exclusive trainings (with PD certificates), and a supportive community of school counselors? My IMPACT membership gives you all of that—and more! Learn more and join today by clicking the link in the show notes. Thanks for tuning in! Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss next week’s episode where we’ll explore how to track measurable data!   Resources Mentioned:   * Self-Assessments Bundle [https://brightfutures-counseling.com/products/school-counseling-self-assessments-super-bundle-with-digital-data-tracking-forms]   * Behavior Surveys [https://brightfutures-counseling.com/products/data-collection-behavior-surveys-school-counseling-data-tracking-forms]   * IMPACT [https://impact.brightfutures-counseling.com/]    * End of the Year Report [https://brightfutures-counseling.com/products/school-counseling-editable-end-of-the-year-report%E2%80%A8]   * Counseling Hub (Caseload and Log) [https://brightfutures-counseling.com/products/school-counseling-data-collection-spreadsheets-caseload-and-counseling-log]   Connect with Rachel: * TpT Store [https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Bright-Futures-Counseling] * Blog [https://brightfutures-counseling.com/blog-1] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/brightfuturescounseling/] * Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/brightfuturescounseling] * Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/brightfuturesschoolcounselors] * Pinterest [https://www.pinterest.com/bfcounseling/] * Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfUJLx7KuaCMboq6805Nvqg]   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 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/school-counseling-simplified-podcast/id1534494971], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5rWZYVkacJd2bECmMVSUUH?si=oV38HWf1SXm7sUDKoWAOOQ], Google Podcasts [https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9zY2hvb2xjb3Vuc2VsaW5nc2ltcGxpZmllZC5saWJzeW4uY29tL3Jzcw], and more!