High School Counseling Conversations®

Have you been wanting to start classroom lessons in your high school counseling program but haven’t taken the plunge yet? You’re in the right place because I have some motivating tips for you that will help you take action on classroom lessons. Specifically, I have six steps that you can follow.

If you’re feeling like you’ll be creating more work for yourself if you start classroom lessons, hear me out. More classroom lessons can lead to more intentional small groups, individual counseling sessions, or just more direct time with students! It solves the challenge of not having enough face time with our students and extends the impact of our program all at once.

Don’t forget to submit your voice note to share something good that is happening in your career, in your school counseling program, or for your students. It can be big or small! I want to celebrate you and feature your win in episode 121 of High School Counseling Conversations.

Resources Mentioned:

• Help Us Celebrate YOU in Episode 121 by Leaving Your Voice Note
• Resource: Free Classroom Lesson Roadmap
• Resource: Classroom Lessons Playlist (free!)
• Blog Post: 6 Ways to Overcome Obstacles and Execute Effective Counselor Classroom Lessons
• Podcast: Episode 83, How to Use Needs Assessments Strategically This Year in Your High School Counseling Program
• Podcast: Episode 14, 3 Ways to Build Your Confidence with High School Counseling Classroom Lessons
• Leave your review for School Counseling Conversations on Apple Podcasts

Connect with Lauren:

• Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job Interviews
• Visit my TpT store
• Send me a DM on Instagram: @counselorclique
• Follow me on Facebook
• Send me an email: [email protected]
• Join the Clique Collaborative

Full show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode117 

Are you interested in hosting a career fair at your high school and wondering where to begin? That's similar to the position I was in as a school counselor. There hadn't been a career fair at my school in many years, but I decided to pitch the idea to help with career readiness efforts for students.

Career fairs can be an incredible way to reach many students at once and open doors and career opportunities for them. They can also tremendously impact your students' lives, expose them to careers they may never know about, and teach them about people already in those careers.

In this episode, I'm sharing how you can start hosting career fairs in your high school, the most critical steps to take to set your event up for success, how to define the success of the career fair, how to make sure the event is interactive for the students and speakers and the pros and cons of hosting an in-person vs. virtual event.

Resources Mentioned:

• Submit Your Celebrations for This Year!
• Free Podcast Playlist: Classroom Lessons Playlist
• Blog: 3 Steps to Hosting an Effective Virtual Career Fair
• Free Resource: Virtual Career Fair Templates
• Free Resource: 10 Low Impact Ideas for Creating High Impact Career Services PDF
• Leave your review for School Counseling Conversations on Apple Podcasts

Connect with Lauren:

• Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job Interviews
• Visit my TpT store
• Send me a DM on Instagram: @counselorclique
• Follow me on Facebook
• Send me an email: [email protected]
• Join the Clique Collaborative

Full show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode116

As high school counselors, we are experts at discussing mental health, relationships, self-regulation, and post-secondary planning. But when it comes to school counselor finances, it can feel uncomfortable and confusing! Whether you want to pay off debt, save, or invest, this conversation will empower you regarding your finances.   Today's guest, Jeremy Schneider, is a successful entrepreneur and personal finance expert. After starting an internet company in college, selling it at 34 for over $5 million, and retiring at 36. Jeremy has dedicated his life to teaching personal finance. He's here to share his knowledge about finances with us today.   In today's episode, Jeremy shares some of the most common myths around finances, the most important key to building wealth on a fixed income, tips to practically move the needle with savings, the two rules for building wealth and where to go to learn more about investing.  

Resources Mentioned:

• Resource: Jeremy's Personal Finance Education
• Private Podcast: Small Group Counseling Playlist
• Leave your review for School Counseling Conversations on Apple Podcasts

Connect with Lauren:

• Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job Interviews
• Visit my TpT store
• Send me a DM on Instagram: @counselorclique
• Follow me on Facebook
• Send me an email: [email protected]
• Join the Clique Collaborative

Full show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode115

You're ready to start using small groups in your high school, but you need to be able to measure their effectiveness and have something tangible to show for your endeavors. The key to success is to plan to collect and share small group data from the start.   If you have resistance from admins or fellow high school counselors, data can be highly compelling to show the value of utilizing small groups. The data you collect can shape their perspective, proving that small groups are worth the effort. It's just a matter of being consistent with your data collection plan and sharing those results with your colleagues.   In this episode, I'm sharing how to collect small group data effectively, how to share the data collected to show its value to your fellow staff, the different types of data you can gather, the value of collecting perception data, and how to get teachers' involvement in the process.   Resources Mentioned:

• Resource: High School Counseling Data Collection Ideas Guide
• Resource: Small Group Data Spreadsheet
• Book: Making Data Work by Young and Kaffenberger
• Podcast: Episode 42, How to Use Data in Your High School Counseling Program Without Overthinking It
• Private Podcast: Small Group Counseling Playlist
• Leave your review for School Counseling Conversations on Apple Podcasts

  Connect with Lauren:

• Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job Interviews
• Visit my TpT store
• Send me a DM on Instagram: @counselorclique
• Follow me on Facebook
• Send me an email: [email protected]
• Join the Clique Collaborative

Full show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode114

Do you have mixed feelings about counseling small groups? Today's episode will pique your interest and get you thinking about incorporating them into your high school counseling. There is so much power in using small groups in the high school setting!   It's time for high school counselors to replace your dreaded non-counseling duties with actual counseling duties, like the forgotten tier-two intervention of small groups. Small groups are a way to support your students in a much bigger way and do the things that made you want to be a school counselor in the first place!   In today's episode, I am sharing all the details of the five done-for-you small group resources I have available, how to incorporate counseling small groups into your high school counseling program, and how each of these small groups will impact you and your students.   Resources Mentioned:

• Resource: Stress Management Small Group
• Resource: Career Exploration Small Group
• Resource: Leadership Small Group
• Resource: First Generation College Going Small Group
• Resource: Coping Skills Small Group
• Podcast: Episode 71, An Administrator’s Perception of School Counselors and the Roles They Play
• Private Podcast: Small Group Counseling Playlist
• Leave your review for School Counseling Conversations on Apple Podcasts

  Connect with Lauren:

• Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job Interviews
• Visit my TpT store
• Send me a DM on Instagram: @counselorclique
• Follow me on Facebook
• Send me an email: [email protected]
• Join the Clique Collaborative

Full show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode113

When was the last time you reviewed different counseling theories you could bring into your role? It's probably something you have not considered since graduate school, but we have you covered! We are diving into using a solution-focused school counseling approach and how it can increase your effectiveness and efficiency.

Today's guest, Dr. Russell A. Sabella, is a Professor in the School Counseling Program at the College of Education at Florida Gulf Coast University and President of Sabella & Associates. He is the author of many books, including Solution-Focused School Counseling: The Missing Manual. Dr. Sabella has trained and consulted with thousands of school counselors, educators, parents, and organizational leaders nationwide.

In this episode, Dr. Sabella shares an overview of using a solution-focused model and the differences between utilizing a solution-focused model vs. the traditional problem-focused model. Plus, you’ll hear the simple and practical ways to use this new method as a school counselor to increase your impact, how he has seen this model make a difference in students' lives, and how this model can be more effective and efficient as a busy school counselor.

Resources Mentioned:

• Private Podcast: Kickstart Your Year as a High School Counselor
• Book: Solution-Focused School Counseling: The Missing Manual
• Podcast: Episode 59, National School Counseling Week: 5 Forgotten Ways to Promote Your School Counseling Program
• Podcast: Episode 110, Here’s Why You Should Care About National School Counseling Week
• Leave your review for School Counseling Conversations on Apple Podcasts

Connect with Lauren:

• Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job Interviews
• Visit my TpT store
• Send me a DM on Instagram: @counselorclique
• Follow me on Facebook
• Send me an email: [email protected]
• Join the Clique Collaborative

Full show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode112

Are you looking for a high school counselor membership that provides the information you need to know, helps you understand how to apply everything to your role, and has a place to connect with other counselors? The Clique Collaborative is the place for you and is ready to welcome you with open arms! The doors are officially OPEN for you to join!   The Clique Collaborative is a high school counselor membership created to empower and inspire you in your counseling journey. This membership is created to bring value to your life rather than a time suck. When you join, you'll find a searchable teaching library, Q&A sessions, private members-only podcasts, a member hub where you can chat with other counselors, quarterly live meetups, and more.   In today's episode, you'll learn all about what you'll find inside the membership, the updates and improvements we've made based on members' feedback, how the membership simplifies your learning and implementation process, and who is the best fit for this membership.   P.S. If you join The Clique Collaborative before February 8, 2024, you'll get a sweet bonus: my high school counseling curriculum map. This is a resource that I do not sell anywhere else! You'll also receive a 30% discount for my High School Counselor Kickstart audio course.    Resources Mentioned:

• Join The Clique Collaborative!
• Grab this Sample Advocacy Letter to input your own information.
• Download this PDF Highlights sheet to hand to your administration.
• Fill out this Purchase Order Form to get started.
• Private Podcast: Kickstart Your Year as a High School Counselor
• Leave your review for School Counseling Conversations on Apple Podcasts

  Connect with Lauren:

• Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job Interviews
• Visit my TpT store
• Send me a DM on Instagram: @counselorclique
• Follow me on Facebook
• Send me an email: [email protected]
• Join the Clique Collaborative

Full show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode111

Did you know National School Counseling Week is only a few weeks away? This year's celebration is from February 5 through February 9, 2024. Before you ignore this episode, I want to say I SEE YOU and know you're out there! It's common for counselors to get down on themselves about this week, but this episode will help to understand why it's so important to celebrate.   No matter how you currently feel about National School Counseling Week, please listen to this episode because I think there's so much more to National School Counseling Week than feeling like a dark cloud is hanging over your head! If you're apathetic or just curious about some more ideas behind National School Counseling Week, you'll get so much out of this episode.   In this episode, you'll hear about quick and practical ways to celebrate this week, why the title school counselor matters over the title guidance counselor, the real purpose for celebrating National School Counseling Week, the 2024 theme for National School Counseling Week, and a little pep talk to encourage you to show up and celebrate!   Resources Mentioned:

• Resource: Join the High School Counseling Advocacy Email Challenge
• Resource: Join The Clique Collaborative!
• Resource: ASCA National School Counseling Week Resources
• Podcast: Episode 59, National School Counseling Week: 5 Forgotten Ways to Promote Your School Counseling Program
• Podcast: Episode 80, From Guidance Counselor to School Counselor: Why Our Title MATTERS!
• Podcast: Episode 96, AI for School Counselors: 10+ Ways to Leverage Artificial Intelligence
• Leave your review for High School Counseling Conversations on Apple Podcasts

  Connect with Lauren:

• Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job Interviews
• Visit my TpT store
• Send me a DM on Instagram: @counselorclique
• Follow me on Facebook
• Send me an email: [email protected]
• Join the Clique Collaborative

Full show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode110

You made it to the halfway point; it's time to begin the second semester! You may feel excited, overwhelmed, and wondering where to start. All those feelings are normal, and I want to be here for you during this transition and give you the four essentials to finish the school year strong!   It's easy to look ahead and get overwhelmed by how much is left to do and how much of the year is still left, but when you know where to focus, it takes away the pressure and simplifies everything. I'm here to help you do just that, but breaking down exactly what to focus on.   In today's episode, you'll learn the four essentials as you head into the second semester of the school year, my top strategies for staying on track both personally and professionally, how to make the most of your time as a counselor, The Clique Collaborative membership, and how to get support from your administration.   Resources Mentioned:

• Resource: Join The Clique Collaborative!
• Podcast: Episode 44, Owning Your Time Management by Using Your Calendar
• Podcast: Episode 108, How Maritza Cha Obtained Her Doctorate and Supports School Counselors 
• Podcast: Episode 88, The Clique Collaborative is Now Open: What to Expect Inside
• Podcast: Episode 6, Guest Interview with Emily, a Member of The Clique Collaborative
• Podcast: Episode 34, Private High School Counselor Finds Wellness Passion: An Interview with Tylee R., Clique Collaborative Member
• Podcast: Episode 33, Math Teacher Turned First-Year Public High School Counselor with Clique Collaborative Member, Liz A.
• Podcast: Episode 35, Perspectives of a Charter High School Counselor with Clique Collaborative Member Chris Z.
• Leave your review for High School Counseling Conversations on Apple Podcasts

  Connect with Lauren:

• Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job Interviews
• Visit my TpT store
• Send me a DM on Instagram: @counselorclique
• Follow me on Facebook
• Send me an email: [email protected]
• Join the Clique Collaborative

Full show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode109

Have you ever considered going back to school to get your doctorate? You may have wondered how doctorate school counseling could benefit your career. Well, you're in luck because we are going to hear directly from a counselor who went for her dream and received her Ph.D.   Today's guest, Dr. Maritza Cha, is a first-generation college graduate who started her journey as a social studies teacher in East Los Angeles. Dr. Cha helped design and launch a pilot school within the Los Angeles Unified School District, leading her to work toward her lifelong dream of becoming a college counselor. She has her Ph.D. in Education and Urban Leadership from Claremont Graduate University and teaches at the University of La Verne. She is also a current member of The Clique Collaborative membership.   In this episode, Dr. Cha shares all about her journey to pursuing her doctorate, what she has learned from her experience as an adjunct professor, what it's like to teach adults, and the topic she wrote her dissertation on and is passionate about. Plus, she shares her experience of being in The Clique Collaborative.  

Resources Mentioned:

• Resource: Join The Clique Collaborative!
• Resource: Allies for Dreamers Certificate
• Resource: Dr. Maritza Cha's Dissertation
• Leave your review for High School Counseling Conversations on Apple Podcasts

Connect with Lauren:

• Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job Interviews
• Visit my TpT store
• Send me a DM on Instagram: @counselorclique
• Follow me on Facebook
• Send me an email: [email protected]
• Join the Clique Collaborative

Full show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode108