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:

• 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.

• 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.

• 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

• 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!

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

• 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!

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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 

• 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!

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:

1. 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.

2. Listening Skills Teach students what it really means to be an active listener. Activities like “Simon Says” are engaging and effective for younger students.

3. Following Directions Reinforce routines and classroom expectations early on. Simple games like “Simon Says” can double for both listening and direction-following practice.

4. Responsibility Foster independence and ownership among students. Use engaging stories, songs, or self-reflection activities to make it stick.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. Conflict Resolution Teach tools for resolving disagreements peacefully and respectfully. Programs like Kelso’s Choice are a great way to introduce these concepts.

9. 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

• 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!

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

• TpT Store

• Blog

• Instagram

• Facebook Page

• Facebook Group

• Pinterest

• Youtube

• 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!

School is right around the corner, and I want to help you feel confident and prepared as you head back! I’m offering a free live training all about how to use a Meet the Counselor lesson to introduce yourself to your students and advocate for your role as a school counselor. You’ll get a free copy of my favorite lesson and a PD certificate for attending! This training is TODAY to make sure to use the link below in resources and save your seat!

In today’s episode of School Counseling Simplified, I wanted to take a break from our usual content to let you hear directly from the amazing counselors inside the IMPACT membership. We’ve been talking about the Summer Summit and IMPACT over the last few episodes, and now you get to hear real experiences from real members.

Here’s what some of them had to say about being part of IMPACT:

• Madelyn, a K–8 counselor, loves the ready-to-use resources, the opportunity to collaborate with other counselors in the community, and the empowering monthly PD. She’s saved so much time!

• Jennifer, a school social worker, finds the data tools especially helpful for gathering feedback from both students and adults.

• Lacy appreciates the small group lessons and that the plans are already aligned with ASCA standards. She feels more prepared and loves being able to print and use the resources with ease.

• Kelly is a one-counselor team across multiple buildings. She says IMPACT helps her get things done faster by cutting down on indirect hours and increasing time spent with students.

• Marybeth has saved so much time with the low-prep, research-based lessons that her students find fun and engaging.

• Angie says IMPACT has helped her grow tremendously by offering structured support, practical tools, and a strong sense of community through monthly PD and a network of nearly 1,000 school counselors.

• Lydia relies on the ASCA-aligned resources for quick support—especially on her most challenging days.

• Jamie loves that IMPACT has freed up the time she used to spend creating lessons from scratch. Now she can focus more on direct services for her students.

• Kailey, a first-year counselor, says IMPACT has helped her make a meaningful difference in her students’ lives from day one.

Ready to feel supported and confident this school year? With school creeping up now is the perfect time to check out all the hype around IMPACT and see if it’s a great fit for you at: 👉 stressfreeschoolcounseling.com/impact

Resources Mentioned:

• Join IMPACT

• LIVE Free Training

• 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!

Welcome back to another episode of School Counseling Simplified! Today’s episode features Summer Summit presenter Bradford, a seasoned school counselor from Chattanooga, TN. Bradford has six years of school counseling experience, teaches weekly at his church, and recently served as an adjunct professor. He’s passionate about building strong student relationships, and he’s also excited about incorporating new tech into his counseling program.

Summer Summit Replay Access

Did you miss Summer Summit? It’s not too late! When you join IMPACT, my monthly membership for school counselors, you’ll get access to all of the Summer Summit session recordings, along with PD hours. Sarah’s session is one you don’t want to miss. She shares how nervous system regulation supports executive functioning and practical tools to apply these strategies in your life and with students.

In this episode, Bradford shares how he’s been using AI tools like Canva and Gemini to enhance classroom lessons and plan more efficiently. Whether it's creating engaging visuals or generating lesson ideas, Bradford explains how AI can be a time-saving support, not a replacement, for your work.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How Bradford uses Canva’s AI tools to create engaging classroom visuals

• Why Gemini has become his go-to for brainstorming classroom lesson ideas

• A real-life example of when an AI lesson didn’t go to plan—and how it became a teaching moment

• The importance of specificity when using AI tools

• How AI can support 1:1 student session planning

• Bradford’s current schedule and how he prioritizes visibility and connection with students

• Advice for new counselors on building student trust through presence and relationships

Bonus: Free Live Training This July!

School is starting soon, and I’m offering a free live training on how to use a Meet-the-Counselor lesson to connect with students and advocate for your role! You’ll get a PD certificate and a ready-to-use lesson. I’ll be sharing my favorite activity, organization tips, and strategies for using the lesson to build relationships with both students and faculty. Join us July 21 or 22!

• Join IMPACT

• LIVE Free Training

• TpT Store

• Blog

• Instagram

• Facebook Page

• Facebook Group

• Pinterest

• Youtube

• 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!

Welcome back to another episode of School Counseling Simplified! Today, I’m joined by a special guest, Sarah Lovell—an executive function and ADHD coach who brings so much value for both our work with students and our own professional and personal lives.

Sarah Lovell (she/her) is an executive function & ADHD coach for college students, ambitious professionals, overthinkers, and recovering perfectionists who are tired of feeling stuck and are ready to work with their brains, not against them. 

With 11 years of experience, Sarah helps clients who try tool after tool… only to burn out or blame themselves when nothing sticks. She helps you understand why it’s so hard to get started (even on things you want to do!) and make sustainable changes in a way that feels good. 

Sarah’s background in social work grounds her work in compassionate practices, believing self-talk and self-care are the foundations for executive functioning. Along with 1:1 coaching, she runs a membership, Stuck to Started, that gives you extra support and accountability. She also hosts From Stuck to Started podcast, where she shares realistic, actionable strategies in 20 minutes or less. 

When Sarah isn’t coaching, she enjoys trail walks with her dogs, snuggling up with tea and a good book, and paddleboarding. 

Summer Summit Replay Access

Did you miss Summer Summit? It’s not too late! When you join IMPACT, my monthly membership for school counselors, you’ll get access to all of the Summer Summit session recordings, along with PD hours. Sarah’s session is one you don’t want to miss. She shares how nervous system regulation supports executive functioning and practical tools to apply these strategies in your life and with students.

Sneak Peek: Sarah’s Summer Summit Session

In her session, From Overwhelmed to Organized, Sarah discusses the connection between executive functioning and nervous system regulation:

• When our nervous system is dysregulated, it becomes hard to access our executive functioning tools.

• Self-talk is a foundation for executive function, but regulation must come first.

• She walks through tools for both hyperarousal (anxiety, fight/flight) and hypoarousal (low energy, disconnection), including:

• Breathing and grounding exercises

• Somatic movement, like balance or tapping

• Separating planning from action to reduce overwhelm

A Day in Sarah’s Life

Sarah supports a wide range of adults: college students, women with ADHD, entrepreneurs, and business owners. She holds 1:1 coaching calls, runs a supportive membership, produces podcast content, and handles the daily marketing and admin needs of her business.

Advice for Counselors

• “Self-talk is the foundation!” Whether you're feeling stuck, procrastinating, or overwhelmed, it starts with self-awareness.

• Understand the difference between procrastination and being stuck.

• Take a pause, name what you're experiencing, and give yourself credit along the way, not just when you meet the goal.

Bonus: Free Live Training This July!

School is starting soon, and I’m offering a free live training on how to use a Meet-the-Counselor lesson to connect with students and advocate for your role! You’ll get a PD certificate and a ready-to-use lesson. I’ll be sharing my favorite activity, organization tips, and strategies for using the lesson to build relationships with both students and faculty. Join us July 21 or 22!

• Join IMPACT

• LIVE Free Training

• TpT Store

• Blog

• Instagram

• Facebook Page

• Facebook Group

• Pinterest

• Youtube

• Instagram

• Free ADHD Action Plan Private Podcast

• www.executivefunctioningfirst.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!

Welcome back to School Counseling Simplified! This week, I’m sitting down with Elissa Hughes, a middle school counselor who shared a standout presentation during Summer Summit. If you didn’t get a chance to attend live, don’t worry—Summer Summit recordings are available inside the IMPACT membership, along with PD certificates and hundreds of other school counseling resources.

Elissa Hughes is a middle school counselor with experience at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. She is a member of her school’s attendance committee, focusing on tiered supports, student engagement, and family communication. Elissa is passionate about creative, practical strategies that build positive habits, foster resilience, and strengthen connections between schools and families. She is a certified RYT-200 yoga instructor with additional training in children’s yoga and enjoys weaving mindfulness into her work to support student well-being. She holds a Specialist degree in Professional Counseling, a Master’s in School Counseling, and a double major in Psychology and Sociology.

In today’s episode, Elissa walks us through how her team approached improving attendance this school year through a tiered, relationship-driven strategy—and saw real results.

In this episode, Elissa shares:

• Tier 1 Strategies: A fun, low-effort incentive program involving 7th period attendance tracking and Dairy Queen Blizzard rewards (yes, Dairy Queen donated them!). Teachers submitted attendance data daily, and one class per grade level was rewarded with a treat.

• Tier 2 Support: A more individualized approach focused on understanding student and family challenges around attendance. Elissa discusses the importance of genuinely getting to know students, building trust, and having honest conversations with families to problem-solve together. She walks through common barriers like anxiety, transportation, trauma, and basic needs, and how to respond with empathy and actionable support.

• Results: Their school’s chronic absenteeism rate dropped significantly within just one year. Elissa credits this to consistent team collaboration, community involvement, and a mindset focused on connection over compliance.

Elissa also shares:

• What her daily schedule looks like as a middle school counselor, including mindfulness groups, classroom lessons, and flexible student support

• Her team’s collaboration with counselors, a social worker, and a family engagement coordinator, and plans to integrate PBIS more deeply next year

• Practical tips for embedding student wellness practices throughout the school day

Advice for New School Counselors:

 "Always try to see things from another person’s perspective and point of view." Elissa reminds us that the foundation of strong counseling work is empathy, curiosity, and a willingness to learn from the lived experiences of others.

If you loved this conversation and want to explore more practical tools like these, be sure to join the IMPACT membership. You'll gain access to every Summer Summit session recording, PD certificates, monthly resource drops, and a supportive community of school counselors like you.

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.

• Join IMPACT

• TpT Store

• Blog

• Instagram

• Facebook Page

• Facebook Group

• Pinterest

• Youtube

• Instagram

• TikTok

• Facebook - Not Your Average School Counselor

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!

Welcome back to School Counseling Simplified! We’re continuing our special Summer Summit speaker series, and today I’m joined by an incredible pair: Monique and Patti, two clinical social workers and certified play therapists who specialize in attachment and child development. They recently spoke at Summer Summit about a topic that’s essential for every educator and school counselor: Attachment Theory in the Classroom.

If you missed Summer Summit, it’s not too late. When you join IMPACT, my monthly school counselor membership, you’ll gain access to all of the Summer Summit recordings and PD hours—including Monique and Patti’s impactful session.

Monique Gougeon, MSW, RSW, CPTS, CTPS has a Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work and is a Certified Child Therapist and Play Therapist Supervisor with the Canadian Association of Play Therapy. Monique is certified as Theraplay Practitioner, Trainer and Supervisor with Theraplay Canada. She is also certified in Circle of Security Individual and Group models and is a Certified EMDR practitioner, specializing in Child and adolescent treatment. Monique has extensive experience working with children and families in community agencies and has worked for 20+ years in the field of children’s therapy. She is the owner of Alloway Therapy Services in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, where she practices alongside her talented colleagues. Monique has special interests in supporting children who have experienced loss, developmental trauma, and attachment disruption. She regularly facilitates training and presentations for caregivers and professionals regarding child trauma and attachment disruption. 

Patti has a Masters in Social Work and has been a social worker for over 30 years. She has worked with children in women's shelter's, family violence programs, schools and spent 12 years in private practice. She is a Certified Play therapist with The Canadian Association of Play Therapy. She enjoys providing training for educators in the area of developmental trauma in the classroom and is currently a school social worker in the Winnipeg School Division in Winnipeg, Canada. About a year ago Patti decided she would try her hand at creating resources for school counselors and opened a TPT shop. A major learning curve, but an exciting new adventure. 

Monique and Patti dive into how we can apply attachment theory and the Circle of Security framework within the classroom and school counseling settings.

We talk about:

• Why attachment-based practices aren’t just for “high-need” students but benefit all kids

• How the Circle of Security model, originally created for caregivers, can be adapted for educators and school counselors

• Ways to support students as they explore their world while also providing a secure base

• Shifting from behavior-based approaches to relational ones

• How restorative practices can preserve relationships, rather than relying on punitive systems

• A framework to help counselors and teachers feel more confident and less burned out

They also share the PACE model—a mindset for working with children:

• Playful

• Accepting

• Curious

• Empathic

By embodying these qualities, educators can create safer, more nurturing environments for all students.

Patti shares a glimpse into her workweek, which includes:

• Direct client work 3 days per week, supporting children and caregivers

• Teaching play therapy curriculum through Therapy Canada Institute

• Providing supervision and training in therapeutic models: her work centers around integrating play, attachment, and trauma-informed practices to support school-aged children.

Monique and Patti are hosting a 2-day training on August 18th and 19th. This is a fantastic opportunity to dive deeper into Circle of Security and attachment-informed practices for schools. Pre-register now to save your spot!

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.

• Join IMPACT

• Pre-Registration for 3Rs: Attachment in the Classroom August 18 &19, 2025

• TpT Store

• Blog

• Instagram

• Facebook Page

• Facebook Group

• Pinterest

• Youtube

• Teachers Pay Teachers

• Email Patti: [email protected]

• PS Counseling Matters Newsletter

• Email Monique: [email protected]

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!