Can you believe it is almost December? The countdown to winter break is on. I absolutely love this time of year. Everything is so fun and festive, especially at the elementary level. I’m always trying to think of ways that I can put a seasonal twist on counseling activities to keep your students (and you) engaged.

At the same time, I always had the problem of “frequent flyers” popping up. You know the ones. The kids who are always stopping by wanting to chat instead of going to their classroom. I used to think I just needed to rush them back to their classroom as quickly as possible. However, I realized over time they were stopping by to see me for a reason. They wanted to build a relationship with me and I didn’t want to dismiss that.

While I wanted them to feel welcome in my office and comfortable with me, I also wanted to make our time together purposeful...especially if they were missing class. Over time, I thought of some fun ways that I could accomplish this. Since it’s the winter season, I created my “Countdown to Winter Break Interactive Calendar”. 

In this episode, I’ll explain exactly how this calendar works and even how you can DIY one. If you create a countdown calendar of your own, snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @brightfuturescounseling so that I can see the final product!

Some topics covered in this episode are:

• Purposeful bonding activities leading up to the Winter season

• Interactive calendar activities to countdown to Winter break

• Winter themed counseling activities to do with drop-in students

• Supplemental activities leading up to Winter break

Resources mentioned:

• Join my school counselor membership IMPACT here!

• Grab the counselor curriculum map freebie here!

• If you are enjoying School Counseling Simplified please follow and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

• Check out this Winter Themed Counseling SEL Activity Pack

• Countdown to Winter Break Activities

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!

In this episode, I explore ways school counselors can help parents implement practical Social Emotional Learning (SEL) strategies at home. By building rapport with families and providing simple, screen-free activities, parents can support their children's emotional growth outside of school. I discuss using SEL choice boards, which offer a variety of activities for students to choose from, giving them ownership and encouraging skill development in a fun, engaging way. Plus, I share a variety of mindfulness, gratitude, stress relief, self-esteem, and self-regulation techniques that parents can easily integrate into their daily routines.

Some topics covered in this episode are:

• Mindfulness Activities: Deep belly breaths, butterfly breaths, 5 senses check-in, and guided meditations.

• Gratitude Practices: Scavenger hunts, letter writing, and creating gratitude lists.

• Stress Relief Ideas: Making stress balls, visualizing favorite places, and going for walks or runs.

• Boosting Self-Esteem: Collage-making with affirmations, writing songs, and painting future self-portraits.

• Self-Regulation Techniques: Acting out emotions, creating coping strategy toolboxes, and practicing deep breaths with a balloon.

Resources mentioned:

• Join my school counselor membership IMPACT here!

• If you are enjoying School Counseling Simplified please follow and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

• Check out this blog post on learning without screen time!

• Grab the counselor curriculum map freebie here!

• Grab the choice board, as mentioned in this episode, here!

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!

In this episode of School Counseling Simplified, I am sharing practical strategies for supporting and building rapport with school administrators. As a key stakeholder group, administrators play a crucial role in the success of a school counseling program. I am outlinging four (plus one bonus) strategies that counselors can use to effectively collaborate with their administrative team, including conducting needs assessments, utilizing data-driven check-ins, discussing school-wide initiatives, and engaging in big picture planning. By implementing these approaches, school counselors can strengthen their relationships with administrators and ensure their programs are aligned with the school's overall goals and priorities.

Here are some highlights from this episode: - Strategies for building rapport and working effectively with school administrators

• Conducting needs assessments with administrators to identify high-need areas
• Using data-driven check-ins to address achievement gaps, attendance issues, academic problems, and behavior concerns
• Discussing school-wide initiatives like career fairs and parent workshops with administrators
• Engaging in big picture planning to align on counseling program goals for the year
• Advocating for the school counselor's role and communicating the impact of their work

Listen in to the full episode and learn more.

Resources mentioned:

• Join my school counselor membership IMPACT here!

• Grab My free Curriculum Map

• If you are enjoying School Counseling Simplified please follow and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

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!

This episode of School Counseling Simplified is all about building strong relationships with teachers. I am sharing four practical strategies that school counselors can use to collaborate more effectively with the teachers in their building. From conducting needs assessments to offering supplemental lessons and organizing fun staff activities, I'm providing you with a roadmap for strengthening those crucial counselor-teacher partnerships.

Some highlights from this episode:

• The Importance of a needs assessment to understand what teachers are struggling with and how you can best support them.

• Offering "as-needed" counseling lessons on specific topics is a great way to provide just-in-time support for teachers and students.

• Building rapport through self-care activities and simply being present in the teacher's lounge can go a long way in showing teachers you're on their team.

• Pro Tip: Counselors get out of your office and be more visible around campus to strengthen relationships with teachers.

Listen in to hear the full episode!

Resources mentioned:

• Join my school counselor membership IMPACT here!

• If you are enjoying School Counseling Simplified please follow and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

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!

October is Bullying prevention month. I couldn't let the month get past without touching on the importance of teaching students to be "upstanders" as a key bullying prevention strategy. I am introducing the concept of an upstander as someone who witnesses bullying and intervenes to stop it, in contrast to a bystander who does nothing.We will discuss the benefits of empowering students to be upstanders, including preventing future bullying, supporting targets, and reducing bullying-related anxiety and depression. I will also touch on several teaching strategies for introducing the upstander concept, such as traditional lessons, interactive games, and digital resources.

Some highlights from this episode include:

• Learning the importance of teaching students the different roles in bullying (bully, target, bystander) and avoiding stigmatizing language like "victim."

• Diving deeper on the concept of an upstander is defined as someone who witnesses bullying and intervenes to stop it, in contrast to a bystander.

• Highlighting the numerous benefits of teaching upstanders as a highly empowering bullying prevention 

• Teaching methods, including lessons, games, Boom Cards, and videos, to introduce and reinforce the upstander concept.

Listen in and see what you can implement before the month is over! 

Resources mentioned:

• Join my school counselor membership IMPACT here!

• If you are enjoying School Counseling Simplified please follow and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

• Check out this Upstander 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!

Halloween is just around the corner, and I know you are looking for fun and engaging ways to incorporate the season into your lessons and activities.

In this episode, I'm sharing 5 creative ways you can use Halloween candy buckets to liven up your counseling sessions. From identifying and changing negative thoughts to practicing self-regulation, these activities are sure to get your students excited and eager to participate.

Grab your pumpkin-shaped buckets and get ready for some spooky counseling fun!

Some things covered in this episode are: 

• Using candy buckets to sort negative and positive thoughts, helping students reframe their mindsets

• Sorting "tattling" vs. "reporting" scenarios to teach appropriate communication

• Exploring growth mindset vs. fixed mindset by categorizing statements into corresponding buckets

• Practicing problem-solving skills by sorting problems into "tiny," "small," "medium," "big," and "huge" buckets

• Utilizing the color-coded "zones" of self-regulation by sorting feelings and behaviors into the appropriate buckets

I'm giving you all the detailed instructions and examples for each of these engaging activities, making it easy for you to implement in your counseling sessions. I would love to see you to share your experiences on social media, and tag me @BrightFuturescounseling for a chance to inspire others.

 Whether you're looking to add a seasonal twist to your lessons or simply want to try something new and interactive, these Halloween candy bucket activities are sure to be a hit with your students. Tune in to learn more and get ready to spookify your counseling sessions!

Resources mentioned:

• Join my school counselor membership IMPACT here!

• 5 Ways to Use Halloween Buckets- Blog

• If you are enjoying School Counseling Simplified please follow and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

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!

It's Part 2 of the   Small Group Planning podcast episodes. Today I am diving into the planning and implementation of small group counseling.

If you didn't catch Part I, I covered the logistics of getting small groups started, but now we will focus on the curriculum development, group structure, and data collection involved in running effective small counseling groups. 

Some highlights from this episode: 

1. Importance of standards-aligned small group curriculum planning

2. Using pre and post-assessments to collect data and determine student progress

3. Essential components of an engaging small group structure (feelings check, group rules, icebreakers, main activities, discussion, reflection)

4. Leveraging the Impact membership resources for small group curriculum and support

5. Transitioning students between tiers of intervention based on small group outcomes

Listen in to get a clear roadmap for planning and facilitating small counseling groups that meet the unique needs of your students. 

Resources mentioned:

• Join my school counselor membership IMPACT here!

• ASCA Student Standards: Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success

• If you are enjoying School Counseling Simplified please follow and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

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!

In this episode of School Counseling Simplified,I am diving deep into the topic of small group counseling. As a small group enthusiast, I'm sharing my expertise on the benefits of small group work and provides a step-by-step guide for school counselors on how to effectively plan and implement small groups from start to finish. This episode is packed with practical tips and strategies to take the stress out of small group planning. Some Highlighted from this episode:

• The two main reasons Rachel loves facilitating small groups: efficiency in seeing more students in less time, and the opportunity to watch students connect, bond, and learn from one another.

• The importance of having a referral system in place to identify students who would benefit from small group counseling.

• Tips for recruiting students for small groups, including reaching out to teachers and parents.

• The necessity of obtaining parent permission before starting a small group, and suggestions for what to include in the permission slip.

• Strategies for scheduling small groups, including navigating potential pushback from teachers and finding the best time that works for all students involved.

Don't miss out on the rest of my advice on small group planning. Tune in to the full episode to learn more about this efficient and impactful tier of school counseling services.

** And don't forget to tune in next week for Small Group Planning Start to Finish Part II**

Resources mentioned:

• Join my school counselor membership IMPACT here!
• School Counseling Referral Form
• Editable Parent Permission Slip
• If you are enjoying School Counseling Simplified please follow and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

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!

In today's episode, I am talking on the importance of creating a classroom calming corner - a designated safe space for students to manage their emotions. I'll be discussing the benefits of calming corners for teachers, counselors, and students, as well as practical steps for setting them up effectively. I'll also touch on how to handle potential pushback from teachers and strategies for implementing a school-wide approach to this valuable tool. 

Some highlights from this episode include: 

• Identifying Calming corners as a toolkit to help students self-regulate and manage their emotions rather than a punishment 

• Highlighting the Benefits of calming corners which include happier teachers, less burdened counselors, and more regulated students.

• How to set up Calming corners so they can be distinguished from the rest of the classroom and include visuals, soft furnishings, and a calm-down toolbox.

• How to address potential teacher concerns and how taking a school-wide approach are key to successful implementation of calming corners.

Listen in and let me know what you think and what you plan to implement. 

Resources mentioned:

• Join my school counselor membership IMPACT here!
• Snag my free Curriculum Map Here
• How to create a calming Corner
• If you are enjoying School Counseling Simplified please follow and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

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!

In this episode, I am discussing strategies for scheduling class lessons for the entire school year. I'm breaking down the benefits of batch work and encouraging you all to plan lessons in  advance to save time and reduce stress. We are going to dive into some digital tools like Google Sheets and Airtable that can be used to create checklists and track the status of scheduled lessons.

Some topics covered: 

• How to schedule class lessons for the entire school year using batch work so you can significantly improve efficiency and organization.
•  Using Google Sheets  to create a simple checklist for monitoring the status of scheduled lessons, including teacher names, grade levels, topics, dates, and lesson planning progress.
• Looking into Airtable for a more visually appealing and feature-rich alternative to Google Sheets, allowing for customizable fields, color-coding, sorting, and filtering options to manage classroom lesson planning. 
• Learning the Importance of Staying organized with digital tools like Google Sheets or Airtable so you can save time and allow you to focus more on serving students.

Listen in and tell me what you plan to incorporate this school year!

Resources mentioned:

• Join my school counselor membership IMPACT here!

• Grab my 30-60-90 Day Plan for FREE
• FREE Curriculum Map

• If you are enjoying School Counseling Simplified please follow and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

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!