179. Your First Counseling Small Group Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect

Four Team-Building Lessons Students Will Actually EnjoyTeam building doesn’t have to require complicated materials or hours of preparation. In this episode of Counselor Chat, Carol shares four engaging lessons that get students moving, communicating, and working together.You’ll hear how to use:Pass the Pencil to build connectionsHuman Taco to strengthen communication and inclusionShipwrecked to practice problem-solving and respectful disagreement4 Corners to discover common ground and appreciate different perspectivesWant the lessonsI use? Here are the links:Pass The PencilHuman TacoShipwreckedGrab the Show Notes: Counselingessentials.org/podcastJoin Perks Counseling Club Membership and get the lessons, small group and individual counseling materials you need. Join now and get your first month free when you sign up for 3 months!Connect with Carol:TpT StoreCounseling Essentials WebsiteInstagramFacebookElementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook GroupCaught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook GroupHigh School Counselor Connection Facebook GroupMentioned in this episode:Perks Membership

Your First Counseling Small Group Doesn’t Have to Be PerfectStarting your first counseling group can feel overwhelming. Are the right students selected? What should the permission form include? What if students don’t participate—or the lesson falls flat?In this episode of Counselor Chat, we’re taking the pressure off and focusing on what you truly need to launch a purposeful, safe, and effective small group.You’ll learn how to:Select students thoughtfullyHandle family permission and student assentCreate clear group expectationsUse a simple, repeatable session structureMeasure student progress without complicated dataAdjust your curriculum as student needs emergeYour students don’t need a perfect group counselor. They need someone who is prepared, present, and willing to learn alongside them.Grab the Show Notes: Counselingessentials.org/podcastJoin Perks Counseling Club Membership and get the lessons, small group and individual counseling materials you need. Join now and get your first month free when you sign up for 3 months!Connect with Carol:TpT StoreCounseling Essentials WebsiteInstagramFacebookElementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook GroupCaught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook GroupHigh School Counselor Connection Facebook GroupMentioned in this episode:Perks Membership

Small Groups: Who Should You Start With First?You have time to run only a few counseling groups—but your referral list keeps growing. How do you decide which group should come first?In this episode of Counselor Chat, we explore how to choose small groups based on your school’s current data and student needs instead of automatically repeating the groups you ran last year.You’ll learn:Which school data sources can help identify group needsHow to distinguish patterns from isolated incidentsThree important filters: need, fit, and feasibilityWhy the most requested group may not be the highest priorityWhat to consider when selecting group membersHow to create measurable group goalsSimple ways to collect data before, during, and after a groupHow to support students whose groups cannot begin immediatelyThe goal isn’t to run the most groups possible. It’s to run the right groups for the students who need them now.Links:My favorite Small Groups:K-3 Girls Friendship Group4-8 Girls Friendship GroupK-3 Impulse Control GroupK-2 Coping Skills Group1-4 Anxiety Group4-8 Having Hope GroupHS Anxiety GroupGrab the Show Notes: Counselingessentials.org/podcastJoin Perks Counseling Club Membership and get the lessons, small group and individual counseling materials you need. Join now and get your first month free when you sign up for 3 months!Connect with Carol:TpT StoreCounseling Essentials WebsiteInstagramFacebookElementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook GroupCaught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook GroupHigh School Counselor Connection Facebook GroupMentioned in this episode:Perks Membership

A strong counseling SMART goal does more than meet a requirement—it gives your program direction, connects your work to student needs, and helps others understand the impact school counselors make.In this episode, we explore how to create a meaningful, data-informed SMART goal and use your annual administrator conference to gain support, clarify expectations, and align your counseling program with school and district priorities.You’ll learn:How to move from an activity-based goal to a student outcome goalWhat data to consider when identifying a program priorityHow to use the annual administrator conference to build administrator buy-inWays your goal can help advocate for your role and appropriate use of timeHow to map your goal across the school yearWhy participation, student standards, and achievement data all matterHow regular checkpoints help you adjust your plan before the end of the yearYour SMART goal shouldn’t be a document you write and forget. It can become a roadmap for your program, a foundation for collaboration, and a powerful way to show how school counseling supports student success.ASCA National Model 5th Edition Free DownloadGrab the Show Notes: Counselingessentials.org/podcastJoin Perks Counseling Club Membership and get the lessons, small group and individual counseling materials you need. Join now and get your first month free when you sign up for 3 months!Connect with Carol:TpT StoreCounseling Essentials WebsiteInstagramFacebookElementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook GroupCaught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook GroupHigh School Counselor Connection Facebook GroupMentioned in this episode:Perks Membership

What counseling office supplies truly earn their shelf space? In this episode of Counselor Chat, I share eight tried-and-true favorites she uses to organize lessons, reuse counseling resources, improve classroom management, and make games and groups run more smoothly.In This Episode, You Will LearnA simple system for storing lesson pieces and reusable group materialsWhy a wider laminator can be worth the investmentHow laminating helps turn lessons, games, and worksheets into reusable toolsThe presentation-clicker tip that can save you from searching the classroomA quieter, easier solution to dice rolling during counseling gamesHow Yikerz naturally supports impulse control and flexible thinkingWhy a familiar game like Chutes and Ladders still works with older studentsShop My Counseling Office FavoritesClear project casesScotch Pro 13-inch laminatorBulk laminating pouchesPresentation clickerSterilite clear latching binsPop-o-matic dice poppersYikerz magnetic gameChutes and LaddersDownload the free guideGrab the Show Notes: Counselingessentials.org/podcastJoin Perks Counseling Club Membership and get the lessons, small group and individual counseling materials you need. Join now and get your first month free when you sign up for 3 months!Connect with Carol:TpT StoreCounseling Essentials WebsiteInstagramFacebookElementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook GroupCaught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook GroupHigh School Counselor Connection Facebook Group

Your counselor introduction lesson is more than a back-to-school formality. It is one of the first ways you build trust, increase access, and help students understand when and how to ask for support.In this episode of Counselor Chat, Carol shares what students actually need to hear during a counselor introduction lesson—and what you can skip.You’ll learn how to:Explain your role in student-friendly languageHelp students understand when they might come see youClearly explain confidentialityTeach students exactly how to request supportReduce the stigma that counseling means “being in trouble”Make your lesson interactive and memorableGive students a few key messages they can carry with them all yearThe goal is not for students to memorize what a school counselor does. It is for them to know, “I know who my counselor is, I know how to reach them, and I know they can help.”Intro Lessons:Meet the School Counselor Tic-Tac-ToeSchool Counselor BINGOMeet the School Counselor Lesson PlanGrab the Show Notes: Counselingessentials.org/podcastJoin Perks Counseling Club Membership and get the lessons, small group and individual counseling materials you need. Join now and get your first month free when you sign up for 3 months!Connect with Carol:TpT StoreCounseling Essentials WebsiteInstagramFacebookElementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook GroupCaught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook GroupHigh School Counselor Connection Facebook GroupMentioned in this episode:Perks Membership

The first month of school can make counselors feel like they need to do everything at once—but you don’t.Here's a simple roadmap for the first 30 days of school, including what to prioritize, what can wait, and how to build a strong foundation for the rest of the year.You’ll hear practical ideas for:Building relationships with students and staffCreating simple referral and counseling systemsUsing data and needs assessments to guide your programStrengthening Tier 1 supportsProtecting your time before your calendar fills upOrganizing your counseling program without starting from scratchResources Mentioned:From TpT:Meet the Counselor Tic-Tac-ToeMeet The Counselor Lesson PlanBehavior Intervention ToolkitAll these resources and more are included in Perks Counseling Content ClubYou do not have to have the entire year figured out in September. Focus on the foundation first.Grab the Show Notes: Counselingessentials.org/podcastJoin Perks Counseling Club Membership and get the lessons, small group and individual counseling materials you need. Join now and get your first month free when you sign up for 3 months!Connect with Carol:TpT StoreCounseling Essentials WebsiteInstagramFacebookElementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook GroupCaught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook GroupHigh School Counselor Connection Facebook GroupMentioned in this episode:Perks Membership

Nice Bike: Three Small Actions That Can Change School CultureWhat if changing school culture did not require a big program, a new initiative, or another committee?In this episode of Counselor Chat, Carol shares the powerful message behind Mark Scharenbroich’s “Nice Bike” story and explores three simple ways school counselors can strengthen relationships throughout their buildings: acknowledge, honor, and connect.You will hear practical examples of how small moments of recognition can help students and staff feel seen, valued, and connected—and how those moments can create ripple effects throughout an entire school community.In This Episode:Why two simple words can open the door to connectionThe difference between acknowledging and honoring someoneHow specific recognition builds trust and belongingWhy connection needs to happen before a crisisSimple ways to positively influence school culture every daySchool culture is not built through one special event. It is built through the way people are treated, one interaction at a time.Grab the Show Notes: Counselingessentials.org/podcastJoin Perks Counseling Club Membership and get the lessons, small group and individual counseling materials you need. Join now and get your first month free when you sign up for 3 months!Connect with Carol:TpT StoreCounseling Essentials WebsiteInstagramFacebookElementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook GroupCaught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook GroupHigh School Counselor Connection Facebook GroupMentioned in this episode:Perks Membership

In this second episode of our Back to School series, I’m diving into a topic that’s incredibly important for us as school counselors—how to make sure the vital work we do doesn’t go unnoticed.Too often, despite the significant impact we have, our efforts can go unseen by those around us.In this episode, I emphasize the importance of:Advocating for Our Role: Ensuring that the value of our work is communicated so it doesn’t get overlooked.Sharing Successes: Highlighting the progress of our students with colleagues and administrators to build awareness and appreciation for the counseling role.Collaboration is Key: Being seen as integral members of the school team by actively participating in and contributing to the broader educational environment.Impactful Interventions: Recognizing the power of empathy and understanding in counseling.Building a Supportive Environment: Advocating for ourselves to help create a school culture where our contributions are respected and supported.Join me as we explore how to ensure our work is visible, valued, and celebrated as we head into what I hope will be our best school year yet!Join the Summer Counselor ConferenceGrab the Show Notes: Counselingessentials.org/podcastJoin Perks Counseling Club Membership and get the lessons, small group and individual counseling materials you need. Join now and get your first month free when you sign up for 3 months!Connect with Carol:TpT StoreCounseling Essentials WebsiteInstagramFacebookElementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook GroupCaught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook GroupHigh School Counselor Connection Facebook Group

In this episode of Counselor Chat, I’m sharing a reminder that school counselors create impact in ways that are not always immediate, visible, or easy to measure.From a quick student check-in to a meaningful conversation with a teacher, small actions can create ripple effects that travel farther than we may ever realize. You do not have to make a huge splash to make a difference.In this episode, we talk about:Why small, consistent actions matterThe ripple effects counselors create every dayWhy impact is not always measured by data aloneHow students may carry our encouragement longer than we knowWhy continued learning helps us make stronger wavesTakeaway:You are already making waves. Every conversation, check-in, lesson, and moment of encouragement can matter more than you realize.Come Join us at the Summer Counselor Conference.Grab the Show Notes: Counselingessentials.org/podcastJoin Perks Counseling Club Membership and get the lessons, small group and individual counseling materials you need. Join now and get your first month free when you sign up for 3 months!Connect with Carol:TpT StoreCounseling Essentials WebsiteInstagramFacebookElementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook GroupCaught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook GroupHigh School Counselor Connection Facebook Group