*Join the School for School Counselors Mastermind today to become the school counselor you were meant to be.*

In this episode, Steph Johnson continues exploring how artificial intelligence is influencing school counseling. She unpacks the risks of depending too much on AI-generated tools and stresses the need for strong professional judgment to evaluate the quality and relevance of resources. Steph also dives into the ethical challenges posed by AI- including protecting student privacy- and underscores the irreplaceable value of authentic, human connection in counseling. This conversation is a call to action for school counselors to reflect on their practices, rekindle their passion for their craft, and deepen their impact on students.

Episode Highlights:

• 00:00 Feeling Undervalued on Campus
• 00:25 Recap of AI in School Counseling (Previous Episode)
• 01:10 Professional Fluency: The Key to Credibility
• 04:23 Perceptions of School Counseling Work
• 07:05 The SEL Lesson Debate
• 13:00 Risks of AI-Generated Resources
• 24:28 Ethical Concerns: AI and Student Privacy
• 30:06 A Call to Reignite Your Passion

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Our goal at School for School Counselors is to help school counselors stay on fire, make huge impacts for students, and catalyze change for our roles through grassroots advocacy and collaboration. Listen to get to know more about us and our mission, feel empowered and inspired, and set yourself up for success in the wonderful world of school counseling.

Hang out in our Facebook group
Jump in, ask questions, share your ideas and become a part of the most empowering school counseling group on the planet! (Join us to see if we're right.)

Join the School for School Counselors Mastermind
The Mastermind is packed with all the things your grad program never taught you IN ADDITION TO unparalleled support and consultation. No more feeling alone, invisible, unappreciated, or like you just don't know what to do next. We've got you!

Did someone share this podcast with you? Be sure to subscribe for all the new episodes!!

*Join the School for School Counselors Mastermind today to become the school counselor you were meant to be.*

In this episode of the School for School Counselors podcast, host Steph Johnson addresses the growing trend of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) in school counseling. Steph shares her concerns about the premature adoption of AI tools and their potential to undermine the core values and techniques of effective counseling. She emphasizes the importance of human connection, evidence-based techniques, and professional fluency over quick AI-generated solutions. This episode delves into the ethical implications, the dangers of AI biases, and the need for critical thinking before relying on AI-generated resources, encouraging school counselors to remain cautious and informed as they navigate this evolving technology.

00:00 Introduction to AI in School Counseling

01:31 The AI Hype and School Counseling

02:59 Concerns About AI in Counseling

04:51 Ethical Considerations and Professional Fluency

07:44 Personal Use and Limitations of AI

15:45 AI's Hallucinations and Biases

20:10 Next Steps


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Our goal at School for School Counselors is to help school counselors stay on fire, make huge impacts for students, and catalyze change for our roles through grassroots advocacy and collaboration. Listen to get to know more about us and our mission, feel empowered and inspired, and set yourself up for success in the wonderful world of school counseling.

Hang out in our Facebook group
Jump in, ask questions, share your ideas and become a part of the most empowering school counseling group on the planet! (Join us to see if we're right.)

Join the School for School Counselors Mastermind
The Mastermind is packed with all the things your grad program never taught you IN ADDITION TO unparalleled support and consultation. No more feeling alone, invisible, unappreciated, or like you just don't know what to do next. We've got you!

Did someone share this podcast with you? Be sure to subscribe for all the new episodes!!

*Join the School for School Counselors Mastermind today to become the school counselor you were meant to be.*

This episode surveys some of the things I'm using most in my school counseling office right now to promote connection, self-awareness, and emotional well-being.

00:00 Welcome Back!

00:29 Holiday Reflections and New Year Goals

02:49 Preparing for the Spring Semester

05:15 Favorite Counseling Office Supplies

17:56 Join the Free Community

19:10 Final Encouragement


Resources:

Greatness Cards

Conscious Discipline Feelings Buddies

All Other Materials (in my Amazon Storefront)


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Our goal at School for School Counselors is to help school counselors stay on fire, make huge impacts for students, and catalyze change for our roles through grassroots advocacy and collaboration. Listen to get to know more about us and our mission, feel empowered and inspired, and set yourself up for success in the wonderful world of school counseling.

Hang out in our Facebook group
Jump in, ask questions, share your ideas and become a part of the most empowering school counseling group on the planet! (Join us to see if we're right.)

Join the School for School Counselors Mastermind
The Mastermind is packed with all the things your grad program never taught you IN ADDITION TO unparalleled support and consultation. No more feeling alone, invisible, unappreciated, or like you just don't know what to do next. We've got you!

Did someone share this podcast with you? Be sure to subscribe for all the new episodes!!

*Join the School for School Counselors Mastermind today to become the school counselor you were meant to be.*

Have you ever worked with a student labeled as “ODD” and felt like nothing you tried was working? In this episode, I’m revisiting one of our most talked-about topics: oppositional defiant behaviors in schools. But instead of focusing on the label, we’re reframing the conversation to explore what’s really happening beneath the surface.

I’ll walk you through why traditional strategies like behavior charts often fail these students, and more importantly, how you can build stronger connections and create real change.

This episode is packed with practical strategies, fresh perspectives, and a little dose of encouragement to keep going.

Let’s rethink how we approach oppositional behaviors—and discover better ways to help our students thrive!


00:00 Welcome and Holiday Hustle

03:45 Introduction to Oppositional Defiant Disorder

08:55 Understanding and Addressing ODD

18:29 Building Relationships and Support

28:02 Final Thoughts and Encouragement


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Our goal at School for School Counselors is to help school counselors stay on fire, make huge impacts for students, and catalyze change for our roles through grassroots advocacy and collaboration. Listen to get to know more about us and our mission, feel empowered and inspired, and set yourself up for success in the wonderful world of school counseling.

Hang out in our Facebook group
Jump in, ask questions, share your ideas and become a part of the most empowering school counseling group on the planet! (Join us to see if we're right.)

Join the School for School Counselors Mastermind
The Mastermind is packed with all the things your grad program never taught you IN ADDITION TO unparalleled support and consultation. No more feeling alone, invisible, unappreciated, or like you just don't know what to do next. We've got you!

Did someone share this podcast with you? Be sure to subscribe for all the new episodes!!

*Join the School for School Counselors Mastermind today for the techniques, support, and confidence you need to handle whatever this semester throws your way.*

In this episode of the School for School Counselors podcast, host Steph Johnson addresses the common issue of school counselors feeling unprepared, whether broadly from grad school or specifically day-to-day. She offers actionable tips to prepare for the new semester, emphasizing the importance of decluttering both physical and digital spaces, setting up efficient systems, and planning for self-care. Steph also highlights the significance of tracking program data and creating templates for repetitive tasks to save time. Finally, she encourages a simple return plan and shares the benefits of the School for School Counselors Mastermind community.

00:00 Introduction: The Challenge of Feeling Unprepared

01:02 Welcome to the School for School Counselors Podcast

01:44 Preparing for the New Semester: Decluttering

05:43 Digital Organization: Reducing Cognitive Load

06:54 Setting Up Systems for Success

12:02 Self-Care Plans for the Spring Semester

14:40 Creating a Simple Return Plan

17:46 Final Thoughts and Encouragement


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Our goal at School for School Counselors is to help school counselors stay on fire, make huge impacts for students, and catalyze change for our roles through grassroots advocacy and collaboration. Listen to get to know more about us and our mission, feel empowered and inspired, and set yourself up for success in the wonderful world of school counseling.

Hang out in our Facebook group
Jump in, ask questions, share your ideas and become a part of the most empowering school counseling group on the planet! (Join us to see if we're right.)

Join the School for School Counselors Mastermind
The Mastermind is packed with all the things your grad program never taught you IN ADDITION TO unparalleled support and consultation. No more feeling alone, invisible, unappreciated, or like you just don't know what to do next. We've got you!

Did someone share this podcast with you? Be sure to subscribe for all the new episodes!!

⭐️ Join the School for School Counselors Mastermind to finally feel supported in your career

In this episode of the School for School Counselors podcast, host Steph Johnson addresses the end-of-semester doubts many counselors feel about their impact. She emphasizes that the true value of school counseling lies in small, often unnoticed moments that ripple through students' lives. Steph shares personal experiences, the science of gratitude, and introduces 'gratitude expansion' to help counselors find deeper meaning and resilience in their work. This insightful discussion is meant to empower and validate counselors, especially during stressful times of the academic year.

00:00 Facing the End of the Semester

01:10 The Power of Small Moments

02:40 Listener Review and Community Support

04:03 A Story of Impact and Reflection

06:10 The Science and Practice of Gratitude

10:43 Implementing Gratitude in Your Daily Routine

12:54 Encouragement and Conclusion


References/For Further Reading:

Algoe, S. B. (2012). Find, remind, and bind: The functions of gratitude in everyday relationships. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 6(6), 455-469. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-9004.2012.00439.x

Amabile, T. M., & Kramer, S. J. (2011). The progress principle: Using small wins to ignite joy, engagement, and creativity at work. Boston, MA: Harvard Business Review Press. https://hbr.org/2011/05/the-power-of-small-wins

Baumeister, R. F., Bratslavsky, E., Finkenauer, C., & Vohs, K. D. (2001). Bad is stronger than good. Review of General Psychology, 5(4), 323-370. https://doi.org/10.1037/1089-2680.5.4.323

Emmons, R. A., & McCullough, M. E. (2003). Counting blessings versus burdens: An experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(2), 377-389. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.84.2.377


**********************************

Our goal at School for School Counselors is to help school counselors stay on fire, make huge impacts for students, and catalyze change for our roles through grassroots advocacy and collaboration. Listen to get to know more about us and our mission, feel empowered and inspired, and set yourself up for success in the wonderful world of school counseling.

Hang out in our Facebook group
Jump in, ask questions, share your ideas and become a part of the most empowering school counseling group on the planet! (Join us to see if we're right.)

Join the School for School Counselors Mastermind
The Mastermind is packed with all the things your grad program never taught you IN ADDITION TO unparalleled support and consultation. No more feeling alone, invisible, unappreciated, or like you just don't know what to do next. We've got you!

Did someone share this podcast with you? Be sure to subscribe for all the new episodes!!

⭐️ Join the School for School Counselors Mastermind to finally feel supported in your career

In this episode of the School for School Counselors podcast, host Steph Johnson discusses the unrealistic expectations set by comprehensive school counseling programs and offers practical advice on how to find peace and redefine success in the field.

By focusing on what is within their control, embracing small victories, and finding joy in their daily tasks, school counselors can better manage the pressures of their role.

00:00 Introduction: The Struggles of School Counselors

00:34 Welcome Back: Revisiting a Popular Episode

00:52 The Holiday Pressure and Unrealistic Expectations

04:49 Making Peace with a Non-Comprehensive Program

09:15 The Circle of Control: Focusing on What You Can Change

13:05 The Reality of Comprehensive Programs

19:06 RAMP Status: Putting Things in Perspective

27:16 Final Thoughts


**********************************

Our goal at School for School Counselors is to help school counselors stay on fire, make huge impacts for students, and catalyze change for our roles through grassroots advocacy and collaboration. Listen to get to know more about us and our mission, feel empowered and inspired, and set yourself up for success in the wonderful world of school counseling.

Hang out in our Facebook group
Jump in, ask questions, share your ideas and become a part of the most empowering school counseling group on the planet! (Join us to see if we're right.)

Join the School for School Counselors Mastermind
The Mastermind is packed with all the things your grad program never taught you IN ADDITION TO unparalleled support and consultation. No more feeling alone, invisible, unappreciated, or like you just don't know what to do next. We've got you!

Did someone share this podcast with you? Be sure to subscribe for all the new episodes!!

⭐️ Join the School for School Counselors Mastermind to build a "stress-less" career

In this episode of the School for School Counselors podcast, host Steph Johnson addresses an issue many school counselors face: the overwhelming number of "urgent" student requests.

She argues that constantly "saving the day" might actually hurt student development and introduces a framework for triaging student concerns.

Drawing on research by Ryan and Deci on self-determination theory, she emphasizes the importance of fostering student autonomy for psychological well-being.

Steph outlines key questions counselors can use to decide when to intervene or step back, aiming to balance immediate support needs with opportunities for student growth.

The episode also touches on strategies for explaining this approach to school staff, keeping professional fluency, and joining the School for School Counselors Mastermind group to discuss and refine these practices.

00:00 Introduction: The Overwhelmed School Counselor

00:49 Welcome to the Podcast

01:48 The Problem with Being a Superhero Counselor

07:13 The Importance of Student Autonomy

13:03 A Framework for Triage in School Counseling

20:15 Implementing Autonomy Supportive Strategies

28:45 Building Professional Fluency

30:37 Conclusion and Resources


Link to Decision-Making Question List


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Resources:

Eagle, J. W., Dowd-Eagle, S. E., Snyder, A., & Holtzman, E. G. (2015). Implementing a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS): Collaboration between school psychologists and administrators to promote systems-level change. Journal of Educational and Psychological Consultation, 25(2-3), 160-177.

Epstein, J. L. (2018). School, family, and community partnerships: Preparing educators and improving schools (2nd ed.). Routledge.

Friend, M., & Cook, L. (2017). Interactions: Collaboration skills for school professionals (8th ed.). Pearson.

Reeve, J. (2009). Why teachers adopt a controlling motivating style toward students and how they can become more autonomy supportive. Educational Psychologist, 44(3), 159-175.

Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2017). Self-determination theory: Basic psychological needs in motivation, development, and wellness. Guilford Press.

Su, Y. L., & Reeve, J. (2011). A meta-analysis of the effectiveness of intervention programs designed to support autonomy. Educational Psychology Review, 23(1), 159-188.

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Our goal at School for School Counselors is to help school counselors stay on fire, make huge impacts for students, and catalyze change for our roles through grassroots advocacy and collaboration. Listen to get to know more about us and our mission, feel empowered and inspired, and set yourself up for success in the wonderful world of school counseling.

Hang out in our Facebook group
Jump in, ask questions, share your ideas and become a part of the most empowering school counseling group on the planet! (Join us to see if we're right.)

Join the School for School Counselors Mastermind
The Mastermind is packed with all the things your grad program never taught you IN ADDITION TO unparalleled support and consultation. No more feeling alone, invisible, unappreciated, or like you just don't know what to do next. We've got you!

Did someone share this podcast with you? Be sure to subscribe for all the new episodes!!