By Laura Driscoll | Group Counseling , Individual Counseling
Individual counseling with kindergarteners is anything but simple. They may not be able to understand some concepts, have limited vocabulary and experiences, and are still developing self-regulation skills. Plus, if they are coming to counseling, they are most likely missing some key skills that their peers have. Oh, and you are probably doing this at […]
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By Laura Driscoll | Group Counseling , Individual Counseling
How do you end individual counseling services with a student? Termination is an important event in counseling and it might be one that we shortchange a bit. Totally get it. The student is ready, they met their goals. BUT, we have an opportunity in that last session to make counseling progress last. Students need to exit […]
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By Laura Driscoll | Group Counseling , Individual Counseling , Social Emotional Skills
Identifying feelings and understanding feelings is an essential social-emotional skill. This is always where I would start in counseling and where most social-emotional curriculums begin. If a student can’t identify how they feel, it’s awfully hard to manage those feelings. While we don’t have a shortage of feelings activities or books on feelings, I think In […]
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By Laura Driscoll | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy , Individual Counseling
I’m often asked how to incorporate CBT activities (cognitive behavioral therapy) in school counseling and if it’s really a fit for school counselors. Are school counselors even allowed to use CBT? 100% yes. CBT activities use a short-term evidence-based approach. It’s a match made in heaven. Well, where do I even start? You start with showing students […]
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By Laura Driscoll | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy , Individual Counseling
Feelings thermometers or scales are an essential tool in your counseling office. I can’t think of something else I reached for or referenced more often with students. They are reusable, research-based tools that help kids put a situation in perspective, build self-awareness,develop a self-management plan, and connect thoughts, feelings, and actions.Phew, talk about a workhorse. For most elementary or […]
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By Laura Driscoll | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy , Group Counseling , Individual Counseling
Children, just like adults, are prone to negative thinking. Their negative thinking can lead them to be avoidant, have meltdowns, get into fights, and take other negative actions. The concept of thoughts can be a little abstract for children. Certainly more difficult to understand than feelings and behaviors. When helping children change their thinking, I make […]
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By Laura Driscoll | Individual Counseling , Social Emotional Skills
Do you set goals with students in counseling? In individual counseling, I try to weave SMART goals into a student’s sessions. It helps them feel in charge of their progress and be partners in their progress. There are a number of ways that you can introduce and use goal setting. I find that the secret sauce […]
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By Laura Driscoll | Individual Counseling , Social Emotional Skills
In counseling, you work with students to develop coping skills. You introduce different strategies. They practice them perfectly in role play. Then when they actually need these coping strategies, they don’t use them. They didn’t stick. Part of the reason they didn’t stick, is because we didn’t teach them effectively. With so many social emotional skills, […]
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By Laura Driscoll | Group Counseling , Individual Counseling
Over the past couple years, I’ve managed to shift my social media feeds from people I don’t remember from high school to incredible ideas for counseling and the classroom. Counseling ideas on social media are everywhere if you know where to look, and how to remember them after you scroll by. PinterestFollow Stellar PinnersSome people treat […]
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By Laura Driscoll | Behavior , Individual Counseling , Social Emotional Skills
I couldn’t touch my toes for years. Yoga is not a part of my life unless you count the pants. But even I know the value of integrating yoga in schools. Studies have shown that it helps decrease symptoms of anxiety and impulsivity, improves self-esteem and classroom behavior. The benefits hit home for me during my first […]
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