Counselor Accents

We’ve been doing a LOT of traveling lately, and one of the best parts has been getting to meet school counselors from different states, different districts, and very different school settings. And while there are definitely some differences across the country, we’ve also noticed something pretty interesting: school… Read more

In this episode of Everyone Has a Story , we talk with Holly Wilcox about her experience with childhood trauma and the impact those experiences can have long after the moment has passed. Holly shares her story openly and honestly, giving educators an opportunity to think differently about the students sitting in our… Read more

It’s one of our favorite episodes to record each year, and we have a feeling it might be one of yours, too! We’re sharing what we’ve been reading lately, from fiction and historical fiction to nonfiction and everything in between. These aren’t necessarily “school counseling books,” but as school counselors, we can’t… Read more

What happens when we stop looking at challenging behavior as simply a behavior problem and start looking at what’s happening inside the brain? In this episode, Kim sits down with Anthony “A.B.” Brooks and Joy Winchester for a conversation about the connection between neuroscience, trauma, student behavior, and the way… Read more

Our first-ever live, completely unedited episode is here! 🎙️ We affectionately call it our "Rawdog" episode because what you hear is exactly what happened- no edits, no second takes, just an honest conversation. Inspired by the TV show What Would You Do? and John Quiñones' keynote at the ASCA Conference, this isn't a… Read more

School counselors wear a lot of hats, and we always say one of them is that of an investigator! In this episode of the Counselor Accents Podcast, we sit down with Barbara Ladd, a school resource specialist whose counseling instincts helped solve a decades-old cold case! As counselors, we're constantly gathering… Read more

Some days as a school counselor, you leave work feeling like you've changed a life. Other days you're wondering if graduate school somehow forgot to mention this part of the job. In this episode, we're introducing a brand-new segment: Stories from the Trenches. Laugh along with us as we read your submissions, share… Read more

Talking about suicide can feel overwhelming, but avoiding the conversation isn't the answer. This week on the Counselor Accents Podcast, we're thrilled to welcome back our longtime friend, Steve Sharp! In fact, Steve officially holds the record for the most appearances on the podcast, and every time he's joins us, we… Read more

Minute meetings can be one of the most effective tools in school counseling, but only if you understand what actually happens when you try to implement them in a real school setting. In this episode, we’re sharing the lessons we learned the hard way after rolling out minute meetings with intention, planning, and… Read more

Ever had a student completely shut down and refuse to do any work? You’re not alone! And it’s not just about motivation. In this episode, we’re breaking down student refusal behavior strategies that actually work in real school settings. Whether you’re a school counselor, teacher, or administrator, you’ll walk away… Read more

In this episode, we sit down with two school counselors from Mississippi whose work took an idea from our Teachers Pay Teachers to a national stage. After purchasing our Coping Skills Café , they adapted it to meet the needs of their students. What happened next was something none of us could have predicted. Their… Read more

In this important episode of the Counselor Accents Podcast, we sit down with Angela Avery, a seasoned middle school counselor from Maine, to discuss one of the most challenging and critical topics facing schools today: suicide prevention. Angela shares practical, proactive strategies school counselors can use to… Read more

🎃 Pumpkin Spice Up Your School Counseling Program – Parent Power Sessions 🎃 It’s the final episode of our Pumpkin Spice Up Your School Counseling Program series, and we’re closing it out with something every school counselor knows is both powerful and challenging: parent communication . 🍂🎃 In this episode, we’re… Read more

🎃 Pumpkin Spice Up Your School Counseling Program- Episode 4: A School Counseling Data Board- Making Your Impact Impossible to Ignore 🎃 In this episode of Pumpkin Spice Up Your School Counseling Program , we’re stirring in one of our favorite ingredients for strengthening your school counseling program: a data… Read more

🎃 Pumpkin Spice Up Your School Counseling Program – Episode 3: Game On! Engaging Students with Quick Wins 🎃 Sometimes the best connections with students happen in the smallest moments. In this episode of our Pumpkin Spice Up Your School Counseling Program series, we’re sharing how to use quick games and engaging… Read more

What if you could give students a taste of real-world careers in just the time it takes to sip a pumpkin spice latte? ☕️ In this episode of our Pumpkin Spice Up Your School Counseling Program series, we’re talking about the power of Micro-Mentoring with Local Professionals . Instead of a full-day career fair that… Read more

🎃 Pumpkin Spice Up Your School Counseling Program – Episode 1: Pop-Up School Counseling It’s time to add some fall flavor to your counseling program! In this brand-new series, Pumpkin Spice Up Your School Counseling Program , we’re sharing creative, practical, and fun ideas that will freshen up the way you connect… Read more

School counselors know the truth — “lunch break” often just means eating over your keyboard, between classroom visits, or while making copies. In this episode, we’re serving up quick, easy, and delicious low-prep or no-prep lunch ideas that will keep you fueled for the whirlwind of your day. From grab-and-go protein… Read more

In this episode, we’re diving into one of the most important (and often overlooked) parts of being a school counselor: clearly communicating your school counseling role to the staff you work with every day. Whether you're tired of being asked to cover classes or want to build stronger, more collaborative relationships… Read more

Is your desk more "paper avalanche" than productivity zone? You're not alone—and we've got you. In this episode, we're talking all about how to turn your school counseling workspace into a well-oiled, stress-reducing, task-tackling machine. 🧠✨ From creative storage hacks to time-saving desk zones, we’re breaking down… Read more

🎯 Feeling buried under a never-ending to-do list? You're not alone. In today’s episode, we’re diving into game-changing tools that help school counselors manage the chaos, prioritize what matters most, and stay focused on the heart of the work—kids. 💛 Whether you're a sticky-note warrior or a digital planner pro,… Read more

In this episode, we’re talking about Open House—but not the old-school version where you hand out a few school counseling brochures and hope for the best. We’re reimagining this traditional event as a powerful opportunity to advocate for your role , build relationships , and set the tone for the year ahead . You’ll… Read more

In this powerful and inspiring episode of the Counselor Accents Podcast , we welcome back our dear friend and brilliant colleague, Steve Sharp . Steve joins us to talk about his latest work, Redesigning Schools to Be Antiracist , where he introduces a practical framework for creating meaningful, lasting change in… Read more

If you still have a few weeks of summer left, listen to this episode to find out our recommended reading list for school counselors (Fiction Edition). We each are sharing a few of our 5 star fictional book choices. We try to tell you why these books might appeal to you as a school counselor. Let us know if you've read… Read more

In this powerful and heart-wrenching episode, we speak with Dave Neese, the father of Skylar Neese—a bright, spirited teenager whose life was tragically cut short when she was brutally murdered by two girls she considered her best friends. Dave shares Skylar’s story with honesty, courage, and a deep commitment to… Read more

Terrence and Eileen Houlihan are a dose of what we all need right about now! They are knowledgeable and so much fun! In this episode they share a portion of the expertise they offer during their coaching or professional development sessions. Get ready for school counseling wisdom related to the developing student… Read more

Youth sex trafficking is a growing problem in today’s world. Often, individuals don’t understand what trafficking looks like in the United States...especially in rural areas. In this episode Adria Palmer focuses on the signs of trafficking and what we, as educators, can do to educate our families and communities.… Read more

You will definitely not want to miss this episode with our panel of behavior experts! They are answering the burning behavior questions that some of our Behavior Detour participants submitted. We guarantee you will nod your head as some of these questions are asked. So many of us are experiencing similar behaviors, no… Read more

We're gonna be honest- this episode is a chaotic hot mess, but our guest is amazing and joins us to share the fantastic school counseling initiatives he has started in the state of Kansas. Nick Brummett is one of our new obsessions due to his rubber meets the road ideas and general school counseling prowess. Get ready… Read more

If you're like us, you might have thought that The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children solely focused on helping locate missing children; however, the word "Exploited" actually covers a lot of the situations we as school counselors deal with on a daily basis. In this episode Alejandra from The National… Read more

In this episode Geoff Heckman joins us to talk about the importance of advocating as school counselors. Geoff inspires us to be fearless in our role, even when we do feel scared or intimidated. This is a great episode to listen to whether you're preparing to become a school counselor, or if you are a veteran school… Read more

In this episode we are joined by Lisa Pruitt. She describes the incredible work that is being done through the MO-CPAP (Missouri Child Psychiatry Access Program). There are endless resources available to school counselors, other educators, and parents through this program. Listen to the end to hear our friend, Mallory… Read more

As school counselors it is inevitable that we will have students who will be in CPS care each year. In this episode MJ Matthews shares ways that we can support students and families who are in foster care or who have already transitioned to the adoption process.

Grief is something that is unavoidable. It is almost guaranteed that at some point through the year you will be counseling your students through their personal grief. School counselor Jodi Fiore's mother was a huge personality, not only at home, but also in the community. In this episode Jodi shares how she processed… Read more

In this episode Dr. Karen Gross joins us to talk about her new book, Mending Education. Dr. Gross explains so beautifully why some of the processes and procedures are failing to work the same way they worked pre-pandemic. She shows us some of the changes that actually worked really as we educated students through the… Read more

No matter where you are in your school counseling journey, sometimes it is great to talk with someone who is just beginning their journey. In this episode we talk with Shae, a school counseling student, and get her perspective on the future of school counseling, what she is being prepared for as far as the uptick in… Read more

If you've been a school counselor for longer than 5 minutes, you have most likely used a resource from Julia Cook. In this episode she shares how she got started, why she loves school counseling, and what she has coming up next! The things she talks about in this episode will save you time, make you successful, and… Read more

Kriya Lendzion has been called "The Teen Whisperer." Once you listen to this episode, you will understand why! In this episode she shares statistics about addiction, primarily related to vaping, but she includes alcohol and even screen addiction! She also shares strategies and how school counselors can advocate for… Read more

Our roving reporter, Mallory Jacobs, was on the streets of the ASCA conference, talking with YOU about all of the things you learned and loved about the conference this year. If you haven't been to an ASCA conference, we would highly recommend listening to this episode so you can start advocating now to join us next… Read more

There are several topics that school counselors have to share each year that feel uncomfortable or difficult to talk about. Many of these topics are required, but that doesn't make it any easier! In this episode we're giving you resources and ideas on ways to cover these difficult topics that school counselors need to… Read more

This episode is full of various ways to take your school counseling program to the next level. In this episode, School Counselor Extraordinaire, Sarah Nauman, joins her administrator, Dr.. Heather Baker, to talk about how they collaborate to find new approaches to behaviors and programs. This collaboration has led to… Read more

In this episode former Missouri Teacher of the Year, Darbie Valenti Huff, recounts the story of a student named Junie. Junie had behavior issues, hygiene issues, you name it! School counselors and all educators need to hear this story about a student who seemed almost impossible to help. We all have students like… Read more

Are you making the switch to another grade level? This time of year can feel like "fruit basket turnover," and can leave you wondering what to take with you to your new office, how to interact with the students in another age group, and how to run your program effectively at another school. We are tackling this topic… Read more

If you can only listen to one episode this week, MAKE IT THIS ONE!!! Mallory Jacobs is a force in the school counseling world. She has been named the Kansas School Counselor of the Year, and she wears the crown well! She exudes joy, spreads positivity, and has a gift for seeing the best in most situations. In this… Read more

If you're like us, one of the areas we lack training in is eating disorders; however, without fail, we have students each year who struggle with this. In this episode Lauren Dorman, Mental Health Registered Dietitian, shares the difference between eating disorders and disordered eating. She gives us tips to share with… Read more

It's that time of year again! Aspiring new school counselors are venturing out to land their first job, or maybe you're listening because you are sitting in on the interviews for other positions in your school. Whatever your reason- even if only for the laughs, we believe some great leadership tips and dos and don'ts… Read more

In this episode we are sharing 5 tips to help you finish your school counseling year strong. These 5 tips are also a great way to ensure that you start your school counseling year by "plowing your first row straight." We talk a little about data, organization, evaluations, and some topics that we really don't even… Read more

In this episode we will be talking about our recent New York City adventure. We are also sharing the responsibility we have as school counselors to share the voice of our students, who are the most marginalized and vulnerable members of society. Some of our discussion includes training teachers to understand student… Read more

Sandy Austin answered the call to help victims and families on the day of the Columbine school shooting 25 years ago. In this episode she shares her story and the inspiration behind her B.I.O.N.I.C. program. Check it out and start changing your school's culture today! Click here to check out B.I.O.N.I.C.

Stress contagion may be a new term to you, but it refers to the phenomenon where individuals within a group or social network can "catch" or be influenced by the stress levels of others around them. And whether it's your first or your fifty-first year in a school, please let us remind you that 'tis the season for… Read more

School counseling means sharing in rites of passage for our students. Moving to the next grade is one of those! In this episode we're sharing a few rubber meets the road things you can get started on now to make transitioning to the next grade level go smoothly for your students and teachers!

Whether you're the building test coordinator or not, this episode is full of school-wide tips that everyone can benefit from! We are sharing 7 of our best tips plus a few extra "rubber meets the road" strategies. We haven't met anyone who loves standardized testing season, but in most states it is a requirement. This… Read more

Tis the season for so many school counseling tasks! Then again, when ISN'T the season for so many school counseling tasks?! When there are too many school counseling tasks and not enough time, we might start to feel hopelessness, anger, bitterness, frustration, and burn out. We believe we have 5 ways to avoid these… Read more

We recorded this episode on the go, literally! But with the need for behavior strategies at an all-time high, we felt like it was imperative to bring this episode to you! In this episode you'll get to hear from not one, not two, but three behavior experts! These guests will bring powerful strategies and practical… Read more

School counselors are often one of the first people contacted when a student is displaying challenging behaviors. With behaviors being a main challenge right now for a lot of counselors, Monique Young has developed her services by intentionally improving social skills through individual and small group counseling. In… Read more

It can be difficult to have all the answers as a school counselor while raising the tough kid at home. In this episode Carey Hughes shares ways that she managed to advocate for her own child while serving the students at her school. She has found that her experience has given her even more compassion for the families… Read more

National School Counseling Week is such an important week for school counselors. We're sharing five (or more) ideas on ways you can spread the word and "humble brag" about your school counseling program during National School Counseling Week 2024. Just a word of caution: it's not about receiving gifts during National… Read more

As school counselors, we often try to find the underlying issue/s behind unwanted behaviors in hopes that addressing those needs will deliver a different outcome. Even with this knowledge, however, we might still struggle to effect change. At their core, unwanted behaviors are a result of a dysregulated nervous… Read more

We have been big fans of Brent Cosby for years. In this episode he shares practical ways to use everyday objects to help with most situations that walk through your counseling door. Listen to this episode and we can almost guarantee you will be a big fan of Brent Cosby, too! Sign up here for our Behavior Detour… Read more

We're revisiting an oldie but goodie! We recorded this episode 3 years ago, but it is so relevant for what we're experiencing in education today! In this episode Michael McKnight explains what ACE stands for, how to explain them to staff members, and the power of one caring adult. This is one of those episodes we… Read more

Anybody else feel like you're drowning? We want to help you by suggesting some apps and technology that can help you work smarter not harder! Listen as we share about 12 different tools that we've either used or plan to use to help us from day to day as school counselors. We're curious- what apps help you each day?

We felt like taking a quick break from talking about school counseling strategies and wanted to share a story about Kim's near brush with who knows what during fall break! Kim has a flair for exaggeration, but something tells me this story is accurate! Listen as she takes us on a journey! We also take a few minutes in… Read more

In this episode, Nour shares her personal story of what happened to her family when she was in high school. From the outside looking in, things seemed perfect. Nour was a good student with no behavior issues. She blended in with the other students at her school. Right after her graduation, an unfathomable tragedy… Read more

As a school counselor have you ever found yourself in a situation where you wonder what you should do? For example, if you switched schools and realized day to day life is different from what was covered in your interview, what would you do? Or if you are asked to present to the staff, what would you talk about? In… Read more

In this episode Sweety Patel shares some of the highlights from her article for the ASCA magazine where she talked about the importance of marketing your school counseling program. Marketing your program is vital so that others know about the great things that you are doing in your school and community! She focuses… Read more

In this episode we are sharing the school counseling must-haves we have found on Amazon. We believe these items will help you with organization, small groups, whole groups, or individual sessions. Let us know what your favorite Amazon purchase of the year has been! Plus listen until the end for an exclusive interview… Read more

In this episode Holly Wilcox shares the story of her childhood, one full of multiple adverse childhood experiences or ACEs. You will be gripped by her ability to overcome, forgive, and use her experiences to help others. Holly paints the picture of some of our students who might be living through the nightmare of… Read more

“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning” — Fred Rogers In this episode Fondra Magee (a current school counselor in Washington, school based registered play therapist, and member of the Washington State Play Therapy Association Board of… Read more

We believe it is important that teachers know the role of the school counselor, but as behaviors are changing, our message and training should change too. In this episode we are sharing why teachers need to be trauma informed, and we are also giving rubber meets the road training points to include when you talk to… Read more

Lauren Tingle from Counselor Clique collaborates with us in this episode, which is all about... Collaboration! Find out why it is important for elementary counselors to know what secondary counselors are focusing on, and how secondary counselors can help elementary counselors with some of their initiatives. We hope… Read more

This episode will be difficult to listen to, but absolutely necessary. In this episode we talk with Brian Montgomery, a father of four from Mississippi. He shares how a sextortion scam changed his family within a matter of hours. There were none of the warning signs that we have all been educated to look for. We hope… Read more

When we finally have a little down time to sit back and enjoy a good book, podcast, or TV show, it can be frustrating if we don't know what to read, watch, or listen to! In this episode we're giving you our school counselor summer reading list. We've included a mix of nonfiction, fiction, plus OUR book Growing Your… Read more

We've got a few funny stories for you from our experience at ASCA this year! Listen in as we talk about the RAMP dinner. What do a strawberry, a pecan, and a toenail all have in common? Listen in and find out! Here is a link with your special offer already applied! Share it with a friend!

This is part 2 of how to add creativity to your school counseling program. In this episode we share several rubber meets the road tips, as well as some stories, and of course some laughs. We truly believe that finding that creativity and tapping into what you're passionate about can be a game changer for your upcoming… Read more

We believe that this time of year is the perfect time to reflect and think about what worked this year, and what improvements can be made for the upcoming year. In this episode we give several rubber meets the road tips on how to add creativity to your school counseling program, and why we think it's important. There… Read more

Dr. Danielle Schultz is a treasure trove of ideas and information. Our brains were in constant planning mode when we finished this episode. Listen in as she gives us the ideas behind minute meetings, how she has made them work over the years, and how she uses the information. We also pick her brain about how she… Read more

You may be tempted to skip this episode if you are snug and content in your current role; however, we would encourage you to give it a listen anyway! The idea behind this episode is to help those of you who are searching for jobs to interview the interviewer. Ask questions to make sure the school will be a good fit… Read more

We have heard from so many of you how you are struggling with the decision to continue in your role or look for a change. As two school counselors who are in the trenches with you, we certainly agree that this year (and the past few years) have been like none other. In this episode we talk about how to determine… Read more

Steve Simpson, a New York media veteran and nationally recognized, award-winning child advocate, shares his personal story. As he does, he points out some of the reasons for the behaviors we see in our students. At a time when educators are wondering how to handle the behavior issues they are seeing, Steve's story and… Read more

This may be our most needed podcast yet! Amie Dean, the Behavior Queen is sharing timely, quick, and easy strategies to use with various student behaviors. As school counselors we are often viewed as the specialists on student behavior; however, the behaviors we have witnessed and heard about in recent years have… Read more

We have said it before, and we will no doubt say it again- school counselors are leaders. ASCA tells us this. You are a leader in your school, community, and even nation! Matthew McClain, Executive Director of the Colorado School Counselor Association, drives home the reason why this is so important. He explains how… Read more

In this episode we talk about the drastic rise in educator burnout. We are tackling the reasons why educators are walking away from the profession at an alarming rate. We will be doing another episode soon on school counselor burnout. If you haven't already, go comment on our Instagram or Facebook post on this topic.… Read more

Trust us- don't skip this one just because you don't do small groups. Whether you run small groups or not, we promise this is worth the listen! Sarah Flier is full of wisdom and school counseling knowledge. She shares so much information on school counseling that it's easy to see why she was one of the finalists for… Read more

Parent involvement is much different for many of our families than it was a decade ago. Dr. Debbie Grant, a former school counselor and current professor at the University of West Alabama, is a bridge builder when it comes to helping parents see the importance of being present. Listen to this podcast episode as she… Read more

This episode was like a party! We are joined by several new and old school counseling friends from across the nation. Listen in as we answer questions from YOU, our listeners! We're talking about advocacy, National School Counseling Week, measuring student progress, heavy caseloads, and more! If you didn't join us on… Read more

We love when people combine what they're passionate about with their school counseling role. That's exactly what Dr. Ryan Reese has done with nature and school counseling. In this episode he shares some of his findings about the benefits of exposing students to various elements of nature. He also shares "rubber meets… Read more

School counseling advocacy is so important. We are responsible for spreading the word about the work that we do in order to break down walls and inaccurate mindsets about the job that we do. Daniel Birdsong, the president of the Alabama School Counseling Association, shares some of the findings of his dissertation… Read more

In this episode, our new best friend, Laura Douglas, shares the old school counseling rules vs. the new school counseling rules based on the principles shared in the book, Wolfpack, by Abby Wambach. We believe this is one of the most important episodes you can listen to. Share it with a school counseling friend! Get… Read more

We are not fans of making resolutions for the new year. We hate the thought of setting ourselves up for failure. In this episode we talk about areas we want to focus on as school counselors using the principles outlined in the book by Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, The Deepest Well . Instead of setting unrealistic goals, we… Read more

These will either be the worst tips or the best tips you've ever heard for making the most of the holiday season. We know that this time of year can bring up a lot of emotions. We have them, too! In this episode we are adding to some of the Mayo Clinic's top tips for making the most of the holiday season. One thing is… Read more

Have you noticed a shift in student behaviors? You're not alone! Joy Winchester joins us in this episode to explain why our students seem different these days, and how we can manage those different behaviors we are seeing. She is always a wealth of information as she talks about strategies to use with students and… Read more

One of the most difficult battles we have to face as school counselors is combatting what our students see and do online. From cyberbullying to Tick Tock challenges, it feels nearly impossible to stay on top of all of the online threats. In this episode Titania Jordan from Bark shares Rubber Meets the Road tips that… Read more

It seems like school counselors (and educators, in general) are experiencing burnout at an alarming rate. In this episode we are sharing three rubber meets the road tips to avoid burnout or to come out of burnout if you're finding yourself stuck. Plus we announce who the Alabama Elementary School Counselor of the Year… Read more

After spending entirely too long at Indiana University getting her degree in both painting and art education, Cassie Stephens did her student teaching in the magical land of Ireland. While she was away, her parents, fully aware of her slacker ways, sent out 52 art teacherin’ job applications to such far away places as… Read more

In this episode we are discussing your burning school counseling questions. We will talk about girl drama, sticky situations with administrators, tough Child Protective Services issues, and more! Plus, you know we will have a few laughs along the way. Listen and then do us a favor and rate and review this episode.

Hasan Davis will share his experience of often interrupted transitions through education, justice, and social support systems. Throughout Hasan's journey outliers and resistors found ways to engage, encourage and empower him. With the support of these "Hope Dealers", Hasan transcended his mounting list of "failures"… Read more

It is staggering to think about human trafficking happening in our country; however, the reality is that students in big cities AND rural communities are victims of human trafficking. Christian Stanley and his wife, Rachel, work with victims of human trafficking in the US. In this episode Christian shares stories… Read more

Sandy Austin is a legend among school counselors. In this episode she talks about all of the programs she is involved in and how they directly benefit school counselors and our students. Her B.I.O.N.I.C. program has been an answer to the bullying crisis that has impacted so many of our students. She describes how the… Read more

Have you ever thought about completing the RAMP application process? In this episode we are barely scratching the surface of what we learned while going through the RAMP steps. You may learn a few things that can help you, or you may learn what NOT to do! Either way, we hope this episode helps you get your head in the… Read more

"Student Voice" is a phrase we are hearing more and more. James Layman, the director of the Association of Washington Student Leaders, defines "student voice" for us and explains why it is so valuable in our schools. James gives us the 4 C's of student voice, and tells us how to listen to what students are really… Read more

Everyone loves rubber meets the road techniques, especially at the beginning of the year when each day feels like a whirlwind. We're sharing some of the trends we're already seeing and how we're meeting those needs. We also give our best shot at answering YOUR questions. Don't forget to rate our podcast!

It's back to school time, and we've had lots of questions come our way! In this episode we are tackling some of those questions as we get back in the swing of things. Learn about how to arrange your schedule, how soon to start small groups, how to conduct teacher trainings/parent trainings, meet the counselor lessons,… Read more

In this new segment we are asking you to think about ordinary things in different ways with a school counseling twist. We are starting with Google products, and all of the ways these programs could save you time, make you successful, and position you as the leader you are!

Minute Meetings is one of our all-time most requested speaking topics. In this episode we are talking about the minute meeting basics. We answer the question of how we organize our student information and answers. We also talk about how to make this work for all grade levels. We are also answering the question of… Read more

In this episode Kim and Laura share a few of their favorite school counseling hacks from their ASCA 22 session in Austin, Texas.

As educators we work with "at-risk" students every day. In this episode Joe Henershott helps us shift our view of these students from "at-risk" to wounded. How should we care for wounded people and should it be a different "treatment plan" than for our at-risk students? This episode explains why these terms aren't… Read more

We know that not everyone is interviewing for a new school counseling job, but we do believe that this episode is full of great reminders for running an effective school counseling program. And we guarantee that approximately 99% of you will laugh several times throughout the episode. We also cover the importance of… Read more

So many of us are tired of hearing the phrase "self care." What started out as a great suggestion has become one more task that we feel guilty about not doing. In this episode Dardi Hendershott offers hope for those of us who feel as though we have fought a huge battle this year. We believe this episode will inspire… Read more

Have you ever wanted to change up your school counseling program? Maybe you want to try a different way to engage students. Maybe you are wanting to add an element of fun. We believe room transformations could be the answer! Join us as Amy Hassler, an educator from Indiana, shares some of her favorite room… Read more

In this school counseling podcast episode we talk with Leigh and Linda from The Centergy Project. Find out how they have transformed communities through something they call Student Voice. Using Conversation Circles they get to the heart of their students' needs. Then, they partner with agencies who can come in and… Read more

In this episode we're tackling some of the school counseling related questions we get asked the most frequently. We feel certain that at some point in your career you have asked yourself or a colleague at least one of these questions. We're talking about vaping, what to do with students who request multiple… Read more

In this episode we talk to Carey Goldstein, a representative from Cultures of Dignity (which was founded by the author of Queen Bees and Wannabes), about what we have always called "relational aggression." Listen and find out why that term may need to be changed! Carey shares "Rubber Meets the Road" interventions that… Read more

It is the busiest season of the year. And dare we say NOT the most wonderful time of the year? In this rubber meets the road episode we are sharing some of our tried and true strategies for staying organized during testing season as well as some of the lessons we have done with students to teach test taking tips. Both… Read more

Timbi Talks about Addiction, is the nationally-acclaimed children’s book that has helped thousands of children build resilience by connecting their body’s response to trauma with age-appropriate techniques to help calm the central nervous system. Timbi is designed to de-stigmatize the conversation about addiction. As… Read more

Is it just us or does it seem like stress among our students and families is at an all-time high? In this episode Barbara Truluck shares her Stress Busters tips for students. We also talk about equipping our students to work through and manage their stress levels. So often students can become dependent on us and the… Read more

In this episode Ed Gerety shares ideas for connections for all ages. You might be surprised to hear that some of these ideas will work just as well with Kindergarten students as they will with staff members! What we loved about talking with Ed is that he told a story with each technique. These stories drive home the… Read more

What would we want for National School Counseling Week? Laughter! We believe that laughter is good like medicine. So many of our fellow counselors are hurting, burned out, overworked, and every emotion in between. In this episode we wanted to bring a little levity and just share some of the funny experiences we have… Read more

In this episode we discuss the increasing importance of coping skills. We talk about why they are important and how they can be used with so many of our students' struggles. This is our rubber meets the road episode of the week so we're adding in some coping skills that you can easily implement and teach your… Read more

This episode is a great recap of some of the most memorable moments from this past year of the Counselor Accents Podcast. In this episode we are talking about SEL, our "Everyone Has a Story" episodes, our Rubber Meets the Road episodes, and the episodes where people shared fantastic resources. Plus we share a lot of… Read more

The 2021 ASCA National School Counselor of the Year, Olivia Carter, joins us for this episode about National School Counseling Week. We believe Olivia will reach school counselors at all levels as she shares practical things you can do to advocate for your school counseling program. We spend some time talking to those… Read more

This week's Rubber Meets the Road episode is all about extending the reach of your school counseling program and using the people on your staff who see a lot of students every day. Tapping into those people on your staff and seeing how you can use them can be a game changer for you. We can't be in 12 places at one… Read more

Tisha Richmond is an author and educator who specializes in creating experiences for her students. She is the author of the book, Make Learning Magical, where she shares "rubber meets the road" tips that you can use to transform your classes from a lesson to an experience that your students will remember. There are so… Read more

In this quick rubber meets the road episode we are talking about how to get along with difficult people. It seems like tension is exceptionally high this year. This means we may be seeing an increase in toxic coworkers, difficult parents, and just people, in general, who are hard to get along with. We hope these… Read more

We heard these guys at ASCA this summer and loved the simple and practical school counseling tools they shared, AND the way they tied these tools back to the counseling theories. We guarantee these tools are easily accessible and will bring new purpose to your school counseling program. Richard Tench and Wilson Harvey… Read more

In this episode we're giving you some tips on what worked for us as we conducted our advisory council meetings this year. We believe these 4 tips will help save you time, position you as a leader, and contribute to your success. Don't forget to download our guide to take your advisory council from an item on your… Read more

It's a new year! And since we're "in the trenches" with you, we're sharing our second semester school counseling goals with you! We think you would agree that the first semester was a whirlwind. We weren't able to accomplish several of the goals we had set, but on the bright side we have a brand new semester full of… Read more

Check out the WORD Workouts library here Find NaliniKIDS on Instagram: @nalinikids Rupa Mehta is a teacher, entrepreneur, author, fitness expert and trailblazer in social-emotional learning. She is the founder of Nalini Method and NaliniKIDS, both based on Rupa’s wellness philosophy that true health is achieved by… Read more

School counselors are some of the most creative people we know! Many school counselors are interested in incorporating art in their lessons, small groups, or individual sessions, but some don't know where to start. In this episode we talk with Beth Ruff and Sheila Garth, 2 incredible school counselors who have… Read more

As counselors we continue to help others, even as we're experiencing fatigue, exhaustion, and second-hand trauma. In this episode we share part of our current personal situations along with things to do to keep from burning out in your role as a helper. This is not another self-care episode. We hope it's an… Read more

As school counselors we know that every student in trauma is just one caring adult away from success. Jacob Chastain has been that student in trauma, and now he is that caring adult. In this episode Jacob shares his story and inspires our listeners to watch for those students in trauma, but also to find outlets for… Read more

Have you ever wondered if you are looking at the most effective pieces of school counseling data for your data driven school counseling program? In this episode we talk to one of the queens of data, Dr. Julie Hartline. She and Trish Hatch just released The Use of Data in School Counseling 2e: Hatching Results (and So… Read more

This is not a fun topic to think about, but if you are ever face to face with a school crisis, you will be so glad you put together a school crisis plan before there was a crisis. Unfortunately, Kim has experienced more than her fair share of school crises. In this episode she shares what she learned from her… Read more

This is a "Rubber Meets the Road" episode! In this episode we are talking about apps that will help you in individual sessions, small groups, and even whole group lessons! This is one of those episodes that will inspire you to take action immediately! Do we even need to tell you that you may laugh during this episode?… Read more

You asked for it, and here it is! One of our most asked questions is "What do I do as a school counseling intern?" We've also been asked, "What do I do as a site supervisor?" Plus, virtual learning has transformed the school counseling internship experience. Some of you have reached out to us to ask how you secure a… Read more

A school counselor's dream would be to empower educators to use SEL strategies in their own classroom. That's exactly what Dr. Greg Benner and Erich Bolz help us do in this episode. Dr. Greg Benner, a leader in the SEL field, joins Erich Bolz, VP of Research and District Engagement for the Center for Educational… Read more

In this episode we share 5 "Rubber meets the road" tips that we believe will get your year off to a great start! These are practical things that we do each year, and we believe our school counseling program gets stronger each year because of these tips we're sharing with you! Check out our blog post with all the… Read more

Indra Owens, is well deserving of the New Jersey School Counselor of the Year title! In this episode she talks about how she connected with families and broke through the mental health stigma barrier. Indra started the Trust Your Journey project during the remote learning days of Covid in 2020. Her transparency showed… Read more

Heather Couch, a middle school counselor in Ohio, has written a book titled The School Counselor’s Guide to Surviving the First Year: Internship through Professional Development . In this episode she shares advice that ALL school counselors will benefit from. Check this episode out as we all prepare to go back to… Read more

Tanya Kirschman shares parts of her ASCA presentation, which was full of "rubber meets the road" ideas for lessons and ways to keep your students engaged during classroom guidance lessons. This is a perfect episode as we start to think about going back to school! Make sure you download her amazing PDF she created for… Read more

Kevin Honeycutt's passion for students is contagious! In this episode he shares parts of his personal story of growing up in poverty and experiencing trauma and how he uses it to connect with students. Share this episode with your faculty and friends as parts of this episode will make you re-examine the way we have… Read more

Listen as we speak with Megan Marcus and Kelley Munger from FuelEd about: how educators can heal student trauma through relationships, and the need for educators to first do their own healing how equipping educators with relationship-skills can make school counselors jobs easier and better how the best student SEL is… Read more

Joy Winchester is a leader in the world of Conscious Discipline. Her story-telling ability will keep you captivated as you listen to her ideas and techniques for dealing with those tough behaviors we've all encountered! Listen as she explains what conscious discipline is, how to implement it, and what changes you can… Read more

School counselors frequently ask what they can do for side jobs. Maybe it's to earn extra income, maybe it's to fill up summer months with extra activities, or maybe it's just to monetize a hobby. Dr. Russ Sabella co-authored a book, School Counseling Side Hustle, where he lists possible ways that school counselors… Read more

Liz Huntley has an amazing story of resilience through relationships with caring educators. Find out how she went from a little girl in the midst of trauma to a successful lawyer and champion of educators. Her story will definitely inspire you to seek out those students with a "story behind their eyes." Visit Liz… Read more

Carol Miller has done so much for the school counseling profession! She creates amazing lessons, small groups, planners, and other tools. She is also a leader in her state of New York. In this interview she shares some of her best interview and resume tips, as well as just general school counseling chat. We are even… Read more

You will want to have pen and paper handy AND you'll want to listen to this episode multiple times! Karen Gross, a former university president and Obama Policy advisor (among so many other titles), shares her conclusions to questions we should be asking as we are closing schools and preparing for the upcoming school… Read more

This is the first episode of our "Everyone Has a Story" segment. And oh my goodness, Quan has a story! We believe that as you listen to Quan's story you will be thinking of students you have known over the years who have had similar experiences. Quan's story will shed some light on a fact we all know: social and… Read more

Whether you're an MTSS veteran or a beginner, we can guarantee you'll learn something new after listening to this podcast episode. We are joined by the authors of the book, Making MTSS Work. This episode feels more like a party! Hear the story of how these four former school counselors came together and discovered the… Read more

Olivia Carter, the ASCA 2021 School Counselor of the Year (and our new best friend), tells us ALL about how she became a school counselor, her personal life, and how she advocated for the school counseling profession, led her school, and transformed school counseling in her community. You will be SO inspired after… Read more

Alert: this is one of those episodes you'll want to share with EVERYONE! David Adams is the CEO of Urban Assembly, co-founder of SEL Day, and most importantly, the husband of a school counselor! In this episode he explains social emotional learning, why it's everyone's responsibility, and he gives great ideas for… Read more

In this episode we're talking about school counseling with a principal. And not just ANY principal! We're talking with Karensa Wing, The National Principal of the Year! Prepare to be amazed at her knowledge of ASCA, SEL, and so many other facets of the job of a school counselor. We are certain that by the end of this… Read more

You're going to want to listen to this episode multiple times- several times for sheer entertainment value, and then multiple times to take notes. Brent Cosby has a gift when it comes to story-telling and practical counseling application. Brent gives us ideas on how to use everyday items and illustrations to reach… Read more

ESPN reporter, Lauren Sisler, shares her personal story of how substance abuse by other family members affected her. This is an issue that is impacting so many of our students. Prepare to be amazed as she describes what happened, and how she is giving a purpose to her pain. Visit Lauren's website to see all of the… Read more

Megan Neforos, a school counselor for the Fairfax County, Virginia Public School District, is a trained Restorative Justice counselor. In this episode she answers all of our questions about Restorative Justice Circles. She explains what they are and how they work. Megan is in a school system that mirrors what many of… Read more

Can you believe it has been one full year of the Counselor Accents Podcast?! In this episode we share some of our favorite conversations, interviews, and moments that made us laugh. What a year it has been. Thank you all so much for listening and becoming part of our family.

This is one of those interviews that ALL educators should listen to. Hans Appel, author of Award Winning Culture, and co-host of the Award Winning Culture Podcast, shares steps that helped transform his school to become an award winning and nationally recognized middle school. Hans is definitely a school counselor at… Read more

It is so easy to see (or Hear) why Laura Ross was chosen as the ASCA National School Counselor of the Year. In this interview she tells us all about the School Counselor of the Year process, plus the issues that are close to her heart such as comprehensive school counseling, school counselors as leaders,… Read more

It's almost the biggest week in school counseling! In this episode we interviewed Angie Hickman, the director of research and marketing for ASCA. She gives us all the inside tips about how they came up with the theme, All In for All Students. Listen to our tips and ideas on how to have a great week, whether you're… Read more

This podcast episode is so important for counselors of all age groups! After over two decades of experience as an addictions and mental health counselor, Richard Capriola wrote a book called, The Addicted Child: A Parent's Guide to Adolescent Substance Abuse. In this interview Mr. Capriola talks about the warning… Read more

Meet the man behind "The Velvet Voice!" In this episode Matt Fleck from Inspire Success talks about his passion for providing resources and encouragement to school counselors. You'll love the unique way he provides a weekly 5 minute boost for school counselors! Matt talks about his website, his mission, RAMP… Read more

Find out how to use LEGO products to take your school counseling program to the next level! We talked with Kelly Reddin, LEGO Master Trainer, about the benefits of using LEGO bricks in various school counseling scenarios. She was talking our language as she described the benefits for 21st Century Learners using the 4… Read more

Many schools that opened in the traditional setting are facing the transition back to virtual learning. In this episode we share some of the lessons we've learned since March. We share some of the tips and tools that have helped us. We talk about how to make sure these tools are in place in the event of a virtual… Read more

This may be our pinnacle! Jill Cook, executive director of the American School Counselor Association, spoke with us about her journey to become our executive director. She also shared some insight on the future of school counseling and how to advocate for your program, as well as many other fun tidbits along the way.… Read more

Since November is National Career Development month, many school counselors use this as a chance to teach career lessons. This episode is one of our favorite soapboxes! We have presented this at ASCA in Boston, and we've done a webinar for ASCA on this topic! We've presented this multiple times in our own state and… Read more

We had the huge honor of interviewing Dr. Russ Sabella, or as we like to call him, "The Contemporary Father of School Counseling." His new book, Solution Focused School Counseling: The Missing Manual is a must-have for all school counselors. In this episode he tells us what solution focused school counseling is, what… Read more

October and November are the equivalent to the Superbowl for school counselors! These months are full of awareness dates and weeks. Consider this your all-in-one guide for navigating through Bullying Prevention Month, Red Ribbon Week, National Stress Prevention Week, Career Development Month, World Kindness Day,… Read more

If you've watched the movie, Walk. Ride. Rodeo, then you know how inspiring Amberley Snyder's story is. BUT did you know she also has her school counseling degree? Prepare to be motivated as we talk with Amberley Snyder, school counseling graduate, barrel racer, motivational speaker, and inspiration behind the movie,… Read more

We have decided Pennsylvania is one of our nation's gold mines for top notch educators! Pennsylvania Distinguished Principal of the Year, Matt Moyer, joins us on this episode to share ways he and his team connect with students in unconventional and innovative ways. We are certain that after listening to this episode… Read more

Join us for part 2 of our interview with Jo Lembo from Shared Hope International. In this second episode, she shares the conclusion of Brianna's story. She shares many other stories about school-aged children who have been trafficked without their parents or teachers knowing it. In this episode Jo gives us signs to… Read more

Human trafficking can happen in big cities or rural communities. Jo Lembo from Shared Hope International explains how human trafficking can happen to any of our students, not just the ones with an "at-risk" score. She also tells us the signs to look for and who to contact in order to rescue our students. Educators are… Read more

Emilia Peiffer, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania School Counselor Association, talks with us about the importance of being a leader in your school as a school counselor. She covers everything from why it's important, practical ideas to show leadership, and how to establish yourself as a leader when you feel… Read more

Raegan Schulte embodies why, as school counselors, we need to fight for EVERY student. Raegan's personal story of resiliency and how she defied odds that were stacked against her is captivating from the start. It is our hope that you will be inspired to go find the "Raegans" in your school after listening to this… Read more

Jeff Ream, Better known as "The Counseling Geek," was using technology before using technology was required! In this very fun interview he shares how he uses some of his favorite technology tools. More importantly, he inspires us and encourages us during this new season of virtual counseling. After listening to this… Read more

We are attempting to answer one of our most asked questions EVER! How do we run small groups in a virtual setting? In this episode we share tech tools that you can start using TODAY to connect with students. We also share a small group formula that might help guide your small group meetings. We discuss different types… Read more

School counselors are in a unique position. Our primary role is to serve the students in our schools, but raise your hand if that has ever meant taking care of parents, too! In this episode Chelsey Wilson, or Counselor Chelsey, shares tips for connecting with parents. We're talking about it all on this episode: going… Read more

If you are like 99% of educators right now, you may be worrying and wondering about how to do your job virtually. Take our advice and listen to this podcast episode! Our guests, Vicki Jordan and Candace Doak, have worked as school counselors at Alabama Virtual School. In this episode they share their best tips for… Read more

Steve Zaharakis has created one of the best tools for school counselors. If you haven't heard of SCUTA, your life is about to be changed! Listen as Steve shares his unique background and the incredible inspiration behind SCUTA, an all in one school counseling program that will add to your success. SCUTA collects your… Read more

Michael McKnight won't admit to being an expert; however, we found him to be a treasure trove of information regarding students who have experienced trauma. He is especially passionate about how to educate educators on ways to work with students. In this episode Mr. McKnight talks about the power of caring adults in… Read more

In a very timely episode, Alicia Oglesby and Rebecca Atkins discuss their book, Interrupting Racism: Equity and Social Justice in School Counseling. Their book is specifically for school counselors, as we are the "social justice advocates" according to the ASCA Ethical Standards. In this episode we talk about… Read more

In an unforgettable episode, teacher and motivational speaker, Joseph Roberts, shares his personal story of overcoming obstacles and how those events have shaped him into the educator he is today. He tells us the Importance of never giving up on our students, how to build trust with students with specific things to… Read more

No matter how long you've been a school counselor, each year is a fresh start. It's never too soon to start preparing for the upcoming school year. This episode has tips that will help you no matter how long you've been a school counselor. Our guest, Abby Cantello, talks with us about starting a school counseling… Read more

Matt Eldridge travels the country speaking to educators with his organization, Certified Restraint Training, but spoiler alert: his goal in trainings is to de-escalate behavior so that restraint isn't needed. If you're like us, you will be riveted within about 10 seconds of his story-telling. Matt delivers practical,… Read more

All students and educators have experienced the loss of the traditional school year. The sudden loss of what was expected has left many students and adults feeling a certain level of grief, whether they realize it or not. Dr. Lena Pearlman, mental health therapist and author of Stay Here: Your Personal Journal to… Read more

Get ready to take notes! Steve Sharp, co-author of 50+ Tech Tools for School Counselors , President-elect of the Pennsylvania school counselors association, and middle school counselor, shares some tech tips with us along with a lot of laughs and school counseling wisdom. This episode started as technology-focused,… Read more

Ever wondered how to clone yourself in order to be more effective? Whether you are a new counselor or a veteran counselor, Level 2 Google Certified Educator Teyanna Walker has something to teach all of us on using Google to improve our efficiency. In this episode she walks us through using Google Classroom, explains… Read more

Sandy Austin was instrumental in providing counseling services during the Columbine tragedy and the difficult years that followed. In this episode she inspires listeners to give a purpose to the pain and shares how she did that through her program, B.I.O.N.I.C., which stands for Believe It Or Not I Care. You can watch… Read more

Dr. Ruby Payne prepares us for the changing face of poverty in the educational system. She discusses who's vulnerable, who will bounce back, and how to care for those in sudden need. Share this episode with your administrator and your staff. It is a must listen to for all educators! Click here to visit Dr. Payne's… Read more

Listen and be inspired as Bryan Pecoraro gives us step by step instructions on setting up a virtual career fair using Google Meets. Bryan was doing virtual career fairs before virtual career fairs were cool! He candidly shares things he did the first time that he DIDN'T do the next time! We hope you'll feel empowered… Read more

Author and School Counselor, Lisa King, gives practical ways to start a virtual career fair at your school. She shares tips from her school including dress up days, Interactive career-related games, and ideas to involve parents, students, and teachers! Check out Lisa's webpage here. Make sure to look at her books… Read more

We realize we did an episode on self care recently, BUT that was before uncertainty hit our lives from out of nowhere. Now with the pressure of balancing work life, homeschooling, parenting, and our own anxiety, making an EFFORT for self care is imperative. Listen as we use the letters in the word "Effort" to talk… Read more

Dr. Bryan Pearlman, author of the book, Whatever It Takes for All Students to Succeed in School and Life , shares wisdom on what preparations we can make now to support faculty and students with increasing mental health concerns amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Pearlman is a former administrator (and self-admitted… Read more

As a parent herself, School counselor Alisha Kowsky, understood how parents have been feeling in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. She shares with us what she implemented and the resources she has been sharing with parents and teachers to offer support. We also discuss the website, https://wideopenschool.org/ and the… Read more

This season of change can be overwhelming. In a very timely episode, Lauren Jewett, special education teacher and BLTN Teachers Fellow, shares practical tips we can use to manage anxiety. Share this episode with your staff to help calm their stress and let them realize we are all navigating this together. Here is a… Read more

School counselor, Rachel Berogan, shares multiple distance learning resources she has created for students in her rural community. These social emotional tools are activities students can do independently or with family members. The activities don't require internet capabilities which ensures equitable access for all… Read more

Our special guest, Samantha Kobs, a school counselor and an LPC in Oklahoma, shares valuable mental health insight and practical resources that we can pass along to our students, staff, and even parents in our communities. Add Samantha to our list of school counseling heroes! Self care tips for virtual learning… Read more

Special guest Matt Berry, Chairperson of the Board of Directors for Missouri School Counseling Association, shares incredible resources in this episode. He talks about specific online programs, how he suggests using them, and gives wonderful wisdom about how to handle the challenges this new season brings. Check out… Read more

Special Guest Meredith Newlin, author of the book Captured Fireflies and veteran educator gives us step by step instructions on where to start with online school counseling during the Coronavirus school closures. We thoroughly enjoyed this interview and made a friend for life! We know you'll instantly love Meredith… Read more

School is closed. What do we do now? Join us as we talk about how to navigate these uncharted waters as school counselors with no students over the next few weeks. We recorded this through video conferencing so it looks and sounds different from other episodes.

Increasing school attendance may be the biggest goal school counselors and school administrators set. Find out how we met and exceeded our attendance goals using fun and practical techniques you can implement immediately! We'll talk about what one administrator said was the "greatest thing that made a difference" with… Read more

In one of our most fun episodes ever we try to explain why we use games in school counseling, how we use them, and which ones are our favorites! This episode was recorded in September, but it's still timely and needed! We're just tell you that so you won't go out of your way to wish Kim a happy birthday since we… Read more

One of the most asked questions is "What are classroom management strategies for school counselors?" Listen in as we try to answer that by providing several classroom management strategies we use.

How can school counselors impact school climate and culture? We share 5 tips that helped Kim's school soar to international fame

Self care for educators has become increasingly important as the needs of students and the demands on teachers have changed. In this podcast we share 10 self care tips for school counselors or educators, in general. We also share a lot of laughs, which is another form of self care!

The relationship between school counselors and administrators is vital in running a successful school counseling program. In this interview with Kim's principal we discuss what administrators wish their counselors knew and we let him in on what school counselors wish their principal knew. Maybe this interview could… Read more

How do you celebrate National School Counseling Week? In this episode we will give practical and cost effective ways to celebrate National School Counseling Week. We also explain the difference between "National School Counselor's Week" and "National School Counseling Week." We also discuss the controversial topic of… Read more

This podcast is going to be a fun place for us to discuss all things related to school counseling. In this first episode we take a little time to explain what you can expect in future episodes. Plus we will let you in on a few tidbits about us. By the end of this episode you will know which of us can perfectly mimic… Read more