logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2024
32m 27s

When Less is More in Your School Counsel...

School for School Counselors
About this episode

⭐️ 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


**********************************
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.

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


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!!


Up next
Jul 7
GRADED: The ASCA National Model
In this first episode of the Graded series, we put the ASCA National Model to the test.What was promised? What’s actually happening? And what grade does it really deserve?If you’ve ever felt like the model was built for someone else’s school, you are NOT alone!For over two decade ... Show More
34m 23s
Jun 30
Inside the Mind of an Undeniable School Counselor
You’ve got the heart. You’ve got the training.So why does it still feel like no one’s listening?This episode is about the invisible skill no one taught you, but everyone responds to.The one that separates the school counselors who get looped in… from the ones who get left out.It’ ... Show More
17m 4s
Jun 23
Should School Counselors Get Their LPC?
More and more school counselors are saying, “I’m getting my LPC and getting out.”But is licensure really the answer- or just a new kind of stress?In this episode, we take a candid look at what licensure changes, what it doesn’t, and why your next move deserves more than burnout l ... Show More
22m 31s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2024
Brainless Education: A Conversation About the Brain Science Too Often Ignored in Most Schools
Welcome to The Self-Driven Child podcast! In this episode, I chat with Dr. William Stixrud, co-author of The Self-Driven Child, to explore the concept of “brainless education” and why the way we approach learning in schools often overlooks the very organ meant to do the learning: ... Show More
47m 25s
Jan 2024
Charle Peck, M.Ed., MSW (@CharlePeck) - Alignment Is The Assignment
As the co-founder of a revolutionary behavioral health program, Charle partners with school districts to improve the well-being of both staff and students. With over 20 years of education and mental health leadership experience, she has the unique lens of a seasoned teacher and a ... Show More
34m 26s
Aug 2024
Understanding School Contracts
In this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, we chat with Elise Mitchell, the founder of the Therapy Support Network, who shares her journey from burnout to thriving as an independent contractor. Elise, who graduated from Missouri State University in 2013 with an M.S. CCC-SLP, initially s ... Show More
34m 42s
Dec 2024
62. Practical Tips for Thriving in the Classroom
We are so excited to share this special replay episode of Ashleigh’s interview on The Teacher Approved Podcast with Emily and Heidi! We had a great conversation about supporting new teachers and how veteran educators can play a key role in helping them thrive. In this conversatio ... Show More
31m 11s
Nov 2023
Talesha Savage - The Keys to Teacher Retention Success
I am Talesha Savage, speaker, workshop facilitator, and owner of TLS Consulting, an education consulting firm devoted to helping school and district leaders create attractive school cultures where leaders and teachers feel respected, valued, and supported. I have helped four scho ... Show More
41m 8s
Feb 2025
Note-Taking Interventions That Exist For Adolescents
Hallie chats with Amy Peterson about note-taking interventions with older students.In this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie sits down with Dr. Amy Peterson, an SLP, researcher, and advocate for adolescent language intervention. With a master's degree from the University of ... Show More
28m 18s
Apr 6
EP322 A school framework where learning feels different and students thrive
What if school was designed around student agency, real-world learning, and deep relationships—instead of compliance and test scores? In this episode, I take you inside Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom High School, a Big Picture Learning school in the South Bronx that is reimagining what ... Show More
32m 39s
May 2019
An Overview of Eating Disorders & Treatment with Dr. Rhea Ann Merck | continuing education for counselors and therapists
Are you interested in treating Eating Disorders yet are unsure of how to approach them? Today's guest, Dr. Rhea Ann Merck, gives us an overview of the diagnoses, the clinical issues to explore, and her integrative approach to treatment. This episode is chock full of clinical insi ... Show More
1h 15m
Sep 2024
Why you need to stop asking for permission, and examine your habits as a new social worker
In this episode, recorded at the end of the summer holidays and clearly demonstrating a big overshare, I talk about our habits when it comes to asking from permission. There is a huge shift from student to new social worker and without awareness we could end up in a place where w ... Show More
14m 33s
Aug 2021
EP231 How to differentiate parent communication while setting healthy boundaries (with Erika Walther)
Some families want detailed updates on EVERYTHING...and others only want to be contacted for the most important stuff. How can you meet individual family needs WITHOUT burning yourself out? Listen in on my conversation with Erika Walther, a teacher in Baltimore City Public School ... Show More
30m 34s