logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2025
21m 41s

Relational Aggression and Bullying

School for School Counselors
About this episode

"It's just middle school drama." 
"Ignore them, and it'll stop." 
"You're gonna have to toughen up."

Sound familiar? These are the kinds of dismissive responses students often hear when they report bullying or relational aggression—and they’re not helping. In fact, with 1 in 5 students reporting being bullied and 41% of those fearing it will happen again, we’ve got serious work to do.

In this episode, we’re diving deep into relational aggression and cyberbullying, breaking down what makes these behaviors so damaging, why they often go unnoticed, and—most importantly—how school counselors can step in effectively.

You’ll learn:
✅ The subtle ways relational aggression shows up in schools (and how to spot it)
✅ How cyberbullying is evolving and why it’s getting harder to combat
✅ Practical, real-world strategies for supporting students and stopping these behaviors before they escalate

Plus, I’m giving you a sneak peek at my upcoming Behavior Breakthrough Kit—a game-changing resource packed with evidence-based strategies, a behavior intervention flowchart, and more tools to help you handle tough behavior challenges with confidence. [Go here to join the waitlist]

If handling concerns around relational aggression, cyberbullying, and behavior intervention are keeping you up at night, this episode is for you. 


00:00 Introduction

00:26 The Reality of Bullying Statistics

01:37 Understanding Relational Aggression

04:14 The Rise of Cyberbullying

05:43 Emotional and Academic Impact

06:58 Intervention Strategies

07:58 Creating Safe Reporting Spaces

09:32 Collaborating with Teachers

10:33 Supporting Targeted Students

15:33 Behavior Breakthrough Kit

19:51 Conclusion


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


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
Oct 6
GRADED: Behavior Intervention
⭐️ Want support with real-world strategies that actually work on your campus? We’re doing that every day in the School for School Counselors Mastermind. Come join us! ⭐️**********************************You’re not a behavior specialist. You’re not a Tier 2 team of one. And you’re ... Show More
21m 28s
Sep 29
GRADED: PBIS- Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports
⭐️ Want support with real-world strategies that actually work on your campus? We’re doing that every day in the School for School Counselors Mastermind. Come join us! ⭐️**********************************PBIS is implemented in over 25,000 schools. Your district swears by it. But d ... Show More
21m 43s
Sep 22
GRADED: Calm Corners
Are calm corners helping students regulate... or just giving them a softer way to opt out? In this episode of Graded, I take a hard look at one of the most popular SEL approaches in schools today: calm corners. You’ll hear what the research says, what most campuses are getting wr ... Show More
22m 27s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2023
What Parents Need to Know: Addressing the Rising Trend of Teen Mental Health Issues - a Put It into Practice Episode
In this Put It into Practice episode, I'm giving an overview of Jonathan Haidt's article "The Teen Mental Illness Epidemic is International, Part 1: The Anglosphere", https://jonathanhaidt.substack.com/p/international-mental-illness-part-one. I'm also sharing signs to be on the l ... Show More
15m 54s
Jan 2024
How to Rewire Your Brain with Positive Self Talk with Lisa Mustard
In this episode I explore the transformative power of positive self-talk and its impact on mental health and emotional well-being. I dive into the nuances of nurturing a positive inner dialogue while cautioning against the pitfalls of toxic positivity. Before jumping into the mai ... Show More
12m 54s
Jan 2023
The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health: What to Know and What to Do - a Put It into Practice Episode
In this week’s Put It into Practice episode I'm sharing how social media affects our mental health. And I'm also discussing what to do when we find ourselves dealing with anxiety and depression due to being on social media. Have a question about therapy, mental health or relation ... Show More
12m 9s
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
Jul 2024
38. Get Your Time Back With These 7 Teacher Time-saving Tips
Have you ever been sitting around the staffroom table and caught yourself saying, ‘There just isn’t enough time'?  It is no secret that teachers are time-poor.  Today, we are discussing time-saving tips, tricks, and hacks that have worked for us over the years. Some of them ... Show More
19m 24s
Aug 2023
Midlife Milestones: 5 Key Lessons Learned at 50 with Lisa Mustard
In this episode of 'The Therapy Show with Lisa Mustard,' I delve into the profound lessons I've learned as I step into my 50s.  1. Self-Acceptance: I've discovered the power of self-acceptance in my 40s, and now at 50, it feels even more solidified. I've learned to recognize my s ... Show More
18m 22s
Jun 2022
How to Save Money on Your Groceries with Lisa Mustard
Gas prices are up! Groceries are up! The cost of goods and services are also up! So how do you stretch your dollar during times like these?  There are countless tips out there on the internet and I’m grateful for the information. And in this episode, I’ve compiled my best tips fo ... Show More
18m 56s
Feb 2025
The Game-Changing Strategy No One’s Talking About -- And why you need it now
In this episode, I break down the 5 In/5 Out Process—a simple but powerful strategy every principal should implement before the school year ends. You’ll learn how this method helps eliminate learning gaps, reduces teacher overwhelm, and creates a seamless path for student success ... Show More
35m 11s
Oct 2024
What Is the Difference Between a Christian Mental Health Coach and a Counselor? (How to Identify If You Need a Counselor or a Coach)
One of the most common questions I'm asked during consultations is, "What's the difference between mental health coaching and counseling?" So in this episode, I'm breaking down counseling vs. coaching. Whether you're curious about which path might suit you best or are currently n ... Show More
18m 11s
Jul 2024
Understanding the Impact of Divorce on Teens
When parents separate, kids suffer. It may seem obvious, but we often underestimate the depth of that suffering. In today’s episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd lay bare the challenges teens face, from feelings of abandonment to the struggle with self-worth, and offer practi ... Show More
16m 4s