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Mar 2025
25m 46s

Do Social Stories Really Work?

School for School Counselors
About this episode

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

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

You’ve been asked to read a Social Story to a student—again.

 And if you're being honest… you’re not sure it’s actually doing anything.

In this episode, we’re taking a closer look at the research behind Social Stories:

  • Where they came from and what they were actually designed to do
  • What the peer-reviewed literature says about their effectiveness (and what it doesn’t)
  • How they can support emotional regulation... if you use them the right way
  • The time frame for change (hint: it’s slower than you think)
  • What to say when someone insists you “just need a social story”

Plus, you’ll get practical guidance on when and how to use Social Stories, and a free downloadable cheat sheet to help you back up your decisions with confidence.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Is it me… or is it the tool?”—this episode is for you.


Bonus: Grab the printable Social Stories resource pdf here


00:00 The Social Story Dilemma

01:49 Origins and Purpose of Social Stories

03:08 Research Findings on Social Stories

09:02 Emotional Regulation and Social Stories

11:44 Practical Advice for School Counselors

21:20 Conclusion and Resources


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


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.

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