Episodios

  • 285. Are Boom Cards Still Relevant?

    285. Are Boom Cards Still Relevant?
    Jan 27 2026
    Welcome back to another episode of School Counseling Simplified! Happy January! Today we are talking all about Boom Cards and answering a question I get asked often. Are Boom Cards still relevant in school counseling today? I first started using Boom Cards in 2020 during the shift to virtual learning. Fast forward to now, and the answer is still a resounding yes. Boom Cards are absolutely relevant and incredibly useful across all tiers of support. Boom Cards are interactive digital flashcards that help students practice skills and learn new concepts in a fun and engaging way. They are flexible, easy to use, and can be adapted for in-person or virtual settings. Here are a few ways to use Boom Cards across all three tiers. Tier 1 classroom lessons Boom Cards are a great addition to class lessons. They can be used as a standalone lesson, such as a Meet the Counselor activity, or as a supplement to an existing lesson. They work especially well as a review activity at the end of a lesson, such as bullying prevention or friendship skills. Boom Cards can be posted in Google Classroom or screen-shared during virtual lessons. Tier 2 small groups Boom Cards are an excellent engagement tool for small groups. You can divide students into teams and have them work through Boom Cards together to introduce or reinforce a concept. They also work well as discussion starters. For virtual small groups, Boom Card links can be shared ahead of time as homework to help bridge the gap between home and school. Tier 3 individual counseling Individual sessions offer the most flexibility when using Boom Cards. You can choose cards based on the specific skill or concern you are addressing. Students can play alongside you and talk through their choices and thought process, which provides great insight and encourages reflection. Boom Cards are a simple and effective way to enhance your existing counseling curriculum while keeping students engaged and motivated. Resources Mentioned: Join IMPACT Boom Cards Super Bundle 5 Ways to Use Boom Cards in the Classroom How to Use Boom Cards in School Counseling 10 Reasons to Use Boom Cards in Your School Counseling Program Are Boom Cards Still Relevant Connect with Rachel: TpT Store Blog Instagram Facebook Page Facebook Group Pinterest Youtube More About School Counseling Simplified: School Counseling Simplified is a podcast offering easy to implement strategies for busy school counselors. The host, Rachel Davis from Bright Futures Counseling, shares tips and tricks she has learned from her years of experience as a school counselor both in the US and at an international school in Costa Rica. You can listen to School Counseling Simplified on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more!
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    10 m
  • 284. 5 Small Groups to Start in January

    284. 5 Small Groups to Start in January
    Jan 20 2026
    Welcome back to another episode of School Counseling Simplified! Happy January. Today I am sharing five small groups to start in January. While I always use referrals and data to form small groups by identifying areas of need, I also like to plan groups around intentional seasonal themes. For example, January is the perfect time to offer a goal setting group as students transition into the new year. Small groups are one of my favorite ways to support students. They allow me to serve more students at once, and students often feel more comfortable opening up in a group setting than in one-on-one sessions. Five Small Groups to Start in January Goal Setting This group helps students identify personal goals, explore what motivates them, and learn strategies to achieve those goals throughout the semester. Stress Management As academic expectations increase after winter break, many students experience higher stress levels. This group focuses on coping skills, emotional regulation, and stress reduction strategies. Growth Mindset This group teaches students how the brain works and why challenges help us grow. Students learn to reframe mistakes and develop perseverance through effort and practice. Conflict Resolution This group supports students in navigating friendship challenges by teaching communication skills such as using I statements and practicing conflict resolution through role-play scenarios. Self Esteem The new year is a great opportunity to focus on confidence building. This group emphasizes self-reflection, positive self-talk, communication skills, and personal goal setting. If you are looking for meaningful and effective ways to support students as the new semester begins, these small groups are a great place to start. Resources Mentioned: Join IMPACT Stress Free School Counseling Goal Setting Group Stress Group Growth Mindset Group Conflict Resolution Group Conflict Resolution Group Self-Esteem Groups https://brightfutures-counseling.com/blogs/blog/january-small-groups Connect with Rachel: TpT Store Blog Instagram Facebook Page Facebook Group Pinterest Youtube More About School Counseling Simplified: School Counseling Simplified is a podcast offering easy to implement strategies for busy school counselors. The host, Rachel Davis from Bright Futures Counseling, shares tips and tricks she has learned from her years of experience as a school counselor both in the US and at an international school in Costa Rica. You can listen to School Counseling Simplified on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more!
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    8 m
  • 283. Do you know these counseling secrets?

    283. Do you know these counseling secrets?
    Jan 13 2026

    Welcome back to another episode of School Counseling Simplified! Happy January. Today I am sharing one of my favorite trainings that I regularly present called 3 Secrets to Transform Your Counseling Program. This training is full of practical strategies that can help you increase your impact and gain the recognition your counseling program deserves.

    3 Secrets to Transform Your Counseling Program

    Quick Organization Tip

    • Assign colors to different categories on your calendar

    • Color code recurring events such as lunch or recess duty and weekly meetings

    • Use one color for individual student sessions

    • Color code small groups based on topic

    • Use a separate color for classroom lessons

    Secret One: Create a Stress Free Counseling Schedule

    • Establish a crisis response team protocol

    • Divide responsibility among multiple staff members so you are not responding to every crisis alone

    • Identify the team members who support students during crises

    • Create a clear protocol that outlines who is responsible for what and when

    • This system protects your time while ensuring students receive timely support

    Secret Two: Use a Caseload Spreadsheet

    • Create a caseload spreadsheet to track all students you serve

    • Include students from classroom lessons, small groups, and individual counseling

    • Google Sheets works well for easy updates and access

    • Helps you stay organized and provide quick updates to administrators or teachers

    Secret Three: Create an End of Year Report

    • Begin with the end in mind when collecting data

    • Track how many students you served

    • Track how many lessons you taught

    • Track how much time you spent providing direct services

    • Use this report to clearly showcase your impact to stakeholders

    • This is one of the most effective tools for advocating for your role

    If you are looking for systems that bring clarity, confidence, and sustainability to your counseling program, this episode is for you.


    Resources Mentioned:

    • Join IMPACT

    • Stress Free School Counseling

    Connect with Rachel:

    • TpT Store

    • Blog

    • Instagram

    • Facebook Page

    • Facebook Group

    • Pinterest

    • Youtube

    More About School Counseling Simplified:

    School Counseling Simplified is a podcast offering easy to implement strategies for busy school counselors. The host, Rachel Davis from Bright Futures Counseling, shares tips and tricks she has learned from her years of experience as a school counselor both in the US and at an international school in Costa Rica.

    You can listen to School Counseling Simplified on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more!
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    41 m
  • 282. School Counseling Systems for Success

    282. School Counseling Systems for Success
    Jan 6 2026

    Welcome back to another episode of School Counseling Simplified! Happy January! Today I am sharing some of my favorite school counseling systems for success and how setting up simple systems can save you time, reduce stress, and help you better serve your students.

    In this episode, I am taking you inside one of my most used systems, what I call the counseling hub. This system keeps everything organized in one place and helps ensure no student falls through the cracks.

    What is the counseling hub
    The counseling hub is made up of two core systems that work together: a counseling caseload and a counseling log. When combined, they give you a clear snapshot of who you are serving, what services you are providing, and where students are in the counseling process.

    Counseling caseload
    Your counseling caseload is a living document that lists students you see regularly, such as those in small groups or individual counseling. I love using Google Sheets for this, but Excel works just as well.

    In this caseload, I track student names, basic information, and counseling type. I color code by group name or service type so I can quickly see who is in which group. I also include whether the student was referred and who made the referral.

    Additional sections I recommend include guardian contact status, whether permission slips have been sent and returned, and any important notes. This allows you to quickly provide updates to administrators or teachers and ensures students are not overlooked.

    Counseling log
    The counseling log is your daily record of services provided. I organize mine by month and week to make reviewing data easier.

    Each entry includes the date, student name, area of need, teacher, counseling type, and session length. I also track strategies used, activities completed, and brief notes about student progress or affect. Confidentiality is always a priority, so notes should be objective and professional.

    I also include a column for parent or guardian communication so I can easily see when and how I connected with families during the week.

    Why the counseling hub works
    When your counseling caseload and counseling log work together, you have a clear and efficient system that supports data tracking, communication, and advocacy. This hub allows you to stay organized, make informed decisions, and confidently share the impact of your work.

    If you are feeling overwhelmed by paperwork or struggling to keep everything straight, this system can be a game changer. Small systems lead to big clarity and better outcomes for both counselors and students.

    Resources Mentioned:

    • Join IMPACT

    • Counseling Hub

    Connect with Rachel:

    • TpT Store

    • Blog

    • Instagram

    • Facebook Page

    • Facebook Group

    • Pinterest

    • Youtube

    More About School Counseling Simplified:

    School Counseling Simplified is a podcast offering easy to implement strategies for busy school counselors. The host, Rachel Davis from Bright Futures Counseling, shares tips and tricks she has learned from her years of experience as a school counselor both in the US and at an international school in Costa Rica.

    You can listen to School Counseling Simplified on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more!
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    13 m
  • 281. Best of SCS: 3 Must-Have Data Tools for Individual Counseling

    281. Best of SCS: 3 Must-Have Data Tools for Individual Counseling
    Dec 30 2025
    Welcome back to another episode of School Counseling Simplified. Happy December. Today we are doing a throwback to one of my favorite episodes, all about three must-have data tools for individual counseling. Data collection does not have to be complicated or time consuming. Having simple systems in place allows you to track student progress, guide your sessions, and advocate for your role with confidence. In this episode, I am sharing my three go-to data collection tools for individual counseling and how to use them effectively. Self Assessments Self assessments are pre and post surveys that help you understand how students perceive their own counseling progress. Each question should align with the objective you are teaching during that session, which helps ensure your data is purposeful and meaningful. Questions should be written in age appropriate language and include clear directions at the top. Be sure to include the student's name and the date, and remind students that there are no right or wrong answers. Self assessments can be completed on paper or through a Google Form, which allows you to easily view results and identify trends. These assessments help highlight skill deficits and guide future instruction. Student Rating Scales Student rating scales provide quick insight into how students are feeling session to session. A simple one-to-ten scale works well, allowing students to color in or mark how they are feeling that day. Using large block fonts and visual elements can make this activity more engaging for students. Rating scales are typically completed at the start of each session and provide valuable data that is fast and easy to collect. Behavior Surveys Behavior surveys are sent to teachers and parents to gather information about student behavior across different settings. These surveys should include the topic being addressed, the student's name, the rater's name, the rater's relationship to the student, and the date. Behavior surveys are given at the start of services and again at the end to measure growth over time. Because students often behave differently at home and at school, input from both teachers and caregivers is essential. Google Forms work especially well for collecting and organizing this data. Using Your Data Once you have collected your data, it is important to use it intentionally. Data can be showcased on a data wall displayed in a high traffic area of the school to help bring awareness to the counseling profession and the services you provide. Data can also be used to create individual end of year reports and to drive instruction as you refine and improve your counseling programs. If you are looking for low prep, done-for-you assessments, be sure to check out my individual counseling curriculum. Resources Mentioned: Join IMPACT Individual counseling super bundle Connect with Rachel: TpT Store Blog Instagram Facebook Page Facebook Group Pinterest Youtube More About School Counseling Simplified: School Counseling Simplified is a podcast offering easy to implement strategies for busy school counselors. The host, Rachel Davis from Bright Futures Counseling, shares tips and tricks she has learned from her years of experience as a school counselor both in the US and at an international school in Costa Rica. You can listen to School Counseling Simplified on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more!
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    19 m
  • 280. Best of SCS: How to Design Small Group Curriculum That Works

    280. Best of SCS: How to Design Small Group Curriculum That Works
    Dec 23 2025
    Welcome back to another episode of School Counseling Simplified. Happy December. Today we are doing a throwback to one of my favorite episodes, all about how to design a small group curriculum that actually works. In this episode, we are getting into the meat and potatoes of small group curriculum. My goal is to make the process simple, realistic, and easy to implement so you can confidently design groups that support your students and meet your counseling goals. When it comes to small group curriculum, you are likely doing one of two things. You may be using activities or curriculum that you have already purchased, such as hard copy books provided by your school or resources from Teachers Pay Teachers. Or you may be creating your own curriculum from scratch because one has not been provided for you. No matter which route you choose, there are six steps you can follow to design a small group curriculum that works. Identify your topic Start by identifying your small group topic using referral data or student needs. For example, you may notice a need for a self control group. Outline your weeks with ASCA aligned objectives Determine the length of your group, typically six to eight weeks. Choose one clear objective for each week. Align each objective with an ASCA mindset and behavior that matches your goal. Once this is complete, type out your weekly outline so you have a clear plan to follow. Select your icebreakers Icebreakers are especially important during the first session to help students feel comfortable and connected. Choose simple activities that build rapport and introduce the group structure. Select your activities Activities are the core of each session. Look closely at your weekly objective and choose an activity that directly supports that skill or concept. This ensures your sessions stay focused and intentional. Select a reflection piece Reflection is a powerful part of student learning. Journals work especially well for small groups. Even five minutes of reflection can help students process what they learned and apply it outside of the session. Create your self assessment Data collection is essential for tailoring your sessions and tracking student progress. Create a self assessment that is based on your weekly objectives so you can measure growth throughout the group. This framework helps you stay organized, intentional, and data driven while creating small groups that truly support your students. Resources Mentioned: Join IMPACT Group Bundle Group Cheat Sheet ASCA Mindset and behaviors Connect with Rachel: TpT Store Blog Instagram Facebook Page Facebook Group Pinterest Youtube More About School Counseling Simplified: School Counseling Simplified is a podcast offering easy to implement strategies for busy school counselors. The host, Rachel Davis from Bright Futures Counseling, shares tips and tricks she has learned from her years of experience as a school counselor both in the US and at an international school in Costa Rica. You can listen to School Counseling Simplified on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more!
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    16 m
  • 279. Best of SCS: 5 things I wish I knew when I first started counseling

    279. Best of SCS: 5 things I wish I knew when I first started counseling
    Dec 16 2025

    Welcome back to another episode of School Counseling Simplified. Happy December. Today we are revisiting one of my favorite episodes as part of a best of School Counseling Simplified throwback series. This episode focuses on five things I wish I had known when I first started counseling.

    In this episode, I get personal and share stories from my early days as a school counselor. As counselors, we are lifelong learners who are constantly refining our skills and practices. However, there were several pain points early in my career that I wish I had been prepared for. Knowing these lessons sooner would have saved me significant time, stress, and frustration.

    Five Lessons I Wish I Knew as a New School Counselor

    • You do not have to check your email after hours
    Evenings and weekends are meant for rest, family, and personal time. If you have work email on your phone, set clear boundaries by turning off notifications. Protecting your time helps prevent burnout.

    • Stay organized with your caseload
    Strong organizational systems support professionalism and help prevent mistakes that are easily avoidable. An organized caseload allows you to show up more confidently for students.

    • Data supports your professional judgment
    Tracking data helps validate your instincts and demonstrates the impact of your work. Measuring student progress allows you to make informed decisions and advocate for your role.

    • You are not alone
    Connect with other school counselors through Facebook groups, district colleagues, and professional collaboration opportunities. Community and shared experiences are invaluable, especially early in your career.

    • Being new does not limit your impact
    You do not need years of experience to create meaningful change. If you see a need, trust yourself enough to try new approaches and implement programs that support students.

    Whether you are a brand new counselor or a seasoned professional, this episode serves as a reminder that growth comes from reflection, connection, and confidence in your role.



    Resources Mentioned:

    • Join IMPACT

    Connect with Rachel:

    • TpT Store

    • Blog

    • Instagram

    • Facebook Page

    • Facebook Group

    • Pinterest

    • Youtube

    More About School Counseling Simplified:

    School Counseling Simplified is a podcast offering easy to implement strategies for busy school counselors. The host, Rachel Davis from Bright Futures Counseling, shares tips and tricks she has learned from her years of experience as a school counselor both in the US and at an international school in Costa Rica.

    You can listen to School Counseling Simplified on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more!
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    16 m
  • 278. How to Conduct a Mid Year Check In using a Data Wall

    278. How to Conduct a Mid Year Check In using a Data Wall
    Dec 9 2025

    Welcome back to another episode of School Counseling Simplified. Happy December. This time of year is fast paced as the semester wraps up and the holidays approach. In the last episode I briefly mentioned data walls, and today I am taking a deeper look at how to conduct a mid-year check-in using a data wall.

    While end-of-year reports are valuable, data tracking should not be reserved only for the end of the school year. Ongoing data review is essential because it helps ensure that the support you provide continues to meet the changing needs of your students.

    A data wall is a bulletin board that visually highlights the impact of your counseling services. It allows you to quantify student progress through tools such as self assessments and behavior surveys. This data can illustrate growth from the start to the end of your small groups and other interventions.

    Your data wall can also show the volume of services you have provided. This includes the number of students you have seen, the sessions you have held, and the lessons you have taught. You can gather these numbers from your logs, scheduler, or calendar.

    Creating a data wall strengthens your advocacy efforts, informs curriculum adjustments, and communicates the value of your program to students, families, and staff. Once your data is organized, use charts and graphs to present your findings clearly.

    Key reminders
    Keep all information anonymous to maintain confidentiality
    Use only the data that is most helpful
    Update your data wall quarterly, monthly, or by semester
    Place it in a high traffic area to maximize visibility

    This simple mid-year check-in will help you celebrate progress, identify needs, and confidently communicate the work you are doing. If you create a data wall, share it with me on Instagram. I would love to see it.

    Resources Mentioned:

    • Join IMPACT

    • Data Wall

    • Blog - How to Conduct a Mid-Year Check-in Using a Data Wall

    Connect with Rachel:

    • TpT Store

    • Blog

    • Instagram

    • Facebook Page

    • Facebook Group

    • Pinterest

    • Youtube

    More About School Counseling Simplified:

    School Counseling Simplified is a podcast offering easy to implement strategies for busy school counselors. The host, Rachel Davis from Bright Futures Counseling, shares tips and tricks she has learned from her years of experience as a school counselor both in the US and at an international school in Costa Rica.

    You can listen to School Counseling Simplified on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more!
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    11 m