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  • 289. Self-Care and Student Relationships with Colleen Mosley

    289. Self-Care and Student Relationships with Colleen Mosley
    Feb 24 2026

    Welcome back to another episode of School Counseling Simplified. Today I am interviewing Colleen, a school counselor and IMPACT member, who shares her journey from nursing school to school counseling and her passion for teaching students the coping skills she did not learn growing up.

    Colleen Mosley is a School Counselor in Long Island, New York. This is her fourth year at her current school. Previously, she worked as a School Counselor for four years in Northern Virginia. Before becoming a counselor, she served on the Leadership Team at a private school in Northern Virginia. Colleen is deeply passionate about equipping students with lifelong coping skills and believes that work is at the heart of why she became a School Counselor.

    What does Colleen love about school counseling

    Colleen shares that she loves being the person she did not have growing up. She finds it incredibly fulfilling to teach children skills they can use throughout their lifetime.

    What does Colleen love about individual sessions

    Because she sees all students weekly for classroom lessons, she is able to build strong rapport and positive relationships early on. When students come to her counseling room for individual support, there is already an established foundation of trust.

    How does she manage the logistics of individual sessions

    Colleen typically meets with students once a week for six weeks for approximately 20 minutes. She administers a pre-assessment during the first session and a post-assessment during the final session to measure growth and progress.

    A day in the life
    Colleen works with students in grades K through 8 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. She is available on Mondays primarily for crisis response.

    She teaches Social Emotional Learning lessons in 40 minute blocks for each classroom and schedules individual sessions as needed.

    When she is not teaching or counseling, she supervises lunch and recess or plans future lessons and school events.

    Advice for new school counselors
    Find a mentor you trust.
    Prioritize self-care.
    Join a cohort or a community such as IMPACT so you have support and resources readily available to make your job feel more manageable.

    As Colleen says, overdose on self-care so you can do your job most effectively!

    Do not forget, today and tomorrow I am hosting a free live training on how to enhance your individual counseling sessions and begin collecting meaningful data so you can feel confident and valued in your role. You will walk away with practical engagement strategies and simple data tracking tools you can start using right away.

    Resources Mentioned:

    • Individual Counseling LIVE Training

    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 Min.
  • 288. How to Build Relationships and Rapport with Hadley Rapp

    288. How to Build Relationships and Rapport with Hadley Rapp
    Feb 17 2026
    Welcome back to another episode of School Counseling Simplified. Today I am interviewing Hadley, a school counselor and IMPACT member, for a special guest episode. Hadley is passionate about building rapport and meaningful relationships with students. In this conversation, she shares practical advice for new counselors and simple, effective ways to build strong connections with students. Hadley lives in a small rural town in mid Missouri. She has been married for 10 years and has two daughters who are 8 and 4 years old. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Master's of Education in Counseling with a license in School Counseling. Hadley has been a school counselor for 11 years and has worked exclusively at the elementary level, serving grades PK through 5. She is currently the 3 to 5 school counselor at her school and is in her third year in this role. Prior to becoming a school counselor, she worked with children in a behavioral health setting, which helped shape her approach to supporting students with diverse needs. What does Hadley love about school counseling? Hadley shares that school counseling gives her the unique opportunity to be a safe and steady presence for her students. Her goal is for every student to leave her office knowing that she is in their corner, cheering them on, and that they always have a safe place to return to when they need support. In her role, she teaches classroom lessons and facilitates both small groups and individual sessions. As she shares in the episode, she values being a consistent and supportive adult in her students' lives. What does she love about individual sessions? Hadley explains that individual sessions allow for deeper relationships. These one on one moments create space to truly understand what a student is walking through and to support them during difficult seasons in a more personalized way. How does she manage the logistics of individual sessions? When a student stops by for a quick visit, Hadley takes time to talk and assess the situation. If she recognizes that the conversation may require more time than the student can reasonably be out of class, she looks for a natural pause in the discussion and lets the student know she will follow up the next day at a specific time. For students who require more intensive support, she schedules consistent weekly sessions. She also uses games as a tool to encourage conversation and help students feel more comfortable opening up. What does a typical day look like? Hadley splits her day into two parts. During the first half of the day, she focuses on individual sessions and small groups. In the afternoon, she teaches classroom lessons that are built into the school's specials rotation. She teaches three 50 minute classroom sessions each day, allowing her to see every class in the building each week. What advice does she have for new school counselors? Hadley emphasizes the importance of building relationships before building a program. She encourages new counselors to focus first on relationships with students, staff, and families. When strong relationships are in place, the program will naturally begin to take shape. She also highlights the importance of setting boundaries. Leave work at work when possible and remember that it is okay to say no to additional responsibilities if you do not have the capacity to take them on. If you enjoyed this conversation, do not forget that next week I am hosting a free live training on how to enhance your individual counseling sessions and begin collecting meaningful data. You will walk away with easy to implement engagement strategies and practical data tracking tools to help you feel confident and valued in your role. Resources Mentioned: Individual Counseling LIVE Training 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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    21 Min.
  • 287. How to Write a School Counseling Parent Newsletter

    287. How to Write a School Counseling Parent Newsletter
    Feb 10 2026

    Welcome back to another episode of School Counseling Simplified. Today we are talking about how to create a parent newsletter, something I personally send out every month to my IMPACT members and one of the resources they love the most.

    I want to pull back the curtain and share exactly how I structure my parent newsletters so you can try this in your own counseling program. For the next few months, I am running a themed series, and right now the focus is on screen time, a topic I am incredibly passionate about.

    Parent newsletters are a powerful way to advocate for your role, communicate proactively with families, and support students beyond the school day. Here is how I structure mine.

    School Counselor Services
    This section highlights the services the school counselor provides and helps families understand how and when students can receive support. For February, I am breaking down the three tiers of support and explaining what each tier looks like in a school counseling program.

    Monthly Topic Focus
    Each newsletter includes a specific social emotional learning topic. This month, the focus is screen time and smartphone use. I share research based information related to screen time and brain development so parents understand why this topic matters.

    Activities to Try at Home
    I always include a simple, accessible activity families can do together. For example, tossing a ball back and forth while answering guided questions as the child catches the ball. These activities are designed to be low pressure and easy to implement.

    Parenting Resources
    The final section includes an additional resource such as a video, podcast episode, or printable guide. This month, I am sharing a technology agreement PDF that families can use at home to set clear expectations around screen use.

    If you would like this month's parent newsletter for free, you can grab it directly in the show notes.



    Resources Mentioned:

    • Join IMPACT

    • stressfreeschoolcounseling.com/individual

    • freebie ---> https://brightfutures-counseling.com/pages/free-school-counseling-parent-newsletter

    • https://www.waituntil8th.org/

    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 Min.
  • 286. Hit All 3 Tiers with Ease

    286. Hit All 3 Tiers with Ease
    Feb 3 2026
    Welcome back to another episode of School Counseling Simplified. Today I want to talk about a question that shows up in my inbox all the time. How do you stop constantly putting out fires and actually manage your limited time as a school counselor? So many counselors find themselves stuck in a reactive state. When you are constantly responding to drop ins, crises, and last minute needs, it can feel overwhelming and exhausting. My goal is to help counselors shift into a more proactive state where they can intentionally manage tier one interventions, small groups, individual counseling, and still handle the unexpected things that pop up. Today I am sharing a simple strategy to help you plan your time so you can get it all done. Start by identifying your big items. These are your classroom counseling lessons, your tier two small groups, and your individual counseling sessions. These big items should form the foundation of your schedule. When these are clearly planned and protected on your calendar, everything else becomes easier to manage. Next, think about the little items. These are random drop ins, quick check ins, and small fires that come up throughout the day or week. These will always exist, but they should not be running your schedule. Putting consistent effort into classroom lessons is one of the most effective preventative strategies you can use. When you are proactive at the tier one level, you will often see fewer referrals and fewer random drop ins over time. One practical strategy is to create a Google Sheet with your class lesson availability and have teachers sign up at the beginning of each month. You can use this same intentional scheduling process for your tier two small groups and individual counseling sessions. When these interventions are scheduled in advance, you have designated times to focus on them without feeling pulled in every direction. By using a referral based system and intentionally scheduling your tiered interventions, you may find that many of the random drop ins decrease because students are already receiving the support they need. To make this system work, there are three essential components. First, use a referral based system so you are not responding to every request in the moment. Second, use a sign on your door that clearly shows what you are doing and whether you are available. This helps students understand where you are and why you may not be able to meet immediately. Third, keep a notepad or memo sheet where students can write down that they stopped by and note the urgency of their concern. This allows you to follow up without disrupting your schedule. With a strong foundation and clear systems in place, you can move out of constant reaction mode and into a more intentional, sustainable way of running your counseling program. Resources Mentioned: Join IMPACT Referral Forms 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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    15 Min.
  • 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 Min.
  • 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 Min.
  • 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 Min.
  • 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 Min.