Counselor’s Corner

Art Therapy: The Therapeutic Power of Creation
By Jacqueline Scheffler, MA, ATR-BC, LPC, CCTP The Essence of Art Therapy Art therapy is an intervention that combines the creative process through utilizing art materials, psychotherapy methods and the human experience to improve a person’s overall well-being....

The Silent Struggle: How Parental Mental Illness Affects Families
The Unspoken Reality of Parental Mental Illness The responsibilities and pressures that families face today are compounded for everyone when a parent struggles with their mental health. The pain and awkwardness of trying to communicate the situation to others often...

When Children Struggle with Mental Health: Encouragement for Parents
Many families in the U.S. have a loved one in the home struggling with mental illness; that loved one is often a child. The COVID-19 pandemic blindsided families, intensifying any mental health concerns already present. While students have returned to “normal” school...

Engage, Connect, and Grow: A Family Guide to Mindful Living
The Power of Mindfulness in Families As parents, much of what we do is aimed at creating harmony and connection within our families. Something that often gets overlooked, but can be a helpful tool in these efforts, is the practice of mindfulness. Finding...

Improved Mental Health With SUDS: A Simple Practice to Measure and Reduce Stress
Stress is an unavoidable, completely normal part of life. However, when we’re unaware of how much distress we’re experiencing, or deny that stress is affecting our perceptions and responses, the cumulative impact of it can lead to anxiety issues and physical health...

Channeling Your Inner Jedi: 10 Star Wars Quotes on Harnessing the Power of Intention
Most of us who were born in the last half-century have a Star Wars memory (or ten) from our youth: light saber wars in the backyard, dressing up as our favorite characters for Halloween, or “using the Force” to open automatic doors at the grocery store. But Star Wars...

Spring Cleaning for the Mind: The Empowering Effects of Decluttering
A clear and open space makes room for a clear and open mind. According to Dr. Emma Gray, a clinical psychologist, “Clutter can cause anxiety, depression, and even physical pain. Decluttering can improve the functioning of our brains and help us feel more in control of...

Humor Me: The Surprising Link Between Laughter and Resilience
In today's fast-paced and stressful world, resilience—the ability to withstand or recover quickly from difficulties – is an invaluable human skill. Thankfully, healthy resilience is not just about building mental toughness and grit. Making room for more laughter in...

Top 5 TED Talks for School Counselors
School counselors have borne the brunt of much of the turbulence experienced in education over the last few years. These five TED Talks speak to some of the biggest challenges school counselors face and offer tools and insights you may find helpful moving forward....

Reducing Student Anxiety as a School Counselor
While some students view January as an opportunity to verbalize their hopes and dreams for the coming year, many others enter the new year struggling with anxiety. Coming out of the holidays and looking at the unknowns associated with the months ahead, student anxiety...