I still remember the day Mateo melted down in the hallway. His art project had torn, and the calm-down corner was four doors away. My pockets were empty, my heart racing. That afternoon I vowed never to get caught without a calm down kit again. Since then I’ve carried a lunch-pail-sized box stuffed with simple […]
Calm Down Kit: How to Build a Portable Peace-Maker Students Will Actually Use Read More »
Every morning I slip into Mrs. Cruz’s fourth-grade classroom and watch her students “park” tiny race-car magnets on a foam-board mood lot. A shy hand pulls into Nervous; another settles in Sleepy. The whole ritual takes three minutes, yet discipline referrals from that room dropped 40 percent in one semester (building data, 2025). Daily feelings
Feelings Check In: A Gentle, Data-Smart Routine for Busy Counselors & Teachers Read More »
Last Tuesday, I watched a second-grader named Lila melt down because her pencil broke. One snap, one tear, and suddenly the room buzzed with panic. The teacher caught my eye—a silent SOS we both know too well. I knelt beside Lila, guided her through “5-4-3-2-1,” and two minutes later she was steady enough to ask
Coping Skills Activities: A Friendly Guide for K-8 Counselors & Teachers Read More »
A quick hello from the counselor’s chair 🎙️ By 9 a.m. on Day 1 I’ve already speed-walked two hallways, high-fived 30 third-graders, and taped my lanyard back together (again). The new-year buzz is electric—but so are the student nerves. Over the years I’ve learned that the fastest way to lower the collective cortisol is to
First-Week SEL Icebreakers That Double as Counselor Meet-&-Greets Read More »
Is it weird that my counselor toolkit contains both Kleenex for tears and sneakers for hallway sprints? Because during that whirlwind first week of school I’m ping-ponging between classrooms, greeting 400 new faces—and fielding 87 “Can I talk to you?” notes before lunch. By Day 3 even I, the resident Zen-master, crave a reset button.
Back-to-School Calm Corners: 7 Budget Decor Hacks Counselors & Teachers Swear By Read More »
A relationship-first guide inspired by sensory-smart design and the DIR/Floortime® approach A Quick Personal Note I’m a school counselor by day and a mom the rest of the time. A few years ago I stumbled onto the DIR/Floortime model and it completely reshaped how I think about children’s behavior. DIR/Floortime isn’t about fancy swings or
How to Create a Kids’ Room That Supports Their Nervous System Read More »
Creating a therapeutic environment that sparks imagination, supports emotional regulation, and encourages expression doesn’t have to be complicated. One of my favorite tools to introduce in a therapy space or child-centered area is the interactive LEGO wall. It may seem like just a fun distraction, but in reality, it offers incredible opportunities for connection, communication,
As a mental health professional, I’ve personally experienced the increased demand for our expertise—especially post-pandemic. Like many colleagues, I faced rising workloads and emotional exhaustion, which led me to explore blogging as a creative and potentially profitable outlet. However, when I began, I quickly realized I lacked the strategies and knowledge needed to transform my
Starting a Mental Health Blog in 2025: Is It Realistic to Make Money? Read More »
When you walk into my counseling office—or my home—you might see something softly glowing in the background: a light table. At first, it may seem like just a fun visual toy. But over the past few years, it has become one of the most loved, versatile, and calming tools in both my work as a school counselor and in my parenting life.
Light tables are often thought of as classroom extras or preschool playroom staples, but when used with intention, they become so much more. I use them for emotional regulation, sensory exploration, quiet play, and even social-emotional learning prompts.
How I Use a Light Table as a School Counselor and a Mom Read More »
Every August, as the first day of school approaches, our house fills with a mix of excitement and nerves—mine included! As a mom, I know how easily little worries can sneak in, turning simple mornings into stressful sprints. As a counselor, I see it in the families I work with, too: the desire for a
How to Create Calm Back-to-School Routines: A Mom & Counselor’s Guide Read More »
