Mental Health

Feelings Check In: A Gentle, Data-Smart Routine for Busy Counselors & Teachers

Leave a Comment / Mental Health, Mental Health Education /

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 […]

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Coping Skills Activities: A Friendly Guide for K-8 Counselors & Teachers

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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

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First-Week SEL Icebreakers That Double as Counselor Meet-&-Greets

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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

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Back-to-School Calm Corners: 7 Budget Decor Hacks Counselors & Teachers Swear By

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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.

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How to Create a Kids’ Room That Supports Their Nervous System

Leave a Comment / Kids Mental Health, Mental Health, Nervous System Healing /

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

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Building Emotional Resilience Brick by Brick: How to Use a LEGO Wall in Therapy and at Home

Leave a Comment / Blog, Kids Mental Health, Mental Health, Therapy Office Decor, Therapy Practice /

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,

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How I Use a Light Table as a School Counselor and a Mom

Leave a Comment / Ethical Practice & Tools, Kids Mental Health, Mental Health, Therapy Practice /

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.

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Feature image for calm back-to-school routines, with a sunlit breakfast table, smoothie, school checklist, child’s backpack, and feminine touches for a cozy family morning.

How to Create Calm Back-to-School Routines: A Mom & Counselor’s Guide

Leave a Comment / Kids Mental Health, Mental Health, Nervous System Healing /

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

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Flat lay of colorful summer camp T-shirts with motivational quotes surrounded by camp items like pinecones, friendship bracelets, and journals on a rustic table.

Encouraging Camp Counselor Quotes That Kids Need to See (And Wear) This Summer

Leave a Comment / Food & Mood Recipes, Kids Mental Health, Lifestyle, Therapist Outfit Ideas, Therapy Practice /

There’s something special about summer camp. It’s messy and magical, unpredictable and unforgettable. For many kids, it’s the first time they’re away from home, trying new things, navigating social situations—and big emotions. That’s why camp counselors, teachers, and support staff are more than just fun adults with walkie-talkies. They’re emotional role models.

The words we wear, say, and display around kids matter. And when they carry meaningful messages—on T-shirts, hats, water bottles, tote bags, or even stickers—they become daily reminders of self-worth, emotional awareness, and resilience.

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Flat lay of cute therapist gift items including a journal, mug, art print, and pouch on a soft neutral background. Styled for Pinterest and gift inspiration.

Cute Gifts for Therapists: Thoughtful Ideas for Every Occasion

Leave a Comment / Food & Mood Recipes, Lifestyle, Mental Health, Relationships /

Wondering if it’s appropriate to give your therapist a gift? Or looking for the perfect appreciation gift for a school counselor or therapist friend? Whether you’re celebrating Therapist Appreciation Week, a graduation, or simply want to say “thank you,” this guide has you covered with cute, meaningful, and ethically thoughtful gifts.

Giving gifts to therapists can be a tricky subject, but when done appropriately—especially outside the context of a client-therapist relationship—it can be a lovely gesture of gratitude. This curated list includes charming Redbubble finds that therapists will not only love but actually use in their day-to-day lives.

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