Monday Ideas for School Counselors
Weekly articles for school counselors with ideas on how to resolve typical school situations with students, teachers and parents using the solution focused approach.
Your To-Do List Would Like a Word With You
Your to-do list never records the crying child you helped back to class. Try this five-minute exercise to find evidence of what's working in your school counseling. ...more
Exception Seeking
October 19, 2026•2 min read
Drama Without Trauma
Friendship drama doesn't have to turn hurtful. Try these solution-focused questions that help students notice what already works and create a calmer week together. ...more
Exception Seeking
October 12, 2026•2 min read
The Noticing Project: Week 4 - Noticing Successes
Week 4 of The Noticing Project: seek out students who no longer need you and ask what helped. They didn't just stop coming—they started becoming. ...more
Exception Seeking
April 13, 2026•3 min read
The Noticing Project: Week 3 - Watch What Happens
Week 3 of The Noticing Project: repeat what you notice, watch identity form, and send it home. Small messages build powerful bridges between school and family. ...more
Exception Seeking
April 06, 2026•1 min read
The Noticing Project: Week 2 - Just Say It
Week 2 of The Noticing Project: saying out loud what you see in students builds identity and changes how they see themselves. One moment, one student at a time. ...more
Exception Seeking
March 30, 2026•2 min read
The Noticing Project: Week 1 - Just Begin
Introducing The Noticing Project: a simple weekly experiment that starts with just noticing the students we don't usually connect with. Week 1 of a new series. ...more
Exception Seeking
March 23, 2026•2 min read
Take a Break from the Problem
When students are too stuck to answer "What are your best hopes?" try externalizing the problem. A blend of narrative and solution-focused therapy that works. ...more
Exception Seeking
March 09, 2026•3 min read
Need a Shortcut for Creating Change?
Exceptions are not accidents, they're clues. Discover how seeking moments when problems are less intense can create powerful change for students and restore hope. ...more
Exception Seeking
February 09, 2026•1 min read
One Question at a Time
You don't need 45 minutes or a quiet office to be solution-focused. Just one curious question can shift the conversation from problem to possibility. ...more
Exception Seeking
January 19, 2026•2 min read
When the Problem Isn’t the Whole Picture
A reminder that a child's diagnoses aren't the whole story. Look for exceptions and strengths - small routines and supports that become the roadmap for lasting change. ...more
Exception Seeking
December 01, 2025•1 min read
The Magic of Asking Different Questions
Discover how asking different questions can transform "difficult" students by helping them see their own exceptions and possibilities for change. ...more
Exception Seeking
November 03, 2025•3 min read
Need Solutions? Look at the Flip Side
Discover how to uncover students' hidden strengths beyond their problems. Learn the flip side approach that transforms challenging students. ...more
Exception Seeking
September 22, 2025•1 min read
Wizards of What’s Working: A School Counselor Tribute
Celebrate school counselors - the unsung heroes who guide with heart, spotlight strengths, and cast quiet magic through every “what’s working?” they ask. ...more
Exception Seeking
May 12, 2025•1 min read
Itchy Times: Turning Challenges into Opportunities
Stuck in the same cycles with students, parents, and conflicts? Learn how a solution-focused mindset can transform frustrating interactions into opportunities for growth. ...more
Exception Seeking
February 10, 2025•2 min read
When in Doubt, Count the Exceptions
When challenges arise, look to the exceptions. Discover how focusing on past successes can reveal the steps to solutions, making your work easier and empowering students to succeed. ...more
Exception Seeking
October 28, 2024•2 min read
Practical tools and strategies for school counselors to help students achieve their goals
Practical tools and strategies for school counselors to help students achieve their goals
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