Kids and the Healing Power of Nature

Three silly, playing kids

What if a walk in a green environment could rewire brains, calm anxiety, and stave off mental health problems? I don’t have to tell you that mental health concerns among children is at an all time high. From academic stress to social pressures and familial issues, the weight of these challenges can be overwhelming. Additionally,…

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Be the hero in your story

superman kid

How to be the hero in your own life In a school where I was doing some training, I found this quote on a classroom wall: “Be the hero in your own story.”  I love the concept.  In recent years the story arc has been incorporated into business and many other mediums where we might…

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Empowering Kids to Be the Hero in Their Life Journey

superhero boy and girl

What if instead of thinking of our lives as a random series of events, we thought of our lives as a story with each of us as the hero faced with challenges, triumphs and opportunities for growth? What if we not only shared this concept with students, but taught them the power of seeing themselves…

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Creating Calm: Relaxation Strategies

boy meditating

It really wasn’t that many years ago when people would ask me, “What problems could elementary age children possibly have that necessitates a full time counselor in an elementary school?” Fast forward to the environment of today, and we are all too familiar with the many mental health issues that children face. As elementary school…

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Is It Possible to Create a Zen Like Calm at Work?

meditation

The Secret: Taking Charge of Your Feelings Research shows that two out of every three people are unhappy at work… Are you one of them? Did you know that there are a higher number of heart attacks on Sunday evening than any other day of the week?  Bet you can guess why… Whether your job…

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School Counselors and Journaling with Kids

child-daydreaming-

  Journaling can be a very effective counseling and teaching technique for kids of all ages. It can be used in small groups, individual sessions and classroom lessons. There are many advantages to journaling including: Each student has a personal book all their own Each student has an opportunity to express, explore, and identify emotions…

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