January 22-24, 2026
The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa
Hilton Head Island, SC
We look forward to having you join us at the Palmetto State School Counselor Association Conference!
We hope to see you next year!
Lead Presenter: Michelle Sircy
In this session learn how to leverage data to enhance school counseling and student support services. In today’s educational landscape, data-driven approaches are essential for identifying student needs, measuring the effectiveness of interventions, and ensuring equitable outcomes for all students.
Through hands-on activities, real-world examples, and practical tools, attendees will gain the skills necessary to integrate data into their daily practice. This session is designed to empower school counselors to make informed decisions, optimize their support services, and ultimately enhance student success. Whether you’re new to data-driven approaches or looking to refine your existing practices, this session will provide valuable insights and actionable strategies.
Attendees will learn how to:
Lead Presenter: Heather Williams
This interactive workshop guides school counselors through the South Carolina School Counselor Rubric, helping participants deepen their understanding of each domain and indicator. Through collaborative summaries and practical brainstorming, counselors will develop concrete strategies to demonstrate proficiency and elevate their impact on student success. Join us to transform evaluation into professional growth and meaningful action.
Lead Presenter: Franciene Sabens
School counselors have a unique and ethically obligated role in facilitating collaborative relationships with parents/guardians. This session will focus on the school counselor’s ethical responsibility to parents/guardians, as outlined by the ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors. Specific examples and best practices to help school counselors navigate the legal and inherent rights of parents/guardians to be the guiding voice in their children’s lives and creative ways to foster collaborative relationships with parents/guardians will be discussed.
Lead Presenter: Shawna Griffin
This session provides schools with an Overview of PBIS, guides your team through the critical elements of school wide PBIS and provides planning time to design your PBIS plan.
Lead Presenter: Terri Tchorzynski
The true “magic” of the counseling profession occurs when professionals are able to capitalize on the inherent art of building trusting relationships through providing reflective listening and inquiry with the science of using data and evidencebased strategies. Unfortunately, it is the science of the profession that tends to provide more of a challenge, but can be the difference-maker in informing your practice to better serve your students. Learn proactive data-driven strategies to ensure your inherent intentions around your school counseling services align to your desired impact on student outcomes.
Lead Presenter: Christie Rogers-Larke
In today’s schools, teachers and counselors are on the frontlines of supporting not only academic growth, but also the emotional and mental well-being of students with minimal training in those areas. With rising concerns about anxiety, depression, trauma, and behavioral challenges among youth, educators are increasingly asked to respond to issues that once seemed far outside the classroom. This presentation, led by both a former classroom teacher and a mental health practitioner, will provide a dual perspective on how schools can address mental health issues.
Lead Presenter: Maria Rubio Arteaga
School Counselors are tasked with supporting Hispanic families, including many who don’t understand how the K-12 public school system works in the United States. We will provide an overview of how Hispanic culture influences how families receive information. We will also share a toolkit that school counselors can use when working with Spanish Speaking Parents. It will incorporate the three domains and include resources for helping Spanish Speaking parents support their student.
Lead Presenter: Blake Easter
Most children will experience a major traumatic event at some point in their lives. With so much talk about trauma and trauma-informed practices, some people working in education are viewing it as the latest buzzword or academic fad. In this session, attendees will learn about the very real impacts of trauma, the risks and warning signs of vicarious trauma, how to implement trauma-informed practices at a beginner level, and how trauma-informed programs can benefit all stakeholders.
Lead Presenter: Michelle Sircy
In this session learn how to leverage data to enhance school counseling and student support services. In today’s educational landscape, data-driven approaches are essential for identifying student needs, measuring the effectiveness of interventions, and ensuring equitable outcomes for all students.
Through hands-on activities, real-world examples, and practical tools, attendees will gain the skills necessary to integrate data into their daily practice. This session is designed to empower school counselors to make informed decisions, optimize their support services, and ultimately enhance student success. Whether you’re new to data-driven approaches or looking to refine your existing practices, this session will provide valuable insights and actionable strategies.
Attendees will learn how to:
Lead Presenter: Franciene Sabens
School counselors have a unique and ethically obligated role in facilitating collaborative relationships with parents/guardians. This session will focus on the school counselor’s ethical responsibility to parents/guardians, as outlined by the ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors. Specific examples and best practices to help school counselors navigate the legal and inherent rights of parents/guardians to be the guiding voice in their children’s lives and creative ways to foster collaborative relationships with parents/guardians will be discussed.
Lead Presenter: Shawna Griffin
This session provides schools with an Overview of PBIS, guides your team through the critical elements of school wide PBIS and provides planning time to design your PBIS plan.
Lead Presenter: Aaron Oberman
A panel of school counselors from elementary, middle, and high schools in SC will share examples and best practices of assessment in their school counseling programs. The discussion will focus on collaborating with stakeholders and explaining the data with the advisory council and administrators. Panel members will share examples that participants can take back to their schools and implement to begin successful data collection and programming.
Lead Presenter: Kourtnay Abernathy
This session will highlight the latest findings of the largest-of-its-kind national survey, The Girls’ IndexTM, which delves into the thoughts, behaviors, and perceptions of 17,000+ 5th-12th grade girls. More specifically, 55% of girls reported they don’t like coming to school. In this session we will look at the impact of confidence, school climate, relationships and social media on girls’ school attendance.
Lead Presenter: LaWanda Felder
Advocacy is not a solo act—it thrives when educators unite with a shared commitment to student success. This session explores the vital collaboration between school counselors, administrators, and teachers to ensure equitable access, positive school climates, and student achievement. Grounded in the ASCA National Model, this interactive session will provide practical tools and real-world strategies to strengthen advocacy through shared responsibility, improved communication, and mutual understanding of each role’s impact.
Lead Presenter: Boone Benton
Conflict is part of life – sometimes a big part of a student’s life. School counselors often address relationship issues and conflict management. Learn how to facilitate an evidenced-based, Tier 1 intervention AND work smarter using trained peer mediators. Students can enhance Character Education, Emotional Intelligence, Anger Management Skills, and Conflict Resolution Skills which fulfill both Career and Personal/Social domains (ASCA). You’ll walk away with the tools and knowledge needed to start your own peer mediation program at your school or agency.
Lead Presenter: Graham McBride
Recent legislation has intensified the discussion over the effects that device-use has on student mental health. There are lots of opinions, but what is the research really saying? This session looks at the data, offers suggestions for how to support students, and creates time for discussion of the “on the ground” realities of working and support students and their families as they navigate healthier habits with devices.
Lead Presenter: Paul Harris
This session invites school counselors to explore the preventative, systemic impact of restorative practices. Grounded in affect psychology and the fundamental hypothesis of restorative practices, participants will engage in interactive discussions and activities that illuminate the power of culturally responsive relationship-building, emotional safety, and fair process in shaping a healthy school climate. Whether you’re new to restorative work or seeking to deepen your practice, this session offers an affirming and action-oriented space to lead with empathy, clarity, and courage.
Lead Presenter: Iris Calhoun
An approach to Mental Wellness using non-traditional tools and strategies for self-care. Because using a fidget, coloring, or deep breaths just isn’t enough for the professionals who care the most and often become victims of Secondary Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome. We will explore innovative practices such as Plant Care, Rage Rooms, Junk Journaling, or Laughter Therapy, etc. Then ultimately create a realistic Personal Self-Care Plan that is intentional and helps model and encourage colleagues and staff to do the same. A Healthy Self-Care Routine = Effective School Counseling.
Lead Presenter: Cari Lawson
This engaging presentation will equip you with practical strategies for guiding all elementary students in setting SMART goals, seamlessly integrating this process into exciting school-wide events like SMART Goals Bingo, Winterfest, Beach Bash, and Oakie After Hours to foster motivation and achievement. Learn how to make goal-setting a fun and collaborative experience that resonates with every student!
Lead Presenter: Jennifer Adams
As school counselors and educators, we often put others first, and our own wellness last. This session highlights the powerful mind-body connection and how self-care strengthens our ability to serve students, families, and schools. Presenters will share their personal journey of accountability, fitness, and wellness, providing practical strategies and resources that participants can use to build healthier routines, manage stress, and enhance professional effectiveness.
Lead Presenter: Cheryl Zettler
Participants in this session will learn how to manage students and run an effective classroom guidance lesson. The first priority when teaching a lesson is to engage all students so that you are able to get your message across. Counselors are called to teach in every classroom as well as help with behavior problems. The participant will learn strategies to remain calm and diffuse a situation so that instruction can continue and disruptions are minimized. Participants will walk away with resources that will help manage their classrooms effectively and make a positive impact!
Lead Presenter: Abby Bays
This session examines the impact of weight stigma in schools and offers school counselors strategies to create inclusive, body-positive environments. Participants will explore the psychological, social, and academic effects of weight bias, learn Health at Every Size (HAES) principles, and reflect on personal biases. Evidence-based strategies for supporting students, engaging families, and advocating for inclusive policies will be shared, leaving attendees with practical tools and resources to promote equity and well-being.
Lead Presenter: J’haria Dallas
This session highlights how school counselors in Title-1 schools implement collaborative practices to support students and families facing systemic barriers. Attendees will gain practical, evidence-based strategies to strengthen family-school partnerships that promote academic achievement, social/emotional growth, and equity. Participants will learn how counselor-led efforts can foster inclusive, student-centered support, to help close the achievement gaps.
Lead Presenter: Mary Tchouros
By combining the calming effects of repetitive motion, creative focus, and tactile engagement, get ready to learn easily accessible strategies to encourage emotional regulation and develop sustained attention. Participants will leave with an understanding of the benefits of repetitive motions on the brain and knowledge of activities to apply immediately. We will end our session with a hands-on experience to put our own Calm in Motion.
Lead Presenter: Kaia Sawyer-DeForest
A counselor’s role is fast-paced, demanding, and often unpredictable. Staying organized is critical to managing competing responsibilities, collaborating with colleagues, and communicating effectively. This session will provide practical technology-based organizational strategies that strengthen efficiency and communication. Participants will learn how to maximize tools such as Outlook (color-coding, rules, and folder systems) and Google (Calendar, shared Google Drives, and Google Classroom) to reduce stress, improve efficiency, and maintain balance in their professional lives.
Lead Presenter: Dr. OTasha Morgan
The 5th Ed. has been launched! Discover how the ASCA National Model guides school counselors in creating data-driven programs that support student achievement and well-being. This session will provide an overview of the changes to the model’s key components in the 5th Ed. Whether you’re new to the model or looking to deepen your implementation, this session offers valuable insights to elevate your counseling practice and advocate for your role within your school community.
Lead Presenter: Crissy Roddy
In this presentation, we will explore the ways in which Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be used in the realm of school counseling. As educational environments evolve, the integration of AI tools can enhance the effectiveness of school counselors, streamline processes, and provide tailored support to students.
Lead Presenter: Marilyn Kopasz
When students become dysregulated, they shift into survival mode and learning falls away. This workshop introduces Havening Techniques®, a new neuroscience-based practice developed by Dr. Ronald Ruden (MD, PhD) that supports regulation, focus, and connection. Counselors will explore trauma’s impact on the nervous system and learn a body-based strategy to ease stress, manage transitions, and reduce anxiety. The technique helps school staff model co-regulation and build safer, more connected learning environments. Internationally, Humanitarian Havening supports distressed schools and orphanages.
Lead Presenter: Janey Charles
Middle school is a pivotal time in students’ academic, social, and emotional growth. Counselors play a key role in guiding them through the transitions from elementary to middle school and from middle to high school. This session explores how counselors support student success through collaboration with feeder schools, families, and staff. Participants will gain practical ideas and programs to ease anxiety, build self-advocacy, and foster resilience, connection, and belonging during these critical transitions.
Lead Presenter: Kristen Hunt
As student needs grow more complex, the most effective support emerges when school counselors and mental health providers move beyond individual efforts to embrace true collaboration. This session redefines what it means to work together by highlighting strategies for role clarity, shared decision-making, and integrated practices that maximize student outcomes. Participants will explore practical tools and real-world examples that transform collaboration into measurable impact—elevating both student well-being and schoolwide success.
Lead Presenter: Stephanye Zimmerman
When students feel heard, they thrive. This session highlights the importance of integrating student voice into school counseling programs that foster belonging, engagement, and empowerment. Participants will learn strategies to gather authentic student input, create student-led initiatives, and amplify diverse voices in decision-making. Counselors and students should harness “the power of us” by working together to shape stronger, more inclusive school communities.
Lead Presenter: Kim Groome
This session explores ASCA 2026 recommendations for balancing direct and indirect services while reducing non-counseling duties. Participants will learn to design an annual counseling calendar that prioritizes student needs, protects their schedule, and uses data to guide time allocation. Practical strategies, time-tracking tools, and communication techniques will be shared to help counselors advocate with administrators, maximize effectiveness, and intentionally use their time.
Lead Presenter: Sharon Donovan
Discover how to implement student-led IGP conferences that build student voice and future readiness. We’ll share how to gain principal and teacher buy-in, create consistent processes, and increase overall engagement in the IGP discussion. Discover why starting with a high-quality career assessment creates a strong foundation for this process, which results in meaningful IGP conversations with a focus on student ownership, future planning, and parent engagement.
Lead Presenter: Lauren Paul
School counselors pour their energy into helping students succeed, but without intentional strategies to protect their own well-being, burnout can drain their passion and effectiveness. This engaging professional development session empowers counselors to recognize the warning signs of burnout, set healthy boundaries, and implement daily practices that sustain their mental, emotional, and physical health. Participants will explore SC-specific challenges such as high caseloads, non-counseling duties, and limited mental health resources, while learning practical tools to stay balanced.
Lead Presenter: Mary Tchouros
When regulation becomes a shared language across a school, powerful change takes root. In this session, participants will explore how to create a culture of calm and connection by embedding co-regulation, brain-aligned practices, and emotional safety into daily school life. Drawing from research-based programming, this session offers practical strategies for integrating regulation tools across classrooms, common spaces, and staff interactions. Attendees will leave with ready-to-use ideas for building student capacity, strengthening staff wellness, and fostering a regulated school climate.
Lead Presenter: Deanna Ford
This session explores how middle schools can use the MTSS framework to effectively address student anxiety at every level. Participants will learn practical strategies for implementing universal, schoolwide practices (Tier 1), targeted group interventions (Tier 2), and individualized supports (Tier 3). Emphasis will be placed on integrating supports into existing structures, collaborating across staff roles, and fostering a schoolwide culture that promotes student well-being. Attendees will leave with tools and ideas to strengthen their school’s capacity to support students’ mental health.
Lead Presenter: Kriya Lendzion
Substances are becoming increasingly potent, appealing, and easier to conceal for youth, resulting in increasing rates of use disorders, overdoses, and mental, cognitive, and physical health issues. Intervening in the early stages of student use can prevent years of struggle and destruction for our students. Participants will learn how to artfully utilize brief motivational interviewing and CBT skills, screening tools, passive programming, and collaboration with parents, administrators, and staff to catalyze self-awareness and behavior change.
Lead Presenter: Alisha Kowsky
Technology is all around us, and it is put in our students’ hands from an early age. Technology is also a benefit to our society, but in many cases we hand children technology too soon or before they have any understanding of the privilege it withholds. In this session learn hands-on ways to educate and prepare your students and parents to manage a digital world in a healthy way through parent information sessions, small groups and more! You will walk away with a variety of sources that you can put into practice right away at any level!
Lead Presenter: Zan Tracy Pender
During this session, participants will be able to identify the legal and ethical issues and potential pitfalls to consider when planning, implementing and follow-up for a loss and grief response. The session will identify techniques and strategies for students, parents/guardians and staff member’s deaths. An example of a loss and grief checklist will be provided. This session focuses on organizing and managing a school-wide response, and not counseling techniques during a response.
Lead Presenter: Jenny Hubler
Small groups don’t happen unless you make them happen. To run a school counseling program rooted in the ASCA National Model, small groups must be part of your program. Learn to overcome barriers to small-group counseling, from feelings of self-doubt and scheduling logistics, to choosing curriculum and guardian permission. This session will help you improve your small group delivery.
Lead Presenter: Vira James
Discover hands‑on, ground‑level tools and pragmatic strategies that unite counselors and administrators to lead student success—together. Whether you’re launching systemic change or elevating your department’s impact, this session equips you with the inspiration, insight, and actionable tools to lead with purpose. By grounding leadership in collaboration, practical planning, and measurable outcomes, participants will leave ready to lead with confidence—and herd their school community toward greatness.
Lead Presenter: Brittany Sandonato
This session presents findings from a qualitative study using CQR methodology to explore the perspectives of school counselors and school-based mental health counselors on effective collaboration practices. Through in-depth interviews, participants shared their experiences of working together to enhance student success and well-being. Attendees will gain practical insights into how collaboration can be fostered, the factors that make it successful, and strategies for applying these practices in their own settings to promote equitable, student-centered care.
Lead Presenter: J. Grant Sparks
School counselors are constantly pulled in multiple directions and have to find ways to manage their time effectively, manage their data, and manage their counseling services. It is easy to get overwhelmed, which causes stress and prevents effectiveness. Learn the management strategies an experienced counselor uses with PowerSchool, computer organization, deliverance of virtual guidance lessons and in-person lessons, and methods to reach the hard-to-reach student. Participants are invited to share their effective strategies in each of these areas as well.
Lead Presenter: Dodie Limberg
We will share effective strategies focused on how school counselors and teachers can collaborate using Project-Based Learning (PBL) to support academic and career readiness. This session explores co-planning, co-facilitating, and co-assessing PBL units that align with STEM Career Development but that can be applied to other domains. More specifically, we will discuss strategies to enhance collaboration with teachers to build effective partnerships that foster student growth and career interest through meaningful, integrated learning experiences.
Lead Presenter: Paul Harris
This learning experience empowers school counselors to create affirming, inclusive environments for neurodivergent learners. Participants will deepen their understanding of neurodiversity, evaluate school policies and practices through an equity lens, and apply strengths-based, culturally responsive strategies to better support students with diverse cognitive and learning profiles. Through reflection, collaboration, and action planning, educators will leave with the tools to champion systemic change and co-create school cultures where neurodivergent learners are seen, valued, and supported.
Lead Presenter: Meredith Rausch
Are your students struggling to control their anger? Are behavioral referrals increasing, and so is your frustration? For over 20 years, I’ve worked to understand anger and have found tried-and-true techniques to helping students (and adults) become more at peace with their emotions. From learning the Roots of Anger to implementing different coping strategies to help the variety of students you serve, you’ll leave this presentation with effective ways to change your school into a positive climate.
Lead Presenter: Lauren LePera
Saddle up for a 6-week journey designed just for girls! Through themes like self-love, resiliency, and relationships, the Wild Hearts Club empowers girls to embrace their worth, dust off setbacks, and celebrate their strengths—scars and all. With sessions like Saddle Up Sisters, Kick Up the Dust, and Dear Wildheart, this group blends sparkle and grit to help every girl ride boldly into her future with confidence.
National Center for Youth Issues
ATTN: PSSCA
P.O. Box 22185
Chattanooga, TN 37422-2185
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