Nationwide schools are experiencing a rise in disruptive student behaviors. Behavioral issues can adversely impact the school environment leading to more peer-to-peer conflict, classroom disruptions, and even staff exhaustion. Educators know firsthand the amount of time spent on disciplining and redirecting challenging behaviors. In this interactive session, you will learn how to accurately assess and interpret challenging behaviors and effectively identify the antecedents for disruptive outbursts. Additionally, you will learn evidence-based coping skills to help your students manage their emotions and control their behavior, leading to more favorable outcomes. This session will help equip you with the essential knowledge to help your students minimize challenging behaviors and maximize academic, emotional, and social success.

Anger is perhaps one of our most misunderstood emotions. Although it serves a purpose in our lives, it can also be destructive and problematic, especially to youth. A lot of young people struggle with difficult emotions like anger, but if their anger is taking a toll on their emotional, social, and academic wellbeing, then it is time to help them learn how to deal with the troublesome emotion without losing their temper. Together, anger and aggression can create a perfect storm leading to trouble and undesirable consequences. In this presentation, attendees will learn about the relationships between anger and aggression and help youth develop healthy strategies to cope with anger and regain control over their emotions and behaviors.

Each generation is shaped by the history of time. Today’s youth know firsthand about pandemics, recessions, mass shootings and acts of terrorism. Unfortunately, this generation understands their sense of security can instantly vanish. Due to changing times, many young people have concerning emotional/social and behavioral challenges. This presentation will highlight top issues facing young people and will equip frontline workers with essential knowledge to help youth become resilient and stronger in the face of adversity.

Sometimes as counselors, we get so wrapped up on theory, techniques, and evidence-based approaches that we often miss out on the fundamental things that can also help our clients. This presentation will examine the importance of professional selfcare with a focus on total wellbeing. Specific attention will be placed on the importance of nutrition, rest, and exercise.

This workshop is designed to integrate strategies and techniques to understand the powerful thoughts behind teen suicide. Participants will learn up-to-date information on the prevalence, warning signs and preventative measures to take to help youth break the silence and seek help. Information on distinguishing facts from myths, identifying risk factors and warning signs, and devising therapeutic treatment plan will be provided.

This presentation will incorporate interactive activities and technology to expand upon ways to help youth cope with social/emotional and behavioral challenges. Topics such as coping with grief, anger, anxiety, depression, self-harm, suicidal behaviors, and substance use (including vaping) will be addressed. This deep exploration will provide opportunities for learning and engaging in relevant, applicable, and practical (RAP) skills to use with troubled youth in any setting.

Participants will walk through the world of bullying and engage in an interactive session intertwined with practice evidence-based techniques to help both the child being bullied and the child who is engaging in bullying behavior. Technological advancements and the world of cyberbullying will be discussed. Social media sites and common apps used to bully will also be explored, as well as sexting and how it too may become a platform for online bullying/harassment.

In this presentation parents will learn practical ways to directly understand and meet their child’s needs. Being a parent is not easy. In a recent survey, 88% of parents said being a parent is harder than ever before. In a fast-paced, evolving world, it is hard to keep up with changes, let alone how those changes affect our kids. This engaging presentation delves into the common issues and concerning trends of today’s youth. Additionally, parents will discover innovative ways that they can connect with their kid all while maintaining their own sanity.

The presentation will address developmentally appropriate test anxiety reduction interventions across elementary, middle school and high school grade levels. The purpose of the presentation is to provide practical and relevant tips to educators working with academically anxious youth including a.) applicable takeaways/strategies b.) preventative behavioral evidence-based emotional regulation coping skills that are grounded in mindfulness and c.) practical ways to help academically anxious youth shift from a fixed to a growth mindset when performing under pressure.

The pandemic has redefined our concept of normal. Although the scope of change may not be known for years to come, conceivably, our youth have endured the most angst. Students need support and services to help them transition back to everyday life. School counselors can assist with the adjustment and acclimation process while assessing for mental health concerns. In this presentation, you will learn strategies to help your students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Anger is a common reason for youth mental health referrals. Problematic anger has been associated with academic, interpersonal, and mental health issues. Often, students get blamed for their anger, but the source may lie within systemic and contextual issues. In this session, school counselors will explore ways to design culturally diverse programs to address problematic anger and increase healthy student outcomes while promoting an environment of awareness, acceptance, and inclusivity.

Nearly a quarter of the nation’s youth will experience a traumatic event by age 16. Trauma can significantly impact young people’s physical and mental health, affecting their ability to learn and excel academically. Therefore, schools are crucial in creating safe, supportive environments that foster resilience and promote healing. Whether it’s a Big T event (i.e., unexpected loss of a loved one), little t occurrence (i.e., moving to a new school), or multiple complex traumas (i.e., exposure to pervasive abuse), the psychological effects can extend across a lifetime. Fortunately, there are essential coping skills that, if taught and nurtured, can significantly increase a youth’s ability to heal and persevere. This interactive presentation aims to teach participants about Big T and little t events and explore trauma’s neurological impact on young people. Furthermore, emphasis will be placed on building skills and implementing strategies to create a trauma-sensitive school environment where students do more than survive; they thrive.

In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, our students are bombarded with massive amounts of information. Society’s online transformation has paved previously unimaginable roadways of knowledge, adventure, and inspiration…as well as dangerous detours, hidden potholes, and hairpin turns. Educators must prepare their students with life skills to navigate safely and responsibly in a rapidly changing digital world. This interactive multi-media session aims to examine the benefits and drawbacks of technology and equip educators with practical skills and resources to guide their students in understanding what it means to be an upstanding digital citizen: one who is kind, responsible, and – most importantly – leaves an electronic footprint worthy of following.

Nationwide, schools are experiencing a rise in disruptive behaviors. Behavioral issues disturb the learning process, create peer conflict, interrupt the classroom, and lead to more staff exhaustion and faculty turnover. Educators know firsthand the time spent disciplining and redirecting unruly and challenging behaviors. The loss of instructional time addressing such behaviors affects the entire school community. Therefore, educators must have the knowledge and tools to prevent and manage these student behaviors. During this interactive multi-media session, participants will learn proactive and interventive strategies and engage in activities and case studies to deter challenging behaviors and promote positive ones. Participants will leave the session with practical and relevant tools and resources to address, manage and change disruptive behaviors, creating a peaceful conducive learning environment that bolsters student achievement.

Anger is perhaps one of the most misunderstood emotions. It’s the driving force that pushes us into action when we feel threatened, powerless, or mistreated. Anger can be both constructive and destructive, but unleashed through aggression, or rage can leave an aftermath of devastation. In schools, problematic anger can be met with hefty consequences such as being sent out of class to suspension or, worse, expulsion. Additionally, prolonged periods of anger have been linked with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, substance use, and suicide. If you struggle with angry students, suit up because this engaging presentation will use a biopsychosocial lens to deeply understand the reasons, causes, and symptoms associated with anger. During the presentation, attendees will learn to gauge and monitor emotions and use evidence-based skills to help students decompress and manage their anger healthily and successfully.

Educators play a vital role in supporting students through complex challenges. Still, all too often, when giving to others, we neglect our emotional and physical well-being. This fun interactive, and empowering presentation will assist participants in putting first things first – themselves. Attendees will reflect on self-care practices and develop a personalized plan to nurture the nurturer. By the end of the presentation, participants will have a deeper understanding of the importance of self-care and be better equipped with practical tools to incorporate them into their professional and personal lives. When we care for ourselves, job satisfaction increases, burnout decreases, and we provide better student support. This presentation is a gift to the giver, the professional educators who freely give their time to promote wellness within their school community.

We all have superpowers. Powers that help us overcome unimaginable obstacles, get up when we get knocked down, and believe that our dreams are within our reach. We gain strength through three distinct energizing abilities: growth mindset, resilience, and grit. Although these three superpowers are related, each serves a distinct purpose in helping us soar to success. In this inspiring and empowering presentation, participants will engage in various interactive and creative activities and learn ways to help students discover and harness their internal superpowers. When students have a strong sense of self and believe in their ability to bounce back from adversity, they can maximize their potential making the impossible possible.

Today more than ever, our young people are struggling with mental health issues. Youth mental health is cause for deep concern as rates of anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, depression, self-harm, and suicide have been progressively increasing, creating a mental health crisis requiring urgent action. Schools play an instrumental role in answering the call for help by destigmatizing mental health issues, educating students, faculty, and parents, and serving as a liaison connecting students with much-needed mental health resources and support. This presentation will use a variety of interactive activities, group discussions, and case studies to examine the pressures and challenges faced by today’s youth, including academic stress, social media influences, bullying, and societal expectations, as well as explore how the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to the crisis. Participants will leave the session with a deeper understanding of mental health risk factors, strategies, and best practices for identifying, supporting, and promoting student well-being.