School-based mental health professionals face unique challenges and opportunities in supporting student wellbeing. Working within educational systems requires specialized approaches that consider academic demands, developmental stages, limited session time, and collaboration with teachers, administrators, and families.

This collection of resources addresses the specific needs of school counselors and school-based therapists, including crisis intervention protocols, brief therapy techniques, group counseling materials, and strategies for navigating confidentiality within school settings. You’ll find tools for addressing common school-related concerns such as academic anxiety, peer relationships, behavioral challenges, and transitions between grade levels.

These resources also include guidance on building effective partnerships with educators, conducting effective screenings and assessments in school environments, and advocating for students’ mental health needs within educational frameworks.

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Crisis Intervention

Articles and Webpages:

Books:

School Crisis Prevention and Intervention, 2nd Edition
by Mary Margaret Kerr & Gary King

Best Practices in School Crisis Prevention and Intervention

by Stephen E. Brock, Ph.D., NCSP, Philip J. Lazarus, Ph.D., NCSP, & Shane R. Jimerson, Ph. D., NCSP (editors)

Responding to Critical Cases in School Counseling: Building Theory, Standards, and Experience for Optimal Interventions

by Judy A. Nelson & Lisa A. Wines (editors)

15-Minute Focus: Suicide: Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention

by Dr. Melissa Marsh

Videos and Podcasts:

Brief Therapy Techniques

Articles and Webpages:

Books:

 
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy in Schools: A 360-Degree View of the Research and Practice Principles
by Johnny Kim, Michael Kelly, & Cynthia Franklin
 
 
Solution-Focused Counseling in Schools (3rd Edition)
by John J. Murphy
 
 
 
Brief Counseling that Works: A Solution-Focused Therapy Approach for School Counselors and Other Mental Health Professionals (3rd Edition)
by Gerald B. Sklare
 
 
Solution-Focused School Counseling: The Missing Manual
by Russell A. Sabella, Ph.D.

Videos and Podcasts:

Group Counseling

Articles and Webpages:

Books:

 
Group Counseling in K-12 Schools: A Handbook for School Counselors
by Kenneth A. Greenberg
 
 
 
The Power of Groups:  Solution-Focused Group Counseling in Schools
by Leslie A. Cooley

 

 

 

Group Counseling for School Counselors: A Practical Guide
by Greg Brigman

Videos and Podcasts:

Confidentiality in Schools

Articles and Webpages:

Books:

 
by Debbie Daniels & Peter Jenkins
 
 
 
American School Counselor Association School Counseling Principles: Ethics and Law (4th Edition)
by Carolyn Stone, Ed.D.

Videos and Podcasts:

Academic Anxiety

Articles and Webpages:

Books:

The Anti-Test Anxiety Society: Help Worried Students Prepare for Tests
by Julia Cook & Anita DuFalla
Overcoming Test Anxiety: Tools to Support Students from Early Adolescence to Adulthood
by Alexander H. Jordan & Benjamin J. Lovett
The Complete Guide to Reducing Anxiety for Students: Evidence-Based Strategies for Academic Success and Mental Well-being
by Preet Pruani

Videos and Podcasts:

Peer Relationships

Articles and Webpages:

Books:

Peer Relationships and Adjustment at School
by Allison M. Ryan & Gary W. Ladd

 

Making Friends Is an Art!
by Julia Cook
 
Peer Counseling Skills: A Pocket Resource for Peer Support Specialists
by Charles Drebing, Ph.D.

Videos and Podcasts:

Behavioral Challenges

Articles and Webpages:

Books:

Building Resilience in Students Impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences 
by Victoria E. Romero, Ricky Robertson, & Amber N. Warner
 
 
Lost at School: Why Our Kids with Behavioral Challenges are Falling Through the Cracks and How We Can Help Them
by Ross W. Greene, Ph.D.
 
Hacking School Discipline: 9 Ways to Create a Culture of Empathy and Responsibility Using Restorative Justice
by Nathan Maynard & Brad Weinstein

 

 
Connections Over Compliance: Rewiring Our Perceptions of Discipline
by Lori L Desautels 

Videos and Podcasts:

Grade-Level Transitions

Articles and Webpages:

Books:

First Day Jitters
by Julie Danneberg
 
 
The Middle School Survival Guide: How to Survive from the Day Elementary School Ends until the Second High School Begins
by Arlene Erlbach
 
The High School Survival Guide: Your Roadmap to Studying, Socializing & Succeeding
by Jessica Holsman

Videos and Podcasts:

Additional Resource Books

I’m Not Just a Scribble
by Diane Alber

Topic: Inclusion

Giraffes Can’t Dance
by Giles Andreae

Topic: Self-esteem

Spoon
by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Topic: Identity, uniqueness

Perseverance is My Superpower
by Alicia Ortego

Topic: Perseverance

The Juice Box Bully: Empowering Kids to Stand Up for Others
by Bob Sornson & Maria Dismondy

Topic: Bullying, Assertiveness

Little Blue Truck
by Alice Schertle

Topic: Friendship

My Friend Rabbit
by Eric Rohmann

Topic: Friendship

Are You My Mother?
by P.D. Eastman

Topic: Family Relationships

Families, Families, Families
by Suzanne Lang

Topic: Family Relationships

Wilma Jean the Worry Machine
by Julia Cook

Topic: Difficult Emotions (Worry)

Scaredy Squirrel
by Melanie Watt

Topic: Difficult Emotions (Worry)

The Kissing Hand
by Audrey Penn

Topic: Difficult Emotions (Separation Anxiety)

Angry Ninja
by Mary Nhin

Topic: Difficult Emotions (Anger)

Jabari Jumps
by Gaia Cornwall

Topic: Overcoming Fears

I’ll Always Love You
by Hans Wilhelm

Topic: Grief

Wherever You Are: My Love Will Find You 
by Nancy Tillman

Topic: Grief