Get Rooted: Nature-Based Counseling Interventions
How can school counselors incorporate nature into individual and group counseling? Students spend much of their school day indoors, as do school counselors. School counselors can
diversify their service delivery through utilizing nature-based approaches that highlight the interdependence of our environment, mind, body, and spirit. Practical, evidence based interventions will be shared for students in PK-12 settings.

Alison Whitehurst/ USF

Counseling African American Students Struggling with Identity and Code Switching
I am addressing identity conflicts among African American students at the middle and high school levels. In the African American community, most students feel the need to “code-switch” in various environments such as school, work, and home. These adaptations can oftentimes lead to delayed identity development. In my poster, I intend to provide school counselor considerations, interventions, and evidence-based practices for working with this group.

Anrae Stephenson Frazier / USF

Bibliotherapy as an Intervention for Grief Among Elementary-Aged Students
We will be addressing the challenges elementary-aged students face when processing grief, highlighting the emotional and psychological impacts. This poster explores bibliotherapy as a therapeutic intervention presenting research that supports its efficacy in helping young children understand and cope with loss. It also considers developmental and cultural factors that influence how children experience and express grief. In doing so, we aim to provide educators and caregivers with effective strategies to support grieving students in a school setting.

Tiffany Serrano & Jenna Didomenico / USF

Students of Color and the Discipline Gap
High school students of color are disciplined at far higher rates than white students nationwide. The effects of this are far-reaching and impactful for many years after high school ends. These students are less likely to pursue higher education, more likely to go to prison, and more likely to live in poverty. We will highlight the causes of this problem and remedies that schools can implement to address this.

Meredith Seel & Gonzalo Martinez/ USF

Integrating Play Therapy into the Schools
Play therapy is a widely recognized therapeutic approach for children and adolescents. It allows for them to express the thoughts and emotions that they have that and may not have the language to discuss. Given the growing mental health needs in school settings, school counselors should be versed in play techniques such as utilizing art, sand tray, and role playing, and how they can adapt these to work within school counseling. This poster will also look at different play therapy theories and how they can be applied to school counseling as well.

Meadow Sores & Emily Oaks/ UCF

Making Connections
Many times, school counselors are given a larger case load than recommended by the ASCA, with some high school counselors having nearly 800 students. As such, counselors must be proactive about connecting with their kids so that they feel comfortable approaching them with sensitive topics.

Felicia Burgin/ FAU

Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Adolscents and Teens
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for adolescents and teens is primarily designed to address emotional and behavioral issues that stem from difficulty regulating emotions. It is uniquely effective for adolescents dealing with intense emotions, self- destructive behaviors, or interpersonal problems. DBT is used to address a range of issues, including: emotion dysregulation, self-harm/suicidal behaviors, impulsivity, interpersonal conflict, chronic anxiety/depression, and PTSD.

Alexis Turley & Aisha Afre/ USF

Mindfulness Techniques for Students
We are addressing the impact emotional regulation has on academics. It is negatively correlated with academic success. Emotional regulation is important to be successful in class. Mindfulness techniques aid in appropriate regulation of emotions so that the student can better focus on academics.

May Pearson & Rexee Gaugh/ USF

The “Invisibility” of Native Americans in Media
I am addressing the harm negative media representation has on Native American students. The presentation entails a look into the power of media, the Native American population in America, and the challenges they face. It also touches on the effects of the lack of representation and the implications for how school counselors can properly address this topic. Ultimately, the presentation is meant to bring awareness to the situation that many minority groups face and the school counselor’s role as an advocate in the community.

Stephanie Rocha/ USF

A Change in Perspective Towards SEL in a Classroom Setting
I have found that treating SEL as a separate block in the class schedule, rather than integrating it throughout the day across all subjects, diminishes its effectiveness. Viewing SEL merely as a morning block minimizes its importance and impact on our students. Additionally, it is crucial for educators, school counselors, parents, and administrators—who together form a support system for students—to collaborate and understand the purpose of SEL. Counselors can help explain SEL’s role to students and highlight its academic benefits, which is a concern that many teachers share.

Josue Hernandez/ FIU

Using Technology to Maximize Student Availability and Reduce Counselor Workload
Technology offers ways for counselors to effectively mitigate the increasing responsiblities. In recent focus, using AI tools in creating professional content efficiently. Counselors can embrace a technological approach to maximize their availability and capacity for students.

Antonio Belavilas & Al Holcomb/ USF

Counseling for Gifted Students: Addressing Perfectionism and Social Isolation
Gifted students often feel immense pressure to meet high expectations, leading to perfectionistic tendencies that can cause anxiety. Additionally, many gifted students struggle with social isolation due to feeling different from their peers, which can lead to loneliness.

Brooke He & Belinda Hilliard/ UF

The Grit of School Counselors
Grit- a combination of passion and perseverance for long-term goals. It is important for both school counselors and students to obtain. School counselors have many hats to juggle- do they approach these with passion or perseverance? How can school counselors work to improve grit among students?

Megan Rhodes/ UCF

Empowering Students: A Holistic Approach to Career Development and Postsecondary Planning
The problem being addressed is the lack of tailored career development strategies for students from diverse backgrounds and with varying interests. Many students struggle to navigate postsecondary options due to insufficient support that reflects their unique needs and aspirations. This gap can lead to missed opportunities and a lack of preparedness for future careers. By focusing on inclusive and comprehensive career planning, we can help ensure that all students have the resources and guidance necessary to succeed in their postsecondary journeys.

Meg Caldwell & Lukas Losiak/ USF

Fostering Social Skills and Friendships in Middle School
This poster addresses the difficulties immigrant middle school students face in developing social skills and forming friendships. These students also encounter cultural and language barriers that can hinder their social interactions and integration into the school community. I will present effective counseling strategies and programs to support all students in building strong social skills and meaningful friendships, fostering an inclusive and supportive school environment.

Jing Zhang/ USF