Episode 55: Creating Safety: How School Counselors Support Students Through Trauma

In this episode of the I Hear You Say podcast, host Jill Cook, executive director of the American School Counselor Association, and co-host Janae Douglas, ASCA’s education and training coordinator, are joined by Dr. Sylvia Hollins, an experienced school counselor and trauma specialist. Hollins shares her journey into trauma and multicultural counseling and explains how trauma can affect students’ academic performance, behavior and social/emotional development. The conversation explores what it truly means to create trauma-informed school environments – spaces where students feel safe, supported and seen – and why school counselors and educators play a critical role in that work. Hollins offers practical tools, resources and real-world examples of effective crisis response and trauma-informed practices in schools. She also reinforces a powerful takeaway: the presence of caring, regulated adults can significantly reduce the impact of trauma and help students regain a sense of stability and hope. Visit www.schoolcounselor.org to learn more about these offerings, access additional resources and explore professional learning opportunities for school counselors and district leaders.

To further your learning, explore the following ASCA professional development opportunities and resources:

• Trauma and Crisis Management ASCA U Specialist
• Trauma and Crisis Management On-Site Training
• ASCA National Model® Two-Year Districtwide Program
• The School Counselor and Trauma-Informed Practice
• Help Students Navigate Fears About ICE