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“Hurt people hurt people” is an adage that you’ve likely heard before. The notion behind this statement is something along the lines of, “Those who have experienced emotional pain and suffering may lash out and inflict emotional pain on others.” I’m not here to argue the veracity of this oft-quoted saying. Instead, my hope is to see it one day replaced by an altogether different assertion: helped people help people. Every February, we celebrate National School Counseling Week, a …

What’s your superpower?I’m not talking about reading minds, flying, or - my personal favorite - teleportation. The power that all of us have, and that we can choose to use, is the power to help.When I was a school counselor giving guidance lessons for elementary-school children, this was a fun lesson to give. My office walls would be filled with paper superheroes that the students colored and cut out. We would talk about how we all have personal power, and we choose whether we want to help …

H-E-L-P. Four simple letters, yet one of the most difficult words in the English language to say.  From a young age, children are told to “shake it off”, “let it go”, or “get over it”, when they experience minor physical or emotional pain. These messages can come from parents, teachers, coaches, siblings and friends. But what do these messages really teach our children? Do they model compassion? Do they make them feel valued? Do they help them feel supported, safe and protect …