83. From Crisis To Calm: Understanding the Law of Diminishing Returns in School Counseling

In this episode of Counselor Chat, we’re diving into an economic concept that might not seem like it applies to school counseling—but trust me, it does!

We’re talking about the Law of Diminishing Returns and how it affects your time, energy, and impact as a school counselor.

Ever feel like the more you give, the less you’re able to accomplish? That’s because constantly responding to crises can lead to burnout and prevent you from making the systemic changes that truly benefit all students.

In this episode, I’ll walk you through how to recognize when you’re stuck in the “crisis trap” and offer actionable steps to break free.

Key Takeaways:

• The Law of Diminishing Returns: What it is and why it matters in school counseling.
• The Crisis Trap: How focusing solely on crises can prevent long-term growth in your counseling program.
• Prioritizing Prevention: Why classroom lessons, small groups, and empowering teachers can help reduce the number of crises you face.
• Using Data to Advocate for Change: How to track your time and outcomes to show administrators why shifting focus to prevention can benefit the entire school.
• Collaborating with Teachers: Tips on building stronger relationships with teachers so they can handle smaller crises before they escalate to your office.

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going! Do you feel stuck in crisis mode? Have a strategy that’s worked for you? I’d love to hear about it! Send me a message, and let’s chat about how you can focus on what really matters—making a lasting impact on all your students.

Resources Mentioned:

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Grab the Show Notes: Counselingessentials.org/podcast

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