# 145. How School Counselors Can Support Big Feelings in the New Year Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/counselor-chat-podcast-6074475/145-how-school-counselors-can-support-big-feelings-in-the-new-year Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/counselor-chat-podcast-6074475/145-how-school-counselors-can-support-big-feelings-in-the-new-year.md Podcast: [Counselor Chat Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/counselor-chat-podcast-6074475) Published: 2026-01-14T09:15:00+00:00 Episode link: https://counselingessentials.org/captivate-podcast/145-how-school-counselors-can-support-big-feelings-in-the-new-year Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/0735de2b-f4a9-4e91-b9a1-2baa7930deb7.mp3 Processing state: not_requested JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/counselor-chat-podcast-6074475/episodes/145-how-school-counselors-can-support-big-feelings-in-the-new-year Duration seconds: 715 ## Resource January can feel especially tough in schools. Big emotions, increased anxiety, mood changes, and shutdown behaviors often show up as students transition back from break. In this episode, I’m breaking down why January feels so hard, and what school counselors can do to support students in ways that are compassionate, practical, and sustainable. In this episode, I discuss: Why January creates emotional and behavioral shifts for students How anxiety shows up differently across age groups The difference between behavior problems and regulation problems Why predictability is essential for reducing anxiety Counselor strategies to restore safety and routine Low-pressure Tier 1 lesson ideas for January Small group supports for anxiety, coping skills, and transitions Trauma-informed practices that prioritize connection before correction Key Quote from the Episode “Anxiety increases when predictability decreases.” Counselor Takeaway January isn’t about fixing feelings or pushing through. It’s about regrounding, rebuilding routines, and helping students feel safe enough to learn again. Small supports matter—and they add up. Thank you for showing up for your students and for yourself. Your work matters more than you know. Grab the Show Notes: Counselingessentials.org/podcast Join Perks Counseling Club Membership and get the lessons, small group and individual counseling materials you need. Join now and get your first month free when you sign up for 3 months! Connect with Carol: TpT Store Counseling Essentials Website Instagram Facebook Elementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook Group Caught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook Group High School Counselor Connection Facebook Group Mentioned in this episode: Perks Membership ## Actions - request_transcript: `POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/counselor-chat-podcast-6074475/episodes/145-how-school-counselors-can-support-big-feelings-in-the-new-year/transcription-requests` — Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode. - read_markdown: `GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/counselor-chat-podcast-6074475/145-how-school-counselors-can-support-big-feelings-in-the-new-year.md` — Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource. A page view does not enqueue transcription. Agents should invoke `request_transcript` explicitly when they need this episode processed. ## Transcript Full transcripts are not published on public pages unless there is a clear rights basis.