Sabella & Associates · SchoolCounselor.com
Professional
Development
Catalog
Russell A. Sabella, PhD
Workshops · Keynotes · Presentations · Webinars
schoolcounselor.com/professional-development
The E³ Philosophy
Professional development that works — starting today
About This Catalog
Meaningful. Relevant. Practical.
School counselors and educators need professional development that equips them to make a real difference in students’ lives — not just another sit-and-listen session. Every workshop in this catalog is built on 35 years of field experience working with tens of thousands of school counselors, teachers, and educational leaders.
The goal is simple: you walk away able to do your job more effectively, more efficiently, and with greater enjoyment — starting today. Every session can be customized for your district or organization, delivered live or online, in formats ranging from one-hour webinars to full-day workshops to multi-day academies.
Most Popular Package
The Trio Package
Three high-impact training areas combined into one powerful professional development experience.
Professional Development Offerings
Workshops & Presentations
8 Training Areas
Counseling Approach
Solution-Focused School Counseling
Book Available
A practical, strengths-based approach for helping students and stakeholders move forward more effectively. This engaging, experiential workshop places direct emphasis on solutions rather than dwelling on problems — equipping professionals to guide students in recognizing exceptions to challenges, envisioning preferred futures, and leveraging existing strengths.
“To change what we do is to change what we view.”
Applicable in individual counseling, small groups, classroom lessons, consultation, career planning, and parent conferences.
Sample Competencies
- Identify major SFBC principles across a comprehensive program
- Help students & parents identify and move toward solutions
- Use interview methods that initiate change in the first meeting
- Implement the four-step SFBC change process
- Foster solution-focused collaborations with teachers & staff
- Apply SFBC to career planning, groups, and leadership
Data & Accountability
Data Boot Camp for School Counselors & Administrators
39 Videos Included
Step-by-step instruction for accessing, collecting, analyzing, managing, and reporting data. Participants start with the basics and work up to advanced functions including pivot tables, charts, progress monitoring, and closing-the-gap reports. The online version features almost 3.5 hours of video content plus practice spreadsheets and the T.E.A.R.S. add-in.
Live workshop participants receive a free two-year pass to the online Data Boot Camp. Also features the AutoCTG app for automated PowerPoint reporting.
Sample Competencies
- Import data via Google Forms and other tools
- Sort, filter, disaggregate, and analyze differences
- Create useful charts, graphs, and pivot tables
- Conduct a time and task analysis
- Build a narrated, multimedia results report
- Use AI to accelerate all of the above
Technology & Innovation
Exploring AI in School Counseling
Hands-On
Artificial intelligence is already reshaping education. This hands-on workshop offers a practical exploration of today’s generative AI tools — their potential, limitations, and ethical considerations — with real-world applications for the counseling role. Participants discover concrete ways AI can support their work and reclaim time for students.
Whether you’re AI-curious or already experimenting, this session expands your skillset and helps you see AI as a genuine opportunity — not a threat or a gimmick.
Sample Competencies
- Navigate ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Copilot, NotebookLM, MagicSchool.ai
- Apply effective prompting strategies for counseling tasks
- Draft letters, parent emails, and newsletters with AI
- Generate ASCA-aligned surveys and needs assessments
- Create AI-generated visuals for presentations
- Identify ethical, legal, and equity considerations
Student Wellness
Working with Anxious Children and Teens: Strategies & Best Practices
Anxiety is a normal part of living — until it’s not. For many students, persistent and irrational anxiety interferes with daily activities and hinders achievement. This session overviews contributing factors and provides practical interventions school counselors can use immediately as part of a comprehensive program.
Topics: stress factors, progressive muscle relaxation, breathing, decision fatigue, FoMo, biofeedback, solution-focused relaxation, guided imagery, and mindfulness apps.
Sample Competencies
- Understand contributing factors to student stress and anxiety
- Identify five techniques for moving toward calm
- Apply REBT and SFBC principles for stress management
- Describe technology’s role in both creating and relieving stress
Productivity & Technology
Technology Tips, Tricks, and Shortcuts for School Counselors
Part of Trio Package
Learn the most powerful features of Word, Excel, your web browser, and Google tools — plus Dr. Sabella’s most coveted tips and shortcuts that immediately improve productivity and reduce time spent on routine tasks. Available as hands-on laptop training, a demonstration keynote, or half-day session. Fully customizable to your team’s tech competency level.
Sample Competencies
- Insert customized content automatically in Word
- Generate mail-merged letters, certificates, and name tags
- Use browser tab groups, reading mode, and full-page screenshots
- Master Google search tips that save hours of research time
- Record macros to automate repetitive multi-step tasks
- Translate documents and dictate text hands-free
Career & Financial Wellness
School Counselor Side Hustle
Book Available
School counselors are financially undervalued. Until that changes, many need strategies to monetize their unique time and talents beyond the school building. Based on the book by Sabella and Lerner, this inspiring workshop covers everything from setting up your business to promoting your product or service.
Revenue streams: creating resources, authoring books, public speaking, developing tools, selling merchandise, adjunct teaching, and private practice counseling.
Areas Covered
- Creating and selling educational resources
- Authoring a book and getting published
- Launching a public speaking career
- Setting up an LLC or sole proprietorship
- Adjunct teaching and private practice
- Promoting products and services online
Group Counseling & Instruction
Liven Up Your Groups
When done well, small-group counseling and whole-classroom lessons are among the most effective and efficient ways for students to advance knowledge, skills, and attitudes across academic, social-emotional, and career domains. Learn and practice activities that make lessons come alive and actually stick.
Over 25 group activities covered, including BiblioCounseling, CinemaCounseling, Fishbowl, Guided Imagery, Psychodrama, Inner/Outer Circle, Values Clarification, and more.
Activity Types Covered
- Art, music, and movement activities
- Bibliocounseling and CinemaCounseling
- Fishbowl and inner/outer circle formats
- Guided imagery and fantasy exercises
- Psychodrama and values clarification
- Team building and warm-up activities
Clinical Skills
Counseling Theory Review and Practice
Too many school counselors walk into meetings without a clear framework. The most effective ones work from a deliberate toolkit of evidence-based approaches. This practical workshop deepens understanding of counseling theory and sharpens the skills needed to make the most of every meeting with students and stakeholders.
Theories: Person-Centered, REBT, Choice Theory, Behavioral, and Solution-Focused Brief Counseling.
Sample Competencies
- Conduct an effective SFBC interview from start to finish
- Apply the ABCDEs of REBT to challenge irrational thinking
- Use the WDEP and Three Rs frameworks
- Conceptualize student challenges quickly and act purposefully
- Assign meaningful counseling homework and activities
- Select the right approach based on student and situation
About the Trainer
Dr. Russell A. Sabella
Dr. Sabella is a professor of counseling in the College of Education at Florida Gulf Coast University. His research, training, and scholarship concentration includes counseling technology, comprehensive school counseling programs, counseling theory, group counseling, and solution-focused brief counseling.
Over 35 years, he has trained and consulted with tens of thousands of school counselors, educators, parents, and organizational leaders nationwide — conducting 400+ workshops across 40+ states, with an estimated 74,407 total attendees.
He is the author of Solution-Focused School Counseling: The Missing Manual, School Counselor Side Hustle, GuardingKids.com, and SchoolCounselor.com: A Friendly and Practical Guide to the World Wide Web, among other works.
Credentials & Recognition
Ready to Book a Workshop?
Every session is customizable. Reach out directly to discuss your district’s needs, available formats, and pricing.
This catalog is also available at tinyurl.com/sabella-pd
Dr. Russell A. Sabella is currently a Professor in the Department of Counseling in the College of Education, Florida Gulf Coast University and President of Sabella & Associates.