Workshop 5: A Review of Trauma-Informed/CBT Principles   

Presentor: Adriana Silva, LCSW - Teaching Instructor, St. Joseph's University (NY)

This workshop, offers a learning opportunity for experienced elementary, middle, and high school school counselors. As the mental health needs of students continue to rise, trauma-informed (TI) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) principles provide essential tools for fostering emotional resilience and positive behavioral outcomes in youth. Participants will review the foundational concepts of trauma-informed principles, emphasizing how understanding adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and their impacts can shape more effective and compassionate interventions. Additionally, counselors will explore

core CBT underpinnings tailored to the school environment, including cognitive

restructuring and coping skills development. The session will review how applying TI-CBT can address common issues such as anxiety and stress.

Attendees will be better equipped to:

1. Identify the key principles of trauma-informed practices.

2. Explore fundamental cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques that can be adapted

for addressing common student mental health challenges, such as anxiety and stress.

3. Employ trauma-sensitive and CBT-informed approaches to school counseling

practices to foster students' emotional well-being and resilience.

Workshop 7: Letters of Recommendation: How to Write Just Right 

Presenters:

Suzanne Miller - Assistant Director of Admissions, SUNY Geneseo and Kate Anderson - Associate Director of Admissions, SUNY Oswego

This presentation delves into the art of composing compelling and effective letters of

recommendation for high school students by counselors. As vital components of

college and scholarship applications, these letters play a pivotal role in shaping the perception of a student’s character, achievements, and potential. The session will explore key strategies for personalizing recommendations, emphasizing unique strengths, and addressing potential challenges, including the ways to use–and not use–Artificial Intelligence.

Workshop 8. You And I are Community 

Presenter: Lysa Mullady - Deauville Gardens East Elementary Counselor & NYSSCA President

As elementary counselors, we seek to create programs that help every student obtain

the skills needed to be successful in school. This workshop will outline multi-tiered

initiatives that you can implement to support the ever-increasing needs of our

elementary students.