In this powerful episode, we sit down with Monica Langer, a licensed mental health counselor from New York City, to explore the critical need for trauma-informed practices in schools. Monica shares her personal journey, reflecting on her own challenges as a student and now as a counselor. She reveals the profound impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on students’ mental health, the increase in anxiety disorders, and the coping mechanisms that can make a difference in post-pandemic education. Tune in to learn about essential strategies for supporting students emotionally, fostering resilience, and collaborating effectively with teachers to address mental health in the classroom.

Key Points and Takeaways:

1. Monica’s Journey – Monica discusses her background, from her struggles as a student in school to becoming a licensed mental health counselor. She highlights how her own experiences with mental health inspired her work today.
2. The Impact of COVID-19 on Students' Mental Health – Monica emphasizes the rise in anxiety disorders, particularly health and social anxiety among students, following the pandemic. She explores how these anxieties manifest in the classroom.
3. Coping Strategies for Students – Discussion on effective techniques Monica uses with her students, including grounding techniques like the 5-4-3-2-1 method, breathing exercises, and the butterfly hug.
4. The Role of School Mental Health Providers – Monica elaborates on the importance of having mental health professionals in schools and the collaborative relationship between counselors and teachers to address students’ social and emotional needs.
5. Overcoming Social Anxiety in Classrooms – Practical strategies for helping students who avoid social situations, including advocating with teachers and promoting assertiveness skills among students.
6. Barriers to Accessing Mental Health Services – Monica highlights the challenges counselors face in reaching every student due to time constraints and the limitations set by academic performance metrics.
7. Transition to a Clinical Setting – Monica shares her decision to move from working in schools to becoming a pediatric clinician, emphasizing her passion for direct counseling work.
8. Message to Educators and Administrators – Monica calls for schools to prioritize mental health resources, advocating for more support from administration, better spaces for confidential counseling, and increased recognition of the counselor’s role.
9. **TO CONTACT MONICA LANGER:**mblanger11@gmail.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-langer-lmhc-0b6324b0/
10. #MentalHealthInSchools #TraumaInformedEducation #ChildCounseling #CopingStrategiesForKids #PostPandemicEducation #SocialAnxiety #SchoolCounselors #StudentMentalHealth #ResilienceInEducation #TraumaRecovery