The Importance of SELF-Care Betsy O'Neill-Sheehan, LCSWSchool Counselor Throughout my 17 years in education, there have been certain buzzwords that have been hot at different times. Did you notice that we don’t say “rigor” so much anymore? Now it’s “robust.” That’s cool. We should stay on top of current trends. But I cringe when certain... Continue Reading →
Take a Moment to Think about IT
-Betsy O'Neill-Sheehan, MSW - School Counselor Opening school year 2020 is a whole new kind of show whichever path your district is on. Some teachers say they feel like they are in their first year of teaching again, there is so much new to learn. Just like the new educators we once were, we gather... Continue Reading →
Thoughts And Prayers
-Betsy O'Neill-Sheehan, LCSW Liam, at age 8, marking the Church parking lot., because though the doors are closed, our hearts are open. Today I looked into the eyes of a friend who is losing a loved one to COVID_19. It was through the safety and screen of our technology as we Facetimed. I felt a... Continue Reading →
With a Little Help From My Friends: How to Support your Local Artists
Grace O'Malley - Queen of The Sea as pictured today, December, 30, 2019, on the Amazon Bestsellers in Children's European History. Thank you followers! Betsy O'Neill-Sheehan, LCSW If I were to venture out for an evening, I find out where my favorite local musicians are (such as Jon O'Neill & Pete Maserati.) If I'm bringing... Continue Reading →
Her Memory Lens
-Betsy O’Neill-Sheehan, LCSW The picture of the picture... Sometimes I look at my Facebook and Insta albums after my kids go to sleep. You’d think that I’d had enough and would want to put my focus onto something else, take a break from mothering, but these are some of my quiet happy moments, honoring the... Continue Reading →
Dear Children, There’s No Such Thing as Naughty.
From Liam Sheehan, Age 8 -Betsy O'Neill-Sheehan, LCSW She came in from recess tearful about another student misinterpreting her innocent comment about a snowman. For this story, I will call her "Destiny". Just weeks before Christmas, Destiny's fate was changing. She was in line for an adoptive placement. Her history and life's story up to... Continue Reading →
Will He Speak? – Part 3 – Intentional Fun
Betsy O'Neill-Sheehan Sometimes silliness sets the tone for safe risk taking. I can't tell you how many times someone has insinuated to me that all we school counselors do is play games. I admit. We do play games. Purposeful, fun, social skills and emotional regulation building... games. That's certainly not all we do (but that's... Continue Reading →
Will He Speak? – (Part 2) It Takes a Village
-Betsy O'Neill-Sheehan It was the very end of the 2018-2019 school year when my first grade buddy struggling with Selective Mutism uttered his whisper in a tent into a Chatterpix in my office. His beautiful picture now depicted a cartoon version of himself lifting through the clouds with the heartening assertion, "I'm not scared." His... Continue Reading →
Will he speak? – A Story of a Student with Selective Mutism
-Betsy O'Neill-Sheehan I don't have favorites, but if I did, he'd definitely be one of them. He has eyes that tell a million stories. His smile gives away his silly side. I've worked with him for over a year, but he's never said one word to me. Not one real word. My little buddy has... Continue Reading →
A Recipe for Goodbye:
When Your Child Hesitates to Separate -Betsy O'Neill-Sheehan, MSW Sometimes it's the first day. Sometimes it's two weeks in. Sometimes it's upon the return from a prolonged break. School starts and you wonder in your parental heart, "How will my child react this time?" So you pack the lunch, set the backpack by the door,... Continue Reading →
EnlightenED 