SUMMARY:

In this episode of TLC Connections, Alyssa Brouse sits down with Aaron Bell, LPC, M.Ed., an intervention counselor at Spring-Ford Area High School, for a conversation about what effective school-based counseling looks like when connection comes first.

Aaron shares how he builds trust with high school students by being visible, approachable, and authentic—not just during scheduled counseling sessions, but throughout the school day.

The conversation also explores some of the challenges Aaron sees regularly, including anxiety and school avoidance. Aaron discusses helping students understand what is keeping them from school, build confidence and distress tolerance, develop relaxation and coping skills, and gradually become more comfortable with situations they might otherwi ...