Sustainable School Counseling: Using Boundaries to Prevent Burnout

School counselors are deeply committed to supporting students, families, and school communities, often at the expense of their own well-being. This presentation explores boundary-setting as an essential and often overlooked form of self-care, not a lack of dedication. Participants will examine how unclear or overextended boundaries contribute to burnout, emotional exhaustion, compassion fatigue, and role overload. Through reflection and practical application, counselors will identify common boundary challenges in school counseling and learn concrete strategies for setting and maintaining healthy boundaries around time, roles, emotional labor, and expectations. Emphasis will be placed on sustainability, ethical practice, and modeling wellness for students and staff, empowering counselors to care for themselves as intentionally as they care for others.

About the Presenter

Dr. Brianna Patterson is a high school counselor with more than nine years of experience and an adjunct professor at the University of North Florida, where she has taught for the past five years. She is a passionate advocate for school counselors’ well-being and has presented at state and national conferences, including FSCA and ASCA. Recognized as the 2025 Duval County School Counselor of the Year and the 2026 Florida School Counselor of the Year, Dr. Patterson is committed to advancing college and career readiness, advocating for the role of school counselors, and promoting sustainable self-care practices within the profession.