A Survival Guide for Rural School Counselors and Solo Practitioners: A Virtual Event

10/01/2026

ISAC is pleased to invite you to join us for a virtual author event on October 14 with Franciene Sabens, M.S.Ed., LPC, NCC, as she discusses her new book, A Survival Guide for Rural School Counselors and Solo Practitioners: Practical Strategies Aligned to Professional Standards, Survival Tactics, Tools, Preventive Measures, and Stories from the Field.

In her latest book, Sabens addresses the challenges, responsibilities, and impact of rural school counselors while delivering practical strategies to help navigate these complexities. Written by rural school counselors for school counselors, the book delivers firsthand stories, best practices, and unique insights based on real-life experiences in the field. This is an important book for new and seasoned counselors in rural settings that offers solutions, strategies, and creative approaches to implementing and sustaining comprehensive and impactful school counseling programs.

Please share widely with anyone in your personal and professional networks who may be interested in this event.

The sixty-minute program will take place virtually via Webex at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, October 14. Program participants are eligible to receive continuing education (CE) and professional development (PD) hours at the rate of one per contact hour.

Space is limited, and registration is required. Please register here to secure your spot.

Franciene Sabens, M.S.Ed., LPC, NCC, is a veteran school counselor with over 17 years of experience. Her academic background includes degrees from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and multiple ASCA U specializations. She is a member of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Ethics Committee and the National Council for the Advancement of Educator Ethics (a special NASDTEC Committee) and serves as a board member for the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. In 2014 and 2025, Franciene was named Illinois High School Counselor of the Year; she was also honored by ASCA in 2016 at the White House as the Illinois state representative for the School Counselor of the Year ceremony.

She contributed to the previous and current Developmental Counseling Models for Illinois Schools, co-edited the second edition of the School Career Development Advisor Curriculum for the National Career Development Association, and served on the Illinois advisory committee that created the Illinois PaCE, a recognized statewide postsecondary and career expectations framework. Franciene has also contributed to CNN, NPR, and Voice of America, and is a frequent, well-respected national presenter who is passionate about helping school counselors implement comprehensive school counseling programs that meet students' changing needs and support them in reaching their full potential. Franciene is a member of the National Center for Youth Issues' Speakers Bureau and blogs at SchoolCounselorSpace.blogspot.com.

Special Offer: The first 50 registered attendees will receive a copy of A Survival Guide for Rural School Counselors and Solo Practitioners: Practical Strategies Aligned to Professional Standards, Survival Tactics, Tools, Preventive Measures, and Stories from the Field.

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