You already know IEP goals need to be written in the SMART format. That seems easier with goals related to reading decoding. But, how do you write goals that address coping skills in a SMART format? Here are two tips.
Tip 1: Write Goals That Reflect the Whole Student
Counseling goals do more than reduce “negative behaviors” or “emotional symptoms.” Instead of focusing on what the student won’t do—like “decrease anxiety”—focus on what they will do.
For example, rather than writing “Zack will decrease symptoms of depression,” a SMART approach would be: “By next year, Zack will use coping strategies learned in counseling to manage stress in academic settings, improving from 3 out of 10 times (baseline) to 6 out of 10 times as measured by weekly student feedback forms.”
This reframes the goal as a growth target, not a deficit. It builds ownership and emphasizes progress the student can see and feel.
Tip #2: Base Every Goal on Data and Link it to Services
Goals drive the services students receive. Progress monitoring, behavioral observations, attendance data, and teacher input all provide valuable insight. When your goals are rooted in evidence, they become defensible, meaningful, and personalized. When data drives your counseling goals, it clarifies what matters most: helping students not only cope but grow.
Looking for more? Join the Prepared School Psych community and gain immediate access to a growing collection of mini-courses focused on counseling in the school setting, designed to support practical, school-based work.
