The authors analyzed findings from a counselor‐delivered social and emotional learning and mindfulness‐based intervention with twenty‐three 3‐ and 4‐year‐olds from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Using a multilevel modeling approach to illustrate students' growth across multiple behavioral observations in a randomized controlled design, the authors found that the treatment group exhibited more self‐regulatory‐related behaviors on days when the intervention occurred. Qualitative analyses revealed that the students adopted kindness language consistent with the intervention. Implications for practice are suggested.

Evidence-based school counseling requires that practitioners and scholars utilize formal counseling theory. Theories that inform school counseling must cohere with the unique needs of students and school environments. Therefore, we propose that school counseling theories must include the following constituents: (a) qualities of students and school environments, (b) empirical and professional endorsements, (c) school counseling customs, and (c) methodological relevance. We describe the utility of these constituents through example using a school counseling–specific theory, the Advocating Student-within-Environment approach.

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