Counselor Chat Podcast

Welcome back to Counselor Chat ! In this episode, we’re diving into the often-overlooked but incredibly powerful tool of small talk . Whether you’re working with a shy first-grader or a skeptical high schooler, small talk is more than just casual chitchat—it’s a bridge to building trust, setting the tone, and paving the way for meaningful conversations. Here’s what we’ll cover: Episode Highlights:...

National School Counseling Week is just around the corner, and this episode of Counselor Chat is all about helping you make it memorable! Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned pro, I'm sharing creative ideas, advocacy tips, and time-saving strategies to celebrate your work, engage your school community, and amplify your impact. From fun activities like counselor coffee chats and student shout...

New Year, new resolutions to get organized! In this episode of Counselor Chat , I’m tackling one of the biggest challenges we face as school counselors — time management . Between unexpected crises, back-to-back meetings, and never-ending to-do lists, it’s easy to feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day. But guess what? Time management isn’t about squeezing more into your schedule — it’s ab...

Are you constantly saying "yes" to everything and feeling overwhelmed? In this episode of Counselor Chat , we’re tackling a topic that hits home for many school counselors: overcommitment . As natural helpers, we often feel the urge to take on more, but saying yes to everything can quickly lead to burnout. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 🎯 Why overcommitment is so common among school counselor...

Today, we’re diving deep into the power of mentorship in school counseling. Whether you’re a seasoned professional ready to share your expertise or a newbie looking for guidance, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you thrive. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: The Emotional Phases of Counseling : From the excitement of starting out to the rejuvenation and reflection phases, le...

Welcome to a special holiday episode of Counselor Chat Podcast ! As we head into the festive season, it’s important to remember that the holidays aren’t joyful for everyone. In this episode, we’re exploring how to foster gratitude, recognize the value of every gift, and support our students and colleagues during this emotionally charged time of year. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: A Meaningful...

In this episode of Counselor Chat , I’m joined by Dr. Cayce Batts, Social Work Educator and former K-12 School Social Worker in Kentucky, to explore the power of collaboration between school counselors and social workers. If you’ve ever wondered how these roles can work together seamlessly to better serve students, this conversation is for you! Cayce and I dive into the unique strengths and focus...

In this episode of the Counselor Chat Podcast , I sit down with Sarah Altman, a seasoned elementary school counselor with 20 years of experience at Sycamore Elementary in Indiana. Sarah gives us an inspiring and detailed look at what it’s like to manage the daily ups and downs of school counseling while building meaningful relationships with students, staff, and families. From her creative lesson...

Welcome back to another episode of Counselor Chat ! Today, I’m thrilled to share a conversation with the one and only Julia Cook. Julia is a former counselor and celebrated author whose books like My Mouth Is a Volcano and Tattle Tongue are staples on school counseling shelves across the nation. In this episode, Julia shares her journey from writing her first book to creating a collection that’s b...

In this episode of Counselor Chat, I'm thrilled to be joined by two inspiring elementary school counselors, Allie and Elizabeth from North Carolina. These two bring such incredible passion to their work, and today they’re giving us an inside look into the joys, challenges, and creative solutions they use to support their students. We dive into what a “typical” day (if there even is one!) looks lik...

In this heartfelt episode of Counselor Chat, I'm diving deep into one of the core challenges many school counselors face: feeling like the effort you’re putting in doesn’t always lead to visible results. Inspired by a powerful anonymous post from a fellow counselor, Through real-life stories and insights, I share how just being present for a student, offering a kind word, or modeling integrity can...

In this special Halloween-themed episode of Counselor Chat , we’re diving into how we can use our leftover Halloween candy in our school counseling program! In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Candy Introductions – Use M&Ms or Skittles as a fun icebreaker. Each color represents a different question for students to answer, encouraging them to share something about themselves. Candy Tower Challenge –...

In this episode of Counselor Chat , we’re diving into an economic concept that might not seem like it applies to school counseling—but trust me, it does! We’re talking about the Law of Diminishing Returns and how it affects your time, energy, and impact as a school counselor. Ever feel like the more you give, the less you’re able to accomplish? That’s because constantly responding to crises can le...

In this special Halloween-themed episode of Counselor Chat , we’re diving into the “school counselor scaries”—those fears and worries that often haunt us in our role as school counselors. From serious concerns like student safety and mental health to the lighter worries like navigating school politics or surviving Monday mornings, we’re covering it all! Key Takeaways: Active Shooter Drills: A fear...

In this episode, we’re tackling one of the most challenging aspects of being a school counselor: navigating difficult conversations with parents. From discussing mental health concerns to addressing student safety, these conversations can be emotional, unpredictable, and downright tough. But with the right approach, you can turn even the most uncomfortable moments into opportunities for meaningful...

Welcome to another episode of Counselor Chat ! Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s crucial for every school: fostering an anti-bullying culture. While October is National Bullying Prevention Month, building a supportive, bully-free environment is something we should be doing year-round. In this episode, we explore practical strategies and activities to help you create a culture of kindness and...

In today’s episode, I’m diving into something that I know so many of us struggle with—how to fit everything into our school counseling program. With all the different awareness months, SEL lessons, and building needs, it can feel like we’re being pulled in a million different directions. And let's be honest, sometimes it just feels like too much. Key Takeaways : It’s okay to not cover everything:...

In this episode, I’m diving into one of the most important topics we face as school counselors—suicide prevention. As someone who has experienced the heartbreaking reality of losing students to suicide, this topic is very personal for me. But it’s also a call to action for all of us. Here’s what you can expect from today’s episode: I share my own experiences as a school counselor and how suicide h...

In this episode of Counselor Chat , we’re diving into a fun and insightful activity that can be a game-changer for your next faculty meeting or even for use with students— The Leadership Compass . This activity helps individuals identify their leadership style based on four compass directions: North, South, East, and West. Whether you’re a “take charge” North, a “big picture” East, a “detail-orien...

In this episode, I’m sharing my top ten strategies for school counselors to start the school year successfully. Whether you’re returning to a familiar school or stepping into a new one, these tips will help you build strong relationships, organize your counseling program, and set up a solid foundation for the year. Episode Highlights: Build Relationships : Start the year by connecting with both re...

As school counselors, we often rely on data to prove our effectiveness. But here's the reality: not everything we do can be measured. Some of the most impactful moments we create with students are those that can't be quantified, yet they leave a lasting impression. In this episode, we dive into: The Importance of Counselor Habits: Discover why the small, daily actions we take can have a big impact...

In this episode of Counselor Chat, we explore leadership through the lens of the "Leadership from a Dancing Guy" video. This simple yet powerful video can be a tool for school counselors to ignite movements within their school communities. By embracing the role of a leader, even when it feels like dancing alone, school counselors can inspire students, teachers, and parents to create a positive, in...

In this second episode of our Back to School series, I’m diving into a topic that’s incredibly important for us as school counselors—how to make sure the vital work we do doesn’t go unnoticed. Too often, despite the significant impact we have, our efforts can go unseen by those around us. In this episode, I emphasize the importance of: Advocating for Our Role: Ensuring that the value of our work i...

Episode Summary: This episode kicks off a special series dedicated to sharing valuable lessons and advice to help school counselors have their best year ever. Drawing inspiration from James Clear’s book Atomic Habits , Carol discusses the profound impact of habits on personal identity and professional effectiveness. She shares practical strategies for habit formation, such as habit stacking and th...

Key Points Covered: The Role of Data in School Counseling: Data as a tool for informed decision-making. The significance of proactive interventions in student support. Types of Data School Counselors Can Collect: Academic performance data (grades, test scores, attendance). Behavioral data (disciplinary incidents, attendance patterns, social-emotional skills). Surveys and assessments (career intere...