Ohio Counseling Conversations

Send us Fan Mail The biggest behavioral health workforce in Ohio is paid the least—and it’s not because counselors lack skill. We pull back the curtain on the legal and structural gears that keep reimbursement low: antitrust limits that fracture our voice, opaque contracts with nonnegotiable rates, paneling delays that outlast statute, clawbacks that drain small practices, and documentation games...

Send us Fan Mail A Supreme Court showdown is poised to answer a question that could reshape our field: is counseling regulated health care or “just speech”? We sit down with Dr. Chase Morgan-Swaney—assistant professor, clinician, and OCA president-elect—to break down Chiles v. Salazar, the research on SOGICE, and what a ruling could mean for minors, licensure boards, and everyday clinical practice...

Send us Fan Mail We track how Ohio’s SB1 reshapes higher education, how HB 347 collides with reproductive rights rulings, why school mental health screenings matter, and how misinformation about Tylenol and autism spreads fear. We close with a direct push to protect telemental health flexibilities before they expire. • SB1’s impact on DEI offices, syllabi transparency, and training climate • Progr...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how Elsa might benefit from therapy? Or what psychological diagnosis would fit Simba after witnessing his father's death? Our latest episode dives into "The Disney Diagnostic Manual," where we playfully explore beloved animated characters through a therapeutic lens. Animation provides the perfect canvas for examining complex emotions. Characters displa...

Send us Fan Mail When mental health and criminal justice systems intersect, what happens to those caught in the middle? Dr. Em Ribnik, Director of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Center of Excellence at Neomed, takes us deep into this complex terrain where vulnerable individuals often find themselves navigating confusing and sometimes contradictory systems. Drawing from over 15 years of experien...

Send us Fan Mail The policy landscape shaping mental health services is shifting dramatically, with counselors and clients caught at the intersection of progress and concerning rollbacks. The Counseling Compact's expansion to 39 states signals a breakthrough for interstate practice, promising new professional mobility by fall 2025. This advancement stands in stark contrast to troubling federa...

Send us Fan Mail "Is it self-care, self-sabotage, or something else entirely?" In this thought-provoking episode, counselors Marisa and Victoria tackle the complex reality behind our wellness practices. They unravel how the genuine professional concept of self-care has been transformed by pop culture into something often unrecognizable – and sometimes counterproductive. When bubble baths...

Send us Fan Mail Governor DeWine's action on Ohio's state budget brings mixed implications for counselors, with vetoes protecting LGBTQ+ resources but remaining provisions limiting gender-affirming care coverage and establishing binary-only sex policies. The national budget bill (HR1) delivers significant Medicaid cuts that will affect 2.57 million Ohioans enrolled in the program, potent...

Send us Fan Mail Superheroes may save the world, but how do they save themselves? For years, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has built spectacular stories on foundations of trauma without truly addressing the aftermath. From Bruce Banner's offhand mention of a suicide attempt to Thor's depression played for laughs, Marvel has historically struggled to portray mental health with authenticit...

Send us Fan Mail Mary Vicario, LPCC-S and Certified Trauma Specialist, established Finding Hope Consulting in 2007. Recognizing a critical need within community training, she pioneered the translation of complex relational neuroscience into accessible, practical tools for fostering healing, resilience, and hope. Her global influence extends beyond her Cincinnati-based practice, encompassing intern...

Send us Fan Mail Protections for LGBTQ+ youth in Ohio face significant threats through budget proposals and legislative actions that may fundamentally alter counselors' ability to provide ethical, affirming care. Recent developments include proposed restrictions on gender-affirming care, resource access, and support services that would directly impact vulnerable youth populations and create e...

Send us Fan Mail Counselors Victoria Frazier and Marisa Cargilll tackle "the tissue issue," unpacking the subtle yet significant implications of how counselors handle tissues when clients cry. They explore opposing perspectives about whether handing tissues to crying clients is supportive or potentially disruptive to emotional processing as well as how: More traditional counseling approa...

Send us Fan Mail AmandaLynn Reese has dedicated her career to creating positive change in her community, a Cincinnati, Ohio native and a graduate of the Ohio State University. She is the Chief Program Officer at Harm Reduction Ohio (HRO), a national government affairs consultant, and subject matter expert (SME) specializing in harm reduction, naloxone access, and policy development.  Growing up in...

Send us Fan Mail We bridge the gap between clinical practice and policy making in Ohio with a comprehensive look at legislative developments affecting mental health professionals and their clients. • Federal enforcement of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) Final Rule has been paused due to litigation, potentially weakening insurance accountability • Ohio Association of Hea...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Michelle Flaum, LPCC-S, DCMHS, is a Professor in the Department of Counseling at Xavier University and a Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialist in Trauma Counseling and Integrated Behavioral Health Care Counseling. Her groundbreaking book, Managing the Psychological Impact of Medical Trauma: A Guide for Mental Health and Health Care Professionals , is the first to concep...

Send us Fan Mail Yub Kim (he/him) is a Licensed Professional Counselor, bilingual in Korean and English, and passionate about helping people explore and embrace their authentic sexuality.  As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and a sex-work affirming therapist, Yub champions individualized sexual freedom.  He brings a unique and insightful perspective to the widespread issue of sexual illiteracy...

Send us Fan Mail Phil Hughes MA, LPCC-S is a seasoned mental health professional with over a decade of experience supporting diverse populations. As the Assistant Director of Outreach at Bowling Green State University Counseling Center, he combines clinical expertise with a passion for fostering mental health awareness. Phil specializes in working with LGBTQ+ individuals and those navigating chron...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Jillian Lampert (she/her), a distinguished expert with over 30 years dedicated to understanding and treating eating disorders, joins us to shed light on her inspiring journey and profound insights. This episode explores the intricate landscape of eating disorders, focusing on the pervasive effects of diet culture, the impact of social media on body image, and the need for incr...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Stacey Diane Arañez Litam is a renowned expert in mental health, sexology, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). As an Associate Professor, licensed counselor, and clinical sexologist, she has made significant contributions to her field through research, advocacy, and clinical practice. Her work focuses on the intersection of these areas, particularly within...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Brooks Collins-Gaines,  the director of behavioral health at the iPromise Health Quarters in Akron, Ohio, who brings a wealth of experience from her extensive career in community mental health. She shares her passion for reducing the deep-seated mistrust that Black individuals often feel toward healthcare systems and explores how historic and ongo...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Victoria Kress, a highly accomplished counselor and educator with extensive experience in academia, professional organizations, and community service. She has held leadership roles in various counseling organizations, received numerous awards for her advocacy, scholarship, and mentorship, and published extensively on counseling. In light of th...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Michael Lewis, the current president of the Ohio Counseling Association, clinician, and professor, to explore the diverse roles he balances in the counseling profession. We discuss his work with the OCA, including key initiatives and challenges facing counselors in Ohio. He  also shares insights on supporting students and leadership,   his res...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Katie Gamby about how models of wellbeing are practiced, discussed, celebrated, and critiqued within the counseling world. Dr. Katie Gamby, the founder & CEO of The Wellife and LPCC-S, offers us some of her experience and insight as she has navigates her own wellbeing across both professional and personal spaces. In con...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Kailey Bradley, a licensed professional counselor and nationally certified counselor, to explore the complexities of childhood and teen grief. Kailey, who is also a fellow in thanatology, shares her extensive experience from her background in hospice work and her passion for advocating for grievers of all ages. Throughout the episode, Kailey empha...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we speak with Dr. Sean Gorby, LPCC, current chairperson for OCA’s Government Relations Committee, about how the counseling profession intersects with the realm of advocacy. During our conversation we were able to ask about the success and happenings in our most recent Legislative Advocacy Day as well as how his experiences as a clinician, chairperson, legislative...