Counselor Chat Podcast

Latest Episodes:

73: Tales From A Train Station: Back To School Series For School Counselors Aug 14, 2024

Show notes

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 is communicated so it doesn’t get overlooked.
Sharing Successes: Highlighting the progress of our students with colleagues and administrators to build awareness and appreciation for the counseling role.
Collaboration is Key: Being seen as integral members of the school team by actively participating in and contributing to the broader educational environment.
Impactful Interventions: Recognizing the power of empathy and understanding in counseling.
Building a Supportive Environment: Advocating for ourselves to help create a school culture where our contributions are respected and supported.

Join me as we explore how to ensure our work is visible, valued, and celebrated as we head into what I hope will be our best school year yet!

Mentioned in this episode:

Perks Membership

72. The Power of Habits: Back To School Series For School Counselors Aug 07, 2024

Show notes

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 the two-minute rule, and emphasizes the importance of self-awareness in developing habits that support wellness and work-life balance.

Key Points:

Introduction to the Atomic Habits book by James Clear.
The concept of habits reflecting identity.
Practical examples of habit formation in personal and professional life.
Strategies like habit stacking and the two-minute rule.
Importance of self-awareness in habit development.

Actionable Tips:

Identify and reflect on your current habits.
Use habit stacking to create new routines.
Implement the two-minute rule to gradually build new habits.
Foster habits that support your wellness and work-life balance.

Resources Mentioned:

Atomic Habits by James Clear

Grab the Show Notes: Counselingessentials.org/podcast

Join Perks Counseling Club Membership and get the lessons, small group and individual counseling materials you need. Join now and get your first month free when you sign up for 3 months!

Connect with Carol:

Mentioned in this episode:

Perks Membership

71. Using Data In Our School Counseling Program Jul 31, 2024

Show notes

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 interests, mental health, school climate).

Using Data to Create Responsive Programs:

Importance of analyzing data to identify trends and underlying issues.
Communicating Data Findings to Stakeholders

Strategies for sharing data effectively:

Data dashboards.
Presentations.
Written reports.

Grab the Show Notes: Counselingessentials.org/podcast

Join Perks Counseling Club Membership and get the lessons, small group and individual counseling materials you need. Join now and get your first month free when you sign up for 3 months!

Connect with Carol:

Mentioned in this episode:

Perks Membership

70. Ten Ways to Use an Ordinary Piece of Paper in School Counseling Jul 24, 2024

Show notes

Today's episode we talk about 10 creative ways to use a plain piece of paper as a powerful school counseling tool

Creative Paper Activities:

1. Mind Mapping:

- Visual representation of thoughts and feelings

- Great for brainstorming and organizing ideas

2. Goal Setting:

- Fold paper into sections for short-term and long-term goals

- Create a roadmap to visualize progress

3. Art Therapy:

- Encourage self-expression and emotional articulation

- Activities like "I am" statements with watercolors

4. Scribble Drawing:

- Eyes-closed scribbling turned into a masterpiece

- Promotes creativity and finding beauty in the unexpected

5. What If Scenarios:

- List and analyze "what if" thoughts

- Differentiate realistic concerns from exaggerated fears

6. Journaling Prompts:

- Use prompts or quotes for reflection and emotional processing

- Option to draw responses

7. Collage Creation:

- Reflect interests, values, and aspirations with cut-out images

- Enhances self-awareness and pride

8. Origami:

- Therapeutic activity promoting mindfulness and relaxation

- Simple projects like paper boats and cootie catchers

9. Letter Writing:

- Write letters to themselves to express thoughts and hopes

- Revisit letters to track personal growth

10. Timelines:

- Chart significant life events or future goals

- Explore identity and experiences

Subscribe and stay tuned for more episodes of Counselor Chat

Feel free to reach out with any questions or feedback. Happy counseling!

Grab the Show Notes: Counselingessentials.org/podcast

Join Perks Counseling Club Membership and get the lessons, small group and individual counseling materials you need. Join now and get your first month free when you sign up for 3 months!

Connect with Carol:

Mentioned in this episode:

Perks Membership

69. Using Mind Mapping In Your School Counseling Program Jul 17, 2024

Show notes

Join me today as we talk all about how to use mind mapping as a school counselor to enhance your school counseling program.

Mind Mapping is a visual technique to organize thoughts, information, and ideas. The benefits of using mind mapping is that it enhances creativity, helps with critical thinking, and eases problem-solving skills.

Steps to Create a Mind Map:

1. Start with a blank paper or whiteboard

2. Place the central thought in the middle

3. Branch out with related ideas and subtopics

4. Avoid judging ideas initially, just brainstorm freely

5. Link and structure thoughts to create a cohesive map

Benefits for School Counseling:

Program Development: Outline goals, strategies, and evaluation methods
Example: Planning a career fair using mind mapping to brainstorm contacts, logistics, and activities
Student Support: Identify needs and design targeted interventions
Categorize support services: academic assistance, mental health resources, career guidance

Effective Mind Mapping Tips:

Begin with a clear central theme or objective
Use keywords or images for ideas
Keep it simple and concise
Embrace creativity and unconventional connections
Keep and revisit the mind map for ongoing revisions

Contact Information:

Subscribe and stay tuned for more episodes of Counselor Chat
Email me at Carol@CounselingEssentials.org

Feel free to reach out with any questions or feedback. Happy mind mapping!

Grab the Show Notes: Counselingessentials.org/podcast

Join Perks Counseling Club Membership and get the lessons, small group and individual counseling materials you need. Join now and get your first month free when you sign up for 3 months!

Connect with Carol:

Mentioned in this episode:

Perks Membership

68. What You Need To Know For The ASCA Conference With Brandy Thompson Jul 10, 2024

Show notes

Tips for Attending the ASCA Conference & Exciting Updates!

Join Brandy Thompson as she takes over the Counselor Chat podcast for this episode! Brandy shares valuable tips for making the most of your ASCA conference experience. Get ready for essential packing advice, networking strategies, and must-see sessions.

**Key Points:**

ASCA Conference Tips:

- Wear comfortable shoes and pack light.

- Bring a sweater for cold conference rooms.

- Download the conference app for updates and schedules.

- Don’t miss the exhibit hall for networking and discovering new resources.

- Participate in social events and mixers to meet fellow counselors.

- Utilize social media and follow the hashtag #ASCA24 for real-time updates.

Exploring Kansas City:

- Visit the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, National WWI Museum, Kansas City Zoo, and more.

- Enjoy local BBQ at Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que or Arthur Bryant’s.

Booth 506: Visit Carol and Brandi at the exhibit hall for the Perks Counseling Content Club. Get exclusive swag and learn about their comprehensive counseling resources.

Links and Resources:

- 2024 Summer Counselor Conference Registration

Follow Brandy at:

The Counseling Teacher

The Counseling Teacher Brandy on TpT

Perks Content Club

Subscribe & Review:

- Follow us on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to help others find the show!

Thanks for tuning in! Until next time, enjoy your ASCA conference and happy conferencing!

---

Feel free to make adjustments to fit your style and specific needs!

Resources Mentioned:

Summer Counselor Conference

Mentioned in this episode:

Perks Membership

67. Effective Strategies for Advisories and SEL with Leslie Cuprill Jul 03, 2024

Show notes

In this episode:

I am thrilled to have my friend Leslie from Informed Decisions join us. Leslie is a fantastic social worker based in Brooklyn, New York, with a wealth of experience working with diverse groups, including court-involved youth, LGBTQ+ individuals, teen mothers, special needs populations, and fellow educators.

Leslie shares her invaluable insights on advisories and SEL (Social Emotional Learning) programs, providing practical advice and real-world examples to help school counselors effectively engage their students and create impactful programs.

Key Highlights:

Leslie’s Background: Get to know Leslie and her extensive experience working with various populations and settings.
Starting from Scratch: Leslie offers actionable tips for counselors who are new to advisories and SEL programs or need to start from scratch.
Importance of Space and Resources: Learn how understanding your space and available resources can significantly impact the success of your programs.
Using Existing Resources: Discover the value of connecting with existing programs and curriculums to avoid reinventing the wheel and save time.
Collecting and Using Data: Leslie emphasizes the importance of data collection in demonstrating the impact of your programs to administration and stakeholders.
Favorite Groups and Programs: Leslie shares her favorite types of groups and programs to run, and why advisory programs hold a special place in her heart.
Practical Tips: From over-planning to the magic of lamination, Leslie and I share our top tips for staying organized and prepared.

Special Mention: Leslie will also be one of our esteemed presenters at the 2024 Summer Counselor Conference!

Don’t miss the opportunity to learn from her extensive experience and practical advice.

Connect with Leslie:

Links Leslie mentioned:

Youth to Youth- This is the program that models alternatives to using drugs and/or alcohol
Social Emotional Learning and Advisory Survey -This resources allows students to provide their input. Which helps you form connections and see what topics they are interested in discussing. The resource includes both a handout and digital survey
10 simple Tips for Forming Connections in an Advisory or SEL Class - Getting student buy-in
9 easy ways of getting principal buy-in for anadvisory and sel program

Resources Mentioned:

Grab the Show Notes: Counselingessentials.org/podcast

Join Perks Counseling Club Membership and get the lessons, small group and individual counseling materials you need. Join now and get your first month free when you sign up for 3 months!

Connect with Carol:

Mentioned in this episode:

Perks Membership

66. Summer Routines for School Counselors Jun 26, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of Counselor Chat, I'm diving into the importance of establishing a balanced summer routine for school counselors.

I should forewarn you—this episode might stir some debate about summer routines for school counselors, but it’s important to talk about.

Key Takeaways:

Rest and Relaxation:

Importance of taking time to rest and rejuvenate
Enjoying quality moments with family and friends

Reflect and Plan:

Reflecting on the past school year
Setting goals for the upcoming school year

Professional Development:

Engaging in workshops and online courses
Highlights of the Summer Counselor Conference

Organization:

Tips for decluttering and organizing personal and professional spaces

Connect and Collaborate:

Building and maintaining a professional network

Self-Care:

Focusing on overall wellness, including physical and mental health

Resources Mentioned:

Summer Counselor Conference

Grab the Show Notes: Counselingessentials.org/podcast

Join Perks Counseling Club Membership and get the lessons, small group and individual counseling materials you need. Join now and get your first month free when you sign up for 3 months!

Connect with Carol:

Mentioned in this episode:

Perks Membership

65. Afterschool Programs with Jenice Lee Jun 19, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of Counselor Chat, I sit down with Jenice Lee. a youth development consultant and the voice behind the podcast School After Hours. Jenice shares her extensive experience and insights on the importance of after-school programs, their benefits, and how school counselors can effectively collaborate with these programs to create a cohesive and supportive school culture.

Topics Discussed:

The 2024 Summer Counselor Conference details and how to register
Benefits of after-school programs for student growth and engagement
Strategies for building successful after-school programs
The role of school counselors in supporting and partnering with after-school programs
Tips for starting your own after-school sessions, including research and community partnerships
Examples of successful after-school programs and their impact on students
How to secure funding and resources for long-term program sustainability

Connect With Jenice:

Website: https://www.schoolafterhours.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/schoolafterhours
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/schoolafterhours/

Join the conference: https://carol-miller-counseling-essentials.mykajabi.com/a/2147845963/ND9oBmLW

Grab the Show Notes: Counselingessentials.org/podcast

Join Perks Counseling Club Membership and get the lessons, small group and individual counseling materials you need. Join now and get your first month free when you sign up for 3 months!

Connect with Carol:

Mentioned in this episode:

Perks Membership

64. Elementary, Middle and High School Counseling: Let's Compare with Jordan Tatom Jun 12, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of Counselor Chat, we dive into:

An inspiring conversation with Jordan Tatom, a high school counselor from Tennessee, who shares his unique journey from K-8 to high school counseling.
Insights into the challenges and rewards of transitioning between different educational levels.
Practical advice for school counselors considering a change in their career paths.
The differences in responsibilities and interactions when working with elementary, middle, and high school students.
Details about the 2024 Summer Counselor Conference
Highlights of Jordan's session at the upcoming conference, where he will dive deeper into the differences between educational levels and what to expect when transitioning.

Tune in to learn more about navigating these changes and enhancing your impact on student growth and success.

Links Mentioned:

Meet Jordan: