Counselor Chat Podcast

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**Counselor Chat Podcast**

Counselor Chat is a podcast for School Counselors. If you’re looking for inspiration, collaboration, easy to implement strategies and a bit of joy, you’ll want to listen along with your host, Carol Miller from Counseling Essentials. Share in some real talk and get tips, tricks and learn about tools of the trade with Carol and listen in as she interviews other school counselors who are experts in the field as they share their advice and enjoy a few laughs.

Latest Episodes:

153. Shamrocks, Rainbows and Gold: St. Patrick’s Day SEL That Actually Works Mar 11, 2026

Show notes

153. Shamrocks, Rainbows, and Gold: St. Patrick’s Day SEL That Actually Works

March in an elementary school often comes with a little extra magic.

Leprechaun footprints.

Construction paper rainbows.

Gold coins hidden in classrooms.

But seasonal fun doesn’t have to mean fluffy lessons.

In this episode, I'm sharing creative ways to turn St. Patrick’s Day excitement into meaningful social-emotional learning experiences that students will actually remember.

You’ll hear simple strategies you can use right away to teach growth mindset, resilience, goal setting, impulse control, and emotional regulation — all while leaning into the fun of the season.

As I remind students during one of these lessons:

“Some people think leprechauns bring the gold… but what if the real gold comes from effort?”

In This Episode

• A Luck vs Effort growth mindset lesson students love

• How to use rainbows to teach goal setting

• Turning leprechaun traps into problem-solving activities

• A character traits treasure hunt with gold coins

• A gratitude shift from “I’m lucky because…” to “I worked hard for…”

• A playful impulse control lesson: Leprechaun Trick or Think

• Rainbow Regulation coping strategies for younger students

These activities help students understand that success isn’t about luck.

It’s about effort, perseverance, and learning along the way.

Seasonal lessons can absolutely be fun.

But when you add purpose, reflection, and conversation, they become something much more powerful.

Because when students are laughing, engaged, and thinking…

That’s when the learning sticks.

And that might just be the real pot of gold.

Resources Mentioned

Luck vs Effort Lesson

Lucky Day Icebreakers

Being Golden with your Cyber Smarts

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:

152. MTSS-B Made Simple: How Teams Decide What Students Really Need Mar 04, 2026

Show notes

Behavior concerns often land squarely on the school counselor’s shoulders, leaving counselors feeling overwhelmed, reactive, and stretched thin.

In this episode of Counselor Chat, I'm breaking down MTSS for Behavior (MTSSB) in a clear, practical way that centers teamwork, intentional decision-making, and counselor sustainability.

This conversation moves away from compliance and paperwork and toward systems that actually work for students and the adults who support them.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

What MTSSB really means and why it matters
The difference between reacting to behavior and responding intentionally
Why behavior decisions should always be team-based
How to think about Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 supports without overwhelm
What data-informed decisions look like in real school settings
How a clear intervention menu reduces emotional decision-making and burnout

Key Quote

“MTSSB isn’t about reacting faster. It’s about responding smarter.”

Reflection Questions from the Episode:

Who is currently making Tier 2 behavior decisions in your building?
What data are you actually using, and is it useful?
Do you have a clear intervention menu, or are you reinventing the wheel each time?

Resources Mentioned:

MTSS Behavior Toolkit

Behavior Choice Survey Bundle

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:

151. The Words Matter: Small Language Shifts That Make a Big Difference Feb 25, 2026

Show notes

Episode 151: The Words Matter: Small Language Shifts That Make a Big Difference

The words we use as school counselors matter more than we sometimes realize.

In this practical episode, I talk about everyday phrases we often say automatically and how small shifts in language can create more safety, validation, and trust for students, parents, staff, and ourselves.

This isn’t about doing things wrong. It’s about becoming more intentional with our words, especially when we’re tired, rushed, or navigating emotional situations.

In this episode, we explore:

Why phrases like “It’s going to be okay” or “At least…” don’t always land as intended
Language shifts that validate emotions without escalating them
How curiosity-based phrasing changes the tone of conversations
Ways to reduce defensiveness when working with parents and teachers
Why scripts are a helpful support during high-emotion moments
How the language we use with ourselves impacts burnout and longevity

As you move through your week, I invite you to notice your language without judging it. Just notice where a small shift might help someone feel more seen, heard, and supported.

You don’t need to change everything. One intentional change can make a real difference.

Thank you for the heart you bring to this work every single day.

Mentioned in this episode:

Perks Membership

150. Not Every Week Is a Highlight Reel Feb 18, 2026

Show notes

Episode 150: Not Every Week Is a Highlight Reel

Not every National School Counseling Week looks like a highlight reel, and that’s okay.

In this reflective episode, I share a personal experience from my own school where carefully made plans for National School Counseling Week were replaced by grief, crisis response, and the need to simply be present for students and staff.

This episode is for counselors who felt exhausted, unseen, or overwhelmed, and for anyone who needed permission to let something go.

In this episode, I cover:

Why National School Counseling Week can feel complicated and emotional
How unexpected events can shift even the best-laid plans
What it means to truly “do enough” as a school counselor
Why quiet work still matters, even when it isn’t celebrated

A moment from the episode that I hope stays with you:

“Sometimes doing what we can with what we have is the most realistic and compassionate choice.”

If National School Counseling Week didn’t look the way you hoped, if you stayed quiet, or if you focused on crisis instead of celebration, I want you to know this: you didn’t fail. You’re human. And the work you do every day still makes a difference.

Thank you for being here and for all you give to this profession.

Mentioned in this episode:

Perks Membership

149. Lives Worth Living with Steve Sharp and Perri Rosen Feb 11, 2026

Show notes

Episode 148: Lives Worth Living with Steve Sharp and Perri Rosen

In this episode, I’m joined by Steve Sharp (a middle school counselor in Pennsylvania) and Dr. Perri Rosen (a nationally certified school psychologist and former special educator) to talk about their new book, Lives Worth Living: Applying the Zero Suicide Approach in Schools.

We have an honest, practical conversation about how suicide prevention in schools has often been treated as “crisis response only”—and why the work we do before a crisis (SEL, belonging, school climate, connection) is a critical part of prevention too.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

Why suicide prevention is often seen as “its own box” in schools—and how to broaden that mindset
What the Zero Suicide framework is and why it can be adapted for school systems
How SEL, belonging, and school climate function as real protective factors
What school counselors may need to unlearn about suicide prevention
Why “refer out and hope it resolves” isn’t the full picture—and how schools still play a role in recovery
Why re-entry and connection matter so much after a suicide-related crisis
How data and continuous improvement can strengthen a school-wide prevention system over time

“You don’t have to layer on all of these other things… it’s many of the things you’re already doing. It’s just making those connections.”

Key Takeaway:

Suicide prevention isn’t just a training or a risk assessment—it’s the systems we build, the connections we create, and the culture of belonging we protect, so students can truly live lives worth living.

If this episode encouraged you, I’d love for you to follow the podcast and leave a review—it helps other school counselors find support, resources, and reminders that they’re not alone in this work.

Resources Mentioned:

Lives Worth Living

Mentioned in this episode:

Perks Membership

148. Amplifying Student Success Through Stories Feb 04, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Counselor Chat, I celebrate the powerful connection between National School Counseling Week and World Read Aloud Day, and why stories play such a meaningful role in student success.

I share how read-alouds create emotional safety, help students name their feelings, and open doors for conversations that might otherwise feel too hard to start. I also read an excerpt from my children’s book, Sammy’s Sad Day, and walked through simple, practical ways counselors can use storytelling as a Tier 1 support in classrooms, small groups, and beyond.

This episode is a reminder that success isn’t just measured in data — it’s felt in connection.

In This Episode, I Talk About:

Why student success starts with emotional safety, not just academics
How stories create shared emotional language for students
Why read-alouds work so well as low-pressure counseling tools
Using books as Tier 1 support for whole-class and school-wide impact
Simple reflection questions that build emotional literacy
How connection changes behavior and learning outcomes

“You amplify student success when a student feels seen, a teacher uses language you modeled, and a child realizes they’re not alone.

Links Mentioned

Sammy's Sad Day

Perks National School Counseling Week Free Month Deal

Mentioned in this episode:

Perks Membership

147. Midyear School Counseling Data Check (Without the Stress) Jan 28, 2026

Show notes

January has a way of sneaking up on me—and usually bringing one big question with it: How’s your data looking?

In this episode, I’m sharing a realistic, no-pressure approach to doing a midyear data check, without the guilt, the overwhelm, or the unrealistic expectation of having “perfect” charts and reports. This conversation is all about using what you already have to guide meaningful next steps for your students, instead of stressing over what you didn’t collect.

In This Episode, I Talk About:

Why “real data” doesn’t always live in spreadsheets and graphs
What actually counts as meaningful data in a real school setting
Simple reflection questions I use to spot trends and changing needs
How I know when it’s time to adjust groups, lessons, or interventions
Why January is more about course correction than evaluation
How my own energy and workload often point to important patterns

Reflection Questions I Share:

What feels heavier than it did in the fall?
What feels lighter?
Who am I seeing more often—and who am I seeing less?
What has surprised me so far this year?

“You don’t need more data to prove you’re doing meaningful work. You just need enough information to guide your next steps.”

Key Takeaway:

Midyear data isn’t about proving everything worked—it’s about asking one powerful question:

What do students need now?

If this episode encouraged you, I’d love for you to follow the podcast and leave a review—it helps other counselors find support, ideas, and practical strategies too.

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

146. How School Counselors Can Help With Attendance, Motivation, and Engagement Jan 21, 2026

Show notes

January is often when attendance challenges start to feel impossible (for students and for counselors). In this episode, I break down why attendance dips during the winter months, how to reframe attendance as a support issue rather than a compliance issue, and what counselors can realistically do to help students re-engage with school.

This episode focuses on compassion, collaboration, and practical strategies that honor what students are really experiencing.

You’ll Learn:

Common reasons attendance declines in January (illness, anxiety, routine changes, weather, and more)
Why framing attendance as a symptom changes how students respond
Language counselors can use to talk about attendance without blame
Layered counseling supports for students with chronic absences
How small wins (fewer tardies, staying longer, asking for help) matter more than perfect data
Engagement strategies that increase motivation and belonging

Quote from the Episode

“Students don’t avoid school because they don’t care. They avoid school because something feels really hard.”

Resources Mentioned:

Attendance Small Group

Middle School Attendance Lesson (grades 6-7)

Barriers To Attendance Lesson (grades K-1)

Academic Success Attendance Lesson (grades 2-3)

Barriers to Attendance (grades 4-5)

Chronic Attendance Intervention Lesson (grade 8)

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

145. How School Counselors Can Support Big Feelings in the New Year Jan 14, 2026

Show notes

January can feel especially tough in schools. Big emotions, increased anxiety, mood changes, and shutdown behaviors often show up as students transition back from break. In this episode, I’m breaking down why January feels so hard, and what school counselors can do to support students in ways that are compassionate, practical, and sustainable.

In this episode, I discuss:

Why January creates emotional and behavioral shifts for students
How anxiety shows up differently across age groups
The difference between behavior problems and regulation problems
Why predictability is essential for reducing anxiety
Counselor strategies to restore safety and routine
Low-pressure Tier 1 lesson ideas for January
Small group supports for anxiety, coping skills, and transitions
Trauma-informed practices that prioritize connection before correction

Key Quote from the Episode

“Anxiety increases when predictability decreases.”

Counselor Takeaway

January isn’t about fixing feelings or pushing through. It’s about regrounding, rebuilding routines, and helping students feel safe enough to learn again. Small supports matter—and they add up.

Thank you for showing up for your students and for yourself. Your work matters more than you know.

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

144. New Year, Same Counselor Jan 07, 2026

Show notes

January has a way of making counselors feel like they should start over with new systems, new routines, new everything. But what if that pressure is actually working against your effectiveness?

In this episode of Counselor Chat, I'm offering a grounded reframe for the new year: you don’t need to become a brand-new counselor just because the calendar changed.

Instead, this episode invites you to slow down, protect your energy, and focus on what already works.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why January pressure can lead to burnout instead of clarity
A simple explanation of the law of diminishing returns in school counseling
How “doing more” can actually reduce your impact
Why small tweaks matter more than big overhauls
Practical ways to carry fall systems into the spring
Three gentle reflection prompts to guide your January planning

“Sometimes less truly is more — especially when it comes to protecting your energy and sustaining your impact.”

January Reflection Prompts:

What is one counseling routine that felt manageable in the fall?
What is one lesson, group, or system I don’t need to reinvent?
What is one thing I can stop doing to protect my energy?

This episode is a reminder that:

You are not starting over
Your relationships still matter
Your systems didn’t disappear
And sustainability is what carries you through March, April, and May

✨ New year. Same counselor. Stronger boundaries. Smarter focus.

Thanks for being here, counselor friend.

You’re doing important work — even when it doesn’t feel loud or new.

⭐ If this episode helped you, a quick review means more than you know

Until next time — I hope you have a really great week.

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Episode 83

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