Counselor Chat Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Bulletproof Your Schedule: Time-Blocking for School Counselors Aug 13, 2025

Show notes

If you’ve ever felt like your day is one giant interruption, this episode is for you.

In this week’s Counselor Chat, I'm sharing my go-to strategies for using time-blocking to create structure, reduce chaos, and make room for what matters most in your school counseling program.

Inside this episode, you’ll discover:

What time-blocking is really about (hint: it’s not rigid—it’s freeing!)
The 5 key “Counselor Buckets” to organize your time effectively
How to plan for flexibility with daily crisis buffers and walk-in time
The tools Carol uses (Google Calendar, a printed planner, and color-coding)
How to communicate your availability and reduce unnecessary interruptions
Tips for reviewing, adjusting, and staying consistent—without guilt

Whether you’re a sticky-note scheduler or a digital calendar pro, this episode will help you manage your time with intention—and protect your peace in the process.

Links Mentioned:

Perfect Counselor Planner-

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

Team Up! Collaborating with Teachers from Day One Aug 06, 2025

Show notes

Let’s be honest—back-to-school season can feel like a whirlwind. But there’s one move that can make the whole year smoother: teaming up with teachers from the start.

In this episode of Counselor Chat, I'm walking you through simple and creative ways to build trust and connection with your teaching staff—without adding more stress to your plate.

You’ll learn:

Why visibility and approachability are your superpowers
What to include in a 1-page Counselor Cheat Sheet 📝
How to use small gestures (like hand sanitizer and chocolate 🍫) to open big doors
The power of asking, “What do your students need right now?”
Creative ways to co-create lessons and build classroom calm corners
Quick wins for consistent collaboration (hello, Coffee on a Cart ☕)

Whether you’re brand new or just ready for a fresh approach, this episode will leave you feeling equipped and encouraged to be the kind of teammate teachers rely on—and students benefit from most.

Links Mentioned:

Counselor Brochure 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:

Mentioned in this episode:

Perks Membership

121. Podcast Takeover: with Carey Hughes Jul 30, 2025

Show notes

In this inspiring guest episode of Counselor Chat, Carey Hughes and Rachel Haglin take the mic to share how a simple shift in mindset — and one powerful administrative conference — led to real advocacy and real results.

They didn’t just talk about change. They led it. And it’s already transforming their district.

🔑 In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why “It’s a program, not a position” is more than a mantra — it’s a movement
How Carey and Rachel used the ASCA Annual Administrative Conference to align with school goals
What happened when they presented data and needs directly to district leadership
The behind-the-scenes story of becoming lead counselors — and how it started with a letter
What to do when advocacy doesn’t work right away (hint: it’s a marathon, not a sprint)

This episode is your reminder that small steps — when led with heart, data, and courage — can lead to powerful, lasting change.

Mentioned in this episode:

Perks Membership

120. Things I'm Doing Now So August Isn't A Dumpster Fire! Jul 23, 2025

Show notes

August doesn’t have to feel like a whirlwind of late nights, unlaminated posters, and cold cups of coffee. I'll share the 10 intentional steps I'm taking this summer to avoid the dreaded back-to-school chaos—and how you can do the same.

From organizing your counseling office (yes, both paper files and those prehistoric Google Docs) to prepping data tools, small group plans, and even your go-to “counselor tote,” Carol walks through the exact systems and routines she’s setting up now to make the start of the school year smoother and calmer.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

How to organize your office and digital files so everything’s easy to find in September.
Why building a counseling calendar template now helps you feel grounded before the school year begins.
The value of printing your most-used materials—like referral forms and coping tools—in bulk before the rush hits.
How to map out small groups, classroom lessons, and SEL initiatives for the year in advance.
What to pack in your Counselor Go Bag so you’re ready for anything.
Why updating your bulletin boards, décor, and intro lessons early makes your life so much easier.
And most importantly, how to fill your own cup first so you’re not running on empty when the students return.

Plus, I'm sharing details about my upcoming session, “Putting Out Fires All Day: From Crisis Response to Proactive Programming,” at the 2025 Summer Counselor Conference—the perfect chance to fill your cup with inspiration and practical tools.

Because a little prep now? It equals a lot more peace later.

Links I 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

119. Smart Ways to Split a Counseling Caseload Jul 16, 2025

Show notes

Are you navigating a new caseload structure this year? Wondering how to divide the work with a co-counselor without splitting the heart of your program? In this episode, I'm sharing practical strategies and real-life examples of caseload division that works—plus the bumps to avoid.

You’ll learn:

📚 The most common caseload split models (Alphabet, Grade-Level, MTSS, and more)
🧠 The benefits—and drawbacks—of each
🤝 Pro tips for dividing responsibilities beyond the caseload
🔄 Why it’s okay to try, tweak, and test different models

Whether you’re brand new to a team or refining what’s already in place, this episode will help you rethink what’s possible with collaboration, creativity, and a plan.

Encouragement from the episode:

“At the end of the day, there really is no perfect way to split a caseload. The goal isn’t just fairness—it’s functionality and support. What matters most is that students know who to go to, staff knows how to get help, and counselors support each other.”

Mentioned in this episode:

Perks Membership

118. Counselor Catch-Up: What I’m Reading, Learning, and Loving This Summer Jul 09, 2025

Show notes

This week on Counselor Chat, we’re taking a break from the heavy stuff and diving into a little mid-summer magic. It’s a personal episode full of recommendations, reflections, and fun finds that are keeping me grounded, growing, and even a little more organized during these sunny months.

Here’s what I’m sharing:

📚 What I’m Reading

🎧 What I’m Listening To

📺 What I’m Watching

🥗 What I’m Cooking

✨ What’s Coming Up:

I’ll be at the ASCA Conference in Long Beach! Stop by the Perks booth and say hi!
Registration is open for the 2025 Summer Counselor Conference — where I’ll be presenting “Putting Out Fires All Day” to help you shift from reactive to proactive in your school counseling practice.

💛 Inspiration to close your day with:

"Whether it’s a new book to read, a show to chill with, or a way to get back into your groove before August creeps in—remember to rest without guilt, learn with joy, and always, always take care of you."

Links Mentioned:

Atomic Habits

The Anxious Generation

MealBoard App

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

117. Red, White, and Burned Out: Signs You Need More Summer Recharge Jul 02, 2025

Show notes

In this candid solo episode, I get real about mid-summer counselor burnout. If you’ve been feeling tired, guilty for not “doing more,” or wondering why you’re not excited for back-to-school season—this conversation is your permission slip to hit pause and actually recharge. I'm sharing personal stories, actionable reflection questions, and why summer isn’t a competition for productivity—it’s a chance to reconnect with who you are and why you started this work in the first place.

🔍 What You’ll Learn:

Sneaky signs of burnout you may not recognize
How to know whether your "recharging" is really working
A new lens to view your summer: the 8 dimensions of wellness
How to reflect on what fills your cup outside of school
When to say no, when to lean in, and when to rest
How connecting with other counselors can reignite your passion

💬 Quote to Remember:

“We are making a difference—even if we don’t always see it. Sometimes we’re just planting the seeds.”

👟 Whether you're reorganizing your spice cabinet or wondering if you should go back to school just to “check in” on things… this episode will remind you that rest is a requirement, not a reward.

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

116. Podcast Takeover Edition: Cassie Good on The Power of a School Counseling Advisory Jun 25, 2025

Show notes

In this inspiring guest takeover, Kansas-based counselor Cassie Good shares how starting an Advisory Council changed everything—from how her role was viewed to how she spent her time.

What You’ll Learn:

Why advisory councils aren’t optional—they’re transformational
Real-world examples of using data to advocate for your time and impact
How Cassie reduced non-counseling tasks with support from admin
Ways to create buy-in from teachers, parents, and district leaders
Practical steps to start your own council (yes, even with limited time!)

Cassie’s advice: You don’t have to have it all figured out to begin.

Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.

🌞 Inspired? Be sure to check out the 2025 Summer Counselor Conference to keep learning, growing, and connecting with counselors who get it.

💛 Because we’re better together.

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

115. That One Student – Ending the Year with Impact Jun 18, 2025

Show notes

🎙️ Episode Title: That One Student – Ending the Year with Impact

In this powerful episode of Counselor Chat, Carol shares the emotional story of “that one student” — or in her case, an entire family — who made a lasting impact during the school year. From crisis to resilience, you'll hear how four siblings reminded her why school counselors do this work, even when it’s messy, hard, and uncertain.

You'll walk away with:

A reminder of the life-changing power of your presence
An invitation to reflect on your own “one student” story
A renewed sense of hope and connection

💌 Carol encourages you to write about the student who impacted you this year—and maybe even share it with her!

🖇️ Links + Resources:

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:

Visit counselingessentials.org/podcast for more.

📲 Connect with Carol on Instagram or Facebook @counselingessentials

Mentioned in this episode:

Perks Membership

114. Conference Confidential: The backstage tour of the Summer Counselor Conference Jun 11, 2025

Show notes

This week on Counselor Chat, we’re getting personal—and a little behind-the-scenes.

🎧 Episode 114: Conference Confidential – The Backstage Tour of the Summer Counselor Conference

In this episode, I’m sharing how the Summer Counselor Conference came to life—from the spark of an idea to a community of thousands of counselors learning together from the comfort of their homes.

✨ Inside this episode:

The heart behind the conference (and yes, it includes yoga in your PJs!)
Sneak peeks into this year’s lineup: Robin Zorn, Jessica Sinarski, Reagan Norris, Bob Pincus, and more!
Why access lasts until June 2026 (because we know life gets busy)
What past attendees had to say about the impact
How to earn 45 PD hours and up to 3 graduate credits with zero extra work
VIP perks, giveaways, and the early bird deadline you don’t want to miss (hint: June 16!)

🎟️ Register now for the 2025 Summer Counselor Conference:

www.summercounselorconference.com

Whether you’re new to the profession or have years of wisdom, this conference was built to meet you where you are.

Mentioned in this episode:

Perks Membership