Counselor Chat Podcast

Latest Episodes:

113. Dear Future Me: An End-of-the-Year Letter from Your School Counselor Self Jun 04, 2025

Show notes

In this heartfelt episode, I'm sharing a mix of laughter, encouragement, and reflection for school counselors wrapping up the year. Drawing from letters written by real counselors, this episode offers wisdom to tuck away for the tough days ahead—and a reminder that your work truly matters.

Highlights:

💌 “Dear Future Me…” letters full of humor, heart, and hard-earned advice
📢 The importance of advocating for your role (and inviting yourself to the meeting)
🧠 What to remember when you're overwhelmed next fall
👀 Why checking work emails at home is a big nope
✨ A challenge to write your own end-of-year letter

Words of Wisdom from the Episode:

“You’ve walked through hard things and you’re still standing. Your value isn’t determined by someone else’s words.” – Michelle F.

“You are the right person for this job—even when the to-do list says otherwise.” – Darcy C.

Challenge of the Week:

Write your own "Dear Future Me" letter. Include a reminder of your growth, the wins worth celebrating, and advice for when things get heavy again. Then, save it somewhere to reopen next fall. 💛

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

112. Podcast Takeover Edition: Carol Colao on Counseling Grief with Hope May 28, 2025

Show notes

What happens when grief becomes your unexpected companion—but also your teacher?

In this heartfelt Podcast Takeover, guest host Carol Colao opens up about guiding children through grief in her school counseling role, sharing signs, stories, and a reminder that children grieve differently--and deeply. She’s joined by Julie Riga, a leadership coach and author, who turned her grief into purpose by completing her late father’s memoir and discovering “authentic grieving” in the process.

This episode is a touching blend of personal story and professional wisdom—and a reminder that hope can grow even in the hardest seasons.

✨ In this episode, you’ll learn:

How grief manifests in children vs. adults
Signs of “sad attacks” and how to support students through them
Why grief extends beyond death: divorce, incarceration, and more
What it means to “authentically grieve” and set your own pace
How storytelling and honoring “the firsts” after loss can lead to healing
Why it’s okay to cry, celebrate, and remember—in your own way

💛 Encouragement from this episode:

You don’t need to have all the answers to start healing. Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. There is hope in the hurt—and healing in remembering.

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

111. Small Wins, Big Impact: Celebrating the Tiny Victories of Your School Year May 21, 2025

Show notes

As school counselors, we tend to spotlight the big moments—graduations, awards, and final grades. But what about the small wins? The quiet growth, the subtle progress, and the unseen impact?

In this uplifting episode, I'm sharing why those “little things” might just be the most important part of our work—and how you can start recognizing and celebrating them today.

You'll hear:

Why small wins matter (backed by behavioral science!)
Simple celebration strategies for students, staff, and yourself
How creating a culture of gratitude fuels connection and morale

“Those tiny victories build momentum, boost morale, and create a positive environment for everyone… You are making an impact every single day.”

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

110. The 5 Non-Negotiables Every School Counselor Needs to Thrive May 14, 2025

Show notes

Surviving school counseling? Sure, it’s doable. But thriving in it? That takes intention. In this episode, Carol shares the 5 non-negotiables that help counselors stay grounded, confident, and impactful—no matter what time of year it is.

Whether you're wrapping up the school year or planning ahead, these five foundational pillars will support your work (and your wellness).

What You’ll Learn:

How building relationships—yes, even the tough ones—is the key to everything
What setting strong boundaries really looks like in a school setting
How to use data to fuel your advocacy and prove your impact
Why learning never stops (and where to find support that actually fits your schedule)
Ways to confidently advocate for yourself and your program

🎓 Bonus Spotlight: The 2025 Summer Counselor Conference

Virtual, on-demand, and designed for real school counselors
40 sessions + 2 keynote speakers
Graduate credit available
Zoom meetups, giveaways, and easy access
Registration opens May 15—grab your spot early!

Resources Mentioned:

www.summercounselorconference.com

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

109. Mental Health Matters: Small Moves, Big Impact for Counselors This May May 07, 2025

Show notes

Between testing, field trips, and students bouncing off the walls, May can be chaotic. But even during the busiest weeks of the school year, you can make meaningful moves for Mental Health Awareness Month—without adding more to your calendar.

In this episode of Counselor Chat, I’m sharing quick, creative, and practical ways to promote mental wellness at school without burning yourself out.

What You’ll Learn:

How to use morning announcements to plant positive mental health messages
Ideas for a low-effort Mental Health Spirit Week
Visual strategies like “Take What You Need” walls and student-made posters
Fast and effective class check-ins and coping skill moments
Ways to partner with teachers and engage parents
How to model mental wellness for your school community

💡 Bonus Reminders:

🗓️ First round of Counselor Planners is at the printer—order now for Round 2
⏰ TpT Bonus Day Sale ends at MIDNIGHT—don’t miss it!

🎧 Listen now and let’s make mental health awareness doable this May.

Resources Mentioned:

Blog post: How Post-it Notes Can Change School Climate

Affirmation Posters Set 1

Affirmation Posters Set 2

Positive Posties

Spring Meditation Craft and Activity

Coping Skills Meditation and A-Z Posters

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

108. Promoting Student Self-Discovery Apr 30, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Counselor Chat, we’re exploring one of the most important (and exciting!) aspects of school counseling: promoting self-discovery.

Forget the "find yourself in a forest" narrative — we're talking about real, practical strategies to help students uncover who they are, what they're great at, and how to channel that into meaningful goals.

What You’ll Learn:

Fun and effective ways to help students spot their strengths
Activities to ignite passions and tap into hidden interests
How to turn discovery into direction with goal setting that sticks
Why embracing the "messy middle" of self-exploration matters more than you think
Quick wins like strengths scavenger hunts, compliment tag, perfect day activities, and counselor mini coaching sessions

Favorite Moment:

"Your job isn't to hand students a roadmap — it’s to give them the tools to explore, reflect, and dream big."

Resources Mentioned:

Values Auction

5th Grade Career Lesson

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

107. Rebuilding Relationships with Students You’ve Lost Touch With: How to Reconnect and Re-Engage Apr 23, 2025

Show notes

In this heartfelt episode of Counselor Chat, we’re diving into something every school counselor faces: when a student you once saw regularly suddenly fades from view. Whether it's due to schedules, emotions, or avoidance, reconnection is possible—and often starts with something small.

🧠 Here’s what we’ll explore:

Common reasons students stop checking in—and why it’s not about you
How to send a low-pressure “Hey, I missed you” message
Creative ways to re-engage through lunch bunches, hallway greetings, and purposeful invitations
Why micro-moments (like sticky notes or memes) rebuild trust
What to say when a student isn’t ready to reconnect

✨ Pro Tip: Don’t assume silence means they’re not thinking of you. Sometimes students are testing if you really meant it when you said you care.

🎧 Listen now and take one small step toward reconnecting with a student who may still need you 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

106. The Counseling Game Closet: Easy Group Games for Spring Energy Apr 16, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, we’re cracking open the (possibly chaotic) game closet to help you survive and thrive this spring with low-prep, high-impact games.

🧠 What You’ll Learn:

Why spring is the perfect time for play-based counseling
Go-to games like Feeling Charades, Coping Skills Memory Match, and Compliment Circle
Quick & easy activities for those zero-prep, five-minute-group days (Four Corners, Emotion Detective, Pass the Emoji)
Debriefing questions that deepen student reflection and connection
How to build a portable game kit for on-the-go counseling sessions

🌟 Counselor Tip: Don’t be afraid to end early if the energy gets too wild—sometimes wrapping it up on a good note is the best counseling move of the day.

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

105. Spring Cleaning--Counseling Style Apr 09, 2025

Show notes

It’s that time of year again.

The sun is trying to shine, test season is in full swing, and your to-do list just grew its own to-do list. Before the end-of-year whirlwind sweeps you away, it’s time for some spring cleaning—but not just for your desk.

In this episode, we’re talking about:

🧹 How to declutter your calendar by identifying what truly matters
📬 Strategies to clean up your email inbox without losing your mind
🗂 Tips for organizing your Google Drive and files so you can actually find things
🧘 How to create mental breathing room before the end-of-year chaos
✍️ A simple reflection practice to help you leave breadcrumbs for next year

You don’t need a picture-perfect system—you just need one that works for you.

"Even if your files are still a little messy and your calendar has more reschedules than actual sessions... you've got this." 💛

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

104. How to Plan for Small Groups in the Final Months of the School Year Apr 02, 2025

Show notes

Feeling like May and June are just a chaotic blur of testing, field trips, and students who’ve forgotten how to sit in chairs? Same. But believe it or not, it’s actually the perfect time to run small groups—and in this episode, I’m sharing exactly why.

✨ In this episode, you'll learn:

Why spring is secretly the best time for small groups
3 small group themes that make a big impact fast
Quick ideas for activities that keep students engaged (and sane!)
How to keep your groups manageable, meaningful, and even fun
Scheduling tips and tricks that actually work
How to make the most of the time you’ve got (spoiler: short-term groups = big wins!)

Plus, I’ll share why Ritz crackers might just be your group’s MVP.

💡 Whether it’s motivation, friendship skills, or emotional regulation, this episode will help you finish the school year strong—with less chaos and more connection.

📝 Mentioned in this episode:

Card Games:

Coping Skills Card Game

Resolving Conflicts Card Game

Grit and Growth Mindset Card Game

Friendship Skills Card Game

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

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