🎙️ Episode Title: That One Student – Ending the Year with ImpactIn this powerful episode of Counselor Chat, Carol shares... more

This week on Counselor Chat, we’re getting personal—and a little behind-the-scenes.🎧 Episode 114: Conference Confidential – The Backstage Tour of... more

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 letterWords 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/podcastJoin Perks Counseling Club Membership and get the lessons, small group and individual counseling materials... more

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. adultsSigns of “sad attacks” and how to support students through themWhy grief extends beyond death: divorce, incarceration, and moreWhat it means to “authentically grieve” and set your own paceHow storytelling and honoring “the firsts” after loss can lead to healingWhy 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/podcastJoin Perks Counseling Club Membership and get the lessons, small group and individual counseling materials... more

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 yourselfHow 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/podcastJoin Perks Counseling Club Membership and get the lessons, small group and individual counseling materials... more

Surviving school counseling? Sure, it’s doable. But thriving in it? That takes intention. In this episode, Carol shares the 5... more

Between testing, field trips, and students bouncing off the walls, May can be chaotic. But even during the busiest weeks... more

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

In this heartfelt episode of Counselor Chat, we’re diving into something every school counselor faces: when a student you once... more

In this episode, we’re cracking open the (possibly chaotic) game closet to help you survive and thrive this spring with... more

It’s that time of year again. The sun is trying to shine, test season is in full swing, and your... more

Feeling like May and June are just a chaotic blur of testing, field trips, and students who’ve forgotten how to... more

In this episode of Counselor Chat, we’re doing a mid-year check-in to reflect, reassess, and reframe our approach so we... more

March is Self-Harm Awareness Month, and as school counselors, we need to be prepared. In this episode, we cover how... more

Want to make your lessons fun and engaging without feeling like a stand-up comedian? The energy you bring into your... more

🎉 100 episodes! Can you believe it? This milestone is all thanks to YOU—our amazing community of school counselors who... more

Crisis situations in schools are unpredictable—but your response doesn’t have to be. In this episode of Counselor Chat, we’re diving... more

What if making your counseling program more effective didn’t require a total overhaul? In this episode of Counselor Chat, we’re... more

Self-care has been marketed to us as bubble baths, spa days, and green juices—but let’s be real, school counselors don’t... more

Happy National School Counseling Week! While we’ve already talked about ways to celebrate (check out Episode 94 if you missed... more

Welcome back to Counselor Chat! In this episode, we’re diving into the often-overlooked but incredibly powerful tool of small talk.... more

National School Counseling Week is just around the corner, and this episode of Counselor Chat is all about helping you... more

New Year, new resolutions to get organized! In this episode of Counselor Chat, I’m tackling one of the biggest challenges... more

Are you constantly saying "yes" to everything and feeling overwhelmed? In this episode of Counselor Chat, we’re tackling a topic... more

Today, we’re diving deep into the power of mentorship in school counseling. Whether you’re a seasoned professional ready to share... more

Welcome to a special holiday episode of Counselor Chat Podcast! As we head into the festive season, it’s important to... more

In this episode of Counselor Chat, I’m joined by Dr. Cayce Batts, Social Work Educator and former K-12 School Social... more

In this episode of the Counselor Chat Podcast, I sit down with Sarah Altman, a seasoned elementary school counselor with... more

Welcome back to another episode of Counselor Chat! Today, I’m thrilled to share a conversation with the one and only... more

In this episode of Counselor Chat, I'm thrilled to be joined by two inspiring elementary school counselors, Allie and Elizabeth... more

In this heartfelt episode of Counselor Chat, I'm diving deep into one of the core challenges many school counselors face:... more

In this special Halloween-themed episode of Counselor Chat, we’re diving into how we can use our leftover Halloween candy in... more

In this episode of Counselor Chat, we’re diving into an economic concept that might not seem like it applies to... more

In this special Halloween-themed episode of Counselor Chat, we’re diving into the “school counselor scaries”—those fears and worries that often... more

In this episode, we’re tackling one of the most challenging aspects of being a school counselor: navigating difficult conversations with... more

Welcome to another episode of Counselor Chat! Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s crucial for every school: fostering an... more

In today’s episode, I’m diving into something that I know so many of us struggle with—how to fit everything into... more

In this episode, I’m diving into one of the most important topics we face as school counselors—suicide prevention. As someone... more

In this episode of Counselor Chat, we’re diving into a fun and insightful activity that can be a game-changer for... more

In this episode, I’m sharing my top ten strategies for school counselors to start the school year successfully. Whether you’re... more

As school counselors, we often rely on data to prove our effectiveness.But here's the reality: not everything we do can... more

In this episode of Counselor Chat, we explore leadership through the lens of the "Leadership from a Dancing Guy" video.... more

In this second episode of our Back to School series, I’m diving into a topic that’s incredibly important for us... more

Episode Summary:This episode kicks off a special series dedicated to sharing valuable lessons and advice to help school counselors have... more

Key Points Covered:The Role of Data in School Counseling:Data as a tool for informed decision-making.The significance of proactive interventions in... more

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

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

Tips for Attending the ASCA Conference & Exciting Updates!Join Brandy Thompson as she takes over the Counselor Chat podcast for... more

In this episode: I am thrilled to have my friend Leslie from Informed Decisions join us. Leslie is a fantastic... more

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

In this episode of Counselor Chat, I sit down with Jenice Lee. a youth development consultant and the voice behind... more

In this episode of Counselor Chat, we dive into:An inspiring conversation with Jordan Tatom, a high school counselor from Tennessee,... more

In this episode, we have a special guest, John Burnett, a middle school counselor from Houston, Texas. John's journey into... more

In this episode, I dive into the unpredictable nature of school counseling and share strategies to navigate the daily chaos... more

In this episode of Counselor Chat: We dive into the transformative technique of mind mapping and how it can elevate... more

In this episode of Counselor Chat, I dive into your questions about navigating some of the common challenges we... more

In this episode of Counselor Chat, we tackle the often-dreaded state testing season with a fresh perspective and effective strategies... more

In this episode of the Counselor Chat podcast, we explore the various ways school counselors can step into leadership roles... more

In this episode of the Counselor Chat podcast, I share insights into what I wish I had known earlier in... more

In this episode of the Counselor Chat, we are learning all about the Circle of Control, a fundamental concept that... more

In this episode we are exploring side hustles and how to make ends meet as a school counselor.Episode Highlights:My Journey... more

In this episode, I am absolutely thrilled to announce we are celebrating a very special milestone - the one-year anniversary of... more

Today I am taking you on a journey into the world of teaching careers to our youngest learners.Episode Highlights:Kindergarten Dreams:Discover... more

In this episode, we are chatting about something that is sure to spark joy and excitement - future planning for... more

In this Episode of the Counselor Chat, we delve into the challenging terrain of grief, particularly for school counselors who... more

In this episode, we are heading into the art of crafting purposeful counseling sessions. Whether you're new to individual counseling... more

In this episode of the Counselor Chat Podcast, we are diving into the realm of individual counseling. With a focus... more

If you have been inundated by an influx of referrals for individual counseling, it's important to make informed decisions about... more

Welcome to episode 47 of the Counselor Chat podcast. Today we are diving in deep and talking about how to... more

In this episode:Join me as we dive into a heartwarming discussion on celebrating Kindness Month in schools. Throughout the episode,... more

In this enlightening episode, we are taking a look into the often overlooked yet crucial aspect of school counseling -... more

Get ready to be inspired and energized in this special edition of the Counselor Chat podcast!This episode features a lively... more

In this podcast episode of Counselor Chat, we delve into the fascinating world of international school counseling with our guest,... more

In this episode of "Counselor Chat," we delve into the transformative practice of conducting an Energy Inventory. Here's what you'll... more

Join me in a candid exploration of the emotional rollercoaster that often comes with heading back to work after a... more

In this episode, I dive into school counselors' common challenges when collaborating with teachers. From encountering pushback on interventions to... more

In this episode of Counselor Chat, join me as we delve into a unique exploration sparked by questions from our... more

In this episode we're shaking things up a bit as we explore the burning question: "What do you wish you learned... more

In this episode, join us as we dive into the incredible journey of Michelle, a seasoned international counselor currently based... more

In this episode of the Counselor Chat podcast, I welcome special guest Daniel Inman, an elementary school counselor at the... more