Ohio Counseling Conversations

Ohio Counseling Association
  • 4.8 (10)
  • Mental Health
  • Monthly

The official Ohio Counseling Association podcast. Our mission is to host experts from our membership, leadership, and throughout the counseling field to bring listeners relevant conversations around what it means to be a counselor in Ohio. In addition, this podcast will provide a platform for Ohio Counseling Association divisions, chapters, and committees to share information and updates. Made for counselors by counselors, we hope to highlight important conversations in the profession that will inform our work as we continue to grow as professionals and as people. Thank you for tuning in! Views, beliefs, or references mentioned in episodes do not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the Ohio Counseling Association. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the view of the Ohio Counseling Association or any of its officials. 

  1. Oct 27

    Couch to Capitol: October 2026 Legislative Updates

    Send us Fan Mail Political season can crank up anxiety fast, and counselors often feel it from both directions: our clients are flooded with stress, and we are, too. We take a short but timely pause from the usual legislative deep dive to talk about what matters during recess season in Ohio: voting, staying grounded, and protecting our mental health while the public conversation gets loud. We walk through simple, realistic boundary-setting strategies you can use personally and clinically. We also touch on voter education resources, including NASW Ohio’s PACE voter guides.  Then we pivot to a local issue with big mental health implications: the rapid development of data centers across Ohio. We connect environmental justice, climate change, heat, water use, and rising community health risks to our profession’s commitment to social justice and whole-person wellness. If you’ve ever wondered how infrastructure decisions can shape stress, safety, and well-being, this conversation makes the link concrete. Subscribe so you never miss an update, and share this with a colleague who’s feeling the election-season overload. What boundary are you setting to stay engaged and well? Election Information  Check your voter registration and find your polling place NASW Ohio Voter Guide NASW National Voter GuideInformation on Environmental Justice and Mental Health The Impact of AI Data Centers on Urban Heat and AI Growth OCA Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/ohiocounseling Created by the OCA's Media, Public Relations, and Membership (MPRM) Committee & its Podcast Subcommittee  Hosted by Victoria Frazier, LPCC Pre-Production & Coordination by Dr. Marisa Cargill, Lauren Collins-Knight, Victoria Frazier Editing by Victoria Frazier

    Couch to Capitol: October 2026 Legislative Updates

  2. Oct 20

    Let's Unpack That #18: Mental Health in Musical Theatre

    Send us Fan Mail For decades, musical theatre has been used to shine the spotlight on important social and cultural issues, and mental health has been no different. Today we sit down with Lauren Collins-Knight and Jared Sparks, a therapist and longtime community theater artist, to talk about what happens when musical theater tackles stories about mental health, representation, and the difference between authenticity and caricature.  We dig into Next to Normal as a powerful example of what responsible storytelling can look like, especially when a production treats the character as human first and symptomatic second. Then we turn to Dear Evan Hansen and the unique pressure points that come with staging teen mental health themes in schools and community theaters. Along the way, we talk about what creators owe audiences: research, consultation with lived experience, and a refusal to treat mental illness like a shortcut to drama. Lastly, we explore the joy of singing to real physiology through polyvagal theory and the vagus nerve, including simple ways breath, humming, and even scream singing can support nervous system regulation.  Lauren and Jared discuss how singing reduces social isolation through co-regulation in groups like choirs and casts. If you enjoy mental health conversations with practical takeaways and a little Broadway energy, subscribe, share this with a colleague, and leave a review so more counselors can find the show. Created by the OCA's Media, Public Relations, and Membership (MPRM) Committee & its Podcast Subcommittee ·Hosted by Lauren Collins-Knight LPCC & Jared Sparks LPCC-S ·Pre-Production & Coordination by Lauren Collins-Knight LPCC ·Editing by Lauren Collins-Knight LPCC ·Original music selections by Elijah Satoru Wood

    Let's Unpack That #18: Mental Health in Musical Theatre

  3. Oct 13

    Conversation 45 - Unity & Community: Interprofessional Collaboration

    Send us Fan Mail The fastest way to lose a mental health workforce is to bury it in paperwork. We sit down with Michael Desposito from the Ohio Counseling Association and Matthew Tippett from NASW Ohio to talk about what’s happening right now in Ohio’s insurance and legislative landscape and why it directly affects whether counselors and social workers can afford to stay in the field. From reimbursement pressure to mounting administrative burden, we connect the day-to-day reality of clinical practice to the policies being shaped at the Statehouse.  We dig into the value of showing up together through the Ohio Behavioral Health Providers for Insurance Advocacy Coalition and why a united front changes the conversation with legislators. You’ll hear a clear look at “provider-friendly” bills and what they’re trying to fix, including clawback limits like Senate Bill 162, Medicaid overhaul concerns tied to Senate Bill 315, and the looming uncertainty of federal Medicaid changes. We also break down what “lame duck” means in Ohio’s two-year bill cycle and why timing can decide whether reforms move forward or die at the finish line.  We also get practical about mental health parity, what it is meant to protect, and how better documentation can turn a frustrating denial into a meaningful complaint or grievance. Looking ahead, we flag emerging risks like network adequacy gaps, payer contract changes, and the growing push toward AI “therapy” tools that can create harm and steer clients away from real care. If you’ve ever felt removed from advocacy, this conversation is your roadmap for plugging in through OCA, NASW Ohio, and allied partners and using your lived experience as data that policymakers cannot ignore.  Subscribe, share this with a colleague, and leave a review so more Ohio providers can find the tools and context they need to stay sustainable and keep care accessible. Other Resources: https://www.ohiocounseling.org/insurance-advocacy-committeehttps://www.naswoh.org/page/legislativecommitteeConnect with Us on Any/All Socials at our Link Tree! OCA Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/ohiocounseling If you’re a counselor in Ohio and would like to get involved as part of production or as a guest, or know someone who might be interested, please email us at ohiocounselingconversations@gmail.com! **** Created by the OCA's Media, Public Relations, and Membership (MPRM) Committee & its Podcast Subcommittee ·Hosted by Marisa Cargill ·Pre-Production & Coordination by Marisa Cargill ·Editing by Marisa Cargill ·Original music selections by Elijah Satoru Wood

  4. Sep 29

    Couch to Capitol: September 2026 Legislative Updates

    Send us Fan Mail A single change in the law can decide whether a teen gets help today or has to wait until it’s too late. We’re tracking a major Ohio proposal, Senate Bill 274, that would require parent or guardian consent before a minor can receive any mental health services, reversing the current minor consent pathway that allows limited outpatient care for teens starting at age 14. We walk through what the bill could mean for school-based counseling, situations involving suicidal ideation or abuse, and why counselor testimony is so important right now. We also zoom out to the practical side of professional advocacy and support. We share how OCA’s Government Relations Committee is building quarterly town halls so counselors can stay current on legislative and policy updates, ask questions, and connect directly with the people doing the work at the Statehouse. Plus, we spotlight the All Ohio Counselors Conference (AOCC) 2026 and a hands-on session designed to help clinicians turn insurance denials into ethical action through effective grievance filing that aligns with the ACA Code of Ethics. Then we connect the dots between mental health and civic life. Voting is a social determinant of health, and we explain why voter access matters for clients, communities, and the issues that get funded. We point you to tools like sample ballots, cover key Ohio voting dates, and discuss Ohio Issue 3 and concerns about adding barriers at the polls. We close with federal advocacy updates from ACA Hill Day, including pushes for better Medicaid reimbursement, youth prevention funding, and permanent Medicare telehealth expansion. Subscribe so you never miss these policy updates, share this with a colleague in Ohio, and leave a quick review to help more counselors find the show. State News  SB 274/HB 172 - Prohibiting mental health care of minors without parental consent (OPPOSE) Share written testimony with OCA’s Government Relations Committee via email at charles.potter@mindfully.comOhio Issue 3, Require Voter Identification Amendment (2026) (OPPOSE) Federal News Mental Health Access and Provider Support Act - (H.R. 8081/S. 4202) (SUPPORT) increase counselor reimbursement from 75% to 85% of the Medicaid Physician Fee Schedule.EARLY Minds Act (H.R. 1735/S. 779) - (SUPPORT) give states flexibility to use a portion of pre-existing federal funds to expand prevention and early intervention services for youthCONNECT for Health Act (H.R. 4206/S. 1261) make the COVID-era Medicare telehealth expansion permanentElection Information  Update your voter registration Check your voter registration and find your polling place Generate a sample ballot Why is voting important Connect with Us on Any or All Socials at our Link Tree!  OCA Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/ohiocounseling Created by the OCA's Media, Public Relations, and Membership (MPRM) Committee & its Podcast Subcommittee  Hosted by Victoria Frazier, LPCC Pre-Production & Coordination by Dr. Marisa Cargill, Lauren Collins-Knight, Victoria Frazier, Dr. Chase Morgan-Swaney Editing by Victoria Frazier

    Couch to Capitol: September 2026 Legislative Updates

  5. Sep 22

    Let's Unpack That #17: Unpacking Headlines of 2026 (Pt. 2)

    Send us Fan Mail Tune in to part two of “Unpacking Headlines of 2026” where this episode we wrestle with how therapy speak shapes real-life relationships, how financial stress and subtle uncertainties of the economy show up in the counseling office, and explore third spaces and why Cleveland’s WNBA return can rebuild belonging and collective joy.  Pop culture “therapy speak” is everywhere, and the stakes are higher than a vocab debate. When words like triggered, gaslighting, boundaries, narcissist, and attachment style hit the group chat, they can either open a door to self-understanding or become a shortcut that shames, labels, and shuts people down. We talk through concept creep, why people reach for these terms when they’re flooded, and how we can respond with curiosity and nuance instead of online gotchas. Then we pivot to a headline most of us feel in our bodies: everything costs more. Lower inflation doesn’t mean lower prices, and financial stress rarely walks into session wearing a name tag. We connect the affordability crisis to irritability, insomnia, conflict, overworking, avoidance, and shame, and we reframe a lot of “anxious distress” as a reasonable response to unreasonable circumstances. We also share practical ways to invite money conversations in intake, validate what’s real without blaming clients, and keep a resource mindset when people have to cut back. Finally, we ask a question that keeps coming up for adults: where do we go to make friends now? We unpack the decline of third spaces, how loneliness gets mislabeled as personal failure, and why rebuilding community matters. That’s also why Cleveland getting a WNBA team again, the Cleveland Sirens, is more than sports: it’s identity, representation, and collective hope when the news feels heavy. If you enjoy thoughtful, counselor-forward takes on culture, language, and community connection, subscribe to Ohio Counseling Conversations, leave a five-star review, and share this with a friend. Created by the OCA's Media, Public Relations, and Membership (MPRM) Committee & its Podcast Subcommittee ·Hosted by Marisa Cargill, PhD & Mike Desposito ·Pre-Production & Coordination by Marisa Cargill, PhD & Mike Desposito ·Editing by Marisa Cargill, PhD

    Let's Unpack That #17: Unpacking Headlines of 2026 (Pt. 2)

  6. Sep 8

    Let's Unpack That #16: Unpacking Headlines of 2026 (Pt. 1)

    Send us Fan Mail Dolly Parton’s death hit a lot of us harder than we expected and that reaction is not “dramatic,” it’s human. We start by naming what counselors often see beneath celebrity loss: parasocial relationships, memory, identity, and the way grief can quietly turn into mortality anxiety. When clients bring these moments into the therapy room, they are often grieving more than a person, they are grieving a time in life, a sense of safety, or a symbol of hope. Then we move to a headline that raises far sharper edges: the Lindsay Clancy trial and the public conversation around postpartum mental health. We stay firmly in the counseling lane, no armchair diagnosis, no speculation, and no verdict predictions. Instead, we unpack what postpartum psychosis is, why postpartum mental illness does not mean postpartum violence, and why people crave a single explanation when the truth is complex. We also talk about “functioning” as a misleading yardstick and what it feels like when clinical documentation becomes courtroom material. From there, we zoom out to true crime culture and the psychology of consuming other people’s worst moments. We explore motives like defensive vigilance and puzzle-solving, plus the red flags that tell you it is starting to affect sleep, anxiety, or daily life. Finally, we tackle the $18 billion Meta settlement and what it suggests about social media addiction, persuasive design, and teen mental health, with media literacy as a practical tool for clients and clinicians alike. If you found this helpful, subscribe, share it with a colleague, and leave a review so more people can join the conversation. Subscribe to Ohio Counseling Conversations, leave a five-star review, and share this with a friend. OCA Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/ohiocounseling Created by the OCA's Media, Public Relations, and Membership (MPRM) Committee & its Podcast Subcommittee ·Hosted by Marisa Cargill and Michael Desposito ·Pre-Production & Coordination by Marisa Cargill and Michael Desposito ·Editing by Marisa Cargill ·Original music selections by Elijah Satoru Wood

    Let's Unpack That #16: Unpacking Headlines of 2026 (Pt. 1)

  7. Aug 25

    Couch to Capitol: August 2026 Legislative Updates

    Send us Fan Mail We’d love to hear from our listeners! In our August Couch to Capitol Episode, Lauren Collins-Knight, MA, LPCC breaks down ongoing legislation at the state and federal levels that may be helpful for counselors to keep an eye on. While the legislators are on break, that doesn’t mean our advocacy needs to be put on hold. Listen on to stay informed and involved with ongoing OCA advocacy efforts!  State LevelSB 274/HB 172 - Prohibiting mental health care of minors without parental consent (OPPOSE) Share written testimony with OCA’s Government Relations Committee via email at charles.potter@mindfully.comHB 724 - Mental Health Wellness Checks (SUPPORT) Contact your state rep to prioritize this bill when session resumes. HB 327 - Parents Pride Act (SUPPORT) Contact your state rep to prioritize this bill when session resumes. HB 300 - Prohibiting conversion therapy (SUPPORT) Contact your state rep to prioritize this bill when session resumes. HB 220 - Prior Authorizations (SUPPORT) Contact your state rep to prioritize this bill when session resumes. HB 716 - All Claims Payer Database (SUPPORT) Contact your state rep to prioritize this bill when session resumes. HB 346 - "V.J.'s Law" OCA is working to better understand this proposed bill and its implications for Ohio counselors. We encourage you to contact OCA’s Government Relations Committee if you would like your voice to be heard. HB 525 - Regards Use of Artificial Intelligence in Therapy Services (SUPPORT) Contact your state rep to prioritize this bill when session resumes. Federal LevelS.4407 - CHATBOT ACT (SUPPORT) Contact your state rep to prioritize this bill when session resumes. SB 4202 Mental Health Access and Provider Support Act of 2026 (SUPPORT) Contact your state rep to prioritize this bill when session resumes. HR 7324 The More Behavioral Health Providers Act (SUPPORT) Urge your Ohio representatives to cosponsor the More Behavioral Health Providers Act today via NBCC. HR 7394 The Mental Health Career Promotion Act (SUPPORT) Contact your state rep to prioritize this bill when session resumes. Multiple Threats to Counselor Workforce Development (OPPOSE)OtherGRC Town Hall - registration open now for August 28th virtual town hall from 12-1pmOCA Lunch & Learns - registration open now for September 4th virtual Lunch & Learn from 12-1pmAOCC - early bird registration available until October 7th  If you want clear, counselor-focused mental health policy updates, subscribe, share this with a colleague, and leave a review so more counselors can find it. Connect with Us on Any or All Socials at our Link Tree!  OCA Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/ohiocounselingCreated by the OCA's Media, Public Relations, and Membership (MPRM) Committee & its Podcast Subcommittee  Hosted by Lauren Collins-Knight Pre-Production & Coordination by Lauren Collins-Knight, Victoria Frazier, Mariah Payne, and Dr. Marisa Cargill Editing by Lauren Collins-Knight

    Couch to Capitol: August 2026 Legislative Updates

  8. Aug 18

    Let's Unpack That #15: Finding Your Theoretical Fit

    Send us Fan Mail It’s a question we’ve all been asked time and time again: “What’s your theoretical orientation?” We first heard it in grad school, but answering that question has never really gone away. Picking a counseling modality can feel like choosing a side, but real counseling rarely works that way. In this episode of Let’s Unpack That, we talk through what has actually helped us decide the tools to use in session and the modalities we root ourselves in.  Some counselors may find themselves practicing primarily from one modality, whereas others utilize a more eclectic blend. We explore both perspectives during this episode, and acknowledge the similarities and differences that can confuse new learners when taking in the many counseling modalities to choose from. Join us as we review three core foundational theories (Psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioral, & Humanistic) that influence additional waves of therapies.  Finally, we explore how even though there can be many similarities in the “cake” of counseling, different “frostings” influence what we respond to in session. If your cake is frosted full of Motivational Interviewing, you’ll respond differently to client complaints than your colleague decorating their Somatic-Focused cake. If you are a counselor, student, or curious listener trying to find the modality that fits your brain and your clients, this episode will help you breathe and get practical.  Listen, then tell us what influenced your theoretical fit. Subscribe to Ohio Counseling Conversations, leave a five-star review, and share this with a friend. OCA Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/ohiocounseling Created by the OCA's Media, Public Relations, and Membership (MPRM) Committee & its Podcast Subcommittee ·Hosted by Victoria Frazier and Lauren Collins-Knight ·Pre-Production & Coordination by Lauren Collins-Knight and Victoria Frazier ·Editing by Lauren Collins-Knight ·Original music selections by Elijah Satoru Wood

    Let's Unpack That #15: Finding Your Theoretical Fit
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Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

The official Ohio Counseling Association podcast. Our mission is to host experts from our membership, leadership, and throughout the counseling field to bring listeners relevant conversations around what it means to be a counselor in Ohio. In addition, this podcast will provide a platform for Ohio Counseling Association divisions, chapters, and committees to share information and updates. Made for counselors by counselors, we hope to highlight important conversations in the profession that will inform our work as we continue to grow as professionals and as people. Thank you for tuning in! Views, beliefs, or references mentioned in episodes do not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the Ohio Counseling Association. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the view of the Ohio Counseling Association or any of its officials. 

Information

  • Creator
    Ohio Counseling Association
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    81
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Ohio Counseling Conversations
  • Show Website
    Ohio Counseling Conversations

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