Counselor Chat Podcast

Carol Miller, School Counselor
  • 4.9 (64)
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  • Updated Weekly

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.

  1. 168. Being the Last to Leave Didn’t Make Me Amazing: Boundaries I Wish I Set Earlier

    3d ago

    168. Being the Last to Leave Didn’t Make Me Amazing: Boundaries I Wish I Set Earlier

    Being the Last to Leave Didn’t Make Me Amazing: Boundaries I Wish I Set EarlierIn this episode of Counselor Chat, I’m continuing the series on things I wish I had done earlier in my school counseling career — and this one is all about boundaries. For a long time, I thought staying late, saying yes, and being endlessly available meant I was dedicated. But looking back, I can see that being the last car in the parking lot didn’t make me a better counselor. It just made me tired. In this episode, I’m sharing the boundaries I wish I had set earlier, including time boundaries, emotional boundaries, role boundaries, communication boundaries, and personal life boundaries. I also reflect on why school counselors often feel guilty setting limits — and why boundaries are actually what help us stay effective, compassionate, and sustainable in this work. In this episode, we talk about: Why overworking is not the same as being effectiveThe difference between being dependable and being endlessly availableWhy school counselors need role clarityHow guilt shows up when we start setting boundariesSimple scripts for saying no or pausing before saying yesWhy leaving on time does not mean you care lessHow boundaries protect your energy, family, and long-term career Takeaway: You can care deeply about students and still have limits. Being a good counselor does not require burning yourself out. Reflection question: What would change if you believed you could be a good counselor without being endlessly available? 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: TpT StoreCounseling Essentials WebsiteInstagramFacebookElementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook GroupCaught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook GroupHigh School Counselor Connection Facebook Group

    41 min
  2. 167. I Didn’t Know What I Didn’t Know: Why Conferences Changed My Counseling Practice

    Jun 17

    167. I Didn’t Know What I Didn’t Know: Why Conferences Changed My Counseling Practice

    I Didn’t Know What I Didn’t Know: Why Conferences Changed My Counseling PracticeIn this episode of Counselor Chat, I’m sharing why professional development and conferences became such a turning point in my school counseling career. Early on, I didn’t fully realize how much I could learn outside of my own building — or how much my perspective was limited by only knowing my own experiences. I’ll talk about finally attending my first conference, creating a small local conference for counselors, and how trainings in restorative practices and trauma, illness, and grief have deeply changed the way I support students, staff, and school communities. In this episode, we talk about: Why professional development is not “extra”How conferences expand your perspectiveThe power of learning from other counselorsWhy asking to attend training mattersHow restorative practices and crisis-response training changed my work Takeaway: You don’t know what you don’t know — and sometimes one conference, one training, or one new idea can change your entire practice. Check out the: Summer Counselor Conference 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: TpT StoreCounseling Essentials WebsiteInstagramFacebookElementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook GroupCaught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook GroupHigh School Counselor Connection Facebook Group

    31 min
  3. 166. Summer Series-What I Wish I Had Done Earlier: Invest in My Future

    Jun 10

    166. Summer Series-What I Wish I Had Done Earlier: Invest in My Future

    What I Wish I Had Done Earlier: Invest in My FutureIn this episode of Counselor Chat, we’re kicking off a new reflective series about the things I wish I had done earlier in my school counseling career. First up: investing in my future. This episode is not financial advice, but it is a gentle reminder that school counselors spend so much time helping students plan their futures that we sometimes forget to plan for our own. I’m sharing why I wish I had started asking questions about retirement, savings, and long-term planning earlier — and why taking even one small step now can make a difference for future you. In this episode, we talk about: Why future planning matters for school counselorsThe importance of asking questions about retirement and benefitsHow small steps can add up over timeWhy confusion should not keep you from startingCaring for your future self without guilt or shame Takeaway: You are allowed to care deeply about your students and still care about your own future. Future you is worth planning for. 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: TpT StoreCounseling Essentials WebsiteInstagramFacebookElementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook GroupCaught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook GroupHigh School Counselor Connection Facebook Group Don't forget to sign up for the Summer Counselor Conference! Early Bird registration ends June 15th!

    41 min
  4. 165. Celebrating Growth (Even When It Doesn’t Feel Like Enough)

    Jun 3

    165. Celebrating Growth (Even When It Doesn’t Feel Like Enough)

    Celebrating Growth (Even When It Doesn’t Feel Like Enough)As the school year comes to a close, it's easy to focus on the students we didn't quite reach, the goals that aren't fully accomplished, and the work that still feels unfinished. But what if success isn't always found in the big moments? In this episode of Counselor Chat, we'll explore how school counselors can reframe success by recognizing the quiet growth that often goes unnoticed. From students who finally ask for help to those who simply know they have a safe adult at school, these small wins matter more than we sometimes realize. In This Episode:Why growth is often messy, slow, and easy to overlookThe small victories counselors should be celebratingA touching story about a former student whose life was changed by a simple belief in his potentialWhy students often remember the little things we doHow counselors amplify student success every dayThe importance of recognizing your own growth as a counselor Key TakeawaySuccess doesn't always arrive as a dramatic transformation. Sometimes it sounds like: "Can I see my emotional support person?""Thanks for always listening.""You made me think I could actually do this." The relationships, encouragement, and consistency you provide matter more than you may ever know. As you wrap up the school year, take a moment to celebrate the quiet victories—both your students' growth and your own. 💛 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: TpT StoreCounseling Essentials WebsiteInstagramFacebookElementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook GroupCaught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook GroupHigh School Counselor Connection Facebook Group Get Your Ticket to the Summer Counselor Conference!

    15 min
  5. 164. The Students You’re Still Worried About

    May 29

    164. The Students You’re Still Worried About

    The Students You’re Still Worried AboutAs the school year winds down, most people are focused on celebrations, graduations, and summer plans. But school counselors know there’s another side to this season—the students we're still thinking about. In this heartfelt episode of Counselor Chat, we'll talk about the students who stay on our minds long after the final bell rings. The students who still struggle with friendships, attendance, anxiety, family challenges, or simply finding their place in the world. You'll learn: Why it's normal to worry about certain students as summer approachesWhat you can realistically do before the school year endsSimple ways to help students identify supports and prepare for summerHow to effectively hand off information to next year's teamWhy counselors need to remember they are only one chapter—not the entire story In This Episode:✔️ Supporting vulnerable students before summer break ✔️ Creating meaningful final check-ins ✔️ Helping students identify trusted adults and support systems ✔️ Transition planning and counselor-to-counselor handoffs ✔️ Letting go of the pressure to "fix everything" before June ✔️ Trusting that the seeds you've planted will continue to grow Key TakeawayYou don't have to solve every problem before summer. Sometimes the greatest gift we give students is consistency, connection, and the reminder that they matter. The fact that you're still worried about certain students doesn't mean you haven't done enough—it means you cared deeply. Connect with Carol🌐 CounselingEssentials.org 📸 Instagram: @counselingessentials If this episode resonated with you, share it with another school counselor who may be carrying the weight of unfinished stories as the school year comes to a close. Until next time, remember: the relationships matter, the small moments matter, and you matter 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: TpT StoreCounseling Essentials WebsiteInstagramFacebookElementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook GroupCaught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook GroupHigh School Counselor Connection Facebook Group www.summercounselorconference.com

    18 min
  6. 163. Helping Students Transition Well (Without Adding One More Thing to Your Plate)

    May 20

    163. Helping Students Transition Well (Without Adding One More Thing to Your Plate)

    163. Helping Students Transition WellAs school counselors, we spend so much time managing schedules, testing, field trips, celebrations, and end-of-year chaos that it’s easy to forget what many students are experiencing underneath it all: transition. In this episode of Counselor Chat, I’m talking about how transitions affect students emotionally and how we can support them in simple, meaningful ways without adding one more giant project to our already busy season. From elementary students moving to middle school, to seniors preparing to graduate, students often carry fears, uncertainty, excitement, grief, and anxiety all at the same time. The good news? Supporting them doesn’t have to involve complicated lessons, elaborate crafts, or Pinterest-perfect projects. In this episode, I share realistic and manageable ideas that help students process change, reflect on growth, and move forward with confidence. In this episode, we discuss:Why transitions can feel emotionally overwhelming for studentsCommon fears students have when moving to middle school and high schoolThe importance of normalizing emotions during times of changeEasy reflection and closure activities for different grade levelsHow simple conversations can create lasting impactWays to support graduating seniors emotionallyWhy counselors don’t need giant productions to create meaningful moments Favorite Quote from the Episode:“Simple is often better because it’s realistic and repeatable, and students remember how they felt, who listened, and who helped them feel seen.”Resources Mentioned:Year End Review Discussion QuestionsSummer Counselor Conference Remember, meaningful does not have to mean complicated. You are making a bigger difference than you realize. 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: TpT StoreCounseling Essentials WebsiteInstagramFacebookElementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook GroupCaught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook GroupHigh School Counselor Connection Facebook Group

    17 min
  7. 162. The 3 Pieces of Data School Counselors Should Grab Right Now

    May 13

    162. The 3 Pieces of Data School Counselors Should Grab Right Now

    Don’t Wait Until June: The 3 Pieces of Data You Should Grab Right NowIn this episode of Counselor Chat, we're talking about one of the biggest end-of-year stressors for school counselors: DATA. But instead of overcomplicating things with giant spreadsheets and impossible tracking systems, this episode focuses on the simple, meaningful information that actually matters. If you’ve ever found yourself in May wondering: “Where did this year go?”“Did I track enough?”“How am I supposed to summarize my counseling program?” …this episode is for you. Carol shares: The 3 pieces of data every school counselor should gather before the year endsWhy simple data is still powerfulEasy ways to use the information you already haveHow stories and student growth make your impact visibleWhy presentation matters when sharing your counseling program with administrators and stakeholders She also shares practical examples from her own district counseling program and explains how data can help guide next year’s counseling priorities—not just “prove” what you did this year. In This Episode, You’ll Learn:✔️ Why more data does NOT always mean better data ✔️ The importance of tracking the scope of your counseling work ✔️ Simple ways to show student growth and outcomes ✔️ Why stories and student quotes matter ✔️ What NOT to do during May survival season 😅 ✔️ How to create visuals that make your counseling program shine ✔️ How data can help shape next year’s counseling goals and supports The 3 Types of Data to Collect Right Now1. What You DidClassroom lessonsSmall groupsIndividual sessionsCrisis responseParent meetingsAttendance and behavior interventionsCommunity circlesCareer activities 2. What ChangedPre/post surveysAttendance improvementsCoping skills growthTeacher observationsStudent reflectionsBehavior changes 3. StoriesStudent quotesTeacher feedbackParent commentsSuccess momentsImpact stories that bring your work to life Free Resource Mentioned in This Episode🎁 Free End of Year Counseling Report This free counseling report template helps school counselors summarize the highlights of their school counseling program into an eye-catching, professional format that is perfect for: AdministratorsAdvisory councilsStaff meetingsProgram advocacyEnd-of-year reflection It’s designed to help you showcase: Lessons taughtGroups facilitatedStudent impactProgram highlightsCounseling outcomes …without spending hours creating reports from scratch. Connect with Carol🌐 Counseling Essentials 📸 Instagram @counselingessentials If this episode encouraged you, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another school counselor who’s trying to survive the end of the school year one spreadsheet at a time. 💛 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: TpT StoreCounseling Essentials WebsiteInstagramFacebookElementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook GroupCaught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook GroupHigh School Counselor Connection Facebook Group

    19 min
  8. 161. How to Choose an SEL Curriculum

    May 6

    161. How to Choose an SEL Curriculum

    Mentioned in this episode: Perks Membership

    13 min
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4.9
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Carol Miller, School Counselor
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    169
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Carol Miller, School Counselor
  • Show Website
    Counselor Chat Podcast

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