Counseling Stars

counselingstars
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Counseling Stars: For Students, By Students (Oklahoma City University Chapter) is a dynamic, student-led initiative passionate about amplifying student voices, fostering connection, and advocating for accessible, quality mental health care.

Episodes

  1. Jan 5

    Stellar Pathways #4: Applying, Interviewing, and Choosing a Practicum Site

    In this Stellar Pathways episode, master’s students in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program open up about their journey to securing a practicum site. They discuss the ups and downs of the application process, interviewing with potential sites, and making the final choice, while sharing lessons learned along the way. Full of practical advice and encouragement, this conversation is a must-listen for counseling students preparing to take this important next step. 🔗 Connect with Counseling Stars 📸 Instagram: @counselingstars 🎵 TikTok: @counselingstars 🐦 X (formerly Twitter): @counselingstars 🌤️ BlueSky: @counselingstars.bsky.social 💼 LinkedIn: Counseling Stars   📬 Got questions or ideas? Reach out — we’d love to feature your voice.

    38 min

  2. 12/22/2025

    Constellation Feature #8: Global Perspectives on Counseling with Dr. Shannon Hodges

    In this Constellation Feature of Counseling Stars, master’s students sit down with Dr. Shannon Hodges, counselor educator, international practitioner, and author of one of the most widely used graduate counseling textbooks, The Counseling Practicum and Internship Manual. Together, they explore what students should look for in a practicum and internship site, the importance of counselor self-care, and Dr. Hodges’ experiences in international and global counseling work. 🔗 Connect with Counseling Stars 📸 Instagram: @counselingstars 🎵 TikTok: @counselingstars 🐦 X (formerly Twitter): @counselingstars 🌤️ BlueSky: @counselingstars.bsky.social 💼 LinkedIn: Counseling Stars   📬 Got questions or ideas? Reach out — we’d love to feature your voice.   #MentalHealth #CounselingStars #GradSchool #GradStudents

    58 min

  3. 12/08/2025

    Constellation Feature #7: The Business of Therapy - A Raw Conversation with LPCs

    In this Constellation Feature of Counseling Stars, a panel of licensed professional counselors—Dr. Maurice Murunga, Dr. Alexia Florentin, and Dr. Rebekah Hodge—pull back the curtain on the business side of mental health practice. This candid, unfiltered conversation dives into the real-world decisions that shape a therapist’s career, from billing and insurance navigation to choosing between private practice and community mental health agencies, and everything in between. It’s a rare look at the practical realities of building a career in counseling, told by those who’ve walked the path. 🔗 Connect with Counseling Stars 📸 Instagram: @counselingstars 🎵 TikTok: @counselingstars 🐦 X (formerly Twitter): @counselingstars 🌤️ BlueSky: @counselingstars.bsky.social 💼 LinkedIn: Counseling Stars   📬 Got questions or ideas? Reach out — we’d love to feature your voice.   #MentalHealth #CounselingStars #GradSchool #GradStudents

    54 min

  4. 11/24/2025

    Stellar Pathways #3: Reflections on the First Year of Graduate School

    In this Constellation Feature of Counseling Stars, master’s students in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Oklahoma City University reflect on their first year of graduate school. The students share candid insights on balancing coursework, practicum preparation, jobs, and personal life, while also navigating the growth, vulnerability, and surprises that come with entering the profession. This episode offers a relatable, honest look at graduate school life—perfect for those considering the program or just beginning their own counseling journey. 🔗 Connect with Counseling Stars 📸 Instagram: @counselingstars 🎵 TikTok: @counselingstars 🐦 X (formerly Twitter): @counselingstars 🌤️ BlueSky: @counselingstars.bsky.social 💼 LinkedIn: Counseling Stars   📬 Got questions or ideas? Reach out — we’d love to feature your voice.   #MentalHealth #CounselingStars #GradSchool #GradStudents

    37 min

  5. 11/10/2025

    Constellation Feature #6: Christiana Kyles on Becoming an LPC and Supporting Student Athletes

    In this Constellation Feature of Counseling Stars, hosts Ash Savage, Amanda Sakurai, and Brittany Ward shine a light on Christiana Kyles, an LPC Candidate whose journey offers valuable insight for students and emerging professionals in the counseling field. Christiana opens up about the real costs of candidacy and what to expect when working under supervision. She also shares about her current role working with student athletes, exploring the intersection of mental health, performance, and identity. 🔗 Connect with Counseling Stars 📸 Instagram: @counselingstars 🎵 TikTok: @counselingstars 🐦 X (formerly Twitter): @counselingstars 🌤️ BlueSky: @counselingstars.bsky.social 💼 LinkedIn: Counseling Stars   📬 Got questions or ideas? Reach out — we’d love to feature your voice.   #MentalHealth #CounselingStars #GradSchool #GradStudents

    51 min

  6. 10/27/2025

    Constellation Feature #5: Insights from Amanda Gautier of the Homeless Alliance

    In this Constellation Feature of Counseling Stars, hosts Ash Savage, Amanda Sakurai, and Brittany Ward sit down with Amanda Gautier, Director of Employee Engagement at the Homeless Alliance in Oklahoma City. With nearly a decade of experience serving individuals experiencing homelessness, Amanda sheds light on the realities of housing insecurity, the systemic barriers people face, and the misconceptions that fuel stigma. 🔗 Connect with Counseling Stars 📸 Instagram: @counselingstars 🎵 TikTok: @counselingstars 🐦 X (formerly Twitter): @counselingstars 🌤️ BlueSky: @counselingstars.bsky.social 💼 LinkedIn: Counseling Stars   📬 Got questions or ideas? Reach out — we’d love to feature your voice.   #MentalHealth #CounselingStars #GradSchool #GradStudents

    55 min

  7. 10/13/2025

    Stellar Pathways #2: The Grad School Application Journey

    In this episode of Stellar Pathways, Amanda Sakurai, Brittany Ward, and Ash Savage get real about the graduate school application process. From personal statements and transcripts to the nerves, doubts, and unexpected surprises along the way, they share their candid experiences applying to the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Oklahoma City University. 🔗 Connect with Counseling Stars 📸 Instagram: @counselingstars 🎵 TikTok: @counselingstars 🐦 X (formerly Twitter): @counselingstars 🌤️ BlueSky: @counselingstars.bsky.social 💼 LinkedIn: Counseling Stars 📬 Got questions or ideas? Reach out — we’d love to feature your voice. #MentalHealth #CounselingStars #GradSchool #GradStudents

    29 min

  8. 09/29/2025

    Constellation Feature #4: Exploring Addiction, Recovery, and Resilience with Dr. Rebekah Hodge

    In this episode, the Counseling Stars team sits down with Dr. Rebekah Hodge to explore the complex realities of addiction and recovery. From the personal challenges faced by those in treatment to the critical role of supportive relationships and community resources, Dr. Hodge offers both professional expertise and heartfelt insights. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how stigma, trauma, and resilience intersect in the journey toward healing, and why compassion and connection matter now more than ever. 🔗 Connect with Counseling Stars 📸 Instagram: @counselingstars 🎵 TikTok: @counselingstars 🐦 X (formerly Twitter): @counselingstars 🌤️ BlueSky: @counselingstars.bsky.social 💼 LinkedIn: Counseling Stars 📬 Got questions or ideas? Reach out — we’d love to feature your voice. #AddictionRecovery #MentalHealth #CounselingStars #SubstanceUse #HealingJourney

    1 hr

  9. 09/15/2025

    Constellation Feature #3: Bridging Crisis Response & Mental Health in OKC with Lori Brown-Loftis

    What happens when emergency services and mental health care truly work hand in hand? In this episode, Ash, Brittany, and Amanda sit down with Lori Brown-Loftis, LCSW, Program Manager for Oklahoma City’s Mobile Integrated Healthcare Unit (MIH). Together, they explore how MIH diverts mental-health-related 911 calls from traditional law enforcement, provides on-scene crisis intervention, connects people to ongoing care, and partners with community resources like NAMI and Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers. From overdose education to alternative response models, Lori shares how this new program is reshaping crisis response and inspiring the next generation of mental health professionals. 🎧 Follow Counseling Stars for more student-led conversations: 📸 Instagram: @counselingstars 🎵 TikTok: Counseling Stars #MentalHealthAwareness #CrisisResponse #CommunityCare #OKC #MobileIntegratedHealthcare #FirstResponderSupport #NAMI #BehavioralHealth #CounselingStudents #PublicHealthInnovation

    45 min
  10. Stellar Pathways #1: Is Grad School Right for You? Real Talk from Counseling Students

    09/01/2025

    Stellar Pathways #1: Is Grad School Right for You? Real Talk from Counseling Students

    In the very first episode of Stellar Pathways, OCU Clinical Mental Health Counseling students Brittany Ward, Ash Savage, and Amanda Sakurai open up about their journeys into graduate school and the field of counseling. From navigating doubts and misconceptions to discovering meaningful moments of growth, this honest and reflective conversation is for anyone considering — or currently pursuing — a path in mental health. Whether you’re thinking about becoming an LPC, choosing a program, or just looking for some encouragement, you’ll find connection and insight here. 🎧 Follow Counseling Stars for more student-led conversations: 📸 Instagram: @counselingstars 🎵 TikTok: @counselingstars 🐦 X (formerly Twitter): @counselingstars 🌤️ BlueSky: @counselingstars.bsky.social 💼 LinkedIn: Counseling Stars 📬 Questions or feedback? Email us at counselingstars@gmail.com — we’d love to hear from you! #CounselingStarsPodcast #GradSchoolJourney #FutureCounselors #MentalHealthStudents #LPCinTraining #TherapistTalk #CounselingCommunity #StudentVoices #ClinicalMentalHealth #MentalHealthMatters #StellarPathways

    26 min
  11. Constellation Feature #2: Understanding Trauma-Informed Care and EMDR with Dr. Erin Lofties

    08/18/2025

    Constellation Feature #2: Understanding Trauma-Informed Care and EMDR with Dr. Erin Lofties

    What does it really mean to be trauma-informed, and what exactly is EMDR? In this episode, the Counseling Stars team sits down with Dr. Erin Lofties to unpack the realities of trauma in clinical work, how EMDR helps clients heal, and why adapting to individual needs is crucial. Whether you’re a counseling student, new clinician, or just curious about therapy tools, this conversation offers insight, clarity, and encouragement. 🎧 Follow Counseling Stars for more episodes and student-led insights: 📸 Instagram: @counselingstars 🎵 TikTok: @counselingstars 🐦 X (formerly Twitter): @counselingstars 💼 LinkedIn: Counseling Stars 🌤️ BlueSky: @counselingstars.bsky.social 📬 Questions or feedback? Email us at counselingstars@gmail.com — we’d love to hear from you! #TraumaInformedCare #EMDR #MentalHealthAwareness #TherapistLife #CounselingStudents #FutureCounselors #PTSDawareness #HealingJourney #ClinicalMentalHealth #TherapyTools #StudentVoices #CounselingStarsPodcast

    1h 19m
  12. Constellation Feature #1: Dr. Gina Wilson on OCU’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program

    08/03/2025

    Constellation Feature #1: Dr. Gina Wilson on OCU’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program

    In our first Constellation Feature, hosts Ash Savage and Amanda Sakurai chat with Dr. Gina Wilson about Oklahoma City University’s innovative online counseling program, AI-enhanced training, and the future of mental health education. Whether you're a student, future clinician, or just curious about mental health, this episode offers fresh insights and expert perspectives.

    35 min
  • 12 Episodes

About

Counseling Stars: For Students, By Students (Oklahoma City University Chapter) is a dynamic, student-led initiative passionate about amplifying student voices, fostering connection, and advocating for accessible, quality mental health care.

Information

  • Creator
    counselingstars
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Counseling Stars