Ohio Counseling Conversations

Ohio Counseling Association
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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. Couch to Capitol: December Legislative Updates & Year-End Recap

    12/23/2025

    Couch to Capitol: December Legislative Updates & Year-End Recap

    Send us a text Laws and budgets rewired the counseling landscape this year, and the ripple effects reached every waiting room in Ohio. We unpack what changed, what stalled, and where small advocacy moves can still flip outcomes—especially around parity, youth privacy, LGBTQ protections, and the counseling workforce pipeline. We start with the three forces that kept shaping care: access as infrastructure, higher education as the pipeline, and culture-war policy as clinical reality. From the federal pause on enforcing the MHPAEA Final Rule to Ohio bills that would narrow minors’ confidential access, we connect the dots between committee rooms and client sessions. You’ll hear clear updates on House Bills 172, 162, 390, 415, 324, and 249; the status of the Counseling Compact and why implementation timing matters; and how budget decisions affected libraries, shelters serving trans and non-binary youth, and coverage for gender-affirming care. We also chart the impact of Medicaid proposals, SNAP stability, and payment reforms that determine whether practices can keep doors open. We dig into telehealth flexibilities during the federal shutdown, the end of specialized 988 support for LGBTQ youth, and why misinformation around school screenings and reproductive health fuels shame and avoidance. On the horizon: proposed federal loan caps for non-doctoral graduate programs set to reshape who can afford a CACREP-aligned counseling degree and who gets left on a waitlist. Throughout, we translate policy into practice—what it means for denials, documentation, caseloads, and the trust needed to do effective therapy. Walk away with a focused watchlist for 2026: parity enforcement, insurer practices, telehealth stability, youth confidentiality, affirming care protections, Medicaid policy, and student loan rules. Subscribe, share with a colleague who needs the quick policy download, and leave a review telling us the top policy you want us to track next. Resources: https://www.counseling.org/advocacy/take-actionhttps://ohiocounseling.org/legislative-advocacyhttps://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/status-reportsOCA Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/ohiocounseling Stay in touch and join the conversation: Instagram: @OhioCounselingFacebook: facebook.com/ohiocounselingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ohio-counseling-association-b78256165/Created by the OCA's Media, Public Relations, and Membership (MPRM) Committee & its Podcast Subcommittee ·Hosted by Dr. Chase Morgan-Swaney ·Pre-Production & Coordination by Marisa Cargill, Victoria Frazier, Mariah Payne, and Chase Morgan-Swaney ·Editing by Marisa Cargill

    14 min
  2. Let's Unpack That #6: Unpack or Put it Back - Rules to Bend, Break, or Follow

    12/17/2025

    Let's Unpack That #6: Unpack or Put it Back - Rules to Bend, Break, or Follow

    Send us a text We play Unpack or Put It Back to test “therapy rules” against context, ethics and real human needs. From snacks and coffee tables to hugs, swearing and self disclosure, we explain how intention and relationship guide what helps and what harms. • modeling self care with snacks and breaks  • room design signals safety and collaboration  • measured praise that scaffolds internal validation  • nuanced boundaries around hugs and comfort  • swearing as authentic language, not aggression  • thoughtful self disclosure to reduce shame  • accepting nominal gifts without role confusion  • authentic presence over blank slate posturing  • purposeful note taking and client preferences  • relatable dress to soften power dynamics  • movement sessions with informed consent  • clear CTA to keep the conversation going Feel free to drop us a line in the show notes or reach out to us on social media  If it sparks something for you, share it with a colleague or drop us a line. We’d love to keep the conversation going. What do you think? Send us your questions or topics you'd like us to unpack! OCA Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/ohiocounseling Connect with Us Stay in touch and join the conversation: Instagram: @OhioCounselingFacebook: facebook.com/ohiocounselingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ohio-counseling-association-b78256165/**** 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 & Victoria Frazier ·Pre-Production & Coordination by Marisa Cargill and Victoria Frazier ·Editing by Leah Wood & Marisa Cargill ·Original music selections by Elijah Satoru Wood

    41 min

  3. 12/09/2025

    Conversation 37 - Sustaining Counselors Through Shortages and Strain

    Send us a text Feeling the squeeze of staffing shortages, rising acuity, and endless admin while trying to hold real space for clients? We sat down with Dr. Alicia Hall—counselor, supervisor, and advocate—to talk about a path forward that doesn’t rely on grit alone. The conversation centers on vitality, a grounded sense of aliveness that fuels resilience, powers meaning making, and opens the door to vicarious transformation. Rather than ignoring vicarious trauma or glorifying burnout, we map the signals, name the systems that intensify it, and explore concrete ways to reconnect with purpose. We trace Alicia’s 15-year journey in trauma work and unpack how counselors can move from exhaustion to transformation by aligning with core values, building true community, and right-sizing expectations. You’ll hear pragmatic strategies—tightening documentation without writing novels, adjusting caseloads, seeking trauma-informed supervision, and creating peer consult circles that normalize human reactions. We also highlight bright spots across Ohio: professionals and clients alike turning advocacy into action, pushing back on harmful policy, and modeling the kind of collective care that keeps counselors in the field. For new professionals navigating their first heavy stories and for seasoned clinicians questioning whether to stay, this is a candid, hopeful guide. We talk about the subtle ways hypervigilance shows up, the joy of witnessing client wins, and how advocacy itself can be a form of meaning making. If you’ve wondered how to keep showing up with integrity and energy, you’ll find tools, language, and community touchpoints to help you sustain the work you’re called to do. If this conversation resonates, subscribe, share it with a colleague, and leave a review to help more Ohio counselors find it. Then tell us: what’s one practice that strengthens your vitality this week? OCA Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/ohiocounseling Connect with Us Stay in touch and join the conversation: Instagram: @OhioCounselingFacebook: facebook.com/ohiocounselingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ohio-counseling-association-b78256165/**** 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 Leah Wood & Marisa Cargill ·Original music selections by Elijah Satoru Wood

    57 min
  4. Couch to Capitol: November Legislative Updates

    11/25/2025

    Couch to Capitol: November Legislative Updates

    Send us a text Policy isn’t background noise—it’s showing up in our sessions as missed appointments, longer waitlists, and clients afraid to speak. We take you inside the real-world consequences of Ohio’s latest bills and federal shifts, translating headlines into the clinical realities counselors and clients face every day. We start with the federal shutdown’s lingering impact on Medicaid processing, VA mental health services, and grant-funded programs. Then we break down HB 162, the My Child My Chart Act, and why expanded parental access to minors’ records can chill disclosures, complicate safety planning, and reduce engagement among teens—especially LGBTQ youth. We examine HB 324’s restrictions on mifepristone and related medications, connecting the dots between reproductive care limits, grief and trauma responses, and eroding trust in healthcare, with disproportionate effects on rural communities, low-income families, people of color, and LGBTQ clients. We also address the revived drag performance ban under HB 249 and its broad implications for LGBTQ safety, inclusive school and community events, and the rise of minority stress and political trauma. Finally, we spotlight a looming federal change that could reshape the counseling workforce: proposed student loan caps of $20,500 per year for non-doctoral graduate programs. With most accredited counseling programs costing more, students face high-interest private debt, delayed completion, or exit—shrinking the pipeline just as demand for mental health care climbs. Throughout, we share practical ways to respond: trauma-informed strategies that acknowledge political context, confidentiality practices that protect youth while honoring family roles, and concrete advocacy moves that connect ethics with policy. If you’re a counselor, student, or ally who cares about access, autonomy, and equity in mental health, this conversation gives you the tools and language to act. If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a colleague, and leave a review with one action you’ll take this week to advocate for mental health access in Ohio. OCA Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/ohiocounseling Stay in touch and join the conversation: Instagram: @OhioCounselingFacebook: facebook.com/ohiocounselingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ohio-counseling-association-b78256165/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, Victoria Frazier, Mariah Payne, and Leah Wood ·Editing by Marisa Cargill

    10 min
  5. Let's Unpack That #5: Counselors Seeking Counseling

    11/18/2025

    Let's Unpack That #5: Counselors Seeking Counseling

    Send us a text Why is it so hard for counselors to take their own advice? Despite preaching self-care and healing to clients, many mental health professionals struggle to prioritize their own therapy. Victoria Frazier and Marisa Cargill dive deep into this paradox with refreshing honesty and vulnerability. The hosts challenge the harmful misconception that seeking counseling somehow diminishes a counselor's credibility or effectiveness. "Just because we know something doesn't mean we don't need support to access that motivation to change," they point out, highlighting the universal truth that knowledge alone doesn't guarantee application. Both hosts openly share their positive experiences with their own counselors, demonstrating how personal therapy enhances rather than undermines their professional capabilities. Beyond addressing common fears—like appearing "too fragile" or incompetent—the conversation explores the surprising benefits of counselors getting counseling. From gaining fresh perspectives and metaphors (Tori's counselor uses horse-riding analogies she now shares with clients) to experiencing the vulnerability of being on the other side of the couch, therapy provides invaluable insights that textbooks simply can't teach. The episode culminates in a playful yet insightful game of "Unpack or Put It Back," where the hosts evaluate common therapeutic interactions from the client-counselor perspective. Their verdict on counselors who bring vulnerability to sessions? Enthusiastically "unpack!" Their take on counselors who ask clients for professional advice during paid sessions? Definitely "put it back!" For counselors considering their own healing journey, for clients curious about their counselor's mental health practices, or for anyone interested in breaking down stigma around seeking help, this episode offers both practical wisdom and permission to embrace imperfection.  What do you think? Send us your questions or topics you'd like us to unpack! OCA Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/ohiocounseling Connect with Us Stay in touch and join the conversation: Instagram: @OhioCounselingFacebook: facebook.com/ohiocounselingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ohio-counseling-association-b78256165/**** 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 & Victoria Frazier ·Pre-Production & Coordination by Marisa Cargill and Victoria Frazier ·Editing by Leah Wood & Marisa Cargill ·Original music selections by Elijah Satoru Wood

    32 min

  6. 11/12/2025

    Conversation 36 - Who Are We As Counselors & How Do We Prove It

    Send us a text What if cultural responsiveness wasn’t a training you attend, but a posture you carry into every session? We welcome Carmella Hill, current president of the Ohio Counseling Association, to unpack how engagement, competence, and identity come together to strengthen counselors and the communities we serve. Carmella traces her path through OCA leadership and shows why unity across divisions, regions, and specialties is essential right now. We dig into what cultural humility looks like moment to moment—reading nonverbal cues, honoring family norms, and checking in about community events that weigh on clients. She pushes us to articulate counselor identity with clarity: we use theory, ask intentional questions, apply evidence-based interventions, and measure outcomes that demonstrate change. We also tackle the tools shaping our future, including responsible, ethical uses of AI to support preparation and psychoeducation without losing the human core of the work. Mentorship and supervision emerge as the backbone of growth. Carmella shares formative stories of leaders who opened doors, modeled humility, and told the truth with care—habits that shape how we mentor the next generation. We talk practical wellness for busy caseloads, from one-minute breathing resets to journaling on the go, faith and community grounding, and peer consultation that turns isolation into momentum. On the systems side, we name the tough conversations: reimbursement, session limits, and legislative pressure, alongside concrete ways OCA creates connection through conferences, workshops, coaching, and committees. If you’ve been feeling stretched thin or uncertain about how to describe the value of your work, this conversation offers language, tools, and a rallying cry. As Carmella puts it, together we stand and together we advance. Hit play, and then tell us: what practice shift will you try this week? Subscribe, share with a colleague, and leave a review so more Ohio counselors can find and fuel their fire. OCA Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/ohiocounseling Connect with Us Stay in touch and join the conversation: Instagram: @OhioCounselingFacebook: facebook.com/ohiocounselingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ohio-counseling-association-b78256165/**** 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 Victoria Frazier ·Pre-Production & Coordination by Marisa Cargill and Victoria Frazier ·Editing by Leah Wood & Marisa Cargill ·Original music selections by Elijah Satoru Wood

    52 min
  7. Couch to Capitol: October Legislative Updates

    10/28/2025

    Couch to Capitol: October Legislative Updates

    Send us a text We unpack how the federal shutdown, expired telehealth waivers, and looming SNAP delays intersect with daily counseling practice in Ohio, then analyze state bills that could reshape access and privacy. We close with clear actions to protect clients, support communities, and engage policymakers. • impact of the federal shutdown on counseling care • expiration of Medicaid and Medicare telehealth waivers and exceptions • immediate steps for clients facing SNAP disruptions • HB 502 to backfill SNAP, WIC and TANF shortfalls • HB 162 and risks to minors’ confidentiality • HB 324 and threats to medication access and equity • practical advocacy targets and talking points • resources for contacting CMS and Ohio committees Don’t forget to subscribe for monthly updates If you have any questions, want to get involved, or have additional information, connect with us through our social media or in the link in our show notes Resources: https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/status-reportshttps://ohiocounseling.org/legislative-advocacyhttps://www.counseling.org/advocacy/take-actionNational Board for Certified Counselors Guide to Advocacy CommunicationNASW Ohio, Current Legislation (Scripts Included)League of Women Voters: Advocacy ResourcesAdditional Informational Resourceshttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1z1pe5fGRJx43mWfrqAruKngA3rje_6QbKSxvzXQBgqs/edit?usp=sharingOCA Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/ohiocounseling Stay in touch and join the conversation: Instagram: @OhioCounselingFacebook: facebook.com/ohiocounselingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ohio-counseling-association-b78256165/Created by the OCA's Media, Public Relations, and Membership (MPRM) Committee & its Podcast Subcommittee ·Hosted by Mariah Payne ·Pre-Production & Coordination by Marisa Cargill, Victoria Frazier, Mariah Payne, and Leah Wood ·Editing by Marisa Cargill

    13 min

  8. 10/21/2025

    Conversation 35 - Reclaiming Counselor Dignity: Insurance, Antitrust, and the Path to Equity

    Send us a text The biggest behavioral health workforce in Ohio is paid the least—and it’s not because counselors lack skill. We pull back the curtain on the legal and structural gears that keep reimbursement low: antitrust limits that fracture our voice, opaque contracts with nonnegotiable rates, paneling delays that outlast statute, clawbacks that drain small practices, and documentation games that reward downcoding over good care. With guests Mike Desposito and Derek Lee from OCA’s Insurance Advocacy Committee, we walk through real data from Ohio and neighboring states, explain why “parity” without enforcement changes nothing, and make the case for solutions that match the scale of the problem. Instead of waiting for one-off legislative wins to trickle down, we map a path to durable power: forming trade associations to pool funding, counsel, and lobbying; building clinically integrated networks with shared governance and data so counselors can legally negotiate value-based contracts; and teaching essential business literacy so practice owners stop absorbing systemic risk alone. We also connect the dots from underpayment to access—how burnout, administrative burden, and cash‑only shifts create ghost networks, longer waits, and deeper inequities for families who already pay premiums but can’t find care. Dignity for counselors is dignity for clients; restore one and you protect the other. You’ll leave with a clearer view of what’s broken and a practical playbook to start fixing it: join and fund organized advocacy, document denials and delays, file complaints together, and support enforcement that has teeth—published penalties, real audits, and transparent timelines. If we want timely, affordable mental health care across Ohio, we can’t stay vendors at the mercy of rate sheets; we need to become integrated partners with a unified voice. If this matters to you, share the episode with a colleague, subscribe for more advocacy deep-dives, and leave a review telling us where you want the movement to go next. We've included links and flyers you can share with your colleagues below too: IAC Resources: Counselor Insurance Advocacy Surveyhttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd2nN_z2l20sIoaKcd1ydyEt2bp-40RO0ZTbO77JKAkOlUncQ/viewformDerek Lee Counseling Today Articlehttps://www.counseling.org/publications/counseling-today-magazine/article-archive/article/legacy/it-s-time-for-a-financial-change-in-counselingIAC Flyers for Provider Friendly Bills, Survey, CEU Opportunity(pending), and Mental Health Insurance Reform Taskforcehttps://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1OgneHYtFEfY_h-cRAhqjKEButrSZ6zdb?usp=drive_linkPlease note the CEU opportunity is related to continuing this conversation and is being spearheaded by the Ohio Association for Counselors in Private Practice (OACPP).  If you want to get involved and continue the conversation, attend this event 11/21/25 at 12pm!OCA Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/ohiocounseling Connect with Us Stay in touch and join the conversation: Instagram: @OhioCounselingFacebook: facebook.com/ohiocounselingLinkedIn: https://www.linked

    1h 16m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
9 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 - 2025
  • Episodes
    51
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Ohio Counseling Conversations
  • Show Website
    Ohio Counseling Conversations