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. 6 DAYS AGO

    Conversation 40 - The Collaborative Counselor

    Send us Fan Mail You can be skilled, ethical, and deeply caring, and still end up overwhelmed if you try to do counseling alone. We’re joined by Dr. Charity Anne Kurz, counselor educator and clinician, to make the case for the “collaborative counselor” and to get painfully practical about what collaboration looks like when it’s more than a nice idea. We talk about why collaboration is both a mindset and an action, how cultural humility keeps us curious instead of assumptive, and why being secure in our professional identity helps us work alongside other disciplines without feeling threatened.  We also dig into the barriers that quietly shut collaboration down: time, caseload pressure, and the slow drift toward isolation. Dr. Charity shares why isolation can become an “ethical slip and slide,” plus how consultation and accountability protect both the client and the counselor. If you’re early in your career, you’ll hear concrete encouragement to build a network now, before you need it, and to stop carrying a savior-sized load that was never yours to carry.  A major thread is faith and mental health. Spirituality is a core part of multicultural counseling, yet many clinicians avoid it out of fear, uncertainty, or past hurts. We walk through respectful intake questions, how to explore a client’s lived spirituality without assumptions, and what healthy collaboration with faith communities can look like, including prevention-focused training and clear referral practices. We also cover telehealth counseling realities, community mapping, and how strategic partnerships can expand care while giving you time back.  If this conversation helps you rethink your support system, share it with a colleague, subscribe for more Ohio Counseling Conversation, and leave a review so more counselors can find it. What’s one collaboration you want to build this year? OCA Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/ohiocounseling Connect with Us on Any/All Socials at our Link Tree! 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, Victoria Frazier, and Shannon O'Mara ·Editing by Marisa Cargill ·Original music selections by Elijah Satoru Wood

    52 min
  2. Couch to Capitol: March 2026 Legislative Updates

    30 MAR

    Couch to Capitol: March 2026 Legislative Updates

    Send us Fan Mail Laws passed in Columbus do not stay in Columbus, they show up as stress, grief, fear, and conflict in our clients’ lives. We sit down as Ohio counselors to translate what just moved at the Statehouse into what it changes in the therapy room, from school-based messaging on pregnancy to new barriers that can delay or derail care. If you want a clear, clinically grounded Ohio legislative update for mental health counselors, this is your map. We break down major Ohio House bills now headed to the Ohio Senate, including House Bill 485 (the Baby Olivia Act) and House Bill 347 (the She Wins Act), and we talk about why accuracy, informed consent, and system-created barriers matter for ethical, evidence-based counseling. We also cover House Bill 249’s sweeping “gender performance” language and what laws like this can do to LGBTQ youth mental health, plus House Bill 172’s threat to teen access to short-term confidential crisis counseling when a parent is not a safe option. Then we shift to the business and access realities that shape every caseload: behavioral health well checks in House Bill 724, insurer recoupment reform in Senate Bill 162, an OhioHealth antitrust lawsuit tied to health care costs, and new KFF polling that names prior authorization as a leading obstacle for patients, especially those seeking mental health care. We close with federal developments impacting immigration-related stress in sessions, graduate student loan caps that could shrink the counseling pipeline, culturally responsive supports for Latino youth, and renewed efforts to stop paid conversion therapy. If you found this useful, subscribe, share it with another counselor, and leave a review so more Ohio clinicians can stay informed and keep advocating. ***** Links Mentioned on the Episode: • Ohio Legislature Bill Tracker: legislature.ohio.gov • ACA Legislative Action Center: counseling.org/government-affairs • NBCC LEAP Act Action: votervoice.net/NBCCGrassroots • ACLU Ohio — HB 249 Opposition: action.aclu.org • Ohio House Member Contact: ohiohouse.gov • Ohio Senate Member Contact: ohiosenate.gov • AG Yost / OhioHealth Lawsuit: ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Media/News-Releases/February-2026 • KFF Prior Authorization Poll (Feb. 2026): kff.org • SB 162 Senate Committee: legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/sb162 • Trevor Project Crisis Line: 866-4-U-Trevor • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 Bills Requiring Ohio SENATE Contact (passed House earlier this week): • HB 220 — Prior Authorization Reform → SUPPORT • HB 347 — Abortion Waiting Period → Share mental health impact • HB 249 — Drag Ban → Share LGBTQ+ youth mental health research and ethics Bills in Ohio Senate Committee — Watch & Contact: • HB 485 — Baby Olivia Act (2nd Senate Ed. Committee hearing this week) • SB 162 — Recoupment Timing (sub-bill adopted, advancing) → SUPPORT • HB 172 — Teen Mental Health Access → OPPOSE urgently 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 Marisa Cargill & Victoria Frazier ·Pre-Production & Coordination by Marisa Cargill, Victoria Frazier, Mariah Payne, and Chase Morgan-Swaney ·Editing by Marisa Cargill & Victoria Frazier

    22 min
  3. Let's Unpack That #10: Conference Ready: A Counselor’s Quick Guide

    24 MAR

    Let's Unpack That #10: Conference Ready: A Counselor’s Quick Guide

    Send us Fan Mail Your next conference can feel like a recharge, not a marathon. We’re sharing the playbook we wish we had sooner—how to plan with purpose, protect your energy, and turn both sessions and hallway chats into momentum you’ll feel back at your desk. We start with simple planning moves that pay off: choose sessions tied to your CEU needs and your core why as a counselor, then add a wildcard outside your comfort zone to spark new skills. From ethics to supervision hours, we show how to balance requirements with curiosity so your notes become action, not just inspiration. Along the way, we talk through self‑accommodation that actually works—seat choice, snacks, hydration, fidgets, and strategic breaks—plus the underrated power of scanning venue maps for quiet rooms, wellness spaces, presenter areas, and the exhibitor hall. Connection is the force multiplier. We share low‑pressure scripts for meeting peers, ways to turn a coffee‑line chat into a consult partner, and why choosing conversation over one more CEU can pay dividends in practice. Big conferences bring scale and variety—niche modalities, resources for clients with complex health needs, and a sea of kindred clinicians—so we outline how to navigate without burning out. We also make a case for strolling the expo: new assessment tools, counseling books, platform trials, and community programs can level up your work the moment you return. Underneath the tactics is a theme: belonging matters. In a tough socio‑political climate, gathering with colleagues who share your ethics can restore hope, clarity, and stamina. Go in with three targets—one learning goal, one connection goal, one self‑care goal—and leave with two concrete follow‑ups to keep the spark alive. If you’re heading to Columbus for ACA, wave us down and say hello—we’re always up for a quick chat and a good book tip. Subscribe, share this with a colleague who needs a boost, and leave a review with your best conference hack so we can feature it next time. 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 on Any/All Socials at our Link Tree! **** 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 & Marisa Cargill ·Pre-Production & Coordination by Marisa Cargill and Victoria Frazier ·Editing by Marisa Cargill ·Original music selections by Elijah Satoru Wood

    25 min
  4. Let's Unpack That #9: Counseling, According to Pop Culture

    17 MAR

    Let's Unpack That #9: Counseling, According to Pop Culture

    Send us Fan Mail What if your first lesson about therapy came from a horror villain or a five‑minute breakthrough montage? We dive into the stories that taught us what counselors are supposed to be—stoic saviors, boundary‑blurrers, or secret masterminds—and compare them with what ethical care actually looks like. From Ted Lasso’s Dr. Sharon holding firm lines to the seductive manipulation of Hannibal, we explore why writers lean on spectacle, how those choices shape public trust, and what gets lost when healing is edited for prime time. We trade notes on the moments that made us wince and the rare scenes that felt grounded: clear roles, minimal self‑disclosure, and the slow build of rapport. Then we zoom out to the asylum aesthetic that haunts pop culture, the criminal therapist trope that criminalizes care, and the reality TV promise of instant transformation. Along the way, we unpack the power differential in counseling, why boundaries are safety not distance, and how quick “cures” on screen create false expectations that can keep people from seeking help. If media has shaped your view of counseling, bring that curiosity with you. Ask about credentials, specialties, confidentiality, and how your counselor handles limits and repairs. Good practice welcomes questions and names power clearly. And if a show gave you language for your pain, keep the language and leave the fear. Press play to learn how to separate plot devices from real-life support, and share the episode with someone who’s therapy‑curious but hesitant. Subscribe, rate, and tell us which on‑screen therapist or counselor you want us to unpack next. 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 on Any/All Socials at our Link Tree! **** 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 with guest Lauren Collins-Knight ·Pre-Production & Coordination by Marisa Cargill and Victoria Frazier ·Editing by Marisa Cargill ·Original music selections by Elijah Satoru Wood

    24 min

  5. 10 MAR

    Conversation 39 - Motivational Interviewing for Staying Grounded When Headlines Aren't...

    Send us Fan Mail When the headlines won’t quit and the room feels charged, how do we stay grounded, ethical, and genuinely helpful? We sit down with counselor educator and MI trainer Kim Barrella to explore motivational interviewing as more than a technique—it’s a way of being that centers autonomy, partnership, and compassion, even when politics enter the session. Together, we unpack how MI helps clients and clinicians navigate anger, fatigue, and moral distress without slipping into persuasion or avoidance. Kim shares how complex reflections and thoughtful summaries can transform ambivalence—from “I’m stuck” to “I have choices”—and why that shift matters for LGBTQIA+ clients facing policy pressure and minority stress. We talk about aligning our work with shared ethical codes while protecting client trust, and how MI naturally complements modalities like CBT, DBT, and EMDR. You’ll hear practical language for real scenarios: responding to polarization in session, handling direct questions about your views, and finding sustainable actions when doomscrolling drains your energy. This conversation also moves beyond the therapy hour. We explore using MI in supervision and leadership, naming the push-pull of advocacy, and building resilience through small, values-aligned steps. If you’ve been craving a clearer path through uncertainty—one that honors dignity, reduces burnout, and keeps the focus where it belongs—this episode offers tools and encouragement to carry into your next session. If this resonates, share it with a colleague, subscribe for more thoughtful conversations, and leave a review to help others find the show. What MI move helps you stay present when the world feels loud? Resources  from the episode: https://www.facebook.com/NavigateCounselingandConsultation https://www.instagram.com/navigate_counseling/ https://www.navigatecounseling.org/ OCA Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/ohiocounseling Connect with Us on Any/All Socials at our Link Tree! 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 & Victoria Frazier ·Editing by Marisa Cargill ·Original music selections by Elijah Satoru Wood

    1hr 14min
  6. Couch to Capitol: February 2026 Legislative Updates

    24 FEB

    Couch to Capitol: February 2026 Legislative Updates

    Send us Fan Mail Policy moved fast this month, and we break it down so you can protect clients and plan your next steps with confidence. From real wins on Medicare telehealth to high‑stakes proposals that could reshape LGBTQ care and counselor ethics, we connect the dots between statutes, board guidance, and day‑to‑day practice in Ohio. We start with clarity on the Consolidated Appropriations Act that extends Medicare telehealth protections through December 31, 2027, including the in‑person visit waiver for behavioral health and broader geographic flexibility. You’ll hear concrete tips for 2028 readiness, like tagging clients who began services on or before January 30, 2026, to minimize disruption if requirements tighten. Then we track competing Ohio immigration enforcement packages—one limiting ICE access to sensitive locations and data sharing, the other banning sanctuary policies and compelling hospitals and mental health centers to admit federal agents, with possible funding penalties. We outline how HIPAA and confidentiality still apply and share steps for policy, training, and legal consultation so front desks and clinicians are prepared. Next, we examine Ohio’s local conversion therapy bans and why House Bill 693 could undercut those protections while restricting gender‑affirming practice for minors and penalizing licenses. We anchor the conversation in the ethical consensus from ACA, APA, AAP, and AACAP that attempts to change sexual orientation or gender identity cause harm. At the federal level, we explain proposed CMS rules that target gender‑affirming medical care for minors and the active litigation timeline, including a spring hearing and interim guidance expected by June 1, 2026. Counseling and talk therapy aren’t directly restricted, but the mental health ripple effects are real—so we offer practical communication points for families and documentation tips grounded in evidence-based care. We also update students and educators on CACREP’s revised Policy A2E, which requires in‑person, synchronous skill and disposition assessments in all accredited programs, including online, at least twice with one before practicum. Finally, we make space for clinician wellbeing, sharing tangible ways to use supervision, peer consultation, and community care to stay steady under pressure. Subscribe, share this with a colleague, and leave a review to help more Ohio counselors find these monthly briefings. Your work matters—and we’re here to keep you informed, resourced, and ready. Resources Mentioned on the Episode: February 2026 References & Show Notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PJShWrc-mfo5huLntyZa9lOnt0iGGw0Ox9gKIVKKiNA/edit?usp=sharing ***** 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 Mariah Payne ·Pre-Production & Coordination by Marisa Cargill, Victoria Frazier, Mariah Payne, and Chase Morgan-Swaney ·Editing by Marisa Cargill

    16 min
  7. Let's Unpack That #8: Slow Work in a Fast Feed: Counseling in the Age of Social Media

    17 FEB

    Let's Unpack That #8: Slow Work in a Fast Feed: Counseling in the Age of Social Media

    Send us Fan Mail Your feed offers endless tips, bold diagnoses, and confident scripts—but what happens when all that noise walks into the therapy room? We dig into the real-world impact of mental health content on client expectations, counselor boundaries, and the ethics of showing up online. With guest counselor Lauren Collins-Knight, we examine the tension between short-form advice and the slow, relational work that actually changes behavior. We talk candidly about “I already saw that on Instagram,” the pressure to deliver novelty, and the client fear of not being “sick enough” to deserve care. From DSM worries to the weekly surge of buzzwords, we share ways to re-center clients: explain levels of care, treat diagnosis as a living description, and translate symptoms within context. We look at the upside, too—lowered stigma, easier access to resources, and advocacy that travels faster than any brochure—without glossing over parasocial risks and the thin line between educator and influencer. If you post professionally, you’ll appreciate our grounded take on ACA ethics, especially Section H: why separate profiles matter, how to write clear boundaries into your bio, and what informed consent should say about digital communication. We also offer a practical tool clients love—the 1% change framework—which shrinks goals to something doable this week and turns inspiration into habit. Whether you’re a clinician refining your online presence or a listener sorting signal from noise in your own feed, you’ll leave with language, structure, and next steps that respect both care and context. If this conversation helped you think differently about counseling online, subscribe, share with a colleague, and leave a review to help others find the show. What’s your 1% change for the week? 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 on Any/All Socials at our Link Tree! **** 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 Marisa Cargill ·Original music selections by Elijah Satoru Wood

    21 min

  8. 10 FEB

    Conversation 38 - From High Control to Healing: Navigating Cultic Trauma

    Send us Fan Mail Certainty can feel like safety, especially when life hurts. Our conversation with Laura Dunson Caputo, an assistant professor and trauma counselor, and Alexis Gilan, a newly licensed clinician whose research centers on cultic dynamics, digs into how high-control groups trade belonging for obedience and why that bargain is so hard to recognize from the inside. Rather than chasing sensational headlines, we map the real mechanics: centralized, unquestionable authority, conditional acceptance, and morality framed in stark binaries that erode agency and redefine identity from the outside in. We walk through the subtle ways this trauma shows up after someone leaves. Hierarchies can feel comfortingly familiar, fawn responses masquerade as “being good,” and choices feel threatening instead of freeing. We talk about the nonlinearity of healing—waves of clarity and doubt—and why quick fixes and premature forgiveness are just another form of pressure. For clinicians, we unpack blind spots from religious socialization to cultural normalization, plus the risk of turning therapy into a new control system. Practical steps include explicit consent and transparency, curiosity-driven questions, and motivational interviewing skills that avoid rescuing and return power to the client. You’ll also hear concrete signs to watch for—needing permission to attend sessions, access restrictions, obedience language, moral rigidity, and diffuse trauma without a single precipitating event—along with the growing role of social media, Discord, and YouTube in modern recruitment. We highlight creative modalities like art therapy and the therapeutic relationship as a safe lab where clients practice saying no, disagreeing, and staying in connection. Beyond the therapy room, we challenge hyper‑individualism and make the case for community care that offers belonging without coercion. If this conversation resonates, subscribe, share it with a colleague, and leave a review to help more listeners find thoughtful guidance on cultic trauma, ethical care, and rebuilding agency. 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 & Victoria Frazier ·Editing by Marisa Cargill ·Original music selections by Elijah Satoru Wood

    53 min
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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
    61
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Ohio Counseling Conversations
  • Show Website
    Ohio Counseling Conversations

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