🎙️ Episode Title: That One Student – Ending the Year with Impact In this powerful episode of Counselor Chat, Carol shares the emotional story of “that one student” — or in her case, an entire family — who made a lasting impact during the school year. From crisis to resilience, you’ll hear how four siblings…
This week on Counselor Chat, we’re getting personal—and a little behind-the-scenes. 🎧 Episode 114: Conference Confidential – The Backstage Tour of the Summer Counselor Conference In this episode, I’m sharing how the Summer Counselor Conference came to life—from the spark of an idea to a community of thousands of counselors learning together from the comfort…
In this heartfelt episode, I’m sharing a mix of laughter, encouragement, and reflection for school counselors wrapping up the year. Drawing from letters written by real counselors, this episode offers wisdom to tuck away for the tough days ahead—and a reminder that your work truly matters. Highlights: 💌 “Dear Future Me…” letters full of humor, heart, and hard-earned advice 📢 The importance of advocating for your role (and inviting yourself to the meeting) 🧠 What to remember when you’re overwhelmed next fall 👀 Why checking work emails at home is a big nope ✨ A challenge to write your own end-of-year letter Words of Wisdom from the Episode: “You’ve walked through hard things and you’re still standing. Your value isn’t determined by someone else’s words.” – Michelle F. “You are the right person for this job—even when the to-do list says otherwise.” – Darcy C. Challenge of the Week: Write your own “Dear Future Me” letter. Include a reminder of your growth, the wins worth celebrating, and advice for when things get heavy again. Then, save it somewhere to reopen next fall. 💛 Grab the Show Notes: Counselingessentials.org/podcastJoin 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…
What happens when grief becomes your unexpected companion—but also your teacher? In this heartfelt Podcast Takeover, guest host Carol Colao opens up about guiding children through grief in her school counseling role, sharing signs, stories, and a reminder that children grieve differently–and deeply. She’s joined by Julie Riga, a leadership coach and author, who turned her grief into purpose by completing her late father’s memoir and discovering “authentic grieving” in the process. This episode is a touching blend of personal story and professional wisdom—and a reminder that hope can grow even in the hardest seasons. ✨ In this episode, you’ll learn: How grief manifests in children vs. adults Signs of “sad attacks” and how to support students through them Why grief extends beyond death: divorce, incarceration, and more What it means to “authentically grieve” and set your own pace How storytelling and honoring “the firsts” after loss can lead to healing Why it’s okay to cry, celebrate, and remember—in your own way 💛 Encouragement from this episode: You don’t need to have all the answers to start healing. Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. There is hope in the hurt—and healing in remembering. Grab the Show Notes: Counselingessentials.org/podcastJoin 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…
As school counselors, we tend to spotlight the big moments—graduations, awards, and final grades. But what about the small wins? The quiet growth, the subtle progress, and the unseen impact? In this uplifting episode, I’m sharing why those “little things” might just be the most important part of our work—and how you can start recognizing and celebrating them today. You’ll hear: Why small wins matter (backed by behavioral science!) Simple celebration strategies for students, staff, and yourself How creating a culture of gratitude fuels connection and morale “Those tiny victories build momentum, boost morale, and create a positive environment for everyone… You are making an impact every single day.” Grab the Show Notes: Counselingessentials.org/podcastJoin 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…
Surviving school counseling? Sure, it’s doable. But thriving in it? That takes intention. In this episode, Carol shares the 5 non-negotiables that help counselors stay grounded, confident, and impactful—no matter what time of year it is. Whether you’re wrapping up the school year or planning ahead, these five foundational pillars will support your work (and…
Between testing, field trips, and students bouncing off the walls, May can be chaotic. But even during the busiest weeks of the school year, you can make meaningful moves for Mental Health Awareness Month—without adding more to your calendar. In this episode of Counselor Chat, I’m sharing quick, creative, and practical ways to promote mental…
In this episode of Counselor Chat, we’re exploring one of the most important (and exciting!) aspects of school counseling: promoting self-discovery. Forget the “find yourself in a forest” narrative — we’re talking about real, practical strategies to help students uncover who they are, what they’re great at, and how to channel that into meaningful goals….
In this heartfelt episode of Counselor Chat, we’re diving into something every school counselor faces: when a student you once saw regularly suddenly fades from view. Whether it’s due to schedules, emotions, or avoidance, reconnection is possible—and often starts with something small. 🧠 Here’s what we’ll explore: Common reasons students stop checking in—and why it’s…
In this episode, we’re cracking open the (possibly chaotic) game closet to help you survive and thrive this spring with low-prep, high-impact games. 🧠 What You’ll Learn: Why spring is the perfect time for play-based counseling Go-to games like Feeling Charades, Coping Skills Memory Match, and Compliment Circle Quick & easy activities for those zero-prep,…
