Counselor Chat Podcast

Bullying Prevention Can Start With a Conversation

Bullying prevention doesn’t end when October does. In this episode, I share how I'm using simple conversations and relatable scenarios with students in grades 4–6 to explore bullying and safe ways to respond.

In this episode:

• Understanding bullying, hurtful behavior, and power imbalances.
• Using everyday situations to spark meaningful discussion.
• Helping students become upstanders without putting themselves at risk.
• Continuing prevention through empathy, perspective taking, and problem-solving.

Your quick win: Share one fictional scenario and ask: “What do you notice? What else would we need to know? What could someone do to help safely?”

Mentioned in this episode:

Perks Membership

Join The Perks School Counseling Membership for K-8 Counselors and get your first month free: https://carol-miller-counseling-essentials.mykajabi.com/offers/6Nbbsohn/checkout?coupon_code=PODCAST

Perks Membership

The School Counselor Scaries Nobody Prepared You For

From heated parent emails and surprise Spirit Week duties to an invisible bug in a kindergartener’s shoe, school counseling includes plenty of moments that never appeared in the syllabus. In this episode, Carol shares a humorous—and heartfelt—look at the unexpected sides of the job.

In this episode:

• The everyday surprises that require creativity and a sense of humor.
• The serious situations that call for teamwork and support.
• Why being capable doesn’t mean everything should become your responsibility.

Your takeaway: You don’t have to know everything or handle it alone. Share a laugh with a colleague, ask the question, and reach out when you need support.

Grab the Show Notes: https://counselingessentials.org/podcast/

Join Perks Counseling Club Membershipand 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 Store
• Counseling Essentials Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Elementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook Group
• Caught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook Group
• High School Counselor Connection Facebook Group

Even Busy Bees Make Time to Play

Feeling burned out—and it’s only October? In this episode of Counselor Chat, Carol shares a surprising discovery about playful bumblebees and a reminder that counselors deserve time for enjoyment, too.

In this episode:

• How the pressure to stay productive can crowd out joy.
• Why wellness includes addressing workload and asking for support.
• Simple ways to make room for something you enjoy without creating another obligation.

Your quick win: Find your “little wooden ball”—one activity you enjoy simply for yourself—and give it a small place in your week.

Grab the Show Notes: https://counselingessentials.org/podcast/

Join Perks Counseling Club Membershipand 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 Store
• Counseling Essentials Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Elementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook Group
• Caught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook Group
• High School Counselor Connection Facebook Group

Mentioned in this episode:

Perks Membership

The One Question That Makes a Think Sheet Work

When “Why did you do that?” leads to a shrug or “I don’t know,” where do you go next? In this episode of Counselor Chat, Carol shares how rewinding the situation and asking “What were you hoping would happen?” can help students reflect and practice a more helpful response.

In this episode:

• How to explore what a student was thinking and feeling before a conflict.
• Ways to respond when students struggle to explain their actions.
• How to turn vague promises into specific, practiced next steps.
• Using think sheets to support accountability, repair, and learning.

Your quick win: Try the question with one student this week, then practice one realistic next step together.

Resources mentioned:

Think Sheets PowerPoint (Grab this free!)

Think Sheets

Grab the Show Notes: https://counselingessentials.org/podcast/

Join Perks Counseling Club Membershipand 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 Store
• Counseling Essentials Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Elementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook Group
• Caught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook Group
• High School Counselor Connection Facebook Group

Mentioned in this episode:

Perks Membership

Four Team-Building Lessons Students Will Actually Enjoy

Team building doesn’t have to require complicated materials or hours of preparation. In this episode of Counselor Chat, Carol shares four engaging lessons that get students moving, communicating, and working together.

You’ll hear how to use:

• Pass the Pencil to build connections
• Human Taco to strengthen communication and inclusion
• Shipwrecked to practice problem-solving and respectful disagreement
• 4 Corners to discover common ground and appreciate different perspectives

Want the lessonsI use? Here are the links:

• Pass The Pencil
• Human Taco
• Shipwrecked

Grab the Show Notes: https://counselingessentials.org/podcast/

Join Perks Counseling Club Membershipand 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 Store
• Counseling Essentials Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Elementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook Group
• Caught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook Group
• High School Counselor Connection Facebook Group

Mentioned in this episode:

Perks Membership

Your First Counseling Small Group Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect

Starting your first counseling group can feel overwhelming. Are the right students selected? What should the permission form include? What if students don’t participate—or the lesson falls flat?

In this episode of Counselor Chat, we’re taking the pressure off and focusing on what you truly need to launch a purposeful, safe, and effective small group.

You’ll learn how to:

• Select students thoughtfully
• Handle family permission and student assent
• Create clear group expectations
• Use a simple, repeatable session structure
• Measure student progress without complicated data
• Adjust your curriculum as student needs emerge

Your students don’t need a perfect group counselor. They need someone who is prepared, present, and willing to learn alongside them.

Grab the Show Notes: https://counselingessentials.org/podcast/

Join Perks Counseling Club Membershipand 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 Store
• Counseling Essentials Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Elementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook Group
• Caught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook Group
• High School Counselor Connection Facebook Group

Mentioned in this episode:

Perks Membership

Small Groups: Who Should You Start With First?

You have time to run only a few counseling groups—but your referral list keeps growing. How do you decide which group should come first?

In this episode of Counselor Chat, we explore how to choose small groups based on your school’s current data and student needs instead of automatically repeating the groups you ran last year.

You’ll learn:

• Which school data sources can help identify group needs
• How to distinguish patterns from isolated incidents
• Three important filters: need, fit, and feasibility
• Why the most requested group may not be the highest priority
• What to consider when selecting group members
• How to create measurable group goals
• Simple ways to collect data before, during, and after a group
• How to support students whose groups cannot begin immediately

The goal isn’t to run the most groups possible. It’s to run the right groups for the students who need them now.

Links:

My favorite Small Groups:

K-3 Girls Friendship Group

4-8 Girls Friendship Group

K-3 Impulse Control Group

K-2 Coping Skills Group

1-4 Anxiety Group

4-8 Having Hope Group

HS Anxiety Group

Grab the Show Notes: https://counselingessentials.org/podcast/

Join Perks Counseling Club Membershipand 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 Store
• Counseling Essentials Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Elementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook Group
• Caught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook Group
• High School Counselor Connection Facebook Group

Mentioned in this episode:

Perks Membership

A strong counseling SMART goal does more than meet a requirement—it gives your program direction, connects your work to student needs, and helps others understand the impact school counselors make.

In this episode, we explore how to create a meaningful, data-informed SMART goal and use your annual administrator conference to gain support, clarify expectations, and align your counseling program with school and district priorities.

You’ll learn:

• How to move from an activity-based goal to a student outcome goal
• What data to consider when identifying a program priority
• How to use the annual administrator conference to build administrator buy-in
• Ways your goal can help advocate for your role and appropriate use of time
• How to map your goal across the school year
• Why participation, student standards, and achievement data all matter
• How regular checkpoints help you adjust your plan before the end of the year

Your SMART goal shouldn’t be a document you write and forget. It can become a roadmap for your program, a foundation for collaboration, and a powerful way to show how school counseling supports student success.

ASCA National Model 5th Edition Free Download

Grab the Show Notes: https://counselingessentials.org/podcast/

Join Perks Counseling Club Membershipand 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 Store
• Counseling Essentials Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Elementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook Group
• Caught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook Group
• High School Counselor Connection Facebook Group

Mentioned in this episode:

Perks Membership

What counseling office supplies truly earn their shelf space? In this episode of Counselor Chat, I share eight tried-and-true favorites she uses to organize lessons, reuse counseling resources, improve classroom management, and make games and groups run more smoothly.

In This Episode, You Will Learn

A simple system for storing lesson pieces and reusable group materials

Why a wider laminator can be worth the investment

How laminating helps turn lessons, games, and worksheets into reusable tools

The presentation-clicker tip that can save you from searching the classroom

A quieter, easier solution to dice rolling during counseling games

How Yikerz naturally supports impulse control and flexible thinking

Why a familiar game like Chutes and Ladders still works with older students

Shop My Counseling Office Favorites

Clear project cases

Scotch Pro 13-inch laminator

Bulk laminating pouches

Presentation clicker

Sterilite clear latching bins

Pop-o-matic dice poppers

Yikerz magnetic game

Chutes and Ladders

Download the free guide

Grab the Show Notes: https://counselingessentials.org/podcast/

Join Perks Counseling Club Membershipand 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 Store
• Counseling Essentials Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Elementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook Group
• Caught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook Group
• High School Counselor Connection Facebook Group

Your counselor introduction lesson is more than a back-to-school formality. It is one of the first ways you build trust, increase access, and help students understand when and how to ask for support.

In this episode of Counselor Chat, Carol shares what students actually need to hear during a counselor introduction lesson—and what you can skip.

You’ll learn how to:

• Explain your role in student-friendly language
• Help students understand when they might come see you
• Clearly explain confidentiality
• Teach students exactly how to request support
• Reduce the stigma that counseling means “being in trouble”
• Make your lesson interactive and memorable
• Give students a few key messages they can carry with them all year

The goal is not for students to memorize what a school counselor does. It is for them to know, “I know who my counselor is, I know how to reach them, and I know they can help.”

Intro Lessons:

Meet the School Counselor Tic-Tac-Toe

School Counselor BINGO

Meet the School Counselor Lesson Plan

Grab the Show Notes: https://counselingessentials.org/podcast/

Join Perks Counseling Club Membershipand 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 Store
• Counseling Essentials Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Elementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook Group
• Caught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook Group
• High School Counselor Connection Facebook Group

Mentioned in this episode:

Perks Membership

The first month of school can make counselors feel like they need to do everything at once—but you don’t.

Here's a simple roadmap for the first 30 days of school, including what to prioritize, what can wait, and how to build a strong foundation for the rest of the year.

You’ll hear practical ideas for:

• Building relationships with students and staff
• Creating simple referral and counseling systems
• Using data and needs assessments to guide your program
• Strengthening Tier 1 supports
• Protecting your time before your calendar fills up
• Organizing your counseling program without starting from scratch

Resources Mentioned:

From TpT:

• Meet the Counselor Tic-Tac-Toe
• Meet The Counselor Lesson Plan
• Behavior Intervention Toolkit

All these resources and more are included in Perks Counseling Content Club

You do not have to have the entire year figured out in September. Focus on the foundation first.

Grab the Show Notes: https://counselingessentials.org/podcast/

Join Perks Counseling Club Membershipand 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 Store
• Counseling Essentials Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Elementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook Group
• Caught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook Group
• High School Counselor Connection Facebook Group

Mentioned in this episode:

Perks Membership

Nice Bike: Three Small Actions That Can Change School Culture

What if changing school culture did not require a big program, a new initiative, or another committee?

In this episode of Counselor Chat, Carol shares the powerful message behind Mark Scharenbroich’s “Nice Bike” story and explores three simple ways school counselors can strengthen relationships throughout their buildings: acknowledge, honor, and connect.

You will hear practical examples of how small moments of recognition can help students and staff feel seen, valued, and connected—and how those moments can create ripple effects throughout an entire school community.

In This Episode:

• Why two simple words can open the door to connection
• The difference between acknowledging and honoring someone
• How specific recognition builds trust and belonging
• Why connection needs to happen before a crisis
• Simple ways to positively influence school culture every day

School culture is not built through one special event. It is built through the way people are treated, one interaction at a time.

Grab the Show Notes: https://counselingessentials.org/podcast/

Join Perks Counseling Club Membershipand 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 Store
• Counseling Essentials Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Elementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook Group
• Caught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook Group
• High School Counselor Connection Facebook Group

Mentioned in this episode:

Perks Membership

In this second episode of our Back to School series, I’m diving into a topic that’s incredibly important for us as school counselors—how to make sure the vital work we do doesn’t go unnoticed.

Too often, despite the significant impact we have, our efforts can go unseen by those around us.

In this episode, I emphasize the importance of:

• Advocating for Our Role: Ensuring that the value of our work is communicated so it doesn’t get overlooked.

• Sharing Successes: Highlighting the progress of our students with colleagues and administrators to build awareness and appreciation for the counseling role.

• Collaboration is Key: Being seen as integral members of the school team by actively participating in and contributing to the broader educational environment.

• Impactful Interventions: Recognizing the power of empathy and understanding in counseling.

• Building a Supportive Environment: Advocating for ourselves to help create a school culture where our contributions are respected and supported.

Join me as we explore how to ensure our work is visible, valued, and celebrated as we head into what I hope will be our best school year yet!

Join the Summer Counselor Conference

Grab the Show Notes: https://counselingessentials.org/podcast/

Join Perks Counseling Club Membershipand 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 Store
• Counseling Essentials Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Elementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook Group
• Caught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook Group
• High School Counselor Connection Facebook Group

In this episode of Counselor Chat, I’m sharing a reminder that school counselors create impact in ways that are not always immediate, visible, or easy to measure.

From a quick student check-in to a meaningful conversation with a teacher, small actions can create ripple effects that travel farther than we may ever realize. You do not have to make a huge splash to make a difference.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why small, consistent actions matter
• The ripple effects counselors create every day
• Why impact is not always measured by data alone
• How students may carry our encouragement longer than we know
• Why continued learning helps us make stronger waves

Takeaway:

You are already making waves. Every conversation, check-in, lesson, and moment of encouragement can matter more than you realize.

Come Join us at the Summer Counselor Conference.

Grab the Show Notes: https://counselingessentials.org/podcast/

Join Perks Counseling Club Membershipand 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 Store
• Counseling Essentials Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Elementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook Group
• Caught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook Group
• High School Counselor Connection Facebook Group

Dear Tired Counselor: You’re Allowed to Rest From Being Tired

In this episode of Counselor Chat, I’m sharing a summer permission slip for counselors who may be on break but still feel completely worn out.

Being away from school does not automatically mean your mind and body have caught up after a demanding year. This episode is a reminder that you do not need to turn July into another to-do list, school improvement plan, or race to get ahead for August.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why being on break does not always mean feeling rested
• Letting go of the pressure to be productive all summer
• Trusting that your work mattered, even when you cannot see every outcome
• Releasing unfinished things from the school year
• Three gentle reflection questions for a summer reset

Takeaway:

• You do not have to earn rest by being exhausted enough. You are allowed to let summer be summer.

Grab the Show Notes: https://counselingessentials.org/podcast/

Join Perks Counseling Club Membershipand 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 Store
• Counseling Essentials Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Elementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook Group
• Caught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook Group
• High School Counselor Connection Facebook Group

The Game-Changer I Wish I Had Found Sooner: Restorative Practices

In this episode of Counselor Chat, I’m sharing why restorative practices became one of the most meaningful shifts in my school counseling work.

Restorative practices are not about avoiding accountability or forcing students to say sorry. They are about helping students understand impact, repair harm, build skills, and remain connected to their school community.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why consequences alone do not always teach the skills students need
• Moving from “What rule was broken?” to “Who was affected?”
• Why repair is bigger than a forced apology
• How circles can build connection before conflict happens
• Simple restorative questions counselors can begin using right away

Takeaway:

Students can take responsibility for their actions and still know they belong. Restorative practices help us hold accountability and humanity at the same time.

Resources Mentioned:

• Think Sheets
• Community Circles Starter Bundle

Grab the Show Notes: https://counselingessentials.org/podcast/

Join Perks Counseling Club Membershipand 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 Store
• Counseling Essentials Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Elementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook Group
• Caught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook Group
• High School Counselor Connection Facebook Group

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

In 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 effective
• The difference between being dependable and being endlessly available
• Why school counselors need role clarity
• How guilt shows up when we start setting boundaries
• Simple scripts for saying no or pausing before saying yes
• Why leaving on time does not mean you care less
• How 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: https://counselingessentials.org/podcast/

Join Perks Counseling Club Membershipand 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 Store
• Counseling Essentials Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Elementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook Group
• Caught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook Group
• High School Counselor Connection Facebook Group

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

In 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 perspective
• The power of learning from other counselors
• Why asking to attend training matters
• How 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: https://counselingessentials.org/podcast/

Join Perks Counseling Club Membershipand 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 Store
• Counseling Essentials Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Elementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook Group
• Caught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook Group
• High School Counselor Connection Facebook Group

What I Wish I Had Done Earlier: Invest in My Future

In 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 counselors
• The importance of asking questions about retirement and benefits
• How small steps can add up over time
• Why confusion should not keep you from starting
• Caring 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: https://counselingessentials.org/podcast/

Join Perks Counseling Club Membershipand 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 Store
• Counseling Essentials Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Elementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook Group
• Caught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook Group
• High School Counselor Connection Facebook Group

Don't forget to sign up for the Summer Counselor Conference! Early Bird registration ends June 15th!

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 overlook
• The small victories counselors should be celebrating
• A touching story about a former student whose life was changed by a simple belief in his potential
• Why students often remember the little things we do
• How counselors amplify student success every day
• The importance of recognizing your own growth as a counselor

Key Takeaway

Success 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: https://counselingessentials.org/podcast/

Join Perks Counseling Club Membershipand 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 Store
• Counseling Essentials Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Elementary School Counselor Exchange Facebook Group
• Caught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook Group
• High School Counselor Connection Facebook Group

Get Your Ticket to the Summer Counselor Conference!