CSI Vice President Pia von Strasser interviews fellow 2nd-year student Renisha Lyon about integrating spirituality and religion into counseling.

Some of the topics covered in this conversation include:

-Pursuing a dual master’s degree in Divinity and Clinical Mental Health Counseling

-Distinguishing between religion and spirituality

-Renisha’s own religious and spiritual development

-Respectful approaches to exploring clients’ negative experiences with religion

-The clinical utility of patience, authenticity, and curiosity

-Strengths-based perspectives on client spirituality

-Embracing the messy and abstract nature of spirituality

-Promoting holistic wellness

For more information about the M.A. Counseling Program at Wake Forest University, visit: counseling.graduate.wfu.edu/

Music Credit: “Voyage” by Ikson

In this episode, CSI Vice President Pia von Strasser and 2nd-year student Kenzie Mick sit down (virtually) with Brian Calhoun, Associate Professor of the Practice in the Wake Forest Department of Education and Erin Binkley, Associate Professor and School Counseling Program Coordinator in the Wake Forest Department of Counseling. They discuss the importance of advocacy and share creative approaches to community engagement.

Some of the topics covered in this conversation include:

-Mentorship and ongoing professional development

-Prof. Calhoun’s career development work with ex-offenders

-Exploring avenues for meaningful advocacy work

-Broaching conversations about race with clients

-Creative and systemic approaches to community engagement

-Podcasting and the power of stories

For more information about the M.A. Counseling Program at Wake Forest University, visit: https://counseling.graduate.wfu.edu/

Music Credit: “Voyage” by Ikson

CSI Vice President Pia von Strasser interviews fellow 2nd-year student Kenzie Mick about the challenging and rewarding process of becoming a school counselor.

Some of the topics covered in part two of this conversation include:

-Differences between elementary, middle, and high school settings

-Identifying and addressing educational barriers

-Advocating for appropriate school counselor roles and tasks

-Educating parents about how school counselors can best support student wellness

-Reflecting on the prevalence and impact of school violence

-Simplified approaches to self-care

-Reasons to consider a career in school counseling

-Current social media trends

For more information about the M.A. Counseling Program at Wake Forest University, visit: https://counseling.graduate.wfu.edu/

Music Credit: “Voyage” by Ikson

CSI Vice President Pia von Strasser interviews fellow 2nd-year student Kenzie Mick about the challenging and rewarding process of becoming a school counselor.

Some of the topics covered in part one of this conversation include:

-Choosing a professional path

-Systemic approaches to school counseling

-Expectations for internship vs. reality of the experience

-Practicing patience and flexibility

-Integrating into a school community

-Collaborating with school administrators and stakeholders

-Working in an elementary school setting

-Delivering classroom guidance lessons

-Creating a sense of belonging for students

For more information about the M.A. Counseling Program at Wake Forest University, visit: https://counseling.graduate.wfu.edu/

Music Credit: “Voyage” by Ikson

Second-year students and Chi Sigma Iota (CSI) Counseling Honor Society Officers Pia von Strasser (Vice President), Paris Coleman(President), Janna Byrd (Secretary), and Katie Veraldi(Treasurer) sit down (virtually) to discuss their experiences studying counseling at Wake Forest University and share their goals for future episodes of the second CSI Student Series.

Discussion topics include:

-Why the hosts chose to study counseling at Wake Forest

-Diverse paths to the counseling profession

-Current professional interests and future career goals

-Practicing self-compassion as a student and clinician

For more information about the M.A. Counseling Program at Wake Forest University, visit: https://counseling.graduate.wfu.edu/

Music Credit: “Voyage” by Ikson

Hosted by the CSI Pi Alpha chapter, this panel discussion was held virtually on February 18th, 2021.

Presenters:

Dr. Isabel Farrell, Assistant Professor, Wake Forest Department of Counseling

Dr. Mark Scholl, Associate Professor, Wake Forest Department of Counseling

Dr. Betina Wilkinson, Associate Professor and Associate Chair, Wake Forest Department of Politics and International Affairs

For more information about the M.A. Counseling Program at Wake Forest University, visit: https://counseling.graduate.wfu.edu/

Music Credit: “Voyage” by Ikson

Hosted by the CSI Pi Alpha chapter, this panel discussion was held virtually on January 28th, 2021.

Presenters:

Dr. Michelle Ghoston, Assistant Professor, Wake Forest Department of Counseling

Dr. José Villalba, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion, Chief Diversity Officer, and Professor of Counseling at Wake Forest

Dr. Brooke Griffith, Staff Psychologist, Wake Forest University Counseling Center

For more information about the M.A. Counseling Program at Wake Forest University, visit: https://counseling.graduate.wfu.edu/

Music Credit: “Voyage” by Ikson

Hosted by the CSI Pi Alpha chapter, this panel discussion was held virtually on March 18th, 2021.

Presenters:

Dr. Rafe McCullough, Assistant Professor, Lewis & Clarke Graduate School of Education and Counseling

Dr. Bob Nations, Director of Online Counseling Programs and Assistant Teaching Professor, Wake Forest Department of Counseling

Rev. K. Monet Rice-Jalloh, Associate University Chaplain, Wake Forest Office of the Chaplain and Religious Life

For more information about the M.A. Counseling Program at Wake Forest University, visit: https://counseling.graduate.wfu.edu/

Music Credit: “Voyage” by Ikson

This is the fourth episode in a series of student-produced podcasts, which aim to highlight the first-hand experiences of graduate counseling students and explore important topics related to becoming a counselor.

In this episode, CSI executive board members LB Snipes and Brittani Level interview Dr. Michelle Ghoston, assistant professor in the Wake Forest Counseling Department. They ask Dr. Ghoston about the idea of finding your swag as a counselor and what that might look like for other aspiring counselors.

Some of the topics covered in this discussion include:

-What does it mean to find your swag as a counselor?

-What does swag look like in practice?

-How does one develop their swag as a counselor?

-What people and experiences influenced Dr. Ghoston in developing her swag?

-What challenges has Dr. Ghoston experienced related to her swag?

For more information about the M.A. Counseling Program at Wake Forest University, visit: https://counseling.graduate.wfu.edu/

Music Credit: “Voyage” by Ikson

This is the third episode in a series of student-produced podcasts, which aim to highlight the first-hand experiences of graduate counseling students and explore important topics related to becoming a counselor.

This week, CSI executive board members Bobby Lange and Brittani Level speak with another member of their cohort, Rachel Warner. Together they discussed:

-What does self-care look like?

-What was your first impression of the cohort?

-How can a cohort support self-care?

-What advice would you give to future students and cohorts?

For more information about the M.A. Counseling Program at Wake Forest University, visit: https://counseling.graduate.wfu.edu/

Music Credit: “Voyage” by Ikson