Crisis isn’t on your calendar—but it will find its way into your school year. From grief to suicide risk to behavioral outbursts, these moments change everything in an instant. In this episode, I share how to build a Crisis Toolkit so you’re ready to respond with care, structure, and sanity when the unexpected comes knocking.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How to approach student grief with honesty, check-ins, and healing resources.
• What protocols and tools to have ready when a student expresses suicidal thoughts.
• The must-have elements of a behavioral crisis communication and de-escalation plan.
• What to include in your crisis go-bag and why post-crisis support matters as much as the response itself.

Motivation to Take With You:

The best time to prepare for a storm is before the clouds roll in. You don’t need to be perfect—you just need to be prepared. Because you, counselor friend, are the calm in the chaos, the heartbeat in the hard stuff, and the soft landing for students who need it most.

Grab the Show Notes: Counselingessentials.org/podcast

Join 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 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

Episode Summary:

What does ice cream have to do with school counseling? More than you might think. In this episode, I share the famous Blueberry Story—a tale that perfectly captures the heart of what we do as counselors. While businesses can send back “bad batches,” schools take every child who walks through the doors—gifted, anxious, angry, brilliant, frightened, and everything in between.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The surprising connection between ice cream and education.
• Why schools can’t—and shouldn’t—be run like businesses.
• How school counselors act as cultivators of every “blueberry” who enters their care.
• Why small, messy, and unmeasurable moments with students matter more than any spreadsheet.

Motivation to Take With You:

You don’t need perfect ingredients to create transformation. Every day, you’re doing life-changing work—not with butterfat percentages or flawless blueberries, but with patience, empathy, and heart. You’re cultivating growth in a patch that’s sometimes messy, sometimes wild, but always worth it.

Grab the Show Notes: Counselingessentials.org/podcast

Join 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 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

If you’ve ever felt like your day is one giant interruption, this episode is for you.

In this week’s Counselor Chat, I'm sharing my go-to strategies for using time-blocking to create structure, reduce chaos, and make room for what matters most in your school counseling program.

Inside this episode, you’ll discover:

• What time-blocking is really about (hint: it’s not rigid—it’s freeing!)
• The 5 key “Counselor Buckets” to organize your time effectively
• How to plan for flexibility with daily crisis buffers and walk-in time
• The tools Carol uses (Google Calendar, a printed planner, and color-coding)
• How to communicate your availability and reduce unnecessary interruptions
• Tips for reviewing, adjusting, and staying consistent—without guilt

Whether you’re a sticky-note scheduler or a digital calendar pro, this episode will help you manage your time with intention—and protect your peace in the process.

Links Mentioned:

Perfect Counselor Planner-

• Printed Version
• Print Your Own Version

Grab the Show Notes: Counselingessentials.org/podcast

Join 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 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

Let’s be honest—back-to-school season can feel like a whirlwind. But there’s one move that can make the whole year smoother: teaming up with teachers from the start.

In this episode of Counselor Chat, I'm walking you through simple and creative ways to build trust and connection with your teaching staff—without adding more stress to your plate.

You’ll learn:

• Why visibility and approachability are your superpowers
• What to include in a 1-page Counselor Cheat Sheet 📝
• How to use small gestures (like hand sanitizer and chocolate 🍫) to open big doors
• The power of asking, “What do your students need right now?”
• Creative ways to co-create lessons and build classroom calm corners
• Quick wins for consistent collaboration (hello, Coffee on a Cart ☕)

Whether you’re brand new or just ready for a fresh approach, this episode will leave you feeling equipped and encouraged to be the kind of teammate teachers rely on—and students benefit from most.

Links Mentioned:

Counselor Brochure Bundle

Grab the Show Notes: Counselingessentials.org/podcast

Join 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 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 inspiring guest episode of Counselor Chat, Carey Hughes and Rachel Haglin take the mic to share how a simple shift in mindset — and one powerful administrative conference — led to real advocacy and real results.

They didn’t just talk about change. They led it. And it’s already transforming their district.

🔑 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why “It’s a program, not a position” is more than a mantra — it’s a movement
• How Carey and Rachel used the ASCA Annual Administrative Conference to align with school goals
• What happened when they presented data and needs directly to district leadership
• The behind-the-scenes story of becoming lead counselors — and how it started with a letter
• What to do when advocacy doesn’t work right away (hint: it’s a marathon, not a sprint)

This episode is your reminder that small steps — when led with heart, data, and courage — can lead to powerful, lasting change.

Mentioned in this episode:

Perks Membership

August doesn’t have to feel like a whirlwind of late nights, unlaminated posters, and cold cups of coffee. I'll share the 10 intentional steps I'm taking this summer to avoid the dreaded back-to-school chaos—and how you can do the same.

From organizing your counseling office (yes, both paper files and those prehistoric Google Docs) to prepping data tools, small group plans, and even your go-to “counselor tote,” Carol walks through the exact systems and routines she’s setting up now to make the start of the school year smoother and calmer.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to organize your office and digital files so everything’s easy to find in September.
• Why building a counseling calendar template now helps you feel grounded before the school year begins.
• The value of printing your most-used materials—like referral forms and coping tools—in bulk before the rush hits.
• How to map out small groups, classroom lessons, and SEL initiatives for the year in advance.
• What to pack in your Counselor Go Bag so you’re ready for anything.
• Why updating your bulletin boards, décor, and intro lessons early makes your life so much easier.
• And most importantly, how to fill your own cup first so you’re not running on empty when the students return.

Plus, I'm sharing details about my upcoming session, “Putting Out Fires All Day: From Crisis Response to Proactive Programming,” at the 2025 Summer Counselor Conference—the perfect chance to fill your cup with inspiration and practical tools.

Because a little prep now? It equals a lot more peace later.

Links I mentioned:

• Perfect Counselor Planner
• Behavioral Survey Bundle
• Think Sheets
• Meet The Counselor Lesson Plan
• Perks Content Club
• Summer Counselor Conference

Grab the Show Notes: Counselingessentials.org/podcast

Join 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 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

Are you navigating a new caseload structure this year? Wondering how to divide the work with a co-counselor without splitting the heart of your program? In this episode, I'm sharing practical strategies and real-life examples of caseload division that works—plus the bumps to avoid.

You’ll learn:

• 📚 The most common caseload split models (Alphabet, Grade-Level, MTSS, and more)
• 🧠 The benefits—and drawbacks—of each
• 🤝 Pro tips for dividing responsibilities beyond the caseload
• 🔄 Why it’s okay to try, tweak, and test different models

Whether you’re brand new to a team or refining what’s already in place, this episode will help you rethink what’s possible with collaboration, creativity, and a plan.

Encouragement from the episode:

Mentioned in this episode:

Perks Membership

This week on Counselor Chat, we’re taking a break from the heavy stuff and diving into a little mid-summer magic. It’s a personal episode full of recommendations, reflections, and fun finds that are keeping me grounded, growing, and even a little more organized during these sunny months.

Here’s what I’m sharing:

📚 What I’m Reading

🎧 What I’m Listening To

📺 What I’m Watching

🥗 What I’m Cooking

✨ What’s Coming Up:

• I’ll be at the ASCA Conference in Long Beach! Stop by the Perks booth and say hi!
• Registration is open for the 2025 Summer Counselor Conference — where I’ll be presenting “Putting Out Fires All Day” to help you shift from reactive to proactive in your school counseling practice.

💛 Inspiration to close your day with:

Links Mentioned:

Atomic Habits

The Anxious Generation

MealBoard App

Grab the Show Notes: Counselingessentials.org/podcast

Join 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 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 candid solo episode, I get real about mid-summer counselor burnout. If you’ve been feeling tired, guilty for not “doing more,” or wondering why you’re not excited for back-to-school season—this conversation is your permission slip to hit pause and actually recharge. I'm sharing personal stories, actionable reflection questions, and why summer isn’t a competition for productivity—it’s a chance to reconnect with who you are and why you started this work in the first place.

• Sneaky signs of burnout you may not recognize
• How to know whether your "recharging" is really working
• A new lens to view your summer: the 8 dimensions of wellness
• How to reflect on what fills your cup outside of school
• When to say no, when to lean in, and when to rest
• How connecting with other counselors can reignite your passion

👟 Whether you're reorganizing your spice cabinet or wondering if you should go back to school just to “check in” on things… this episode will remind you that rest is a requirement, not a reward.

Grab the Show Notes: Counselingessentials.org/podcast

Join 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 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 inspiring guest takeover, Kansas-based counselor Cassie Good shares how starting an Advisory Council changed everything—from how her role was viewed to how she spent her time.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why advisory councils aren’t optional—they’re transformational
• Real-world examples of using data to advocate for your time and impact
• How Cassie reduced non-counseling tasks with support from admin
• Ways to create buy-in from teachers, parents, and district leaders
• Practical steps to start your own council (yes, even with limited time!)

Cassie’s advice: You don’t have to have it all figured out to begin.

Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.

🌞 Inspired? Be sure to check out the 2025 Summer Counselor Conference to keep learning, growing, and connecting with counselors who get it.

💛 Because we’re better together.

Grab the Show Notes: Counselingessentials.org/podcast

Join 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 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