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Why is it so hard for counselors to take their own advice? Despite preaching self-care and healing to clients, many mental health professionals struggle to prioritize their own therapy. Victoria Frazier and Marisa Cargill dive deep into this paradox with refreshing honesty and vulnerability.

The hosts challenge the harmful misconception that seeking counseling somehow diminishes a counselor's credibility or effectiveness. "Just because we know something doesn't mean we don't need support to access that motivation to change," they point out, highlighting the universal truth that knowledge alone doesn't guarantee application. Both hosts openly share their positive experiences with their own counselors, demonstrating how personal therapy enhances rather than undermines their professional capabilities.

Beyond addressing common fears—like appearing "too fragile" or incompetent—the conversation explores the surprising benefits of counselors getting counseling. From gaining fresh perspectives and metaphors (Tori's counselor uses horse-riding analogies she now shares with clients) to experiencing the vulnerability of being on the other side of the couch, therapy provides invaluable insights that textbooks simply can't teach.

The episode culminates in a playful yet insightful game of "Unpack or Put It Back," where the hosts evaluate common therapeutic interactions from the client-counselor perspective. Their verdict on counselors who bring vulnerability to sessions? Enthusiastically "unpack!" Their take on counselors who ask clients for professional advice during paid sessions? Definitely "put it back!"

For counselors considering their own healing journey, for clients curious about their counselor's mental health practices, or for anyone interested in breaking down stigma around seeking help, this episode offers both practical wisdom and permission to embrace imperfection. 

What do you think? Send us your questions or topics you'd like us to unpack!

OCA Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/ohiocounseling

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Stay in touch and join the conversation:

• Instagram: @OhioCounseling
• Facebook: facebook.com/ohiocounseling
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ohio-counseling-association-b78256165/

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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 [email protected]!

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Created 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 and Victoria Frazier

·Editing by Leah Wood & Marisa Cargill

·Original music selections by Elijah Satoru Wood

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What if cultural responsiveness wasn’t a training you attend, but a posture you carry into every session? We welcome Carmella Hill, current president of the Ohio Counseling Association, to unpack how engagement, competence, and identity come together to strengthen counselors and the communities we serve.

Carmella traces her path through OCA leadership and shows why unity across divisions, regions, and specialties is essential right now. We dig into what cultural humility looks like moment to moment—reading nonverbal cues, honoring family norms, and checking in about community events that weigh on clients. She pushes us to articulate counselor identity with clarity: we use theory, ask intentional questions, apply evidence-based interventions, and measure outcomes that demonstrate change. We also tackle the tools shaping our future, including responsible, ethical uses of AI to support preparation and psychoeducation without losing the human core of the work.

Mentorship and supervision emerge as the backbone of growth. Carmella shares formative stories of leaders who opened doors, modeled humility, and told the truth with care—habits that shape how we mentor the next generation. We talk practical wellness for busy caseloads, from one-minute breathing resets to journaling on the go, faith and community grounding, and peer consultation that turns isolation into momentum. On the systems side, we name the tough conversations: reimbursement, session limits, and legislative pressure, alongside concrete ways OCA creates connection through conferences, workshops, coaching, and committees.

If you’ve been feeling stretched thin or uncertain about how to describe the value of your work, this conversation offers language, tools, and a rallying cry. As Carmella puts it, together we stand and together we advance. Hit play, and then tell us: what practice shift will you try this week? Subscribe, share with a colleague, and leave a review so more Ohio counselors can find and fuel their fire.

OCA Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/ohiocounseling

Connect with Us

Stay in touch and join the conversation:

• Instagram: @OhioCounseling
• Facebook: facebook.com/ohiocounseling
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ohio-counseling-association-b78256165/

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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 [email protected]!

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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 Leah Wood & Marisa Cargill

·Original music selections by Elijah Satoru Wood

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We unpack how the federal shutdown, expired telehealth waivers, and looming SNAP delays intersect with daily counseling practice in Ohio, then analyze state bills that could reshape access and privacy. We close with clear actions to protect clients, support communities, and engage policymakers.

• impact of the federal shutdown on counseling care
• expiration of Medicaid and Medicare telehealth waivers and exceptions
• immediate steps for clients facing SNAP disruptions
• HB 502 to backfill SNAP, WIC and TANF shortfalls
• HB 162 and risks to minors’ confidentiality
• HB 324 and threats to medication access and equity
• practical advocacy targets and talking points
• resources for contacting CMS and Ohio committees

Don’t forget to subscribe for monthly updates
If you have any questions, want to get involved, or have additional information, connect with us through our social media or in the link in our show notes

Resources:

• https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/status-reports
• https://ohiocounseling.org/legislative-advocacy
• https://www.counseling.org/advocacy/take-action
• National Board for Certified Counselors Guide to Advocacy Communication
• NASW Ohio, Current Legislation (Scripts Included)
• League of Women Voters: Advocacy Resources
• Additional Informational Resources
  • https://docs.google.com/document/d/1z1pe5fGRJx43mWfrqAruKngA3rje_6QbKSxvzXQBgqs/edit?usp=sharing

OCA Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/ohiocounseling

Stay in touch and join the conversation:

• Instagram: @OhioCounseling
• Facebook: facebook.com/ohiocounseling
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ohio-counseling-association-b78256165/

Created 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 Leah Wood

·Editing by Marisa Cargill

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The biggest behavioral health workforce in Ohio is paid the least—and it’s not because counselors lack skill. We pull back the curtain on the legal and structural gears that keep reimbursement low: antitrust limits that fracture our voice, opaque contracts with nonnegotiable rates, paneling delays that outlast statute, clawbacks that drain small practices, and documentation games that reward downcoding over good care. With guests Mike Desposito and Derek Lee from OCA’s Insurance Advocacy Committee, we walk through real data from Ohio and neighboring states, explain why “parity” without enforcement changes nothing, and make the case for solutions that match the scale of the problem.

Instead of waiting for one-off legislative wins to trickle down, we map a path to durable power: forming trade associations to pool funding, counsel, and lobbying; building clinically integrated networks with shared governance and data so counselors can legally negotiate value-based contracts; and teaching essential business literacy so practice owners stop absorbing systemic risk alone. We also connect the dots from underpayment to access—how burnout, administrative burden, and cash‑only shifts create ghost networks, longer waits, and deeper inequities for families who already pay premiums but can’t find care. Dignity for counselors is dignity for clients; restore one and you protect the other.

You’ll leave with a clearer view of what’s broken and a practical playbook to start fixing it: join and fund organized advocacy, document denials and delays, file complaints together, and support enforcement that has teeth—published penalties, real audits, and transparent timelines. If we want timely, affordable mental health care across Ohio, we can’t stay vendors at the mercy of rate sheets; we need to become integrated partners with a unified voice.

If this matters to you, share the episode with a colleague, subscribe for more advocacy deep-dives, and leave a review telling us where you want the movement to go next. We've included links and flyers you can share with your colleagues below too:

IAC Resources:

• Counselor Insurance Advocacy Survey
  • https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd2nN_z2l20sIoaKcd1ydyEt2bp-40RO0ZTbO77JKAkOlUncQ/viewform
• Derek Lee Counseling Today Article
  • https://www.counseling.org/publications/counseling-today-magazine/article-archive/article/legacy/it-s-time-for-a-financial-change-in-counseling
• IAC Flyers for Provider Friendly Bills, Survey, CEU Opportunity(pending), and Mental Health Insurance Reform Taskforce
  • https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1OgneHYtFEfY_h-cRAhqjKEButrSZ6zdb?usp=drive_link
  • Please note the CEU opportunity is related to continuing this conversation and is being spearheaded by the Ohio Association for Counselors in Private Practice (OACPP).  If you want to get involved and continue the conversation, attend this event 11/21/25 at 12pm!

OCA Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/ohiocounseling

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Stay in touch and join the conversation:

• Instagram: @OhioCounseling
• Facebook: facebook.com/ohiocounseling
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.

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A Supreme Court showdown is poised to answer a question that could reshape our field: is counseling regulated health care or “just speech”? We sit down with Dr. Chase Morgan-Swaney—assistant professor, clinician, and OCA president-elect—to break down Chiles v. Salazar, the research on SOGICE, and what a ruling could mean for minors, licensure boards, and everyday clinical practice.

We trace the legal core—speech versus professional conduct—and translate it into plain language for counselors, supervisors, educators, and allies. Dr. Morgan-Swaney explains why leading organizations like APA and ACA argue that therapy is evidence-based treatment, not casual conversation, and how decades of research tie identity-change efforts to heightened psychological distress and suicide risk in youth. We also dive into the patchwork of state and city protections, the realities in Ohio, and the practical steps clinicians can take now: audit informed consent and websites, clarify you don’t provide identity-change interventions, strengthen referral pathways, and ensure crisis resources for LGBTQ+ minors are easy to find.

You’ll hear how affirmative care can honor faith and culture without attempting identity change, how counselor education is preparing students for the broader implications of this case, and how OCA plans to coordinate guidance, training, and model language once a decision lands. The throughline is steady: protect clients with evidence-based standards, equip counselors with tools and supervision, and build coalitions that keep practice aligned with science and ethics—even in uncertain times.

If you value clear standards, safer care, and strong advocacy for LGBTQ+ youth, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share with a colleague, and leave a review with your top takeaway—what’s the first change you’ll make in your informed consent or practice language?

OCA Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/ohiocounseling

Connect with Us

Stay in touch and join the conversation:

• Instagram: @OhioCounseling
• Facebook: facebook.com/ohiocounseling
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ohio-counseling-association-b78256165/

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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 [email protected]!

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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 Leah Wood & Marisa Cargill

·Original music selections by Elijah Satoru Wood

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We track how Ohio’s SB1 reshapes higher education, how HB 347 collides with reproductive rights rulings, why school mental health screenings matter, and how misinformation about Tylenol and autism spreads fear. We close with a direct push to protect telemental health flexibilities before they expire.

• SB1’s impact on DEI offices, syllabi transparency, and training climate
• Program cut thresholds and ripple effects on counseling pipelines
• New civics requirement and tenure changes in context
• HB 347’s 24-hour waiting period and clinical implications
• National pushback on school screenings versus prevention value
• Clarifying claims about acetaminophen, pregnancy, and autism
• Telemental health flexibilities, attendance gains, and access stakes
• Practical steps for advocacy and sharing lived impact with lawmakers

Contact your members of Congress and request their support for including telemental health flexibilities in the CR. Links to the directories of Ohio representatives and senators can be found in the show notes

Resources:

• https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/status-reports
• https://ohiocounseling.org/legislative-advocacy
• https://www.counseling.org/advocacy/take-action
• https://abcnews.go.com/Health/sick-stomach-trump-distorts-facts-autism-tylenol-vaccines/story?id=125852331
• https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/09/16/nx-s1-5543271/rfk-jr-mental-health-screening-schools-stigma?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews

OCA Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/ohiocounseling

Connect with Us
Stay in touch and join the conversation:

• Instagram: @OhioCounseling
• Facebook: facebook.com/ohiocounseling
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ohio-counseling-association-b78256165/

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, and Leah Wood

·Editing by Marisa Cargill

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Ever wondered how Elsa might benefit from therapy? Or what psychological diagnosis would fit Simba after witnessing his father's death? Our latest episode dives into "The Disney Diagnostic Manual," where we playfully explore beloved animated characters through a therapeutic lens.

Animation provides the perfect canvas for examining complex emotions. Characters display exaggerated expressions that make feelings visible and identifiable—helping viewers of all ages recognize similar experiences within themselves. From Inside Out's personified emotions to Encanto's family dynamics, Disney and Pixar have created powerful metaphors for understanding mental health challenges that feel remarkably human.

We unpack how Disney storytelling has evolved from simple fairy tales to emotionally nuanced narratives that tackle grief, anxiety, trauma, and identity formation. Characters like Elsa demonstrate emotional suppression, Joy reveals the limitations of toxic positivity, and Tiana illustrates work-life imbalance. These fictional journeys provide valuable frameworks for processing our own emotional experiences in safe, accessible ways.

The episode features a playful game where we imagine therapy sessions with characters like The Tramp (attachment issues), Bruno (avoidant tendencies), and Nani (parentification). We explore how cinema therapy uses film as a therapeutic tool, helping clients gain insight and feel less alone. We even debate which Disney tropes deserve to be "unpacked" versus "put back"—from therapy animals to villain redemption arcs.

Whether you're a counselor seeking new metaphors for client work or simply a Disney fan curious about the psychology behind your favorite characters, this episode offers fresh perspective on stories that have shaped generations. Subscribe now and join our conversation about unpacking the big stuff, one Disney character at a 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
Stay in touch and join the conversation:

• Instagram: @OhioCounseling
• Facebook: facebook.com/ohiocounseling
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ohio-counseling-association-b78256165/

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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 [email protected]!

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Created 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 and Victoria Frazier

·Editing by Leah Wood & Marisa Cargill

·Original music selections by Elijah Satoru Wood

Send a text

When mental health and criminal justice systems intersect, what happens to those caught in the middle? Dr. Em Ribnik, Director of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Center of Excellence at Neomed, takes us deep into this complex terrain where vulnerable individuals often find themselves navigating confusing and sometimes contradictory systems.

Drawing from over 15 years of experience in mental health and crisis services, Dr. Em shares powerful insights about how cross-system collaboration can transform outcomes for people experiencing mental health crises. She explains how Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) programs equip law enforcement with essential skills for de-escalation and appropriate response, creating pathways to treatment rather than incarceration for many individuals.

The conversation takes a profound turn as Dr. Em discusses her dissertation research on the impact of client suicide on counselor supervisors. "That person's decision does not negate all of the incredible work you did with them," she emphasizes—a message rarely shared with clinicians experiencing this traumatic loss. She reveals the staggering workforce impact, with nearly one-third of clinicians considering leaving clinical work and even the mental health field after a client suicide, and offers practical guidance for creating supportive supervision and organizational responses.

College mental health emerges as another critical focus, with Dr. Em highlighting how this developmental period coincides with the emergence of serious mental health conditions. "It's a unique, very condensed experience that you will never have the rest of your life," she explains, detailing the biological, social, and academic pressures that create perfect storms for many young adults.

Throughout, Dr. Em weaves personal experiences with professional wisdom, challenging us to break the silence around suicide through responsible, healing conversations. Her passionate call to inspire new professionals to join the mental health field despite its challenges reminds us why this work matters: behind every statistic stands a human being deserving compassionate, informed care.

Listen now to gain insights that could transform how you think about mental health crisis response, professional resilience, and the power of cross-system collaboration to save lives.

Guest Contact Information:

Emily “Em” Ribnik, Ph.D., LPCC-S

Director, Criminal Justice Coordinating Center of Excellence

330-325-6861 or [email protected]

www.neomed.edu/cjccoe

Training, CE and Certification Coordinator

Light After Loss

[email protected]

www.lightafterlossstark.org

OCA Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/ohiocounseling

Stay in touch and join the conversation:

• Instagram: @OhioCounseling
• Facebook: facebook.com/ohiocounseling
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ohio-counseling-association-b78256165/

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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 [email protected]!

****

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 and Victoria Frazier

·Edi

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The policy landscape shaping mental health services is shifting dramatically, with counselors and clients caught at the intersection of progress and concerning rollbacks. The Counseling Compact's expansion to 39 states signals a breakthrough for interstate practice, promising new professional mobility by fall 2025. This advancement stands in stark contrast to troubling federal decisions that threaten vulnerable populations.

SAMHSA's termination of specialized LGBTQ+ youth support through the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline undermines a service that has provided affirming care to 1.3 million young people. Simultaneously, the FTC is contemplating whether to classify gender-affirming care as fraudulent—directly contradicting the consensus of medical and mental health associations and potentially criminalizing evidence-based practices. These federal actions come as youth mental health statistics grow increasingly alarming, with 40% of students reporting persistent sadness and 20% considering suicide.

Ohio counselors should closely monitor two equal rights amendments advancing through the ballot initiative process that would prohibit discrimination and update marriage definitions in the state constitution. The bipartisan CROWN Act would protect students from discrimination based on hair texture, addressing an important aspect of racial equity in schools. Meanwhile, the reintroduction of the Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act in Congress and the Supreme Court's upcoming hearing on conversion therapy bans underscore ongoing battles against harmful practices.

As counselors, our ethical responsibility extends beyond the therapy room. These policy developments directly impact our ability to provide competent, affirming care to all clients. Take action using the links in our show notes, contact your legislators about these issues, and join us next month as we continue tracking how decisions from the Capitol shape every counseling conversation.

Resources:

• https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/status-reports
• https://ohiocounseling.org/legislative-advocacy
• https://thebuckeyeflame.com/2025/08/11/ohio-ag-certifies-equal-rights-amendment-and-right-to-marry-amendment/
• https://www.counseling.org/advocacy/take-action
• https://counselingcompact.gov/

OCA Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/ohiocounseling

Connect with Us
Stay in touch and join the conversation:

• Instagram: @OhioCounseling
• Facebook: facebook.com/ohiocounseling
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ohio-counseling-association-b78256165/

Created 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, and Leah Wood

·Editing by Marisa Cargill

Send a text

"Is it self-care, self-sabotage, or something else entirely?" In this thought-provoking episode, counselors Marisa and Victoria tackle the complex reality behind our wellness practices. They unravel how the genuine professional concept of self-care has been transformed by pop culture into something often unrecognizable – and sometimes counterproductive.

When bubble baths and retail therapy dominate our understanding of self-care, we risk missing the true intention behind this essential practice. The American Counseling Association defines self-care as activities that sustain our emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual well-being – not just indulgent behaviors that can be easily marketed to us through social media. As our hosts reveal through personal anecdotes (including Victoria's confession about her weighted stuffed animals collection and Marissa's attachment to her high-tech alarm clock), we all fall prey to marketed "wellness solutions" from time to time.

Through insightful discussion, they distinguish between basic self-maintenance and genuine self-care, exploring how different domains – physical, emotional, social, practical, and spiritual – can feature both restorative practices and potential sabotage. When does a Netflix marathon cross from needed rest into avoidance? How can we tell if our emotional venting is processing or just dwelling? The answers lie in intentionality and understanding our true motivations.

The episode culminates in a playful "Unpack or Put It Back" game evaluating trending self-care products and practices, from crystal-infused water bottles to solo dinner dates. Their verdicts might surprise you, revealing that effective self-care isn't universal but deeply personal – what works wonderfully for one person might be completely ineffective for another.

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
Stay in touch and join the conversation:

• Instagram: @OhioCounseling
• Facebook: facebook.com/ohiocounseling
• LinkedIn: 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 [email protected]!

****

Created 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 and Victoria Frazier

·Editing by Leah Wood & Marisa Cargill

·Original music selections by Elijah Satoru Wood