121. Podcast Takeover: with Carey Hughes

Do you ever feel like you and your principal are speaking two different languages? Maybe you’ve been asked to cover lunch duty, sit in on last-minute student issues, or explain (again) why your role matters. You’re not alone—and you’re not powerless.In this episode of Counselor Chat, we’re talking about how to collaborate with administrators without feeling like you’re constantly on defense. You’ll learn how to reset your mindset, swap your language, and use strategy that strengthens your working relationships.What you’ll learn in this episode:How to shift your mindset from undervalued to essential leaderLanguage swaps that turn “ASCA says…” into solutions your admin wants to say yes toWhy aligning your work with schoolwide goals (attendance, achievement, behavior) is a game-changerPractical scripts for saying no without confrontationHow data makes your advocacy more compelling than feelings ever couldIf you’ve ever wondered how to stop being seen as “the other team” and start being seen as an essential member of the leadership team, this one’s for you.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 Middle School Counselors Facebook GroupHigh School Counselor Connection Facebook GroupMentioned in this episode:Perks Membership

Suicide prevention isn’t easy to talk about—but it’s a conversation we can’t afford to avoid. In this episode of Counselor Chat, I share strategies, stories, and resources to help school counselors navigate this difficult but critical topic.What you’ll learn in this episode:How to have age-appropriate conversations with students about suicide and mental health.Practical steps for creating student safety plans that are clear, collaborative, and effective.The role teachers play as gatekeepers, and how training can help them recognize signs and take appropriate action.Why we need to set expectations with staff about reporting concerns immediately—not at the end of the day.How we as counselors can support not just students, but also teachers, staff, and families in this work.💡 Remember: suicide prevention isn’t only about stopping a crisis—it’s about building hope, creating systems of support, and reminding students that they matter.🔗 Resources mentioned in this episode:Grades 6-7 Suicide Prevention LessonSuicide Prevention Grades 8 and up LessonGrab 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 Middle School Counselors Facebook GroupHigh School Counselor Connection Facebook GroupMentioned in this episode:Perks Membership

Sometimes the smallest gestures hold the biggest power. In this episode, we’re talking about how the High Five Habit can transform your energy, your relationships, and your school year.What you’ll discover in this episode:How high fives activate your brain’s reward center and lift your mood.Simple ways to use high fives with students, colleagues, and even yourself.The importance of celebrating presence and effort—not just performance.Ideas like high five rituals and creating a school-wide high five wall.Why giving yourself a high five in the mirror can shift your confidence and outlook.Whether it’s literal, symbolic, or metaphorical, high fives are a powerful reminder that we see each other, we’re not alone, and we’re worth cheering for.Mentioned in this episode:Perks Membership

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/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 Middle School Counselors Facebook GroupHigh School Counselor Connection Facebook GroupMentioned 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/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 Middle School Counselors Facebook GroupHigh School Counselor Connection Facebook GroupMentioned 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 effectivelyHow to plan for flexibility with daily crisis buffers and walk-in timeThe tools Carol uses (Google Calendar, a printed planner, and color-coding)How to communicate your availability and reduce unnecessary interruptionsTips for reviewing, adjusting, and staying consistent—without guiltWhether 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 VersionPrint Your Own VersionGrab 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 Middle School Counselors Facebook GroupHigh School Counselor Connection Facebook GroupMentioned 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 superpowersWhat to include in a 1-page Counselor Cheat Sheet 📝How to use small gestures (like hand sanitizer and chocolate 🍫) to open big doorsThe power of asking, “What do your students need right now?”Creative ways to co-create lessons and build classroom calm cornersQuick 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 BundleGrab 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 Middle School Counselors Facebook GroupHigh School Counselor Connection Facebook GroupMentioned 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 movementHow Carey and Rachel used the ASCA Annual Administrative Conference to align with school goalsWhat happened when they presented data and needs directly to district leadershipThe behind-the-scenes story of becoming lead counselors — and how it started with a letterWhat 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 PlannerBehavioral Survey BundleThink SheetsMeet The Counselor Lesson PlanPerks Content ClubSummer Counselor ConferenceGrab 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 Website<a...

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 modelsWhether 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:“At the end of the day, there really is no perfect way to split a caseload. The goal isn’t just fairness—it’s functionality and support. What matters most is that students know who to go to, staff knows how to get help, and counselors support each other.”Mentioned in this episode:Perks Membership