Ohio Counseling Conversations
The official Ohio Counseling Association podcast. Our mission is to host experts from our membership, leadership, and throughout the counseling field to bring listeners relevant conversations around what it means to be a counselor in Ohio. In addition, this podcast will provide a platform for Ohio Counseling Association divisions, chapters, and committees to share information and updates. Made for counselors by counselors, we hope to highlight important conversations in the profession that will inform our work as we continue to grow as professionals and as people. Thank you for tuning in! Views, beliefs, or references mentioned in episodes do not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the Ohio Counseling Association. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the view of the Ohio Counseling Association or any of its officials.
Episodes
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 tha...
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...
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 p...
"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 ...
Governor DeWine's action on Ohio's state budget brings mixed implications for counselors, with vetoes protecting LGBTQ+ resources but remaining provisions limiting gender-affirming care coverage and establishing binary-only sex policies. The national budget bill (HR1) delivers significant Medicaid cuts that will affect 2.57 million Ohioans enrolled in the program, potentially increasing the number of uninsur...
Superheroes may save the world, but how do they save themselves? For years, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has built spectacular stories on foundations of trauma without truly addressing the aftermath. From Bruce Banner's offhand mention of a suicide attempt to Thor's depression played for laughs, Marvel has historically struggled to portray mental health with authenticity and care.
This episode dive...
Mary Vicario, LPCC-S and Certified Trauma Specialist, established Finding Hope Consulting in 2007. Recognizing a critical need within community training, she pioneered the translation of complex relational neuroscience into accessible, practical tools for fostering healing, resilience, and hope. Her global influence extends beyond her Cincinnati-based practice, encompassing international lectures and training. Mary co...
Protections for LGBTQ+ youth in Ohio face significant threats through budget proposals and legislative actions that may fundamentally alter counselors' ability to provide ethical, affirming care. Recent developments include proposed restrictions on gender-affirming care, resource access, and support services that would directly impact vulnerable youth populations and create ethical dilemmas for mental health prof...
Counselors Victoria Frazier and Marisa Cargilll tackle "the tissue issue," unpacking the subtle yet significant implications of how counselors handle tissues when clients cry. They explore opposing perspectives about whether handing tissues to crying clients is supportive or potentially disruptive to emotional processing as well as how:
- More traditional counseling approaches advise against handing tissues...
AmandaLynn Reese has dedicated her career to creating positive change in her community, a Cincinnati, Ohio native and a graduate of the Ohio State University. She is the Chief Program Officer at Harm Reduction Ohio (HRO), a national government affairs consultant, and subject matter expert (SME) specializing in harm reduction, naloxone access, and policy development.
Growing up in rural Appalachia with parents who stru...
We bridge the gap between clinical practice and policy making in Ohio with a comprehensive look at legislative developments affecting mental health professionals and their clients.
• Federal enforcement of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) Final Rule has been paused due to litigation, potentially weakening insurance accountability
• Ohio Association of Health Plans has proposed am...
Dr. Michelle Flaum, LPCC-S, DCMHS, is a Professor in the Department of Counseling at Xavier University and a Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialist in Trauma Counseling and Integrated Behavioral Health Care Counseling. Her groundbreaking book, Managing the Psychological Impact of Medical Trauma: A Guide for Mental Health and Health Care Professionals, is the first to conceptualize the psychological aspects of me...
Yub Kim (he/him) is a Licensed Professional Counselor, bilingual in Korean and English, and passionate about helping people explore and embrace their authentic sexuality. As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and a sex-work affirming therapist, Yub champions individualized sexual freedom. He brings a unique and insightful perspective to the widespread issue of sexual illiteracy and the pressure of socially construct...
Phil Hughes MA, LPCC-S is a seasoned mental health professional with over a decade of experience supporting diverse populations. As the Assistant Director of Outreach at Bowling Green State University Counseling Center, he combines clinical expertise with a passion for fostering mental health awareness. Phil specializes in working with LGBTQ+ individuals and those navigating chronic conditions, creating an affirming a...
Dr. Jillian Lampert (she/her), a distinguished expert with over 30 years dedicated to understanding and treating eating disorders, joins us to shed light on her inspiring journey and profound insights. This episode explores the intricate landscape of eating disorders, focusing on the pervasive effects of diet culture, the impact of social media on body image, and the need for increased awareness among counselors. The ...
Dr. Stacey Diane Arañez Litam is a renowned expert in mental health, sexology, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). As an Associate Professor, licensed counselor, and clinical sexologist, she has made significant contributions to her field through research, advocacy, and clinical practice. Her work focuses on the intersection of these areas, particularly within marginalized communities, especially A...
In this episode, we sit down with Brooks Collins-Gaines, the director of behavioral health at the iPromise Health Quarters in Akron, Ohio, who brings a wealth of experience from her extensive career in community mental health. She shares her passion for reducing the deep-seated mistrust that Black individuals often feel toward healthcare systems and explores how historic and ongoing racial trauma impacts mental healt...
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Victoria Kress, a highly accomplished counselor and educator with extensive experience in academia, professional organizations, and community service. She has held leadership roles in various counseling organizations, received numerous awards for her advocacy, scholarship, and mentorship, and published extensively on counseling. In light of the upcoming election, Dr. Kress believe...
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Michael Lewis, the current president of the Ohio Counseling Association, clinician, and professor, to explore the diverse roles he balances in the counseling profession. We discuss his work with the OCA, including key initiatives and challenges facing counselors in Ohio. He also shares insights on supporting students and leadership, his research on gaming addiction and the imp...
In this episode, we had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Katie Gamby about how models of wellbeing are practiced, discussed, celebrated, and critiqued within the counseling world. Dr. Katie Gamby, the founder & CEO of The Wellife and LPCC-S, offers us some of her experience and insight as she has navigates her own wellbeing across both professional and personal spaces.
In conversation with our host Dr. Marisa Carg...
Popular Podcasts
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.
If you eat, sleep, and breathe true crime, TRUE CRIME TONIGHT is serving up your nightly fix. Five nights a week, KT STUDIOS & iHEART RADIO invite listeners to pull up a seat for an unfiltered look at the biggest cases making headlines, celebrity scandals, and the trials everyone is watching. With a mix of expert analysis, hot takes, and listener call-ins, TRUE CRIME TONIGHT goes beyond the headlines to uncover the twists, turns, and unanswered questions that keep us all obsessed—because, at TRUE CRIME TONIGHT, there’s a seat for everyone. Whether breaking down crime scene forensics, scrutinizing serial killers, or debating the most binge-worthy true crime docs, True Crime Tonight is the fresh, fast-paced, and slightly addictive home for true crime lovers.
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.