Send us a text 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 ...
Send us a text 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 continues to refine her expertise through affiliations with lea...
Send us a text 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 struggled with substance use disorder, AmandaLynn witnessed...
Send us a text 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 medical trauma and provide mental health professionals with mod...
Send us a text 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 constructed definitions of sex and happiness. Utilizin...
Send us a text 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 and empathetic therapeutic environment. He also supports fello...
Send us a text 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 conversation highlights the importance of recognizing disorde...
Send us a text 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 Insuranc...
Send us a text 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 ...
Send us 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 col...
Send us a text 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 Asian American and Pacific Islander populations. Dr. Litam is ...
Send us a text 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 health. We dive into the transformative work being done at iP...
Send us a text 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 believes voting isn’t enough. She encourages counselors to run for s...
Send us a text 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 impact of gaming on mental health and how this ev...
Send us a text 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 Cargill, Dr. Gamby illustrates the need to advocate for holistic...
Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with Kailey Bradley, a licensed professional counselor and nationally certified counselor, to explore the complexities of childhood and teen grief. Kailey, who is also a fellow in thanatology, shares her extensive experience from her background in hospice work and her passion for advocating for grievers of all ages. Throughout the episode, Kailey emphasizes the importance of being present with grieving children and teens, understanding that their wa...
Send us a text In this episode, we speak with Dr. Sean Gorby, LPCC, current chairperson for OCA’s Government Relations Committee, about how the counseling profession intersects with the realm of advocacy. During our conversation we were able to ask about the success and happenings in our most recent Legislative Advocacy Day as well as how his experiences as a clinician, chairperson, legislative advocate, and father/parent all intersect into his professional life. Resources from Episode:...
Send us a text In this episode of Ohio Counseling Conversations, we are grateful to have been able to speak with Dr. Cynthia Osborn, a counselor educator at Kent State University. In this conversation, Dr. Osborn discusses the power of Motivational Interviewing and the role it may play in supporting those currently struggling with addiction. Dr. Osborn and Dr. Cargill define substance use as a concern that is systemic in nature, and explore what new research has found to be beneficial in addi...
Send us a text Today, we were able to sit down with Quebec Gibbons, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor & Supervisor at the Gentle Shepherd Counseling Center located in North Canton. Quebec and Dr. Marisa Cargill amplify the significance of modeling and vulnerability as counselors as Mr. Gibbons recognizes the difficulty that each client encounters when preparing to make change within their lives. Throughout our time with Quebec, we speak on topics such as athlete burnout, utilizin...
Send us a text In this episode we speak with Dr. Jessica Headley, a clinical mental health counselor with a specialization in perinatal mental health. Dr. Headley discusses her extensive experience supporting pregnant and postpartum parents and the evidenced-based practices she utilizes. She also talks with host Dr. Marisa Cargill about the needs that this population has, how to spot postpartum depression, and the advocacy work involved. Check out our conversation with Dr. Jessica Headley to ...