CSI Vice President Pia von Strasser interviews fellow 2nd-year student Renisha Lyon about integrating spirituality and religion into counseling. Some of the topics covered in this conversation include: -Pursuing a dual master’s degree in Divinity and Clinical Mental Health Counseling -Distinguishing between religion and spirituality -Renisha’s own religious and spiritual development -Respectful approaches to exploring clients’ negative experiences with religion -The clinical utility of patience, authenticity, and curiosity -Strengths-based perspectives on client spirituality -Embracing the messy and abstract nature of spirituality -Promoting holistic wellness For more information about the M.A. Counseling Program at Wake Forest University, visit: counseling.graduate.wfu.edu/ Music Credit: “Voyage” by Ikson

In this episode, CSI Vice President Pia von Strasser and 2nd-year student Kenzie Mick sit down (virtually) with Brian Calhoun, Associate Professor of the Practice in the Wake Forest Department of Education and Erin Binkley, Associate Professor and School Counseling Program Coordinator in the Wake Forest Department of Counseling. They discuss the importance of advocacy and share creative approaches to community engagement. Some of the topics covered in this conversation include: -Mentorship and ongoing professional development -Prof. Calhoun’s career development work with ex-offenders -Exploring avenues for meaningful advocacy work -Broaching conversations about race with clients -Creative and systemic approaches to community engagement -Podcasting and the power of stories For more information about the M.A. Counseling Program at Wake Forest University, visit: https://counseling.graduate.wfu.edu/ Music Credit: “Voyage” by Ikson

CSI Vice President Pia von Strasser interviews fellow 2nd-year student Kenzie Mick about the challenging and rewarding process of becoming a school counselor. Some of the topics covered in part two of this conversation include: -Differences between elementary, middle, and high school settings -Identifying and addressing educational barriers -Advocating for appropriate school counselor roles and tasks -Educating parents about how school counselors can best support student wellness -Reflecting on the prevalence and impact of school violence -Simplified approaches to self-care -Reasons to consider a career in school counseling -Current social media trends For more information about the M.A. Counseling Program at Wake Forest University, visit: https://counseling.graduate.wfu.edu/ Music Credit: “Voyage” by Ikson

CSI Vice President Pia von Strasser interviews fellow 2nd-year student Kenzie Mick about the challenging and rewarding process of becoming a school counselor. Some of the topics covered in part one of this conversation include: -Choosing a professional path -Systemic approaches to school counseling -Expectations for internship vs. reality of the experience -Practicing patience and flexibility -Integrating into a school community -Collaborating with school administrators and stakeholders -Working in an elementary school setting -Delivering classroom guidance lessons -Creating a sense of belonging for students For more information about the M.A. Counseling Program at Wake Forest University, visit: https://counseling.graduate.wfu.edu/ Music Credit: “Voyage” by Ikson

Second-year students and Chi Sigma Iota (CSI) Counseling Honor Society Officers Pia von Strasser (Vice President), Paris Coleman(President), Janna Byrd (Secretary), and Katie Veraldi(Treasurer) sit down (virtually) to discuss their experiences studying counseling at Wake Forest University and share their goals for future episodes of the second CSI Student Series. Discussion topics include: -Why the hosts chose to study counseling at Wake Forest -Diverse paths to the counseling profession -Current professional interests and future career goals -Practicing self-compassion as a student and clinician For more information about the M.A. Counseling Program at Wake Forest University, visit: https://counseling.graduate.wfu.edu/ Music Credit: “Voyage” by Ikson

Hosted by the CSI Pi Alpha chapter, this panel discussion was held virtually on February 18th, 2021. Presenters: Dr. Isabel Farrell, Assistant Professor, Wake Forest Department of Counseling Dr. Mark Scholl, Associate Professor, Wake Forest Department of Counseling Dr. Betina Wilkinson, Associate Professor and Associate Chair, Wake Forest Department of Politics and International Affairs For more information about the M.A. Counseling Program at Wake Forest University, visit: https://counseling.graduate.wfu.edu/ Music Credit: “Voyage” by Ikson

Hosted by the CSI Pi Alpha chapter, this panel discussion was held virtually on January 28th, 2021. Presenters: Dr. Michelle Ghoston, Assistant Professor, Wake Forest Department of Counseling Dr. José Villalba, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion, Chief Diversity Officer, and Professor of Counseling at Wake Forest Dr. Brooke Griffith, Staff Psychologist, Wake Forest University Counseling Center For more information about the M.A. Counseling Program at Wake Forest University, visit: https://counseling.graduate.wfu.edu/ Music Credit: “Voyage” by Ikson

Hosted by the CSI Pi Alpha chapter, this panel discussion was held virtually on March 18th, 2021. Presenters: Dr. Rafe McCullough, Assistant Professor, Lewis & Clarke Graduate School of Education and Counseling Dr. Bob Nations, Director of Online Counseling Programs and Assistant Teaching Professor, Wake Forest Department of Counseling Rev. K. Monet Rice-Jalloh, Associate University Chaplain, Wake Forest Office of the Chaplain and Religious Life For more information about the M.A. Counseling Program at Wake Forest University, visit: https://counseling.graduate.wfu.edu/ Music Credit: “Voyage” by Ikson

This is the fourth episode in a series of student-produced podcasts, which aim to highlight the first-hand experiences of graduate counseling students and explore important topics related to becoming a counselor. In this episode, CSI executive board members LB Snipes and Brittani Level interview Dr. Michelle Ghoston, assistant professor in the Wake Forest Counseling Department. They ask Dr. Ghoston about the idea of finding your swag as a counselor and what that might look like for other aspiring counselors. Some of the topics covered in this discussion include: -What does it mean to find your swag as a counselor? -What does swag look like in practice? -How does one develop their swag as a counselor? -What people and experiences influenced Dr. Ghoston in developing her swag? -What challenges has Dr. Ghoston experienced related to her swag? For more information about the M.A. Counseling Program at Wake Forest University, visit: https://counseling.graduate.wfu.edu/ Music Credit: “Voyage” by Ikson

This is the third episode in a series of student-produced podcasts, which aim to highlight the first-hand experiences of graduate counseling students and explore important topics related to becoming a counselor. This week, CSI executive board members Bobby Lange and Brittani Level speak with another member of their cohort, Rachel Warner. Together they discussed: -What does self-care look like? -What was your first impression of the cohort? -How can a cohort support self-care? -What advice would you give to future students and cohorts? For more information about the M.A. Counseling Program at Wake Forest University, visit: https://counseling.graduate.wfu.edu/ Music Credit: “Voyage” by Ikson

This is the second episode in a series of student-produced podcasts, which aim to highlight the first-hand experiences of graduate counseling students and explore important topics related to becoming a counselor. Today, CSI executive board members LB Snipes and Yuxing Xu interview fellow cohort member Adriana Varela and ask about her experience with the internship and practicum search process. Some of the topics covered in the discussion include: -What was your site search experience like? -When did you start? -How many did you apply to? -What are some differences between the school and mental health track practicum/internship searches? -How are practicum and internship searches different? -How to choose a site? -What are some words of advice to those looking for sites? -What type of support is available to those seeking a site placement? For more information about the M.A. Counseling Program at Wake Forest University, visit: https://counseling.graduate.wfu.edu/ Music Credit: “Voyage” by Ikson

This is the first episode in a series of student-produced podcasts, which aim to highlight the first-hand experiences of graduate counseling students and explore important topics related to becoming a counselor. Second-year students and Chi Sigma Iota (CSI) Counseling Honor Society Officers Bobby Lange (President), LB Snipes (Vice President), Brittani Level (Secretary), and Yuxing Xu (Treasurer) sit down (virtually) to discuss their experiences studying counseling at Wake Forest University and share their goals for future episodes of the CSI Podcast Series. Discussion topics include: -Why the hosts chose to study counseling at Wake Forest. -Diverse paths to the counseling profession. -Receiving challenging feedback from instructors. -Seeking out support from peers and professors. -Self-reflection, self-doubt, and ongoing personal development. -Struggling to integrate counseling theory into clinical practice. -Unexpected challenges and completing coursework during a pandemic. -What the hosts would do differently, if they could start the program over again today. -Finding your swag. For more information about the M.A. Counseling Program at Wake Forest University, visit: https://counseling.graduate.wfu.edu/ Music Credit: “Voyage” by Ikson

Dr. Mark Scholl, Associate Professor of Counseling, sits down with Dr. Bob Nations and Dr. Cheyenne Carter to discuss his community outreach efforts and recent research on the experiences of ex-offenders who have completed a career development workshop.

Dr. Sam Gladding, Professor of Counseling and author of over 50 books, sits down with Dr. Bob Nations and Dr. Cheyenne Carter to discuss memorable moments from his early career. Dr. Gladding also reads an excerpt from his most recent publication, Off the Courthouse Square: A Memoir of My Life Up to Age 21.

Terri Thompson earned a Master of Arts in Human Services from Wake Forest University. She joins Dr. Cheyenne Carter and Dr. Bob Nations to discuss her current work with the Department of Social Services. Other topics include: self-care and safeguarding against the effects of cumulative trauma, strategies for bracketing assumptions and biases, the challenging and rewarding nature of trauma work, and the value of systemic practices and implementing a team-approach when working with families in crisis.

Amy Willard, Associate Director for Career Education & Coaching in Wake Forest’s Office of Personal and Career Development, talks with hosts Dr. Bob Nations and Dr. Cheyenne Carter about her experiences in the online Master of Arts in Counseling program. She discusses how her coursework helped her develop into an effective Career Coach and Counselor, describes the challenging and most rewarding aspects of her work, and offers advice for listeners who are interested in becoming a counselor. Other topics include: the necessity of practicing ongoing self-reflection and increasing self-awareness, multicultural practices in clinical and career counseling settings, practical strategies for transitioning from college to career, and how flexibility and happenstance can lead to exciting and unexpected career changes. For more information about Wake Forest’s Office of Personal and Career Development, visit: https://opcd.wfu.edu/

Mary Katherine Newsome, Admissions and Student Support Manager for the Graduate Counseling Program at Wake Forest University, talks with Dr. Bob Nations and Dr. Cheyenne Carter about the various ways that she and the faculty strive to support online student success. Learn more about the Wake Forest University Online Counseling MA Program: http://counseling.graduate.wfu.edu/

Dr. Nikki Elston, Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Counseling, talks with hosts Dr. Bob Nations and Dr. Cheyenne Carter about her experiences with Chi Sigma Iota, Counseling Honor Society. She reflects on her initial involvement as a graduate counseling student and discusses her current work as WFU's CSI Faculty Advisor. Other topics include: leadership opportunities available to on campus and online counseling students, the value and impact of student community service initiatives, and the necessity and benefits of joining a supportive professional community.

Dr. Allison Forti, Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Counseling, joins hosts Dr. Cheyenne Carter and Dr. Bob Nations to discuss strategies for creating thriving relationships and promoting personal wellness.

Dr. David Johnson, Assistant Professor of Counseling, joins hosts Dr. Shannon Warden and Dr. Bob Nations to discuss his recent research and publications on the relationship between counselor mindfulness and multicultural competency.