Let's Unpack That #10: Conference Ready: A Counselor’s Quick Guide

Your next conference can feel like a recharge, not a marathon. We’re sharing the playbook we wish we had sooner—how to plan with purpose, protect your energy, and turn both sessions and hallway chats into momentum you’ll feel back at your desk.

We start with simple planning moves that pay off: choose sessions tied to your CEU needs and your core why as a counselor, then add a wildcard outside your comfort zone to spark new skills. From ethics to supervision hours, we show how to balance requirements with curiosity so your notes become action, not just inspiration. Along the way, we talk through self‑accommodation that actually works—seat choice, snacks, hydration, fidgets, and strategic breaks—plus the underrated power of scanning venue maps for quiet rooms, wellness spaces, presenter areas, and the exhibitor hall.

Connection is the force multiplier. We share low‑pressure scripts for meeting peers, ways to turn a coffee‑line chat into a consult partner, and why choosing conversation over one more CEU can pay dividends in practice. Big conferences bring scale and variety—niche modalities, resources for clients with complex health needs, and a sea of kindred clinicians—so we outline how to navigate without burning out. We also make a case for strolling the expo: new assessment tools, counseling books, platform trials, and community programs can level up your work the moment you return.

Underneath the tactics is a theme: belonging matters. In a tough socio‑political climate, gathering with colleagues who share your ethics can restore hope, clarity, and stamina. Go in with three targets—one learning goal, one connection goal, one self‑care goal—and leave with two concrete follow‑ups to keep the spark alive. If you’re heading to Columbus for ACA, wave us down and say hello—we’re always up for a quick chat and a good book tip. Subscribe, share this with a colleague who needs a boost, and leave a review with your best conference hack so we can feature it next time.

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

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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 ohiocounselingconversations@gmail.com!

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Created by the OCA's Media, Public Relations, and Membership (MPRM) Committee & its Podcast Subcommittee

·Hosted by Victoria Frazier & Marisa Cargill

·Pre-Production & Coordination by Marisa Cargill and Victoria Frazier

·Editing by Marisa Cargill

·Original music selections by Elijah Satoru Wood

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:02

Welcome to Let's Unpack That, a short form segment from Ohio Counseling Conversations, where we dig into the topics, tools, and truths that shape our work as counselors. Whether it's a trending issue, a clinical insight, or something we've all been thinking about, we're here to process it together.

Framing The Topic And Goals

SPEAKER_02 0:23

Welcome back to Let's Unpack That on Ohio Counseling Conversations. I'm Victoria Frasier, and I'm Marissa Cargill. And today we're unpacking conference readiness, practical tips to help counselors plan ahead, make meaningful professional connections, and get the most out of every session, hallway conversation, and networking opportunity.

SPEAKER_01 0:43

And it feels especially fitting that we're doing this today, ahead of ACA's national conference in Columbus, Ohio this April. We're recording this in March. And while we know like conference tips can be applied to other conferences outside of just this national conference, we're hopeful and excited that because this national conference is in Ohio this year, that we're going to see a lot of members and Ohio counselors in Columbus. So it's very exciting and feels appropriate that maybe we give this insight or tips, we unpack this now.

SPEAKER_02 1:17

I'm so looking forward to the national convention. I haven't been to a national conference before. And even though I'm relatively new to the field, I feel like I have quite a few local conferences under my belt. And but I'm really looking forward to connecting with people from outside of our state.

Why Conferences Feel Restorative

SPEAKER_01 1:44

And actually, I think the last national conference that I attended was pre-pandemic and also was a like a higher ed conference. So I'm really excited too. And I think I've shared this with you before, Tori. Like conferences to me also just maybe sort of feel like summer camp in some ways, because I get to see and connect with people that I do know and spend time like in community with them outside of like, you know, maybe some of the more formal spaces too. Not that the conferences aren't formal, but we get to, you know, maybe be a little informal and friendly in terms of just like bonding and hanging out outside of like the sessions.

SPEAKER_02 2:33

I think that when, you know, as we were kind of getting ready for this episode and thinking about what makes a conference worthwhile, what I look forward to at conferences, and like what I get out of them, I was really thinking about conferences as like a recharge for me. I sometimes can get, I think as we all can, a little frustrated or just worn out with the work we do and how much we of ourselves we put into it. And so while I do try to get to a lot of learning opportunities, I also really prioritize spending time with my friends that I've known before the conference and making new connections, whether it's like networking opportunities or finding people that we want to maybe host on the podcast, or just like people who I enjoy their energy and their approach to our field.

SPEAKER_01 3:26

Yeah, I think it's like it's it's certainly still formal and it's professional development, but it's in an environment where we get to enjoy and have some fun and like you're saying, connect with, you know, friends new and old that that kind of similar to us, right? Or like have similar interests and shared shared interests professionally, but maybe personally, as you know, like you and I both love to bond with people over traders and maybe other reality TV, as well as many other maybe things, but that there's just like a lot of fun and and nuance, but I think it is formal in the ways we get to learn and your idea that it's like sort of like uh what did you use the word reset or like a rest? Like it's recharge. Recharge, yeah. Like that it's it's restorative. That's a word that came to mind for me. Like, where I was like, yeah, I always feel like more energized when I go back into my normal day-to-day after a conference. So we're hopeful that this episode will maybe help you feel that way. And we want to give some guidance, but also we recognize like, you know, there's uniqueness and nuance to everyone's experience. And so take what fits, you know, you can leave the rest. And we're happy to hear your tips. So, you know, feel free to leave some comments on the socials. We'll be posting about it and share your tips with our followers.

SPEAKER_02 4:59

I will say I had quite a list as I was getting ready to record this, and I'm so excited because I love making lists. And that's actually the first thing I wrote down on my list was like to make a list for the conference and go through the session agenda and look for things you're familiar with, things you're passionate about. And then I also try to put things I have no experience in whatsoever on my list too. And there were lots of opportunities for that at the national conference, not that there haven't been in the past, but there were just so many things looking through this agenda that I was unfamiliar with.

Make A Plan And A Flexible List

SPEAKER_01 5:39

Yeah, I remember even attending some of my first like state conferences and things like as a newer professional, however many years back that was, getting excited about these are things that I can't or have not been able to learn about in the classroom. One like really stood out to me because, you know, like everyone considers their why in terms of like why they wanted to become a counselor. And sometimes, you know, there's very specific things or it's cumulative of like this happened and this happened, and like it just felt like it pulled me, you know, into that. But when I first joined the a counselor ed program and at the master's level, like part of what I really wanted to be able to do was help people with the mental health impact of like physical health issues, like medical diagnoses. And there was a session about people with cancer with a specific theoretical approach. It was choice theory, but like for context, it was just like this is not something that is in my counselor ed textbooks. And so it was really something that I'm like, wow, someone's gonna talk about something that I, you know, wanted to get into the field for. And so it just felt really cool. And I think that there's lots of opportunities of those like really unique things that get infused. And some are at the beginner, intermediate, advanced levels, but like that they give us some of that really specific that we don't get. So that's always like what excites me about like what's the specific thing that might feel like, oh, this is speaking to me, right? Yeah, I go going with that plan is awesome.

Sessions That Speak To Your Why

SPEAKER_02 7:20

I definitely am more of like a vibes person when I'm planning out my sessions. I try to make sure that I'm getting my ethics CEUs that I need. And I I know that you're always looking for your supervision hours, which are a little like more niche and not every session covers those requirements. But more so than anything, I think something that is really important for me to remember and that I always tell any friends who haven't gone to a conference before is to leave yourself wiggle room, even if you have a plan, because as fun as these are, and as much as we've kind of been hyping them up a little bit, it can also be kind of draining. Even like I am a social butterfly, like I love meeting new people, but even sometimes I'll get like peopled out and I'll need to take a break. And so I think the first few times I went to a conference, I was really feeling a lot of pressure to make sure I took as many sessions as I could and like get the most CEUs. And that is important and it is like a financial investment we're all making. But also, yeah, I think if I could give like baby counselor me one tip, it's like take a break.

CEUs, Wiggle Room, And Breaks

SPEAKER_01 8:28

Yeah, yeah. Like important to get what you need out of the conference, but also important that you're not burnt out by the end of it as well. I'm glad that you said that, Tori, because one of the things that I kind of when I was thinking about this episode and thinking about what are like what's my tips, like what can I offer that people maybe haven't necessarily considered is beyond like the the rest part. I think it for me is something where I encourage people beyond just the rest piece to self-accommodate in the sense of what helps me stay grounded in a session or attentive in a session. And that might include like rest, right? Like taking, like scheduling an intentional break beyond like the lunch break during the day. But like what helps me or keeps me in the moment. And I know for me, I've had like chronic pain issues in the past. And so like I also self-accommodate with where I sit, what maybe what kind of seat I choose, as well as, you know, making sure you have like water or, you know, like that you have a beverage, you have a snack, I am most likely gonna bring, you know, a fidget or two because those help me in staying present and connected. And so thinking about what will help you stay present and connected, and it doesn't have to be any of the things that I mentioned, but like how can you accommodate yourself in ways that are practical and reasonable in the confines of, you know, a convention center important. And that might mean like small breaks where you just go find like a quiet corner. Maybe that means making sure that you have some social engagement, not just sitting in a classroom, but that could be part of like looking at the session descriptions and which ones might be a little more interactive if that's something that keeps you a little bit more present and like in the mood to learn. So to me, it's always kind of thinking about that. And I love the list idea. I think part of me is like my brain just works differently. And so I'm, you know, thinking about, well, what do I want to accomplish? Like, which is probably a parallel process. Like we ask our clients, you know, like that when we're building relationships, like what's the goal? And so what is it that I want to accomplish out of attending this conference? And maybe it means I need to get some ethics and I need to get some supervision CEUs, but what is it that I want to walk away feeling more confident in? And it's okay if you don't know that answer, right? But like if for me, like it's sometimes helpful to think backwards of like, what is it that I want to get out of it? Or what like what do I need to get out of it? What do I want to get out of it? And then if I have those in mind, that that's gonna help me maybe go through that plan a little bit better. And maybe part of what I want to leave with is also having, you know, more people I can consult with on certain topics. And maybe that means attending a session, but maybe that means having, you know, some time to engage in a networking kind of atmosphere or aspect.

SPEAKER_02 11:44

Absolutely. I think that one of the things I really enjoyed about like us preparing for this episode was we asked OCA leaders to give us feedback on what they've found helpful for conferences. And sorry to not credit you for your response. We appreciate it. Someone said like some of the most impactful things for me were conversations I had outside of sessions. And so, you know, sometimes making the choice intentionally to maybe miss a session that's going to get you a CEU and walk away with a relationship that's going to help you learn maybe more in the long run than sitting and attending, I'm sure, a very well-prepared and engaging session.

SPEAKER_01 12:25

Yeah, yeah. And it's not for us to say like what is the best for you, but it's just like offering it these considerations and for the leaders that are sharing some tips, like you will see these on our socials. So follow us at Ohio Counseling, and you can see some of these tips. And like I said earlier, offer some tips that maybe you have. But yeah, it's it's something where I think as much as we might set those goals, it is helpful to be adaptable or flexible to know that like maybe once you get there, you have this plan, but you have the opportunity to connect with someone and maybe you're having such a good conversation that you want to keep having that conversation, like that's okay. I don't want to minimize like how much money people spend to get there and be there. And so, like, if the priority is the CEU, like do that. But also, like, you know, want people to consider that there are opportunities sometimes to adapt and flex that can be meaningful as well. I also think like the cool thing about maybe a national conference, and this isn't to shade any state or local conferences, because I think our leaders are very intentional about trying to offer variety, but like this is just a larger scale. And because of that, there is more variety and like just more sessions in general that can be offered in a state or local conference. And so like that offers to me not just the opportunities for learning, but like also a larger opportunity for community and belonging and guidance that maybe looks formal or informal, as well as education that's formal and informal. I I think it's like such a cool opportunity thinking about like some of your niche interests and how they show up in in our profession. This is going to be an opportunity to have other people who have those similar interests, where like maybe at a state or local level, there are a few people, but like not a hundred people in one room. And so like that becomes really cool to then make those connections.

Self‑Accommodation Strategies That Work

SPEAKER_02 14:31

Yeah, absolutely. I think one of the other things that we can kind of forget about when we're thinking about making connections is like the exhibitors or the sponsors area and being able to like interface with companies or people in our community, whether that be you know within the state or just the counseling profession at large, that they have things to offer too, and they always have free stuff. And I love free stuff. And so I kind of view that one as like a break for for my brain, and also like a break for my wallet, because I want every mini bottle of hand sanitizer with a company's logo on it that I can get my hands on. Right. Who doesn't use stress ball, you know? We all exactly I have so many stress balls in my office, and all of my children appreciate them so much when they come in. And my grown-ups too, but my children and I will frequently try to juggle if they're having a bad day because I know they can't, and it makes us laugh. But, anyways, yes, the sponsor exhibitor area always confused me at the beginning, but now I do kind of make a point to to always walk, walk through and just see what's up.

SPEAKER_01 15:46

Yeah, and I got that that can still be like a social and professional connection opportunity. It might connect you with like resources. I know like they have like the I'm gonna mess up the title, but like it's sort of like there's there's part that's like a book fair. And so you can look at some like really cool resources that you might be able to use with your clients and that you can purchase if you want. Like it's not a requirement that you spend money in that's that area, but that if there are certain things you're looking for, like they may be there and you may have the opportunity to do that. So I I always think it's kind of fun to like see what's there, and sometimes it's like newer stuff that's being marketed, and so that can be really cool and exciting to be like, oh, we're on the ground floor, like this new release.

SPEAKER_02 16:33

Yeah. I think one of the things that I that as you were talking, I was thinking about was I always look up the map for a conference before I go, not only because I am a bit of an anxious girl and I like to know where things are, and that always makes me feel a lot better. But also looking at conference maps will sometimes let me know there are things there that I didn't know were happening. Like there's a speaker getting ready room at the conference in April, and I was like, oh, that might be nice because I feel like when you're giving when you're presenting, you're kind of running around before, and so it's nice to have a space to kind of meet. There's also like, and don't quote me on it. I think I saw a puppy playroom, and that's worth the cost of admission to me. And so I'm trying to see the whatever little creators and creatures they have for me to to spend time with.

SPEAKER_01 17:28

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. Must see puppies.

SPEAKER_02 17:33

Must be puppies, and then there's also like a quiet room, and that's been more common at the conferences I've been to in the last few years, is like a place where you're muted. I don't know how that happened.

SPEAKER_01 17:47

I don't know when it happened. So you were saying uh there was a space where like that's been common that there's a space, and then somehow you muted yourself.

SPEAKER_02 17:58

Okay, cute, great. I'll start that over. Now something that's been more common at conferences recently in the last few years is a quiet space where we are speaking quietly or maybe not at all. And usually there's been like coloring pages or other kind of sensory toys and things to just kind of decompress with. I've really appreciated that too. And I saw that on the map for the ACA conference in April. And I know we have one at the OCA conference as well, usually.

Define Outcomes And Networking Aims

SPEAKER_01 18:30

Yeah. Yeah. So it's important to sort of know where you're going, not just the sessions, but like geographically, like looking at that map can also give some tools of like, hey, here's some other stuff that maybe I missed when I was just looking out, looking at mapping out my sessions. I, oh gosh, I'm I'm just so excited because it has been a long time since I've been to a national conference. And I, and I think all of these things sound like they have their place in terms of where I might have to make a pit stop, you know. And in terms of accommodating yourself, like just knowing those things help you kind of figure out, okay, well, maybe I don't need to bring this because I can like just pop by the quiet room and that will be enough for me. Or might be able to get something at the expo that I don't need to bring with me potentially. So that's helpful. I think that that's really meaningful. Trying to think of other tips I have, and I think that they're more like not so specific to just the conference, but I think in trying to step out of your comfort zone at the conference, I know that going to the conference in and of itself might be stepping out of someone's comfort zone. So I don't want to minimize or invalidate that. Like you showing up and being there, even if you feel like the most you can do is just attend your sessions and like maybe visit some of the spaces is enough, right? If it's something where you have identified a goal as networking and creating more connections or finding more tools and resources, I think it's about figuring out what those goals are and then maybe trying to lead yourself there by for me, it's sort of like narrating or announcing. And I'm gonna give credit to a TikTok, a creator that I helped give me this idea as I was like preparing for the podcast. I happened to see this, and you know, I love my social media. So I have like a folder on my TikTok where I save things that are like good perspective or reframes for clients. But I thought this is perfect. Another parallel process that that might work for encouraging out of comfort zone at the conference is announcing or narrating what you're doing, but in in leading up to that to say, I'm trying to be better about or I'm working to get better at. And that comes from again the friendship expert on TikTok. And I'm forgetting her licensure, but she does she does some, you know, work around helping people who have friendship issues. At the end of the day, it's like announcing too, hey, I don't know you, but I'm working to get better at like socializing in sessions and asking people where they're from and what the what their specialty are is or are, and announcing it that way that people understand, like, I'm working at getting better at this, or I'm trying to be better about actually mingling with people. So I wanted to like come introduce myself and that in so doing that, like you feel a little more comfortable because you're saying, like, I'm I'm trying here, like instead of just being like, Hi, I don't know you, my name's Larissa. That maybe it feels more authentic to people to say, Hey, I'm trying to be better about actually meeting people at conferences. So I wanted to like say hey, I'm who am I? What do I do? What about you?

SPEAKER_02 21:53

Yeah, I love that. I think that kind of connects to something that I I was hesitant to put on my list as a tip because it's not something that's easy for everyone, or maybe they just don't have others in their community of like trying to get to know someone who's going to the conference before. And I not to brag, but I think our social media comments are a good place for that. And also, like, if you're a listener and you see Marissa and I out and about, like, please come say hi or connect with us. We are both Chatty Kathes and are happy to dab. We are. Oh, us? Chatty Kathy? Me. I'm getting us name tags. They say Chatty Kathy. But yeah, that was kind of like what I wanted to leave listeners with is if you see us, come say hi. Or if we know you, don't think we won't wave at you from across the room because we are nosy social butterflies.

SPEAKER_01 22:55

Yeah, please, please, please, please. We we like to make friends and we want people to enjoy the experience. And if you've listened and you feel like, well, you know, it's parasocial because you know our voices well enough, like we we can make it really social and just say hi and we'll probably talk your ear off. And if you don't want that, you know, tell us, like, lead with that. You only got two minutes, and we'll just, you know, say we're happy to meet you and let you get to your session. But definitely, we hope that it's helpful. We hope that you enjoy the conference if you're attending. If you're not attending this one, I think what I also hope is that like maybe this will help you consider like why there are some benefits to going to any conference rather than just some like online workshops. Because I one of my favorite things like I love with is like it does feel like summer camp. And yeah, that is because I have some connections. But it's also like I I think right now, especially in the way like our current climate is, and I mean like socio-political climate, it's tough to be a counselor and having a sense of community and belonging is so meaningful. And I I don't think that that's exclusive to just the two of us speaking here. And I think that we all need that right now. And so, yes, there's privilege that comes with being able to attend conference, and I don't want to negate that or minimize that. But I think if you are able, that like there's value that goes beyond cost to me in attending these events.

SPEAKER_02 24:26

Yeah, I think that's such a wonderful note for us to end on. We wish you nothing but community and connection, conference or not. But thank you for listening today, and we hope to see you out and about in the world soon.

Growth In Hallway Conversations

SPEAKER_00 24:42

Thanks for joining us for Let's Unpack That, brought to you by Ohio Counseling Conversations and the Ohio Counseling Association. If it sparks something for you, share it with a colleague or drop us a line. We'd love to keep the conversation going. Thanks for listening, and until next time, we encourage you to keep unpacking the big stuff one conversation at a time. Let's Unpack That is a podcast intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views, opinions, and references shared by hosts or guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Ohio Counseling Association. Any appearance by a guest does not imply an endorsement of them, their views, or any organizations they may represent. Content discussed should not be interpreted as official positions, recommendations, or endorsements by OCA or its leadership.