Conversation 41 - Give Yourself Permission to Grow

Send us Fan MailYour next mentor might be one conversation away, but most of us still hesitate to reach out. We sit down with Dr. Jake Protivnak, counselor educator at Youngstown State University, past president of the Ohio Counseling Association, and current president of Chi Sigma Iota International, to talk about what mentorship actually is and why it shapes who we become as counselors.We start with Jake’s own story and the mentors who guided him, including Dr. Tom Davis, the namesake of OCA’s Tom Davis Mentorship Award. From there, we get practical: how mentoring differs from advising, how it differs from clinical supervision, and why the best mentoring keeps a mentee’s values and goals front and center. If you’ve ever wanted someone to “just tell you what to do,” we unpack how great mentors support autonomy without leaving you alone.We also zoom out to the bigger picture of professional identity and community. Jake explains why Chi Sigma Iota (CSI) matters for counseling students beyond a resume line, including leadership opportunities, professional development, scholarships, and real connection for busy or commuting students. Then we dive into counseling history, digital archives, and Ohio’s leadership in counselor licensure and accreditation, plus what gets lost when a profession forgets its own story.If you’re a counselor in training, newly licensed, or a seasoned clinician looking to give back, you’ll leave with clear next steps and renewed pride in the counseling profession. Subscribe, share this with a colleague or cohort member, and leave a review so more counselors can find the mentors and community they deserve.OCA Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/ohiocounselingConnect with Us on Any/All Socials at our Link Tree!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 [email protected]!****Created by the OCA's Media, Public Relations, and Membership (MPRM) Committee & its Podcast Subcommittee·Hosted by Marisa Cargill·Pre-Production & Coordination by Marisa Cargill, Victoria Frazier, and Shannon O'Mara·Editing by Marisa Cargill·Original music selections by Elijah Satoru Wood