Episode #97 - School Counselors: Supporting Kids at School and Beyond

In this episode of The Cultivate Calmness Podcast, I’m joined by Molly Olejownik, a licensed mental health specialist working in a local school district, to discuss the essential and often overlooked collaboration between school-based counselors and community therapists. We explore the evolution of her career from cheer coach to school counselor to private practice clinician—and now, back into schools as a mental health specialist serving students with IEPs. Molly shares the challenges of large caseloads, how emotional regulation is central to her work, and why building strong partnerships with parents, teachers, and therapists is key to supporting students. We also dive into the reality of burnout, perfectionism in high-achieving districts, and the importance of self-care for those who serve others.