Oakland Counseling Association

The Oakland Counseling Association is a not-for-profit, professional and educational organization that is dedicated to the growth and enhancement of the counseling profession.

Mission

The mission of the Oakland Counseling Association is to enhance the quality of life in

Oakland County by promoting the development of professional counselors, advancing the

counseling profession and using the profession and practice of counseling to promote respect for human dignity and diversity.

• OCA Award Winners and Nominees
• Article: Restorative Practices for SCs: Use Summer Break to Refill, Reflect and Re-Engage
• 2025-2026 OCA Events
• 2025-2026 Mini-Grant Outcomes
• Coming Soon: 2026-2027 Mini-Grants
• 2026-2027 OCA Membership
• Nominate a Counselor of the Month

At our April 30th End of Year event awards were presented to our incredible OCA Counselor of the Year and Terry Hood Lifetime Achievement recipients.

"Nancy is a remarkable counselor because of her enormous heart. She finds a way to connect with every student and staff member she crosses paths with during the school week. Even on the coldest dreary day, she is the personification of sunshine and warmth."

"Nancy has been a part of the development of a sense of fun and silliness too. Her office is filled with tiny little toys that can bring a moment of silly levity to the day--like a screaming goat or hot wheel car tracks."

"Michael is an amazing middle school counselor with 40 years of experience who brings an extraordinary depth of wisdom, compassion, and dedication to his work. Over four decades, he has supported generations of students through academic challenges, social transitions, and personal growth, always meeting each child with patience, empathy, and respect."

"Michael’s dedication extends far beyond his role as a counselor. He has given countless hours coaching multiple sports, poured his heart into creating a meaningful mentoring program, and generously led several clubs throughout the school."

In addition to Nancy and Michael, we had many other outstanding nominees for these awards! Nominations, which came from counselor colleagues and administrators, were evaluated by our full OCA board using a rubric. Here are the other great counselors nominated that we want to celebrate!

"Ken demonstrates clear student-centered leadership, as shown by the commitment to always put students first, ensuring that every decision prioritizes the individual's well-being and academic needs."

"Christina possesses a rare combination of professionalism, compassion, and advocacy... Her ability to balance empathy with accountability helps students feel supported while staying focused on their goals."

"Jenelle has built up the SEL program at her school by creating daily mindfulness videos, meeting with parents and stakeholders to share the importance of mental health. She collaborates with her team to have everyone on the same page and provide the best resources."

"Amy is diligent, patient, thoughtful, and has the biggest heart of any school counselor I have ever known. She is brilliant, innovative, and a master problem-solver."

"Erica is an extremely compassionate person who cares about each and everyone of her students not only on her caseload but in the school."

"As a fierce advocate for students, Ann’s partnership with a student in their academic or healing journey goes unmatched. She will work tirelessly to ensure that her students’ needs are met, especially when their most basic needs are at risk."

For many school counselors, summer break brings a familiar mix of relief and restlessness. After months of supporting students through crises, transitions, and emotional upheaval, the idea of stepping away can feel both necessary and strangely uncomfortable. Counselors often describe a “push-pull” experience: looking forward to rest while also wondering how to use the time meaningfully, how to reset, and how to return in the fall grounded rather than depleted.

Restorative practices aren’t just for students or conflict resolution. They offer a powerful framework for adult well-being, especially for counselors who spend the year holding space for others. Summer provides a natural opportunity to engage in restorative work that strengthens connection, reflection and resilience.

Here are some restorative approaches counselors can use during the summer months-practical, accessible and aligned with the core values of relational practice...

Read Full Article

Here are all the events that were organized or supported by OCA this year! Each of these events was free of cost to OCA members!

September 2025

• Supporting LGBTQ+ Clients and Students in Today's World presented by Oakland University (virtual)
• Shattered Perceptions: Implicit Bias Training presented by Oakland Community College (virtual)

November 2025

• Exploring Military Careers at Selfridge Air National Guard Base (in-person, unfortuantely this event was canceled by Selfridge the week of the event due to the government shutdown... we hope to organize another experience similar to this one next year)

December 2025

• 5th Annual College Counseling for School Counselors (virtual)

March 2026

• K-8 Focus: Responsiveness to Neurodivergence (in-person)
• Navigating Implicit Bias & Diversity: What Middle School Counselors Should Know presented by MACAC (virtual)

April 2026

• Counselor Day at Kettering University (in-person)
• Building Relationships Through Restorative Practices: What Middle School Counselors Should Know presented by MACAC (virtual)
• End of Year Event and Counselor Awards: Trends in Mental Health Career Pathways and Counselor Skill Development (in-person)

This year OCA awarded seven, $250 mini-grants to members to support a variety of programs and activities. Thank you to all who applied and received mini-grants this year!

Below you will find a few highlights from the mini-grant dollars put to use.

At Anderson Middle School, school counselors used OCA mini-grant funds to support their UMatter Week activities, including the creation of a photo booth, posters for each staff member, and lanyards and stickers for each student. The grant enabled the decoration of the school building to create an atmosphere where each student could feel welcomed and encouraged to focus on positive mental health strategies.

At Oxford Bridges High School, the school counselor used OCA mini-grant funds to pay for bus transportation to and from the Oakland Community College Auburn Hills campus. This activity helped encourage graduating seniors to consider accessible education programs at the community college. There was even a little money leftover to help support their Maymester Community Service project.

At Royal Oak Middle School, school counselors used OCA mini-grant funds to support their UMatter Week and Wellness Wednesday activities by providing workshops focused on mental health that included craft activities, strategy development, and snacks. The grant enabled the design of impactful and engaging student activities throughout the school year that helped foster positive mental health habits and improve stress levels.

At the Alternative Center for Education, the school counselor used OCA mini-grant funds to purchase supplies for mental health awareness activities with students. The grant enabled the delivery of different workshops including: friendship bracelet making, stressball making, and canvas painting.

OCA mini-grant funds are providing organizational tools, incentives, and themed support sessions to improve student organization, executive functioning, academic performance, and engagement with counseling supports.

OCA mini-grant funds are supporting a monthly Life Lab advisory series with incentives and promotion to increase student engagement, build life and SEL skills, and improve overall wellbeing and school culture.

OCA mini-grant funds are covering transportation for kindergarteners to attend a high school graduation rehearsal, aiming to inspire future goals, strengthen school connection, and build early college and career awareness.

The application for the 2026-2027 OCA Mini-Grants will come out in the fall upon the return from summer break. Keep an eye on the OCA Mini-Grants page for updates and to access the application once it becomes available. The deadline to apply for a mini-grant is always mid-October.

Remember: You must be an OCA member in good standing to be eligible for mini-grant consideration. This is a great reason to renew your OCA membership for 2026-2027 at the beginning of the school year!

The Oakland Counseling Association is a membership-based, community organization. Memberships run from September 1st through August 31st each year. Heading into a new school year is the best time to renew your OCA membership to take advantage of all the discounted event registrations, free SCECH processing, and mini-grants available to members only.

2026-2027 OCA membership information is now available on the OCA Membership page and reminders will be sent out early in the fall. Please share with any counselor colleagues who may not be an OCA member yet!

COST

• Individual counselor - $25
• Graduate school student - $10
• Retired counselor - $10

BENEFITS OF OCA MEMBERSHIP

• FREE or reduced price professional learning opportunities
• All online professional learning events are FREE for members
• FREE SCECH processing for all events
• Identify as a professional counselor (solidarity)
• Opportunities to network and connect with other mental health professionals
• Advocacy and support for counselors
• Eligible for mini-grant opportunities
• Eligible for end of year awards
• Eligible for membership and prize drawings
  

OTHER NOTES

• Membership is valid from September 1 through August 31 each school year
• Membership is open to all school and private practice counselors
• Membership is welcome for counselors outside of Oakland County
• If you were a 25/26 OCA award winner or nominee, your 26/27 membership is free! Please complete the membership form, but no need to submit payment!

In an effort to highlight the remarkable work of OCA counselors, we will be requesting Counselor of the Month nominations each month. This recognition effort will highlight one outstanding counselor each month. Nominees must be a current OCA member to receive the recognition (and potentially a small prize 😊).

Thank you for your nominations!

Selina Abraham

Nicole Bell

Meredith Cairo

Sean Dougherty

Elizabeth Germaine

Amanda Gohl

Angela Gouda

Carrie Laurence

Albana Metaj

Kelly Messing-Mirabito

Paige Rutkowski

Pamela Wesley

Kelley Yell

Email: oaklandcounselingassociation@gmail.com
Website: www.oaklandcounselors.org