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.

• Join the OCA Board
• 2024-2025 Award Winners and Recognitions
• 2024-2025 Mini-Grant Outcomes
• Coming Soon: 2025-2026 Mini-Grants
• 2025-2026 OCA Membership

The Oakland Counseling Association is only able to function and offer great benefits to our members as a result of our volunteer board members. We are always looking for new faces who would like to contribute to the leadership and continued service of this organization.

2025-2026 Open Board Positions Overview

• Middle School Counselor Representative
• Elementary School Counselor Representative
  
• Member-at-Large

Please reach out to any of our current board members if you have questions.

We'd like to recognize Ben Morin, K-12 Career Readiness Consultant at Oakland Schools, who will be stepping away from being an OCA board member for 2025-2026.

Ben has served on the OCA board for 11 years. He filled a crucial need upon joining back when there was no direct counseling support at Oakland Schools and OCA was attempting to fill a gap in countywide support and professional learning for counselors.

Thank you for your service to this organization and to our counselors. We will miss you!

As Ben was walking out the door, he recruited his own replacement!

Welcome to Paige Rutkowski, also a K-12 Career Readiness Consultant for Oakland Schools. We're excited to have Paige join our leadership group! She brings passion and expertise in career exploration as well as experience as a former middle school counselor.

At our April 25th End of Year event awards were presented to our incredible OCA Counselor of the Year and Terry Hood Lifetime Achievement recipients.

"Carrie Laurence’s effectiveness as a counselor is evident in the lasting impact she has on her students and the school community. One of the most telling signs of her influence is the number of past students who return to see her, seeking guidance or simply reconnecting. This demonstrates the deep trust and meaningful relationships she builds with students—connections that extend well beyond their years at Royal Oak Middle School.

Her ability to form lifelong connections with students speaks volumes about her commitment to their well-being. Carrie doesn’t just support students in the moment; she makes an impression that lasts, ensuring they know they always have a trusted adult to turn to. Whether it’s checking in on former students as they transition to high school or continuing to be a mentor long after they leave, her care and investment in their success are unwavering."

"Pat exemplifies the highest standards of dedication and care in her role as our school counselor, making her an outstanding candidate for this lifetime achievement award. Warm and approachable, she creates a safe and welcoming environment where students feel heard and supported. Her deep concern for students' well-being goes beyond academic success; she takes the time to truly understand each student’s personal challenges and strengths, helping them navigate difficult situations with empathy and guidance.

With a career that stretches back to the 1980s, Pat has dedicated her life to helping students succeed. While she now works in a traditional high school setting, much of her career was spent in adult and alternative education, working with those most at risk of falling through the cracks. She guided students facing extraordinary challenges—helping them find stability, complete their education, and build a path to future success."

In addition to Carrie and Pat, 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!

"In addition to her work with students, Alicia is a trusted resource for faculty and staff.

She offers valuable insights and support, helping teachers and administrators address

student concerns and develop effective strategies for student success. Her collaborative

spirit and willingness to go above and beyond have made her an indispensable member

of our school community."

"Sarah Hester is an exceptional school counselor who embodies the very best of the profession. She is a compassionate, dedicated, and highly skilled professional who consistently goes above and beyond to ensure the well-being and success of every student she serves. Her ability to connect with students and families, even in the most challenging circumstances, sets her apart as a leader in the field of school counseling."

"Mr. Johnson is always available, he’s present, selfless and puts his students first. No matter the circumstance, Mr. Johnson always make sure his students have everything they need to succeed."

"Dan is extremely knowledgeable about college, career, and social/emotional topics. Dan has presented to district counselors in the past. He is compassionate with students and reassures them that he is there for them. He has a wealth of knowledge and resources to provide students and their families. He is able to engage students by telling stories to help them relate to the topic."

"Samme is trustworthy, a leader and a team player. She is outgoing, energetic and sympathetic. She works harder than anyone I know and she puts her heart out to every student in our building. She is easy to talk to but knows how to push someone to be the best they can be."

"I observe her thoughtfulness, understanding and approach being effective in helping students and families. She goes above and beyond. What I appreciate most is that she follows up which shows she cares."

"Mr O’Brien relates to the students and the students are very comfortable approaching him at any time. He is always there to help and assist the students. He works with each student individually on their class schedule, future goals and college related information."

"Lisa Somlinski is an outstanding high school counselor due to her strong communication skills, empathy, and problem-solving abilities. She builds trust with students and parents, ensuring they feel supported academically and emotionally. Her dedication goes beyond expectations—whether helping students navigate challenges, advocating for their needs, or staying informed on scholarships and mental health resources. Lisa’s commitment to student success and her ability to connect with families make her an invaluable asset to the school community."

"Laura has committed herself to her students and families. Her efforts, dedication, and commitment have never been recognized and she is beyond deserving of this special honor as she retires from 25 years of service to Bloomfield Hills Schools. Laura is incredibly respected by not only her colleagues, but the families and students with whom she works. She frequently receives the most genuine and sincere notes from her families sharing their appreciation for her devotion and commitment. Laura is the quintessential model of a high school counselor and she has yet to have her professionalism, integrity, and devotion recognized."

"She has mentored countless interns, fostering the next generation of counselors. She is also a great innovator of how she counsels, doing many field trips, having speakers come in, running groups, doing full classroom lessons and more. She is also retiring, and deserves lots of credit for all that she has done for her students."

This year OCA awarded four mini-grants to members to support a variety of programs and activities. With fewer applications received this year, recipients were given the option to elect up to $500 to support their strategy (or stay with the original $250 award). 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 Royal Oak Middle School, school counselors used OCA mini-grant funds to support their UMatter Week and student wellness groups by providing snacks and incentives. Donuts were awarded to classes with standout door decorations promoting positivity, while providing snacks helped boost engagement in TRAILS and other small groups. The grant enabled inclusive, student-driven activities that fostered belonging and connection throughout the year.

At Anderson Middle School, school counselors used OCA mini-grant funds to help create a calming VIP Room for students needing a break to self-regulate. The room was furnished with beanbags, rugs, fidgets, art supplies, and soothing decor. After each visit, students complete an exit ticket to reflect on their feelings and mood from before and after their 10-minutes in the VIP Room. This supports students increasing their self-awareness and has an overall positive impact on their social-emotional well-being.

What's the best way to motivate teenagers? Food! At ACE, the school counselor used OCA mini-grant funds to provide incentives for boosting student attendance and academic performance. Students with consistent attendance were entered into a raffle each week and students with sustained academic growth could earn the top prize of a free lunch at a fast food option of their choosing! These incentives helped motivate student engagement with attendance showing a slight improvement. ACE plans to continue these positive incentive programs next year.

Chippewa Valley school counselors used OCA mini-grant funds to take 40 juniors who qualify for TIP (Tuition Incentive Program) on a campus tour of Macomb Community College. The grant covered transportation and lunch. Students explored health care and culinary labs, learned about admissions, and engaged with college staff. The visit sparked strong interest, with many students planning to attend Macomb Community College in the future.

The application for the 2025-2026 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 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.

2025-2026 OCA membership information is 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 24/25 OCA award winner or nominee, your 25/26 membership is free! Please complete the membership form, but no need to submit payment!

Selina Abraham

Nicole Bell

Sean Dougherty

Elizabeth Germaine

Amanda Gohl

Albana Metaj

Kelly Messing-Mirabito

Paige Rutkowski

Pamela Wesley

Kelley Yell

Email: oaklandcounselingassociation@gmail.com
Website: www.oaklandcounselors.org
Phone: ------------------------
Twitter: @OCACounseling