Two Recent Graduates Launch an Initiative Sweeping the Student Counselor Coummunity
Counselor Success and Support Initiative
In a recent Project I Am podcast interview, I sat with Sonata Miles and Tessa Myers and discussed the launch and success of Counselor Support and Success Initiative (CSSI). We explored the dynamic evolution of their work—its roots, its reach, and the exciting road ahead. What began as a grassroots study group has become a robust professional collective offering resources, guidance, and community for counseling students and early-career professionals across the country.
From Chaos to Community: The Growth of CSSI
What started as a small online study group for the NCE has grown from two members to over 2,000, thanks in large part to the visionary leadership of Sonata and Tessa. Their strategic organization—creating calendar tabs, adding structured sessions, and inviting professionals to host focused prep classes—transformed a chaotic group chat into a thriving hub for support and success. Counselor Support and Success Initiative (CSSI) is a nationwide community dedicated to supporting aspiring counselors. They're passionate about helping future counselors prepare for the NCE, NCHCE and CPCE through affordable, high-quality resources. They offer a range of support, including Zoom study sessions, peer-led tutoring, and professional classes designed to enhance your exam prep. Our resources are accessible and tailored to meet the needs of future counselors.
Now, CSSI offers a one-time $8 membership fee that opens the door to small group tutoring, domain-specific prep, and 24/7 community engagement through live chat. From movie nights and trivia games to study accountability and career planning, CSSI is more than a resource—it’s a family.
Emotional Resilience, Practical Wisdom
One major theme of our discussion was emotional resilience. We explored resources, including study guides, guest tutors, and counseling interventions that help teach emotional regulation, and discussed the value of ongoing professional development through books like Core Interventions Across Counseling Modalities.
Counseling is sacred, complex work that demands not just training but stamina.
Sonata also shared a powerful new idea: developing animated content to teach emotional regulation specifically for children of color. As a creative educator, she’s already building characters and stories that bring this vision to life.
New Voices, New Paths
It was an honor to spotlight new professionals like Sonata (Indianapolis, IN) and CSSI (San Antonio, TX), both recent graduates in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Their passion for trauma work, commitment to EMDR and IFS certification, and collaborative spirit are shaping the next chapter of this profession. They met online while preparing for the NCE—and now they’re helping others pass it.
We also reflected on the challenges between graduation and licensure. The support CSSI provides during this liminal space is vital—and together, we’re working to close that gap with mentoring, structure, and encouragement.
As CSSI continues to grow, so does its visibility. Sonata and Tessa also insights from their own podcasting journeys, and we talked about future collaborations—retreats, guest speaking, and book promotion.
A Season of Harvest
This initiative is more than a project—it’s a movement. We’re helping each other build sustainable, ethical, and heartfelt practices in counseling.
As they shared during our meeting:
Sometimes, you can feel your star rising—you know when you're entering a new season. With CSSI, we’re all rising together.
More about Sonata
Sonata Miles is a pre-licensed professional and recent graduate of Capella University, where she earned her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She is dedicated to supporting individuals through life’s challenges using evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Person-Centered Therapy, and Multicultural Counseling. Her style is warm, collaborative, and rooted in the belief that clients thrive when they feel seen, heard, and empowered.
Sonata is also one of the driving forces behind the Counselor Support and Success Initiative (CSSI), a thriving peer-led community supporting future counselors through study groups, low-cost tutoring, and meaningful professional connections. CSSI continues to grow as a trusted space for future mental health professionals, with resources designed to uplift, educate, and inspire.
More about Tessa
Tessa Myers is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate in San Antonio, Texas, specializing in trauma-informed care. She integrates EMDR and Internal Family Systems (IFS) to support meaningful healing and lasting growth. Tessa helps clients reconnect with their core and uncover their true selves, fostering clarity, confidence, and inner stability. She also founded the Counselor Support and Success Initiative (CSSI), a collaborative community designed to help future counselors pass the NCE and bridge the gap from graduation to licensure, offering resources, guidance, and a strong network of support.
Whether working directly with clients or building community through CSSI, Tessa brings authenticity, heart, and a strong commitment to growth.
Links:
Join them in the Counselor Support & Success Initiative (CSSI): CPCE/NCE & NCMHCE Study Group on Facebook!
The one-time $8 Community fee can be sent via:
• CashApp: $CSSInitiative
• Venmo: @CSSInitiative
Look out for the upcoming podcast of my interview with the here:
https://rss.com/podcasts/project-i-am-with-dr-david-j-schlosz
or on Apple Podcasts here:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/project-i-am/id1777441455
