Pursuing Happiness as a Therapist: An interview with Stevon Lewis, LMFT Curt and Katie interview Stevon Lewis, LMFT, about how he makes his career more sustainable. We look at his current philosophies around low effort, alignment, and fun. We also explore how he was able to initially able temper his expectations, work through misaligned paths, and pivot when needed. Finally, we talk about what it looks like behind the scenes to pursue a number of different revenue and marketing streams. Transcri...
Jun 17, 2024•39 min
On The Move: How Run Walk Talk Therapy Reshapes Mental Health An interview with Sepideh Saremi, LCSW Curt and Katie interview Sepideh Saremi, LCSW, on her therapy model, Run Walk Talk. We look at the practicalities and clinical benefit of including movement (specifically running and walking) in therapy. We talk about the principles of movement as method, movement as modulator, and movement as metaphor. Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com! In this podcast episode, we...
Jun 10, 2024•39 min
What Can Therapists Do About the Loneliness Epidemic? Curt and Katie chat about loneliness as a presenting problem in therapy. We explore the misconceptions about loneliness and how therapists often go to fix the problem rather than understand the problem. We also look at the clinical considerations, including gender differences, the impact of Covid-19, and the changes in how people socialize. Finally, we identify treatment strategies to support individuals struggling with loneliness. Transcript...
Jun 03, 2024•33 min
When Doing “No Harm” Isn’t Good Enough: Bringing beneficence to your clients Curt and Katie chat about ethics again. We look at how therapists decide what is beneficial for clients. We also contrast the concept of “beneficence” (doing good) versus “nonmaleficence” (doing no harm). We specifically explore how to identify when something is in the therapist’s interest versus the client’s interest as well as what therapists can do when clients hold harmful, untrue beliefs. This is a law and ethics c...
May 27, 2024•1 hr 7 min
Is Seeking an “Abundance Mindset” Toxic? Curt and Katie chat about abundance and scarcity mindsets, looking at what the research actually says about these often-used terms. We explore the dangers of how the abundance mindset is often weaponized against entrepreneurs (like private practitioners) in how they think and how much they should pay for coaching services. We also look at the role of privilege in how these mindsets are often talked about. Finally, we explore what might be better to focus ...
May 20, 2024•41 min
How to Navigate Shifts in the Mental Health Field and Your Career Path: An interview with Dr. Melvin Varghese Curt and Katie interview Dr. Melvin Varghese about how he’s navigated his career path. We look at a life changing event that helped him to get perspective on what is most important to him. We also explore practicalities of prioritizing personal life as an entrepreneur. Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com! In this podcast episode, we talk about how to priorit...
May 13, 2024•42 min
Are Therapy and Coaching All That Different? Curt and Katie chat about the differences between coaching and therapy, for a second time. We look at some common myths (and how coaches continue to share this misinformation). We also look at how therapists can effectively incorporate coaching into their therapy sessions, with client consent. Finally, we discuss the challenges inherent in coaching and in therapy, and why therapists may feel they need to choose one or the other. Transcripts for this e...
May 06, 2024•36 min
Are You Too Burned Out to Work? An ethical assessment of therapist burnout and impairment Curt and Katie chat about the ethics of working while burned out. We look at what burnout is, how it develops and what the impacts are on clients and treatment outcomes. We also explore individual and systemic strategies to mitigate the risks of burnout. This is a law and ethics continuing education podcourse. Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com! In this podcast episode we talk...
Apr 29, 2024•1 hr 11 min
What Therapists Need to Know About Menopause and Perimenopause: An interview with Dr. Sharon Malone, MD Curt and Katie interview Dr. Sharon Malone, MD, author of Grown Woman Talk, about menopause and perimenopause. We explore the mental health impacts as well as the differential diagnosis when assessing a woman over 40 who might be experiencing this phase of life. We also talk about what good treatment can look like, including discussing the debate about hormone therapies. Transcripts for this e...
Apr 22, 2024•42 min
Conscious and Trauma-Informed Leadership: An interview with Kelly L. Campbell Curt and Katie interview Kelly Campbell about her work with leaders. We explore the ways in which trauma can impact leaders, their teams, and their organizations. We also look at what trauma-informed leadership coaching can look like, including overarching goals for trauma-informed and high conscious leadership. Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com! In this podcast episode, we explore traum...
Apr 15, 2024•33 min
Is It Worth It? Analyzing return on investment for your therapy practice Curt and Katie chat about different types of return on investment (ROI) for a therapist in private practice. We look at what therapists often get wrong when deciding how to invest their time, money, or energy. We also give some ideas of what can be more effective in getting the highest ROI (of all types) for your therapy business and career. Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com! In this podcast ...
Apr 08, 2024•39 min
Don’t Forget to Pay Yourself and Other Money Planning Strategies: An interview with Carla Titus Curt and Katie interview Carla Titus, Fractional CFO about what therapists get wrong when budgeting for their private practice. We explore financial strategies to maintain a viable business as well as how you can grow your business responsibly. We talk about making sure to pay yourself first, then set up a rainy-day fund, and follow that with saving additional extra funds for hiring or new services be...
Apr 01, 2024•39 min
An Expert Witness Weighs in on Therapist Malpractice: An interview with Dr. Frederic Reamer Curt and Katie interview Dr. Frederic Reamer about his perspective as an expert witness opining on therapist conduct. We talk about the three types of cases he sees (mistakes, challenging decisions, and misconduct) as well as what therapists can do to protect and set themselves up for success. Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com! In this podcast episode, we share an expert wi...
Mar 25, 2024•45 min
Are You Burned Out or Are You Bored? Curt and Katie chat about another type of burnout, “bore out.” We explore the difference between burnout and boredom. We talk about what might be unique to therapists’ jobs that would lead to boredom. We also dig into how dissociation can show up as either burnout or boredom. Finally, we share ideas on how modern therapists can mitigate some of the impacts of burnout, boredom, and vicarious trauma. Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast...
Mar 18, 2024•36 min
Seeking Purpose Beyond Accomplishment: An interview with Kasey Compton Curt and Katie interview Kasey Compton, LPCC, on her new book, In Search of You. We explore her journey of healing and what it was like to put that healing into a public space. We also talk about Kasey’s challenges with being bullied in her home town due to the choices she has made (getting divorced and then choosing a same-sex relationship) and how her “hard head” has helped her to get through it all. She also shares some id...
Mar 11, 2024•40 min
When Your Clients are Wealthy and Well Known: An interview with Dr. Holly Daniels, LMFT Curt and Katie interview Dr. Holly Daniels about working with high profile clients. We talk about the lifestyle factors (like isolation and dehumanization) that come with celebrity as well as the differences when working with famous and powerful people who bring in more common concerns like relationship challenges. We also explore the skills and trustworthiness required to be able to succeed with these client...
Mar 04, 2024•40 min
When Your Client is a Little Bit Famous: The unique needs and perspectives for working with content creators in therapy Curt and Katie chat about the unique needs that content creators (youtubers, podcasters, onlyfans performers) bring to session. We look at the development stages of being a creator, what exactly a “content creator” is, pros and cons (for mental health) of being a content creator, and how therapists can work more effectively with these folks. We also talk about the safety concer...
Feb 26, 2024•1 hr 13 min
The Power and the Peril of Pop Psychology Curt and Katie chat about pop psychology. We look at what it is, how it influences society, the dangers of leaving it unchecked, and how therapists can support their clients in navigating through all the different self-help content. We also challenge the use of Enneagram and Myers Briggs as “identity” and talk about using pop psychology as a starting point for conversation rather than taking it all at face value. Transcripts for this episode will be avai...
Feb 19, 2024•39 min
Is AI Really Ready for Therapists? An interview with Dr. Maelisa McCaffrey Curt and Katie interview Dr. Maelisa McCaffrey of QA Prep about her assessment of the AI tools available for therapists. We chat about the high expectations many clinicians have for note writing tools (and whether these expectations are really reasonable right now). We also look at what therapists are getting wrong when starting to use these tools, exploring some concerns related to HIPAA compliance and who is actually pu...
Feb 12, 2024•42 min
Are Therapists to Blame for Ineffective Workplace Wellness Programs? Curt and Katie chat about a recent New York Times article that claims that individual mental health interventions are not effective in the workplace. We explore that and other studies on workplace wellness programs, looking at what is ineffective, what actually works, and what roles therapists can play in improving outcomes for employees (and employers). We also take a quick look at the ethical or moral questions therapists fac...
Feb 05, 2024•43 min
When Your Client is a Super Fan: Exploring parasocial relationships and their effects on mental health Curt and Katie chat about parasocial relationships. We talk about what parasocial relationships (and break ups) are, who is most likely to engage in these relationships, and the positive and negative impacts of these one-sided relationships. We also look at how to use these relationships within therapy. This is a continuing education podcourse. Transcripts for this episode will be available at ...
Jan 29, 2024•1 hr 11 min
What Is It Like To Be a Medicare Therapist? An interview with Gabrielle Juliano-Villani, LCSW Curt and Katie interview Gabrielle Juliano-Villani, LCSW, about what it looks like to take Medicare. We talk about common myths and what the actual experience is like. We also explore the business case for taking Medicare and why (and how) therapists can grow their practice by opting in as a Medicare provider. Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com! In this podcast episode, we...
Jan 22, 2024•38 min
What Can Therapists Do When They Get a Life-Threatening Diagnosis? An interview with Patricia Ravitz, LMFT Curt and Katie interview Patricia Ravitz, LMFT, on how she navigated her pancreatic cancer diagnosis as a therapist. We talk about what happens when a therapist must take time away from their practice without notice, what therapists can do to navigate seeing clients while in treatment, and how you and your clinical work can change when you’re facing mortality. We also talk about support and...
Jan 15, 2024•43 min
Want to Fix Mental Health Workforce Shortages? Speed up the Licensing Boards: An interview with Dr. Ben Caldwell Curt and Katie interview Benjamin E. Caldwell, PsyD, about licensing board inefficiencies leading to incredible delays in folks getting licensed. We talk about the impacts of paperwork processing delays as well the inadequate infrastructure of most licensing boards. We also explore policy and individual options to mitigate or address these problems. Transcripts for this episode will b...
Jan 08, 2024•43 min
REPLAY - Structuring Self-Care We’re still on vacation, but wanted to share another one of our favorite episodes with all of you. We start with a quick reflection on the episode and what we’ve learned since it originally aired. Today’s replay is of Episode 141: Structuring Self-Care. We talk about structuring self-care into your business practices. We look at how to incorporate self-care best practices into the way you build your work day. We also talk about common challenges to taking this advi...
Jan 01, 2024•43 min
REPLAY - Therapists Are Not Robots: How We Can Show Humanity in the Room We’re on vacation, but wanted to share one of our favorite episodes with all of you. We start with a quick reflection on the episode and what we’ve learned since it originally aired. Today’s replay is of Episode 255: Therapists Are Not Robots: How we can show humanity in the room. We talk vulnerably about how we have managed some pretty challenging life crises while also being therapists. You can see the original show notes...
Dec 25, 2023•41 min
What Do Therapists Need To Do About Medicare? Opting in or out for 2024: An interview with Joy Alafia, CAE Curt and Katie interview Joy Alafia, Executive Director of California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, on the journey for MFTs and Counselors to become eligible to be Medicare providers. We look at the high-level tasks that every therapist needs to take. We also talk about the decision-making process for whether you should opt in or opt out, providing some basic guidance and r...
Dec 18, 2023•49 min
How Can Therapists Take a Real Vacation? Curt and Katie chat about how therapists can take extended time away from their therapy practices. We talk about how to budget time and money for vacation as well as what therapists need to have covered when they’re gone. We also look at how to mitigate foreseeable risk and manage continuity of care. Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com! In this podcast episode we talk about how therapists can get time away from work We’ve hea...
Dec 11, 2023•35 min
Religious Trauma and High-Control Religion: An Interview with Anna Clark Miller, LPC, LMHC Curt and Katie interview Anna Clark Miller about religious trauma. We explore what religious trauma and high-control religions are. We look at common mistakes therapists can make when working with religious trauma survivors as well as what therapy and healing can look like for these folks. Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com! In this podcast episode, we talk about religious tr...
Dec 04, 2023•42 min
How Much Autonomy Do Therapy Clients Deserve? Balancing client autonomy with therapist skill Curt and Katie chat about client autonomy. We look at what patient autonomy is and what therapists need to understand about this very complex topic. We explore how therapists can overstep or abdicate their role in supporting their clients in making decisions. We also look at what true informed consent is and the dimensions of client autonomy. This is an ethics continuing education podcourse. Transcripts ...
Nov 27, 2023•1 hr 9 min
