The Unmasked Therapist Podcast

In this episode of the Unmasked Therapist Podcast, Clinical Supervisors Kim Rippy and Kaitlyn Steel explore an often overlooked but deeply impactful part of clinical work: the physical and psychological space therapists practice in—especially in virtual and hybrid settings. They reflect on how a therapist’s environment influences not only client perception, but also the clinician’s own mindset, pr...

In this episode of the Unmasked Therapist Podcast , Clinical Supervisors Kim Rippy and Kaitlyn Steel explore one of the most nuanced challenges therapists face: working with clients whose beliefs, relationships, or life choices appear harmful from the outside. They unpack the tension between clinical insight and client autonomy, reflecting on the moments when therapists recognize patterns that may...

In this episode of the Unmasked Therapist podcast, Clinical Supervisors ⁠⁠Kim Rippy ⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠ Kaitlyn Steel ⁠ ⁠explore what it really means to be a “good fit” as a therapist and why personality isn’t the measure. They dive into the nuances of clinical fit, examining how scope, experience, and theoretical approach shape whether a therapist can effectively meet a client’s needs. Kim and Kaitlyn disc...

In this episode of the Unmasked Therapist podcast, Clinical Supervisors ⁠ Kim Rippy ⁠ and ⁠ Kaitlyn Steel⁠ explore what happens when adaptability turns into self-abandonment. Using the metaphor of the “chameleon,” they examine how people-pleasing often develops as a protective strategy and how it can quietly shape both personal identity and clinical presence. Together, Kim and Kaitlyn unpack the d...

In this follow-up episode of the Unmasked Therapist podcast, Clinical Supervisors Kim Rippy and Kaitlyn Steel move beyond recognizing role drift to explore the next essential question: What do you do once you notice it? Building on their previous discussion about the distinction between stepping outside your role and practicing outside your scope, Kim and Kaitlyn focus on the process of repair, re...

In this episode, Clinical Supervisors ⁠⁠⁠⁠Kim Rippy, LPC ⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Kaitlyn Steel, LMFT ⁠⁠⁠⁠ explore one of the most subtle and challenging dynamics in clinical work: the difference between being pulled outside of your role as a therapist and practicing outside of your scope of competence. While these can appear similar on the surface, they stem from very different places — and recognizing the...

In this episode, Clinical Supervisors ⁠⁠⁠ Kim Rippy, LPC⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠ Kaitlyn Steel, LMFT ⁠ return to the mic for a more personal, reflective conversation about what it really means to show up as therapists when life feels heavy. After a difficult season and time away, Kim and Kaitlyn talk candidly about leaning on their support systems, giving themselves permission to step back, and navigating the...

In this episode, Clinical Supervisor ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Kaitlyn Steel, LMFT ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is joined by ⁠⁠ Essie Bent, MEd ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a resident therapist at Keystone Therapy Group who specializes in working with LGBTQ+ and BIPOC clients across Virginia. Together, they explore the journey of residency, balancing multiple professional roles, and what it truly means to show up authentically as both a therapist and a human...

In this episode, Clinical Supervisor ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Kaitlyn Steel, LMFT ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is joined by ⁠Rhiannon Vergundia, LPC ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for a grounded conversation about authenticity, therapist identity, and the journey from residency to licensed practice. Together, they explore how early career therapists can navigate imposter syndrome, build confidence, and integrate their authentic selves into clinical work. Kaitlyn...

In this episode, Clinical Supervisor ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Kaitlyn Steel, LMFT ⁠⁠⁠⁠ is joined by Brianna Folkl, LPC for a grounded conversation about authenticity, therapist identity, and navigating burnout in sustainable ways. Together, they explore how therapists can better understand their own patterns, values, and energy demands in order to create work that feels aligned rather than depleting. Kaitlyn and Bria...

In this episode, Clinical Supervisors ⁠⁠⁠Kim Rippy, LPC⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Kaitlyn Steel, LMFT⁠ continue their two-part series on therapist burnout. Picking up where Part 1 left off, they dive into what to do once you’ve identified your personal patterns of burnout, how to interpret what these patterns mean for your work and values, and strategies for responding before burnout escalates. Kim and Kaitlyn ex...

In this episode, Clinical Supervisors ⁠⁠Kim Rippy, LPC⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Kaitlyn Steel, LMFT dive into the complex topic of therapist burnout in the first part of a two-part series. They explore what burnout really looks like, how to recognize early warning signs, and how it can show up differently for each clinician. Kim and Kaitlyn discuss the spectrum of burnout, the “opposite of burnout,” and how extern...

In this episode, Clinical Supervisors ⁠⁠Kim Rippy, LPC⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Kaitlyn Steel, LMFT dive into the delicate balance of helping clients sit with discomfort in therapy. They explore how to recognize when a client is experiencing healthy versus unhealthy discomfort, how to gauge your own role as a therapist in these moments, and how authenticity and attunement can serve as anchors for both therapist an...

In this episode, Clinical Supervisors ⁠⁠Kim Rippy, LPC⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Kaitlyn Steel, LMFT explore the concept of a “vulnerability hangover” - the emotional aftermath therapists can experience after self-disclosing personal experiences with clients. They discuss why these feelings of self-doubt, overanalyzing, and heightened emotional reactions happen, how to recognize them, and strategies to process them...

In this episode, Clinical Supervisors ⁠⁠Kim Rippy, LPC⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Kaitlyn Steel, LMFT continue their series on authentically showing up as a therapist, focusing on the challenges of late cancellations, frequent reschedules, and repeated no-shows. They explore how to hold boundaries while staying compassionate, clinically effective, and human. Kaitlyn and Kim share strategies for navigating these situ...

In this episode, Clinical Supervisors ⁠⁠Kim Rippy, LPC⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Kaitlyn Steel, LMFT talk about one of the most challenging and confusing parts of early clinical work: cancellations, no-shows, and inconsistent attendance. These moments bring up questions about boundaries, financial policies, client investment, and the balance between being human and being a clinician. We break down the differences b...

In this episode, Clinical Supervisors ⁠⁠Kim Rippy, LPC⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Kaitlyn Steel, LMFT talk about the moments in therapy when there is not a clear intervention, resource, or solution. The system falls short, your options are limited, and the client still needs you to show up. We explore how presence becomes the intervention, why it can feel uncomfortable for therapists who want to do more, and how to...

In this episode, Clinical Supervisors ⁠⁠Kim Rippy, LPC⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Kaitlyn Steel, LMFT explore authenticity from the client’s perspective, how showing up as a real human as a therapist deepens trust, safety, and connection. We unpack the role of self-disclosure, why grad school often teaches clinicians to avoid it, and how to use it responsibly without shifting the focus away from the client. Kaitlyn...

In this episode, Clinical Supervisors ⁠⁠Kim Rippy, LPC⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Kaitlyn Steel, LMFT dive into the “blank slate” approach taught in graduate school and why strictly following it can create disconnection between therapists and clients. We unpack how countertransference is often misunderstood as a “dirty word,” how ethics and liability shape early clinician training, and why showing up authentically i...

Welcome to the very first episode of The Unmasked Therapist Podcast ! In this episode, Clinical Supervisors ⁠⁠⁠Kim Rippy, LPC⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Kaitlyn Steel, LMFT⁠ dive into the heart of what it really means to show up authentically in the therapy room. Together, they unpack their early experiences in agency settings, the pressure to be a “blank slate,” and how embracing humanity, emotion, and vulnerabil...

In this episode, Clinical Supervisors ⁠⁠Kim Rippy, LPC⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Kaitlyn Steel, LMFT explore what it really means for therapists to show up authentically in the therapy room. They break down the long-held “blank slate” myth, discuss the difference between authenticity and oversharing, and talk through real clinical moments where being genuine strengthened the therapeutic relationship. From countertr...

We’re taking off the therapist mask! We are your hosts: Clinical Supervisors ⁠⁠⁠Kim Rippy, LPC⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Kaitlyn Steel, LMFT⁠ from Keystone Therapy Group , a private practice providing therapy and supervision in Burke & Fairfax, Virginia. This is The Unmasked Therapist, a podcast for early-career therapists to ethically step into their authenticity and lean into vulnerability to create real gr...