Love, Happiness, and Success For Therapists

As therapists, we know how to put our stuff aside and focus on what our client needs to heal and grow. But how are you supposed to do that when your client is struggling with something that hits too close to home for you?  As a longtime therapist myself, and a clinical supervisor, I know this happens all the time. Therapists are human too. Just like our clients, we also have breakups, and miscarri...

Therapists: Could you be replaced by a robot? It's not the plot of a science fiction novel. It's happening now, and the technology is getting better every day. So what will therapy look like in the age of Artificial Intelligence, and more importantly, how can YOU future-proof your career as a therapist in this brave new world? That's what we're talking about on today's episode! AI "therapists" can...

Are you a therapist who wants to raise your rates, but the prospect of discussing it with new and existing clients makes you think twice? Talking about money with therapy clients can be awkward — but it's a necessary skill that all therapists need to develop, and this episode will show you the way.  Why is money such a fraught topic, especially in the therapeutic relationship? Because we genuinely...

One of the most difficult things about being a therapist is the sense of helpless we can feel about helping our clients create positive change. It's true that our clients are the experts on themselves and we can't do the work of growth for them — but I believe we have more opportunities to lead than we realize.  When you embrace your expertise and your role as a leader in therapy, new avenues open...

Ending therapy sessions on time... it's something that all therapists have to master. And it can be harder than it sounds! When your client is getting into something important, the last thing you want to do is cut them off.  But drawing that boundary around your time is about more than just running a tight ship around your practice (although that's important, too). It's about creating a safe conta...

Therapist friends, I have some advice — if you are primarily focused on the diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions, the future of your career as a therapist is at risk. Moving away from the medical model is the best way to future-proof your career while building a thriving practice. On today's episode, I'm going to tell you why that is and how you can take action.  There are already A...

All therapists have blindspots, and learning to recognize them is deep personal and professional growth work. It will make you more empathetic, more insightful, and more insightful, not only as a therapist, but also as a human.   But the thing about blindspots is... we can't see them! Uncovering your blind spots to become a more culturally competent therapist is a process of self-exploration that...

This week on Love, Happiness and Success for Therapists, we are spotlighting an organization that is making a positive difference in the lives of current and former foster care children: A Home Within.  A Home Within is a collective of volunteer therapists who offer no-cost therapy to current and former foster care children, for as long as they need it. This is the kind of transformative, meaningf...

Vicarious trauma: It's an occupational hazard for us as therapists. It's also something that we're all exposed to sooner or later.  We sit with our clients' most difficult life experiences every single day. We care so much... and sometimes our empathetic hearts lead us to take on the emotional residue of the stories we hear.  But there are things you can do to avoid becoming vicariously traumatize...

Being a therapist is incredibly rewarding, especially when you get to do what you do best: Help people grow. And the best way to help your clients break through barriers and achieve the next step in their evolution is by learning how to coach. Why? That's what we're talking about on today's episode of Love, Happiness and Success for Therapists! Tune in to learn about: 02:26 The Need for Coaching i...

Burnout is an occupational hazard for us as therapists. Our caring hearts make us great at what we do... but when you combine high levels of empathy with complex cases, overwhelming workloads, and unsupportive environments, you have a recipe for burnout and exhaustion.  Unfortunately, many therapists leave the profession after a bad experience with burnout. But it doesn't have to be this way. Ther...

As therapists, we are laser-focused on helping our clients achieve personal growth. But we can't neglect our own never-ending growth journeys. Continuing to invest in our growth keeps us engaged, healthy, and sharp. It helps us help our clients, and it leads to a more satisfying and fulfilling career for us. So how can we embrace our own growth, while continuing to nurture growth in others? That's...

Ever think about starting your own private therapy practice? It's an exciting fork in the road — but there are many important issues to think through first! When I started my own private therapy practice, I had no idea how much work would actually be involved. That's part of why I founded Growing Self Counseling and Coaching — I wanted to create an alternative for therapists who wanted the advanta...

Have you ever fallen into the trap of feeling like you're working harder than your therapy clients? I think all clinicians experience this at some point in our careers! It's natural for us to want to see our clients grow, and even to push them along sometimes at a pace they're not quite ready for. But this always backfires. You can't do the work for your therapy clients, you can only support them...

Something that we are all vulnerable to as therapists can be moving too fast with our clients, or in some cases, moving too slow.  We want to help our therapy clients experience results: healthier relationships, higher self-esteem, more success in their careers, and more contentment in their lives. But when we push them into the deep end of the personal growth pool before they're ready, their prog...

When your clients get stuck, it's so frustrating, for you AND for them. You are there to be their guide, leading them toward growth, healing, and positive change. They are in real need, and looking to you to help them feel better and achieve their goals. So when your sessions feel like they're sputtering out, or even going in reverse, it can feel like you're just as stuck as they are.  So how can...

Have you ever been ghosted by a therapy client? This unfortunate experience is something that every therapist goes through eventually. And just like in any other relationship, when a therapy client ghosts, it can leave you feeling a little haunted.  You might wonder if it was something you said, or worry that your therapy client is not okay. Most of all, you'll be asking yourself — How can I avoid...

As therapists, we know that healthy boundaries are essential... but when it comes to setting our own boundaries — with clients, with our work, and with ourselves — we can struggle just as much as the people we seek to serve.  Why is setting boundaries as a therapist so hard? First, we put our hearts and souls into what we do for a living! We can't just shut that off when the clock strikes five, an...

How do you know when to let therapy clients go? This can be a tough call to make! But to practice ethically, we all need to know when to make it. Our mission is to help people grow, heal, and create positive change in their lives. When we can't fulfill that mission, for whatever reason, it's important that we acknowledge that, with compassion and courage.  But sometimes it's not so straight forwar...

Ever feel like you can't stop thinking about your therapy clients? So many clinicians struggle with this! It's really a testament to how much we care about the people we serve. Even when we're not in session with them, we're mentally working over their problems and looking for solutions to help them move forward.  But unfortunately, this is not good for us! We need to shut off, mentally decompress...

No matter how much you care about your clients or your craft, being a therapist can be a struggle! Between isolation, burnout, financial stressors, and being exposed to other people's trauma day after day, it's no wonder so many clinicians leave the profession. But when you have healthy boundaries, a balanced workload, and most of all, a supportive community, being a therapist can be a joy — which...