The Unmasked Therapist Podcast

In this episode of The Unmasked Therapist Podcast , Clinical Supervisors ⁠⁠⁠ Kim Rippy, LPC ⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠ Kaitlyn Steel, LMFT⁠⁠⁠ , explore the purpose and power of consultation calls through the lens of authenticity and the Person of the Therapist model. Beginning with an honest conversation about recognizing and correcting blind spots, they model what it looks like to take accountability, learn pu...

In this episode of The Unmasked Therapist Podcast, Clinical Supervisors ⁠⁠ Kim Rippy, LPC ⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠ Kaitlyn Steel, LMFT⁠⁠ , explore what it really means to put life before work. Building on their ongoing conversations about authenticity and the Person of the Therapist model, they discuss how therapists can identify their core values, prioritize the identities that matter most, and navigate the in...

In this episode of The Unmasked Therapist Podcast, Clinical Supervisors ⁠Kim Rippy, LPC⁠ , and ⁠Kaitlyn Steel, LMFT⁠ , explore the role of body awareness, attunement, and therapist self-awareness in the therapy room. Building on their ongoing conversations about authenticity and the Person of the Therapist model, they discuss how therapists can learn to distinguish between a genuine attunement to...

In this episode of The Unmasked Therapist Podcast, Clinical Supervisors Kim Rippy, LPC , and Kaitlyn Steel, LMFT , explore the role of body awareness, attunement, and therapist self-awareness in the therapy room. Building on their ongoing conversations about authenticity and the Person of the Therapist model, they discuss how therapists can learn to distinguish between a genuine attunement to a cl...

In this episode of The Unmasked Therapist Podcast, Clinical Supervisors Kim Rippy, LPC , and Kaitlyn Steel, LMFT , continue the conversation around imposter syndrome by exploring what happens when therapists work with experiences they have never personally lived. Whether it's supporting clients through parenting teenagers, retirement, religious experiences, political differences, or relationsh...

In this episode of The Unmasked Therapist Podcast, Clinical Supervisors Kim Rippy, LPC , and Kaitlyn Steel, LMFT , continue their therapist identity development series by exploring one of the most common challenges clinicians face at every stage of their careers: imposter syndrome. From graduate school and residency to licensure and private practice, Kim and Kaitlyn discuss how self-doubt often em...

In this episode of The Unmasked Therapist Podcast, Clinical Supervisors Kim Rippy, LPC , and Kaitlyn Steel, LMFT , take a step away from their therapist identity development series to have an honest conversation about maternal mental health, motherhood, and the realities of showing up as both therapists and parents. Drawing from both personal and professional experience, Kim and Kaitlyn explore ho...

In this episode of The Unmasked Therapist Podcast , Clinical Supervisors Kim Rippy, LPC , and Kaitlyn Steel, LMFT continue their series on therapist identity development by moving from “What is my model?” into the next critical step: understanding how to actually use it in practice. Building on the previous conversation about exploring and “dating” different therapeutic models, this episode clarif...

In this episode of The Unmasked Therapist Podcast, Clinical Supervisors ⁠⁠ Kim Rippy ⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠ Kaitlyn Steel⁠⁠ continue their series on therapist identity development by exploring one of the biggest questions early clinicians face: “What is my model?” Rather than encouraging therapists to rush into choosing a theoretical orientation based on popularity, supervision expectations, or graduate school...

In this episode of The Unmasked Therapist Podcast , Clinical Supervisors ⁠Kim Rippy⁠ and ⁠ Kaitlyn Steel⁠ introduce the first part of a new series focused on one of the most underdeveloped but essential aspects of becoming a clinician: developing your therapist identity. They explore the “person of the therapist” model and why supervision in the early stages of training often overemphasizes skills...

In this episode of the Unmasked Therapist Podcast, ⁠ Kaitlyn Steel, LMFT ⁠, continues her conversation with Michelle Vaughn, LPC—practice owner of Truth and Grace Counseling in Arizona—for part two of this two-part series. Picking up where they left off, Kaitlyn and Michelle dive deeper into Michelle’s clinical work, with a focus on trauma and the modalities that shape her approach. Michelle share...

In this episode of the Unmasked Therapist Podcast, Kaitlyn Steel, LMFT , is joined by special guest Michelle Vaughn, LPC—practice owner of Truth and Grace Counseling in Arizona and a seasoned clinician with a unique path into the field. Kaitlyn begins by sharing her long-standing personal connection with Michelle, who has been a meaningful presence in her life for decades. From there, the conversa...

In this re-release of Episode 4, Clinical Supervisors Kim Rippy, LPC and Kaitlyn Steel, LMFT revisit one of the most nuanced topics in therapy: self-disclosure. When does it help, when does it harm, and how can therapists use authenticity in a way that truly supports the client? Together, they explore authenticity from the client’s perspective and how showing up as a real human can deepen trust, s...

In this episode of the Unmasked Therapist Podcast, Clinical Supervisors ⁠⁠ Kim Rippy, LPC ⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠ Kaitlyn Steel, LMFT ⁠⁠ continue their conversation with Keystone Therapy Group’s admin, ⁠ Maeve Englehart⁠ , for Part 2 of this behind-the-scenes look at the role that keeps a practice running smoothly. Building on Part 1, this episode dives deeper into the relational and operational impact of havin...

In this episode of the Unmasked Therapist Podcast, Clinical Supervisors ⁠Kim Rippy, LPC ⁠ and ⁠ Kaitlyn Steel, LMFT⁠ are joined by Keystone Therapy Group’s admin, Maeve Englehart , for a behind-the-scenes look at the role that keeps a practice running smoothly. This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation, with Part 2 releasing next Monday. Together, they explore the often unseen but essential work o...

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...