The Unmasked Therapist Podcast

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...