All Things Private Practice Podcast Episode 214: Turning Infertility Pain into Purpose: Relatable Care and Community [featuring Kendra Vargas]
In this episode, Patrick Casale and Kendra Vargas, LCPC, PMH-C, and founder of Authentically You Psychotherapy, talk about her deeply personal journey with infertility and how it shaped her clinical focus, group offerings, and entrepreneurial growth. Kendra's story is a testament to how lived experience can fuel meaningful change in private practice—and impact entire communities.
Here are 3 key takeaways:
- Leverage Your Lived Experience: Kendra emphasized how sharing her own infertility journey made her groups and sessions more relatable, accessible, and supportive for clients. Sometimes, our most powerful “credential” is empathy and shared experience.
- Niche Down for Impact: By honing in on infertility and perinatal mental health, Kendra found an underserved community to offer support through therapy, resources, and retreats.
- Expand Beyond 1:1 Sessions: From ongoing support groups and consultation to retreats and her fertility journal on Amazon, Kendra shows how creative offerings create ripple effects—helping more people without sacrificing boundaries or burning out.
Whether you’re a mental health clinician considering niching down or looking for new ways to serve your community, this episode is full of wisdom and practical inspiration.
More about Kendra:
Kendra A. Vargas (she/her), LCPC, PMH-C, is a culturally responsive and inclusive psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, and consultant. With over a decade of experience in the mental health field, she has worked across diverse settings, including community mental health and private practice.
As the founder of Authentically You Psychotherapy, Kendra runs a group practice offering both individual therapy and support groups. She also provides consultation services and conducts trainings on topics such as developing and integrating groups into private practice settings, as well as various topics on perinatal mental health. Kendra is certified in perinatal mental health and holds a certification through Postpartum Support International.
Kendra currently runs a Fertility Skills and Support Group, which has been active for over six years, supporting individuals utilizing Assisted Reproductive Technologies such as IUI, IVF, and surrogacy for family planning, which is an area she has a deep, personal connection and compassion for. Additionally, she facilitates a Pregnancy After Infertility Group to help those navigating pregnancy after a challenging fertility journey.
Kendra has shared her insights on several podcasts, created a prompted fertility journal on Amazon and Etsy, and hosts an in-person fertility retreat, all inspired by her personal experience and deep passion for supporting others on the infertility journey.
- Instagram: instagram.com/ayoupsychotherapy
- Purchase Fertility Journal: a.co/d/0HJjDiW
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Thanks to Our Sponsors: The Receptionist for iPad & Alma!
Thanks to The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode.
The Receptionist offers an iPad list check-in option where clients can scan a QR code to check in, which negates the need for you to buy an iPad and stand. Go to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice and sign up for a free 14-day trial. When you do, you'll get your first month free. And don't forget to ask about our iPad list check-in option.
✨ Alma
Thanks to Alma for sponsoring this episode.
Building and managing the practice you want can be challenging. That’s why Alma offers tools and resources to help you build not just any practice, but your private practice. They’ll help you navigate insurance, access referrals who are the right fit for you, and efficiently manage administrative tasks — so you can spend less time on the details and more time delivering great care. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Visit helloalma.com/ATPP to learn more.
Mentioned in this episode:
Alma
I want to thank Alma for sponsoring this episode. Building and managing the practice you want can be challenging. That’s why Alma offers tools and resources to help you build not just any practice, but your private practice. They’ll help you navigate insurance, access referrals who are the right fit for you, and efficiently manage administrative tasks — so you can spend less time on the details, and more time delivering great care. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Visit helloalma.com/ATPP to learn more.
The Receptionist for iPad
The Receptionist for iPad is a HIPAA-ready digital check-in system that eliminates the need to walk back and forth from your office to the waiting room to see if your next appointment has arrived. Clients or patients can check in for their appointments, and you'll be immediately notified by text, email, or your preferred channel. Break free from interruptions and make the most of your time, because it is valuable. Start a free 14-day trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to https://thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link to get your first month free if you decide to sign up.