The Modern Therapist's Survival Guide with Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy

Overcoming Your Poverty MindsetAn interview with Tiffany McLain about how therapists deserve to make a good living and often do not. Curt and Katie interview Tiffany regarding her perspectives related to how sliding scale fees can perpetuate racist and classist systems, the problem with therapists sacrificing themselves and acting as saviors, and the impact you can make if you amass wealth and seek luxury. It’s time to reimagine therapy and what it means to be a therapist. To support you as a whole person and a therapist, your hosts, Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy talk about how to approach the role of therapist in the modern age.Interview with Tiffany McLain, LMFTTiffany McLain, LMFT is a therapist & consultant whose mantra is, “Full fees are the new black.” Via her program, The Lean In. MAKE BANK. Academy, she helps therapists ethically earn 30 to 50% more per month while seeing fewer clients by showing them how to think about and directly address fees in a clinically appropriate manner.In this episode we talk about: Tiffany’s Lean In Make Bank Academy How current events are impacting therapists making money The belief system that we are hurting clients by charging them Why therapists are so susceptible to these messages How women and minorities are external reinforced to sacrifice ourselves The stigma of building wealth, living life more fully, seeking luxury Grappling with raising fees, with people needing help The internal dialogue that comes in when trying to raise fees How luxury has been sustained on the backs of others The misguided attempt to fix the system through self-sacrifice What the cost is when you self-sacrificing The problem with Saviorism How a sliding scale can encourage racism and classism Negating self-efficacy and fostering dependency, through lowering our fees Sliding scale = subsidizing our client’s treatment Tiffany’s experience with a sliding scale therapist How gratitude for a therapist sliding their fee can lead to clients hiding themselves, not fully showing up or engaging in treatment effectively The value issue related to people asking for a sliding fee or balking at paying the full fee How these issues may come in at the beginning of a therapist’s career Talking about your fee as a clinical intervention Unconscious dynamics that keep us from acting on what we know re: setting fees and money Money is a representation of the therapist’s need and desire Processing emotional reactions to fee changes with clients. For example: “When I raise my fees, it hurts you” without collapsing, lowering the fee, or losing boundaries The challenge of looking at financial capacity for individuals The idea that we do not have to take care of individuals who cannot afford our fee in order to create access – and ideas of how we can increase impact once we’ve had the ability to create financial stability and wealth The benefit to society of women gaining wealth, with the ability to make a bigger impact The importance of setting your fee appropriately from the beginning

Navigating Pregnancy as a TherapistAn interview with Emily Sanders, LMFT about how to navigate being a therapist while pregnant. Curt and Katie talk with Emily about when and how to disclose to clients, what it means to integrate the pregnancy into the clinical work, the transference and the richness that is available in the clinical work. We also look at practical, business, and clinical logistics for pregnant therapists (with a couple of thoughts for therapists with pregnant partners).        It’s time to reimagine therapy and what it means to be a therapist. To support you as a whole person and a therapist, your hosts, Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy talk about how to approach the role of therapist in the modern age.Interview with Emily Sanders, LMFTEmily Sanders is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of California who works in a solo private practice in Orange County seeing individuals and couples. Her areas of focus are anxiety, perfectionism, attachment wounds, and relationship issues. In addition to her 8+ years of clinical practice, Emily has taught Human Development and Advanced Counseling at Life Pacific University, speaks for retreats and workshops, and contributed to leadership health and readiness assessment teams. Of all the roles she plays, she most loves being wife to her husband, Michael, of 13 years and mother to their three children Liv, Ellis, and Arlin.In this episode we talk about: The challenges facing therapists when navigating pregnancy Whether or not to hide pregnancies as long as you can How to integrate the pregnancy into the clinical work The fear of bringing your parenting journey into the work Navigating client infertility while pregnant The individual differences that could impact disclosure, transference and the clinical work Considerations for when and how to disclose to each client Themes of abandonment that can come up Desires that clients can express related to wanting to be your partner or your baby The connection clients may feel and what they can witness, the curiosity they can experience Assessing the level of self-disclosure Seeking the stories related to considerations related to parenting and the parenting journey Integrating self into the room as a whole person therapist Planning for taking time away from your practice The business considerations (including finances) Clinical coverage and whether clients return to you after a maternity leave Idea for notifying clients when the baby is born The importance of looking put together when you return and challenging the notion that you might be fragile Transference when you return Looking at the timing of how long you can be gone (financial consideration) The fear that people will decide on their leave based on financial concerns Opportunities afforded when you are going to be out for maternity Business considerations to make sure you’ve addressed prior to maternity leave The logistics of breast feeding when you return to work Considerations when your partner is pregnant Logistic versus comfort-seeking questions you can get from clients both before and after pregnancy

White Terrorism and TherapyCurt and Katie chat about the attack on the US Capitol by radicalized Trump supporters. We talk about the role therapists play in addressing white supremacist terrorism, how to support clients in responding to a domestic terror attack, and what therapy looks like for clients who are impacted by Trump supporters or radical rhetoric. We also talk about the challenge of finding compassion, the need for thoughtful communication, and ideas about how to move forward.It’s time to reimagine therapy and what it means to be a therapist. To support you as a whole person and a therapist, your hosts, Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy talk about how to approach the role of therapist in the modern age.In this episode we talk about: White Supremacy Terrorism, Domestic Terrorism, and the definition of Terrorism The evolving threat of White Supremacy Our responses to the domestic terrorism activity, the insurrection at the Capitol Processing the event in real time during sessions, with clients with double screen The lack of definition in the role of therapists during this time Thoughts related to people connecting violence to mental illness QAnon, other groups and the need to understand what they are, the signs The different types of clients coming into our office and how to support them Dealing with the “white stuff” like white apathy, being further removed from the events Susceptibility to political reactionism Trauma around safety, responses to the lack of equity, vulnerability, marginalization The importance of opening conversations and allowing clients to fully express their experience Supporting clients who have been pushed away from Trump supporters among family or friends Self-Identity versus Family-Identity Responding to divisive messages The complexity of interacting with someone who has been radicalized The need for community and connection to shift the culture What to do when a client who is in the process of being radicalized enters your therapy office The harm of “what about-ism” Risk factors for radicalization Conversations beyond Tarasoff and safety planning Desire for connection, attachment needs Simplicity of radicalized rhetoric and the goal to dig deeper into underlying needs and goal The possibility of therapy as a counter to the division Societal change, needed messaging, taking care of disenfranchised folks We are pro-human The need for compassionate communication Making things real to people who are disconnected and have the option to opt out, so they choose and can re-engage in the societal change that is needed A reminder to take care of yourselves as therapists during this time 

Taking a Shot at VaccinationsCurt and Katie chat about Covid vaccinations and how that will impact your work as a therapist. We look at who can be required to get a vaccine, what accommodations can be made for people who do not want to (or cannot) get vaccinated, and the clinical implications of the vaccine conversation coming into the therapy room.It’s time to reimagine therapy and what it means to be a therapist. To support you as a whole person and a therapist, your hosts, Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy talk about how to approach the role of therapist in the modern age.In this episode we talk about: Laws and ethics related to requiring vaccinations for clients and employees Vaccine exemptions and who/how they need to be honored The best practices of encouraging Accommodations for people who are not vaccinated The complexities of following the health advice Different considerations for employees and employers What the implications are for requiring clients to get vaccines The challenges of talking with clients about vaccines Other options related to telehealth, masks, timelines for vaccines When you may need to refer out Strategies for working with insurance in the transition What to do when you’re working at an agency Implications for mental health access Protecting yourself and managing your own risk Clinical Implications of the vaccine and how to talk with your clients Respecting the different reasons why people may be hesitant or refuse to get vaccinated The cultural differences relevant to interaction with the medical system The power differential and clinical ramifications Helping clients making decisions around vaccination Scope of practice and medical decision-making The challenge to physical health being out of our scope of practice The importance of having adequate knowledge of the science of the vaccines and the health decisions that clients often make Where ethics come in – forcing our clients to follow “science” is unethical Navigating the power differential Additional considerations that we were not able to talk about

You Don’t Have to Be A Thought LeaderCurt and Katie chat about the latest pressures on therapists to become “thought leaders.” We look at how thought leadership is defined, what it typically is trying to solve, and other options therapists can take if they aren’t ready to be in the spotlight, start a side hustle, or leave the profession.It’s time to reimagine therapy and what it means to be a therapist. To support you as a whole person and a therapist, your hosts, Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy talk about how to approach the role of therapist in the modern age.In this episode we talk about: The definitions of thought leader Why you must earn the title of thought leader Thought leadership as content marketing Repackaging content, predicting the future, or sharing a brand-new perspective The role of luck in thought leadership The importance of doing “you” whether you choose to use thought leadership or not The option to be a therapist in private practice without doing thought leadership as your form of content marketing Assessing values, skills, and energy in your decision whether you focus on thought leadership Challenging the notion that you have to leave the career if you’re burned out The ability to have hobbies and not monetizing everything Other options to address burnout or financial needs or lack of meaning in your work The myth of passive income and thought leadership as a mechanism to a better life The idea of fixing your business as an alternative The focus on the thoughts as the strongest, most aligned type of thought leadership Force of personality and Cult-like leadership Take an uncomfortable look at where you’re at to determine what you can do going forward Identifying a path forward that doesn’t get you stuck (stepping outside of shoulds) How to assess what is missing or what you’d like to get rid of The concept of self-leadership

Malpractice is No JokeAn interview with Rachel Warners of CPH & Associates on the ins and outs of liability insurance. Curt and Katie talk with Rachel about some myths related to therapist liability, the best practices in getting (and keeping yourself) insured. We also talk about the types of claims and the services that are covered when you’re insured. We look at how you can best protect yourself from malpractice claims and what the most common complaints (and consequences) are.       It’s time to reimagine therapy and what it means to be a therapist. To support you as a whole person and a therapist, your hosts, Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy talk about how to approach the role of therapist in the modern age.Interview with Rachel Warners, CPH & AssociatesRachel Warners is the Director of Operations at CPH & Associates, a leading provider of Professional Liability Insurance for mental health provider. Having been with CPH for 10 years, she understands the importance and unique nature of a therapists work and is proud to partner with them in protecting their career.In this episode we talk about: Why you need liability insurance The benefit of keeping liability insurance continuously through your whole career Why you may need a policy while working as a W-2 with an employer who is covering you Debunking some myths about your liability The problem with letting your policy lapse or having a gap in coverage The benefits of continuously coverage (especially if you’d like to get credentialed with insurance) The types of services you’re entitled to when you’re covered The ability consult when you get subpoenaed Common board complaints and lawsuits, like practicing outside the scope of licensure, negligent supervision, boundary and dual relationship issues, custody conflicts, unprofessional conduct When you are not covered, even when you have insurance The consequences of having a board complaint whether the complaint is dismissed or not (and how to navigate reporting this to your insurance carrier, etc) How often complaints are founded or unfounded The cost of protecting yourself from complaints Other types of insurance you may want to consider as a practice owner (general liability - slip and fall, personal property coverage, cyber liability) Insuring your corporate name The importance of protecting yourself and using insurance to cover costs of handling your defense or the required steps to repair what is broken The ways that you can avoid liability, including accessing the resources availability to you Considerations for Telehealth Resources mentioned:We’ve pulled together resources mentioned in this episode and put together some handy-dandy links. Please note that some of the links below may be affiliate links, so if you purchase after clicking below, we may get a little bit of cash in our pockets. We thank you in advance!CPH & Associates: www.cphins.comCPH phone line: 312-987-9823 | 800-875-1911Articles on Avoiding LiabilityRelevant Episodes: Toxic Work Environments Joining Your AssociationConnect with us!Our Facebook Group – The Modern Therapists Group Get Notified About Therapy Reimagined Conferences Our consultation services:The Fifty-Minute HourCredits:Voice Over by DW McCann https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano http://www.crystalmangano.com/

Marketing with EmpathyAn interview with Kat Love, on the hurdles therapists face when marketing their practices. Curt and Katie talk with Kat about how to develop relationships with referral sources on social media, advice on writing website copy, and the great importance of knowing yourself (and processing some of your stuff) when making a marketing plan. We also talk about some data you’ll want to review to adjust your planning and writing prompts to help get you started.     It’s time to reimagine therapy and what it means to be a therapist. To support you as a whole person and a therapist, your hosts, Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy talk about how to approach the role of therapist in the modern age.Interview with Kat LoveTherapists helped Kat heal from childhood sexual abuse, so now they specialize in helping therapists with their marketing. From helping you find the words to write to implementing the marketing strategies you need, Kat helps therapists get more clients, more referrals, and start making an impact. Check out Kat’s services that help with copywriting for therapists and marketing and business coaching for therapists.In this episode we talk about: The hurdles that therapists have to jump over to market their practice How mindset blocks keep therapists from creating a marketing plan The confusion and overwhelm in the DIY marketing space When you don’t know how to execute your marketing plan The problem of doing too many social media channels at once How to network on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter Building relationships with people on social media You can even do cold outreach and warm up the relationship within the digital world The importance of doing things that align with your natural talents and interests The type of data you should be looking at to adjust your marketing plan Ideas for how to market based on who you are Advice on writing website copy How journaling and blocking out time for self-discovery can move you past your blocks Understanding what works for you Vulnerability and self-awareness required for building a business and a website Your website isn’t about you What you may need to process before you can get your marketing on point The key things that need to come through in website copy Speaking to clients’ pain points so they feel seen Writing about the benefits of therapy in general as well as specifically with you Listening to your clients and asking your family and friends to understand how you show up as a helper, listener, and therapist Resources mentioned:We’ve pulled together resources mentioned in this episode and put together some handy-dandy links. Please note that some of the links below may be affiliate links, so if you purchase after clicking below, we may get a little bit of cash in our pockets. We thank you in advance!katlove.comempathycopy.comGroup Practice Owner’s SummitRelevant Episodes: Clinical Marketing The Brand Called YouConnect with us!Our Facebook Group – The Modern Therapists Group Get Notified About Therapy Reimagined Conferences Our consultation services:The Fifty-Minute HourCredits:Voice Over by DW McCann https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano http://www.crystalmangano.com/

Don’t Take Tax Advice from TherapistsAn interview with Julie Herres of GreenOak Accounting on why you shouldn’t take tax advice from random therapists in a Facebook Group. Curt and Katie talk with Julie about common mistakes therapists make while trying to do their own bookkeeping and accounting, a new way to look at expenses, what is (and is not) tax deductible, what business entity you might consider, and why the picture is extra complex right now, meaning expert advice is especially important.   It’s time to reimagine therapy and what it means to be a therapist. To support you as a whole person and a therapist, your hosts, Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy talk about how to approach the role of therapist in the modern age.Interview with Julie Herres, GreenOak AccountingJulie Herres is an accountant and the owner of GreenOak Accounting. Her firm provides accounting, bookkeeping & tax services to private practice owners throughout the United States. Their mission is for every practice to be profitable! Julie and her team have worked with hundreds of private practice owners, so they are uniquely positioned to be a trusted advisor to clients. Julie also hosts the Therapy For Your Money Podcast, where she talks about all things money & finance for private practice.In this episode we talk about: The common mistake of not saving enough for taxes Bookkeeping mistakes How to look at your numbers, what numbers you should know about Expenses that may be outsized for your need Problem-solving for when your numbers are out of whack The importance of planning and having a conversation with an expert Being a good steward of the money that is coming into your therapy business What you can do proactively to plan for your business and taxes What you can do to clean up your books and then plan ahead going forward The value of basic budgeting and forecasting, even for 2021 Uncertainty and luck can be navigated Covid expenses and plans for investing in growth What you can still do to address 2020 taxes (including quarterly tax payments) What to spend money on when you have extra money at the end of the year The possibility of maximizing retirement accounts, etc. What you can do into 2021 that still impact 2020 taxes The need for really good advice based on the complexity of income, loans, etc. Which experts to go to for advice, which to go to implement your plan The danger of taking tax advice from a FB group and other questionable advice Personal expenses are not typically tax deductible (therapy, clothes, makeup, etc.) What you can deduct related to gifts Marketing expenses and usual and necessary expenses for business. Different business entities and some of the things to consider when deciding (spoiler alert: get advice because these things are so complex and depend on your full financial picture Things to consider in becoming a corporation and who to get help from How to prepare for changes (or potential changes) expected for 2021 The way in which having an accountant can support you in staying abreast of what you need to know as a business owner Resources mentioned:We’ve pulled together resources mentioned in this episode and put together some handy-dandy links. Please note that some of the links below may be affiliate links, so if you purchase after clicking below, we may get a little bit of cash in our pockets. We thank you in advance!Julie’s website: GreenOak AccountingTherapy for Your Money PodcastFree tax planning checklist: greenoakaccounting.com/taxRelevant Episodes: The 4-1-1 on your 401KConnect with us!Our Facebook Group – The Modern Therapists Group Get Notified About Therapy Reimagined Conferences Our consultation services:The Fifty-Minute HourCredits:Voice Over by DW McCann https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano http://www.crystalmangano.com/

Therapists Struggling with DarknessCurt and Katie chat about how therapists are struggling during the pandemic. We looked at how client material impacts therapists. We also explored unique risk factors and protective factors. We talked about the stigma for therapists to admit that something is not okay as well as the tendency to move that conversation out of the public space (just go to therapy). We have some ideas about how we can better take care of ourselves and each other.It’s time to reimagine therapy and what it means to be a therapist. To support you as a whole person and a therapist, your hosts, Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy talk about how to approach the role of therapist in the modern age.In this episode we talk about: How we are struggling during the pandemic Sitting with client’s darkness and how that impacts therapists even before the pandemic The impact client material can have on therapists The stigma around therapists having mental health concerns Anxiety contagion, energy drain of working with depression Impacts on libido, mood, suicidality Unique risk factors for therapists Risk factors for suicidality The heaviness and suicidality that can enter thought processes The shame and the simplification when therapy is the only suggestion “We deal with some heavy shit.” Taking the conversation about therapists struggles out of the social space (“go to therapy”) The lack of research about therapists as a workforce, the client impact on therapist, or therapists as clients Therapists as human beings in both private and public ways The feeling of being stuck and not being able to talk about it when you’re a therapist How legal and ethical concerns play a part Having a job, having people around you can be protective factors Isolation and lack of social support Boundary issues, vagueness to keep others at bay How therapists support each other (and the importance of social support) The danger of feeling trapped, especially if you’re isolated Practices to incorporate to reinforce resilience How we consume information and how the people around you are perceiving the news can impact you Self-assessment of risk factors, identification of protective factors What actually helps when someone is struggling The group responsibility as well as our individual responsibilities How to manage community care without overburdening yourself The importance of assessing capacity to support and give to our colleagues and friends Creating reinforcements and structure for regular support Resources mentioned:We’ve pulled together resources mentioned in this episode and put together some handy-dandy links. Please note that some of the links below might be affiliate links, so if you purchase after clicking below, we may get a little bit of cash in our pockets. We thank you in advance!Our Facebook Group – The Modern Therapists Group Signing up for our newsletterRelevant Episodes: Quarantine Self-Care for Therapists Therapist Suicide Suicidal Therapists Therapists in Therapy Toxic Work Environments The Mental Load of Therapists Structuring Self-Care Connect with us!Our Facebook Group – The Modern Therapists Group Get Notified About Therapy Reimagined 2021 Our consultation services:The Fifty-Minute HourCredits:Voice Over by DW McCann https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano http://www.crystalmangano.com/ 

Noteworthy DocumentationAn interview with Dr. Ben Caldwell, LMFT about some basic documentation information as well as updates relevant to the 21st Century Cures Act. Curt and Katie talk with Ben about what to consider when writing your notes including what to include and what should not be included. We look at who can see your progress notes as well as other considerations related to records requests and confidentiality.      It’s time to reimagine therapy and what it means to be a therapist. To support you as a whole person and a therapist, your hosts, Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy talk about how to approach the role of therapist in the modern age.Interview with Dr. Ben Caldwell, LMFTDr. Benjamin Caldwell, PsyD is a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (#42723) and the Education and Director for SimplePractice Learning. He currently serves as adjunct faculty for California State University Northridge in Los Angeles. He has taught at the graduate level for more than 15 years, primarily in Law and Ethics, and has written and trained extensively on ethical applications in mental health care. In addition to serving a three-year term on the AAMFT Ethics Committee, Dr. Caldwell served as the Chair of the Legislative and Advocacy Committee for AAMFT-California for 10 years. He served as Editor for the Users Guide to the 2015 AAMFT Code of Ethics and is the author for several books, including Saving Psychotherapy and Basics of California Law for LMFTS, LPCCs, and LCSWs.In this episode we talk about: Documentation as our favorite thing ever Excitement about Ben breaking the record on number of interviews on this podcast What needs to go into your documentation Accurate, adequate, and timely Standard of care How much information to put into your notes Who is the audience for your documentation Who might request records The importance documentation in continuity of care Where to put client quotes The difference between progress and process or psychotherapy notes What can be subpoenaed (including psychotherapy notes) How much information you include based on what is advisable to protect self The benefit of doing documentation for yourself as well as for treatment efficacy The 21st Century Cures Act – Open Notes (deadline now extended through April 2021) Optional certification process that requires clients to have access to all the information in their chart without charging them) Most mental health providers have no changes required from this change Most private practice EHRs are not on these systems Hospitals may have this requirement, but individual practitioners are not responsible for the mechanism to provide documentation to clients How to make sure you’re ready for clients to see your documentation The communication is going on for people who are required to comply with this open notes mandate, including how to access information and who to contact with questions In most states, clients have a fundamental right to request their records Confidentiality and access to records for family members, especially parents of minor children Conversations to have at the beginning of treatment in these situations regarding what will be included in the chart (and what will not be put into the chart) What not to include in your chart (specifically written reports from child abuse reports) A debate of who owns the record – who can see them is different from who owns them