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

Curt and Katie talk about taking personal responsibility to decrease the impacts of the “Burnout Machine” that is the mental health profession. We look at what should go into an ideal work place and actions each of us can take to improve our own situation as well as the system as a whole. 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: Looking at how to create better systems for mental health workplaces Magical places that could provide adequate pay, training, and emotionally-focused supervision The importance of incorporating the appropriate employee support into budgets Employee engagement versus turnover The need for larger conversations with stakeholders to improve things systemically Sorting through the challenges and benefits of efficiency and productivity Looking at training supervisors The faulty notion that therapy isn’t about the therapist The need for the business or administrative aspects – we can’t get rid of them. Employee, employer, or entrepreneur skills are required for the system to work Balancing the focus on the clinician as a member of the system, a professional, and as an individual The risks of human connection within an employment situation The benefits of exploring the emotions and human connection on professional development, client outcomes Looking at the expectations around supervision that are described in graduate school Addressing the parallel process within the supervisor/supervisee and therapist/client The power differential in becoming a supervisor and navigating the relationship Knowing ourselves at all developmental stages The impact of “Supervision of Supervision” groups The unfortunate scenario where people are rushing to licensure without meeting their developmental stages Being able to support prelicensees’ primary needs of survival (providing financial stability) so they can slow down and take care of their developmental stages How to set up a career that works for you How to identify opportunities to move the profession forward Assessing your own capacities to improve your career and the profession The problem of being cynical and complaining about the system instead of taking action Taking a personal look and personal responsibility for your career

Exploring therapist burnout and systemic issues in the mental health field. Discussing Sacrificial Helping Syndrome, Compassion Fatigue, and challenges faced by therapists at different career stages. Addressing the impact of education, licensing, and business practices on therapist development. Emphasizing the need for a supportive learning environment for therapists to thrive and provide effective client care.

A LIVE interview with Celisa Flores, Psy.D. – Curt and Katie talk with Celisa about what stress does to you and your body and what therapists can do to take better care of their bodies, their brains, and their mental health. Celisa also delves into burnout AND the benefits of yoga and meditation.  It’s time to reimagine therapy and what it means to be a therapist. We are human beings who can now present ourselves as whole people, with authenticity, purpose, and connection. Especially now, when therapists must develop a personal brand to market their practices.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 Celisa Flores, Psy.D.Since obtaining a master’s degree in Counseling in 2007 at CSU Fresno and a PsyD in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2013, Dr. Flores worked as a therapist in a wide variety of mental health treatment settings, with emphasis on Eating Disorders, Mindfulness and women’s issues. Now proudly with Center for Discovery, providing clinical outreach for Ventura County and the Central California region.With a history of providing individual, group, family, and couples counseling services, as well as therapeutic yoga services, Dr. Flores has focused on evidence-based practices, providing guidance and support in Mindfulness in Recovery, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and other self-empowerment strategies. In addition to training as a therapist, she is a Certified Yoga Teacher, also trained in Mindful Stress Reduction. By integrating a variety of holistic tools into recovery and wellness, she works to create a long-lasting, sustainable wellness plan.Dr. Flores also provides consultation, teaching and training for students, professionals, and community groups, which have included youth conferences, the CSU school systems, international speaking and NASA. In effort to support other therapists and community members with understanding eating disorders and treatment, she is always open to consider future speaking and training opportunities.In this episode we talk about: How (and why) our bodies store trauma The use of yoga (both poses and principles) How the fight or flight response (when we don’t fight or flee) impacts our bodies How our brain has evolved, and how we respond to stressors that are not literally life or death. Yoga – joining body and breath – to calm the fight or flight nervous system The importance of the breath in how we feel Diaphragmatic breathing The importance of getting out of a narrow view AND in getting out of Fight or Flight in order to be best able to support our clients Approachable strategies that make small moments of self-care possible Distress tolerance corners (and activities that are especially good for distress tolerance) Proactively planning for self-care and distress tolerance coping What the real consequences of poor self-care are (including rapid aging and current dangers) Some yoga stretches that you can use in your office (and Curt’s desire to be a yoga therapist) How to remind yourself that yourself to self-care and how to hold yourself accountable How meditation changes your brain and how to make it approachable Resources mentioned:We’ve pulled together any resources mentioned in this episode and put together some handy-dandy links. The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk When by Daniel PinkGabor MateFind Celisa online: her website Linked In Her email: celisa.flores@centerfordiscovery.comPrevious Episode mentioned:Being Truly Mindful

An interview with Eboni Harris, Co-Founder of Melanin and Mental Health – Curt and Katie talk with Eboni about people of color, both clients and clinicians, and what therapists often get wrong about cultural competence, continuing education, and the uncomfortable conversations we need to be having to decrease mental health stigma, racism, and ignorance.It’s time to reimagine therapy and what it means to be a therapist. We are human beings who can now present ourselves as whole people, with authenticity, purpose, and connection. Especially now, when therapists must develop a personal brand to market their practices.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 Eboni Harris, LPC, LMFTEboni Harris is a licensed relationship therapist, co-founder of Melanin and Mental Health™, Founder of Room for Relations and host of Room for Relations: Sex and Relationship Podcast. Through her education she has learned the skills and techniques to help individuals and couples love better, stronger and longer. Through life she has learned that taking care of yourself is the best thing you can do for you and the ones you love. Her goal is to help adults communicate with clarity and honesty, love with passion and intention and teach their little ones the value of boundaries, compassion and trust.In this episode we talk about: Eboni’s story and how she came to co-found Melanin and Mental Health Connecting therapists of color to help decrease mental health stigma and improve the quality of clinical care for people of color Creating a directory for clinicians of color Psychology Today’s lack of ethnic diversity on their magazine How it feels to be leading a movement, especially when people don’t get it The Melanin and Mental Health tag line: Therapy is Dope When You Have a Dope Therapist. The types of training and conversations that need to happen to support the increasingly diverse population of clients Cultural humility and cultural competence What therapists get wrong when working cross culturally The damage done when clinicians dismiss race as a factor Lack of understanding of cultural, ethnic, gender identity and impacts on life and in the therapy room Micro-aggressions that can even happen in treatment The problem with referring out all clients of different ethnicities The institutional concerns within the mental health profession that provide obstacles both for clients entering treatment as well as clinicians entering the profession Mental Health Access and the complexity of hiring clinicians or finding therapists who are culturally competent The role that fear and ignorance that can lead to poor interventions Responding as a human being, not a member of the establishment (calling the police, CPS, etc.) Understanding how passive ignorance can be a bigger problem than overt racism Using privilege and access to help solve the problem and be an ally. What needs to change in our profession to better support people of color Understanding healing with a more diverse lens. The importance of understanding your biases Uncomfortable conversations that lead to positive change Resources mentioned:We’ve pulled together any resources mentioned in this episode and put together some handy-dandy links.Melanin and Mental Health™ Petition to demand more diversity from Psychology Today Magazine

An interview with Ashley Graber, LMFT – Curt and Katie talk with Ashley about mindfulness and meditation – how to incorporate into daily life, considerations for teaching your clients, and the things that therapists can get wrong when using mindfulness interventions!It’s time to reimagine therapy and what it means to be a therapist. We are human beings who can now present ourselves as whole people, with authenticity, purpose, and connection. Especially now, when therapists must develop a personal brand to market their practices.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 Ashley Graber, LMFTAfter 15 years working in Commercial Real Estate in New York City, Ashley Graber changed the direction of her life to the worlds of Psychology and Meditation & Mindfulness. Ashley came to these practices after getting sober and in the decade plus since, she now runs a busy mindfulness-based psychotherapy practice at Yale Street Therapy (www.YaleStreetTherapy.com) in Santa Monica, CA. Ashley is the Director of Curriculum for the next generation meditation app & mindfulness company, Evenflow. Ashley received her clinical degree from Antioch University and has trained extensively in Meditation & Mindfulness practices, earning her certificate in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) through The Center for Mindfulness at UC San Diego. She has also trained in Mindful Schools (teaching mindfulness and meditation to children), Trauma Resiliency Model (TRM), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Ashley was recently on Good Morning LaLa Land, spoke on Resilience at this year’s renowned Wisdom. 2.0 Mindfulness & Technology conference, and is putting her psychotherapy and Meditation & Mindfulness skills into print with a “how to” book for families. Learn more at www.AshleyGraberTherapy.com.In this episode we talk about: How Ashley puts her message out widely Meditation and mindfulness tools that can help clients throughout their life. Making meditation and mindfulness accessible The difference between mindfulness and meditation The importance of avoiding judgment to decrease suffering Living in the present moment, without a lens of judgment Shinzen’s equation: Pain X Resistance = Suffering How we are most awake and alive in the present moment How to continue to return to the present moment Important ways to self-assess when thoughts, emotions, behaviors are unhealthy, including looking at the physical sensations in the present moment The importance of being consistent with mindfulness practice The requirements for therapists to have a regular practice before teaching clients How to incorporate practices, getting mentorship and training Different tools for teaching mindfulness and meditation to clients Adjustments for clients who cannot sit in meditation, so they can experience mindfulness (especially those who have complex trauma, anxiety) How therapists can consciously add mindfulness activities to their day. Slow down the pace between sessions, consciously breathing, weaving some slower moments into your life. The importance of using your senses, getting outside Scheduling meditation Setting reminders How mentorship works in meditation The resources of Even Flow (the app, the meditation/mindfulness company) The different types of certifications and training for mindfulness The inquiry process after the mindfulness practice (and its importance)  Resources mentioned:We’ve pulled together any resources mentioned in this episode and put together some handy-dandy links.Evenflow Meditation appYale Street TherapyMindfulness Based Stress Reduction ClassesJon Kabat ZinnChris Crotty at AgainstTheStream, Boston

Curt and Katie talk about advice-giving in session, looking at the complexities, pros and cons, and how and when to give advice to clients.  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: Why, when to give advice in session How to process the other pieces before giving advice Therapeutic techniques that help in problem-solving before giving advice Gender differences in approaching therapy, including who is looking more for “solutions” How to assess because each individual has a different capacity to ask for help and/or seek advice Solution-based advice versus process-oriented advice The difference between clinical and coaching interventions Developmental stages of decision-making and how they can impact when and how to give advice How to assess whether you’ve crossed a boundary with the advice you’re giving Urgency and crisis-related advice The importance of seeing from your client’s perspective Looking at what your advice is based on The downsides of refusing to give an opinion, not self-disclosing – interacting as human beings can be richer therapeutically The complexities as well as the pros and cons of giving advice  Resources mentioned:We’ve pulled together resources mentioned in this episode and put together some handy-dandy links.Other Relevant Episodes:What Clients WantOur event this year:The Therapy Reimagined Conference in Los Angeles in October 2018!!Our new consultation services:The Fifty-Minute HourWho we are:Curt Widhalm is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in private practice in the Los Angeles area. He is a Board Member at Large for the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, a Subject Matter Expert for the California Board of Behavioral Sciences, Adjunct Faculty at Pepperdine University, and a loving husband and father. He is 1/2 great person, 1/2 provocateur, and 1/2 geek, in that order. He dabbles in the dark art of making "dad jokes" and usually has a half-empty cup of coffee somewhere nearby. Learn more at: www.curtwidhalm.comKatie Vernoy is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, coach, and consultant. As a helping professional for two decades, she’s navigated the ups and downs of our unique line of work. She’s run her own solo therapy practice, designed innovative clinical programs, built and managed large, thriving teams of service providers, and consulted hundreds of helping professionals on how to build meaningful AND sustainable practices. In her spare time, Katie is secretly siphoning off Curt's youthful energy, so that she can take over the world. Learn more at: www.katievernoy.comA Quick Note:Our opinions are our own. We are only speaking for ourselves – except when we speak for each other, or over each other. We’re working on it.Our guests are also only speaking for themselves and have their own opinions. We aren’t trying to take their voice, and no one speaks for us either. Mostly because they don’t want to, but hey.Stay in Touch:www.mtsgpodcast.comwww.therapyreimagined.comOur Facebook Group – The Modern Therapist’s Survival Guide Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/therapyreimagined/https://twitter.com/therapymovementhttps://www.instagram.com/therapyreimagined/Credits:Voice Over by DW McCann https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano http://www.crystalmangano.com/

An interview with Heather Walker Janz, LMFT – Curt and Katie talk with Heather about being a therapist and being an activist as well as the challenges of being in the public eye during a national campaign. Heather’s call to action: step up and use your voice!It’s time to reimagine therapy and what it means to be a therapist. We are human beings who can now present ourselves as whole people, with authenticity, purpose, and connection. Especially now, when therapists must develop a personal brand to market their practices.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 Heather Walker Janz, LMFTHeather Janz, LMFT, has established a private practice in California’s central valley serving teens and young adults referred through the Juvenile Justice Center, hospitals, and county mental health crisis centers. Heather inspires her clients and fellow mental health professionals by modeling assertiveness and positive communication through activism and advocacy. She is the current president of her local chapter of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CSJV-CAMFT) and has also been involved in several movements including The Women’s March, Families Belong Together, and March For Our Lives. You can learn more about Heather at www.heatherjanz.com.In this episode we talk about: Being a therapist during a campaign How Heather is navigating the complexities of being visible in the campaign where her husband is a democrat running to be the representative for Congressional District 22 The challenges of being a therapist during a national campaign How Heather has processed her visibility and the campaign with her clients The unexpected benefits of Heather’s personal life being so public, within her clinical work The challenges of having different political views than clients – how to process it with clients The benefits of being on record related to specific more controversial issues How she has transitioned from having no visibility (as directed in school) to being in most of her clients’ mailboxes The idea that clients need us to take care of them by being so invisible How Heather screens new clients in and out to make sure that clients are not sensationalized related to the election The additional steps Heather will take to protect her clients’ confidentiality on social media Heather’s lack of confidentiality and how she relies on her ability to remain genuine in all spaces The surprises that have come during the campaign How to diminish the impact of the external stuff (campaign or personal matters) and the strict boundaries that Heather holds to shift the conversation to the clinical material The supports that Heather has put in place to manage her work, the campaign, her own volunteer work The self-care practices that Heather has put into place, how she has learned to say “no” Advice for others seeking to enter politics as a therapist Why it is so important that we step up, even if we don’t know if we’re ready, we can’t wait How our activism can give our clients hope How therapists as mental health experts interacting with legislators and staffers can decrease mental health stigma  Resources mentioned:We’ve pulled together any resources mentioned in this episode and put together some handy-dandy links.California Association of Marriage and Family TherapistsHeather’s WebsiteAndrew Janz for Congress

Curt and Katie talk about the mistakes that therapists make in their business that can impact their clinical practice, their financial stability, and their reputation both with their colleagues and their clients.  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 intersection between business and clinical practices The different mistakes that therapists make like not returning phone calls, being clumsy with intake call and intake process, failing to talk about fees before meeting in person, insurance bait and switch, scheduling snafus in shared offices, lack of control in your space, running late, poor referrals, not getting consent from both parents, clients missing payments and racking up debt How to improve business practices to improve clinical relationships Using therapy skills to improve “sales” Systems to help clients engage in treatment from the beginning The importance of establishing fees and contracts/consents prior to the first session Clear parameters can equal clinical safety Timeliness can equate to trust The handoff from intake or practice owner to the clinician who will work with the client Showing confidence in your own work and any referrals you make Making sure to talk through all of the consents and policies Communication practices with clients Taking notes, remembering what has happened in the session Client experience, customer care Re-engagement Deliberate Practice and Scott Miller’s Feedback Informed Treatment The importance of putting systems in place that support you and your clients Resources mentioned:We’ve pulled together resources mentioned in this episode and put together some handy-dandy links. SimplePractice Scott Miller’s Feedback Informed TreatmentMaureen Werrbach with The Group Practice ExchangeDr. Ben Caldwell with Ben Caldwell LabsMixing Modern Therapist live networking events – email us for info: events@therapyreimagined.comThe conversations happening in Our Facebook Group first.therapyreimaginedconference.comOther Relevant Episodes:Making Bank as a TherapistDeliberate Practice 1: Finding Your Blind SpotsDeliberate Practice 2: Be a Better TherapistOur event this year:The Therapy Reimagined Conference in Los Angeles in October 2018!!Our new consultation services:The Fifty-Minute Hour Credits:Voice Over by DW McCann https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano http://www.crystalmangano.com/

An interview with Kelly Higdon, LMFT of ZynnyMe – Curt and Katie talk with Kelly Higdon about taking ownership as a business owner, creating space and time for play and creativity, defining your own pace, and your own voice – all with the goal of becoming stronger clinicians and increasing mental health access.It’s time to reimagine therapy and what it means to be a therapist. We are human beings who can now present ourselves as whole people, with authenticity, purpose, and connection. Especially now, when therapists must develop a personal brand to market their practices.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 Kelly Higdon, LMFTKelly Higdon is a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist and the other half of ZynnyMe with Miranda Palmer. Together they created the Business School Bootcamp, a lifetime access business program just for therapists who want to start, grow or retool their practices. She operates from the belief that eradicating mental health stigma and improving access to mental wellness starts with each of us. The better we are at business, the better we can be at serving our communities. When Kelly isn't hanging out with bootcampers or coaching clients, you can find her spending time with husband and daughter or rolling on her skates with her roller derby family.In this episode we talk about: The reasons that Kelly joined together with Miranda Palmer, LMFT to create Zynnyme, Business School Bootcamp How the way you live your life is the way you do business How avoiding and “just trusting that everything will work out” can hurt your progress in private practice How therapists recognizing patterns can help us be better business owners The way that therapists have improved how they approach business over the last few years How to choose who you spend time with – people who have a business mindset The importance of accountability and being with people who challenge you Looking at how the business decisions impact your clinical work and training Deciding to grow or maintain your same level Celebrating success rather than constantly looking to grow Choices about eliminating, delegating, automating, prioritizing, and delaying You get to define your success and your pace Kelly’s parking lot method The fears and doubts, grief that can come up when you don’t take action in your business The plague of comparisonitis Finding your own uniqueness, how to avoid being influenced by someone else and entering your own heart space How business development is like childhood development How to be more creative and improve your business How to find your best coach to help you further your business development The integrity of referring out The changes in the profession over the last few years How you can be in private practice and innovate for the whole profession Breaking down barriers and increasing mental health access  Resources mentioned:We’ve pulled together any resources mentioned in this episode and put together some handy-dandy links.Business School BootcampZynnyMeZynnyMe Coaching and My Awesome Year Blue Ocean Strategy by W. Chan Kim and Renee MauborgneOur Next Event:The Therapy Reimagined Conference in Los Angeles in October 2018!!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/ 

Curt and Katie talk about reimagining therapy, starting a #therapymovement, and pulling together a community to put on a conferenceIt’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: Curt’s love of Legos and the ensuing overuse of this metaphor to describe using building blocks to be creative This conference we’re putting on and why we named it Therapy Reimagined The building blocks that are the foundation of therapy, but how we can use them creatively The individual differences that have been growing the diversity of the profession Sacrificial Helping Syndrome (Katie’s concept about how clinicians can sacrifice their own well-being for the work) How the system isn’t working – it relies on us burning out Why advocacy is important for our profession The irony and sadness about us going into the profession to be a different therapist and then becoming the burned-out therapist What it means when we burn out: lack of resources, mental health stigma, poorer outcomes Creating an action plan for how you will improve the profession Why strong business practices are important for all of us Having a big idea and carrying it through The importance of diversity and our commitment to have diverse faculty and diverse ideas at Therapy Reimagined 2018 How important it is to us to hear from you and develop this community around us for the #therapymovement A secret message from Katie at the very end Resources mentioned:We’ve pulled together resources mentioned in this episode and put together some handy-dandy links.Katie’s article on Sacrificial Helping SyndromeKatie’s writing about avoiding Sacrificial Helping SyndromeDr. Ben Caldwell with Ben Caldwell LabsMixing Modern Therapist live networking events – email us for info: events@therapyreimagined.comThe conversations happening in Our Facebook Groupfirst.therapyreimaginedconference.comOther Relevant Episodes:Our Therapy Reimagined speakers on the podcast -The Fight to Save Psychotherapy - Benjamin E. CaldwellWhat Therapists Get Wrong - Paul GilmartinSocial Media and Video Marketing for Therapists - Ernesto Segismundo Jr.Make Your Paperwork Meaningful - Maelisa HallBe the CEO of your SEO - Perry RosenbloomBecoming a Group Practice Owner - Maureen WerrbachBuilding Hope for the Next Generation of Therapists - Robin AndersenCrafting Your Authentic Message - Mercedes Samudio Our event this year:The Therapy Reimagined Conference in Los Angeles in October 2018!!Our new consultation services:The Fifty-Minute Hour Credits:Voice Over by DW McCann https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano http://www.crystalmangano.com/