All Things Private Practice Podcast Episode 158: International Retreats for Therapists—More Than Just a Vacation [featuring Melissa Wesner]
In this episode, Melissa Wesner, LCPC, founder of LifeSpring Counseling Services and host of the "Dreaming and Doing" podcast, and I dive into the transformative power of retreats, cultural immersion, and self-care in business strategy. We discuss how stepping out of comfort zones, embracing new cultures, and integrating well-being into our professional lives can create lasting, positive change.
Key Takeaways:
- The Power of Relationships: Retreats and workshops go beyond just delivering content. The deep connections and lifelong friendships built in these events are transformative and impactful.
- Cultural Immersion for Real Insights: Experiencing different cultures first-hand, rather than just learning theoretically, is crucial for developing true cultural competence.
- Integrating Self-Care and Business: Prioritizing well-being can significantly enhance business performance. We emphasize the importance of self-care as an integral part of a successful business strategy.
About Melissa:
Melissa Wesner is the Founder of LifeSpring Counseling Services, a group practice in Baltimore County, Maryland. She is the Dreaming & Doing Podcast host, international retreat host, and planner of fun for her office and the local Clinician Community Membership that she runs. She is also a Brainspotting Consultant.
- Website: lifespringcounseling.net
- Podcast Facebook: facebook.com/dreaminganddoingpodcast
- Instagram: @melissa_wesner_
- Facebook: @lifespringcounselingservices
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Thanks to Our Sponsors: The Receptionist for iPad, Alma, & All Things Private Practice + Empowered Escapes 2025 Retreats & Summits!
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.
✨ All Things Private Practice + Empowered Escapes 2025 Retreats & Summits
The 2025 retreats and summits are live! This is Patrick Casale from All Things Private Practice. My co-host Jennifer Agee and I have put a ton of planning into these events for next year, and we are excited to welcome you to the following locations. We have a retreat about creating alternative income streams and diversifying revenue from May 17th–22nd in Catalonia, Spain in a beautiful seaside Mediterranean village. We have the second annual Doubt Yourself, Do it Anyway Summit in Edinburgh, Scotland, from July 14th–18th with 13 incredible speakers. We then have a second retreat in Catalonia, Spain, on creating alternative income streams. Next is the Greece, Chania, Crete Leadership Retreat in November 2025. Find more information at allthingspractice.com and empoweredescapes.com. Doubt yourself, do it anyway.
Mentioned in this episode:
Resilient Mind Counseling
It's Patrick. Some of you may know that I own a group therapy practice in North Carolina, Resilient Mind Counseling. We specialize in supporting the Neurodivergent, LGBTQIA+, and Black, Brown, and Asian communities online and across North Carolina. We also have limited in-person openings at our offices in Asheville and Cary. We really love working with clients who are coming to terms with both Autism and ADHD discoveries later in life or questioning, as well as the intersections of race, gender, identity, and orientation. All of our therapists have lived experience and identify as AuDHD, Autistic, or ADHD. Our team of affirming therapists offers a safe, anti-racist, anti-oppressive, inclusive, and accessible space where you can show up exactly as you are—no masking, no judgment, and no need to make eye contact, just real connection and healing. We accept most commercial insurances like Blue Cross Blue Shield, United, Aetna, and Med Cost, as well as self-pay options. We currently have openings for new clients. Visit our website at resilientmindcounseling.com. You can also text or call our HIPAA-compliant phone line at (828) 515-1246, or email us at scheduling@resilientmindcounseling.com.
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
I want to thank The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode. From new patients faced with an empty lobby and no idea where to find their therapist to clinicians with a session running over time and the doorbell ringing, some of the most anxiety-ridden moments of a therapy appointment happen before a session even starts. The Receptionist for iPad, helps you tackle some of that pre-appointment apprehension and anxiety. The Receptionist for iPad is an easy-to-use digital client check-in system that helps your visitors check in securely to their appointments and notify their practitioners of their arrival via SMS, email, or your preferred channel. No more confusion, and less lobby checking or having clients sign in on paper logbooks. It can even help you upgrade and update your demographic information for your clients as well and even validate parking. Start a 14-day free trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link and you'll also get your first month free if you decide to sign up.