The Therapist Thrival Guide

In this episode of The Therapist Thrival Guide, Miranda sits down with Sam Griggs, a licensed professional counselor and clinic director, to unpack the real-world challenges and rewards of providing mental health services in school settings.Sam shares what it’s really like to support students' mental health within the structure of a school day-- from navigating school expectations to managing crises in real time. Together, they explore how to balance confidentiality, connect with parents, and build trust with students—all while juggling the fast pace and unpredictability of school-based work.Whether you’re currently working in a school, considering it, or just curious about what school-based therapy actually looks like, this episode offers practical insight, honest reflections, and creative strategies to help you thrive in this unique setting.Timestamps:00:18 – Meet Sam: Licensed Professional Counselor & Clinic Director01:04 – What Are School-Based Mental Health Services?03:01 – Common Challenges in School-Based Therapy05:03 – Navigating School Expectations as a Clinician06:44 – Confidentiality & Handling Crisis Situations10:14 – A Day in the Life of a School-Based Therapist12:27 – Group Therapy in School Settings17:24 – How to Engage Parents and Caregivers22:16 – Creative Solutions for School-Based Barriers30:20 – Final Thoughts & Encouragement for School-Based CliniciansThe Therapist Thrival Guide is a podcast by Ellie Mental Health. We want to move therapists beyond surviving and into the realm of thriving by covering all the things that graduate school didn't teach you! This mental health podcast is hosted by Miranda Barker, LICSW and a rotating cast of seasoned therapists. Each episode features a therapist speaking to their areas of expertise to help us learn how to thrive as therapists.⁠⁠⁠⁠Miranda Barker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, MSW, LICSW, ⁠⁠has been practicing as a therapist for over three years. She previously worked as a child protection investigator, adoption social worker, and case manager. She's new to the therapy game and loves soaking up all of the knowledge from the expert therapists in her life. She's currently the Director of Content and Production at Ellie Mental Health's in-house creative agency and believes that creativity is an important aspect of mental health care.The Therapist Thrival Guide is one of many creative productions from ⁠⁠⁠Ellie Mental Health⁠⁠⁠. Ellie is a national mental health brand organized around community-based outpatient mental health clinics. It all began with a single office in St. Paul, Minnesota back in 2015, and since then has expanded to over 24 clinics in Minnesota and an explosive number of locations nationwide after franchising our model in 2021. Ellie will be opening over 500 locations in communities nationwide with new clinics opening each week. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#therapy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In our 100th episode, Miranda is joined by Steve Drzewoszewski, LCSW, LCADC, CCS, CSC, a therapist and clinic director from New Jersey who’s been exploring the growing role of AI in the mental health world. We get into all the big questions—Is AI actually useful for therapists? What are the risks? And how do we use it responsibly without losing the heart of the work?We talk through how tools like Cloud AI and Therapro AI are already helping clinicians with documentation, note-taking, and even generating treatment plans, all while staying HIPAA-compliant. But we don’t shy away from the concerns, either. We unpack the ethical gray areas, the importance of client consent, and the general uneasiness that some folks feel about AI’s presence in such a human-centered field.Some highlights:Real-life ways therapists are using AI (and where it helps)How to talk to clients about AI and get informed consentWhere the line is between helpful tool and overreachUsing AI for non-clinical tasks like marketing, content, and admin workEnvironmental impact, privacy risks, and what's on the horizon. Read more at this article.Link to Good Place scene Miranda references: https://youtu.be/R8m_5HDZF7w?si=lnfrBCbbQoZU4lVm&t=108 Whether you're a full-blown tech nerd or someone who side-eyes every new app, this episode has something for you. It’s not about replacing therapists—it’s about how we can use tools wisely to support the work we already love doing.The Therapist Thrival Guide is a podcast by Ellie Mental Health. We want to move therapists beyond surviving and into the realm of thriving by covering all the things that graduate school didn't teach you! This mental health podcast is hosted by Miranda Barker, LICSW and a rotating cast of seasoned therapists. Each episode features a therapist speaking to their areas of expertise to help us learn how to thrive as therapists.⁠⁠⁠Miranda Barker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, MSW, LICSW, ⁠has been practicing as a therapist for over three years. She previously worked as a child protection investigator, adoption social worker, and case manager. She's new to the therapy game and loves soaking up all of the knowledge from the expert therapists in her life. She's currently the Director of Content and Production at Ellie Mental Health's in-house creative agency and believes that creativity is an important aspect of mental health care.The Therapist Thrival Guide is one of many creative productions from ⁠⁠Ellie Mental Health⁠⁠. Ellie is a national mental health brand organized around community-based outpatient mental health clinics. It all began with a single office in St. Paul, Minnesota back in 2015, and since then has expanded to over 24 clinics in Minnesota and an explosive number of locations nationwide after franchising our model in 2021. Ellie will be opening over 500 locations in communities nationwide with new clinics opening each week. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#therapy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, Miranda sits down with Kathy Flamino, founder and CEO of Move Mindfully, and Chrissy Mignogna, their lead trainer and director of education. We dive into what it really looks like to integrate trauma-responsive, body-based practices into everyday spaces—therapy sessions, classrooms, hospitals, and even juvenile justice settings.Kathy and Chrissy are all about making these tools accessible and practical for the people who need them most. Whether you're a therapist, educator, or just someone trying to bring more regulation and grounding into your life (or your kid’s life), this episode is packed with ideas you can actually use.We talk about:Meeting people where they’re at, especially in crisisWhy movement matters in mental health careHow to introduce mind-body work to folks who are skeptical or shut downTools that work for kids, teens, and even stressed-out college studentsTips for therapists (because let’s be honest—we need regulation tools too)They also share some really powerful takeaways from their new book, I Am Safe, and walk through examples of portable, classroom-friendly coping strategies.If you’re curious about how to weave the mind-body connection into the work you already do—or if you're looking for new ways to support regulation and safety—this one’s worth a listen.The Therapist Thrival Guide is a podcast by Ellie Mental Health. We want to move therapists beyond surviving and into the realm of thriving by covering all the things that graduate school didn't teach you! This mental health podcast is hosted by Miranda Barker, LICSW and a rotating cast of seasoned therapists. Each episode features a therapist speaking to their areas of expertise to help us learn how to thrive as therapists.⁠⁠Miranda Barker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, MSW, LICSW, has been practicing as a therapist for over three years. She previously worked as a child protection investigator, adoption social worker, and case manager. She's new to the therapy game and loves soaking up all of the knowledge from the expert therapists in her life. She's currently the Director of Content and Production at Ellie Mental Health's in-house creative agency and believes that creativity is an important aspect of mental health care.The Therapist Thrival Guide is one of many creative productions from ⁠Ellie Mental Health⁠. Ellie is a national mental health brand organized around community-based outpatient mental health clinics. It all began with a single office in St. Paul, Minnesota back in 2015, and since then has expanded to over 24 clinics in Minnesota and an explosive number of locations nationwide after franchising our model in 2021. Ellie will be opening over 500 locations in communities nationwide with new clinics opening each week. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#therapy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, Miranda is joined by Erin Stevens, LPC-S from New Orleans, for a conversation about a powerful and creative idea that emerged during the height of the pandemic: a virtual book club for clients. Erin shares how she launched the group, the logistics behind keeping it running, and how reading books like The Body Keeps the Score helped participants process trauma and build meaningful connections.They dive into the practical considerations—like navigating confidentiality, managing group dynamics, and knowing when and how to bring a group to a close. Erin also reflects on how something as simple as a shared story can become a therapeutic tool. If you're a therapist looking for new ways to foster community and healing, this episode offers thoughtful inspiration.00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction00:27 The Concept of a Therapy Book Club02:20 First Book and Group Dynamics05:07 Challenges and Logistics12:04 Ending the Group and Reflections14:15 Future Plans and Advice22:33 Conclusion and Call to ActionThe Therapist Thrival Guide is a podcast by Ellie Mental Health. We want to move therapists beyond surviving and into the realm of thriving by covering all the things that graduate school didn't teach you! This mental health podcast is hosted by Miranda Barker, LICSW and a rotating cast of seasoned therapists. Each episode features a therapist speaking to their areas of expertise to help us learn how to thrive as therapists.⁠⁠Miranda Barker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, MSW, LICSW, has been practicing as a therapist for over three years. She previously worked as a child protection investigator, adoption social worker, and case manager. She's new to the therapy game and loves soaking up all of the knowledge from the expert therapists in her life. She's currently the Director of Content and Production at Ellie Mental Health's in-house creative agency and believes that creativity is an important aspect of mental health care.The Therapist Thrival Guide is one of many creative productions from ⁠Ellie Mental Health⁠. Ellie is a national mental health brand organized around community-based outpatient mental health clinics. It all began with a single office in St. Paul, Minnesota back in 2015, and since then has expanded to over 24 clinics in Minnesota and an explosive number of locations nationwide after franchising our model in 2021. Ellie will be opening over 500 locations in communities nationwide with new clinics opening each week. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#therapy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Dr. Robyn Janssen, a licensed psychologist and VP of Clinical Programs at Ellie, dives into the complexities of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). She discusses the impact of countertransference on therapy, highlighting its importance for managing relationships with BPD clients. Janssen emphasizes the role of trauma in BPD and advocates for structured approaches like Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Listeners gain insights into navigating trust, emotional regulation, and the nuances distinguishing BPD from bipolar disorder, all vital for effective treatment.

In this episode, Miranda is joined by Jennifer Keehn, LPCC, to unpack all things therapeutic letter writing. We’re talking emotional support animal letters, housing accommodations, FMLA, gender affirming surgery documentation—you name it. Whether you’re brand new to writing letters or have been doing it for years, we’re breaking down what needs to be included, how to protect your license, and the key do’s and don’ts to keep in mind. If you’ve ever wondered "Should I be writing this?" or "What should I say?"—this one’s for you.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Introduction and Host Introductions00:38 Overview of Letter Writing in Therapy00:59 Types of Letters and Their Purposes01:26 Challenges and Concerns in Writing Letters03:28 Guidance on Writing Emotional Support Animal Letters07:27 Writing FMLA Documentation10:18 Gender Affirming Surgery Letters16:07 Ethical Dilemmas in Writing Letters19:09 Court Summaries and Custody Plans21:34 School Accommodations Letters22:10 Discussing Military Deployment Letters22:52 Writing Return to Work Letters24:13 Bariatric Surgery Letter Considerations26:02 Adoption Process and Therapy Letters29:32 Emotional Support Animal Letters32:42 Workplace Accommodations and Letters37:03 Tips for Writing Effective Letters42:55 Conclusion and Resources for CliniciansThe Therapist Thrival Guide is a podcast by Ellie Mental Health. We want to move therapists beyond surviving and into the realm of thriving by covering all the things that graduate school didn't teach you! This mental health podcast is hosted by Miranda Barker, LICSW and a rotating cast of seasoned therapists. Each episode features a therapist speaking to their areas of expertise to help us learn how to thrive as therapists.⁠⁠Miranda Barker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, MSW, LICSW, has been practicing as a therapist for over three years. She previously worked as a child protection investigator, adoption social worker, and case manager. She's new to the therapy game and loves soaking up all of the knowledge from the expert therapists in her life. She's currently the Director of Content and Production at Ellie Mental Health's in-house creative agency and believes that creativity is an important aspect of mental health care.The Therapist Thrival Guide is one of many creative productions from ⁠Ellie Mental Health⁠. Ellie is a national mental health brand organized around community-based outpatient mental health clinics. It all began with a single office in St. Paul, Minnesota back in 2015, and since then has expanded to over 24 clinics in Minnesota and an explosive number of locations nationwide after franchising our model in 2021. Ellie will be opening over 500 locations in communities nationwide with new clinics opening each week. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#therapy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this short but meaningful episode, Miranda (a licensed clinical social worker) is joined by fellow therapists Letisha and Gina for a real conversation about social anxiety. They break down how it can show up in both kids and adults, and share effective ways to treat it—including CBT, ACT, and the power of social stories. You’ll also hear about tools like the SCARED assessment that help guide diagnosis and treatment. Whether you're a clinician or just curious, you'll walk away with practical strategies and insight to better understand and manage social anxiety.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview00:32 Understanding Social Anxiety01:40 Diagnosing Social Anxiety in Kids03:59 Treating Social Anxiety: CBT and ACT07:26 Using Social Stories for Anxiety13:19 Exposure Therapy and EMDR14:45 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsThe Therapist Thrival Guide is a podcast by Ellie Mental Health. We want to move therapists beyond surviving and into the realm of thriving by covering all the things that graduate school didn't teach you! This mental health podcast is hosted by Miranda Barker, LICSW and a rotating cast of seasoned therapists. Each episode features a therapist speaking to their areas of expertise to help us learn how to thrive as therapists.⁠⁠Miranda Barker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, MSW, LICSW, has been practicing as a therapist for over three years. She previously worked as a child protection investigator, adoption social worker, and case manager. She's new to the therapy game and loves soaking up all of the knowledge from the expert therapists in her life. She's currently the Director of Content and Production at Ellie Mental Health's in-house creative agency and believes that creativity is an important aspect of mental health care.The Therapist Thrival Guide is one of many creative productions from ⁠Ellie Mental Health⁠. Ellie is a national mental health brand organized around community-based outpatient mental health clinics. It all began with a single office in St. Paul, Minnesota back in 2015, and since then has expanded to over 24 clinics in Minnesota and an explosive number of locations nationwide after franchising our model in 2021. Ellie will be opening over 500 locations in communities nationwide with new clinics opening each week. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#therapy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of Therapist Thrival Guide, Miranda is joined by trauma therapist Amy Wilkerson, LICSW, for a conversation that many of us need but don’t always know how to start—understanding dissociation.Amy brings deep experience working with clients in foster care, adoption, and the military, and she breaks down what dissociation really is (hint: it’s not just zoning out during a boring meeting). We talk through how dissociation shows up in everyday life, why it’s often connected to trauma, and how therapists can support clients with curiosity and care.We also dig into therapeutic approaches like EMDR, parts work, and Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR), plus we share some grounding tools you can use right away.Whether you’re a therapist or someone who’s ever felt disconnected from yourself—this one’s for you.Links:Learn more about Amy and her practice here.The Haunted Self by Onno van der Hart, Ellert Nijenhuis, and Kathy SteeleTrauma and the Struggle to Open Up by Robert T. MullerDeep Brain Reorienting by Frank CorriganTrauma Related Dissociation by Suzette Boon, Onno van der Hart Ph.D., and Kathy SteeleTime Stamps:00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction00:27 Amy's Background and Experience02:23 Understanding Dissociation03:03 Symptoms and Everyday Examples of Dissociation05:18 Causes of Dissociation06:03 Trauma-Related Dissociation10:12 Parts Work and Dissociation17:29 Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR)22:19 Grounding Skills and Regulation27:38 Recommended Resources and ConclusionThe Therapist Thrival Guide is a podcast by Ellie Mental Health. We want to move therapists beyond surviving and into the realm of thriving by covering all the things that graduate school didn't teach you! This mental health podcast is hosted by Miranda Barker, LICSW and a rotating cast of seasoned therapists. Each episode features a therapist speaking to their areas of expertise to help us learn how to thrive as therapists.⁠⁠Miranda Barker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, MSW, LICSW, has been practicing as a therapist for over three years. She previously worked as a child protection investigator, adoption social worker, and case manager. She's new to the therapy game and loves soaking up all of the knowledge from the expert therapists in her life. She's currently the Director of Content and Production at Ellie Mental Health's in-house creative agency and believes that creativity is an important aspect of mental health care.The Therapist Thrival Guide is one of many creative productions from ⁠Ellie Mental Health⁠. Ellie is a national mental health brand organized around community-based outpatient mental health clinics. It all began with a single office in St. Paul, Minnesota back in 2015, and since then has expanded to over 24 clinics in Minnesota and an explosive number of locations nationwide after franchising our model in 2021. Ellie will be opening over 500 locations in communities nationwide with new clinics opening each week. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#therapy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, Miranda interviews Kailah Tuttle, LPC, a certified geek therapist, about the innovative field of geek therapy. They discuss how incorporating elements of geek culture, such as anime, video games, roleplaying games, and superheroes, can enhance therapeutic practices. Kayla shares her experiences with therapeutic Dungeon Master training and how geek therapy helps clients connect with their passions, process experiences, and learn skills through relatable characters and stories. They also touch on the importance of play and staying connected to one's inner child. Whether you're a therapist looking to expand your toolkit or simply interested in the intersection of mental health and geek culture, this episode offers a fascinating insight into an emerging approach to therapy.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:25 Diving into Geek Therapy02:00 Therapeutic Dungeon Master Training02:41 Play Therapy and Geek Therapy04:36 Certification and Competency in Geek Therapy07:27 Practical Applications of Geek Therapy08:29 Therapeutic Dungeons and Dragons15:59 Finding Your Niche as a Therapist19:13 Exploring Art and Geek Therapy19:24 Narrative Therapy and Superhero Stories20:09 Creative Activities in Therapy21:35 Geek Therapy in Practice22:29 Integrating Geek Culture in Talk Therapy23:54 Building Rapport Through Shared Interests28:06 Geek Therapy as a Therapeutic Lens31:02 Practical Interventions and Techniques33:58 Connecting with the Inner Child35:10 Final Thoughts and ResourcesThe Therapist Thrival Guide is a podcast by Ellie Mental Health. We want to move therapists beyond surviving and into the realm of thriving by covering all the things that graduate school didn't teach you! This mental health podcast is hosted by Miranda Barker, LICSW and a rotating cast of seasoned therapists. Each episode features a therapist speaking to their areas of expertise to help us learn how to thrive as therapists.⁠⁠Miranda Barker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, MSW, LICSW, has been practicing as a therapist for over three years. She previously worked as a child protection investigator, adoption social worker, and case manager. She's new to the therapy game and loves soaking up all of the knowledge from the expert therapists in her life. She's currently the Director of Content and Production at Ellie Mental Health's in-house creative agency and believes that creativity is an important aspect of mental health care.The Therapist Thrival Guide is one of many creative productions from ⁠Ellie Mental Health⁠. Ellie is a national mental health brand organized around community-based outpatient mental health clinics. It all began with a single office in St. Paul, Minnesota back in 2015, and since then has expanded to over 24 clinics in Minnesota and an explosive number of locations nationwide after franchising our model in 2021. Ellie will be opening over 500 locations in communities nationwide with new clinics opening each week. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#therapy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, licensed clinical social workers Miranda, Gina and Letisha, discuss 'Attached' by Amir Levine and Rachel S.F. Heller. They explore the book's insights on attachment styles—secure, anxious, and avoidant—while noting its omission of disorganized attachment. The episode touches on how these styles influence relationships, offers critiques on the book's approach, and provides practical advice on communication and self-awareness in relationships. Listener questions enhance the discussion with real-world applications and experiences.00:00 Introduction and Host Introductions00:55 Discussion on 'Attached' by Amir Levine and Rachel S. F. Heller02:27 Attachment Styles and Their Implications05:08 Critiques and Personal Insights on the Book14:27 Q&A Session: Listener Questions25:09 Final Thoughts and Closing RemarksLink to book: https://amzn.to/41yJBYd The Therapist Thrival Guide is a podcast by Ellie Mental Health. We want to move therapists beyond surviving and into the realm of thriving by covering all the things that graduate school didn't teach you! This mental health podcast is hosted by Miranda Barker, LICSW and a rotating cast of seasoned therapists. Each episode features a therapist speaking to their areas of expertise to help us learn how to thrive as therapists.⁠⁠Miranda Barker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, MSW, LICSW, has been practicing as a therapist for over three years. She previously worked as a child protection investigator, adoption social worker, and case manager. She's new to the therapy game and loves soaking up all of the knowledge from the expert therapists in her life. She's currently the Director of Content and Production at Ellie Mental Health's in-house creative agency and believes that creativity is an important aspect of mental health care. The Therapist Thrival Guide is one of many creative productions from ⁠Ellie Mental Health⁠. Ellie is a national mental health brand organized around community-based outpatient mental health clinics. It all began with a single office in St. Paul, Minnesota back in 2015, and since then has expanded to over 24 clinics in Minnesota and an explosive number of locations nationwide after franchising our model in 2021. Ellie will be opening over 500 locations in communities nationwide with new clinics opening each week. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#therapy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠