The Therapist Thrival Guide

Zach Eichler, LPCC at the Minnetonka Clinic and board-approved supervisor, returns to chat about the evolution of therapists in their early careers. He and Miranda reveal the realities behind the glamorous expectations of therapy, sharing personal anecdotes that resonate with many new therapists. They discuss strategies for diversifying caseloads, building confidence, and adapting through supervision. Emphasis is placed on honesty and self-awareness, key elements for fostering trust and accountability in client relationships.

Today, Zach Eichler, MS, LPCC is back on the podcast for a mini-episode about: - Supervision styles - What to do if you don't have a good clinical supervisor match - The first meeting and setting expectations with a supervisee - Their experiences with bad supervision or bad supervisors LINK TO BOOK: https://amzn.to/45RCnjJ Stay tuned for next week as Zach joins to discuss what new therapists can expect in their first five years as a clinician! 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, MSW, LICSW and a rotating cast of seasoned therapists. Each episode features a therapist speaking to their areas of expertise, clinical interests, and personal experiences of being a therapist. This podcast will be covering topics like burn-out, self of therapist, cultural considerations, client retention, session structure, advancing clinical skills, innovations in therapy, and balancing professional relationships with our personal lives. Every now and then, we'll even cover the happenings of how therapists are portrayed in pop culture. ⁠⁠⁠Miranda Barker⁠⁠⁠, MSW, LICSW, has been practicing as a therapist for nearly 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 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#mentalhealth

Join Miranda along with Dr. Sable McElveen and Amber Silva as they discuss the complexities and importance of working with the LGBTQIA+ community in therapy. This episode covers key topics such as self-disclosure, creating safe environments, addressing the diagnosis of gender dysphoria, and handling biases both from therapists and clients. Learn essential approaches to foster trust and support for queer clients, all while maintaining therapist safety and ethical standards. This episode is perfect for therapists eager to deepen their understanding and practice in serving diverse populations. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introductions 01:27 Importance of Discussing LGBTQ Issues 04:21 Therapeutic Relationships and Self-Disclosure 07:41 Challenges Faced by LGBTQ Individuals 11:11 Research Insights on LGBTQ Healthcare 13:17 Navigating Identity Exploration in Therapy 21:25 Gender Dysphoria Diagnosis Debate 27:06 Therapist's Role and Client Safety 34:48 Handling Bias and Safety in Therapy 39:14 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 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, MSW, LICSW and a rotating cast of seasoned therapists. Each episode features a therapist speaking to their areas of expertise, clinical interests, and personal experiences of being a therapist. This podcast covers topics like burn-out, self of therapist, cultural considerations, client retention, session structure, advancing clinical skills, innovations in therapy, and balancing professional relationships with our personal lives. Every now and then, we'll even cover the happenings of how therapists are portrayed in pop culture. ⁠⁠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 in Ellie Mental Health's marketing team and believes that creativity is an important aspect of mental health care. ABOUT US: 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 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#mentalhealth⁠

Michael Atkinson, a clinical counselor passionate about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), joins Alison Affalter, who specializes in working with individuals and couples. They explore the fascinating origins and core principles of ACT, emphasizing psychological flexibility and living a meaningful life aligned with personal values. The discussion highlights how mindfulness and acceptance play critical roles in facing life's inevitable hardships. Additionally, they share strategies for integrating ACT with other therapeutic modalities to effectively address anxiety, depression, and trauma.

Hey there, folks! Get ready for a heart-to-heart episode of the Therapist Thrival Guide, where we're diving into the world of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) tapping and how it can be a game-changer for those riding the perinatal rollercoaster. Pregnancy and postpartum life? Yeah, they're beautiful, but they can also throw some serious emotional curveballs. That's where EFT tapping comes in – it's like giving yourself a little mental massage to ease the stress and anxiety that can come with the territory. In this episode, we're chatting with Maria Yakimchuk– mom and EFT pro – who shares her story and spills the beans on how tapping has helped her navigate the ups and downs of the perinatal journey (and yes, you can do it to yourself!). LINKS: ⁠www.parentonboard⁠.com ⁠ ⁠⁠www.instagram.com/parentonboardcoaching⁠⁠ ⁠⁠www.facebook.com/parentonboardcoaching⁠⁠ ⁠⁠www.tiktok.com/@parentonboardcoaching⁠⁠ Radical Self-Care Mini Course for Moms - ⁠⁠https://mariayakimchuk.podia.com/radical-self-care-for-moms⁠⁠ 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, MSW, LICSW and a rotating cast of seasoned therapists. Each episode features a therapist speaking to their areas of expertise, clinical interests, and personal experiences of being a therapist. This podcast will be covering topics like burn-out, self of therapist, cultural considerations, client retention, session structure, advancing clinical skills, innovations in therapy, and balancing professional relationships with our personal lives. Every now and then, we'll even cover the happenings of how therapists are portrayed in pop culture. ⁠Miranda Barker⁠, MSW, LICSW, has been practicing as a therapist for nearly 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. ABOUT OUR GUEST: Maria Yakimchuk is a Certified Transformational Master EFT Coach who empowers moms to Rise, Heal, and Thrive by embracing their authentic power and inner wisdom, deeply healing themselves and manifesting the motherhood of their dreams.  With her unique coaching approach that blends EFT (Tapping), Self-Compassion work, and deep knowledge of maternal mental health, she helps moms heal their own childhood traumas, break free from dysfunctional familial patterns, and eliminate shame and guilt, so they can thrive in motherhood and create new healthy family norms for themselves and their children.  She is also a mom of 2 very energetic, sensitive and strong willed boys, and an easy going dog. Maria is no stranger to struggling to find joy in the often busy and chaotic life as a mother. She is a PPD and PPA survivor, who has successfully healed her PPD, PPA, and PMDD, as well as debilitating migraines, with EFT tapping and self-compassion meditations. ABOUT US: 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 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#mentalhealth⁠

This week we are doing things a little differently and talking about frequently asked questions we receive about parental/maternity leave from fellow clinicians: - How do therapists navigate maternity leave? - Do their clients take a break from therapy or see someone else in the interim? - When do I tell my clients that I'm pregnant? How do I tell them? - Dealing with morning sickness at the beginning of pregnancy - How to navigate unpredictable time frames like with adoption 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, MSW, LICSW and a rotating cast of seasoned therapists. Each episode features a therapist speaking to their areas of expertise, clinical interests, and personal experiences of being a therapist. This podcast will be covering topics like burn-out, self of therapist, cultural considerations, client retention, session structure, advancing clinical skills, innovations in therapy, and balancing professional relationships with our personal lives. Every now and then, we'll even cover the happenings of how therapists are portrayed in pop culture. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Miranda Barker⁠⁠⁠⁠, MSW, LICSW, has been practicing as a therapist for nearly 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 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#mentalhealth

Buckle up for a mini episode for a mini work-week! Amber Pearson, LICSW and Anna Trout, LMFT are joining the podcast to discuss the show "Love on the Spectrum" on Netflix. As Autistic therapists themselves, they had some thoughts including: - The mixed reviews their clients bring to them about this show - What they appreciated about the show and what struck a chord - What they didn't like and wished they could change about the show 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, MSW, LICSW and a rotating cast of seasoned therapists. Each episode features a therapist speaking to their areas of expertise, clinical interests, and personal experiences of being a therapist. This podcast will be covering topics like burn-out, self of therapist, cultural considerations, client retention, session structure, advancing clinical skills, innovations in therapy, and balancing professional relationships with our personal lives. Every now and then, we'll even cover the happenings of how therapists are portrayed in pop culture. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Miranda Barker⁠⁠⁠⁠, MSW, LICSW, has been practicing as a therapist for nearly 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 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#mentalhealth

Today we're discussing the complexities of helping children cope with grief and loss, including: Common grief-related symptoms in children and adults How to adjusting therapeutic approaches based on the individual needs of children Strategies such as using expressive arts, memory-making activities, and journals The importance of patience and self-disclosure by adults and role of family involvement Additional resources, including recommended children's books on grief, are mentioned. Whether you're a therapist or a parent, this episode provides insightful tips and resources for guiding kids through the challenging emotions associated with loss. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction to the Therapist's Guide 00:48 Understanding Grief in Children 02:59 Therapist's Personal Experience with Grief 05:06 Approaching Grief and Loss with Kids 07:48 Common Grief Symptoms Across Ages 12:19 Helping Families Cope with Grief 20:24 Expressive Arts and Memorialization 31:29 Addressing Death and Religion 35:55 Conclusion and Resources RESOURCES: Practical tips and book recommendations for helping kids cope with grief: https://elliementalhealth.com/how-to-help-kids-navigate-through-grief-and-loss/ Grief Recovery Method blog: https://elliementalhealth.com/understanding-grief-recovery/ Grief Recovery Method episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7EqdNzwuPgMBbd9OHy3YDM?si=tVn-z4wWSrKFrK7KbwZPkA Therapist Thrival Guide is a podcast by Ellie Mental Health. The intention is 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, MSW, LICSW. Each episode features a therapist speaking to their areas of expertise, clinical interests, and personal experiences of being a therapist. This podcast will be covering topics like burn-out, self of therapist, cultural considerations, client retention, session structure, advancing clinical skills, innovations in therapy, and balancing professional relationships with our personal lives. Every now and then, we'll even cover the happenings of how therapists are portrayed in pop culture. ⁠⁠Miranda Barker,⁠⁠ MSW, LICSW, has been practicing as a therapist for nearly 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 Executive Producer at Ellie Mental Health's in-house creative agency and believes that creativity is an important aspect of mental health care. 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 ⁠⁠⁠⁠#mentalhealth⁠ ABOUT OUR GUEST: Jordan is a Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, and Grief Recovery Specialist. She has supported people for 10+ years in different treatment settings including inpatient care, school-based counseling, intensive levels of outpatient programming, and private practice. She thrives to guide people to recognize their strengths through honest self-exploration, authenticity, and humor. A passion close to her heart is working with people through life transitions, including grief and loss. 

Today, Alice Mills Mai, LPCC-S, NCC joins the podcast to talk all about a modality everyone is talking about: Internal Family Systems (IFS). The conversation explores the origins, basic concepts, and therapeutic applications of IFS, including defining parts like managers, firefighters, and exiles. They also delve into the qualities of the self and how practitioners can guide clients through parts work and guided imagery. The experts share insights on integrating IFS with other modalities like EMDR, and discuss the significance of IFS training and certification. 00:00 Introduction to the Therapist Thrival Guide 00:27 Alice's Background and Introduction to IFS 01:23 Understanding Internal Family Systems (IFS) 02:40 The Development and Structure of IFS 05:10 Parts Work in IFS: Managers, Firefighters, and Exiles 14:03 Guided Imagery and Experiential Techniques in IFS 22:57 Introducing IFS to Clients 24:41 Training and Certification in IFS 26:45 Comparing IFS with Other Therapies 28:46 Understanding the Self in IFS 31:37 Applying IFS in Therapy 38:22 Final Thoughts on IFS 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, MSW, LICSW and a rotating cast of seasoned therapists. Each episode features a therapist speaking to their areas of expertise, clinical interests, and personal experiences of being a therapist. This podcast will be covering topics like burn-out, self of therapist, cultural considerations, client retention, session structure, advancing clinical skills, innovations in therapy, and balancing professional relationships with our personal lives. Every now and then, we'll even cover the happenings of how therapists are portrayed in pop culture. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Miranda Barker⁠⁠⁠⁠, MSW, LICSW, has been practicing as a therapist for 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 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#mentalhealth ABOUT OUR GUEST: Alice is both a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC-S) and National Certified Counselor (NCC). Her mission is to create culturally affirming spaces that foster wholeness, accountability, and liberation where people (therapists and clients) can thrive, learn, and grow. She is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) and Internal family systems (IFS). Alice enjoys working with all of her clients, especially immigrants and children of immigrants, exploring trauma and its implications on our lives. She is the clinic director of Ellie Mental Health in Westerville, Ohio.

Ready to UNLOCK your brain? We are joined by Billie Ferguson, LMFT in this episode to discuss a new modality making waves in the therapy world: brainspotting. In this episode of the Therapist Thrival Guide, host Miranda welcomes Billie Ferguson, an LMFT based out of Oklahoma, to discuss the emerging therapeutic modality of brainspotting. They explore the origins of brainspotting, its connection to EMDR, and how it leverages eye positions to help process trauma. Billie shares valuable insights on how brainspotting works, its application in therapy, and its effectiveness for therapists healing from toxic work environments. This episode is a must-listen for new therapists seeking to learn about innovative practices in therapy. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 01:10 Exploring Brainspotting: An Overview 03:54 The Science Behind Brainspotting 05:23 Brainspotting Techniques and Applications 14:55 Self-Spotting: Brainspotting for Personal Use 21:51 Healing from Toxic Work Environments 37:52 Conclusion and Resources Watch the video podcast: https://youtu.be/KZL8Abx4zAo?si=zakPRSjlJDQ7aMD8 Therapist Thrival Guide is a podcast by Ellie Mental Health. The intention is 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, MSW, LICSW. Each episode features a therapist speaking to their areas of expertise, clinical interests, and personal experiences of being a therapist. This podcast will be covering topics like burn-out, self of therapist, cultural considerations, client retention, session structure, advancing clinical skills, innovations in therapy, and balancing professional relationships with our personal lives. Every now and then, we'll even cover the happenings of how therapists are portrayed in pop culture. ⁠ Miranda Barker,⁠ MSW, LICSW, has been practicing as a therapist for nearly 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 Executive Producer at Ellie Mental Health's in-house creative agency and believes that creativity is an important aspect of mental health care. 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 ⁠⁠⁠#mentalhealth ⁠ABOUT OUR GUEST: Billie Ferguson is a licensed therapist in Oklahoma, and the owner of Ferguson Therapy. With over 10 years of therapy under her belt, Billie uses Brainspotting to help other entrepreneurs, therapists, coaches, and helpers to heal and grow from old beliefs, patterns, and emotional stuck points that are preventing them from building the life they can thrive in.Outside of the therapy room, Billie spends her time with her husband and 2 kids.  From chasing them around tball field or heading off for a weekend of camping, there is always something going on! Check out Billie's upcoming cohort for therapists working to heal from harmful workplaces by taking a peek at her ⁠website⁠ or follow her on ⁠instagram⁠.