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

Navigating Client Crises When Your Own Life Hits Hard Curt and Katie talk about what therapists can do when client crises show up at the exact wrong time—during holidays, illness, personal stress, or overwhelming seasons of life. They explore capacity, boundaries, communication, safety planning, and how to ethically support clients without becoming a 24/7 crisis line. This is a practical, validating look at the realities therapists face when their own lives get complicated. Key Takeaways Therapists can assess capacity and complete a “busyness audit” to stay realistic about bandwidth. Clear communication about availability helps prevent crisis-time misunderstandings. Clients benefit from learning how to reach out with context so you can triage effectively. Safety plans and community resources reduce client over-reliance on the therapist. Therapists can hold boundaries while still supporting clients through crisis moments. Full show notes and transcript are available at mtsgpodcast.com. Join the Modern Therapist Community Linktree: https://linktr.ee/therapyreimagined Modern Therapist’s Survival Guide Creative Credits Voice Over by DW McCann – https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/ Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano – https://groomsymusic.com/

When Crisis Hits Home: How Therapists Can Survive and Support Each Other — An Interview with Jeanine Rousso Curt and Katie chat with Jeanine Rousso, a licensed counselor and supervisor in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina and founder of Therapist Resource Network, about how therapists can care for themselves when natural disasters or crises directly impact them. They discuss why therapists often push past their limits, how to assess capacity and step back ethically, and the importance of financial preparedness and peer support. About Our Guest:Jeanine Rousso is a licensed counselor and supervisor in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. She founded the nonprofit organization Therapist Resource Network to provide emergency financial support, burnout prevention and recovery, and advocacy for mental health professionals. Key Takeaways for Therapists: Therapists often try to maintain pre-crisis workloads after disasters, leading to burnout. It’s essential to check your own capacity before showing up for clients. Build financial documentation and savings as a personal safety net. Disaster recovery requires both individual resilience and systemic advocacy. Full Show Notes: mtsgpodcast.com Join the Modern Therapist Community:Linktree | Patreon | Facebook Group Credits:Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano | Voiceover by DW McCann

Surviving Family Gatherings Without Becoming the Family Therapist: Emotional Boundaries for the Holidays Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy explore how therapists can navigate family gatherings without slipping into the role of “family therapist.” They discuss emotional boundaries, guilt, codependency, and the importance of authenticity during the holiday season. Learn how to recognize old family patterns, manage emotional triggers, and show up as a whole human (not just a clinician) when family dynamics get complicated. Key Takeaways for Therapists: Therapists often revert to caretaker or mediator roles during family gatherings. Emotional boundaries matter as much as physical ones: protect your energy. “JADE” doesn’t go to Thanksgiving: Don’t Justify, Argue, Defend, or Explain. It’s okay to have emotions and step away from unproductive conversations. Clarify your role (family member, not therapist) and engage authentically. Listen to the full episode and access resources:Full show notes at mtsgpodcast.com Join the Modern Therapist Community: Patreon Creative Credits: Voice Over by DW McCann Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano

This discussion dives deep into crafting a sustainable therapy career while reflecting on the challenges of burnout and professional identity. The hosts share insights from past interviews, emphasizing the importance of intentional career design and community support. They explore how burnout can tarnish passion and the need for routine introspection to realign values. The conversation highlights the necessity of planning for a graceful exit, addressing the financial and personal factors that influence therapists' career longevity.

Ofra Obejas, a retired licensed clinical social worker, shares her journey of closing her practice after 20 years due to burnout. She candidly discusses the cumulative stress from administrative tasks and the expectations placed on therapists. Ofra emphasizes that burnout is a mismatch between personal values and job demands, not a personal failure. She challenges common self-care advice and suggests practical steps like managing caseloads and pursuing side work. This conversation serves as a poignant reminder for therapists to honor their limits and prioritize their well-being.

In this engaging discussion, Lynn Grodzki, LCSW, a private practice coach, and Margaret Wehrenberg, PsyD, anxiety expert and author, delve into the complexities of therapist retirement. They introduce the Readiness for Retirement model, outlining four essential stages: pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, and action. The conversation highlights the emotional toll, identity shifts, and ethical considerations therapists face when letting go of their work. Listeners will gain insights into planning effectively and embracing their new roles, while navigating guilt and legacy.

In this engaging conversation, Jonathan Seltzer, CEO of SimplePractice, discusses his mission to empower independent mental health clinicians. He shares insights into the evolution of SimplePractice and its commitment to transparency and clinician trust. Jonathan highlights how AI is designed to enhance therapists' work, not replace them, and explains efforts to improve referral processes and billing workflows. He also addresses concerns about data privacy, assuring listeners that clinician data is never sold or monitored.

Dr. Maelisa McCaffrey, a licensed psychologist and author, dives into the crucial topic of ethical documentation for therapists. She discusses navigating sensitive subjects like gender identity and immigration in today’s politically charged environment. Maelisa emphasizes the importance of informed consent and using clear, sensitive language in notes. She shares strategies for balancing detail with client safety, urging clinicians to review their practices regularly. Listeners gain valuable insights and practical tips to protect their clients and themselves.

How Conscious Awareness Shapes Leadership, Therapy, and Collective Healing: An Interview with Pardis Mahdavi, PhD Curt and Katie chat with Pardis Mahdavi, PhD, about how consciousness and intentional awareness can transform therapy, leadership, and community. Pardis shares how cultivating our “inner state," moving from suffering to a “beautiful state,” impacts how we lead, connect, and heal collectively. She offers practical ways therapists can integrate mindfulness, breath mastery, and curiosity into their work to help clients (and themselves) live with greater awareness and alignment. About Our Guest:Pardis Mahdavi, PhD is an author, educator, and entrepreneur. She has written seven non-fiction books and two edited volumes, including Book of Queens (2023) and Riding (2024). A former university president and global human rights expert, Pardis now leads Entheon Journeys, focusing on consciousness, leadership, and transformation. Her work has been featured in Time, Ms. Magazine, Huffington Post, and the Los Angeles Times. Key Takeaways: Consciousness work deepens mindfulness into an ongoing framework for intentional living and healing. Therapists can help clients identify and shift their inner “state” from suffering toward beauty, calm, and connection. Preventive practices such as meditation, journaling, and breath mastery support long-term wellbeing and resilience. Leadership and therapy are energetic processes: awareness of one’s own state affects how others experience us. Community healing grows when curiosity replaces critique and connection transcends identity barriers. More Info & Full Show Notes:https://mtsgpodcast.com Join the Modern Therapist Community: Linktree: https://linktr.ee/therapyreimagined Creative Credits: Voice Over by DW McCann Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano

The Crisis in College Mental Health: An Interview with Dr. Pardis Mahdavi, PhD Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy talk with Dr. Pardis Mahdavi about the growing mental-health crisis among college students. Pardis shares insights from her years in higher education leadership—revealing how rising costs, outdated systems, and lack of purpose are driving student anxiety and burnout. Together they explore what therapists, universities, and communities can do to realign education with meaning, wellbeing, and real-world readiness. About Our Guest: Dr. Pardis Mahdavi, Ph.D. Pardis Mahdavi is an author, educator, and entrepreneur whose work spans human rights, education policy, and consciousness. A former university president and provost, she is the author of seven nonfiction books including The Book of Queens (Hachette Books, 2023) and Riding (Duke University Press, 2024). She currently leads Entheon Journeys and The Bondery House, fostering connection and expanded awareness. Key Takeaways for Therapists College students face unprecedented levels of anxiety and depression—driven by systemic disconnection, financial stress, and unclear purpose. Higher education often fails to evolve with societal change, leaving students feeling unprepared and unseen. Preventive supports like mindfulness and mentorship should be built into the college experience. Therapists can help students find meaning, manage uncertainty, and advocate for collaborative care across campus systems. Full show notes: mtsgpodcast.com Join the Modern Therapist Community Our Linktree Creative Credits: Voice Over by DW McCann Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano