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

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

Medical Necessity or Personal Growth? Why Documentation Matters in Therapy Curt and Katie talk about medical necessity in therapy documentation – what it is, why it matters, and how therapists can navigate the tension between clinical care, insurance requirements, and personal growth. We explore how documentation protects therapists in utilization reviews and disciplinary processes, and how to ethically distinguish therapy from coaching or self-improvement. Key Takeaways for Therapists Why documenting medical necessity matters for insurance, ethics, and liability Risks of over-diagnosing or misrepresenting symptoms The role of treatment plans and progress notes in demonstrating medical necessity Navigating personal growth requests vs. clinical therapy Protecting yourself with clear, consistent documentation About Our Hosts Curt Widhalm, LMFT – www.curtwidhalm.com Katie Vernoy, LMFT – www.katievernoy.com Find the transcript and additional resources at mtsgpodcast.com. Join the Modern Therapist Community Linktree Modern Therapist’s Survival Guide Creative Credits Voice Over by DW McCann Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano

Beyond Coping: Radical Healing in a World Not Built for Us – An Interview with José Rosario Curt and Katie chat with José Rosario about radical healing, disability, cultural trauma, and intersectionality. José shares his story as a scholar, practitioner, and activist, and how his lived experience as a disabled person of color who is also queer informs both his clinical work and research. He discusses how healing must move beyond coping, the importance of community engagement, and how therapists can better support clients with marginalized identities. About Our Guest: José Rosario Born to young Puerto Rican parents, José Rosario developed Cerebral Palsy as a premature baby. His family's journey towards equity deeply impacted his mental health. Currently nearing his PhD in Clinical Psychology, his research focuses on cultural trauma in intersectional communities. He is an Interdisciplinary Minority Fellow for the American Psychological Association, member of the Congressional Diversity and Equality Advisory Board for Congressman James Langevin, and member of the Rhode Island Attorney General Community Advisory Board. He has been honored with the Chris Martin Humanitarian Award and the Victoria Lederberg Award for Excellence in Psychology. Key Takeaways for Therapists Radical healing means moving beyond coping to systemic change and community-based healing. Disability, race, and queerness intersect in ways that compound stigma and systemic barriers. Community is both a source of hope and a vital element of healing. Therapists must step outside the therapy room and engage genuinely with the communities they serve. For full show notes and transcripts, visit: mtsgpodcast.com Join the Modern Therapist Community Linktree: https://linktr.ee/therapyreimagined Modern Therapist’s Survival Guide Creative Credits Voice Over by DW McCann Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano