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

Curt and Katie talk about how difficult it is for therapists to take care of ourselves. We look at why we struggle with the self-care that we teach our clients, including shaming in our field, lack of connection to our shadow-self, and where we seek support.It’s time to reimagine therapy and what it means to be a therapist. To support you as a whole person and a therapist, your hosts, Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy talk about how to approach the role of therapist in the modern age.In this episode we talk about: Why the Giving Tree is a bad role model Road blocks therapists put in their own way Katie’s notion of Sacrificial Helping The wounded healer concept The reasons we do not take care of ourselves How we define our value, especially related to the idea that our value is to help others The harm of valuing productivity over all else The search for meaning – what we do is meaningful to us Volunteering on top of the work we do The idea that you can be impacted by the therapy you do The role that the shadow self plays The strict, externalized parent and oppositionality The shame for not “self-caring” enough or believing in the “right” form or health from our field Burnout’s effect on decision-making The lack of training on how to use the coping strategies on yourself How to make decisions better about self-care as a therapist Opening space for mistakes in our field How relational therapies can be a solution for therapists who are grappling with their own stuff Where to seek support (and where not to seek support) Intention versus reactivity Resources mentioned:We’ve pulled together resources mentioned in this episode and put together some handy-dandy links.The Giving Tree by Shel SilversteinLori Gottlieb, MFTIrvin Yalom, MDTherapy Reimagined 2020 Call for Speakers Relevant Episodes: Self-Care, Self-Compassion, and Self-Awareness for Therapists Vulnerability, Mistakes, and The Imposter Syndrome The Danger of Poor Self-Care for TherapistsCompassion FatigueTherapists in TherapyToxic Work EnvironmentsManaging Vicarious TraumaThe Burnout SystemAddressing the Burnout SystemThe Mental Load of TherapistsAll Kinds of Burned OutImpaired TherapistsTherapist SuicideWhen is it Discrimination? Connect with us!Our Facebook Group – The Modern Therapists Group Get Notified About Therapy Reimagined 2020 (and TR2019 Virtual Conference) Our consultation services:The Fifty-Minute Hour Credits:Voice Over by DW McCann https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano http://www.crystalmangano.com/

Special Episode: Curt and Katie talk about the recent NUHW- Kaiser Permanente Mental Health Worker Strike. Katie interviews a National Union of Healthcare Workers representative, Dr. Kenneth Rogers. We then both reflect on the interview and a statement from Kaiser Permanente, especially related to the implications for the profession as a whole.It’s time to reimagine therapy and what it means to be a therapist. To support you as a whole person and a therapist, your hosts, Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy talk about how to approach the role of therapist in the modern age.In this episode we talk about: The implications of the strike for all mental healthcare workers A statement from Kaiser Permanente An interview with Dr. Kenneth Rogers, shop steward and member of the bargaining team for NUHW The focus of the strike – looking at what the Union is requesting What a shop steward is, how the union works, what the bargaining table looks like The bureaucracy and distance that impacts the bargaining The different perspectives of each side The complexity of the decision making, the strategy of Kaiser Permanente The possibilities that Katie sees related to state-of-the-art mental health services The goal of transforming the model of care The inefficiencies that lead to lower productivity, the focus needed to improve care The positives in the current Kaiser proposal The hope of coming together to work on the future of mental healthcare The lack of parity in how mental healthcare workers are treated versus other professionals in Kaiser, looking at the perceived payment philosophy NUHW goal for the mental health system of care – solely getting to the basic standard of care The lack of trust between Kaiser and NUHW and the complexity of the decision-making Rogers’ reflections on the survival guide tips and the impact of the strike on clinicians and patients, advice for the striking clinicians The impact of Kaiser’s payment philosophy on other workplaces (Curt busting out some economic theory from Richard Thayler) The importance of the union work on wages in other workplaces Parity for mental health professionals and what that means for mental health parity Call to action to stay informed, step up and advocacy  Resources mentioned:We’ve pulled together resources mentioned in this episode and put together some handy-dandy links.National Union of Healthcare Workers: NUHWNUHW Facebook PageKaiser Don’t DenyUnion Representative Dr. Kenneth Rogers bio:Kenneth Rogers, Psy.D. is a psychologist who has worked with the Kaiser Permanente Medical Group for the past 16 years. He has worked at the Fremont, Santa Clara, and Campbell Medical Centers in the past and currently works at the Elk Grove clinic near South Sacramento. He has been a shop steward for NUHW since its inception in 2009 and has been on the NUHW Executive Board since 2015. Dr. Rogers was a member of the 2010-2015 contract bargaining team and he remains a member of the current bargaining committee since July, 2018. Los Angeles Times Article The Kaiser Permanente ACE StudyEconomic Theory: Nobel Prize Winning Economist Richard Thayler – Anomalies: Inter-industry Wage Differentials Relevant Episodes:Modern Therapists Strike Back Connect with us!Our Facebook Group – The Modern Therapists Group Get Notified About Therapy Reimagined 2020 (and TR2019 Virtual Conference) Our consultation services:The Fifty-Minute HourCredits:Voice Over by DW McCann https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano http://www.crystalmangano.com/

Curt and Katie talk about the advocacy efforts to make paying prelicensed individuals a best practice. We talk about a statement recently approved by CAMFT, looking at the process, the implications, and a call to action.In this episode we talk about: A public statement approved at the most recent meeting of California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists The supporting information that suggests that paying prelicensed individuals is a best practice of supervision The importance of a living wage, benefits, and meaningful work Curt’s journey in support of this statement The ability (and the challenge) for each of us in these types of advocacy efforts. The call to action to take this statement to your own professional organization The type of push back to expect and how to address it Laws and best practices versus implementation and accountability Addressing bad actors and the goal of keeping good actors good How a single voice can be silenced, but a movement can make a difference The mission of the #therapymovement to leave our profession better A second call to action for you to stand up and advocate for the necessary changes you see Resources mentioned:We’ve pulled together resources mentioned in this episode and put together some handy-dandy links.California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists The Public Board book from the December CAMFT board meeting (statement on pg. 204-206)References:Abel, J. R., Deitz, R., & Su, Y. (2014) Are recent college graduates finding good jobs? Current Issues in Economics and Finance, 20(1). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2378472Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2014). Trauma Informed Care in Behavioral Health Service: Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series 57. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Rockville, MD.Crain, A. (2016). Understanding the impact of unpaid internships on college student career development and employment outcomes. NACE Journal. Available at https://www.naceweb.org/job-market/internships/exploring-the-implications-of-unpaidinternships/.Eby, L. T., Burk, H., & Maher, C. P. (2010). How serious of a problem is staff turnover in substance abuse treatment? A longitudinal study of actual turnover. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 39, 264–271.Hickman, B. (2014, July 23). What we learned exploring unpaid internships. Retrieved from https://www.propublica.org/article/what-we-learned-investigating-unpaid-internshipsHoge, M. A., Morris, J. A., Daniels, A. S., Stuart, G. W., Huey, L. Y., & Adams, N. (2007). An action plan for behavioral health workforce development. Annapolis Coalition on the Behavioral Health Workforce: Cincinnati, OH.Knudsen, H. K., Johnson, J. A., & Roman, P. M. (2003). Retaining counseling staff at substance abuse treatment centers: Effects of management practices. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 24(2), 129- 135. Relevant Episodes:Defining the Therapy MovementTrauma Informed Work PlaceJoining Your AssociationModern Therapists Strike BackLet’s Get Political Building Hope for the Next Generation of TherapistsThe Fight to Save Psychotherapy Getting Personal to Advocate for Compassion, Understanding, and Social Justice Connect with us!Our Facebook Group – The Modern Therapists Group Get Notified About Therapy Reimagined 2020 (and TR2019 Virtual Conference) Our consultation services:The Fifty-Minute Hour Credits:Voice Over by DW McCann https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano http://www.crystalmangano.com/

An interview with Dr. Laura Louis, CEO of Couch to Podium, on how to move into public speaking as a therapist. We look at best practices, what therapists get wrong, and how to get started.It’s time to reimagine therapy and what it means to be a therapist. We are human beings who can now present ourselves as whole people, with authenticity, purpose, and connection. Especially now, when therapists must develop a personal brand to market their practices.To support you as a whole person and a therapist, your hosts, Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy talk about how to approach the role of therapist in the modern age. Interview with Dr. Laura Louis, CEO of Couch to Podium.Dr. Laura Louis is the founder of the Couch to Podium academy which consists of a Facebook community, Courses Retreats, Seminars and a Mastermind. Dr. Louis teaches therapists and counselors all about the business side of speaking. She was able to book over 40 speaking engagements last year alone AND build a steady stream of speaking engagements.Dr. Louis has conducted over one hundred paid speaking engagements nationally and internationally. She has negotiated travel, and expenses along with $3000 speaking fees. Dr. Louis' clients have launched paid speaking gigs, developed retreats and launched programs.  Dr. Louis has been featured on NBC, has been asked to speak for the American Psychological Association Conference and The National Sales Conference. In this episode we talk about: Laura’s program that teaches therapists how to move from doing therapy to booking paid speaking engagements Speaking as an option to scale your business The importance of you identifying your ideal client and what you teach them – that’s a talk Identifying how to create the talk and who to pitch speaking to Supporting your own dreams by being within a circle that is supportive The benefit of getting unpaid experience in speaking (visibility, becoming comfortable, flowing through your talk, etc.) Toastmasters as a great training ground Building your list while speaking, so you can continue to support your audience after the talk Social proof and understanding the experience – photos and videos – help you book speaking engagements Monetizing your speaking through other offerings, back of room sales, licensing, etc. Speaking to your target market to increase clients Understanding how to assess what you can get out of speaking Mindset changes needed to ask for pay or other benefits from speaking Looking at the whole experience and benefits to determine whether you would like to take a speaking engagement How to find paid speaking engagements The need to adjust language to pitch to decision-making (pain points, solutions, without psycho-jargon) The different types of applications, best practices The differences between putting your own events on versus speaking for other people’s events The ability to make money if you master the details of putting on your own live events The need to understand sales and marketing to move forward with speaking The time investment required when becoming a paid speaker Relevant Resources:We’ve pulled together any resources mentioned in this episode and put together some handy-dandy links:Therapy Reimagined 2020 Call for SpeakersCouch to Podium website Couch to Podium Membership Program Dr. Louis’ Facebook Group: Paid to Speak (Mental Health Speakers Group)Dr. Louis’ Facebook Page: Couch to PodiumDr. Louis’ InstragramDr. Louis’ website: https://www.atlantacoupletherapy.com/Dr. Louis’ training: https://drlouis.clickfunnels.com/booked-to-speak32977293 Relevant Episodes:Clinical MarketingBeyond Selling the CouchOpen to OpportunitySo You Want to Plan a Conference Connect with us:The Modern Therapists Group on Facebook Get Notified About Therapy Reimagined 2020 (and TR2019 Virtual Conference)Credits:Voice Over by DW McCann https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano http://www.crystalmangano.com/

An interview with Kate Campbell, PhD, LMFT, and Katie Lemieux, LMFT from The Private Practice Startup. Curt and Katie talk with Kate and Katie about the differences between marketing and branding, what therapists should consider when developing their personal brand, and common mistakes therapists make. Interview with Kate and Katie from the Private Practice StartupThe Private Practice Startup is co-owned by Kate Campbell, PhD, LMFT and Katie Lemieux, LMFT. They’re two therapists with entrepreneurial spirits who are crazy about business, branding and marketing. They live, work and play in South Florida. They both built their 6-Figure private practices in less than 2 years from the ground up and inspire other ambitious mental health professionals to brand themselves, grow their dream private practices and live into their dream lifestyles. They have a hunger for business, branding and marketing.  They love helping private practitioners work with the clients they love, profit more in business, and create the freedom to truly enjoy a lifestyle business.  Kate is a food and wine aficionado who loves to travel and create new memories with her husband and son. She also loves the beach, pilates, riding horses, concerts, and of course the occasional “retail therapy”.Thanks to Kate, Katie is a wine snob in the making. Katie is an avid pitbull lover and has 2 of her own, she loves travel, new and fun adventures, reading, the ID channel, Halloween, sparkles, taking pictures, random silly things, family time and taking time to just be.  They are the creators of Private Practice Marketing E-Course and Coaching, provide FREE podcasts, and customizable Attorney Approved Private Practice Paperwork for therapists. Visit PrivatePracticeStartup.com for more info!    In this episode we talk about: The shear number of Kate/Katies that Curt had to deal with on the episode. The difference between marketing and branding The importance of marketing in developing a business Relationships, ownership as part of the branding process How to stand out, become distinctive What therapists should consider when developing a brand How your unique selling proposition relates to the development of your branding and marketing How therapists’ goals for their lifestyle and their individual picture impacts ideal client Niche and saying no to the clients who are not in your wheel house The challenge of being a generalist, fear of repelling too many clients Why you need to have a brand that clearly inspires your ideal clients The mistakes therapists often make in branding and connecting with your ideal clients Clear planning, following up, and tracking for your marketing Taking ownership of how you are perceived by your ideal clients How brands evolve, especially as you add businesses, business partners, side hustles, etc. How to become business partners and clarify how you work together The mission, values, and operations ties to the brand How your personal brand can be logistically experienced by the public (aka make sure you keep track of all of your websites)  Relevant Resources:We’ve pulled together any resources mentioned in this episode and put together some handy-dandy links:Kate and Katie’s website = www.privatepracticestartup.com The A to Z Cheatsheet: Essentials for Building and Growing Your Dream Private Practice - https://a-z-cheat-sheet-download.gr8.com/ Donald Miller – Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen Jeff Walker - Launch: An Internet Millionaire's Secret Formula to Sell Almost Anything Online, Build a Business You Love, and Live the Life of Your DreamsRussell BrunsonGary Vaynerchuck  Connect with us:The Modern Therapists Group on Facebook Get Notified About Therapy Reimagined 2020 (and TR2019 Virtual Conference)Credits:Voice Over by DW McCann https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano http://www.crystalmangano.com/

Curt and Katie talk about Person of the Therapist training. We talk about a revolutionary training model that starts with who a therapist is and what will come up for them as a therapist – rather than setting unreasonable expectations of blank, neutral, perfect therapists.          It’s time to reimagine therapy and what it means to be a therapist. To support you as a whole person and a therapist, your hosts, Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy talk about how to approach the role of therapist in the modern age.In this episode we talk about: Person of the Therapist training – addressing the whole person therapist The work of Dr. Harry Aponte at Drexel University Looking at how pulling from your own history can impact how you approach the work in the room The importance of finding your own personal themes and challenges, owning your own story Innovative classes that start graduate programs with personal growth and insight Normalizing reactions and individual differences from the beginning of our education How close the line can be between education and therapy The fallacy that therapists can be blank or neutral The drive toward Evidence Based Practices The depth of supervision that occurs when focusing on the person of the therapist The problem of siloed areas of the field and how bringing it back into the same room The vulnerability required for the depth of this work The ability to increase maturity of the therapist more quickly through this type of work The importance of structure and containment to do this type of work Teaching self-awareness and self-monitoring The power of building supportive community to do work more in the open, to decrease shame and perfectionism Learning how to give respectful, structured, effective feedback – exercising your empathy muscle How building resilience and connection can improve the profession as a whole Increasing distress tolerance and capacity for taking feedback Looking at the benefit of doing this work at all stages in your career  Resources mentioned:We’ve pulled together resources mentioned in this episode and put together some handy-dandy links.Dr. Harry J Aponte Person of the Therapist Training Model by Dr. Harry Aponte Claudio & Watson: Perceived impact of the Person of the Therapist Training model on Drexel University Master of Family Therapy postgraduates’ clinical work Kissil, Carneiro, & Aponte: Beyond duality: The relationship between the personal and the professional selves of the therapist in the Person of the Therapist Training Watson: Doing it right: Branding the Person of the Therapist Training model in Drexel University’s Master of Family Therapy program Aponte & Ingram: Person of the Therapist supervision: Reflections of a therapist and supervisor on empathic-identification and differentiation  Relevant Episodes:Therapists in TherapyImpaired TherapistsThat’s UnethicalTherapist Haters and Trolls Connect with us!Our Facebook Group – The Modern Therapists Group Get Notified About Therapy Reimagined 2020 (and TR2019 Virtual Conference) Our consultation services:The Fifty-Minute Hour Credits:Voice Over by DW McCann https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano http://www.crystalmangano.com/

An interview with Michael Blumberg, LCPC, about mental health care as a basic human right. Curt and Katie talk with Michael about the tension between access and therapist financial stability. We look at ideas to support access while being thoughtful about your own financial needs.It’s time to reimagine therapy and what it means to be a therapist. We are human beings who can now present ourselves as whole people, with authenticity, purpose, and connection. Especially now, when therapists must develop a personal brand to market their practices.To support you as a whole person and a therapist, your hosts, Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy talk about how to approach the role of therapist in the modern age. Interview with Michael Blumberg, LCPCMichael Blumberg is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and group practice owner in the Chicago suburb of Glenview. Michael founded and manages Glenview Counseling Group, a multi-disciplinary psychotherapy group practice, where he treats clients with OCD & complex anxiety and manages the daily operations of the practice. Michael also co-founded a business focused solely on the business aspects of group practice ownership called Group Practice Builders with his friend and colleague Maureen Werrbach. Together they plan and facilitate an annual conference called the Group Practice Owners Summit which draws attendees from across the US and abroad. In this episode we talk about: How Michael defines Mental Health Care as a Human Right The idea that all people, regardless of ability to pay, have the right to be emotionally and psychologically well Pushing back against mental health and wellness as an extravagance The conflict between access and running a private practice The concern that if this is a human right, clinicians might be conscripted into service If large organizations can’t make access available, how can small therapy practices do anything? Ideas for how small therapy practices can make a difference in providing mental health access How to make the choices in how much you make, how you increase access The importance of individuals making these decisions for themselves based on their own needs. Advocacy as another way to increase access and work in prevention The tension between access and time or financial stability for individual clinicians The Starfish Thrower How the education system promotes sacrifice by the therapist Do what YOU can do and be thoughtful about it How to get creative and dismiss preconceived notions of what SHOULD be done The balancing act if you open yourself to the idea that you should personally provide access How these principles fit into the #moderntherapist ideas

Curt and Katie talk about a recent news story related to Dr. Gregory Eells, the Executive Director of the Counseling and Psychological Services at University of Pennsylvania, who died by suicide in September 2019. We talk about how the understanding of risk factors, the changing face of our profession, and calls for self-care are insufficient to address the mental health needs of mental health professionals.          It’s time to reimagine therapy and what it means to be a therapist. To support you as a whole person and a therapist, your hosts, Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy talk about how to approach the role of therapist in the modern age.In this episode we talk about: Therapist death by suicide The life and work of Dr. Gregory Eells The risk factors for therapist suicide: our own mental health concerns, highly challenging our work is, the changing work environments, burnout and isolation. The insufficiency of “self-care” as a solution and what it infers about the mental health professionals who are unable to employ it The systemic issues leading to poor mental health in the professionals University counseling centers – the increasing percentage utilization, a look at how access and services have been affected How new legislation that could improve the situation is still insufficient A call for early intervention, comprehensive services How caseloads are impacted by limiting services to clients with the highest level of need Moral injury in addition to “burnout” Suggested solutions for individuals and for systems The importance of assessing capacity and need What types of things to assess: (culture, demographics, etc.) Getting creative, while assessing true capacity (time, energy, personnel, space, mental/emotional, sustainability of effort)  Resources mentioned:We’ve pulled together resources mentioned in this episode and put together some handy-dandy links. Your Tango Article: Head of UPenn’s Mental Health Services Dies By SuicidePsychologist suicide: Incidence, impact, and suggestions for prevention, intervention, and postventionDr. Eells’ TEDx talk on Resilience Center for Collegiate Mental Health, 2015 Annual Report AUCCCD Survey 2018 Who helps the caregiver? Penn counselor’s suicide highlights how experts aren’t immune from strugglesIt’s Not Burnout, It’s Moral Injury by Dr. Zubin Damania Center for Collegiate Mental Health 2018 – Clinical Load Index Penn Today: A Conversation with new CAPS Director Gregory Eells Relevant Episodes:The Burnout SystemAddressing the Burnout SystemAll Kinds of Burned OutImpaired Therapists Connect with us!Our Facebook Group – The Modern Therapists Group Get Notified About Therapy Reimagined 2020 (and TR2019 Virtual Conference) Our consultation services:The Fifty-Minute HourCredits:Voice Over by DW McCann https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano http://www.crystalmangano.com/

An interview with Dr. Rachna Jain, of Profitable Popularity, talks with Curt and Katie about SEO best practices as well as things to consider when deciding what level of SEO to employ. We also look at how to proactively protect your online reputation and how to repair it.It’s time to reimagine therapy and what it means to be a therapist. We are human beings who can now present ourselves as whole people, with authenticity, purpose, and connection. Especially now, when therapists must develop a personal brand to market their practices.To support you as a whole person and a therapist, your hosts, Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy talk about how to approach the role of therapist in the modern age. Interview with Dr. Rachna JainDr. Rachna Jain is a clinical psychologist and internet marketing expert who helps service professionals attract new clients from the internet. Her company offers website design, search engine optimization, and other marketing support for therapists- whether they want to build a thriving local practice or a bigger, national platform.Rachna has been quoted in more than 500 major media publications, including Fortune Small Business, Entrepreneur Magazine, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, has guested on NPR and other top radio, and has also appeared on NBC's Today Show. The author of five books, she is additionally an avid jewelry artist and digital photographer. Her jewelry and photography have been sold nationally. She can be reached at ProfitablePopularity.com. In this episode we talk about: How Rachna got into SEO The differences that need to be considered in creating an online presence when you’re a therapist versus other service-based businesses The importance of specialization How to decide whether you should do your own SEO The risk of getting a negative review and the importance of knowing what to monitor How SEO has changed, how the internet has changed The difference between organic and paid rankings, the current challenges in getting highly ranked organically Right-sizing your SEO efforts, setting reasonable expectations The reasons to avoid doing SEO when you’re a new business Why to get SEO: capacity, client retention capability, and high enough fee for ROI Things that positively impact ratings on google Pros and Cons of blogging Strategies for reputation management: Own your google results for your name Addressing Yelp (a high authority site) Reputation repair strategies Building profiles at least as place holders to manage reputation Where to invest money on online marketing (and where not to) The problem of the wrong visibility How much time to spend on SEO each week, decision-making on doing SEO or outsourcing When people can shift from looking locally to creating a larger platform (or aim toward thought leadership) What you need to launch a larger platform

Live Podcast: Curt and Katie are live at Therapy Reimagined 2019. We talk about what the #therapymovement aspires to accomplish. We talk about the broken educational system, the need for a livable wage, the ways we can improve our profession, and stronger ways that we can show up for our clients.          It’s time to reimagine therapy and what it means to be a therapist. To support you as a whole person and a therapist, your hosts, Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy talk about how to approach the role of therapist in the modern age.In this episode we talk about: The origin story of the #therapymovement What needs to be changed in our profession The conversations we are having and need to continue having Conversations with #moderntherapists about education and therapist-ways-of-being How continuing education needs to shift to support the actual job The difference between what graduate programs teach and what the work actually looks like What do we do to improve the profession? The importance of a livable wage #postthepay The threat on our scope of practice if we don’t have adequate numbers The need to improve the quality of the therapists that come out of the educational system The importance of getting new voices into the conversation Looking at what therapy has been versus what therapy can be How to step into leadership in this #therapymovement The way to effect change, both in our office and the world The importance of being present to help keep our clients alive Now what?