Alternative Health
**The Modern Therapist’s Survival Guide with Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy**

The Modern Therapist’s Survival Guide: Where Therapists Live, Breathe, and Practice as Human Beings 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 clinicians must develop a personal brand to market their private practices, and are connecting over social media, engaging in social activism, pushing back against mental health stigma, and facing a whole new style of entrepreneurship. To support you as a whole person, a business owner, and a therapist, your hosts, Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy talk about how to approach the role of therapist in the modern age.

Latest Episodes:

Does Your Social Media Make You Look Like a Bad Therapist? May 15, 2023

Show notes

Does Your Social Media Make You Look Like a Bad Therapist?

Curt and Katie chat about therapists putting out advice on social media. We look at how bad this advice can be and when it can even be harmful. We talk about what makes this advice bad and what to do instead.

Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com!

In this podcast episode we talk about therapist influencers giving advice on social media

We look at really bad relationship advice that seems to proliferate on social media by therapist influencers.

Why is the advice oftentimes bad from therapists on social media?

· Micro-validation of what clients are already believing about themselves or their partners

· Lack of context and very specific related to your target client (but seen by all folks)

· Focusing on the people around the person reading the post, rather than the reader themselves

· Single posts that go viral or reach wider audiences may be misconstrued or taken out of context

What is the potential for harm for the therapy profession?

· Bad advice = bad therapist, which can be generalized to all therapists

· Harmful advice can lead to harm in the wider population

· Saying that you’re speaking for all of mental health (when it is actually not grounded in the evidence base)

· It is hard to distill nuanced information in very short timeframes

What should therapists do to improve their social media posts?

· Citing sources rather than standing out as a sole expert

· Grounding self in the evidence base or recognized psychological knowledge

· Talking to clients about what they can do, rather than how to judge the people around them

· Designing the content to be engaging, but also tie back to longer form content that can have more nuance and context

· Each post has to stand alone, with sufficient context

· Identifying questions or considerations for folks to look at (versus definitive statements)

What are the concerns with therapists being too limited with what they share on social media?

· Not providing information that can help folks in abusive relationships

· Coaches and “fake therapists” may be the only people in the space, putting out even worse advice

What are the characteristics of very bad social media advice?

· Rigidity in perspective

· Equating hurt and abuse

· Overusing pop psychology terms like “trauma bond”

· Giving overarching, single tactic coping advice that can be harmful for many folks

· Putting things very definitively, without nuance related

Resources for Modern Therapists mentioned in this Podcast Episode:

We’ve pulled together resources mentioned in this episode and put together some handy-dandy links. Please note that some of the links below may be affiliate links, so if you purchase after clicking below, we may get a little bit of cash in our pockets. We thank you in advance!

Relevant Episodes of MTSG Podcast:

Navigating the Social Media Self-Diagnosis Trend

Has Therapy Become the New Religion

What Can Therapists Say About Celebrities: The ethics of public statements

Stay in Touch with Curt, Katie, and the whole Therapy Reimagined #TherapyMovement:

Patreon

Buy Me A Coffee

Our 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/

Oklahoma Bureaucrats Want Your Mental Health Records May 08, 2023

Show notes

Oklahoma Bureaucrats Want Your Mental Health Records

Curt and Katie chat about some Oklahoma legislation about health information exchange. We talk about what a health information exchange is, the concerns with Oklahoma’s legislation related to health information exchange, and how therapists can advocate effectively (as modern therapists in Oklahoma have done).

Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com!

In this podcast episode we talk about new Oklahoma legislation

We look at “coordinated care” and the problems that could ensue if therapists are required to participate in the health information exchange.

What are health information exchanges?

· A central location for all health providers to chart to help with coordination of care

· Psychotherapy notes are not required to be put into these systems, but diagnosis, treatment dates, and prescriptions seem to be required.

· Patients can opt out of this information being shared, but it will still be stored in these databases

What are the concerns with the new Oklahoma legislation related to health information exchange?

· Oklahoma is now asking to put medical information into a system regardless of whether they are on Medicaid or any other type of service as well as for folks who are paying out of pocket

· The price tag of connecting to this system is high

· The confusion around whether therapists are “medical providers” or not

· Interstate practice can be impacted

What can therapists do to understand and impact legislation?

· Acknowledge that we’re healthcare providers to stay aware of responsibilities

· Watching legislation that is relevant

· Being involved in your professional organization or member benefit organization, so you know that there is someone watching for these types of legislation and prepped for advocacy

· Advocacy and activism within these orgs as well as individual and small group advocacy

· Understanding the concerns related to lack of privacy for clients

· All 50 states have a health information exchange, so all clinicians need to pay attention

· Paying attention from the bill writing process all the way through implementation

· Going to public meetings to provide feedback on implementation

· Donate to your professional association’s Political Action Committees

Resources for Modern Therapists mentioned in this Podcast Episode:

Oklahoma Providers for Privacy

Keeping Oklahomans' Mental Health Records Confidential

Lawmaker says concerns about Oklahoma health information exchange 'unfounded'

State board approves health information exchange rules despite pushback

Relevant Episodes of MTSG Podcast:

What Goes in Your Notes (About Abortion and Gender Affirming Care)?

The January 2022 Surprise of Good Faith Estimates

Is the Counseling Compact Good For Therapists?

Joining Your Association

Let’s Get Political: An interview with Heather Walker Janz, LMFT

Now Modern Therapists Have to Document Every F-ing Thing?

Stay in Touch with Curt, Katie, and the whole Therapy Reimagined #TherapyMovement:

Patreon

Buy Me A Coffee

Our 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/

Making Every Therapy Practice Profitable: An Interview with Julie Herres May 01, 2023

Show notes

Making Every Therapy Practice Profitable: An Interview with Julie Herres

Curt and Katie interview Julie Herres of GreenOak Accounting about her new book, Profit First for Therapists. We explore what profit first is, the unique challenges that therapist face in implementing profit first, the core principles of profit first, mistakes therapists make in implementation, and the benefits of using this bookkeeping model.

Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com!

In this podcast episode, we talk about the profit first method specific to therapy practices

Therapists often struggle with their money, oftentimes forgetting to pull out profit or paying themselves. One accounting system that helps therapists to better manage their money is Profit First. Our friend, Julie Herres, has written a book about this system with specific information for how this accounting system applies to therapists.

What is Profit First?

· Focusing on profit as a given number in your accounting

· You identify the profit you need FIRST to determine what you can spend on your expenses

· An accounting system created by Mike Michalowicz

What are the unique challenges that therapists face in implementing profit first?

· Therapist guilt and emotional processes that get in the way of therapists mastering the money in their businesses

· The stages of change that go into realigning your budget to stabilize your finances in your business and personal life

The core principles of Profit First

· “Use a smaller plate” so you spend less money. You add bank accounts, so each is smaller to divide out your profit, expenses, pay, and taxes.

· “Serve sequentially” – to the different bank accounts

· “Remove temptation” – the idea is that you won’t use money that is in a labeled account for something else.

· “Enforce a rhythm” – moving money consistently, to help see the ebb and flow of money in the business.

Mistakes therapists often make in implementing Profit First

· Not changing spending habits

· Changing too much too quickly

· Not creating separate bank accounts (this is a key to success)

The benefits of using Profit First in your therapy practice

· Understanding where your money is going

· Planning for scaling into a group practice

· Looking at finances in a structured and consistent way

· Understanding the percentages for all the money in the business

· Making sure that you are paying yourself and taking profit in your business

Thoughts about group practices

· The different phases of growth

· The benefits of using a more structured system to weather the emotional challenges of growth in your business

· Reverse engineering your practice to support your life

Resources for Modern Therapists mentioned in this Podcast Episode:

The Book: Profit First for Therapists by Julie Herres

https://www.profitfirstfortherapists.com/mtsg

@Julie.Herres on Instagram

GreenOak Accounting

Facebook Group: Profit First for Therapists

Relevant Episodes of MTSG Podcast:

Don’t Take Tax Advice From Therapists: An interview with Julie Herres

Financial Therapy: An interview with Lindsay Bryan-Podvin

Asking for Money

Stay in Touch with Curt, Katie, and the whole Therapy Reimagined #TherapyMovement:

Patreon

Buy Me A Coffee

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/

What is Our Fascination with Anything Vaguely Neuroscience? Apr 24, 2023

Show notes

What is Our Fascination with Anything Vaguely Neuroscience?

Curt and Katie chat about our profession’s fascination with neuroscience. We explore the myths about the brain, why therapists lean on neuroscience (even when they really shouldn’t), and how “neuro” is misused and can actually be harmful to our clients.

Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com!

In this podcast episode we talk about neuroscience

Curt has started to get frustrated with all of the ways that neuroscience is misused. Curt is frustrated with the ongoing use of “neuro” information that may be myth.

What are the most common neuromyths?

Humans only use 10% of our brains
Left/Right Brain preference
Learning style (i.e., auditory, visual, or kinetic learners)
If you don’t drink enough water, your brain will shrink

Why do therapists often privilege “neuroscience” over everything else?

The fascination with brain scans
The belief that explanations including neuroscience are more effective (even if they are not)
Interest in data and the scientific explanations

The Misuse of “Neuro” to increase the credibility of other concepts

The “neuroscience” of the power of attraction
Overusing neuroscience explanations for interventions that don’t help
The potential for clients to feel incompetent due to trying to access parts of the brain versus understanding the interventions in a basic and complete manner

Resources for Modern Therapists mentioned in this Podcast Episode:

Article: The Seductive Allure of Neuroscience Explanations by Deena Skolnick Weisberg, Frank C. Keil, Joshua Goodstein, Elizabeth Rawson, and Jeremy R. Gray

Article: Dispelling the Myth: Training in Education or Neuroscience Decreases but Does Not Eliminate Beliefs in Neuromyths by Kelly Macdonald, Laura Germine, Alida Anderson, Joanna Christodoulou and Lauren M. McGrath

Article: Brain Images Make Cognitive Research More Believable

Article: Neuroscience and education: myths and messages

Article: Brain images make the article seem more reliable

The manifested article that has not been vetted for scientific accuracy, but I can’t believe I found it: The Neuroscience of The Secret

Stay in Touch with Curt, Katie, and the whole Therapy Reimagined #TherapyMovement:

Patreon

Buy Me A Coffee

Our 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/

Clinical Work with Sex Workers: An Interview with Jamila Dawson, LMFT and Dr. Theo Burnes, PhD Apr 17, 2023

Show notes

Clinical Work with Sex Workers: An Interview with Jamila Dawson, LMFT and Dr. Theo Burnes, PhD

Curt and Katie interview Dr. Theo Burnes and Jamila Dawson on their new book Essential Clinical Care for Sex Workers. We talk about what therapists get wrong when thinking about sex work and sex workers, what common biases therapists hold about sex work, what sex work looks like now, and how clinicians can work effectively with sex workers.

Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com!

In this podcast episode, we talk about sex workers seeking therapy

There are number of client populations that we just don’t talk about in grad school. Sex Workers are an important group that we find continue to face bias and ignorance in the therapy room. We reached out to Theo Burnes and Jamila Dawson to learn more about this often forgotten client population.

What are therapists getting wrong when thinking about sex work and sex workers?

Clinicians often are focused on saving people, which is misguided
We lose opportunities as change agents
Not understanding sex work and the complexity of any job
There is a bias about the relationships between sex and work and what sex is

What are common biases that therapists hold related to sex work?

The bias that there must be trauma if someone chooses to do sex work
The bias that they must hate their job and want to get out of this work
The lack of awareness about immigration’s intersection with sex work
The additional bias related to racism, sexism, and genderism
Anti-erotophobia
Anti-neurodivergence – there are more folks in sex work who are neurodivergent due to the flexibility and other characteristics of the job
Entertainment bias is pervasive with the rescue theme (e.g., Pretty Woman)

What does sex work look like now?

The “Whorearchy” or hierarchy within sex worker communities (outside vs inside, independent or employee, safety level) – for example working independently in the safest environments (i.e., inside, virtually) is seen higher up the whorearchy
Different types of sex work including courtesan/girlfriend experience versus other types that are less heterosexual normative
Understanding the pros and cons of each type of sex work is important for clinicians working with sex workers
The opportunities related to innovation (sex and porn often drive innovation) and creativity

How can a clinician work effectively with sex workers?

Getting curious to fully understand the unique situation for the client
Assessments availability in the book: Essential Clinical Care for Sex Workers
Pay attention to how you talk about sex work as clients will test whether they can talk about their sex work
Sex work may not be the presenting issue, but it is relevant to identify whether they are self-identifying as a sex worker to the therapist
Holding space for clients not disclosing everything at the beginning of therapy
Showing sex positivity and openness to hear about any sensitive topics (sex, drug use, etc.)
Understanding the fears and myths that are floating around (e.g., the myth that therapists will call law enforcement or CPS solely because someone reports being a sex worker)
Being an agent for social change and advocating for systemic change

Stay in Touch with Curt, Katie, and the whole Therapy Reimagined #TherapyMovement:

Patreon

Buy Me A Coffee

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/

Is AI Smart for Your Therapy Practice? The ethics of artificial intelligence in therapy Apr 10, 2023

Show notes

Is AI Smart for Your Therapy Practice? The ethics of artificial intelligence in therapy

Curt and Katie chat about the use of ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence as part of your therapy practice. We look at what uses therapists are considering, the differences between chatbots and search engines, and basic information on how chatbots work. We explore ethical implications for using chatbots within different aspects of a therapist practice. This is a law and ethics continuing education podcourse.

Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com!

In this podcast episode we talk about therapists using ChatGPT in their practices

How are ChatGPT and other chatbots being used by modern therapists?

Writing blog posts and other marketing content
Getting suggestions for writing progress notes
Potentially case consultation and differential diagnosis?

What is the difference between ChatGPT (or other AI chatbots) and Search Engines?

The goals are different – developing human-sounding language versus information retrieval
Primary sources and raw data versus interpretation and an answer that sounds good

What are the legal and ethical uses of ChatGPT?

The user agreement allows all uses of the content developed based on your prompts
There is not a guarantee of unique output between different users which calls into question ownership on content and plagiarism
Citing authorship, publication credits, and whose ideas are being included in your content
Suggestions from ethical bodies on how to cite chatbots
The importance of transparency and accountability

What is the harm in using ChatGPT without transparency on a therapist website?

The impact on pretreatment role expectations and the digital therapeutic alliance
A lack of transparency and potential for misleading prospective clients on your personality and/or expertise
If you don’t check accuracy, especially when you have someone else creating your content, you may actually create outdated information that is heavily influenced by the medical model and potentially biased

What are thoughts about using ChatGPT in clinical work for therapists?

Please use caution when using AI in any clinical work

What are recommendations for modern therapists who would like to use ChatGPT?

Use with caution: check primary sources and completely review
Transparently cite that AI was used, which app was used, how it was used, and the date when information was pulled
Be aware of SEO impacts, lack of branding, whether it adds value, and that the content is accurate and is helpful rather than harmful
Do not input any confidential information
Do not overly rely on the clinical suggestions due to bias and accuracy concerns

Receive Continuing Education for this Episode of the Modern Therapist’s Survival Guide

You can find this full course (including handouts and resources) here: https://learn.moderntherapistcommunity.com/pages/podcourse

Continuing Education Approvals: Continuing Education Information

Resources for Modern Therapists mentioned in this Podcast Episode:

ChatGPT

*The full reference list can be found in the course on our learning platform.

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/

What Therapists Should Know About Code-Switching: An Interview with Dr. Jameta Nicole Barlow Apr 03, 2023

Show notes

What Therapists Should Know About Code-Switching: An Interview with Dr. Jameta Nicole Barlow

Curt and Katie interview Dr. Jameta Nicole Barlow on code-switching. We explore what code-switching is, the mental health impacts of code-switching, and how therapists can support clients who code-switch.

Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com!

In this podcast episode, we talk about code-switching

An important conversation about code-switching for therapists. What do we need to know and what can we do to support people who need to code switch?

What is code-switching?

Shifting how one speaks or behaves to fit into the current situation
Often occurs with people who do not look like you or are culturally different from you
Learning to operate differently in different spaces due to being judged based on appearance, behavior, and language
Choosing which words to use, which has additional layers for multilingual folks
Much deeper than just linguistic shifts
Responding to the potential for violent harm when how you typically show up doesn’t fit the current situation’s prescribed norms
The concept of “professionalism” and who set the standards
Needing to push back on the norms

What are the mental health effects of Code-switching?

Anxiety and depression
Not bringing full self into most spaces
Hesitation, lack of learning and sharing
Chronic health diseases connected to cortisol
Identity concerns, unraveling of identity over time
Fear of being found out or not being accepted
High mental load
Not everyone code switches

Why are people code-switching in professional settings? Or is it still happening?

Shifts in behaviors during the pandemic
Letting go of certain social mores on zoom
Not having to go to work and putting on a professional persona when working remotely

What can mental health professionals due to support clients who code-switch?

There are not enough Black therapists to see all of the Black clients, so therapists of other demographics need to make sure that they are addressing it
Going beyond the client having to explain all of their experience or be a cultural translator
Stay present to the story and clarify later, to allow client to stay in the vulnerability
Being authentic yourself as a therapist, to create space for imperfection
Providing reinforcement for the client showing up authentically, their accomplishments
Getting to IDGAF attitude and testing it out in different spaces

How does Dr. Jameta Barlow push back against the status quo related to code-switching?

Land acknowledgement
Grounding in family and cultural history
Focusing on the history and the experiences of Black women
No code-switching or requirement for being anything but your full self

Resources for Modern Therapists mentioned in this Podcast Episode:

Dr. Barlow’s Website: JametaBarlow.com

Twitter: @allaboutafya

Email: JametaWrites @ gmail.com

Information on the concept of Double Consciousness from W.E.B. Du Bois

Article on PsychCentral: Code-Switching: What it is and What it Costs Us

Stay in Touch with Curt, Katie, and the whole Therapy Reimagined #TherapyMovement:

Patreon

Buy Me A Coffee

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/

Why Is Therapy Taking So Long? The causes and solutions for therapeutic drift Mar 27, 2023

Show notes

Why Is Therapy Taking So Long? The causes and solutions for therapeutic drift

Curt and Katie chat about the tendency for therapists to drift clinically – meaning that they fail to use evidence-based practices that they have been trained to do. We explore the phenomenon of therapeutic drift, contributing factors, ways to mitigate risk, and what therapists can do to address this tendency that leads to poorer therapeutic outcomes. This is a continuing education podcourse.

Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com!

In this podcast episode we explore why therapists stray from using evidence-based practices

In order for therapy to be successful, both the therapist and client need to stay invested in the therapeutic process. We explore the reasons that therapy can stall, how to identify the causes, and how to get back on track toward achieving client goals.

What is therapist drift and why is it bad?

Therapists will fail to use evidence-based treatment even when they have the tools and training
May be seen as pushing back on manualized treatments that do not seem to focus on the relationship sufficiently
Therapeutic drift can happen when the therapist and client are not in agreement or clear on the goals for treatment
Not sticking to the plan for treatment and failing to make progress
Mislabeling of treatment interventions

What factors contribute to therapeutic drift?

Client factors include avoiding talking about treatment goals
Lack of adherent training and understanding of the models
Therapist factors include not identifying optimal treatment methods or structures upon which to build creative intervention
Therapists doing what feels good to them versus what is best for the client
Systemic factors including teaching too many theories without sufficient depth

How can we mitigate the risks of therapeutic drift?

Practice-based evidence
Setting treatment plans and single session agendas
Outcome measures and client feedback
Intentionality versus convenience
Assessing bias and where our negative feelings about EBPs come from
Collaborating with the client
Deliberate practice
Consultation, ongoing supervision

Resources for Modern Therapists mentioned in this Podcast Episode:

Very Bad Therapy Podcast

You can find this full course (including handouts and resources) here: https://learn.moderntherapistcommunity.com/pages/podcourse

Continuing Education Approvals:

When we are airing this podcast episode, we have the following CE approval. Please check back as we add other approval bodies: Continuing Education Information

References mentioned in this continuing education podcast can be found in the course on our learning platform.

Stay in Touch with Curt, Katie, and the whole Therapy Reimagined #TherapyMovement:

Link tree: https://linktr.ee/therapyreimagined

Patreon

Buy Me A Coffee

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/

What Therapists Should Know About Dissociation and Dissociative Disorders: An Interview with Dr. Jamie Marich Mar 20, 2023

Show notes

What Therapists Should Know About Dissociation and Dissociative Disorders: An Interview with Dr. Jamie Marich

Curt and Katie interview Dr. Jamie Marich, author of Dissociation Made Simple, about dissociation and dissociative identities. We talk with Jamie about what therapists often get wrong as well as some basics on what dissociation is and how best to understand and treat it (when it actually needs treating).

Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com!

In this podcast episode, we talk about how therapists can support clients navigating dissociation

A friend of the show, Dr. Jamie Marich, wrote a book Dissociation Made Simple, and we wanted to talk about it!

What are therapists getting wrong when learning about and treating dissociation?

Not believing in dissociative identities or dissociative systems
Fear of and misunderstanding of dissociation
Thinking of dissociation as a dirt word and something to avoid
Believing that dissociation must always be healed (when in fact it could be useful at times)

What is dissociation? What is dissociative identity disorder or dissociative experience?

Exploring different definitions and conceptualizations
It is a lot of different things
Severing/separating from the present moment or from aspects of ourselves
Disaggregation or dividing your self into parts
Purposeful, meeting a need or protection
The shift to thinking about elements of dissociation as adaptive or maladaptive situationally

How can therapists support clients in understanding and managing their own dissociation?

Helping clients to identify what purpose their dissociation is serving
Assessing dissociative profile through an inventory in the book (triggers, how we dissociate, adaptive/maladaptive)
All dissociative behaviors can be assessed as adaptive or maladaptive

How can a therapist assess for dissociative identities or systems?

Language may vary (parts, defenders, team, selves, side, aspect, etc.)
Previous diagnosis or self-diagnosis
Listen for the experience (a “part of me” wants this, a “side of me” wants this)
Speaking in a parts-informed way
Exploring for thinking from different parts of self, potentially even already with names
Dissociative Identities inventories

What are clinical goals with clients who have dissociative experiences and/or identities?

When working with someone with a system, will need to get buy in from all elements of the team for treatment goals
Goals may not align across different parts
The theory that you’re working with a family
Many clients have Chronic PTSD and the focus of treatment may be trauma
The importance of being trauma informed
Grounding, anchoring, or settling into the present moment
The goal is usually NOT integration
Cohesion, communication, or cooperation

How can therapists overcome their fear about dissociation?

Identifying your own dissociation
Overcoming the “us versus them” related to dissociation
Moving away from bias and stereotypes of folks who dissociate

Resources for Modern Therapists mentioned in this Podcast Episode:

Dissociation Made Simple (the book)

Jamie’s website: redefinetherapy.com

Jamie’s social media:

Trauma Therapist Rants on Twitter

Trauma Therapist Rants on TikTok

Stay in Touch with Curt, Katie, and the whole Therapy Reimagined #TherapyMovement:

Patreon

Buy Me A Coffee

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/

Understanding Your Money in Private Practice: An Interview with Jennie Schottmiller Mar 13, 2023

Show notes

Understanding Your Money in Private Practice: An Interview with Jennie Schottmiller

Curt and Katie interview Jennie Schottmiller, LMFT, CPA, about understanding your numbers when starting a private practice. We explore the simple math that can help you create consistent income and decrease your anxiety about running a business.

Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com!

In this podcast episode, we talk about how therapists can handle their private practice finances

We reached out to our friend, Jennie Schottmiller, to talk about the basics of bookkeeping in private practice.

What are the business decisions therapists need to make when starting a private practice?

Bookkeeping platforms
Types of business
How to stabilize their income
What to pay themselves

How do therapists create consistent income?

Understanding the ebb and flow of the business
Identifying how to pay a consistent income every month

What are the fears that many private practice owners have? (And how can they deal with them?)

What do I need to plan for (i.e., rational fears)
What do I need to talk myself of the ledge about (i.e., irrational fears)
The fear of math can keep folks from figuring out how to make the money work
The benefits of starting slow and managing your expenses from the beginning
Creating financial cushions to avoid freaking out

What are best practices for addressing your books in private practice?

How often should you look at your books?
What numbers are you looking at?
When should you hire a bookkeeper?
What should you know about your books before you hire a bookkeeper?
How to design your books to best monitor your unique business
Managing expenses and understanding what you’re paying for
Looking at year over year changes and trends to plan

How can a therapist navigate their neurodivergence and starting a business?

Understanding your capacities and what your challenges are
Creating a plan to get stuff done
Putting systems in place to address your challenges that works for how your brain works

Resources for Modern Therapists mentioned in this Podcast Episode:

Simple Profit website

Simple Profit on Instagram

Simple Profit on Facebook

Free Facebook group: Simple Profit for Mental Health Clinicians

Stay in Touch with Curt, Katie, and the whole Therapy Reimagined #TherapyMovement:

Patreon

Buy Me A Coffee

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/

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

Does Your Social Media Make You Look Like a Bad Therapist?

In this podcast episode we talk about therapist influencers giving advice on social media

Why is the advice oftentimes bad from therapists on social media?

What is the potential for harm for the therapy profession?

What should therapists do to improve their social media posts?

What are the concerns with therapists being too limited with what they share on social media?

What are the characteristics of very bad social media advice?

Resources for Modern Therapists mentioned in this Podcast Episode:

Relevant Episodes of MTSG Podcast:

Stay in Touch with Curt, Katie, and the whole Therapy Reimagined #TherapyMovement:

Modern Therapist’s Survival Guide Creative Credits:

Oklahoma Bureaucrats Want Your Mental Health Records

In this podcast episode we talk about new Oklahoma legislation

What are health information exchanges?

What are the concerns with the new Oklahoma legislation related to health information exchange?

What can therapists do to understand and impact legislation?

Resources for Modern Therapists mentioned in this Podcast Episode:

Relevant Episodes of MTSG Podcast:

Stay in Touch with Curt, Katie, and the whole Therapy Reimagined #TherapyMovement:

Modern Therapist’s Survival Guide Creative Credits:

Making Every Therapy Practice Profitable: An Interview with Julie Herres

In this podcast episode, we talk about the profit first method specific to therapy practices

What is Profit First?

What are the unique challenges that therapists face in implementing profit first?

The core principles of Profit First

Mistakes therapists often make in implementing Profit First

The benefits of using Profit First in your therapy practice

Thoughts about group practices

Resources for Modern Therapists mentioned in this Podcast Episode:

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What is Our Fascination with Anything Vaguely Neuroscience?

In this podcast episode we talk about neuroscience

What are the most common neuromyths?

Why do therapists often privilege “neuroscience” over everything else?

The Misuse of “Neuro” to increase the credibility of other concepts

Resources for Modern Therapists mentioned in this Podcast Episode:

Stay in Touch with Curt, Katie, and the whole Therapy Reimagined #TherapyMovement:

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Clinical Work with Sex Workers: An Interview with Jamila Dawson, LMFT and Dr. Theo Burnes, PhD

In this podcast episode, we talk about sex workers seeking therapy

What are therapists getting wrong when thinking about sex work and sex workers?

What are common biases that therapists hold related to sex work?

What does sex work look like now?

How can a clinician work effectively with sex workers?

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Is AI Smart for Your Therapy Practice? The ethics of artificial intelligence in therapy

In this podcast episode we talk about therapists using ChatGPT in their practices

How are ChatGPT and other chatbots being used by modern therapists?

What is the difference between ChatGPT (or other AI chatbots) and Search Engines?

What are the legal and ethical uses of ChatGPT?

What is the harm in using ChatGPT without transparency on a therapist website?

What are thoughts about using ChatGPT in clinical work for therapists?

What are recommendations for modern therapists who would like to use ChatGPT?

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Continuing Education Approvals: Continuing Education Information

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What Therapists Should Know About Code-Switching: An Interview with Dr. Jameta Nicole Barlow

In this podcast episode, we talk about code-switching

What is code-switching?

What are the mental health effects of Code-switching?

Why are people code-switching in professional settings? Or is it still happening?

What can mental health professionals due to support clients who code-switch?

How does Dr. Jameta Barlow push back against the status quo related to code-switching?

Resources for Modern Therapists mentioned in this Podcast Episode:

Stay in Touch with Curt, Katie, and the whole Therapy Reimagined #TherapyMovement:

Modern Therapist’s Survival Guide Creative Credits:

Why Is Therapy Taking So Long? The causes and solutions for therapeutic drift

In this podcast episode we explore why therapists stray from using evidence-based practices

What is therapist drift and why is it bad?

What factors contribute to therapeutic drift?

How can we mitigate the risks of therapeutic drift?

Resources for Modern Therapists mentioned in this Podcast Episode: