The Practice of Therapy Podcast

Private pay versus insurance is one of the biggest decisions therapists face, and honestly, it's also one of the most misunderstood. In this episode, we're breaking down what therapists often get wrong when thinking about these two models. It's not just about money or convenience. It's about how you want to run your practice, who you want to serve, and where you're willing to spend your time and energy. If you've been going back and forth on whether to take insurance, go private pay, or try a hybrid approach, this conversation will help you think about it in a much clearer way. Resources Mentioned In This Episode Subscribe to YouTube Read the show notes here Watch on YouTube Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free Consulting with Gordon The PsychCraft Network Follow us on Instagram Meet Avivit Fisher Avivit Fisher is a marketing strategist and the founder of REdD Strategy, a boutique consultancy that helps therapists and private practice owners attract private-pay clients through clear positioning, ethical marketing, and sustainable systems. With over a decade of experience in brand strategy and healthcare marketing, she works with clinicians nationwide to build practices that stand out, grow intentionally, and align with their values. The State of Private Pay Therapy Practices REdD Strategy on LinkedIn

What happens when you open the floor and let your audience ask anything? That's exactly what we did in this episode, and the questions did not disappoint. We're diving into the big ones therapists are quietly asking right now. Is AI going to replace us? Are companies like BetterHelp helping or hurting the field? And how do you actually stand out when clients can talk to a chatbot instead of a human? I'm sharing my honest thoughts on where all of this is headed, what most therapists are getting wrong about AI, and why the human connection in therapy still matters more than ever. If you've been feeling unsure, frustrated, or even a little threatened by the changes happening in our industry, this episode will help you step back, rethink the problem, and approach it with clarity instead of fear. Plus, I'm answering real listener questions and giving you practical ways to navigate it all as a practice owner. This is one of those conversations that might challenge how you've been thinking about the future of therapy. Resources Mentioned In This Episode Rethinking Depression | Hidden Brain Podcast Subscribe on YouTube Watch on YouTube Wealth & Worth Within CEO Financial Clarity Corner Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free Consulting with Gordon The PsychCraft Network

Most of us know the feeling. You pick up your phone to check one thing and suddenly twenty minutes have disappeared. For many people, this has become a daily pattern, and it is starting to show up more and more in therapy sessions. In this episode, I sit down with Eli Singer to talk about digital overwhelm and the complicated relationship many of us have with our phones and devices. Eli has spent years working in the digital world, including building one of the early social media agencies in North America. After stepping away from that work, he began focusing on helping people develop healthier relationships with technology. We talk about why so many people feel stuck when it comes to changing their phone habits, and why the issue often has less to do with willpower and more to do with confidence. Eli also shares his Offline Now Matrix, a simple framework that helps people understand where they are in their relationship with technology and what kind of support they might need to make a change. We also get into how these issues show up in therapy, the difference between habit and deeper emotional drivers behind phone use, and why digital overwhelm is becoming an important area for therapists and coaches to pay attention to. If you have clients who struggle with screen time, digital burnout, or feeling constantly tethered to their devices, this conversation will give you a helpful way to start thinking about it. Resources Mentioned In This Episode Wealth & Worth Within CEO Financial Clarity Corner Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free Consulting with Gordon The PsychCraft Network Profit First for Therapists Workbook Meet Eli Singer Eli Singer is a Toronto-based founder, coach, and author focused on digital wellbeing. After years in digital marketing, he built Offline.now to help people and families reduce digital overwhelm without detox extremes. His work centers on a shame-free framework called the Offline.now Matrix and a directory of digital wellness professionals. Website LinkedIn

Marketing can feel uncomfortable for a lot of therapists. Most of us were trained to be neutral, private, and to keep the focus on the client. So when someone tells you that you need to show up on social media or talk about your work publicly, it can feel a little strange. But visibility matters more than ever when it comes to building a private practice. In this episode, I'm joined by Jazzmyn Proctor, a therapist, podcaster, and marketing mentor who helps clinicians show up online in ways that feel authentic and sustainable. Jazzmyn shares how she started building her presence while still in grad school and how social media became a natural way to grow her practice and connect with the right clients. We talk about the tension many therapists feel between being a "blank slate" and being visible online, how to find a marketing style that fits your strengths, and why you do not have to be everywhere to grow your practice. If social media has ever felt intimidating or overwhelming, this conversation will give you a practical and realistic way to think about marketing your work. Resources Mentioned In This Episode Read the show notes here Watch on YouTube Wealth & Worth Within CEO Financial Clarity Corner Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free Consulting with Gordon The PsychCraft Network Meet Jazzmyn Proctor, M.S., LGPC, NCC, CTP Jazzmyn Proctor, M.S., LGPC, NCC, CTP, is a mental health therapist specializing in trauma-informed, attachment-based therapy under the supervision of Dr. Jennifer Kaufman Walker. She earned her master's degree from Hood College. During her time in graduate school, she was actively involved in community initiatives, including serving on the board of directors for Annapolis Pride. Jazzmyn believes strongly in working to create meaningful change both inside and outside of the therapy room. Website Instagram

Couples therapy can be some of the most rewarding work we do as therapists, but it can also be one of the most challenging. Many couples don't reach out for help until things feel like they're falling apart. By the time they sit down in your office, there are often years of resentment, hurt, and miscommunication built up beneath the surface. In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Wyatt Fisher, a psychologist and couples therapist who has spent years refining his approach to helping couples work through those deeper issues. Wyatt shares how his own personal and professional experiences shaped his work with couples and why he eventually moved away from the traditional weekly therapy model. We talk about the power of marriage intensives, how addressing resentments first can change the entire course of therapy, and some of the practical tools he uses to help couples rebuild connection and accountability. Wyatt also shares how he's structured his practice to include intensives, coaching, classes, and conferences to create a more comprehensive model for helping couples. If you work with couples or have ever wondered how to structure therapy so couples can make real progress faster, I think you'll find this conversation really interesting. Resources Mentioned In This Episode Wealth & Worth Within CEO Financial Clarity Corner Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free Consulting with Gordon The PsychCraft Network Meet Dr. Wyatt Fisher Dr. Wyatt Fisher is a licensed psychologist who has specialized in marriage counseling since 2004. He holds a master's and doctorate in clinical psychology and helps couples repair their relationships through practical tools and structured approaches to resolving resentment and rebuilding connection. Dr. Fisher's passion for helping couples began after experiencing his parents' divorce as a child and later navigating significant challenges in his own marriage. Through years of intentional work and healing, he and his wife rebuilt their relationship, which now informs both his personal and professional perspective on marriage. In addition to his private practice, Dr. Fisher hosts the Dr. Wyatt Marriage Podcast, where he shares practical advice and strategies to help couples build stronger, healthier relationships. Website Instagram Facebook

If you've ever thought about offering couples therapy in your private practice but felt intimidated by the complexity of it, you're going to love this conversation. In this episode, I'm joined by Kiana and Andrew Joyner, a married duo who run their practice together and specialize in couples work. Kiana is a licensed therapist, and Andrew is a certified professional coach, and together they bring a really unique dynamic into the therapy room. We talk about what it actually looks like to do couples counseling as a husband and wife team, how they divide roles between therapy and coaching, and why communication is still the number one issue couples bring to the table. They also share how Facebook groups have become one of their biggest referral sources and how they positioned themselves in a niche that still sets them apart. If you're curious about building a couples niche, partnering with your spouse in private practice, or simply refining your approach to couples work, there are a lot of practical takeaways in this one. And if couples therapy feels like a lot to hold on your own, you might just be inspired by what's possible when you do not have to do it alone. Resources Mentioned In This Episode Watch on YouTube Wealth & Worth Within CEO Financial Clarity Corner Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free Consulting with Gordon The PsychCraft Network Meet Kiana Joyner, MSW, LCSW, LICSW & Andrew Joyner, CPC, SHRM-CP Kiana and Andrew Joyner are a therapist–coach duo helping individuals and couples build clarity, communication, and accountability through a culturally aligned blend of therapy, coaching, and lived experience. As Certified Wealth Educators, they also address how financial stress and values-based decision-making impact relationships, guiding clients toward sustainable emotional and relational health. Kiana Joyner, LCSW, is a licensed therapist specializing in grief, trauma, emotional wellness, and relationship dynamics. As a Certified Wealth Educator, she also helps clients navigate the emotional and relational impact of financial stress with clarity, compassion, and accountability. Andrew Joyner is a certified coach and former corporate HR leader specializing in communication, accountability, and conflict resolution. As a Certified Wealth Educator, he helps clients navigate financial conversations and decisions with clarity, structure, and values-based intentions. Website Facebook Instagram

If you've ever thought, "There has to be a way to make money in my private practice besides just seeing more clients," this episode is for you. In this conversation, I'm joined by Jenny Melrose, host of the Practice to Profit podcast, and we dive into what it really looks like to diversify your income as a therapist. We talk about moving from one-to-one work into one-to-many offers, creating resources based on the same questions your clients ask over and over, and building income streams that do not require you to be in the therapy room 40 hours a week. Jenny shares practical ideas like workshops, group programs, retreats, train-the-trainer models, and digital products. We also talk about the importance of growing an email list, using SEO the right way, and how AI can help you create content faster without losing your voice. If you are curious about passive income, scaling your expertise, or simply building a private practice that works for your life instead of running it, you will get a lot out of this one. I'm excited for you to meet Jenny and start thinking differently about what is possible in your practice. Resources Mentioned In This Episode Watch on YouTube Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free Consulting with Gordon The PsychCraft Network Meet Jenny Melrose Jenny Melrose helps entrepreneurs stop spinning their wheels and start building profitable, sustainable businesses. As the host of the Practice to Profit podcast, she teaches business owners how to shift from busy work to strategic action using clear plans, simple metrics, and CEO-level decision making. Her work focuses on turning effort into results, without overwhelm or hustle culture. Website Strategic Growth Plan

Running a private practice usually means you did not set out to become a numbers person. You are trained to help people, not to read profit and loss statements or stress about tax projections. But the reality is this. If you own a practice, you are running a business. In this episode, I sit down with Gretchen Roberts of Red Bike Advisors to talk about the financial side of private practice in a way that feels practical and doable. We unpack how to use your financial reports as a management tool, what healthy profit margins actually look like, and the payroll mistakes that can quietly drain your profit. We also talk about cash flow and why it is what truly keeps the doors open, especially during the ups and downs that come with business ownership. Since we are in tax season, we cover common tax mistakes, why taxes should not be a once-a-year event, and how to avoid those painful surprises at filing time. If you have ever avoided looking at your numbers or felt unsure about what they are telling you, this conversation will help you think more like a business owner. Your practice needs financial clarity to stay sustainable. And you deserve a business that supports you, not one that burns you out. Resources Mentioned In This Episode Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free Consulting with Gordon The PsychCraft Network Profit First for Therapists Workbook Meet Gretchen Roberts I'm Gretchen Roberts, CEO of Red Bike Advisors, a national tax, accounting, and advisory firm serving healthcare practices, dental practices, and scaling service businesses that need a truly strategic financial partner. Since 2009, we've helped hundreds of practice owners, including dentists, medical practice owners, chiropractors, physical therapists, veterinarians, and alternative medicine practitioners, simplify their finances, optimize profitability, reduce tax burdens, and build businesses that generate real and lasting wealth. Our mission is to help practice owners move from financial stress to becoming Financially Retired by Design by building a business that funds your life, freedom, and future. As a business owner myself, I bring an operator's mindset that blends real-world experience with deep expertise in practice finance, tax strategy, profitability optimization, and exit readiness. At Red Bike Advisors, we provide year-round partnership to healthcare practices generating one to fifteen million dollars in revenue. Our services include proactive accounting, strategic tax planning, financial advisory, and tax-focused wealth building that eliminates financial guesswork and supports long-term growth and exit readiness. Website LinkedIn

What if chronic pain isn't a sign that your body is broken—but that your nervous system is trying to protect you? In this episode, Dr. Melissa Tiessen, a clinical psychologist and neuroplastic pain specialist, joins the show to unpack a paradigm-shifting way of understanding chronic pain and persistent physical symptoms. Drawing on neuroscience, trauma-informed therapy, and real-world clinical experience, Melissa explains how pain can exist without tissue damage—and why that realization can actually be good news. You'll learn how neuroplastic pain develops, why symptoms can move, change, or intensify without a clear medical cause, and how fear, emotional suppression, and learned nervous system patterns can keep people stuck in cycles of pain and distress. Melissa also shares her own experience with neuroplastic pain, making this conversation deeply human, accessible, and hopeful. Whether you're a therapist, a practice owner, or someone who's been told "you'll just have to live with it," this episode offers a compassionate and science-backed framework for understanding pain, anxiety, and the body's threat response—and what it really means to get unstuck. Resources Mentioned In This Episode Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free Consulting with Gordon The PsychCraft Network Meet Dr. Melissa Tiessen Dr. Melissa Tiessen is a clinical psychologist in private practice, serving clients virtually throughout Ontario, Canada. Her practice focuses on the treatment of chronic pain and other chronic neuroplastic symptoms. She is passionate about health professional education and well-being, and is also the co-founder of Intentional Therapist, a continuing education initiative designed to support mental health therapists in protecting and reclaiming their own well-being. She co-hosts the podcast Putting You In Your Schedule and can be found on LinkedIn quietly creating a self-care revolution. Learn more about Dr. Tiessen: https://linktr.ee/drmelissatiessen

What if couples therapy isn't about fixing the other person at all? In this episode, Gordon sits down with Erin Valente, a couples therapist based in Los Angeles, to talk about one of the most common mistakes couples make when they come to therapy—and why real change doesn't live with one partner, but in the relationship itself. They explore why couples work can feel intimidating for therapists, how regulation and co-regulation shape meaningful conversations, and what it really takes to help couples move out of blame and into connection. Erin also shares how she's structured her private practice to avoid burnout, including her work with ketamine-assisted therapy, groups, and coaching. Whether you work with couples, are curious about relationship dynamics, or are thinking about new ways to diversify your practice, this episode offers a grounded, thoughtful look at what healing in relationships actually looks like. Resources Mentioned In This Episode Read the show notes here Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free Consulting with Gordon The PsychCraft Network Meet Erin Valente Erin Valente is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in trauma-focused therapy for individuals and couples. With advanced training in EMDR, Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy, and somatic and narrative therapy, Erin helps clients reconnect with their inner voice and move toward healing, growth, and authentic connection. A lifelong student of the human experience, Erin explores the intersections of psychology, emotion, and personal wisdom. She believes that while psychology offers valuable direction, true healing emerges when we integrate our own understanding of who we are and what we need. Her approach centers on helping individuals and couples rediscover alignment, resilience, and self-compassion as they navigate life's inevitable challenges—heartbreak, love, loss, and transformation. Drawing from her background in trauma-informed therapy, domestic violence work, and somatic awareness, Erin creates a deeply resonant therapeutic experience that empowers lasting change. She has been featured on multiple podcasts, hosts her own show, and is launching a group coaching program designed to help individuals and couples cultivate passionate, healthy relationships that support the healing of the human experience. Website Instagram Private Podcast: Healing the Human Experience

In today's episode, I'm excited to introduce you to Tobin Richardson, the founder of a platform called Save the Therapist. When I first learned about what Tobin is building, I knew this was something many of you would want to hear about. Continuing education is a requirement for all of us, but let's be honest. It can be expensive, time-consuming, and sometimes hard to fit into an already full schedule. Tobin saw that problem firsthand and decided to do something about it. He created a platform that offers high-quality, accredited continuing education for therapists that is completely free. In this conversation, Tobin shares his background in counselor education, what led him to start Save the Therapist, and how the platform works. We talk about why the podcast format is such a powerful way to learn, how therapists can earn CE credits without added financial pressure, and why accessibility in education matters now more than ever. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the cost or logistics of earning CE credits, or if you're simply looking for a more practical and user-friendly way to keep learning as a clinician, I think you'll really enjoy this episode. Resources Mentioned In This Episode Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free Consulting with Gordon The PsychCraft Network Profit First for Therapists Workbook Ten Sessions Meet Tobin Richardson, EdD, NCC Tobin Richardson, EdD, NCC, is a counselor educator with a decade of experience building and delivering innovative educational resources to therapists in both community mental health and large VC-backed provider organizations. Since launching in early 2025, his NPR-style CE platform, Save the Therapist, has garnered over 4,000 therapist registrants and more than 7,000 course completions. Website Instagram

There are some conversations you record where you know right away that they're going to land differently. In today's episode, I sit down with Dr. Julie Merriman, a therapist, professor, and longtime advocate for helpers who are quietly burning out. We talk about something that hits close to home for many of us in this profession: what happens when we're really good at helping everyone else, but don't know how to receive ourselves. Julie shares how so many therapists become what she calls "floating heads of competence." We're full of knowledge, skill, and clinical insight, yet deeply disconnected from our bodies, our needs, and our sense of purpose beyond performance. We talk honestly about burnout, compassion fatigue, money, boundaries, nervous system regulation, and why private practice itself isn't what burns us out. Disconnection is. This isn't a conversation about working harder or pushing through. It's about staying human in a profession that asks a lot of us, and learning how to stay in it without losing ourselves. If you've ever felt tired in a way that rest doesn't fix, this episode is for you. Resources Mentioned In This Episode Read the show notes here Watch on YouTube Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free Consulting with Gordon The PsychCraft Network Profit First for Therapists Workbook Meet Dr. Julie Merriman Dr. Julie Merriman is a licensed professional counselor, counselor educator, professor, and author, and the voice behind From Burnout to Freedom—a movement helping high-achieving women in healthcare over 50 heal from burnout and reclaim their freedom. With more than 30 years of experience in clinical practice and counselor education, Dr. Merriman has trained hundreds of emerging therapists, served as an associate dean, department director, and clinical coordinator, and led CACREP accreditation work. Her scholarship and teaching span compassion fatigue, burnout, trauma-informed care, polyvagal theory, spiritual integration, and the lived experience of long-term helpers. After experiencing a profound, career-shaping burnout that ultimately contributed to her breast cancer diagnosis, Dr. Merriman rebuilt her life and work from the inside out. Today, she blends neuroscience, embodiment practices, and decades of clinical wisdom to guide women healers through identity transitions, emotional exhaustion, and the "scorched earth" season that often arrives after 50. Her podcast, From Burnout to Freedom, offers honest conversations and research-backed strategies for women who have spent a lifetime caring for everyone else and are finally ready to reclaim creativity, joy, and purpose. Dr. Merriman brings a relatable, deeply human presence to every interview. She combines academic rigor with ranch-life storytelling, humor, and a fierce commitment to helping helpers heal. Website Instagram YouTube LinkedIn Facebook

If you've ever found yourself thinking, "Why is this client so hard to reach?" or "Why does every conversation turn into a power struggle?" this episode is for you. Today, I'm joined by Dr. Anthony Mazzella, a psychoanalyst who specializes in working with narcissistic dynamics. We go far beyond surface-level conversations about narcissism. This isn't about labels, buzzwords, or quick fixes. It's about what's actually happening underneath the behavior and what truly helps. We talk about why arguing over "reality" never works, why confrontation often backfires, and how curiosity, containment, and staying with the process can completely change the way therapists work with narcissistic clients and how partners survive narcissistic relationships. Whether you're a therapist sitting with these dynamics in the room, a supervisor guiding clinicians through complex cases, or someone trying to understand a relationship that feels confusing and exhausting, this conversation offers a grounded and compassionate framework for understanding narcissism. This is one of those episodes that stays with you, and I'm really glad to share it with you today. Resources Mentioned In This Episode Read the show notes here Watch on YouTube Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free Consulting with Gordon The PsychCraft Network Profit First for Therapists Workbook Meet Dr. Mazzella As a leader and expert in the field, Dr. Mazzella holds various clinical positions, including, but not limited to, treating patients in his private practice, training professionals at two post-graduate training institutes, conducting research, and lecturing across the country. While his focus with his patients is psychodynamic in nature, his main goals are to build a trusting relationship and help each patient reduce the frequency and intensity of their emotionally painful thoughts and suffering. He helps his patients overcome both acute and long-standing problems that may be more embedded in their personality. Website Instagram Podcast Facebook LinkedIn YouTube

As we step into a new year, many of us feel it—that quiet but persistent pressure to do more, fix more, and somehow have everything figured out right now. New goals, new systems, bigger numbers—and for practice owners, that pressure can feel especially heavy and often pretty lonely. In today's episode, I want to invite you to think about January differently—not as a month for pushing harder or becoming more efficient, but as a chance to slow down and get honest about what you can actually hold. Drawing on Barbara Brown Taylor's Home by Another Way and Oliver Burkeman's 4,000 Weeks, we'll talk about burnout, the efficiency trap, and why things don't magically get easier "once we get there." This conversation is about reconnecting with your why, redefining what growth really means, and considering what it might look like to go home by another way this year—one that creates more space, alignment, and sustainability in your practice and your life. Resources Mentioned In This Episode Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free Consulting with Gordon The PsychCraft Network Profit First for Therapists Workbook Home By Another Way Four Thousand Weeks

I am so excited for today's episode because we're diving into one of the most transformative tools in private practice right now: AI. And joining me is someone who has been living at the intersection of mental health, creativity, and digital marketing for nearly two decades—Greg Goodman of Goodman Creatives. Greg isn't a therapist, but his story is rooted deeply in the world of mental health. Inspired by his father's work as a clinician, he built a career helping therapists share their voice, grow their practices, and create meaningful impact through smart, authentic marketing. Today, he runs an international creative agency that exists to support helpers—and now he's leaning all the way into how AI can make marketing more accessible than ever. In our conversation, Greg and I talk about the real, practical ways therapists can use AI to save time, generate powerful copy, create content with confidence, and stand out in a growing field. We also explore the ethical concerns around AI, the importance of keeping our humanity in the process, and how to train AI to actually sound like you. If you've been curious—or even hesitant—about how AI fits into your private practice, this episode is going to open your eyes to what's possible. Greg brings a blend of heart, tech wisdom, and decades of industry experience, and I can't wait for you to learn from him. Resources Mentioned In This Episode Read the show notes here Watch on YouTube Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free Consulting with Gordon The PsychCraft Network Profit First for Therapists Workbook Meet Greg Goodman Greg Goodman is a marketing and web design expert with two decades of experience helping therapists grow thriving practices. With a deep understanding of the mental health industry, Greg specializes in creating authentic, client-centered marketing strategies that resonate with both therapists and the people they serve. His passion for visual storytelling plays a key role in his work, as he believes powerful imagery can make a therapist's message more relatable and emotionally impactful. Driven by a calling to "help the helpers," Greg's dream is to positively impact the mental health of more than 1,000,000 people around the world. As the founder of Goodman Creatives, he combines artistry and strategy through thoughtful web design, empathetic copywriting, ethical AI, and photographic storytelling—helping therapists feel confident, reduce overwhelm, and build practices that thrive long term. Website Facebook Instagram