Love, Happiness, and Success For Therapists

Therapists in therapy often overthink, overanalyze—and miss their own blind spots. What happens when the helper becomes the client? In this candid conversation, I'm sitting down with Dr. Bill Doherty to explore why therapy for therapists can be uniquely challenging, and how our professional training can actually interfere with intimacy, boundaries, and relational intelligence. If you’ve ever wondered whether therapists need therapy too, the answer is yes, but the experience of being a therapist as a client can be complicated. Therapists are trained to understand emotions, analyze patterns, and help others grow. But when it comes to our own relationships, that same training can create unexpected blind spots. We may overanalyze our partners, confuse psychological insight with vulnerability, or assume we already understand our own story. Dr. Doherty brings decades of experience to this conversation about relational intelligence, boundaries, and the occupational hazards of being a therapist. We talk about why therapists sometimes struggle to see their own role in relationship patterns, how psychological language can accidentally become a weapon in conflict, and why therapists can have higher expectations for intimacy than everyday relationships can realistically sustain. If you’re a therapist, coach, or someone who spends a lot of time helping others grow, this conversation may invite you to reflect on your own patterns, and what it looks like to stay humble, curious, and open to growth. Dr. Bill Doherty is an educator, researcher, couple and family therapist, author, consultant, and community organizer. He is also the co-founder of Braver Angels, a national nonprofit working to reduce political polarization across American society. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Why Therapists Need Therapy Too 02:08 When the Therapist Becomes the Client 11:14 Emotional Intelligence vs. Relational Intelligence 17:29 The Blind Spot: How We Co-Create Relationship Patterns 22:08 Boundaries Over “The Perfect Conversation” 27:42 Why Therapists May Struggle in Their Own Relationships 40:30 When Insight Turns Into a Weapon 46:07 The Mindset That Makes Therapy Work for Therapists If today’s conversation had you reflecting on your own blind spots as a therapist, or reminded you how hard it can be to see ourselves clearly inside our relationships, I’d love to invite you into something special. It’s called the Growth Collective, a professional development community for therapists who want to keep growing personally and professionally. Inside, we have thoughtful conversations about relational intelligence, clinical growth, and the real challenges that come with doing this work. It’s a space where therapists can reflect, learn, and support each other as humans, not just as professionals. xoxo, Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby Growing Self

Have you ever walked out of a session wondering if you talked about yourself a little too much? Therapist self-disclosure can be powerful when it’s brief, intentional, and clearly in service of the client. A thoughtful share can normalize an experience or strengthen rapport. But oversharing in therapy is different. When your stories start taking up too much space, when clients feel responsible for your emotions, or when the focus subtly shifts away from their process, therapy boundaries begin to blur. In this episode of Love, Happiness, and Success for Therapists, I’m revisiting an honest conversation about oversharing in therapy and how it can quietly impact client retention, trust, and even your professional reputation. Therapist self-disclosure is not inherently problematic, but it must always serve the client’s growth — not the therapist’s unmet needs. When boundary drift goes unnoticed, therapy client dropout, strained alliances, and ethical concerns can follow. We’ll walk through real-world examples of how this shows up in practice, from grief disclosures that unintentionally overshadow a client’s pain to subtle validation-seeking that shifts emotional labor onto the client. We’ll explore the difference between empathy and self-centering, and talk about why therapist burnout, isolation, or emotional depletion can sometimes leak into the room without us fully realizing it. Most importantly, we’ll focus on how to protect client-centered care. That means staying grounded in your code of ethics, seeking consultation, monitoring patterns in your practice, and building feedback-informed systems so you know how clients are actually experiencing you. Oversharing in therapy often happens gradually, which is why reflection and structured support matter. As you listen, consider this: Are your disclosures enhancing the work, or competing with it? Episode Breakdown: 00:00 The fine line between self-disclosure and oversharing 04:30 When personal stories overshadow clients 10:15 Subtle boundary drift and validation-seeking 15:40 Client retention and ethical considerations 19:10 Burnout, unmet needs, and emotional leakage 22:00 Best practices for protecting therapy boundaries If this conversation has you reflecting on your own practice, especially around self-disclosure, boundaries, or the subtle impact of burnout, you don’t have to navigate that growth alone. One of the primary ways I support therapists beyond this podcast is through The Growth Collective for Therapists, a professional home for clinicians who want thoughtful consultation, meaningful mentorship, and support building a practice that feels sustainable, ethical, and aligned over the long term. xoxo, Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby Growing Self

Private practice can feel like the ultimate goal — until it becomes financially and ethically overwhelming.⁠ So many therapists dream of starting a private therapy practice for freedom, flexibility, and a higher private practice therapist salary. But what happens when the reality of private practice therapy doesn’t match the expectation? In this episode, I’m breaking down the private practice business fundamentals most therapists were never taught — and why misunderstanding them can quietly turn the dream of starting a private therapy practice into a nightmare. Using a simple “airplane model” framework, I explain what actually keeps a therapy business in the air — and what causes it to crash. If you’ve been wondering how to start a private therapy practice without burning out, under-earning, or compromising your ethics, this conversation is for you. After 20 years as a private practice therapist and founder of Growing Self Counseling & Coaching, I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) that doing great clinical work is only a small fraction of what it takes to run a sustainable private therapy practice. Cash flow, operations, marketing for therapists, sales conversations, and understanding what it truly costs to earn revenue all determine whether you build something stable, or something fragile. And if you’re considering starting a private therapy practice, this episode will help you slow down and think clearly before you leap — so you can build something aligned, informed, and sustainable. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 The Airplane Rule: If You Run Out of Gas, the Business Crashes 03:10 Why Private Practice Feels Like the “Holy Grail” for Therapists 07:40 The Fuel Tank: Cash Flow and Private Practice Therapist Salary Realities 15:25 The Fuselage: Operations, Overhead, and What It Costs to Earn Revenue 23:40 Marketing for Therapists vs. Sales (And Why They’re Not the Same) 34:10 Ethical Risks When Your Practice Isn’t Financially Stable 42:15 Insurance-Based Models vs. Full Fee Private Practice Therapy 52:00 Employment, Supported Group Practice, or Starting a Private Therapy Practice — Choosing Your Path If you’d like more support as you build a sustainable career as a private practice therapist, I’d love to invite you to ⁠The Growth Collective for Therapists ⁠— a professional home where you can receive consultation, community, and guidance around marketing for therapists, business fundamentals, and ethical growth. You don’t have to figure this out alone. xoxo, Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby ⁠Growing Self⁠ Shopify — The all-in-one platform for building and growing your online business. Visit⁠ shopify.com/lhs⁠ to explore their tools and access exclusive listener discounts.

Therapist burnout isn’t a personal failure, it’s often a therapist career planning problem. Let’s fix it. If part of you has been thinking, “Something about this isn’t sustainable,” I want to talk about that. Most of us were trained to be competent clinicians. Very few of us were trained in therapist career planning. We weren’t taught how to build a sustainable therapy career that supports our nervous system, finances, relationships, and long-term wellbeing. And 10 or 15 years in, many therapists quietly start wondering whether this path still fits. In this episode of Love, Happiness, and Success for Therapists, we explore what sustainable therapist career planning actually looks like. We talk about therapist burnout and career change—not as a dramatic exit from the profession, but as an invitation to redesign it. You’ll learn how to think about your career in seasons, how to choose a therapy niche without trapping yourself, and why clarity often comes from experimentation rather than overthinking. We’ll also have an honest conversation about private practice vs agency therapist roles. The “obvious” answer isn’t always the sustainable one. A sustainable therapy career is about more than hourly rate—it’s about structure, lifestyle, emotional bandwidth, and long-term viability. For therapists considering expansion, we’ll discuss coaching certification for therapists, supervision, education, and other multidimensional paths that can make your work feel energizing again—when they’re aligned with who you are. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Therapist Burnout and Therapist Career Planning 10:13 Therapist Career Planning Beyond Traditional Therapy 19:49 How to Choose a Therapy Niche and Align With Your Values 29:49 Private Practice vs Agency Therapist: Identity and Expansion 39:51 Building a Sustainable Therapy Career and Moving Forward If part of you felt seen in this conversation, especially around therapist burnout or wondering what’s next, you don’t have to hold that alone. One of the primary ways I support therapists beyond this podcast is through The Growth Collective for Therapists, a professional home I created for clinicians who want real consultation, meaningful connection, and support building a sustainable therapy career that feels life-giving, not depleting. The Growth Collective brings together licensed therapists who are ready to receive the same level of care they give every day. Inside, you’ll find monthly consultation, clinical supervision, CEU trainings, and practical guidance for building a stable, fulfilling private practice or navigating therapist career planning with clarity and confidence. If you’ve been missing community, feeling isolated in your work, or quietly edging toward therapist burnout, this space was built with you in mind. And if this episode resonated, share it with a colleague who may be quietly asking the same questions. We are all in this together. xoxo, Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby Growing Self

Dating coaching for therapists is becoming a common clinical need, yet most of us were never trained to offer step-by-step support when clients want help with dating. Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby is joined by evidence-based dating coach Tim Molnar to talk about practical, ethical tools therapists can use when helping clients build healthy relationships. Many therapists feel confident helping clients unpack attachment patterns, anxiety, trauma histories, and relational dynamics. But when a client says, “I feel ready to date. Now what do I actually do?” insight alone often isn’t enough. This is where therapists helping clients with dating can start to feel uncertain about scope, competence, and next steps. In this episode of Love, Happiness, and Success for Therapists, Tim brings a behavioral science lens to dating and shares coaching-informed frameworks that help therapists recognize when a client is facing a skills gap rather than a clinical barrier. We talk about how dating clients in therapy can benefit from practical structure, values-aligned action, and clear next steps — without therapy drifting into coaching or crossing ethical lines. We also explore coaching vs therapy, how to thoughtfully build therapist coaching skills, and how to know when referral to evidence-based dating coaching is the most supportive and ethical option. This conversation is especially relevant for therapists navigating questions of therapist scope of practice when dating becomes a primary focus of the work. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Why dating coaching for therapists has become a common clinical challenge 03:03 When insight isn’t enough and clients want practical dating support 08:53 Skills gaps vs clinical issues when dating stalls 16:22 Turning dating goals into specific, actionable steps 19:01 Reducing rejection anxiety with evidence-based tools 29:43 Online dating burnout and the case for real-world strategies 38:59 Coaching vs therapy, scope of practice, and ethical referrals This episode touches a place many therapists recognize, even if we don’t always say it out loud. We’re often expected to hold complexity, offer clarity, and navigate ethical gray areas without much guidance ourselves. If you want more connection, consultation, and support around these kinds of questions, you can learn more at growingself.com/therapists. And if you’re curious about expanding your skill set with clear ethical boundaries, you can also learn more about coaching certification for therapists here. As always, I invite you to notice where you feel confident offering direction, and where you may be defaulting to insight when a client is actually asking for guidance. Getting clearer about that distinction can make a meaningful difference, for your clients and for you. xoxo, Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby Growing Self

What if your client’s self-esteem struggles aren’t about deficits — but about being in the wrong role? Many therapists work with clients who feel chronically discouraged, stuck in career dissatisfaction, or locked into exhausting power struggles with their partners. Often, these clients come in believing something is “wrong” with them — when in reality, they’re operating far outside their natural strengths. In this feed-drop episode, I’m sharing a conversation with Patrick Lencioni, creator of the Working Genius assessment, about a framework that helps clients quickly identify where they shine — and where things will always feel harder, no matter how much effort they apply. This is one of my favorite tools right now for: Supporting clients with low self-esteem Helping couples understand recurring conflict patterns Normalizing frustration without diagnosing it Creating forward momentum in career and life decisions You’ll hear how Working Genius brings clarity to: Why capable people feel incompetent in certain environments How different “genius types” clash in relationships and work How therapists can use this tool to depersonalize conflict and shame If you’re a therapist or counselor looking for a fast, accessible assessment that clients actually get, this episode will give you a new lens you can start using immediately. 🎧 Try it yourself. Patrick was so kind to create a special discount offer exclusively for my listeners.  Visit workinggenius.com and use code LHS for a reduced cost. Feel free to share that access code with your clients too so they don't have to pay full price for this assessment if you want to try it out. Tune in to get all the details about how to use this assessment, the kind of change it creates, and the different types of genius that are often undervalued in our culture. If this sparks ideas for your work, come find me on LinkedIn. I’d love to hear how you’re using it. Xo,  Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby

There's a mismatch of expectations between therapists and their clients. A lot of therapy clients—especially the high-functioning ones—walk into therapy thinking, “Great. I’m hiring someone who can help me make meaningful changes in my real life.” They’re looking for clarity, strategy, momentum, and better outcomes. But many therapists (often without realizing it) meet them through a clinical-treatment lens: we start assessing, conceptualizing, and listening for pathology, assuming the “real work” is deeper healing, insight, or excavation of old pain. And for these clients, that can feel like we’re missing the point. They didn’t come in to be analyzed—they came in to get unstuck. When the process doesn’t match their goals, therapy can quickly start to feel slow, irrelevant, or not worth the investment. The fix isn’t “do therapy better.” It’s recognizing that different clients need different kinds of help—and being willing to broaden how you work. When we expand our toolkit with more directive, skills-based, and coaching-informed interventions (while staying inside ethical boundaries), we can meet these clients where they actually are—and help them create the change they came for. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why clients may disengage when therapy doesn’t work for their stated goals Common mismatches between therapist training and client expectations in therapy How scope of competence impacts therapy outcomes and ethical decision-making The limitations of insight-oriented therapy for non-clinical or highly functional clients Thanks for tuning in to this episode and sharing it with other clinicians in your professional circle who you think might need to hear it. I'll be so interested to hear what you think about this episode. Connect with me on LinkedIn and let's continue the conversation! Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby More free resources to support your Love, Happiness, and Success as a therapist at GrowingSelf.com!

If you don’t have a clear answer to the question, “What kind of therapist am I?”, your work may feel harder than it needs to be. Discovering your niche as a therapist isn’t about branding or boxing yourself in. It’s about professional clarity, clinical confidence, and building a practice that feels focused rather than scattered. Many therapists default to being generalists, especially early in their careers, without realizing how much that diffusion can erode satisfaction, effectiveness, and long-term sustainability. If you’ve ever felt unsure how to describe your work, or noticed that doing a little bit of everything leaves you drained or unfocused, this conversation is for you. In this episode of Love, Happiness, and Success for Therapists, I’m revisiting an essential conversation about why therapy specialization is a core part of ethical professional development, not a marketing trend. I walk through a realistic, thoughtful process for clarifying your niche over time, including self-assessment, gaining experience, pursuing training, and communicating your expertise with intention and integrity. We also talk about how personal values, lived experience, and natural strengths shape professional identity, why niche clarity often evolves across a career, and how coaching psychology can complement therapy for clinicians who are drawn to growth-oriented work. This episode is an invitation to move out of diffusion and into alignment, in a way that supports both you and the clients who rely on your expertise. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Why discovering your niche as a therapist matters 01:50 How therapy specialization supports confidence and career satisfaction 06:25 Step 1: Self-assessment and career clarity as a therapist 10:16 Step 2: Gaining experience before choosing a therapist niche 12:24 Step 3: Training, certification, and therapist credibility 16:56 Step 4: Communicating your therapist niche ethically in private practice 21:32 Ethical considerations for therapists on social media 23:46 Resources and encouragement as your therapist niche evolves If you’re in the middle of figuring out who you are as a therapist and where your work is headed, I want you to know this process takes time, and you don’t have to rush it. One of the primary ways I support therapists beyond this podcast is through The Growth Collective for Therapists, a professional home for clinicians who want thoughtful consultation, meaningful mentorship, and support building a practice that feels sustainable and aligned over the long term. xoxo, Dr. Lisa Marie BobbyGrowing Self

Perinatal mental health is one of the most important clinical issues therapists encounter and one of the most frequently overlooked. When a client is pregnant or newly postpartum, distress is often minimized as “just part of the transition,” even when something more serious is happening beneath the surface. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re asking the right questions, or worried you might be missing something with a pregnant or postpartum client, this episode is for you. In this episode of Love, Happiness, and Success for Therapists, I’m joined by my colleague Catherine Fredrickson, LMFT, a perinatal mental health–certified therapist at Growing Self. Catherine brings both clinical expertise and lived experience to a grounded, practical conversation about how perinatal mental health concerns actually show up in the therapy room. We talk about how to assess for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, how to differentiate between expected hormonal shifts and clinically significant symptoms, and the subtle language cues that can signal deeper distress, including disconnection, self-blame, and feelings of unworthiness as a parent. This conversation is a reminder that perinatal mental health is not a niche specialty but a core clinical competency for therapists working with adults, couples, and families. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Why perinatal mental health is often missed in therapy 06:09 How therapists can get trained in perinatal mental health (PSI and more) 09:12 The “it’s just pregnancy” myth and perinatal mental health statistics 12:21 Perinatal mental health assessment: what therapists should ask and screen for 16:30 Hormonal shifts vs. perinatal mental health disorders 24:55 Supporting perinatal mental health through planning and social support 27:23 Perinatal mental health and couples after baby 34:35 Perinatal mental health in military families and solo parenting If you’ve been feeling isolated in your work, or quietly wondering how long you can keep doing this on your own, I want you to know you’re not alone. One of the primary ways I support therapists beyond this podcast is through The Growth Collective for Therapists, a professional home I created for clinicians who want real consultation, meaningful connection, and support building a practice that feels sustainable and life-giving, not depleting. The Growth Collective brings together licensed therapists who are ready to receive the same level of care they give every day through monthly consultation, clinical supervision, CEU trainings, and practical guidance for building a stable, fulfilling private practice. If you’ve been missing community, feeling isolated in your work, or edging toward burnout, this space was built with you in mind. xoxo, Dr. Lisa Marie BobbyGrowing Self

If you’re a therapist who uses acceptance commitment therapy with clients but quietly struggles to apply those same principles to your own life or practice, this conversation is for you. Acceptance commitment therapy offers powerful tools for values-based living, psychological flexibility, and sustainable change, yet many therapists find it surprisingly hard to turn that wisdom inward. In this episode of Love, Happiness, and Success for Therapists, I’m joined by clinical psychologist Dr. Diana Hill, a world-recognized expert in acceptance commitment therapy, to talk about why therapists so often mismanage their energy, undervalue their own genius, and stay stuck in versions of their work that no longer fit. We explore how ACT principles can help therapists evolve without burning out, abandoning the profession, or losing what makes this work meaningful. Diana shares how stories about who we’re “supposed” to be as therapists can quietly limit growth, why flexibility with identity matters just as much as flexibility with thoughts, and how the future of therapy will increasingly reward depth, attunement, and humanity over rigid protocols. We also talk candidly about career evolution, second chapters, and what it looks like to build a practice that supports your life rather than consumes it. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Why therapists struggle to follow their own advice and how acceptance commitment therapy helps 03:24 The “leftovers” problem: energy depletion, burnout, and clients sensing it 05:15 Getting flexible with the stories that keep you stuck in one version of your career 07:30 Therapist genius, identity, and why this matters in a changing field 11:48 What can’t be replaced: attunement, challenge, and real change moments 22:47 Wings clipped vs. wings weighed down: overcommitting and the “buffet” trap 28:03 Process-based therapy and moving beyond manuals 35:09 The two common therapist traps: “shoulds” and undervaluing your work 39:09 Why therapists leave the profession and what actually supports sustainability If you’re feeling pulled toward a second chapter in your work as a therapist, or simply craving more support, clarity, and room to breathe, I want you to know you don’t have to figure this out alone. One of the primary ways I support therapists who want to stay engaged, energized, and genuinely fulfilled in this profession is through The Growth Collective for Therapists. It’s a professional home I created for therapists who want real consultation, thoughtful mentorship, and community with people who truly understand the weight and responsibility of this work. It offers the support of a high-quality group practice without giving up your independence, values, or financial autonomy, so you can build a career that feels sustainable and alive over the long haul. And if you’d like to stay connected, come find me on LinkedIn. I truly enjoy hearing what this work brings up for you and where you’re feeling ready to grow next. xoxo, Dr. Lisa Marie BobbyGrowing Self

If you’ve ever noticed this work starting to feel heavier, flatter, or more draining than it used to, this is for you. “Why therapists need to grow too” is a question many clinicians never stop to ask, even though the answer is often at the heart of burnout, boredom, and long-term career dissatisfaction. When growth slows, even deeply meaningful work can begin to feel exhausting. This week on Love, Happiness, and Success For Therapists, I’m revisiting an essential conversation about why intentional personal and professional growth is critical for a sustainable, satisfying career as a therapist. Over the years, I’ve seen how easy it is for growth to quietly stall once you’re licensed and established, even for deeply committed clinicians. Self-care matters, but it isn’t enough on its own. What truly restores energy and engagement over time is learning, stretching, being challenged, and continuing to develop both clinically and personally. I share what I’ve seen over decades of practice about how stagnation shows up for therapists, how it affects our clients, and why checking the continuing education box is not the same as pursuing growth that is genuinely life-giving. We explore mentorship, consultation, self-of-the-therapist work, and new learning as powerful ways to reconnect with curiosity, confidence, and purpose in your work. We also talk about how growth looks different for different therapists. For some, that means new clinical modalities or specialization. For others, it may involve coaching psychology, research, leadership, or deeper self-reflection with trusted mentors. There is no single right path, but there is a shared responsibility to keep evolving alongside the clients who place their trust in us. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Why Therapists Need to Grow Too 02:23 Growth, Energy, and Long-Term Career Satisfaction 04:49 What Happens When Therapists Stop Learning 07:07 Why Therapist Growth Matters for Clients 09:27 Mentorship, Feedback, and Finding New Professional Energy 16:37 Self-of-the-Therapist Work and Sustainable Practice 19:01 Growth as a Powerful Protection Against Burnout As you’re thinking about your own growth as a therapist, I want you to know this work was never meant to be done alone. One of the most meaningful ways I support clinicians who want to stay engaged, energized, and genuinely fulfilled over the long haul is through The Growth Collective for Therapists. It’s a professional home I created for therapists who want real consultation, thoughtful mentorship, and a community that understands the weight and responsibility of this work. If you’re ready to invest in your own growth with the same care you bring to your clients, I’d love to share this space with you. And if you’d like to stay connected, come find me on LinkedIn! I truly enjoy hearing what this work brings up for you and where you’re feeling ready to grow next. xoxo, Dr. Lisa Marie BobbyGrowing Self

Clinical hypnosis may be the closest thing we have to an “easy button” for helping clients follow through on the changes they want to make. This time of year, therapists and coaches see a surge of motivated clients. They're setting big goals for the new year, dreaming about who they want to become, and walking into sessions full of intention. But what happens next is all too familiar: action stalls, patterns repeat, and clients feel stuck between what they want to do and what they actually do. In this episode, I'm sitting down with Dr. David Spiegel, Stanford professor, past president of the American College of Psychiatrists, and author of over 400 peer-reviewed studies on clinical hypnosis. We’re exploring a powerful, research-backed tool that bridges the gap between intention and action and helps clients create real change. We talk about the science of clinical hypnosis and how it can shift thought patterns, physiological responses, and entrenched behaviors, why it works when insight alone doesn’t, and how technology is making it accessible to everyone. Dr. Spiegel also guides me (and you) through a live mini-session so you can feel what this approach is like yourself. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Why Therapists Should Be Using Clinical Hypnosis 03:12 What Clinical Hypnosis Is and How It Works 07:26 How Hypnosis Changes Thoughts, Feelings, and Behavior 11:16 Hypnotizability: Who Benefits Most From Hypnosis 16:47 Why Hypnosis Fails and What Makes It Effective 23:58 Hypnosis vs Meditation for Behavior Change 27:47 Rapid Results With Self-Hypnosis Techniques 31:53 Inside the Reveri App and Scalable Clinical Hypnosis 34:19 The Neuroscience Behind Hypnosis and Mind-Body Change 39:09 Evidence for Hypnosis in Anxiety, Pain, and Medical Care 49:01 Guided Self-Hypnosis Session for Reducing Phone Use 57:50 Dr. Lisa’s Results Using Reveri for Better Sleep 59:55 Free CEU Training on Clinical Hypnosis for Therapists Dr. Spiegel’s work reframes hypnosis from a fringe intervention to an accessible, evidence-based technique that can help clients reduce anxiety, sleep better, and finally take the action they’re ready for. And the best news? Dr. David Spiegel is joining us for a free, 1-hour CEU-accredited training on clinical hypnosis on January 9th at 10am MT, exclusively for therapists. Dr. Spiegel has been teaching this to medical students and psychiatrists at Stanford for 40 years, he’s presented on this topic at the World Economic Forum in Davos, and he’s now making his time available for YOU. You’ll walk away with: A solid understanding of how clinical hypnosis supports neuroplasticity and mind-body connection The clinically proven uses of hypnosis for stress relief, pain management, addiction, sleep challenges, performance anxiety, and habit change Why clinical hypnosis works when other approaches don’t How technology is making hypnosis more accessible than ever 🔗 Register for the free clinical hypnosis CEU: https://courses.growingself.com/ceu-trainings-for-therapists Whether your clients want to reduce stress, change habits, or step into a new version of themselves in the new year, this is a training you won’t want to miss. Let’s learn from the best. I’ll see you there! xoxo, Dr. Lisa Marie BobbyGrowing Self

If you’re a therapist who’s quietly thinking, “I cannot do 30 more years of back-to-back sessions… but I don’t know what else is possible,” you are so not alone. Also, you have tons of transferable skills and deep knowledge that could be deployed to help not just individuals, but organizations flourish and thrive. Most therapists are never exposed to organizational consulting or executive coaching. However, this can be a really exciting and lucrative career path for professional therapists. In fact, becoming an organizational consultant or executive coach is one path that opens far more doors than most clinicians realize. If this idea just lit something up inside of you, I am so glad that you are here for today's episode of Love, Happiness, and Success for Therapists. I’m talking with psychologist and trusted leadership advisor Dr. Shannon Sheehan Jennings (Dr. J), a PsyD in Business Psychology who supports mid-market CEOs with the “sticky human stuff” behind growth and change: hard conversations, power dynamics, trust ruptures, and decisions that actually stick. Dr. Shannon walks us through her own pivot from therapist to organizational consultant, what executive coaching really looks like in the wild (small businesses vs. big corporate settings), and the specific business concepts you’ll want to learn so you can take your existing clinical skills into boardrooms, leadership teams, and workplace systems with confidence and integrity as an organizational consultant or executive coach. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Why Work Systems “Suck” (and Why Therapists Are Needed in Organizations) 01:48 Dr. Shannon’s Journey from Therapist to Organizational Consultant 08:20 How Therapists Help Leaders, Teams, and Workplace Systems 16:20 First Steps for Therapists Becoming Organizational Consultants and Executive Coaches 20:10 What Executive Coaching Really Involves in Small Business vs Corporate Settings 30:36 Coaching vs Therapy, Ethics, and Staying Within Your Scope 46:20 Community, Networking, and Next-Step Resources for Therapists Pivoting Careers We also talk honestly about coaching vs. therapy, scope of practice, and how to protect both yourself and the public in a largely unregulated coaching and organizational consulting landscape, while still giving yourself permission to grow past the therapy room and into the kind of work that lights you up. If you’re craving more support as you sort out your next professional chapter, including a possible move into work as an organizational consultant or executive coach, I’d love to invite you to The Growth Collective for Therapists - a space I created so you don’t have to do this work in isolation anymore. It’s a genuine professional home for therapists who want real consultation, real community, and guidance for building a career that feels sustainable and alive. And if you’d like to stay connected, come find me on LinkedIn! I truly enjoy hearing your thoughts, questions, and ideas about how we as therapists can step into leadership, coaching, and organizational life in a bigger way. xoxo, Dr. Lisa Marie BobbyGrowing Self

Holidays can bring up a lot - gratitude, tenderness, loneliness, longing. It’s a season that puts belonging under a spotlight. That’s why this felt like the right time to bring back this conversation about A Home Within and the impact of being one steady, caring adult in the life of a young person who hasn’t had that before. Many young people in foster care grow up without one consistent adult who stays. In this conversation, Candice Simonds, Chief Program Officer at A Home Within, shares how their model changes that by pairing youth with therapists who can remain a steady presence without insurance limits or agency cutoffs. We talk about how A Home Within began, what repeated loss does to young people, and why one long-term, caring relationship can shift a life. Candice also shares how the organization supports therapists through consultation groups, CEUs, and community so no one is holding this work alone. Their long-term research is hopeful: less anxiety and depression, more stability, more possibility. We also name the hard reality that without support, many former foster youth end up unhoused or involved in the justice system. Through it all, Candice points out the resilience she sees in her clients and why this work continues to matter so deeply. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 A Home Within and Its Mission 02:32 How A Home Within Began and Why the Mission Matters 09:37 Dr. Lisa’s Experience Supporting a Young Adult Aging Out of Foster Care 13:51 How A Home Within Supports Therapists Through Community and Consultation 21:03 Long-Term Outcomes for Foster Youth With Consistent Therapy 38:42 How Therapists Can Get Involved With A Home Within Conversations like this always remind me how much heart therapists bring to their work and how much we hold behind the scenes. Being that steady person for someone else is sacred work, but it can also feel incredibly lonely when you don’t have your own circle of support. That’s why I created The Growth Collective for Therapists. It’s a place where you don’t have to be the strong one all the time. A place to think through hard cases with people who truly get it, to feel grounded again, and to have colleagues who care about you as a whole person, not just as a clinician. If you’ve been craving that kind of connection and steadiness in your own professional life, I’d love to welcome you in.  And if you want to stay connected in a simpler way, come find me on LinkedIn! I love hearing from fellow therapists who believe in relational, heart-forward work. xoxo, Dr. Lisa Marie BobbyGrowing Self

How can psychedelic-assisted therapy create deep, lasting transformation where conventional treatments only manage symptoms? Psychiatrist and integrative medicine pioneer Dr. Scott Shannon joins me to talk about how this emerging field is reshaping what’s possible for healing, not just for our clients, but for the future of mental health care itself. Dr. Shannon shares his decades of work exploring MDMA, psilocybin, and other psychedelic medicines as catalysts for safety, openness, and profound personal growth. We talk about how these experiences can unlock trauma healing, relational breakthroughs, and spiritual integration in ways that expand beyond traditional talk therapy. We also get into the ethics, boundaries, the training this work requires, and what it means for therapists who feel called to be part of this next frontier in care. Dr. Shannon is a psychiatrist, author, and founder of Wholeness Center, the largest integrative mental health clinic in the U.S., and a leader in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy research and education. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 From SSRIs to MDMA Therapy: A Different Model of Care 07:36 MDMA for Couples: Safety, Openness, Breakthroughs 12:25 PTSD Protocol: Prep, Medicine Sessions, Integration, Childhood Trauma 13:33 Psychedelic Treatment Framework: Container, Catalyst, Carrier 20:07 Paths and Policy: Legalization, Medicalization, FDA Outlook 24:55 Ethics and Safety in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy 39:53 Mystical Experience and Long-Term Outcomes 46:24 Training and Career Paths: How to Become a Psychedelic-Assisted Therapist Conversations like this remind me how much our field is growing and how important it is that we grow right along with it, in integrity and community. If you’ve been craving that kind of connection and support in your own work, come join me in The Growth Collective for Therapists! It’s a space where therapists can show up as real people to talk honestly about the work, get meaningful consultation, and be part of a community that understands what it takes to do this job well and stay well. And if you want to keep this conversation going, find me on LinkedIn. I’d love to hear what stood out to you from this episode and what’s inspiring your own path forward right now. xoxo, Dr. Lisa Marie BobbyGrowing Self

Therapists hold the power to transform not only individual lives but the systems that shape mental health care itself. In this episode, I’m joined by Gino Titus-Luciano, a licensed mental health counselor, nationally certified counselor, and the CEO of Kokua Mental Health & Wellness Group. As president of the Hawaii Counselors Association, Gino has spent years advocating for systemic change in mental health, and he brings so much insight into what that actually looks like - from expanding telehealth access to supporting the next generation of therapists. We talk about how systemic issues in mental health (like underfunded internships, rigid policies, and burnout) affect both clients and clinicians, and how meaningful advocacy starts with us. Gino shares examples of how small policy shifts can open big doors for access and equity, and how we can all engage in systemic advocacy in our own ways: through community, policy, education, and mentorship. We also explore how supervision, consultation, and community keep us grounded and ethical in this work. And if you’ve been feeling the weight of isolation in private practice, I think this one will really speak to you. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Why a Systemic Lens in Therapy Matters 03:03 When Systems Fail Clients: Beyond Symptom Management 07:09 Policy Win: Expanding Telehealth Access in Hawaii 11:21 Internship & Workforce Reform: Funding, Training, Shortage 15:15 Burnout and Exploitation: Fixing Systemic Issues in Mental Health 21:49 How Therapists Engage in Systemic Advocacy (Orgs, Policy, Culture) 36:18 Supervision That Prevents Burnout: Separate Self vs. Clinician 48:03 Get Involved: Hawaii Counseling Association Trainings & Advocacy 53:00 Join the Growth Collective for Therapists I’d love to invite you to join The Growth Collective For Therapists - a space I created so you don’t have to do this work in isolation anymore. You’ll find a genuine professional home where therapists can show up as real people, not just clinicians. It’s a place for deep consultation, honest connection, and meaningful continuing education that supports your growth in every sense - personally, professionally, and emotionally. If you’ve ever wished for a trusted circle of colleagues to lean on, to talk through hard cases, to celebrate wins, or to simply remind you that you’re not alone in this work, this is that space. The Growth Collective was designed to care for you the way you care for others - with warmth, integrity, and community. And if you’d like to stay connected, come find me on LinkedIn. I love hearing your thoughts, reflections, and ideas about how we can all be part of systemic change in our field. xoxo, Dr. Lisa Marie BobbyGrowing Self

Your client’s mood might be shaped as much by their gut and their screen as by their thoughts. We talk so much about emotions, attachment, and insight in therapy - but what if physiology and media are quietly steering the wheel? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Tatyana El-Kour, a psychologist and registered dietitian who studies how media and technology shape our everyday choices. Together, we’re unpacking how the gut-brain axis and digital exposure affect mental health, and why understanding these forces matters for our work as therapists. Dr. Tatyana shares her “Three Ps” framework (plate, physiology, and platform), a simple, science-backed way to think about how nutrition, stress, and media interact to influence mood and behavior. We explore how inflammation, poor sleep, and doomscrolling can drive anxiety and irritability, and how even small “circuit breakers” like more fiber, deep breathing, or curating your digital feed can help restore balance. This is an invitation to expand your clinical lens - to look beyond the purely psychological and consider the full system your clients live in: body, brain, and the world around them. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Why Therapists Must Look Beyond Psychology 01:40 The Gut–Brain Axis Explained for Therapists 05:40 The “Three Ps” Framework: Plate, Physiology, and Platform 08:20 How Therapists Can Expand Client Assessments 16:20 Simple Circuit Breakers for the Gut–Brain Loop 21:10 Digital Diets and Algorithmic Hygiene 27:10 The Future of Gut–Brain Research in Mental Health I’d love to keep learning together. You can explore our free CEU trainings library to watch on-demand trainings and sign up for upcoming live webinars. These are my way of supporting you in deepening your work, while also earning CEUs that actually feel meaningful. And if you’d like to stay connected and get updates when new free CEU trainings for therapists are released, come join my For Therapists newsletter. I’ll share resources, reflections, and real conversations about what it means to grow in this field, personally and professionally. Connect with me on LinkedIn - it’s one of my favorite spaces to connect with colleagues, share reflections, and hear what’s inspiring you lately. And if something from this episode is staying with you, I’d love to hear about it. Let’s talk - tell me what came up for you, what questions you’re sitting with, or what you’d love for me to explore in a future episode.  This podcast is for us, and your voice always matters here. xoxo, Dr. Lisa Marie BobbyGrowing Self

This episode originally aired on May 21, 2025 (Episode 67), and I’m bringing it back because it changes the way we treat our clients’ mental health diagnoses. Metabolic psychiatry invites us to look beyond the mind - to the brain, the body, and the biological energy systems that make healing possible. I’m joined by Nicole Laurent, a licensed mental health counselor, founder of the Brain Fog Recovery Program, and a leading voice in metabolic psychiatry, to explore how chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, and mitochondrial dysfunction may be driving the mental health symptoms we’ve been trying to treat with insight and coping skills alone. Nicole breaks down what a medical ketogenic diet can do that medications can’t, and why more clients with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and even schizophrenia are experiencing full psychiatric recovery when metabolic interventions are part of a coordinated treatment plan. We also talk about her personal recovery journey, what therapists need to know before discussing ketogenic interventions, and how to practice ethically and within scope when clients bring this into the therapy room. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 What Full Psychiatric Recovery Really Looks Like 02:55 Understanding Metabolic Psychiatry: A Clinical Overview 11:20 How Metabolic Dysfunction Drives Mental Health Symptoms 15:43 What Ketogenic Diets Do That Medications Can’t 22:42 Nicole’s Personal Story of Cognitive Recovery 27:07 Real-Life Transformations: From Surviving to Thriving 31:10 Scope of Practice, Ethics, and Building Treatment Teams 43:12 GLP-1 Medications vs. Ketogenic Intervention 46:41 What Makes a Medical Ketogenic Diet Different 50:50 How Nicole’s Nonprofit Expands Access to Care If this topic made you rethink how you understand “treatment resistance,” you’ll want to stay in touch because Nicole is joining me for a free CEU webinar on Metabolic Psychiatry this November. We’ll dig deeper into the science, the ethics, and how to start thinking metabolically in your own clinical practice. It’s one of the most important conversations we can be having right now, and I’d love for you to be part of it! If we’re not already connected on LinkedIn, let’s fix that! I share new opportunities, therapist reflections, and honest behind-the-scenes thoughts on the work we do. I’d also love to stay in touch and hear how these ideas are landing for you. What did it bring up for you? Are you starting to see your clients, or even yourself, through a new lens? Share your reflections with me - let’s talk! xoxo, Dr. Lisa Marie BobbyGrowing Self

Are you a therapist struggling to figure out how to run a business? Valid! Most of us became therapists to help people, not to run a business. But, ironically, close to 50% of therapists are doing exactly that. If you’re in private practice without an entrepreneurial mindset, it’s easy to get overwhelmed, overworked, and wonder if this was a terrible idea. Help is here: We’re getting advice from a business legend, and you’re going to love her perspective. In this episode, I’m talking with Melissa Bernstein, the creative force behind Melissa & Doug and now founder of the wellness brand Lifelines, about what it really takes to build a private practice that’s not just sustainable, but joyful and aligned with who you are. We talk about offloading the parts of your business that drain you (yes, even if you’re just starting out), how to build a team as a solo practitioner, and the mindset shift that helps therapists stop trying to be everything to everyone. Melissa also shares her own mental health journey and how it led her to create sensory-based tools that help regulate the nervous system and how therapists are using them to support their clients and expand their practices. This conversation is full of heart, hope, and wisdom for any therapist who’s ready to rethink how they work. If you’ve been feeling stuck or secretly burned out, I hope this episode cracks open a new path for you! Episode Breakdown: 00:00 The Hidden Challenges of Private Practice 05:18 Melissa Bernstein’s Journey to Purpose-Driven Entrepreneurship 08:33 Why Therapists Burn Out in Private Practice 10:30 Building a Support Team (Even If You're Solo) 17:20 Regulating the Nervous System with Sensory Tools 29:05 Helping Clients Carry Therapy Into Daily Life 38:22 Creative Revenue Streams for Private Practice 44:00 Tapping Into Your Entrepreneurial Mindset as a Therapist If this episode left you thinking, “I needed to hear that,” come connect with me on LinkedIn where I share behind-the-scenes reflections, resources, and conversations with other therapists who are reimagining what’s possible in this field. Lastly, I’d genuinely love to know what’s on your mind after this one. What part of Melissa’s story resonated with you? What are you dreaming about building next? Let’s talk! Your thoughts and questions shape where we go next, and this space was made for us. xoxo, Dr. Lisa Marie BobbyGrowing Self

Relationships are breaking under the weight of political differences, and more clients are bringing these divides into the therapy room. So what do we do when values-based conflict becomes the problem in the relationship - and the therapist is part of the system too? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Bill Doherty: Professor Emeritus at the University of Minnesota, creator of the discernment counseling model, and co-founder of Braver Angels - a national initiative that brings liberals and conservatives together to bridge America’s political divide. Together, we unpack what it takes to stay steady and clinically effective when you’re working with couples, individuals, or families caught in ideological conflict. From understanding the macro-forces of affective polarization to the subtle ways therapists may reinforce it in the room, Dr. Doherty offers an honest, deeply human, and skillful path forward. We talk about the self-of-therapist work required to manage our own reactivity, the ethical tension between neutrality and our personal values, and how to avoid misattunement that can subtly harm the very relationships we’re trying to help. You’ll also hear real consultation examples and learn about the free resources Braver Angels offers to therapists ready to deepen their competencies in this area. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 When Political Conflict Enters the Therapy Room 02:10 Understanding Affective Polarization and Its Impact on Relationships 05:26 The Three Therapist Challenges in Politically Charged Cases 10:54 Hidden Bias in Consultation Groups and Clinical Culture 12:57 How Braver Angels Helps Heal Political Division 18:59 Internalized Polarization: What It Is and Why It Matters 21:19 A Real-World Case: Reframing Ideological Conflict with Curiosity 45:31 Setting Boundaries Without Demonizing Clients or Loved Ones 48:53 Courageous Citizenship and the Therapist’s Role in Divided Times 59:19 Free Tools to Support Clients Caught in Political Conflict If you’re still turning this over in your mind (like I have been), you’ll want to keep the conversation going. When you sign up for my For Therapists newsletter, I’ll send you more interviews with thought leaders like Dr. Doherty, along with fresh insights, real tools, and honest reflections to help you grow - both as a clinician and as a person. Come say hi on LinkedIn! I share behind-the-scenes updates, new episodes, and the kind of therapist-to-therapist support I wish more of us had. If something from this conversation is still sitting with you or showing up in your work, I’d truly love to hear about it. Let’s stay in this together. xoxo, Dr. Lisa Marie BobbyGrowing Self