Colleague Down the Hall

Tune in to The Colleague Down the Hall Podcast for an insightful conversation with Michael Chiapone, LCSW, as he explores addiction and recovery through the unique lens of music and film. This episode sheds light on the power of creative tools in therapy, the importance of reducing stigma, and how understanding shame and connection can transform treatment approaches.   "Get back to a bigger 'What is this'? If this person was your patient, what are they trying to say? Where are they? Where are they in the stages of change? Where are they in a cycle of addiction? And to try to tease out those things in hearing some of these pop culture or songs that we all know. So then the goal is, especially in the group process, in the class, by being able to identify those things that we can then move forward and approach that person in a more welcoming manner, instead of a 'look at them, they're doing it again'. Or 'why can't they stop,' to kind of try to create a better understanding, with more empathy about where this person might be coming from" - Michael   Here are the key takeaways: Using Music and Film in Addiction Recovery – Michael Chiapone discusses his unique approach to helping individuals with substance use disorders by incorporating music and film to foster deeper understanding, empathy, and engagement in therapy. Breaking the Stigma Around Addiction – The conversation highlights the importance of moving beyond judgmental perspectives on addiction, recognizing it as a complex issue rather than just a matter of willpower, and promoting a more compassionate, person-centered approach. Challenges in Treating Substance Use Disorders – The discussion covers the evolving nature of addiction, particularly with the rise of fentanyl and other potent substances, and the need for adaptable, evidence-based treatment approaches. The Role of Policy in Social Justice and Mental Health – Michael shares his involvement in policy discussions affecting social work and mental health, emphasizing the need for professionals to stay informed and advocate for policies that protect vulnerable populations. The Importance of Self-Care for Mental Health Professionals – The conversation stresses the need for therapists and social workers to prioritize self-care, avoid burnout, and acknowledge the emotional demands of their work while maintaining personal well-being. About the Michael Chiappione: Michael Chiappone, LCSW, is a seasoned social worker, educator, and entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in mental health and substance use treatment. As the CEO and Founder of CHI Professional Development, he creates and delivers continuing education courses for social workers, mental health professionals, and community advocates, focusing on practical skills and real-world applications. Michael has dedicated his career to working with individuals facing homelessness, mental illness, and substance use disorders, serving as the Director of a Substance Use Disorder clinic and previously holding leadership roles at Hope House Ministries. He is passionate about teaching clinicians how to integrate evidence-based practices, ethical decision-making, and advocacy into their work. Beyond clinical work, Michael is deeply engaged in policy discussions affecting social justice. Through his WTF: Policies That Threaten Social Justice series, he explores how shifts in legislation impact marginalized communities and challenges social workers to take an active role in advocacy and systemic change. Beyond his professional endeavors, Michael explores the intersections of mindfulness, recovery, and personal growth through innovative projects like CHI Golf, a brand that promotes mental clarity and focus on and off the course. He is also developing a Recovery Chatbot Website, designed to provide digital peer support and track progress for individuals in recovery.   Connect with Michael: Website: www.chiprodevelopment.com Instagram:   https://www.instagram.com/chi_pro_development/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chi_pro_development Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chi-professional-development-inc/ Get updates about future Fictionalized Clinical Consultation Groups: www.CollabOasis.com/FCC_live     Connect with Jeanene: *Get your free Four Keys to Private Practice Peace of Mind workbook: https://collaboasis.com/4keysworkbook *Learn more about clinical consultation groups: https://collaboasis.com/ *Join my free therapist Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/oasispcgt *Connect on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jeanene-wolfe-lcsw-64042220a/

Want to stay ahead in your private practice? Valery Krieg joins Jeanene Wolfe In this episode to discuss future-proofing your practice in an ever-changing landscape. They dive into marketing strategies, burnout prevention, and navigating industry shifts, plus an inside look at the upcoming Savvy Practice Summit, a free virtual event packed with expert advice on marketing, scaling, and financial strategy for therapists.The sign-up form for the summit is in the show notes. Tune in now and take your next steps toward success!   "The first thing that I always tell my clients that I work with is understand your marketing strategy. I think that the core is to really understand what you're doing and why. I mean, that's one of the best ways to stay on top of things and to know what's coming around the corner. I think so many of us do a lot of different types of marketing, and in some ways, we get kind of lucky when we don't really know what's working or why it's working, so we just keep doing all of it. So my first piece of advice is, really understand your strategy. Understand what's working and why it's working, so you can streamline, only focused on the things that have the highest impact and that are bringing in clients." - Valery   Here's what we'll cover in this episode: ***Future-Proofing Private Practices – The challenges therapists face in 2025, including shifting client trends, economic uncertainties and industry changes impacting private practice sustainability. ***Marketing Strategies for Therapists – The importance of ongoing marketing efforts, creating systems for consistency and tailoring strategies to attract ideal clients effectively. ***Burnout Prevention & Business Sustainability – How therapists can implement structured systems to reduce stress, avoid burnout and maintain a steady client flow without feeling overwhelmed. ***Savvy Practice Summit Overview – A breakdown of the upcoming Savvy Practice Summit (March 10-12, 2025), its purpose, key topics, and how therapists can benefit from expert-led discussions on scaling and growing their businesses. About Valery Krieg: Valery Krieg is a therapist, private practice owner, and business coach dedicated to helping therapists build thriving, sustainable practices. After struggling with ineffective, cookie-cutter marketing strategies in her own practice, she developed a method to help therapists attract their ideal clients and grow their businesses with confidence. Now, she teaches therapists how to ditch outdated advice, simplify their marketing, and create a practice that truly fits their life and goals.   Connect with Valery: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/practicewithvalery/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@practicewithvalery Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@practicewithvalery Website: https://practicewithvalery.com/   Register for the Savvy Practice Summit: Register for the Savvy Practice Summit Get updates about future Fictionalized Clinical Consultation Groups: www.CollabOasis.com/FCC_live     Connect with Jeanene: *Get your free Four Keys to Private Practice Peace of Mind workbook: https://collaboasis.com/4keysworkbook *Learn more about clinical consultation groups: https://collaboasis.com/ *Join my free therapist Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/oasispcgt *Connect on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jeanene-wolfe-lcsw-64042220a/

In this milestone 100th episode of The Colleague Down The Hall Podcast, Jeanene Wolfe welcomes Miranda Palmer, LMFT, a passionate therapist advocate, to discuss the financial and systemic challenges facing therapists today. Miranda shares insights from a recent discussion on the biggest problems therapists encounter. She highlights unsustainable insurance reimbursement rates, financial instability, and the increasing number of therapists leaving the profession. They dive into the complexities of insurance contracts, clawbacks, and the impact of venture capital-backed companies entering the therapy space. Miranda encourages therapists to take control of their careers by understanding their worth, setting sustainable rates, and advocating for legislative change. She emphasizes the importance of standing out rather than competing and creating a fulfilling, financially viable private practice. Listen in for an eye-opening conversation on making therapy work for therapists while still serving clients effectively.   "If we all said no to insurance contracts that were not sustainable for us, that literally are not good for clients, you have to see twice as many clients, you're falling asleep in session, you can't even get your clients in on the regular amount of treatment that they're needing. All of the different things that we know happen in this scenario, if we just said no to those things. I'm a client of that insurance company, and there's nobody who's a trauma therapist in my area who has space,  that insurance company still has to connect me with a trauma therapist, and they have to find that person for me." - Miranda Palmer   In this episode, let's discuss: ***Financial Struggles of Therapists The episode highlights the unsustainable reimbursement rates from insurance companies, the financial instability of therapists, and the growing number of professionals leaving the field due to inadequate compensation.   ***Challenges with Insurance Companies The discussion covers the exploitative practices of insurance companies, including delayed payments, clawbacks, and regionally inconsistent reimbursement rates that make financial planning difficult for therapists.   ***The Business Side of Therapy Many therapists struggle to see themselves as business owners, leading to poor financial decisions. Miranda emphasizes the importance of calculating sustainable rates and making informed choices about contracts.   ***Impact of Venture Capital in the Therapy Space The rise of VC-backed therapy companies is discussed, with concerns about their profit-driven models further reducing therapist compensation and creating new challenges for independent practitioners.   ***Advocacy and Solutions for Therapists The conversation encourages therapists to take action, whether by advocating for legislative changes, shifting to private pay models, or making informed decisions about which insurance contracts to accept. About Miranda Palmer: Miranda Palmer is an  LMFT and a therapist advocate who has been helping prelicensed and licensed therapists find joy and financial sustainability in their work.   Connect with Miranda: Website: zynnyme.com Instagram: @zynnyme Get updates about future Fictionalized Clinical Consultation Groups: www.CollabOasis.com/FCC_live     Connect with Jeanene: *Get your free Four Keys to Private Practice Peace of Mind workbook: https://collaboasis.com/4keysworkbook *Learn more about clinical consultation groups: https://collaboasis.com/ *Join my free therapist Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/oasispcgt *Connect on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jeanene-wolfe-lcsw-64042220a/

Jeanene Wolfe welcomes Ariel Landrum to discuss how geek therapy integrates clients' passions and fandoms into therapy, using media consumption as a tool for self-discovery. The conversation explores the use of RPGs, video games, and collaborative media engagement in therapy, alongside practical applications for different age groups and theoretical approaches. Ariel highlights the importance of staying current with pop culture, addressing parental concerns about video games, and teaching digital citizenship. Ethical considerations in online therapy, including HIPAA compliance and safe digital interactions, are also discussed. Looking ahead, Ariel sees geek therapy expanding alongside media psychology and specialized therapeutic approaches. The episode closes with reflections on individualized therapy and Ariel's insight that media is a powerful tool for learning about oneself and the world.   "A lot of clients who are neurodivergent, they really love their clinicians who are geek therapy certified, or at least have that mindset, because we're pulling from their passions and interests, their special interests. And when it comes to the actual treatment, it's in my intake form asking, what are your favorite media forms? What do you like to engage in? How often do you engage in it? And then that goes in with my diagnosing. So have you been pulling away from these favorite things? Hint that could be depression. Are you afraid of telling people about your favorite things? Hint that could be anxiety or social phobia. So already it's so integrated in the way that I'm conceptualizing a case, I don't separate it out as a different treatment or something to refer specifically. It is how I am integrating the whole assessment treatment process." - Ariel Landrum   In this episode, let's talk about: ***Introduction to Geek Therapy – Explanation of geek therapy as a certification, using clients' passions and fandoms in therapy. ***Origins and Growth of Geek Therapy – The founding of geek therapy by Jose Cardona and its expansion, including the TAGGS summit. ***Applications of Geek Therapy in Therapy Sessions – Use of RPGs, video games, and other media to support therapeutic goals. ***Staying Current with Pop Culture in Therapy – Challenges therapists face in keeping up with evolving media and how to engage clients effectively. ***Addressing Parental Concerns About Video Games – Helping parents understand their children's online activities and use it as an additional way to connect with their child. ***Ethical Considerations and Digital Citizenship – Ensuring online therapy security, HIPAA compliance, and teaching safe online interactions.   About Ariel Landrum: Ariel Landrum, LMFT, ATR, is a narrative therapist certified in Geek Therapy® and co-host of the podcast Happiest Pod on Earth, which explores Disney mediums as tools for therapy and education. Ariel aids her clients in reframing their stories around trauma, belonging, and identity. She works with survivors of childhood sexual abuse, the AANHPI community, the LGBTQIA+ community, and military families. Ariel specializes in telehealth services and has been providing virtual therapy since 2016. She is also the author of Waves of Grief: A Guided Grief Journal, to help fellow grievers navigate their complex feelings of loss. Based in Los Angeles, Ariel is actively involved in supporting the Filipino American community through mental health initiatives, including serving as co-lead of The Greater Los Angeles Chapter of Therapin*y . Outside of work, Ariel enjoys exploring new games, discovering new food spots, and travel.   Connect with Ariel:   Websites: https://geektherapy.org/ https://taggs.geektherapy.org/ https://www.guidancett.com/   Geek Therapy: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geektherapy/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GeekTherapy Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/GeekTherapy   People of Con: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peopleofcon/ Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/PeopleOfCon   The Happiest Pod on Earth: https://www.instagram.com/happiestpodgt/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Geektherapy Get updates about future Fictionalized Clinical Consultation Groups: www.CollabOasis.com/FCC_live     Connect with Jeanene: *Get your free Four Keys to Private Practice Peace of Mind workbook: https://collaboasis.com/4keysworkbook *Learn more about clinical consultation groups: https://collaboasis.com/ *Join my free therapist Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/oasispcgt *Connect on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jeanene-wolfe-lcsw-64042220a/

In this episode of The Colleague Down the Hall Podcast,  Jeanene Wolfe explores a topic that therapists encourage in clients but often struggle with themselves—vulnerability. While we create safe spaces for others, many of us hesitate to open up with colleagues, fearing judgment or self-doubt. Jeanene unpacks why vulnerability feels risky in the therapy field, the challenges it presents, and how avoiding it can lead to isolation and burnout. She shares her own journey in private practice and offers practical steps to build a safe, supportive professional network. Whether it's finding a trusted colleague, joining the right consultation group, or fostering a culture of openness, this episode is a must-listen for any therapist looking to make their work sustainable.   "Vulnerability isn't about spilling everything to everyone. Begin with one trusted colleague, someone whose values align with yours, who listens without judgment. Then seek out consultation spaces that encourage openness; not all supervision or consultation groups are created equal. Find ones where collaboration and respect are prioritized over competition or performance. Be mindful of how therapists' spaces feel, whether it's in a Facebook group, which I don't recommend as a place to get this type of clinical support, a local meet up, which can be fabulous for referrals and networking, or an online forum. Now check in with yourself. Does it feel safe? Are people supportive, or is there a tone of judgment or shaming? Choose spaces that reflect the kind of connection you need."   In this episode, I explore: ***Vulnerability is essential for therapists; not a weakness: Avoiding vulnerability can lead to isolation and burnout, making private practice unsustainable. ***Therapists are not immune to self-doubt and professional challenges: Acknowledging these struggles helps normalize them and fosters professional growth. ***Building a supportive professional network is crucial: Thriving in private practice requires trusted colleagues, consultation groups, and safe spaces where the***rapists can openly discuss challenges without fear of judgment.   Get updates about future Fictionalized Clinical Consultation Groups: www.CollabOasis.com/FCC_live   Connect with Jeanene: *Get your free Four Keys to Private Practice Peace of Mind workbook: https://collaboasis.com/4keysworkbook *Learn more about clinical consultation groups: https://collaboasis.com/ *Join my free therapist Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/oasispcgt *Connect on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jeanene-wolfe-lcsw-64042220a/