In this episode, Patrick Casale sits down with Blaise Harris, an EMDR-certified therapist, former firefighter, podcast host, speaker, and author, to talk about taking up space, fighting imposter syndrome, and staying authentic in the mental health profession—especially as a first responder and Black therapist—and beyond.

3 key takeaways:

1. Relatability Matters More Than Jargon: Both Blaise Harris and Patrick Casale share that being authentic, relatable, and accessible with clients is more effective—and much more healing—than overloading sessions with clinical jargon.
2. Imposter Syndrome is Universal—Do It Anyway: Even highly accomplished professionals struggle with self-doubt and the pressure to "play small." Doubt yourself and do it anyway.
3. Building Community Fuels Growth: Relationships and professional networks are everything. Having colleagues that encourage you, support you, and nudge you past your inner critic truly enables personal and professional growth.

More about Blaise:

Blaise Harris is an EMDR certified licensed mental health counselor and former firefighter with over 14 years of service as a first responder and is the founder and owner of G Squared Consulting and Counseling Services. Harris has a passion for helping others and hopes to end the stigma surrounding mental health amongst first responders and in the community. Blaise hosts a biweekly podcast called The Dope Black Therapist, where he shares practices, tools, coping mechanisms and addresses issues regarding mental health. Blaise is also an international speaker and the author of “Becoming the Dope Black Therapist.”

• Website: thedopeblacktherapist.com

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Thanks to Our Sponsors: The Receptionist for iPad, Alma, Beyond Private Practice: Recession Proofing Intensive, All Things Private Practice — 2025 & 2026 Retreats, & Resilient Mind Counseling!

✨ The Receptionist for iPad

Thanks to The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode.

The Receptionist offers an iPad list check-in option where clients can scan a QR code to check in, which negates the need for you to buy an iPad and stand. Go to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice and sign up for a free 14-day trial. When you do, you'll get your first month free. And don't forget to ask about our iPad list check-in option.

✨ Alma

Thanks to Alma for sponsoring this episode.

Building and managing the practice you want can be challenging. That’s why Alma offers tools and resources to help you build not just any practice, but your private practice. They’ll help you navigate insurance, access referrals who are the right fit for you, and efficiently manage administrative tasks — so you can spend less time on the details and more time delivering great care. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Visit helloalma.com/ATPP to learn more.

✨ Beyond Private Practice: Recession Proofing Intensive

It's Patrick from All Things Private Practice. I know a lot of you are feeling uncertain right now about your caseloads, the economy, or what the next year's going to look like for your practice. I get it. Things are weird out there right now. That is exactly why I created the "Beyond Private Practice: Recession Proofing Intensive," a 5-hour, live, neurodivergent-affirming, online event happening on Friday, December 12th, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM EST. We will talk about real, tangible ways to diversify your income through podcasting, retreats, writing that book of yours, and speaking engagements; they're all symbiotic and feed into each other. I'm gonna show you exactly how to leverage and maximize so you can build stability and freedom no matter what's happening around you. The cost for the intensive is only $299, valued at over $2,500, because I want this to be accessible. Just to let you in on some behind-the-scenes, my wife works for the federal government and hasn't been paid for weeks due to the shutdown. So yeah, things are tight, but I also know how powerful this work is, and I want to make sure to give back to the therapist community that has supported me through everything I've created the last four years. You'll walk away with strategies, templates, confidence, clarity, and 4 NBCC CEs. Go to allthingspractice.com/beyond-recession-intensive to grab your spot. Doubt yourself and do it anyway.

✨ All Things Private Practice — 2025 & 2026 Retreats

All Things Private Practice has some amazing retreat experiences coming up in 2025 and 2026.

We have two retreats in Queenstown, New Zealand. The first is for Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs from March 1st to 8th, and the second retreat, Beyond Private Practice, focuses on moving beyond one-on-one therapy and creating alternative income streams from March 15th to 22nd.

Spaces are limited, so check the links to sign up today. Doubt yourself, do it anyway!

• Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs in Queenstown, New Zealand: allthingspractice.com/new-zealand-neurodivergent
• Beyond Private Practice in Queenstown, New Zealand: allthingspractice.com/new-zealand-income-streams

✨ Resilient Mind Counseling

It's Patrick. Some of you may know that I own a group therapy practice in North Carolina, Resilient Mind Counseling. We specialize in supporting the Neurodivergent, LGBTQIA+, and Black, Brown, and Asian communities online and across North Carolina. We also have limited in-person openings at our offices in Asheville and Cary. We really love working with clients who are coming to terms with both Autism and ADHD discoveries later in life or questioning, as well as the intersections of race, gender, identity, and orientation. All of our therapists have lived experience and identify as AuDHD, Autistic, or ADHD. Our team of affirming therapists offers a safe, anti-racist, anti-oppressive, inclusive, and accessible space where you can show up exactly as you are—no masking, no judgment, and no need to make eye