The Practice of Therapy Podcast

This podcast is here for therapists, counselors, social workers, psychotherapists, and mental health clinicians in their practice journeys. I'm Gordon Brewer and the person behind The Practice of Therapy Blog and Website that provides tools, resources and advice for people starting, growing or expanding their private practices. The podcast will help you learn from other experts in the field to move your private practice forward to success. The Practice of Therapy Podcast is part of the PsychCraft Network of Podcasts; PsychCraft, LLC

  1. 1d ago

    Branding Your Private Practice: How to Stand Out and Get Found | Ritu Riedweg | TPOT 449

    When therapists think about branding, it's easy to immediately think about logos, fonts, colors, and websites. But your brand is so much more than what your practice looks like online. It is also the feeling people get when they encounter you, the story they associate with you, and ultimately, whether they feel like they can trust you. In this episode of The Practice of Therapy Podcast, I had the pleasure of talking with Ritu Riedweg about personal branding, marketing, and what therapists can do to make their practices easier to find and easier to connect with. Ritu brings an interesting perspective to this conversation because her career has crossed both the marketing and therapy worlds. She originally studied social work before building a career in marketing, branding, and design. Later, after experiencing the transformational impact of therapy in her own life, she trained as a therapist herself. Eventually, she realized she could combine those two areas of experience by helping other therapists become more effective at marketing and branding their practices. 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 Ritu Riedweg Ritu Riedweg is a brand strategist, web designer, and personal branding expert who helps therapists, coaches, and healers stand out online, get found on Google, and connect with their ideal clients. With a background spanning marketing, coaching, therapy, and web design, Ritu brings both strategy and a deep understanding of the helping professions to her work. After building her own therapy practice, Ritu returned to her marketing roots and launched a personal branding and website agency focused on helping heart-centered professionals build businesses that reflect who they are and the people they are called to serve. Her approach blends thoughtful branding, clear strategy, and authentic storytelling to create an online presence that feels personal, professional, and aligned. Website LinkedIn Instagram

    Branding Your Private Practice: How to Stand Out and Get Found | Ritu Riedweg | TPOT 449
  2. Sep 7

    Working With High-Risk Teens in Private Practice | Katie K. May | TPOT 448

    Working with high-risk teens can feel overwhelming, especially when self-harm, suicidal thoughts, emotional dysregulation, or repeated hospitalizations are part of the picture. So how can therapists provide both compassion and structure without letting fear drive the treatment? In this episode, Gordon talks with Katie K. May about working effectively with high-risk teens and their families. Katie shares why validation matters, how therapists can provide strong clinical leadership, and why caregiver involvement is such an important part of the process. They also discuss proactive safety planning, recognizing patterns before a crisis, helping teens build skills they can actually use outside the therapy room, and why therapists need clear frameworks and support when doing high-risk clinical work. Katie also shares ideas from her book, Teen DBT in Practice, including how therapists can help teens move toward a life worth living while creating more confidence and sustainability in the work. 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 Katie K. May Katie K. May is a licensed therapist, author, speaker, trainer, and group practice owner whose mission is to stop the revolving door of hospitalizations for teen self-harm, suicidal behaviors, and shutdowns by giving families and clinicians practical tools that create lasting change. She is the founder of Creative Healing, a multi-location teen support center in the Philadelphia area, and the author of the #1 Amazon best-seller You're On Fire, It's Fine: Effective Strategies for Parenting Teens with Self-Destructive Behaviors. Her second book, Teen DBT in Practice, provides clinicians with a practical framework for applying DBT with adolescents and moving beyond surface-level behavior management toward meaningful, lasting change. One of a select few Linehan ("Lynn-a-hayn") Board-Certified DBT Clinicians in Pennsylvania, Katie specializes in evidence-based treatment for self-harm, suicidal behaviors, and complex emotional challenges in teens. She is an ongoing guest expert on Good Day Philadelphia, where she shares practical guidance on teen and parent mental health. Known for her clinical practicality and lived experience as a teen who once turned to self-harm herself, Katie bridges the gap between the therapy room and the family living room. Her work helps parents and professionals decode behavior as survival, regulate the nervous system, and create new coping strategies that last because the whole family is integrated into the treatment plan. Website Instagram Treating High-Risk Teens Course Teen DBT in Practice: A Comprehensive Guide for Therapists Treating High-Risk Behaviors How to Assess Teen Suicide Risk

    Working With High-Risk Teens in Private Practice | Katie K. May | TPOT 448
  3. Aug 24

    Is Your Private Practice Too Dependent on You? | TaVona Denise | TPOT 446

    What happens to your private practice when you step away? In this episode, Gordon talks with TaVona Denise about what her Private Practice Vitality Report revealed about owner dependency, burnout, delegation, and the systems that keep a practice running. They explore why hiring more staff doesn't always create more freedom, how to tell if your practice still depends too heavily on you, and the simple 30-day question that can uncover exactly where your systems need work. If you want to build a practice that can grow without requiring you to be involved in every decision, this conversation is a great place to start. 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 TaVona Denise TaVona Denise is a strategic operations consultant for independent practice owners who are making money but can't take a vacation. A former clinic director and PT with 13 years running her own contracting company, she knows what it's like to be the best thing that ever happened to your patients and show up sick because calling out would lead to chaos. She is the author of the Private Practice Vitality Report 2026, a cross-disciplinary study of 43 practice owners that challenges what most owners assume about stability and freedom. TaVona's on a mission to ensure there are no martyrs in medicine. LinkedIn Instagram @TaVonaDenise Facebook Page The 2026 Practice Vitality Report is free

    Is Your Private Practice Too Dependent on You? | TaVona Denise | TPOT 446
  4. Aug 17

    The Systems Your Private Practice Needs to Run Smoothly | Lisa Permar | TPOT 445

    A private practice can look successful on the outside and still feel exhausting behind the scenes. Clients are showing up, revenue is coming in, and everything appears to be working, but the owner may still be answering every question, fixing every exception, following up on loose ends, and carrying far too much of the practice in their own head. In this episode, Gordon talks with Lisa Permar about the small, repeated friction points that quietly drain a practice owner's time, attention, and energy. They explore how everyday tasks around intake, scheduling, billing, documentation, and team communication can become much bigger problems when there are no clear systems behind them. Lisa also shares her framework of moving from firefighter to builder to operator and explains why hiring more help does not necessarily solve the problem if the processes themselves are unclear. Gordon and Lisa also discuss delegation, creating simple and useful SOPs, and what it takes to build a practice that can continue functioning when the owner needs to step away. Whether you are running a group practice or working solo, the goal is not to automate every interaction or remove the human side of your work. It is to create enough structure around the predictable and repeatable parts of your practice that you can protect your attention for the things that truly require your judgment and care. Resources Mentioned In This Episode  Subscribe to YouTube Wise Practice Summit 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 Lisa Permar Lisa Permar is an operations architect and the founder of Zero Friction Practice, where she helps private practice owners build the systems their businesses need to run smoothly without relying on memory, constant oversight, or late nights. Drawing on years of experience building the operational backends of businesses across multiple industries, Lisa specializes in helping clinical practices improve intake, scheduling, billing, cash flow, delegation, and documentation. Through the Zero Friction Method, she works alongside practice owners to install practical infrastructure, create clear playbooks, and remove the owner as the bottleneck so the practice can operate with greater clarity, consistency, and freedom. Free Practice Friction Quiz + Friction Tax Calculator The assessment identifies their Practice Friction Type (Firefighter, Builder, or Operator), estimates the financial impact of operational friction inside their practice, and provides a clearer next step based on their results. Podcast listeners will also receive 55% off The Friction Tax Blueprint, a step-by-step diagnostic that helps practice owners uncover where their practice is quietly draining time, money, and mental bandwidth. Through five guided assessments and calculations, they'll identify their biggest operational leaks, estimate the true cost of those inefficiencies, and walk away with a prioritized 30-day action plan so they know exactly what to fix first.  Discount code: THERAPY50 Website Instagram Facebook

    The Systems Your Private Practice Needs to Run Smoothly | Lisa Permar | TPOT 445
  5. Aug 10

    Private Practice Money Mistakes That Could Be Costing You | Margo Masri | TPOT 444

    Your private practice may look profitable on paper, but does the money actually feel available? In this episode, Gordon talks with Margo Masri, founder of Heartfelt CFO and Tax Services, about the financial decisions that can quietly create cash flow problems for private practice owners. They explore the risks of over-hiring, ignoring taxes, taking on office space too soon, and trying to grow without fully understanding the costs involved. Margo also shares why practice owners need to know what they personally need to live on, build financial systems that can grow with the business, and approach financial mistakes as opportunities to make better decisions moving forward. Whether you are starting a private practice or managing a growing team, this conversation offers a reminder to slow down, understand your numbers, and make financial decisions that support the practice you actually want to build. 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 Margo Masri  Margo Masri is the founder of Heartfelt CFO and Tax Services, a company she started in 2003 to help business owners better understand their finances and build stronger, more sustainable businesses. With extensive experience in bookkeeping, advanced accounting strategies, tax planning, and virtual CFO services, Margo takes a holistic approach to helping clients create financial systems that support their personal and professional goals. She also coaches small business owners through financial challenges and regularly speaks at industry events. Website Instagram Facebook

    Private Practice Money Mistakes That Could Be Costing You | Margo Masri | TPOT 444
  6. Aug 4

    The Neurodivergent Therapist's Guide to Private Practice | Martin Altman | TPOT 443

    Have you ever wondered how much easier private practice could feel if you stopped fighting the way your brain works? In this episode, I'm talking with Martin Altman, LPC, about his experience as a therapist with ADHD and how understanding his own neurodivergence helped him find a niche that genuinely fit. We get into the strengths and challenges that can come with ADHD, how Martin stays present with clients, and why building the right systems can make private practice feel a whole lot more sustainable. Martin also shares a really helpful perspective on emotional hijacking and why distraction is not always about lacking focus or discipline. Sometimes our thoughts and emotions are simply taking up too much bandwidth. Whether you have ADHD yourself or work with neurodivergent clients, I think you'll find this conversation honest, encouraging, and full of useful takeaways. 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 Martin Altman, LPC Martin Altman, LPC, is a therapist and the owner of Stillwater Counseling in Atlanta, Georgia, where he specializes in working with clients experiencing ADHD, anxiety, and Level 1 autism. As both a clinician and someone with ADHD, Martin combines professional training, research, personal experience, and a straightforward, relatable approach to therapy. Raised on a farm in South Georgia, he blends what he calls "old-school wisdom" with modern science to help clients slow down, manage emotional and sensory overwhelm, and become more productive without sacrificing their creativity. Martin studied psychology at the University of Georgia and earned his master's degree in counseling from Georgia State University. After working with several large mental health organizations in Atlanta, he built a private practice focused on helping neurodivergent clients feel understood, supported, and more in control of their lives. Website Instagram

    The Neurodivergent Therapist's Guide to Private Practice | Martin Altman | TPOT 443
  7. Jul 27

    The Emotional Weight of Private Practice | Lindsay Benson | TPOT 442

    Therapists are great at taking care of everyone else, but we are not always so good at noticing what the work is doing to us. In this episode, I'm talking with Lindsay Benson about the hidden toll private practice can take on our nervous systems. We get into therapist burnout, the stress that builds up from sitting with difficult stories all day, and the small practices that can help us reset between sessions. Lindsay also shares her experience moving from insurance to private pay, offering therapy intensives, and building a practice that feels more sustainable. This is a great conversation for anyone who loves the work but wants to have a little more energy left when the workday is over. Resources Mentioned In This Episode  Subscribe to YouTube 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 Lindsay Benson LPC-S With 20 years of experience as a Licensed Professional Counselor, Lindsay Benson is passionate about helping people heal from the inside out. She earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees from Oklahoma State University, where her calling to work with trauma survivors began while volunteering with abused youth. That experience confirmed what she has known ever since, that helping others heal is more than a profession; it is her life's purpose. For more than a decade in private practice, Lindsay has specialized in working with adults struggling with anxiety, trauma, shame, burnout, self-judgment, and a sense of disconnection from themselves and their lives. She is especially passionate about helping individuals reconnect with their authentic selves, cultivate self-compassion, and live with greater purpose, presence, and fulfillment. Lindsay believes lasting healing happens when we address the whole person mind, body, and spirit. Her integrative approach combines evidence-based therapies with holistic practices, including EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Somatic Healing, Transpersonal Psychology, Energy Psychology, Mindfulness, Reiki, Emotion Code, Body Code, Healing Remembered, and meditation. Her work focuses on helping clients regulate their nervous systems, heal unresolved wounds, and reconnect with their innate capacity for healing. Driven by a passion for supporting fellow clinicians, Lindsay co-founded Divine Legacy Collective, an organization dedicated to helping therapists thrive personally and professionally through immersive, embodied continuing education experiences. Rather than traditional lecture-based trainings, Divine Legacy Collective offers experiential CEU retreats and workshops that allow therapists to personally experience the very practices they can bring into their clinical work. Through trauma-informed yoga, somatic practices, meditation, parts work, nervous system regulation, time in nature, and opportunities for deep reflection, therapists leave not only with new clinical skills but also feeling renewed, grounded, and more connected to their Highest Self. Lindsay's mission is simple: to help people and the professionals who care for them move beyond surviving and into a life of authenticity, connection, healing, and lasting well-being. Lindsay's Website Divine Legacy Collective Instagram

    The Emotional Weight of Private Practice | Lindsay Benson | TPOT 442
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About

This podcast is here for therapists, counselors, social workers, psychotherapists, and mental health clinicians in their practice journeys. I'm Gordon Brewer and the person behind The Practice of Therapy Blog and Website that provides tools, resources and advice for people starting, growing or expanding their private practices. The podcast will help you learn from other experts in the field to move your private practice forward to success. The Practice of Therapy Podcast is part of the PsychCraft Network of Podcasts; PsychCraft, LLC

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