Badass Therapists Building Practices That Thrive

Dr. Kate Walker Ph.D., LPC/LMFT Supervisor
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to Badass Therapists Building Practices That Thrive, the ultimate resource for mental health professionals ready to step into their power, grow their practices, and create a career they love. I'm Dr. Kate Walker, a Texas LPC/LMFT Supervisor, author, and business strategist who's here to show you the path to success. Formerly Texas Counselors Creating Badass Businesses, we’ve rebranded because, well, we’re way too big for Texas now! This community of badass therapists is growing nationwide, and we’re here to help you create a career and practice you love, no matter where you are.  Every week, you'll get practical advice, proven strategies, and motivation to help you build a thriving practice—one that gives you the freedom to live your life on your terms. From mastering marketing to designing scalable systems and becoming a clinical supervisor, this podcast is your roadmap to leveling up without burnout. Hit subscribe and get ready to unlock your badass potential. Your thriving practice starts now!

  1. 6d ago

    196 Build Your Fall Case Load Now

    If your caseload feels quiet in September, it's probably because of what you didn't do in July. Every fall, the same pattern shows up. Schools start back, associates finish summer intensives, and suddenly supervisees and clients are looking for help. The clinicians who are ready for that shift are usually the ones who started building the structure before September. In this episode, I talk about how to build your fall supervision and client roster with intention. This is not about waiting for people to find you. It is about making sure your website, referral relationships, directories, intake process, and follow-up systems are clear before the busy season arrives. I also talk directly to the introverts, because I see you. Updating your website is important, but sometimes the real next step is making the phone call, contacting the graduate program, reaching out to a school, or offering yourself as a resource in the community. In this episode, we cover: • Why July is the right time to prepare for September referrals • Where supervisees are actually looking for supervisors • Why your supervision page should not be hidden on your website • How graduate programs, directories, and word of mouth work together • Why client referrals require the same kind of intentional outreach • How to track real connections instead of just counting contacts • What to have ready before supervisees or clients begin reaching out If you are building a supervision practice or trying to strengthen your client caseload, do not wait until the inquiries arrive to get organized. Choose one thing to fix this week. Make the call, update the page, check your email process, or prepare your paperwork. Your future fall self will thank you. Want to learn more? Check out this month’s free resource from Kate Walker Training. Want deeper support? The supervisor training and resources at the Step It Up Membership can help you build supervision systems that are clear, ethical, and sustainable. Get your step by step guide to private practice. Because you are too important to lose to not knowing the rules, going broke, burning out, and giving up. #counselorsdontquit.

  2. Jul 17

    195 The Hidden Risks of Supervisor Certificate Mill Shortcuts: Will Your Certificate Pass a Board Audit?

    If you've been shopping for supervisor training, don't miss this episode. More than simply a box-checking exercise, the training you complete becomes the foundation for how you guide associates, make ethical decisions, and protect both your license and theirs. With AI making it easier than ever to create online courses, it has also become easier for low-quality "certificate mill" programs to look legitimate. In this episode, I'm joined by Jennifer Marie Fairchild, Director of Operations at Kate Walker Training. Together, we discuss the questions every therapist should ask before purchasing any supervisor training. We also share what we discovered after reviewing several online programs ourselves and explain why convenience should never replace educational integrity. This conversation isn't about criticizing course providers. It's about helping you become a more informed consumer so you can confidently choose training that truly prepares you for the responsibilities of clinical supervision. In this episode, we cover: Why verifying your instructor's credentials matters more than everThe warning signs of a certificate millHow AI is changing online education, for better and for worseWhy references, syllabi, and meaningful assignments still matterWhat your licensing board may expect if your supervisor training is ever questionedThe difference between earning a credential and simply receiving a certificateWhy responsive customer support should be part of any quality training programQuestions associates should ask before choosing a supervisorThe goal isn't to find the cheapest course or the fastest certificate. The goal is to find an education you can confidently stand behind if your professional decisions are ever called into question. Want to learn more? Check out this month's free resource from Kate Walker Training.  Want continued support after you become a supervisor? Join the Step It Up Membership, where we continue the conversation through Tuesday Coaching, expert trainings, supervision resources, and practical business education. Get your step by step guide to private practice. Because you are too important to lose to not knowing the rules, going broke, burning out, and giving up. #counselorsdontquit.

  3. Jul 10

    194 Your Intake Process Might Be Costing You More Than You Think

    Your intake process is doing a lot more than collecting signatures. It is shaping the expectations your clients and supervisees will carry into every interaction that follows. In this episode, I unpack some of the most common intake mistakes I see therapists and supervisors make. The surprising part is that these mistakes rarely become obvious during the first meeting. Instead, they show up weeks or even months later when a client pushes back on a cancellation fee, a supervisee questions a policy, or someone says, "I didn't know that." We'll talk about why intake is really about building clarity, trust, and protection from the very beginning. Whether you're onboarding a new therapy client or welcoming a supervisee, your systems matter more than you may realize. In this episode, we cover:  Why your intake process begins before the first appointment  How mismatched expectations create avoidable conflict  The difference between having a contract and conducting an orientation  Common documentation gaps that leave therapists vulnerable  The intake mistakes supervisors make most often  Why professionalism during intake becomes your best marketing tool  Simple changes you can make this week to strengthen your systems You don't need to overhaul your entire practice overnight. Often, one well-designed improvement can make your intake process smoother, your documentation stronger, and your professional relationships more successful. Want to learn more? Check out this month's free resource from Kate Walker Training.  Want deeper support? Inside the Step It Up Membership, we provide updated templates, live coaching, supervision resources, documentation systems, and practical business strategies designed specifically for therapists and supervisors. Get your step by step guide to private practice. Because you are too important to lose to not knowing the rules, going broke, burning out, and giving up. #counselorsdontquit.

  4. Jul 3

    193 How To Run A Supervision Session That Is Useful And Covers Bases

    If you listened to the episode for new grads and thought, oh no, that sounds like my supervision setup, this episode is for you. I want to be very clear. There is no shame here. Many supervisors step into this role because someone asked them to, because their workplace needed them, or because their state required very little training before allowing them to supervise. You only know what you know. But once you see the gaps, you can start tightening the system. In this episode, Dr. Ashley Durbin and I talk directly to supervisors who want to improve the way they structure supervision. We walk through what needs attention first, including caseload review, regular meetings, supervision notes, state rules, accountability, and what to do when a supervisee’s job setting is bigger than your current supervision structure can support. This is not about being perfect. It is about knowing what you are responsible for and choosing one or two things to fix this week. In this episode, we cover: • Why loose, supervisee-led supervision can create risk • How to review large caseloads without pretending you can cover every client in depth • Why supervisors need to document rule review, directives, and follow up • What to do when one hour of supervision is not enough • Why “I didn’t know” is not a strong defense when client care is involved • How community, consultation, and state organizations help supervisors stay current If you are a new supervisor, start low and slow. Leave room for crises. Leave room for rule changes. Leave room for the real work of guiding someone into ethical, competent practice. Want to learn more? Check out this month’s free resource from Kate Walker Training. Want deeper support? Inside the Step It Up Membership, we discuss supervision structure, documentation, ethics, marketing systems, and sustainable practice growth for therapists and supervisors. Get your step by step guide to private practice. Because you are too important to lose to not knowing the rules, going broke, burning out, and giving up. #counselorsdontquit.

  5. Jun 26

    192 The Supervision Paperwork Stack: What You Actually Need on File and Why

    Most supervisors worry about paperwork last. Licensing boards look at it first. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Ashley Durbin to talk about the supervision paperwork that actually matters. We move beyond forms and checklists and look at the complete documentation system every supervisor needs. From contracts and evaluations to supervision notes, hour tracking, malpractice insurance, and employment records, we break down what belongs in your supervision file and why it matters. We also discuss one of the biggest mistakes supervisors make. They wait until the end of the supervision process to organize documentation. By then, records are missing, hours are difficult to verify, and everyone is stressed. Ashley shares how she uses her EHR to simplify supervision paperwork, automate evaluations, store contracts, and keep records organized. We also talk about external supervision agreements, supervision notes, state-specific requirements, and how documentation protects both supervisors and supervisees when questions arise. This conversation is about creating better systems. When your documentation is organized, supervision becomes easier, more defensible, and far less stressful. In this episode, you'll learn:  Why supervision paperwork is much more than a contract and a few forms  How supervision notes and documentation protect both supervisors and supervisees  The easiest ways to track hours, evaluations, and compliance requirements  What records supervisors commonly forget until it is too late If paperwork has been the thing keeping you from becoming a supervisor, this episode is for you. Documentation does not have to be complicated. It just needs to be intentional. Want to learn more? Check out this month's free resource from Kate Walker Training.  If this episode raised questions about supervision paperwork, documentation systems, hour tracking, or board compliance, those are exactly the conversations we continue inside the Step It Up Membership. You'll find tools, guidance, and a community of supervisors building supervision practices that are organized, compliant, and sustainable. Get your step by step guide to private practice. Because you are too important to lose to not knowing the rules, going broke, burning out, and giving up. #counselorsdontquit.

  6. Jun 19

    191 The Hard Conversation Framework

    If there is a difficult conversation you've been avoiding, this episode is for you. I know most clinicians do not avoid hard conversations because they don't care. We avoid them because we are not sure how to define the problem, connect it to a standard, and communicate it in a way that actually leads to change. In this episode, I walk you through the five-step framework I use when addressing supervisee performance concerns, professional behavior issues, and situations where expectations have become unclear. We talk about why so many supervisors get stuck in self-doubt, how imposter syndrome shows up during leadership moments, and why avoiding a conversation often creates more damage than having it. I also share examples from my own supervision experience, including mistakes I made early in my career and how those experiences helped me develop a clearer process for addressing concerns while protecting the supervisory relationship. This framework applies whether you supervise today, plan to supervise in the future, or simply want to strengthen your clinical leadership skills. In this episode, you'll learn:  How to define supervision concerns using observable behaviors instead of labels  Why every difficult conversation should connect back to a standard, contract, or ethical guideline  How documentation and follow-up create accountability and growth  What imposter syndrome sounds like when supervisors avoid necessary conversationsLeadership is not about avoiding discomfort. It is about addressing concerns clearly, ethically, and consistently. When you have a process, difficult conversations become less intimidating and far more effective. Want to learn more? Check out this month's free resource from Kate Walker Training.  If this episode raised questions about supervision, documentation, remediation, or how to hold supervisees accountable while preserving the relationship, those are exactly the conversations we continue inside the Step It Up Membership. Clinical leadership is a skill, and it's one you don't have to develop on your own. Get your step by step guide to private practice. Because you are too important to lose to not knowing the rules, going broke, burning out, and giving up. #counselorsdontquit.

  7. Jun 12

    190 How to Evaluate a Supervisee (Without Winging It)

    Most supervisors are comfortable giving feedback. Far fewer have a system for evaluating supervisees. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Ashley Stephens Durbin to unpack the difference between feedback and formal evaluation, and why that distinction matters more than most supervisors realize. We discuss what happens when concerns are discussed but never documented, why evaluation protects both supervisors and supervisees, and how to build an evaluation process that supports growth without turning supervision into a performance review. We also explore one of the biggest misconceptions in supervision. Many supervisors assume evaluations create tension. In reality, clear expectations and documented feedback often strengthen the supervisory relationship because everyone knows where they stand. Whether you're supervising associates, graduate students, or social workers, this episode will help you create a process that is ethical, practical, and sustainable. In this episode, you'll learn: Why feedback and formal evaluation are not the same thing How documentation protects supervisors, supervisees, and clients What to include in a practical supervisee evaluation process How evaluations create growth plans instead of surprisesIf you've been avoiding evaluations because they feel uncomfortable, this conversation will help you rethink their purpose. Evaluation is not about punishment. It is about creating clarity, accountability, and measurable growth. Want to learn more? Check out this month's free resource from Kate Walker Training.  If this episode raised questions about evaluation, documentation, supervision contracts, or difficult conversations with supervisees, those are exactly the conversations we continue inside the Step It Up Membership. You'll find practical tools, ethical guidance, and a community of supervisors working to build supervision practices that are structured, compliant, and designed for growth. Get your step by step guide to private practice. Because you are too important to lose to not knowing the rules, going broke, burning out, and giving up. #counselorsdontquit.

  8. Jun 5

    189 Joyce Miles Jacquote Presents a Primer for Working With Bisexual and Pansexual Clients

    If you work with clients, chances are you are already working with someone who is bisexual or pansexual, whether they have disclosed it to you or not. In this episode, Joyce Miles Jacquote joins me to unpack what bisexual and pansexual clients are actually navigating behind the scenes and what therapists need to understand to provide affirming, ethical care. We talk about minority stress, identity concealment, community belonging, and why bisexual and pansexual individuals often experience marginalization both outside and inside queer spaces. Joyce also walks through the mental health impacts clinicians are most likely to encounter, including depression, anxiety, internalized stigma, and relationship stress. One part of this conversation that really stood out to me was the discussion around invisibility. Clients in straight-presenting or same-gender relationships are often told, directly or indirectly, that their bisexuality no longer “counts.” That erasure has real emotional consequences and therapists need to know how to recognize it. We also spend time discussing faith, identity conflict, and what authentic living can look like for clients navigating conservative religious systems. This conversation is practical, compassionate, and deeply relevant for therapists working in any setting. In this episode, you’ll learn:  Why bisexual and pansexual clients often delay disclosure in therapy  How minority stress affects mental health outcomes  What identity concealment can look like clinically  Why community belonging matters for bisexual and pansexual clients  How therapists can create more affirming clinical environments Connect with Joyce at Overcoming Miles Counseling. Want to learn more? Check out this month's free resource from Kate Walker Training.  If this episode raised questions about documentation, supervision, or ethical LGBTQ+ affirming care, those are exactly the conversations we continue inside the Step It Up Membership. Get your step by step guide to private practice. Because you are too important to lose to not knowing the rules, going broke, burning out, and giving up. #counselorsdontquit.

See All (196)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Welcome to Badass Therapists Building Practices That Thrive, the ultimate resource for mental health professionals ready to step into their power, grow their practices, and create a career they love. I'm Dr. Kate Walker, a Texas LPC/LMFT Supervisor, author, and business strategist who's here to show you the path to success. Formerly Texas Counselors Creating Badass Businesses, we’ve rebranded because, well, we’re way too big for Texas now! This community of badass therapists is growing nationwide, and we’re here to help you create a career and practice you love, no matter where you are.  Every week, you'll get practical advice, proven strategies, and motivation to help you build a thriving practice—one that gives you the freedom to live your life on your terms. From mastering marketing to designing scalable systems and becoming a clinical supervisor, this podcast is your roadmap to leveling up without burnout. Hit subscribe and get ready to unlock your badass potential. Your thriving practice starts now!

Information