Badass Therapists Building Practices That Thrive

Dr. Kate Walker Ph.D., LPC/LMFT Supervisor
  • 5.0 (7)
  • 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. 8h ago

    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.

    26 min

  2. 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.

    32 min

  3. 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.

    22 min

  4. 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.

    28 min

  5. 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.

    53 min

  6. May 29

    188 The Hybrid Practice Reality Check

    A hybrid practice can feel flexible and efficient, until the lack of structure starts creating problems. When therapists move between telehealth and in-person sessions without a clear system, small decisions quickly turn into ethical, logistical, and clinical challenges. Questions about HIPAA, crisis management, informed consent, and scheduling all become harder when there is no defined default. In this episode, I walk through what therapists need to consider before offering a hybrid counseling model. We look at how to decide between virtual and in-person care, where clinicians often underestimate risk, and why your policies matter more than your preferences. This episode is less about technology and more about decision-making. In this episode, we cover: • How to create a clear default for telehealth versus in-person sessions • Why informed consent and crisis planning matter in hybrid practice • What therapists misunderstand about HIPAA, AI, and physical privacy • How cognitive load and scheduling affect sustainability in practice If your hybrid model currently depends on convenience or case-by-case decisions, this episode will help you build a structure that is easier to manage and easier to defend ethically. 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 work through policies, documentation systems, supervision structure, and private practice operations in a way that supports both clinical integrity and long-term sustainability. 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.

    19 min

  7. May 22

    187 Alan Pruitt CPA Helps Therapists Keep More of What They Earn

    Taxes are not just an April problem. They are shaped by the systems and decisions you build throughout the year. In this episode, I sit down with CPA Alan Pruitt from The Therapist CPA to talk about what therapists often miss when it comes to taxes, bookkeeping, and profitability in private practice. Alan works exclusively with therapists, and he breaks down the financial concepts clinicians actually need in plain language. We explore why so many therapists feel stressed even when they are fully booked, how messy bookkeeping leads to missed deductions, and why understanding your numbers is critical for long-term sustainability. This conversation is not about becoming a tax expert. It is about building enough clarity and structure to support the kind of practice you actually want to maintain. In this episode, we cover: • The three financial numbers every therapist should track • Why therapists often overpay in taxes without realizing it • How S Corps and retirement planning can reduce tax burden • The connection between financial sustainability and burnout prevention If you are building a private practice, tax planning is not separate from clinical sustainability. Clear systems reduce stress, improve decision-making, and help you keep more of what you earn. Want to work with Alan directly? Check out The Therapist CPA. 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 work through supervision structure, documentation systems, ethical business practices, and sustainable private practice growth 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.

    50 min

  8. May 15

    186 Side Hustles For Therapists: Which Ones Actually Work and Which Are Just More Burnout

    If you have ever thought about adding a side hustle to your therapy practice, this episode is for you. Not every extra income stream creates freedom. Some create stability and long-term growth. Others quietly drain your time, energy, and confidence. The difference usually has less to do with the opportunity itself and more to do with whether the business model actually fits you. In this episode, I walk through five of the most common side hustles therapists ask me about, including supervision, group practice, courses and trainings, certifications, and coaching. We look at the real pros and cons of each, along with the ethical and operational realities that often get overlooked. This discussion is not about chasing more money. It is about building something sustainable that supports the kind of professional life you actually want. In this episode, we cover: • Why supervision can create recurring, stable income when structured well • The hidden leadership and bookkeeping demands behind group practice ownership • What therapists misunderstand about creating courses and trainings • Why coaching requires separate systems, marketing, and ethical boundaries If you are considering adding another income stream, do not start with potential profit. Start with fit. The best side hustle is the one that aligns with your strengths, your tolerance for leadership, and the way you actually want to spend your time. When your business model fits your personality and values, growth feels sustainable instead of exhausting. 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, marketing systems, documentation, and ethical business growth designed specifically for therapists and supervisors building sustainable practices. 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.

    28 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 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!

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