Off The Chair

Dr. Colleen Long
  • 5.0 (7)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP

In a world where a nail artist can out-earn a licensed therapist, behavioral health professionals have no choice but to get scrappy, color outside the lines, and start writing our own rules. The old path—graduate school, licensure, paneled with insurance, packed calendar of 1:1s—is broken. It’s time for a new blueprint. That’s where Off the Chair comes in. We’re not just talking about surviving the grind, we’re exploring radically different ways to thrive. From building passive income streams to launching scalable service lines, we dive into business models that break the mold. We cover how modern technology; AI, digital products, automation, and online communities—can even help clinicians step out of the therapy chair and into a more expansive, creative, and financially free version of practice. Off the Chair is the no-BS podcast for therapists and clinicians from all disciplines, trapped in a broken healthcare system, ready to break out of burnout, reclaim their income, and build values-driven businesses beyond mis-managed care and trading hours for dollars. Hosted by Dr. Colleen Long—a clinician-entrepreneur who has built, broken, and rebuilt thriving mental health companies—this show brings you weekly conversations on what it really takes to succeed in today’s broken behavioral health system. Whether you're a growth-minded psychologist, a private practice owner, or a therapist wondering how to scale without selling your soul, Off the Chair is your roadmap to redefining what success looks like in mental healthcare. What You’ll Learn - Business & Practice Management: Navigate the operations side of private practice with insight into EMRs, scheduling workflows, profitability pivots, and systems that scale. - Hiring & Leadership: From managing your first intern to leading multi-state teams, get real-world advice on creating aligned, sustainable teams (and firing fast when it’s not a fit). - Financial Freedom for Clinicians: Understand compensation models, create recurring revenue streams, and stop trading time for money—all without compromising your ethics. - Mental Health Industry Reform: Challenge the status quo with honest dialogue on insurance gatekeeping, clinician burnout, and what it takes to build a more human-centered system. - Personal Resilience & Growth: Behind every spreadsheet is a dark night of the soul. We talk mindset, mission drift, and how to stay motivated when the math doesn’t math. - Overcoming Challenges: The podcast addresses common challenges faced by therapists, such as negative reviews, legal threats, and the fear of failure, offering strategies for navigating these obstacles. Overall, Off the Chair aims to empower clinicians to: Become more effective leaders and managers. Build strong, efficient, and profitable practices. Enhance their personal well-being and achieve a fulfilling career. Stay ahead of the curve in a constantly evolving industry. Why Listen? Off the Chair isn’t just about the logistics of running a practice—it’s about reclaiming your creativity, your autonomy, and your voice as a leader. No jargon, no perfectionism. Just vulnerable, strategic conversations that meet you in the messy middle. New episodes drop every Tuesday. Connect with us! Website: www.offthechair.com Instagram: @offthechairpodcast Dr. Colleen Long, Psy.D. Website: www.drcolleenlong.com LinkedIn: Dr. Colleen Long

  1. The Clinician Holiday Reset Series Part I: Rest

    12/30/2025 · BONUS

    The Clinician Holiday Reset Series Part I: Rest

    Burnout doesn’t always mean you need more rest. Sometimes it means your nervous system is asking for a different rhythm—or even a different container for your work.In this special three part holiday series of Off the Chair, Dr. Colleen Long dives into the science of nervous system regulation, winter hibernation, and why clinicians feel more depleted than ever during December. You’ll learn how seasonal biology, unfinished stress cycles, trauma physiology, and systemic pressure collide—especially for therapists, psychologists, physicians, and helpers who feel for a living.This episode helps you identify what kind of tired you’re actually experiencing—the kind a nap will fix, the kind that needs a nervous system reset, or the kind that signals a deeper career redesign. You’ll also hear why December is not a neutral month for clinicians, how rest can bring uncomfortable clarity, and why evolving your work is not failure—it’s biology.If you’re feeling exhausted, flat, or quietly done, this episode offers language, permission, and practical tools to slow down without shame and listen to what your nervous system is asking for next.Who this episode is for:• Therapists, psychologists, counselors• Physicians, psychiatrists, dentists• Coaches, healers, helpers• Burned-out professionals considering a career pivot

    26 min
  2. Redefining Success: A Therapist's Path to Peace with Sarah Olson

    12/16/2025

    Redefining Success: A Therapist's Path to Peace with Sarah Olson

    Burned out, questioning everything, and wondering if you’re allowed to want something different from your work and your life? This episode is for therapists, group practice owners, and mental health leaders who have hit a wall and know they cannot go back to “business as usual.” In this conversation, Sarah Olson opens up about slamming into burnout at full speed, even while her practice and life looked successful from the outside. She traces the moment everything stopped working, the fog that made it hard to think straight, and the reckoning that forced her to step back, rest, and rebuild her relationship to work, productivity, and worth. You’ll hear her talk about how hard it actually is to delegate, release control, and trust a team when you’ve been holding everything together for too long. Sarah describes what it took to take real time off, reconnect with her body, and how healing her own trauma shifted everything. Key takeaways: ➡️ Burnout can manifest unexpectedly, even when things seem to be going well. ➡️ Recognizing the signs of burnout is crucial for recovery. ➡️ Taking a break is not a sign of weakness but a necessary step for mental health. ➡️ Delegation can be challenging but is essential for sustainable practice management. ➡️ Self-care should not be viewed as selfish but as a priority for well-being. ➡️ Redefining success involves understanding personal limits and needs. ➡️ Quality work can be achieved in shorter, focused periods rather than long hours. ➡️ It's important to listen to your body and respect its signals. ➡️ Leadership styles can shift significantly after experiencing burnout. ➡️ Finding peace in professional life is a continuous journey. ➡️ Listening to your body is crucial for maintaining well-being. ➡️ Healing personal trauma can enhance professional practice. ➡️ Small changes can lead to significant improvements in well-being. ➡️ Prioritizing what truly matters can help manage stress and burnout. If you've ever wondered what sustainable work-life balance as a clinician could look like, Sarah outlines a pathway there in this episode. Episode chapters: 00:00 – The burnout experience 03:40 – Recognizing the signs of burnout 07:32 – The decision to step back 18:30 – The shift in mindset 24:58 – Finding community and support 26:45 – Recognizing personal limits and the need for rest 29:12 – The journey back from burnout 30:50 – Learning to delegate and trust the team 33:02 – Navigating the challenges of group practice ownership 35:47 – Understanding burnout and its impact 38:22 – Shifting perspectives on productivity 42:16 – Finding motivation and embracing change 46:03 – Dismantling old beliefs about success 53:33 – The evolution of leadership in practice ownership 01:03:02 – Leading with connection and inspiration 01:06:58 – Listening to your body: a journey to self-care 01:14:12 – Shifting therapy practices: from management to leadership 01:18:47 – Marketing and building a sustainable practice 01:21:31 – Advice for clinicians: small steps to avoid burnout​ If this episode speaks to you, hit subscribe so you don’t miss future conversations. Leave a review so other clinicians can find these stories, and share this episode with a colleague who is on the edge of burnout and needs to know they are not alone.​ Connect with us! Website: www.offthechair.com Instagram: @offthechairpodcast YouTube: @offthechairpodcast TikTok: @offthechairpodcast​

    1h 35m
  3. Autopsy of a Practice Part III: Your Not Broken, The Game is Rigged

    12/09/2025

    Autopsy of a Practice Part III: Your Not Broken, The Game is Rigged

    Burned out, morally injured, and wondering if you’re the problem? Good news and bad news: it's not you, it's the system. This episode is for clinicians, group practice owners, and mental health leaders who feel trapped between their ethics, insurance demands, and the crushing weight of “doing it all.” In this conversation, we unpack the evolving challenges facing clinicians in independent practice, especially the shift from “I’m just burned out” to recognizing true moral injury. We look at how systemic forces, insurance requirements, and changing rules in healthcare are reshaping what it even means to do ethical, sustainable clinical work. You’ll hear how isolation in leadership, constant multitasking, and opaque power dynamics erode both capacity and integrity over time. The episode also explores why so many group practice owners feel like they “failed,” when in reality the rules changed without their consent or control. What you’ll learn ➡️ Why your group practice didn’t fail just because you “couldn’t hack the rules” ➡️ The difference between burnout as a capacity failure and moral injury as an integrity failure ➡️ How clinicians become the vicarious “fall guy” for insurance companies and broken systems ➡️ Why burnout can stop being a phase and start to feel like an identity you can’t escape ➡️ How isolation at the top quietly harms clinical judgment, leadership, and well-being ➡️ What it looks like to reinvent your work using technology and AI without losing your humanity ➡️ Why “off the chair” means refusing to believe that suffering is the price of legitimacy in this field If you’ve ever thought, “I can survive this if I can just see a way out,” this episode sketches the contours of that way out. It offers language, frameworks, and possibilities for clinicians who are ready to stop surviving in silence and start reimagining what practice can look like. Episode chapters 00:00 – Introduction to the journey of clinicians 06:46 – The illusion of freedom in group practice 09:05 – The changing landscape of healthcare 10:26 – The new power dynamics in healthcare 12:53 – The burden of multitasking in practice management 13:11 – Understanding moral injury vs. burnout 17:55 – The impact of moral injury on clinicians 21:13 – The isolation of leadership in healthcare 25:07 – Navigating workplace turmoil 27:48 – The burden of leadership in mental health 30:27 – The impact of insurance on mental health practices 36:43 – The journey to selling a practice 40:24 – Reinventing mental health care in a changing landscape 45:58 – Embracing technology for sustainable practice 48:33 – Finding hope and healing in the chaos 50:33 – Understanding human behavior and cues 51:24 – Taking action for change If this episode resonated with you, hit subscribe so you don’t miss future conversations. Leave a review to help other clinicians find this show, and share this episode with a colleague who is quietly burning out or carrying moral injury alone. Connect with us! Website: www.offthechair.com Instagram: @offthechairpodcast YouTube: @offthechairpodcast TikTok: @offthechairpodcast

    52 min

  4. 12/02/2025

    Trailblazer Series: Transforming Leadership in Group Practices with Julianne Guinasso & Poonam Natha

    In this conversation, the hosts discuss the challenges of leadership in group practices, emphasizing the importance of trauma-informed leadership and building a culture of trust. Dr. Colleen Long introduces Poonam and Julianne from Level Up Leaders, who share their journey from clinicians to leadership consultants. The discussion covers the significance of understanding group practice owners, navigating isolation, and integrating culture into daily practices, especially in remote work environments. They highlight the costs of neglecting culture and the need for compassionate accountability in leadership, ultimately encouraging leaders to embrace their humanity and foster relational ecosystems within their teams. Key takeaways: Trauma-informed leadership is essential for sustainable practices.Turnover is costly, affecting both finances and morale.Survival mode hinders effective leadership.Building a culture of trust is crucial for team cohesion.Daily practices can automate culture cultivation.Compassionate accountability balances empathy with expectations.Honesty in leadership fosters trust and growth.Neglecting culture leads to high costs and low morale.Everyone in a team shares responsibility for culture.Transitioning from clinician to entrepreneur requires strategic planning. If you are in the thick of it, you are not alone. And you are definitely not the only one trying to survive inside something that was never built to support you. Connect with us! Julianne and Poonam: Website: https://www.levelupleaders.org/ Newsletter: https://levelupleaders.myflodesk.com/newsletter Off the Chair: Website: www.offthechair.com Instagram: @offthechairpodcast YouTube: @offthechairpodcast

    53 min
  5. Autopsy of a Practice: How Scarcity Mentality and Fear-Based Decisions Took Down a Seven-Figure Clinic [Part 1]

    11/18/2025

    Autopsy of a Practice: How Scarcity Mentality and Fear-Based Decisions Took Down a Seven-Figure Clinic [Part 1]

    WATCH THE FULL VIDEO EPISODE HERE! This one is personal. In part one of our deepest dive yet, we begin the autopsy of a seven-figure practice that rose fast, broke even faster, and exposed what happens when the realities of a broken mental health system collide with raw human limits. This is not a business teardown. It is a confession, a reckoning, and a mirror for every therapist pushing through clinician burnout while trying to hold an entire organization together with grit and fear. We unpack how early conditioning shaped a lifelong scarcity mentality, how that scarcity mentality fueled a grind that looked like ambition from the outside, and how scarcity mentality quietly infected every decision behind the scenes. The result was a domino effect of fear-based decisions, the kind of fear-based decisions that feel logical in the moment but corrosive in hindsight, the type of fear-based decisions that eventually collapse even the most profitable seven-figure systems. We name what clinicians are rarely allowed to say out loud. We name what happens when clinician burnout becomes an invisible job requirement. We name what happens when the broken mental health infrastructure pushes good providers into survival mode. And we name the emotional cost of carrying all of this while trying to convince yourself you are fine inside something that looks like a thriving seven-figure business from the outside. This is part origin story, part accountability, and part solidarity with every therapist who ever wondered if they were the problem when in reality they were operating inside a system that is fundamentally the problem. If you feel the weight of clinician burnout, if you have made fear-based decisions out of desperation, or if you are navigating the fallout of a broken mental health landscape, this episode will land exactly where it needs to. What you will hearThe early imprint that wired a lifelong scarcity mentality and how it shows up in leadershipHow clinician burnout becomes an identity instead of a warning signThe quiet ways a broken mental health system shapes everything from hiring to ethicsWhy fear-based decisions masquerade as responsibility and feel impossible to avoidThe moment a seven-figure practice revealed its fault lines in real time If you are in the thick of it, you are not alone. And you are definitely not the only one trying to survive inside something that was never built to support you. Connect with us! Website: www.offthechair.com Instagram: @offthechairpodcast YouTube: @offthechairpodcast Colleen Long, Psy.D. Website: www.claritypsychologicaltesting.com LinkedIn: Dr. Colleen Long   Jennifer Politis, PhD, LPC Website: www.wellnesscounselingBC.com Instagram: @wellnesscounselingnj TikTok: @wellnesscounseling LinkedIn: a href="https://off-the-chair.captivate.fm/jenniferlinkedin"...

    46 min
  6. Trailblazer Series - From Burnout to Balance: The Clinician’s Path to Freedom, Impact, & Legacy with Gordon Brewer

    11/11/2025

    Trailblazer Series - From Burnout to Balance: The Clinician’s Path to Freedom, Impact, & Legacy with Gordon Brewer

    WATCH THE FULL VIDEO EPISODE HERE! What happens when you finally pause long enough to ask, “Is this really the life I built my practice for?” In this conversation with Gordon Brewer, LMFT, founder of The Practice of Therapy Podcast, Kingsport Counseling Associates, and PsychCraft Network, we explore what it means to move from burnout to balance through purpose, faith, and intentional growth. After 30 years in the field, Gordon has learned that lasting success starts when you know your why and build an aligned business that supports your life instead of consuming it. He shares how his own path to freedom came not from hustle, but from alignment, clarity, and community. If you have ever wondered what it takes to create a career that is both profitable and peaceful, this is your invitation to reconnect with your purpose and rebuild your aligned business from the inside out. In this episode, we discuss: • How to know your why when the work starts feeling heavy or directionless • What it really means to move from burnout to balance while staying true to your values • Why building an aligned business is the foundation for long-term sustainability • The mindset shifts that lead to intentional growth and authentic leadership • How to design your personal path to freedom without sacrificing impact or integrity Every clinician deserves to build an aligned business that reflects who they are becoming, not who they were when they started. This episode is your reminder that when you know your why, you can move from burnout to balance, step into intentional growth, and walk your own path to freedom with clarity and confidence. Resources from this Episode: Clarity Psychological Testing Clinician Collaborative Book: Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals - Oliver Burkeman  Connect with us! Website: www.offthechair.com Instagram: @offthechairpodcast YouTube: @offthechairpodcast Colleen Long, Psy.D. Website: www.claritypsychologicaltesting.com LinkedIn: Dr. Colleen Long   Jennifer Politis, PhD, LPC Website: www.wellnesscounselingBC.com Instagram: @wellnesscounselingnj TikTok: @wellnesscounseling LinkedIn: Jennifer Politis   Erika Bugaj, MA,...

    43 min
  7. Trailblazer Series: How Shalene Kite Rebuilt Her DBT Practice and Redefined Clinician Burnout

    11/03/2025

    Trailblazer Series: How Shalene Kite Rebuilt Her DBT Practice and Redefined Clinician Burnout

    WATCH THE FULL VIDEO EPISODE HERE! In this episode of Off the Chair, host Dr. Colleen Long sits down with Shalene Kite, LPC, DBT LBC, RYT, founder of DBT of South Jersey and Rebel Mente, to talk about how she transformed her DBT practice into a thriving business that challenges clinician burnout and empowers therapists to build freedom through aligned entrepreneurship. From building a team of more than twenty clinicians to launching a national training brand, Shalene shares how she turned her skills as a therapist business coach into a movement for mental health professionals who want to lead without losing themselves. She explains how her background in dialectical behavior therapy and yoga shaped her approach to leadership, balance, and passive income for therapists who crave a more sustainable future. This episode dives deep into what it means to grow a purpose-driven DBT practice, create systems that prevent clinician burnout, and redefine success beyond the therapy chair. Shalene’s story reminds every listener that passive income for therapists is not just a dream but a strategy that works when led with clarity and heart. Key Topics CoveredHow Shalene rebuilt her DBT practice after experiencing clinician burnout and found a more grounded way to leadWhat it takes to build passive income for therapists while staying true to your mission and your clientsHow a therapist business coach helps clinicians systemize, delegate, and grow without overwhelmThe mindset shifts that protect therapists from clinician burnout and promote balance in business and lifeHow to diversify income through training, consulting, and creative offers that extend your impactThe connection between a thriving DBT practice, emotional resilience, and long-term sustainabilityWhy working with a therapist business coach can transform how you think about leadership and legacy If you have ever wondered how to move from clinician to CEO, recover from clinician burnout, and create passive income for therapists that reflects your values and purpose, this episode is your roadmap. Connect with us! Website: www.offthechair.com Instagram: @offthechairpodcast YouTube: @offthechairpodcast Colleen Long, Psy.D. Website: www.claritypsychologicaltesting.com LinkedIn: Dr. Colleen Long   Jennifer Politis, PhD, LPC Website: www.wellnesscounselingBC.com Instagram: @wellnesscounselingnj TikTok: @wellnesscounseling LinkedIn: Jennifer Politis   Erika Bugaj, MA, MSW, LICSW Website: www.dandelioncounselingcare.com Instagram: a...

    53 min
  8. AI, Automation Examples & Etsy Empires — AI Tech That Gets You Off the Chair (and Back Your Time)

    10/28/2025

    AI, Automation Examples & Etsy Empires — AI Tech That Gets You Off the Chair (and Back Your Time)

    If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, “There’s got to be a smarter way to run this practice,” this episode is for you. Dr. Colleen Long takes you behind the scenes of AI automation examples and tools that are helping the modern therapist finally reclaim time without sacrificing quality, connection, or creativity. From real-world AI for clinicians to easy-to-apply systems that bring freedom back to your week, Colleen breaks down how AI tech is reshaping what’s possible in private practice. This is your no-fluff guide to building structure, scaling smarter, and learning how to reclaim time while letting technology do the heavy lifting. In this episode, you’ll learn: The AI automation examples that make running your practice simpler and more sustainableHow AI for clinicians is changing documentation, admin tasks, and communicationWhich AI tech tools Dr. Colleen actually uses to reclaim time every weekWhy the modern therapist needs systems that match their values and workflowHow embracing AI automation examples helps you grow with purpose, not pressure If you’re ready to work less, earn more, and think bigger, this conversation will show you how to apply AI for clinicians, choose practical AI tech, and join a community of modern therapists redefining success through systems that reclaim time and energy. 👉 Join the conversation inside the Founders Circle, our 2026 mastermind for clinician-entrepreneurs ready to grow sustainably.  WATCH THE FULL VIDEO EPISODE HERE! Connect with us! Website: www.offthechair.com Instagram: @offthechairpodcast YouTube: @offthechairpodcast Colleen Long, Psy.D. Website: www.claritypsychologicaltesting.com LinkedIn: Dr. Colleen Long   Jennifer Politis, PhD, LPC Website: www.wellnesscounselingBC.com Instagram: @wellnesscounselingnj TikTok: @wellnesscounseling LinkedIn: Jennifer Politis   Erika Bugaj, MA, MSW, LICSW Website: www.dandelioncounselingcare.com Instagram: @dandelioncounselingcare LinkedIn: Erika Bugaj

    47 min
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5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

In a world where a nail artist can out-earn a licensed therapist, behavioral health professionals have no choice but to get scrappy, color outside the lines, and start writing our own rules. The old path—graduate school, licensure, paneled with insurance, packed calendar of 1:1s—is broken. It’s time for a new blueprint. That’s where Off the Chair comes in. We’re not just talking about surviving the grind, we’re exploring radically different ways to thrive. From building passive income streams to launching scalable service lines, we dive into business models that break the mold. We cover how modern technology; AI, digital products, automation, and online communities—can even help clinicians step out of the therapy chair and into a more expansive, creative, and financially free version of practice. Off the Chair is the no-BS podcast for therapists and clinicians from all disciplines, trapped in a broken healthcare system, ready to break out of burnout, reclaim their income, and build values-driven businesses beyond mis-managed care and trading hours for dollars. Hosted by Dr. Colleen Long—a clinician-entrepreneur who has built, broken, and rebuilt thriving mental health companies—this show brings you weekly conversations on what it really takes to succeed in today’s broken behavioral health system. Whether you're a growth-minded psychologist, a private practice owner, or a therapist wondering how to scale without selling your soul, Off the Chair is your roadmap to redefining what success looks like in mental healthcare. What You’ll Learn - Business & Practice Management: Navigate the operations side of private practice with insight into EMRs, scheduling workflows, profitability pivots, and systems that scale. - Hiring & Leadership: From managing your first intern to leading multi-state teams, get real-world advice on creating aligned, sustainable teams (and firing fast when it’s not a fit). - Financial Freedom for Clinicians: Understand compensation models, create recurring revenue streams, and stop trading time for money—all without compromising your ethics. - Mental Health Industry Reform: Challenge the status quo with honest dialogue on insurance gatekeeping, clinician burnout, and what it takes to build a more human-centered system. - Personal Resilience & Growth: Behind every spreadsheet is a dark night of the soul. We talk mindset, mission drift, and how to stay motivated when the math doesn’t math. - Overcoming Challenges: The podcast addresses common challenges faced by therapists, such as negative reviews, legal threats, and the fear of failure, offering strategies for navigating these obstacles. Overall, Off the Chair aims to empower clinicians to: Become more effective leaders and managers. Build strong, efficient, and profitable practices. Enhance their personal well-being and achieve a fulfilling career. Stay ahead of the curve in a constantly evolving industry. Why Listen? Off the Chair isn’t just about the logistics of running a practice—it’s about reclaiming your creativity, your autonomy, and your voice as a leader. No jargon, no perfectionism. Just vulnerable, strategic conversations that meet you in the messy middle. New episodes drop every Tuesday. Connect with us! Website: www.offthechair.com Instagram: @offthechairpodcast Dr. Colleen Long, Psy.D. Website: www.drcolleenlong.com LinkedIn: Dr. Colleen Long

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Colleen Long
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Dr. Colleen Long