The Practice of Therapy Podcast

PsychCraft Network
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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. What to Say to Someone Grieving (Most People Get This Wrong) | Shelby Forsythia | TPOT 432

    6D AGO

    What to Say to Someone Grieving (Most People Get This Wrong) | Shelby Forsythia | TPOT 432

    Grief is something every one of us will face at some point, and yet most of us have no idea what to say when someone is hurting. In this episode, I'm joined by Shelby Forsythia, a grief coach, author, and host of the Grief Grower podcast. Shelby shares her own story of profound loss and how it shaped the work she does today, helping people navigate grief in a way that actually honors what they are going through. We talk about why so many common phrases miss the mark, what grieving people are really experiencing beneath the surface, and how grief doesn't just affect your emotions, it changes your identity. Shelby also breaks down the three simple phrases that can completely shift how you support someone in pain. If you've ever felt unsure of what to say, or worried about saying the wrong thing, this conversation will give you a clearer path forward. 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 Shelby Forsythia Shelby Forsythia (she/her) is a grief coach, author, and podcast host. In 2020, she founded Life After Loss Academy, an online course and community that has helped dozens of grievers grow and find their way after death, divorce, diagnosis, and other major life transitions. Following her mother's death in 2013, Shelby began calling herself a "student of grief" and now devotes her days to reading, writing, and speaking about loss. Through a combination of mindfulness tools and intuitive, open-ended questions, she guides her clients to welcome grief as a teacher and create meaningful lives that honor and include the heartbreaks they've faced. Her work has been featured in Huffington Post, Bustle, and The Oprah Magazine. Website Grief Grower Podcast Shelby on Instagram

    43 min

  2. 6D AGO ·  BONUS

    You Might Also Like: No Magic Pill with Blake Mycoskie

    Introducing Matthew McConaughey’s Guide to Life from No Magic Pill with Blake Mycoskie. Follow the show: No Magic Pill with Blake Mycoskie After losing his father and a dark year in Australia, actor Matthew McConaughey walked into the wilderness of his own mind to figure out how to be a man. He did so by writing long letters to himself, taking solo “walkabouts,” and purging the shame, guilt, and embarrassment of his younger years. He tells Blake about his methods (including what worked and what didn't work) and how they brought him both professional and personal success. In this conversation you’ll learn: – How to take a solo trip that will provide life-changing clarity – Why using too many adjectives and adverbs when journaling means you’re lost – Why service and religion is selfish, and why that’s okay – How to teach your kids the great lesson of being bored – Why emotional maturity and critical thinking are crucial in the age of AI – Matthew’s final note to self Enough Foundation's mission is to spread reminders in every form — bracelets, messages, actions, community — until feeling ENOUGH becomes the cultural default. To learn more, visit weareenough.co. Produced, Directed, and Cinematography by Wubetu Shimelash / IG: Wubetu Shimelash Disclaimer: No purchase necessary. While supplies last. Visit http://www.weareenough.co/rules for full terms. More information on Blake’s other projects here:  Morning Water  Morning Water is a daily hydration formula that restores energy, balance, and performance with essential electrolytes, minerals, and nutrients in one simple routine.  To learn more, visit morningwater.co and use code NOMAGICPILL for 25% off your first order. SONIA  Sonia is a conversational AI companion designed for emotional support. Through voice and text, it offers guided wellbeing sessions, including meditations, journaling, personalized recommendations, and practical exercises. To learn more, visit www.soniahealth.com and download it on the App Store. MOOVLAB At MOOVLAB, we bring health and wellness to your workday.  MOOVLAB - the answer to sitting is moving.  To learn more, visit www.moovlab.com Follow Blake on Instagram and stay up to date with Lemonada on Facebook and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at lemonadapremium.com. Disclaimer: This episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical questions or concerns you may have. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction & Blake's Story 1:50 ENOUGH Bracelet 2:18 Matthew's Approach to Identity 3:09 Coins of Prayers & the Icarus in Reverse Poem 05:51 Living with Purpose 06:07 Facing Your Demons Alone 07:56 The Day 12 Breakthrough 09:09 Practical Tips for Solitude & Survival Mode 09:55 Chop Wood, Carry Water 10:57 "I Am Enough" Mantra 12:23 "Just Because You Can Doesn't Mean You Should" 16:09 Simplifying Life 19:27 Morning Water 23:42 Rolling in High School, Then Losing It All in Australia 26:58 Finding Identity Through Disciplines in the Dark 27:29 Does Drama Find Us, or Do We Find It? 28:48 Is "This Too Shall Pass" a Privilege? 32:11 Service, Suffering & Obsessive Self-Centric Thinking 34:40 Is Serving Others Actually Selfish? 38:23 Tom's Shoes & the Identity Crisis Behind It 40:04 Sonia AI 41:32 Moovlab Chair 42:34 Teaching Kids Solitude & Knowing Yourself 44:52 Boredom as a Gift 49:04 AI, Multitasking & What Skills Actually Matter 52:35 The "Enough" Bracelet & Closing Poem 55:45 Closing Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

  3. What It Really Takes to Run a Profitable Private Practice | Brandy Mabra | TPOT 431

    MAY 4

    What It Really Takes to Run a Profitable Private Practice | Brandy Mabra | TPOT 431

    Thinking about starting a private practice in 2026? There's a lot to consider… and it's not as simple as it used to be. In this episode of The Practice of Therapy Podcast, I'm joined by Brandy Mabra, who brings nearly two decades of experience across private practice, corporate healthcare, and entrepreneurship. We dig into what's really happening in the industry right now—from AI and changing business models to profitability and long-term sustainability. If you're wondering whether now is the right time to start (or grow) a practice, this conversation will help you think more strategically about your next move. 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 Brandy Mabra Brandy Mabra is the CEO of Savvy Clover Coaching & Consulting and a CEO coach for private practice owners in healthcare. Brandy has over two decades of business management and leadership experience. She has worked in diverse business climates and has turned hot mess practices into well-oiled, profitable machines. She has spent her career building, scaling, and leading 9-figure practices and now uses her skill set to help women private practice owners grow their businesses with sustainability and profit in mind. Brandy earned her bachelor's degree from The Ohio State University and a Master's in Health Administration from A.T. Still University. She is a Certified Professional Coach and Master Energy Leadership Practitioner, receiving her credentials from the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC). She has been part of the Entrepreneur Leadership Network and has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, Entrepreneur, PopSugar, Create & Cultivate, and several well-known podcasts. Brandy is also the host of the top-ranked CEO podcast, CEO Conversations: The Private Practice Podcast. She is the founder of Private Practice CEO™, which empowers her clients to fully step into their role as CEO—building practices with streamlined operations and engaged teams that can run without them. Brandy loves to travel and spend time with her family. She believes you can't build a business on fumes—and that CEO breaks are required. Website Instagram The Private Practice Podcast How To Create a CEO Mindset in Private Practice

    33 min
  4. Why A Lot of Therapists Struggle in Private Practice | Katie Piura | TPOT 430

    APR 27

    Why A Lot of Therapists Struggle in Private Practice | Katie Piura | TPOT 430

    Thinking about starting a private practice… but feeling unsure where to begin? In this episode, Katie Piura shares the mindset shifts every therapist needs to make before launching (or growing) a successful practice. From burnout in agency work to building something aligned and sustainable, Katie breaks down the real challenges therapists face and why being a great clinician isn't always enough. We also get into the business side of private practice that grad school never taught you, including money mindset, marketing, and why asking for help might be the most important step you take. If you've been thinking about private practice but feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure... this conversation is for you. 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 Piura She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 10 years of experience in behavioral health, specializing in culturally competent mental health care, trauma-informed care, emotional wellness, and child, adolescent, and young adult populations. As a bilingual clinician and trainer, she has led workshops, courses, and media education segments across a range of settings—from Latin media outlets to universities. Her work centers on serving diverse communities, with a focus on first- and second-generation immigrants, Latinx populations, and youth. She provides accessible, evidence-based education in both English and Spanish. The Private Practice Start Program Registration Instagram Website

    31 min
  5. How This Simple Method Transforms Private Practice Sessions | Tanya Dantus | TPOT 429

    APR 20

    How This Simple Method Transforms Private Practice Sessions | Tanya Dantus | TPOT 429

    What if the thing keeping your clients stuck isn't what they're talking about… but what they're avoiding feeling? In this episode, I'm joined by Tanya Dantus, and we dive into a really practical way of helping clients move through what's actually underneath the surface. Tanya shares her RIFRA Method, which stands for Root, Impact, Feel, Reflect, and Act, and how this process helps clients stop intellectualizing and start creating real change. We talk about why so many people struggle to access their emotions, how that shows up in therapy, and what it looks like to guide someone through it in a way that feels safe and doable. There's also a great conversation around boundaries, validation, and how early patterns continue to show up in work and relationships. If you've ever felt like your clients understand their issues but still feel stuck, this one will give you a different lens and some practical tools you can start using right away. 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 Tanya Dantus, LMFT, SEP Tanya Dantus is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner who specializes in working with high-functioning women navigating relationship patterns, people-pleasing, and emotional disconnection. Her work integrates relational therapy, depth psychology, and somatic approaches to help clients move beyond insight into lasting, embodied change. She is the creator of the RIFRA Method, a framework that helps clients understand the roots of their patterns, process emotional experience, and take aligned action. She is also the author of The Power of No, which brings this work to a wider audience of women ready to reclaim their voice, safety, and self-trust. Website Instagram LinkedIn

    37 min

  6. APR 13

    Are Superbills Worth It in Private Practice? | Mark Florian | TPOT 428

    Thinking about taking insurance in your private practice or trying to figure out a better way to handle out-of-network clients? This is one of those decisions that almost every therapist wrestles with at some point. On one hand, insurance can help fill your caseload and make therapy more accessible. On the other hand, the admin work, lower reimbursement rates, and constant back and forth can leave you feeling stretched thin and frustrated. In this episode, I'm joined by Mark Florian, founder of Deputy Care, and we get into what is really happening behind the scenes with insurance, superbills, and out of network billing. We talk about why so many therapists start on insurance panels and then eventually want to move away from them, and what makes that transition so difficult. We also unpack the hidden friction in the system, from denied claims to clients struggling to get reimbursed, and how all of that can impact both your income and your clients' ability to stay in therapy. If you've ever felt stuck between wanting to help more people and wanting to build a sustainable private practice, this conversation will give you a lot to think about. 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 Meet Mark Florian Mark Florian is the Founder of Deputy Care, a platform dedicated to helping private-pay clinicians increase patient retention by eliminating the "administrative dread" of insurance. With over 15 years of experience building the technological "plumbing" of healthcare, Mark has served as the CTO of Advekit and was an early engineering leader at Zocdoc. Today, he is on a mission to "kill the superbill," replacing outdated PDF receipts with automated "payment floating" technology that allows patients to access their out-of-network benefits instantly. Mark's unique perspective sits at the intersection of high-scale health tech and the deeply personal relationship between therapist and client. LinkedIn Deputy Care

    29 min
  7. Private Pay vs Insurance: What Therapists Get WRONG | Avivit Fisher | TPOT 427

    APR 6

    Private Pay vs Insurance: What Therapists Get WRONG | Avivit Fisher | TPOT 427

    Private pay versus insurance is one of the biggest decisions therapists face, and honestly, it's also one of the most misunderstood. In this episode, we're breaking down what therapists often get wrong when thinking about these two models. It's not just about money or convenience. It's about how you want to run your practice, who you want to serve, and where you're willing to spend your time and energy. If you've been going back and forth on whether to take insurance, go private pay, or try a hybrid approach, this conversation will help you think about it in a much clearer way. 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 Avivit Fisher Avivit Fisher is a marketing strategist and the founder of REdD Strategy, a boutique consultancy that helps therapists and private practice owners attract private-pay clients through clear positioning, ethical marketing, and sustainable systems. With over a decade of experience in brand strategy and healthcare marketing, she works with clinicians nationwide to build practices that stand out, grow intentionally, and align with their values. The State of Private Pay Therapy Practices REdD Strategy on LinkedIn

    34 min

  8. MAR 30

    Thoughts on AI and Tech Platforms in Private Practice | TPOT 426

    What happens when you open the floor and let your audience ask anything? That's exactly what we did in this episode, and the questions did not disappoint. We're diving into the big ones therapists are quietly asking right now. Is AI going to replace us? Are companies like BetterHelp helping or hurting the field? And how do you actually stand out when clients can talk to a chatbot instead of a human? I'm sharing my honest thoughts on where all of this is headed, what most therapists are getting wrong about AI, and why the human connection in therapy still matters more than ever. If you've been feeling unsure, frustrated, or even a little threatened by the changes happening in our industry, this episode will help you step back, rethink the problem, and approach it with clarity instead of fear. Plus, I'm answering real listener questions and giving you practical ways to navigate it all as a practice owner. This is one of those conversations that might challenge how you've been thinking about the future of therapy. Resources Mentioned In This Episode  Rethinking Depression | Hidden Brain Podcast Subscribe on YouTube Watch on YouTube Wealth & Worth Within   CEO Financial Clarity Corner Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free Consulting with Gordon The PsychCraft Network

    41 min
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4.8
out of 5
72 Ratings

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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