Compassionate Climb

Shawn Hondorp, clinical psychologist and host of The Innovative Therapist Podcast shares her remarkable journey from academia and conventional clinical work to building innovative, community-centered practices including the retreat experiences she now designs to foster deep connection and healing. Shawn opens up about the pivotal moments that pushed her to rethink her career, how she learned to trust her intuition as a guide, and why creativity isn't just a nice-to-have-it's central to her work and her wellbeing. She also discusses how dance and play have been transformative in her work and life. Whether you're a clinician feeling stuck, an entrepreneur navigating self-doubt, or someone craving more play and authenticity in your life, this conversation is full of honest insight and practical wisdom.

Shawn's Links:

Website

Podcast

Instagram

Jennifer "Taz" Vazquez, therapist, hypnotherapist, certified life coach, fitness instructor, speaker, and veteran shares how she overcame depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and low self-esteem and built a successful career rooted in service and healing. We discuss the connection between trauma, identity, and achievement, and how high performers often struggle silently with feelings of inadequacy despite external success. Taz opens up about transitioning from military life into mental health work, balancing multiple professional passions, and learning how to stop merely surviving and start truly thriving. We dive into practical and out-of-the-box approaches to creating aligned income streams, using your unique gifts and interests to build a sustainable and fulfilling career. From tapping techniques and life coaching tools to redefining success beyond finances, this episode is filled with insight, encouragement, and actionable wisdom for anyone navigating personal growth, entrepreneurship, or major life transitions.

Taz's Links:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Charity O'Reilly, trauma therapist, author, and founder of O'Reilly Trauma Healing discussed her innovative intensive therapy model and how clinicians can explore this transformative approach in their own work. She shares the evolution of her practice, the development of her 5-day IFS-informed EMDR intensive model, and her decision to offer intensives on her healing-centered property. Charity also discusses pricing, marketing, identifying appropriate client fit, and the realities of building a sustainable and impactful therapy practice.

Charity's Links:

Website

Course

Instagram

Book

Practice Expansion Retreat

Therapist Evolution Summit

Charity Chaffee, owner of the private practice, Raising Vibrance Counseling & Consulting, and the organization Teens Uncharted, shares how she found her calling unexpectedly. Originally trained as a biology and environmental studies teacher, she realized her passion was supporting teens in a deeper, more personal way. She believes every young person deserves support outside of their family in a space that feels safe, specialized, and truly understanding. She has now built a community that provides ongoing mentorship and resources for clinicians supporting teens and their families including the podcast Teens: No Cap, downloadable guides, and the first national professional community dedicated entirely to advancing teen-focused care. Tune in to learn about her unique approach to teen therapy, operating her business, and maintaining work-life balance.

Key Takeaways:

• Teens are their own specialty.
• All clinicians can benefit from developing the skills to connect with teens.
• Specializing in one population doesn't limit the work, it enriches it.
• There is no "right" schedule in private practice.
• Passion protects against burnout

Charity's Links:

Facebook

Instagram

Amanda Hunter, owner of Everlasting Wellness is back to discuss the evolution of her group practice. We explore the importance of hiring full-time staff, the challenges of providing employee benefits, and the significance of productivity and accountability in a mental health practice. Amanda shares insights on implementing a bonus structure, and the value of consulting. The conversation also delves into defining leadership roles and the critical importance of workplace culture and transparency in fostering a supportive environment for employees.

Key Takeaways:

-Hiring full-time staff can significantly improved practice efficiency.-Employee benefits can be costly but are essential for retention.-Productivity metrics are crucial for accountability in a practice.-A well-structured bonus system can motivate staff and improve performance.-Consulting can be invaluable for navigating business growth.-Defining clear leadership roles is essential for operational success.-Workplace culture and transparency foster trust and commitment among staff.

Amanda's Links:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Jenny Hughes is a psychologist specializing in trauma. She discusses the concepts of vicarious trauma and resilience, sharing her career journey and the founding of the Brave Trauma Therapist Collective. The conversation delves into the importance of recognizing vicarious trauma, the development of the BRAVE method, and practical strategies for mental health professionals and the general public to navigate their emotional well-being. She emphasizes the significance of community support and the need to identify and celebrate small moments of joy, referred to as 'glimmers', in challenging times.

Key Takeaways:

• Vicarious trauma is a normal experience for helpers.

• The BRAVE method helps address vicarious trauma.

• Naming vicarious trauma is the first step to managing it.

• Vicarious resilience can be accessed through empathic engagement.

• Community support is crucial for mental health professionals.

• Glimmers of hope can be found in everyday moments.

• Self-care is essential but should be part of a larger structural change.

• The journey of healing is not linear and requires patience.

Jenny's Links:

Website

Facehttps://www.facebook.com/groups/thebravevicarioustraumacommunitybook

Instagram

YouTube

In this solo episode, I reflect on my experiences as a leader in 2025, discussing the lessons learned about leadership, capacity, and the costs associated with growth. I share my journey from clinician to leader to CEO, emphasizing the importance of delegation, team empowerment, and maintaining a balance between accessibility and effectiveness. I also address the challenges of capacity and burnout, and candidly discuss the financial realities of business growth, including the impact of staffing and operational changes.

Key Takeaways:

• Leadership requires vulnerability and authenticity.

• Comparing ourselves to others can be misleading.

• Delegation is essential for growth and scaling.

• Effective leaders inspire and empower their teams.

• Accessibility must be balanced with effectiveness.

• Energy and time are limited resources.

• Burnout can result from overextending oneself.

• Financial growth does not always equate to profitability.

Julia's Links:

Website

Free Consult

Facebook

Instagram

Jose Diaz is a licensed professional counselor who is currently navigating the process of expanding is solo practice to group. In this consulting episode, he shares his journey of establishing a successful solo practice, the factors that contributed to his decision to build a team, and highlights the challenges and successes he has encountered along the way. We delve into the importance of understanding personal roadblocks, particularly through the lens of the Enneagram, which helped Jose identify fears that have hindered his growth. The conversation emphasizes the significance of self-awareness and the need for support in navigating the complexities of running a counseling practice. Insights are shared about the practical aspects of running a practice, the hiring process, and the value of taking imperfect action.

Key Takeaways:

• The Enneagram can be helpful in understanding the fears that prevent us from taking action.
• You are in control of the pace of the hiring process.
• You do not have to do everything on your own.
• You can start with part-time clinicians to ease into expansion.
• Relationship building is crucial for consistent referrals.
• Acknowledge your achievements.

Jose's Links:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Kara Cruz is a psychotherapist, private practice owner, and educator whose work centers on helping women and helping professionals reconnect with themselves-without burning out in the process. She is the founder of Therapist Group Bootcamp, a mastermind guiding therapists in designing, planning, and launching their own signature group programs and It Begins with Us, a group for women focused on rebuilding self trust and healing from self abandonment. She specializes in working with women, therapists, and helpers who are successful on the outside but feel disconnected, burned out, or out of alignment on the inside. Her focus is on nervous system health, self-trust, and helping people stop abandoning themselves in the name of being good, productive, or successful. She shares her personal journey of overcoming burnout and how she now helps other women navigate similar struggles. She talks about how over-functioning, people-pleasing, and nervous system dysregulation can slowly pull us away from our values and what it actually looks like to build a life and career that feels aligned, sustainable, and rooted in self-trust.

Key Takeaways

• Self-trust in an important component of overcoming burnout.
• Burnout can manifest in various ways, including physical and emotional exhaustion.
• Creating a supportive community is essential for healing and growth.
• Setting clear boundaries is crucial for maintaining mental health.
• It is important to focus on a few key projects rather than spreading yourself too thin.
• Self-care and rest are vital for long-term success and well-being.
• Therapy and coaching can provide valuable insights and support.
• Building self-trust takes time and practice, similar to developing a new skill.

Kara’s Links:

Website

Therapist Group Bootcamp

It Begins With Us

Instagram

Abbey Howe is a certified Enneagram coach who creates educational content that is accessible for everyone. She works with teams around the world-from global companies to local community groups-helping people build self-awareness, empathy, and stronger relationships. She shares her personal journey discovering the Enneagram and how it transformed her life. She also discusses her upcoming book, My Enneagram: A Visual Guide to Find Your Personality Type, Stress Less, and Live Your Dreams. She opens up about parenting through the lens of the Enneagram and the ongoing journey of personal growth.

Key Takeaways:

• The Enneagram can help you understand your motivations and course-correct life decisions.
• The Enneagram can help improve communication and collaboration with teams.
• The Enneagram can help parents respond rather than react.
• The Enneagram can help individuals separate their worth from their productivity.

Abbey's Links:

Website

Instagram

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