Ever had a dream client vanish the second you said, “I don’t take insurance”? 

In this rerun episode of Love, Happiness, and Success for Therapists, I’m breaking down one of the most frustrating, deflating, and pivotal conversations we have in private practice: ⁠⁠how to talk to therapy clients about insurance⁠⁠ and self-pay therapy (without spiraling, apologizing, or selling yourself short).

I walk you through exactly how to handle that record-scratch moment with clarity, confidence, and integrity—so you can stop losing ideal clients and start owning your value. We’ll explore why the insurance model was never built for growth work, how to frame your services outside of the medical model, and how self-pay therapy and coaching can be transformational for both you and your clients.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started, this conversation will help you rethink the way you show up, speak up, and set yourself up for long-term success.

You'll learn:

If you’re longing for a practice that aligns with your passion for growth work—it might be time for a new approach.

In my ⁠⁠ BCC-Accredited Coaching Certification for Therapists⁠⁠, I guide licensed clinicians just like you to:

This program rewards up to 50 CE hours. Come learn how to create a thriving, ethical, and fulfilling practice from someone who’s walked this road.

And hey—if we haven’t connected on LinkedIn yet, let’s do so! I’d love to follow your journey, cheer you on, and swap notes on what’s working (and what’s not) in our evolving world of therapy and coaching. Come say hi and ⁠⁠connect with me right here⁠⁠.

Xoxo,

⁠⁠Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby⁠⁠

⁠Growing Self⁠

P.S. If this episode made you nod, scribble notes, or rethink your client scripts, share it with a fellow therapist or drop it in your favorite consultation group. Let’s rise together. 💛

Are you a therapist who's curious about coaching but not sure where to begin?

If you've ever felt like your clients need more than insight alone, if you're craving a more energizing, action-oriented way to help people grow, or if you've wondered whether coaching could be the next evolution of your career, this episode is for you.

In this conversation, I unpack why coaching psychology isn't a replacement for therapy. It's a powerful complementary skill set that can help you create better outcomes, expand your opportunities, and fall back in love with your work.

As therapists, we're experts at helping people heal. But many of us were never trained in how to help clients create meaningful change once they're no longer in crisis. That's where evidence-based coaching psychology comes in. It's a natural extension of the work you already do and one that can transform both your clients' lives and your own professional future.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Whether you're simply coaching-curious or seriously considering adding coaching to your practice, this episode will give you a clear, ethical framework for understanding what's possible.

I hope you'll join me, and that this conversation inspires you to embrace the coach within.

Want to learn more?

I host regular live information sessions where I answer your questions about the Growing Self Coaching Certification for Therapists, explain the different training pathways, and help you decide whether this program is the right fit for you.

Click here to register for an upcoming information session.

I hope to see you there!

Xoxo,
Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby

Growing Self

Your client may not be stuck for the reasons you think.

When a client seems overwhelmed, shut down, or unable to move forward, it's easy to assume trauma is the driving force. But what if there's another important piece of the puzzle?

In this conversation, I sit down with nervous system educator Alyssa Blask Campbell to explore how sensory processing influences nervous system activation, and why it's an assessment lens many therapists were never taught to consider. We discuss how sensory experiences can shape behavior, emotional regulation, and a client's capacity to engage, offering a broader framework for understanding what may be happening beneath the surface.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Whether you're a therapist, coach, or helping professional, this conversation will expand the way you think about nervous system activation and leave you with practical ideas you can begin using right away.

Xoxo,

Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby

Growing Self

P.S. If this conversation sparks your curiosity, don't miss Alyssa's free CEU training on September 17th, where she'll take an even deeper dive into recognizing sensory-driven nervous system activation and share practical strategies you can immediately integrate into your clinical work. We'd love to have you join us. Register here.

Ever feel like something’s “off” in your therapeutic relationships but can’t quite put your finger on it? The answer might lie in hidden power dynamics that could be impacting your clients in ways you didn’t realize.

In today's episode, we're revisiting the subtle, often unnoticed imbalances that naturally occur between therapist and client—and more importantly, what you can do to manage them effectively so that they don't sabotage the work.

I’ll walk you through practical strategies to create more equitable relationships, promote client autonomy, and avoid the common pitfalls of disempowerment and dependency.

With over 50 therapists under my supervision, I’ve seen firsthand how even well-meaning professionals can fall into these traps. I’ll also be sharing personal insights and tools you can start using in your next session.

Join me for this vital conversation and let’s work together to ensure we’re empowering our clients in every way possible AND avoiding the pitfalls that can ruin therapy (and even get you in hot water as a therapist).

What You’ll Learn:

03:24:Why Power Differentials Are Unavoidable

11:21: The Consequences of Unmanaged Power Dynamics

22:26: Strategies for Reducing Imbalances in Your Sessions

25:00: How to Collaborate and Be Transparent with Clients 

32:11: Final Thoughts & Free Resources for Therapists 

I can’t wait for you to tune in!

Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby

And don’t forget! I have a *FREE* 2-part training just for therapists, where I’ll show you how to get clear about your professional trajectory, and integrate coaching techniques into your practice for even more effective results. You can access it at ⁠growingself.com/coaching⁠

You're fully booked.

The money is coming in.

So why does your bank account still feel stressed?

If you've ever looked around your practice and thought, "I should be making more than this..." you're not imagining it.

In this episode, I sit down with CPA and cash flow strategist Emily Bowie to talk about cash flow for therapists and the financial trap nobody warned us about: earning more is not the same thing as keeping more.

Here's the uncomfortable truth:

You can have a thriving practice.

You can bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars.

You can even build a multi-million-dollar business...

...and still have no idea where your money is going.

I know because I did exactly that.

At one point,I was leading a practice that looked to be very successful from the outside, but because I didn't know how to read a financial statement, there was so much I was missing and it caused major problems.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why "just get more clients" is often the worst solution to money stress

The hidden reason tax season feels like a yearly ambush

How to know if your sessions are actually profitable

The expense leaks quietly draining your practice

Why charging more isn't selfish—and may actually be ethical

The financial blind spots that can impact your clinical decisions

How to build a practice that supports both your clients and your future

Because financial stress doesn't stay in your bank account.

It follows you into your boundaries, your burnout, your pricing, and your decisions.

And until you understand your numbers, you're flying blind.

If you've ever thought, "I'm working this hard. Why doesn't it feel easier?"

This episode is for you.

If your practice is growing but you're more exhausted than ever... if you're working nights and weekends just to stay caught up... if you're making more money but somehow feeling less free... this episode is for you.

Because here's the truth nobody tells therapists: you can be exceptional at helping clients and still build a practice that quietly burns you out.

In this conversation, I'm joined by Dr. Jennifer Wisdom, a consulting psychologist and organizational consultant who has spent more than 25 years studying how organizations actually function. She helps leaders identify the hidden problems that keep businesses stuck, and today we're applying those insights directly to therapy practices.

Because the biggest threat to your practice isn't a lack of clients.

It's the management skills nobody ever taught you.

The same qualities that make you a wonderful therapist—being deeply empathetic, avoiding conflict, carrying more than your share, and putting everyone else's needs first—can become the exact things that create overwhelm, chaos, and burnout when you're running a business.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why so many successful therapists secretly feel trapped by the practices they've built

The hidden difference between being a great clinician and being an effective practice owner

Why more clients and more revenue don't automatically create more freedom

The leadership mistake that leaves therapists carrying everything on their backs

How "being nice" can quietly undermine your team, culture, and profitability

Why AI, EHR systems, and productivity tools can't solve a management problem

The burnout warning signs that show up long before the numbers reveal a problem

The money metrics every practice owner should understand—but most never look at

How to delegate, give feedback, and lead without feeling like the bad guy

Where to start when your practice feels disorganized, overwhelming, or out of control

This episode is a reality check, but it's also a roadmap.

Because if you've been telling yourself that you just need to work harder, be more organized, or somehow get better at juggling it all, I want you to know something: the problem may not be you.

It may be that nobody ever taught you how to run the business you built.

And once you understand the difference, everything starts to make a lot more sense.

Xoxo,

Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby

Growing Self

All therapists have blindspots, and learning to recognize them is deep personal and professional growth work. It will make you more empathetic, more insightful, and more insightful, not only as a therapist, but also as a human.  

But the thing about blindspots is... we can't see them! ⁠ Uncovering your blind spots to become a more culturally competent therapist⁠ is a process of self-exploration that will unearth perspectives and conditioning that you're not even aware of yet. It requires openness and courage, and it strengthens your capacity for self-reflection and connection to others. 

That exploratory process is what we're talking about on this episode of Love, Happiness and Success for Therapists. My guest is Dr. Diane Estrada, a veteran of the craft and my long-time mentor. Diane brings so much heart and wisdom to her practice, as well as to her work helping others become the best therapists they can be. She's a treasure, and I'm so excited that I get to share her with you!

Tune in to learn:

02:10 The Impact of Cultural and Identity Biases in Therapy

04:01 How to Develop Self-Awareness as a Therapist

12:08 Recognizing the Influence of Eurocentric Models

23:33 Reckoning with Feelings of Anger and Resentment

28:01 Seeing the Presence of Culture and Belief Systems

35:52 Practices for Growth and Development

39:52 The Importance of Checks and Balances

40:59 The Challenge of Engaging in Difficult Conversations

42:07 Understanding Your Clients' Context

43:30 Creating Courageous Space

44:18 Balancing Emotional Safety and Growth

45:08 Overcoming the Discomfort of Addressing Race

And more!   I hope you'll join us, and that you'll find our conversation as insightful and helpful as I did.   

With love,   

Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby   

P.S. — Are you at risk of therapist burnout? Take my free quiz and find out.

Ever had a client look at you, desperate for help, and ask, “What should I do?” Today, I’m pulling back the curtain on a dilemma that I hear from therapists all the time: “My clients are stuck, they need direction, and they’re asking me for advice. But I’m supposed to stay neutral, right?” 

On one hand, we want to help, but on the other, we’ve been trained to stay neutral and let the client find their own answers. So ⁠can therapists give advice?⁠ What’s the right move when your client is stuck and clearly craving direction?

In this episode of Love, Happiness and Success For Therapists, we're diving into the inner conflict therapists face between sticking to our non-directive, empathetic listening style and providing the more concrete guidance that many clients are asking for.

I’ll also show how evidence-based coaching can complement therapy in a powerful way and provide that direction in your sessions. You’ll get clear, actionable steps on how to navigate this tricky balance—without stepping outside of your ethical boundaries. You don’t want to miss this!

Episode Breakdown

00:00 Introduction: The Therapist's Dilemma

02:49 What Is the Role of a Therapist?

06:35 Why Do Therapists Struggle to Be More Direct?

09:16 How to Balance Client Expectations with Therapeutic Boundaries

15:19 Is Coaching the Solution?

20:24 What's the Difference Between Therapy and Coaching?

27:38 How Can Therapists Become Certified Coaches?

34:29 Resources for Therapists and Coaches

If you’re feeling inspired by what I’ve shared and you’re ready to give your clients the directive support that they need, I’d love to invite you to take the next step in your professional development with my BCC-Accredited ⁠ Coaching Certification for Therapists⁠. 

This program is designed specifically for therapists like you who want to build coaching competencies while staying within the ethical boundaries of your practice. You’ll receive 30 CEU credits for completing the certification and walk away with the skills to deliver more actionable, client-centered guidance that will help your clients get the results they’re asking for. 

👉 ⁠ Transform your practice by learning how to coach⁠.

If you want to stay updated on the latest podcast episodes, learn about upcoming free CEU webinars, and be a part of a supportive professional network, I’d love to connect with you on LinkedIn! ⁠Find me at Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby⁠. I share research, training opportunities, and news updates to help you grow, develop new skills, and thrive!

Xoxo

⁠Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby⁠

⁠ www.growingself.com⁠

PS: If you found this episode valuable, think about someone in your professional community who could benefit from this conversation. Share it with them, and let’s keep the discussion going!

After 25 years as a psychologist, I still catch myself doing it. A client edges toward something sexual, I reflect, I validate, and I quietly move us somewhere safer. If you have done the same thing in a session, you are not a bad clinician. You were just never taught how to stay in that moment, and almost none of us were.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Nicole McNichols, the University of Washington professor who teaches the largest human sexuality course in the country, more than four thousand students a year. Nicole is not a sex therapist. She is the person who teaches the next generation of clinicians, and I wanted her read on the gap most of us walked out of grad school with: what to actually do when sex shows up in the room. Her new book, You Could Be Having Better Sex, just landed, and it turns out to be a genuinely useful tool for our clients too.

In This Episode:

This episode is for any clinician who has sat across from a client, felt the conversation drift toward sex, and chosen, almost without deciding to, to steer somewhere else. Maybe you told yourself it was outside your scope, or that the client was not ready, or that it simply was not the focus of the work. I have told myself all three. This conversation is about what becomes possible when we stop avoiding the one topic we were never trained to hold, and start treating it as part of the work we are already good at.

Episode Breakdown

00:00:00 The Conversation We Quietly Steer Around

00:03:51 Why Sexual Health Is Clinical, Not Peripheral

00:04:43 Fix the Relationship, Fix the Sex? Not Quite

00:08:33 How to Open the Door Without Feeling Intrusive

00:12:30 Sex as the Skill Set That Builds the Whole Relationship

00:15:27 What the Research Actually Shows

00:17:23 Using a Book as a Clinical Tool

00:25:22 When It's Not a Sex Problem

00:34:04 The Transference Nobody Prepped You For

00:40:14 Where Your Scope Ends and a Sex Therapist's Begins

Resources

If this episode put words to something you have been quietly carrying, share it with one colleague who would feel the same way. That is the whole game with a show like this. And if you want an ongoing place to keep growing into the parts of the work grad school skipped, come find us.

xoxo, Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby 

Growing Self

Ever walk out of a session thinking, “Was that okay? Did I do it right? Did I help enough?” If so, you are so not alone. 

In this episode of Love, Happiness, and Success For Therapists, I’m diving deep into ⁠therapist performance anxiety⁠ — the kind of internal pressure that doesn’t just keep us up at night, but can actually interfere with the quality of our clinical work. 

From subtle fears about being "good enough" to the quiet panic that creeps in when clients stall out, I’m unpacking how this anxiety shows up, what it does to our clinical judgment, and why it's a hidden threat to both our clients and our own well-being.

Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction: Therapist Performance Anxiety 01:04 – When Caring Becomes a Liability 06:13 – The Story of Sarah 14:52 – Financial Anxiety in Private Practice 31:19 – Strategies to Manage Performance Anxiety 39:35 – CEU Trainings for Therapists

If performance anxiety is making you second-guess whether you’re “doing it right,” you’re not alone. This is particularly true for therapists who are in or headed into the realm of coaching. The waters between therapy and coaching can get murky which creates ethical dilemmas that most of us aren’t trained to identify. 

My free CEU training ⁠ Think You’re Coaching? 8 Red Flags You’re Actually Doing Therapy⁠ is designed to clear that uncertainty. When you're not sure where the line is between coaching and therapy — or you're worried you’ve already crossed it — anxiety starts calling the shots. This training will help you get crystal clear on what’s what, so you can show up grounded, ethical, and effective in your work.

Even better? When you complete the training and pass the quick quiz, you’ll earn 1 CEU and a certificate — totally free. ⁠ Check out the training here.⁠ 

And hey, let’s stay connected. If this topic resonated with you, I would love to continue the conversation and support your growth. Join our amazing community of growth-minded clinicians by ⁠connecting with me on LinkedIn⁠. I share insights, free CEU trainings, and sometimes a little healthy debate. Come say hi — I’m always cheering you on. 💛

Xoxo

⁠Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby⁠

⁠ www.growingself.com