Content advisory: This episode discusses sexual violence and homicide.

What if your client told you exactly what was happening and you didn’t recognize the danger?

A client describes choking. Pain. Humiliation. Control. And suddenly you’re wondering: Is this consensual kink… or abuse?

Being a kink aware therapist requires more than being affirming and nonjudgmental. You also need to recognize coercion. And that distinction can be frighteningly subtle.

In this live conversation from the APA Convention, I’m sitting down with forensic researcher, trainer, and consultant AJ Greer, whose work focuses on sexual violence, domestic violence, sexual sadism, psychopathy, and extreme offending.

The big takeaway? The difference isn’t necessarily the behavior. It’s consent. And coercion can make genuine consent impossible.

Listen to learn:

If this is a distinction you’re not completely confident you could make, this is a conversation worth hearing.

Xoxo,

Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby

Growing Self

Think you can tell how your client is doing just by looking at them? Think again.

What if one of your biggest clinical blind spots is sitting right in front of you and you don’t even know you’re looking at it?

You’ve probably done serious work around bias. Race. Gender. Class. Ability. Culture.

But have you ever deliberately examined the way a client’s face, body, clothes, grooming, attractiveness, even how “put together” they look changes what you assume about them?

Because it does.

And here’s the part that should make every therapist sit up a little straighter:

The client who looks like they’re doing great may be the client you’re most likely to underestimate.

In this special Live From APA conversation, I sit down with clinical psychologist Dr. Allycin Powell-Hicks, author of The Problem with Pretty: Beauty, Bias and the Surprising Science of Good Looks, to talk about a form of implicit bias hiding in plain sight: appearance bias in therapy.

But this conversation isn't really about beauty. It’s about assessment. Judgment. Attention. And the frightening ease with which “what I see” can quietly become “what I believe.”

In this episode you’ll learn:

If you consider yourself a thoughtful, culturally responsive, bias-aware therapist, this episode may challenge you most.

Xoxo,

Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby

Growing Self

Do you work with domestic violence or intimate partner violence survivors?

Then what just happened at the APA Council could eventually impact you and your clients.

I sat down live at APA 2026 with Dr. Shannon Goecke-Watson, PsyD, LP, Minnesota’s representative to the APA Council of Representatives and Chair of the APA Rural Health Caucus, to find out what actually happens inside APA Council.

And honestly? I didn’t realize how much influence these psychologists have.

Think of APA Council representatives almost like the state representatives of psychology. They debate and vote on policy, work with APA’s advocacy office, and even go to Capitol Hill to meet with members of the House and Senate.

Shannon just helped move forward an APA resolution addressing intimate partner violence and gender-based violence, created in collaboration with APA advocacy to support work around the Violence Against Women Act.

You’ll hear:

This is how psychology moves beyond the therapy room and starts changing systems.

Xoxo,

Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby

Growing Self 

If you or someone you’re working with needs immediate support: National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1-800-799-7233, or text START to 88788.

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.