I used to stress, hard, about preparing for my therapy sessions. I thought I needed to brush up on any and all relevant information related to my clients' experiences and presenting issues, and I also felt the pressure that every session needed to one-up the last session's "ah-hah" moment.

With time, I've built a routine that makes session prep a breeze. My current structure allows me not to sweat it anymore, while feeling prepared to support my clients.

In today's episode, I share how I prepare for therapy sessions, in case some of my tips and tricks could be useful for you too.

Thank you to Paubox for sponsoring this episode. Paubox makes HIPAA-secure email easy and streamlined. Check them out here:

https://bit.ly/pps_paubox_spotify

*Get $250 off your first year with Paubox with coupon code "SKILLS"

*Bonus Deal:* If you add the Paubox badge to your website you get an extra $100 off your first year - that means you can get your whole first year free if you apply both deals!

Links mentioned in today’s episode:

Video: Therapist's Pre-Game Routine Before Seeing Clients:

https://youtu.be/kIz0_dD6FKs

Video: How to Start a Therapy Session as a Therapist:

https://youtu.be/EM7r6RWo-z0

LINKS:

*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!

👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8

👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear

This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.

Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/privatepracticeskills

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatepracticeskills/

This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.

I LOVE being a therapist. But at the same time, it’s clear that there’s a whole lot that’s wrong with the therapy profession as a whole.

It’s a topic I think about a lot, so in today’s episode I decided to invite you all to share what you would like to change about the field of psychology. I read and react to your responses, and we also sprinkle some articles and reddit posts to enhance the conversation. I hope you find it helpful!

Thank you to Paubox for sponsoring this episode. Paubox makes HIPAA-secure email easy and streamlined. Check them out here:

https://bit.ly/pps_paubox_spotify

*Get $250 off your first year with Paubox with coupon code "SKILLS"

*Bonus Deal:* If you add the Paubox badge to your website you get an extra $100 off your first year - that means you can get your whole first year free if you apply both deals!

Links mentioned in today’s episode (there’s a lot I know lol):

Reddit Post: "Was Your Internship Paid?"

https://www.reddit.com/r/therapists/comments/1dy5sv0/was_your_internship_paid/

Reddit Post: "How much are you getting paid?”

https://www.reddit.com/r/therapists/comments/1fwvlz3/how_much_are_you_getting_paid/

Reddit Post: "Therapists who ethically oppose medication…”

https://www.reddit.com/r/therapists/comments/1i0lwo1/therapists_who_ethically_oppose_medication/

APA Article: "About Prescribing Psychologists”

https://www.apaservices.org/advocacy/issues/prescriptive-authority/prescribing-psychologists

Psychology.org article: "4 Steps to Becoming a Licensed Counselor”

https://www.psychology.org/careers/counseling/

Student Loan Planner Article: "Mental Health Counselor Salary: Is it Worth the Student Debt?”

https://www.studentloanplanner.com/mental-health-counselor-salary-worth-student-debt/

Student Loan Planner Article: "Psychologist Salary: Is It Worth the Huge Student Debt?”

https://www.studentloanplanner.com/average-psychologist-salary/

Prior Episode on Self-Care: "Redefining Self-Care for Therapists”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQfPpe1XW4Q

Prior Episode: "Is Diagnosing our Therapy Clients Helpful?”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AA_CUwY2Pwg

Navigating the Insurance Maze Article: "Are Raises Possible?”

https://theinsurancemaze.com/articles/raises/

Reddit Post: "What’s up with the hostility towards each other in our field?”

https://www.reddit.com/r/therapists/comments/1jxh91l/whats_up_with_the_hostility_towards_each_other_in/

APA Article: "Can religion and spirituality have a place in therapy? Experts say yes”

https://www.apa.org/monitor/2023/11/incorporating-religion-spirituality-therapy

NPR Article: "Insurers can restrict mental health care. What laws protect patients in your state?”

https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2024/08/23/nx-s1-5084256/insurance-mental-health-care-coverage-legal-protection

LINKS:

*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!

👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8

👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear

This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.

Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/privatepracticeskills

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatepracticeskills/

This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.

Passive income has been super trendy for a while. And especially as a therapist, it's wonderful to have some of my income not be tied to an hour with a therapy client. It's really freed me up to enjoy working with a part-time caseload, and relieved the pressure to get more clients during slower periods.

Naturally, lots of therapists are drawn to this idea. But, there is more to passive income than meets the eye. Today, I share some of the tools and "real talk" about passive income that I don't often hear folks talk about. And I offer some tools to help overcome the common emotional hurdles that keep folks from building the business they dream about.

Thank you to Paubox for sponsoring this episode. Paubox makes HIPAA-secure email easy and streamlined. Check them out here:

https://bit.ly/pps_paubox_spotify

*Get $250 off your first year with Paubox with coupon code "SKILLS"

*Bonus Deal:* If you add the Paubox badge to your website you get an extra $100 off your first year - that means you can get your whole first year free if you apply both deals!

Links mentioned:

Ali Abdaal's video: "My honest advice to someone who wants passive income"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgSNvCY-AcY

Prior Private Practice Skills episodes about passive income:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLi4iw1FZZYrAJE2wKQi1ffjEwy9MEOvNG

LINKS:

*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!

👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8

👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear

This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.

Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/privatepracticeskills

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatepracticeskills/

This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.

How do you build trust during the first therapy session—without it feeling forced?

In this episode, I share practical, relational ways to help clients feel safe and supported from the start. From referencing intake paperwork to defusing shame with warmth, these small moments help build a strong therapeutic foundation—especially when clients are nervous or unsure.

What you’ll hear:

-Little touches that help clients feel seen

-Language that gently normalizes embarrassment or anxiety

-Tips for bringing warmth to intake questions

-How to wrap a first session with connection and clarity

Whether you're a new therapist or just want to refine how you show up in those early sessions, I hope this episode helps you build trust in real, human ways.

Thank you to Paubox for sponsoring this episode. Paubox makes HIPAA-secure email easy and streamlined. Check them out here:

https://bit.ly/pps_paubox_spotify

*Get $250 off your first year with Paubox with coupon code "SKILLS"

*Bonus Deal:* If you add the Paubox badge to your website you get an extra $100 off your first year - that means you can get your whole first year free if you apply both deals!

LINKS:

*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!

👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8

👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear

This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.

Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/privatepracticeskills

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatepracticeskills/

This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.

Is your therapist website feeling… a little stale? You’re not alone. But you don’t have to burn it all down and start from scratch.

In this episode, I walk you through a simple rubric you can use to “audit” your therapy website—no tech expertise required. We’ll look at how clearly your message comes across, whether your site actually feels like you, and how to spot the areas that might be turning potential clients away without you realizing it.

You can even use this tool with a trusted colleague to get an outside perspective—and then focus your energy on the areas that need the most love.

Whether your site’s been collecting dust for years or you’re just wanting a fresh set of eyes, this video is here to help you reconnect with your voice, your brand, and your ideal clients.

🔍 You’ll learn:

• How to assess your website's clarity and emotional tone

• Signs your site may be confusing or generic to visitors

• What to prioritize when refreshing your site content or layout

• Tips for gathering helpful feedback from a fellow therapist

✨ You don’t have to be a tech expert or designer—just a thoughtful human who wants their website to reflect the work they’re already doing well.

Thank you to Paubox for sponsoring this episode. Paubox makes HIPAA-secure email easy and streamlined. Check them out here:

https://bit.ly/pps_paubox_spotify

*Get $250 off your first year with Paubox with coupon code "SKILLS"

*Bonus Deal:* If you add the Paubox badge to your website you get an extra $100 off your first year - that means you can get your whole first year free if you apply both deals!

Download the Website Refresh Checklist:

https://mailchi.mp/privatepracticeskills/website-refresh-checklist

Prior episodes about finding your niche:

Develop your Niche in Private Practice:

https://youtu.be/bh6bJRb7iwQ

5 Ways to Find Your Therapy Niche:

https://youtu.be/FU1eHRDwkus

LINKS:

*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!

👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8

👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear

This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.

Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/privatepracticeskills

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatepracticeskills/

This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.

What if the things that actually help you thrive as a therapist weren’t taught in grad school at all?

In this episode, I’m sharing the honest truths I wish someone had told me earlier — from the myths we hear about productivity and private practice, to the real emotional weight of this work, and why nourishing yourself isn’t just okay…it’s essential.

Whether you're just starting out or years into the field, this is your reminder that you're not doing it wrong — the system just left a few (dozen) things out.

🧠 Topics include:

• Why your effectiveness doesn’t depend on how long you’ve been practicing

• The truth about long hours and client load expectations

• Private practice myths (and why it’s not selfish to go that route)

• What your professors didn’t teach you about boundaries, advocacy, and burnout

• The healing power of real therapist friendships and genuine self-care

  
  

You’re not alone in figuring this all out. Let’s unpack it together.

FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling:https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8Links Mentioned:Article referencing declining therapist effectiveness over time:

“#3. Clinical Practice vs. Deliberate Practice: Why Your Years of Experience Doesn’t Get You Better”:

http://darylchow.com/Daryl_Chow/Blog/wordpress/blog/2015/01/17/3-clinical-practice-vs-deliberate-practice/Video: "15 Alternative Career Options for Therapists":

https://youtu.be/jdsKse4Yf1w

LINKS:

*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!

👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8

👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear

This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.

Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/privatepracticeskills

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatepracticeskills/

This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.

In this episode, I’m answering questions that therapists don’t usually get asked. These reflections offer a behind-the-scenes look at the human side of being a therapist.

If you’re a fellow therapist or just curious what it’s like behind the scenes, I hope this feels like a warm, thoughtful conversation with a colleague or friend.

Thank you to Paubox for sponsoring this episode. Paubox makes HIPAA-secure email easy and streamlined. Check them out here:

https://bit.ly/pps_paubox_spotify

*Get $250 off your first year with Paubox with coupon code "SKILLS"

*Bonus Deal:* If you add the Paubox badge to your website you get an extra $100 off your first year - that means you can get your whole first year free if you apply both deals!

Check out Heard's bookkeeping plan for $50/month:

bit.ly/affordable-bookkeeping-YT

(this is an affiliate link)

Fav protein bar:

https://bit.ly/4l0ful2

LINKS:

*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!

👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8

👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear

This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.

Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/privatepracticeskills

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatepracticeskills/

This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.

Therapist burnout doesn’t always look like overwhelm.
Sometimes it looks like losing your sense of identity.
Or believing you should be able to do more than you can.

In this episode, I share 5 tools that help me keep burnout at bay — not just by working less, but by shifting how I relate to my work. These include autonomy, emotional load, support, narrative acceptance, and personal identity. Plus, a bonus thought on work-life balance from my early-career burnout story.

This one’s for any therapist who’s ever wondered if it’s just them.
(It’s not.)

Thank you to Paubox for sponsoring this episode. Paubox makes HIPAA-secure email easy and streamlined. Check them out here:

https://bit.ly/pps_paubox_spotify

*Get $250 off your first year with Paubox with coupon code "SKILLS"

*Bonus Deal:* If you add the Paubox badge to your website you get an extra $100 off your first year - that means you can get your whole first year free if you apply both deals!

Links to Burnout Resources:

ProQOL Measure:

https://proqol.org/proqol-measure

Video: "Let’s talk about Therapist Burnout"

https://youtu.be/-oUOQa_jnPc

APA Article: "Practitioners are overworked and burned out, and they need our support"

https://www.apa.org/monitor/2023/04/psychologists-covid-burnout

LINKS:

*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!

👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8

👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear

This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.

Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/privatepracticeskills

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatepracticeskills/

This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.

Even after years in the field, being a therapist is still hard sometimes.

In this episode, I asked therapists to share what they still struggle with in their work—and the responses were honest, heartfelt, and deeply relatable. From setting boundaries to managing imposter syndrome, this conversation is a reminder that you're not alone if parts of the job still feel challenging.

Let this be a validating space to reflect on the invisible labor, emotional complexity, and humanity we carry as therapists.

LINKS:

*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!

👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8

👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear

This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.

Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/privatepracticeskills

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatepracticeskills/

This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.

Therapists mess up too—because we’re human. In this episode, I explore what happens when we make mistakes in session, from forgetting details to saying the wrong thing, and how to handle those moments with care.

✨ You’re not a bad therapist—you’re a human therapist.

Thank you to Paubox for sponsoring this episode. Paubox makes HIPAA-secure email easy and streamlined. Check them out here:

https://bit.ly/pps_paubox_spotify

*Get $250 off your first year with Paubox with coupon code "SKILLS"

*Bonus Deal:* If you add the Paubox badge to your website you get an extra $100 off your first year - that means you can get your whole first year free if you apply both deals!

LINKS:

*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!

👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8

👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear

This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.

Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/privatepracticeskills

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatepracticeskills/

This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.