Navigating a career in social work can be incredibly challenging, especially when balancing personal struggles, family life, and the demands of private practice.

Gary “Trey” Taylor, a licensed clinical social worker, educator, and consultant, joins Michael Fulwiler to share his journey from the car customization business to advocating for mental health, particularly within the Black community.

Gary reflects on his personal experiences with burnout, how his work with Black men shaped his therapy practice, and the pivotal moment when he decided to transition away from therapy to focus on teaching and consulting.

Listen to the conversation to hear how Gary used his past struggles to build a sustainable career that addresses both his personal and professional needs while continuing to advocate for Black men’s mental health.

In the conversation, they discuss:

• Managing the balance between private practice, family life, and professional commitments
• The growing need for more culturally competent care for Black men in therapy
• The value of diversifying income streams to prevent burnout in the mental health field

Connect with the guest:

• Gary on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retro_gt/ 
• Gary on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-taylor-lcsw-28a71384/ 
• Visit the Uphold 31:8 website: https://www.uphold318.com/ 

Connect with Michael and Heard:

• Michael’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelfulwiler/ 
• Newsletter: https://www.joinheard.com/newsletter 
• Book a free consult: joinheard.com/consult 

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Welcome to Heard Business School

(00:44) Meet Gary Taylor

(02:30) Trey’s First Business: Car Customization

(04:26) Journey to Social Work and Therapy

(05:56) Why Trey Didn’t Initially Want to Be a Therapist

(07:40) Friends' Reactions to Pursuing Social Work

(08:46) Why Therapy Wasn’t Initially Appealing

(11:07) Dealing with Personal Mental Health Struggles

(12:49) Finding a Therapist for the First Time

(16:30) Applying Marketing Lessons from Other Industries

(20:03) Starting Private Practice Part-Time

(23:17) Getting Initial Clients for Private Practice

(25:53) The Struggle of Setting Pricing and Rates

(38:14) The Decision to Step Away from Private Practice

(47:42) Diversifying Income with Consulting and Teaching

(56:09) Lessons Learned from Writing His Book Refresh

This episode is to be used for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, business, or tax advice. Each person should consult their own attorney, business advisor, or tax advisor with respect to matters referenced in this episode.