The Modern Therapist's Survival Guide with Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy

By Curt Widhalm, LMFT and Katie Vernoy, LMFTAlternative Health Health & Fitness Mental Health

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The Modern Therapist's Survival Guide with Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy episodes

November 17, 2025Designing a Sustainable Therapy Career: Reflections on Burnout, Legacy, and Letting Go
Designing a Sustainable Therapy Career: Reflections on Burnout, Legacy, and Letting Go
Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy reflect on what it takes to build and sustain a meaningful therapy career and how to leave the profession well. They explore professional identity, burnout, and how to stay connected to the work without losing yourself in it. Drawing from recent interviews with Lynn Grodzki, Margaret Wehrenberg, and Ofra Obejas, they share insights on sustainability, capacity, and creating a “good finish” for your therapy career.
Key Takeaways for Therapists:
Therapists need intentional career design. Sustainability doesn’t happen by accident.

Burnout can distort your love for the work and your professional identity.

Regular reflection helps ensure your career still aligns with your values and capacity.

Building community and connection is essential to avoiding isolation in private practice.

Planning early for closure allows for a more graceful and fulfilling finish.
Link to Full Show Notes:
https://mtsgpodcast.com
Join the Modern Therapist Community: Linktree

Creative Credits:
Voice Over by DW McCann
Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano
41 min
November 10, 2025When Burnout Ends Your Therapy Career: An Interview with Ofra Obejas
When Burnout Ends Your Therapy Career: An Interview with Ofra Obejas
Curt and Katie speak with Ofra Obejas, LCSW (Retired), about what happens when even the most dedicated therapists reach their limits. After 20 years in practice, Ofra recognized she could no longer sustain the emotional and systemic demands of the work and chose to close her practice with integrity. She shares what burnout really looks like, how unrealistic professional expectations fuel it, and what therapists can do to protect themselves before it’s too late.

About Our Guest: Ofra Obejas, LCSW (Retired)
Ofra Obejas, LCSW Retired, has just closed her practice after 20 years and many letters after her name. Over her career, she provided individual and group therapy to thousands, was on the faculty of a university therapy training program, and presented CEs to hundreds. Despite this clear proof of her expertise, she feels like a failure, a fate she wishes to save newer therapists from.

Key Takeaways for Therapists
Burnout isn’t a personal weakness—it’s a mismatch between what therapy demands and what clinicians can sustainably give.

“Self-care” can’t fix systemic overload or chronic emotional depletion.

Therapists must honor their own limits and values to avoid running out of gas.

Leaving the field can be an act of integrity, not failure.
Listen to the full conversation and find resources at: mtsgpodcast.com

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Creative Credits
Voice Over by DW McCann
Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano
44 min
November 03, 2025How Therapists Retire: Planning, Ethics, and Letting Go of the Work You Love – An Interview with Lynn Grodzki, LCSW and Margaret Wehrenberg, PsyD
How Therapists Retire: Planning, Ethics, and Letting Go of the Work You Love – An Interview with Lynn Grodzki, LCSW and Margaret Wehrenberg, PsyD
Curt and Katie talk with Lynn Grodzki and Margaret Wehrenberg about how therapists can plan for retirement with intention and integrity. They explore the emotional, ethical, and practical considerations of closing a practice, navigating readiness, and redefining identity after a lifetime of therapeutic work.
About Our Guests
Lynn Grodzki, LCSW-C, MCC is a pioneer in private practice development and the author of six influential books on therapy and coaching.
Margaret Wehrenberg, Psy.D. is an internationally recognized expert on anxiety and depression and the author of 13 books, including The 10 Best-Ever Anxiety Management Techniques.
Together, they offer a rare blend of clinical experience, practical strategies, and heartfelt compassion.
Key Takeaways for Therapists
Retirement is one of the most consequential transitions in a therapist’s professional life.

Lynn and Margaret’s Readiness for Retirement Model helps therapists plan across four stages: pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, and action.

Planning early supports ethical closure and a smoother emotional process for both therapist and client.

Common barriers include guilt, grief, and identity shifts—as well as lack of business or financial planning.

Creating a professional will and protecting intellectual property are essential parts of ending well.

Therapists can honor their legacy by recognizing the lasting impact of their work and embracing new opportunities in retirement.
For more information and full show notes
Visit: mtsgpodcast.com
Join the Modern Therapist Community
Linktree
Creative Credits
Voice Over by DW McCann
Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano
47 min
October 30, 2025Modern Therapist’s Consumer Guide: SimplePractice
Modern Therapist’s Consumer Guide: SimplePractice
Curt and Katie talk with Jonathan Seltzer, CEO of SimplePractice, about how the company continues to evolve to meet the needs of independent mental health professionals. They discuss SimplePractice’s mission to empower clinicians with intuitive tools, transparency around investors, and the responsible use of AI to reduce administrative burdens while maintaining clinical integrity.
This episode is part of our Modern Therapist’s Consumer Guide series, where we explore tools and services that help therapists and their clients thrive.
Guest Bio
Jonathan Seltzer is the CEO of SimplePractice, a software platform built to empower private practice clinicians to run thriving, independent practices. He leads a team of over 550 people supporting more than 225,000 clinicians who use SimplePractice to provide care. Jonathan is passionate about helping therapists operate with greater confidence, ease, and connection to the broader healthcare ecosystem.
Key Takeaways
SimplePractice remains focused on empowering independent and small-group clinicians.

The company prioritizes transparency and clinician trust in how it handles data, investment, and innovation.

AI tools are designed to **augment—not replace—**therapists, with high clinical and ethical standards.
🔗 Full show notes: mtsgpodcast.com
🎁 Special Offer: Check out current SimplePractice offers at simplepractice.com
Join the Modern Therapist Community
Patreon

Creative Credits
Voice Over by DW McCann
Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano
1 hr 4 min
October 27, 2025Protecting Clients Through Better Notes: An Interview with Dr. Maelisa McCaffrey
Protecting Clients Through Better Notes: An Interview with Dr. Maelisa McCaffrey
Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy talk with Dr. Maelisa McCaffrey about how therapists can document ethically and protectively in a politically charged climate. They explore how to handle sensitive topics like gender identity, reproductive rights, and immigration status while keeping documentation accurate, ethical, and safe for clients.
About Our Guest
Dr. Maelisa McCaffrey is a licensed psychologist, nail design enthusiast, and author of the book, Stress-Free Documentation for Mental Health Therapists. Through her business QA Prep, she empowers therapists with training and consultation on clinical documentation. Maelisa focuses on the “why” behind the usual recommendations and encourages clinicians to think outside the box, while also keeping their ethics intact.
Key Takeaways for Therapists
Documentation can carry legal and ethical risks in today’s climate.

Use clear but sensitive language when writing notes.

Informed consent and collaboration with clients are essential.

Focus on clinical themes rather than politically charged terms.

Review your own forms and practices for unnecessary information.
More Info and Full Show Notes
Visit mtsgpodcast.com for the full show notes, transcripts, and resources from this episode.
Join the Modern Therapist Community
Linktree

Creative Credits
Voice Over by DW McCann
Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano
42 min
October 23, 2025How Conscious Awareness Shapes Leadership, Therapy, and Collective Healing: An interview with Pardis Mahdavi, PhD
How Conscious Awareness Shapes Leadership, Therapy, and Collective Healing: An Interview with Pardis Mahdavi, PhD
Curt and Katie chat with Pardis Mahdavi, PhD, about how consciousness and intentional awareness can transform therapy, leadership, and community. Pardis shares how cultivating our “inner state," moving from suffering to a “beautiful state,” impacts how we lead, connect, and heal collectively. She offers practical ways therapists can integrate mindfulness, breath mastery, and curiosity into their work to help clients (and themselves) live with greater awareness and alignment.
About Our Guest:
Pardis Mahdavi, PhD is an author, educator, and entrepreneur. She has written seven non-fiction books and two edited volumes, including Book of Queens (2023) and Riding (2024). A former university president and global human rights expert, Pardis now leads Entheon Journeys, focusing on consciousness, leadership, and transformation. Her work has been featured in Time, Ms. Magazine, Huffington Post, and the Los Angeles Times.
Key Takeaways:
Consciousness work deepens mindfulness into an ongoing framework for intentional living and healing.

Therapists can help clients identify and shift their inner “state” from suffering toward beauty, calm, and connection.

Preventive practices such as meditation, journaling, and breath mastery support long-term wellbeing and resilience.

Leadership and therapy are energetic processes: awareness of one’s own state affects how others experience us.

Community healing grows when curiosity replaces critique and connection transcends identity barriers.
More Info & Full Show Notes:
https://mtsgpodcast.com
Join the Modern Therapist Community:
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/therapyreimagined

Creative Credits:
Voice Over by DW McCann
Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano
43 min
October 20, 2025The Crisis in College Mental Health: An Interview with Pardis Mahdavi, PhD
The Crisis in College Mental Health: An Interview with Dr. Pardis Mahdavi, PhD
Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy talk with Dr. Pardis Mahdavi about the growing mental-health crisis among college students. Pardis shares insights from her years in higher education leadership—revealing how rising costs, outdated systems, and lack of purpose are driving student anxiety and burnout. Together they explore what therapists, universities, and communities can do to realign education with meaning, wellbeing, and real-world readiness.

About Our Guest: Dr. Pardis Mahdavi, Ph.D.
Pardis Mahdavi is an author, educator, and entrepreneur whose work spans human rights, education policy, and consciousness. A former university president and provost, she is the author of seven nonfiction books including The Book of Queens (Hachette Books, 2023) and Riding (Duke University Press, 2024). She currently leads Entheon Journeys and The Bondery House, fostering connection and expanded awareness.

Key Takeaways for Therapists
College students face unprecedented levels of anxiety and depression—driven by systemic disconnection, financial stress, and unclear purpose.

Higher education often fails to evolve with societal change, leaving students feeling unprepared and unseen.

Preventive supports like mindfulness and mentorship should be built into the college experience.

Therapists can help students find meaning, manage uncertainty, and advocate for collaborative care across campus systems.
Full show notes: mtsgpodcast.com

Join the Modern Therapist Community
Our Linktree

Creative Credits:
Voice Over by DW McCann
Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano
42 min
October 13, 2025Medical Necessity or Personal Growth? Why Documentation Matters in Therapy
Medical Necessity or Personal Growth? Why Documentation Matters in Therapy
Curt and Katie talk about medical necessity in therapy documentation – what it is, why it matters, and how therapists can navigate the tension between clinical care, insurance requirements, and personal growth. We explore how documentation protects therapists in utilization reviews and disciplinary processes, and how to ethically distinguish therapy from coaching or self-improvement.
Key Takeaways for Therapists
Why documenting medical necessity matters for insurance, ethics, and liability

Risks of over-diagnosing or misrepresenting symptoms

The role of treatment plans and progress notes in demonstrating medical necessity

Navigating personal growth requests vs. clinical therapy

Protecting yourself with clear, consistent documentation
About Our Hosts
Curt Widhalm, LMFT – www.curtwidhalm.com

Katie Vernoy, LMFT – www.katievernoy.com
Find the transcript and additional resources at mtsgpodcast.com.

Join the Modern Therapist Community
Linktree

Modern Therapist’s Survival Guide Creative Credits
Voice Over by DW McCann
Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano
36 min
October 06, 2025Beyond Coping: Radical Healing in a World Not Built for Us – An Interview with José Rosario
Beyond Coping: Radical Healing in a World Not Built for Us – An Interview with José Rosario
Curt and Katie chat with José Rosario about radical healing, disability, cultural trauma, and intersectionality. José shares his story as a scholar, practitioner, and activist, and how his lived experience as a disabled person of color who is also queer informs both his clinical work and research. He discusses how healing must move beyond coping, the importance of community engagement, and how therapists can better support clients with marginalized identities.
About Our Guest: José Rosario
Born to young Puerto Rican parents, José Rosario developed Cerebral Palsy as a premature baby. His family's journey towards equity deeply impacted his mental health. Currently nearing his PhD in Clinical Psychology, his research focuses on cultural trauma in intersectional communities. He is an Interdisciplinary Minority Fellow for the American Psychological Association, member of the Congressional Diversity and Equality Advisory Board for Congressman James Langevin, and member of the Rhode Island Attorney General Community Advisory Board. He has been honored with the Chris Martin Humanitarian Award and the Victoria Lederberg Award for Excellence in Psychology.

Key Takeaways for Therapists
Radical healing means moving beyond coping to systemic change and community-based healing.
Disability, race, and queerness intersect in ways that compound stigma and systemic barriers.

Community is both a source of hope and a vital element of healing.

Therapists must step outside the therapy room and engage genuinely with the communities they serve.
For full show notes and transcripts, visit: mtsgpodcast.com
Join the Modern Therapist Community
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/therapyreimagined

Modern Therapist’s Survival Guide Creative Credits
Voice Over by DW McCann

Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano
38 min
September 29, 2025Navigating Food, Body Image, and GLP-1 Medications: An Interview with Robyn L. Goldberg, RDN, CEDS-C
Navigating Food, Body Image, and GLP-1 Medications: An Interview with Robyn L. Goldberg, RDN, CEDS-C
Therapists are seeing more clients struggling with confusing medical advice, new medications, and diet culture messages that impact their relationship with food and body. In this conversation, Curt and Katie talk with Robyn L. Goldberg, RDN, CEDS-C about how therapists can examine their own biases, support clients navigating restrictive medical guidance, and encourage healthier, more intuitive approaches to eating.
About Our Guest: Robyn L. Goldberg, RDN, CEDS-C
Robyn began her career at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles as the in-patient dietitian in the Department of Cardiology. Over the last twenty-eight years she has developed her own private practice in Los Angeles, CA.
She is a contributing author and is a nationally and internationally known registered dietitian nutritionist. She has been quoted in The New York Times, The Huffington Post, and Vogue.
She has been on national television as the eating disorder expert on The Insider. Robyn is the author of The Eating Disorder Trap: A Guide for Clinicians and Loved Ones, Co-author of the online course Your Recovery Resource, and the host of The Eating Disorder Trap Podcast.
Key Takeaways for Therapists
Therapists must examine their own food and body biases to avoid unintentional harm to clients.
Many physicians have minimal training in dietetics and may give inadequate advice.

Clients can advocate for themselves in medical settings, including refusing to be weighed.

GLP-1 medications may reduce appetite but can cause malnutrition, fatigue, and bone/muscle loss.

Intuitive eating offers a path back to a healthier, more trusting relationship with food.
For full show notes and transcript: mtsgpodcast.com
Join the Modern Therapist Community
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/therapyreimagined
Creative Credits
Voice Over by DW McCann
Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano
46 min

About The Modern Therapist's Survival Guide with Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy

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