Therapeutic Perspective

Many therapists own and run their own business, yet mental health graduate programs rarely provide formal business training. Most of our graduate programs are focused on the requirements for licensure and the skills needed to be a therapist, leaving little time for learning business management skills. For many of us, taking on the role of business owner, and female business owner, is an entirely new experience. Our guest today, Stacy Mayer talks with us about the socially assigned roles women are given and how they impact us as professionals and business owners; she also discusses how to lean into these roles and work with them for the sake of our businesses. Finally, Stacy shares the concept of “and”: being authentically yourself and a powerful woman in business. 

Most of us received little to no training in school on the role the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) plays in private practice or our work in general, yet it is important for all clinicians to understand. We all want to respect and support our clients' needs in session and in our offices. We understand the need for wheelchair access and larger font sizes, but, when it comes to serving the deaf community, many of us are unprepared. Therapists often assume that if they don't know sign language, they can't serve the deaf community. But this couldn’t be farther from the truth. In this episode, Benito Perales, LCSW joins us, and we learn what the ADA is and how to be compliant. Benito also discusses cultural considerations for working with a member of the deaf community, how to obtain an interpreter, and maintaining confidentiality. 

Running in some barriers when providing athletes who are struggling? Not sure if you should tame their competitiveness or use it as a strength? Working with athletes of all ages and stages in sports can present some unique emotional challenges. We talk to a former professional athlete and founder of Athletes Against Anxiety and Depression, China McCarney on how therapists can better understand and treat athletes.

Children’s Anxiety Disorders and OCD are at record-level highs. Parents can feel overwhelmed and helpless with how to ease their suffering. Enter SPACE Treatment. SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) is an evidence-based approach in which therapists work solely with parents of kids diagnosed with anxiety disorders and behavioral problems. Dr. Rachel Shelley, Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychology at Weill Cornell Medicine and Founder of Whole Mind Psychology, joins us on our latest episode of Therapeutic Perspective Podcast. This one is a must-listen for clinicians and parents alike! 

Do you have FUN at work? For many of us, a playful work environment is the epitome of an oxymoron. Our Therapeutic Perspective Podcast guest Dr. Heather Walker is on a mission to change that. Founder of Lead with Levity, Dr. Walker discusses evidence-based ways both clinicians and their clients can learn to thrive, not just survive, in the workplace. Drawing on her expertise as a leadership and levity researcher, she shares practical tools to expand resilience through humor, play, and yes, even fun, in our work and overall in our lives.