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

• When 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 Join the Modern Therapist Community Patreon Creative Credits Voice Over by DW McCann Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano

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• How 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

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• Modern 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

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• Protecting 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 McCannMusic by Crystal Grooms Mangano

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• How 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

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