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

How Therapists Can Actually Rest During the Holidays: Letting Go of Guilt, Productivity, and Instagram-Worthy Expectations Curt and Katie explore how therapists can create a real holiday break - not a performative or productivity-driven one. They discuss the pressure to rest “perfectly,” the guilt of not fully unplugging, how to shift into restorative downtime, and why passive vs. active rest matters. They also highlight anxiety, money scarcity, grief, and family dynamics that often intensify during the season, offering compassionate strategies for caring for yourself as a therapist and a human. Key Takeaways for Therapists You don’t need an Instagram-worthy vacation: real rest is allowed. Rest is a process, not a switch; transition time matters. It’s okay to be partially off and still check in lightly as needed. Passive rest (scrolling) and active rest (movement, nature, connection) serve different purposes. Anxiety, scarcity mindset, or family stress may drive overworking—notice the “why.” The holidays can be hard; grief and emotional complexity deserve compassion. Full show notes at: mtsgpodcast.com Join the Modern Therapist Community Linktree: https://linktr.ee/therapyreimagined Creative Credits Voice Over by DW McCann — https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/ Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano — https://groomsymusic.com/

When Good Intentions Lead to Bad Policy: Why the BBS Needs Therapist Feedback – An Interview with Dr. Benjamin E. Caldwell, LMFT Curt and Katie talk with Dr. Benjamin E. Caldwell about the California BBS’s new regulatory proposals and why several well-intended ideas may actually undermine therapist education and professional standards. We discuss the proposal to award CE hours simply for providing supervision, giving CE credit for passive activities, concerns about codifying the licensing exam vendor, and the surprising reason behind the upcoming four-year fee reduction. Ben breaks down what therapists need to know—and how to make their voices heard during the public comment period. About Our Guest: Dr. Benjamin E. Caldwell, PsyD, LMFT Benjamin E. Caldwell, PsyD is a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Adjunct Faculty for California State University Northridge. He is the author of Basics of California Law for LMFTs, LPCCs, and LCSWs and the lead author of AAMFT’s Best Practices in the Online Practice of Couple and Family Therapy. His company, High Pass Education, provides exam prep and continuing education for mental health professionals. Key Takeaways for Therapists • Why the BBS’s proposed changes matter for therapists in and beyond California • Concerns about awarding CE for providing supervision instead of structured learning • How CE requirements may shift toward passive or non-educational activities • Issues with naming Pearson VUE in regulation • Why BBS fees will be reduced for four years • How therapists can participate in the public comment period to influence policy Full show notes and transcript available at mtsgpodcast.com Join the Modern Therapist Community Linktree: https://linktr.ee/therapyreimagined Creative Credits Voice Over by DW McCann – https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/ Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano – https://groomsymusic.com/

How Therapists Can Help Clients Finally Sleep: An Interview with Jessica Fink, LCSW-S Curt and Katie interview sleep specialist Jessica Fink, LCSW-S, about what therapists often misunderstand about sleep—and what actually helps when clients are stuck in cycles of insomnia, nighttime anxiety, or maladaptive sleep behaviors. Jessica breaks down the limits of sleep hygiene, the fundamentals of CBT-I, what to do when clients wake up at 3 a.m. spiraling, how to distinguish tired vs. sleepy, and why wearables and blue light might be overrated concerns. She also shares how therapists can confidently assess sleep disorders and support behavioral sleep change without overmedicalizing the issue. About Our Guest: Jessica Fink, LCSW-S Jessica Fink, LCSW-S is a Texas-based therapist who specializes in sleep issues, PTSD, OCD, chronic pain and maladaptive overcontrol. As a CBT-oriented provider, Jessica uses structured, data-driven approaches combined with flexibility and creativity to create real, lasting change. Jessica values client independence, designing therapy to equip individuals with their own tools and coping strategies. Jessica's practice is entirely online and accessible to all Texas residents. Key Takeaways for Therapists Sleep hygiene is prevention—not treatment for insomnia. CBT-I is counterintuitive: don’t go to bed until sleepy, and get out of bed if awake too long. A consistent wake time matters more than bedtime. Blue light isn’t the enemy most people think it is. Wearables can increase anxiety and worsen sleep perfectionism (“orthosomnia”). Therapists play a crucial role even in medically driven sleep disorders like sleep apnea. Scheduled “constructive worry” times can reduce nighttime rumination. Full show notes and transcript available at:https://mtsgpodcast.com Join the Modern Therapist Community: Linktree: https://linktr.ee/therapyreimagined Creative Credits Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano – https://groomsymusic.com/ Voiceover by DW McCann – https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/

Navigating Client Crises When Your Own Life Hits Hard Curt and Katie talk about what therapists can do when client crises show up at the exact wrong time—during holidays, illness, personal stress, or overwhelming seasons of life. They explore capacity, boundaries, communication, safety planning, and how to ethically support clients without becoming a 24/7 crisis line. This is a practical, validating look at the realities therapists face when their own lives get complicated. Key Takeaways Therapists can assess capacity and complete a “busyness audit” to stay realistic about bandwidth. Clear communication about availability helps prevent crisis-time misunderstandings. Clients benefit from learning how to reach out with context so you can triage effectively. Safety plans and community resources reduce client over-reliance on the therapist. Therapists can hold boundaries while still supporting clients through crisis moments. Full show notes and transcript are available at mtsgpodcast.com. Join the Modern Therapist Community Linktree: https://linktr.ee/therapyreimagined Modern Therapist’s Survival Guide Creative Credits Voice Over by DW McCann – https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/ Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano – https://groomsymusic.com/

When Crisis Hits Home: How Therapists Can Survive and Support Each Other — An Interview with Jeanine Rousso Curt and Katie chat with Jeanine Rousso, a licensed counselor and supervisor in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina and founder of Therapist Resource Network, about how therapists can care for themselves when natural disasters or crises directly impact them. They discuss why therapists often push past their limits, how to assess capacity and step back ethically, and the importance of financial preparedness and peer support. About Our Guest:Jeanine Rousso is a licensed counselor and supervisor in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. She founded the nonprofit organization Therapist Resource Network to provide emergency financial support, burnout prevention and recovery, and advocacy for mental health professionals. Key Takeaways for Therapists: Therapists often try to maintain pre-crisis workloads after disasters, leading to burnout. It’s essential to check your own capacity before showing up for clients. Build financial documentation and savings as a personal safety net. Disaster recovery requires both individual resilience and systemic advocacy. Full Show Notes: mtsgpodcast.com Join the Modern Therapist Community:Linktree | Patreon | Facebook Group Credits:Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano | Voiceover by DW McCann