Why It’s Hard for Therapists to Be Friends: Understanding Boundaries, Identity, and Reciprocity
Why It’s Hard for Therapists to Be Friends
Curt and Katie chat about why therapists often struggle with friendships—especially with non-therapists. They explore the impact of emotional labor, overidentifying as caretakers, and the challenges of setting boundaries and expressing needs in personal relationships.
Key Takeaways:
Therapists often default to caretaking in friendships, especially if they have a history of being “the helper.”
Emotional exhaustion from client work can make socializing difficult.
Confidentiality and identity boundaries limit what therapists can share about their day.
Friendships become healthier when therapists drop the therapist role and prioritize reciprocity.
Intentional communication and boundary-setting help create sustainable relationships.
More information and transcripts available at:https://mtsgpodcast.com
Join the Modern Therapist Community:Linktree
Creative Credits:
Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano
Voiceover by DW McCann
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Special Episode: Modern Therapist’s Consumer Guide on Relias
Special Episode: Modern Therapist's Consumer Guide on Relias
Curt and Katie talk with Candace Wallace, Chief Customer Officer at Relias, about how this tech-enabled platform supports therapist training, infrastructure, and regulatory compliance. Candace explains how Relias helps practices of all sizes reduce admin burdens, improve staff retention, and compete in a changing behavioral health landscape. This episode is part of our Modern Therapist Consumer Guide, where we explore tools and services designed for therapists and their clients.
About Our Guest:Candace Wallace is the Chief Customer Officer at Relias, overseeing Customer Success, Renewals, Support, and Professional Services. Since joining in 2013, she’s led several key teams and now focuses on delivering customer value at scale. With degrees in Archaeology and Religion from Baylor University, Candace’s career path includes both compliance consulting and a deep commitment to healthcare systems transformation.
Key Takeaways:
Relias reduces administrative burdens to improve patient care
Solutions are tailored to solo, small, and large practices alike
Training, leadership development, and compliance tracking in one platform
Helps therapist-led organizations stay competitive and grow sustainably
Started with small providers—continues to focus on accessible, effective tools
For full show notes and transcripts, visit:https://www.mtsgpodcast.com
Join the Modern Therapist Community:Linktree
Creative Credits:Voice Over by DW McCannMusic by Crystal Grooms Mangano
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How to Launch Therapy Intensives in Private Practice: An Interview with Steffeny Feld, LCSW
Title: How to Launch Therapy Intensives in Private Practice: An Interview with Steffeny Feld, LCSW
Description:Curt and Katie chat with Steffeny Feld, LCSW, Therapist and Creator of the Intensive Design Lab, about how therapists can bring therapy intensives into private practice. We explore how therapy intensives differ from traditional therapy, how to structure and prepare for intensives, clinical considerations for both clients and clinicians, and why this model can be particularly supportive for highly sensitive or neurodivergent therapists.
About Our Guest:Steffeny Feld is a Therapist, Copywriter, and the Creator of the Intensive Design Lab where she supports therapists of all backgrounds and modalities to launch therapy intensives in private practice. Steffeny believes that therapy intensives are powerful and transformative for clients and the clinicians who offer them. She supports therapists to bring intensives into their practice so that they can work less and earn more while helping clients heal. Steffeny lives in St Louis, Missouri with her partner and 4-year-old son, Felix.
Key Takeaways:
Therapy intensives offer a distinct therapy format, not just longer sessions.
Therapists must assess client readiness and window of tolerance carefully.
Intensives can support therapist sustainability, especially for highly sensitive and neurodivergent clinicians.
Practical considerations include session structure, pacing, and client comfort.
Therapy intensives provide an opportunity for deep clinical work and income diversification.
Link to Transcripts and Full Show Notes: https://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/
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Curt’s Guide to Life: Real-World Advice for Therapists Navigating Their Careers
Curt’s Guide to Life: Real-World Advice for Therapists Navigating Their Careers
Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy chat about the practical and meaningful life lessons Curt has gathered throughout his career as a therapist, supervisor, and leader. From networking and curiosity to flexibility and reputation, this episode offers real-world advice for therapists trying to build sustainable careers.
Key Takeaways:
Network laterally with peers at similar stages
Stay curious—your clinical focus may evolve
Learn by doing, not just studying
Be kind and human in all professional interactions
Protect your reputation—it’s everything
Full show notes and transcript available at mtsgpodcast.com
Join the Modern Therapist Community:
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/therapyreimagined
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mtsgpodcast
Podcast Homepage: https://therapyreimagined.com/modern-therapists-survival-guide-podcast-episodes/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TherapyReimagined
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/therapyreimagined/
Creative Credits:
Voice Over by DW McCann – https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/
Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano – https://groomsymusic.com
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How Therapists Can Responsibly Support Disaster Mental Health: An Interview with Dr. Shannon Goodhue, LCSW, PhD
How Therapists Can Responsibly Support Disaster Mental Health: An Interview with Dr. Shannon Goodhue, LCSW, PhD
Curt and Katie chat with Dr. Shannon Goodhue about how therapists can ethically support disaster-impacted communities. We explore how disaster mental health differs from traditional therapy, why most people don’t need long-term services, and how trained professionals can provide stabilization and support in both local and national crises. Shannon outlines the American Red Cross training process, the structure of deployments, and the importance of understanding when to step in—and when not to.
About Our Guest:Shannon Goodhue is the Senior Program Manager, Disaster Mental Health at the American Red Cross, overseeing the nationwide DMH team. With a PhD in International Psychology, a background in trauma and grief therapy, and past roles in D.C. disaster planning, Shannon brings deep experience in crisis response and ethical care. She’s also a former volunteer firefighter/EMT and currently lives in Virginia with her family.
Key Takeaways:
Disaster mental health is not the same as therapy
Most survivors recover without mental health services
Therapists must be trained and vetted before entering shelters
Prevention and resilience-building are critical parts of crisis care
Red Cross deployments can be virtual, local, or national
More information and transcripts: mtsgpodcast.com
Join the Modern Therapist Community:https://linktr.ee/therapyreimagined
Creative Credits:Hosted by Curt Widhalm and Katie VernoyMusic by Crystal Grooms Mangano – https://groomsymusic.comVoice Over by DW McCann – https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW
About The Modern Therapist's Survival Guide with Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy
The Modern Therapist’s Survival Guide: Where Therapists Live, Breathe, and Practice as Human Beings It’s time to reimagine therapy and what it means to be a therapist. We are human beings who can now present ourselves as whole people, with authenticity, purpose, and connection. Especially now, when clinicians must develop a personal brand to market their private practices, and are connecting over social media, engaging in social activism, pushing back against mental health stigma, and facing a whole new style of entrepreneurship. To support you as a whole person, a business owner, and a therapist, your hosts, Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy talk about how to approach the role of therapist in the modern age.
Listen to The Modern Therapist's Survival Guide with Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy, Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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