Love, Happiness, and Success For Therapists

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  Live From APA: Inside the Room Where Psychology Becomes Policy | E105 19.08.2026 25min

  Do you work with domestic violence or intimate partner violence survivors? Then what just happened at the APA Council could eventually impact you and your clients. I sat down live at APA 2026 with Dr. Shannon Goecke-Watson, PsyD, LP, Minnesota’s representative to the APA Council of Representatives and Chair of the APA Rural Health Caucus, to find out what actually happens inside APA Council. And honestly? I didn’t realize how much influence these psychologists have. Think of APA Council representatives almost like the state representatives of psychology. They debate and vote on policy, work with APA’s advocacy office, and even go to Capitol Hill to meet with members of the House and Senate. Shannon just helped move forward an APA resolution addressing intimate partner violence and gender-based violence, created in collaboration with APA advocacy to support work around the Violence Against Women Act. You’ll hear: What actually happens at APA Council How APA resolutions can make their way from psychologists to Capitol Hill What Shannon and other APA representatives discuss with members of Congress The new IPV and gender-based violence resolution Shannon helped advance Why therapists may have more power to influence public policy than we realize What clinicians still need to understand about domestic violence, IPV, and competent care This is how psychology moves beyond the therapy room and starts changing systems. Xoxo, Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby Growing Self  If you or someone you’re working with needs immediate support: National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1-800-799-7233, or text START to 88788.
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  “Do You Take Insurance?” How to Talk to Clients About Self Pay Therapy | LHSFT Classic 12.08.2026 47min

  Ever had a dream client vanish the second you said, “I don’t take insurance”?  In this rerun episode of Love, Happiness, and Success for Therapists, I’m breaking down one of the most frustrating, deflating, and pivotal conversations we have in private practice: ⁠⁠how to talk to therapy clients about insurance⁠⁠ and self-pay therapy (without spiraling, apologizing, or selling yourself short). I walk you through exactly how to handle that record-scratch moment with clarity, confidence, and integrity—so you can stop losing ideal clients and start owning your value. We’ll explore why the insurance model was never built for growth work, how to frame your services outside of the medical model, and how self-pay therapy and coaching can be transformational for both you and your clients. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started, this conversation will help you rethink the way you show up, speak up, and set yourself up for long-term success. You'll learn: The Insurance Dilemma Empowering Therapists: Navigating Insurance Questions Why Don’t Some Therapists Take Insurance? The Disconnect Between Client Needs and Insurance Ethical Considerations and Challenges Are Self Pay Therapy Clients More Motivated? (Yes. Here's why.) How to Stop Feeling Guilty For Charging Self Pay Rates How to Communicate Your Value Can I Build a Practice Without Taking Insurance? How to Become a Certified Coach as a Therapist Clarity and Confidence in Practice If you’re longing for a practice that aligns with your passion for growth work—it might be time for a new approach. In my ⁠⁠ BCC-Accredited Coaching Certification for Therapists⁠⁠, I guide licensed clinicians just like you to: Ethically expand beyond the limitations of the insurance model Work confidently with self-pay clients who are motivated and ready to change Learn the language, structure, and mindset of transformational coaching psychology Build a sustainable practice doing the work you actually want to do with your dream clients. This program rewards up to 50 CE hours. Come learn how to create a thriving, ethical, and fulfilling practice from someone who’s walked this road. And hey—if we haven’t connected on LinkedIn yet, let’s do so! I’d love to follow your journey, cheer you on, and swap notes on what’s working (and what’s not) in our evolving world of therapy and coaching. Come say hi and ⁠⁠connect with me right here⁠⁠. Xoxo, ⁠⁠Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby⁠⁠ ⁠Growing Self⁠ P.S. If this episode made you nod, scribble notes, or rethink your client scripts, share it with a fellow therapist or drop it in your favorite consultation group. Let’s rise together. 💛
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  Be a Better Therapist by Learning How to Coach | LHSFT Classic 05.08.2026 33min

  Are you a therapist who's curious about coaching but not sure where to begin? If you've ever felt like your clients need more than insight alone, if you're craving a more energizing, action-oriented way to help people grow, or if you've wondered whether coaching could be the next evolution of your career, this episode is for you. In this conversation, I unpack why coaching psychology isn't a replacement for therapy. It's a powerful complementary skill set that can help you create better outcomes, expand your opportunities, and fall back in love with your work. As therapists, we're experts at helping people heal. But many of us were never trained in how to help clients create meaningful change once they're no longer in crisis. That's where evidence-based coaching psychology comes in. It's a natural extension of the work you already do and one that can transform both your clients' lives and your own professional future. In this episode, you'll learn: Why coaching psychology is becoming one of the most valuable skills therapists can add to their practice The real differences between therapy and coaching, and when each approach is most appropriate How coaching can help your clients create lasting action, not just insight Why coaching psychology can make your work more rewarding, effective, and sustainable How becoming a coach can expand your career options, attract ideal clients, and increase your income What to look for in a coaching certification program designed specifically for licensed therapists Whether you're simply coaching-curious or seriously considering adding coaching to your practice, this episode will give you a clear, ethical framework for understanding what's possible. I hope you'll join me, and that this conversation inspires you to embrace the coach within. Want to learn more? I host regular live information sessions where I answer your questions about the Growing Self Coaching Certification for Therapists, explain the different training pathways, and help you decide whether this program is the right fit for you. Click here to register for an upcoming information session. I hope to see you there! Xoxo,Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby Growing Self
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  Is Your Therapy Client Stuck, Or “Offline?” A New Way To Conceptualize Flooded Clients | E104 29.07.2026 58min

  Your client may not be stuck for the reasons you think. When a client seems overwhelmed, shut down, or unable to move forward, it's easy to assume trauma is the driving force. But what if there's another important piece of the puzzle? In this conversation, I sit down with nervous system educator Alyssa Blask Campbell to explore how sensory processing influences nervous system activation, and why it's an assessment lens many therapists were never taught to consider. We discuss how sensory experiences can shape behavior, emotional regulation, and a client's capacity to engage, offering a broader framework for understanding what may be happening beneath the surface. In this episode, you'll learn: Why nervous system activation isn't always rooted in trauma How sensory processing can influence behavior, emotions, and engagement The nine sensory systems and why they matter in clinical practice How expanding your assessment lens can lead to more effective interventions Practical ways to integrate these insights into your work with clients Whether you're a therapist, coach, or helping professional, this conversation will expand the way you think about nervous system activation and leave you with practical ideas you can begin using right away. Xoxo, Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby Growing Self P.S. If this conversation sparks your curiosity, don't miss Alyssa's free CEU training on September 17th, where she'll take an even deeper dive into recognizing sensory-driven nervous system activation and share practical strategies you can immediately integrate into your clinical work. We'd love to have you join us. Register here.
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  Power Dynamics Can RUIN Therapy: Avoid These Pitfalls | LHSFT Classic 15.07.2026 35min

  Ever feel like something’s “off” in your therapeutic relationships but can’t quite put your finger on it? The answer might lie in hidden power dynamics that could be impacting your clients in ways you didn’t realize. In today's episode, we're revisiting the subtle, often unnoticed imbalances that naturally occur between therapist and client—and more importantly, what you can do to manage them effectively so that they don't sabotage the work. I’ll walk you through practical strategies to create more equitable relationships, promote client autonomy, and avoid the common pitfalls of disempowerment and dependency. With over 50 therapists under my supervision, I’ve seen firsthand how even well-meaning professionals can fall into these traps. I’ll also be sharing personal insights and tools you can start using in your next session. Join me for this vital conversation and let’s work together to ensure we’re empowering our clients in every way possible AND avoiding the pitfalls that can ruin therapy (and even get you in hot water as a therapist).   What You’ll Learn: 03:24:Why Power Differentials Are Unavoidable 11:21: The Consequences of Unmanaged Power Dynamics 22:26: Strategies for Reducing Imbalances in Your Sessions 25:00: How to Collaborate and Be Transparent with Clients  32:11: Final Thoughts & Free Resources for Therapists  I can’t wait for you to tune in! Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby And don’t forget! I have a *FREE* 2-part training just for therapists, where I’ll show you how to get clear about your professional trajectory, and integrate coaching techniques into your practice for even more effective results. You can access it at ⁠growingself.com/coaching⁠
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  Booked Solid. Broke Anyway. The Therapist Money Crisis Nobody Talks About | E103 08.07.2026 53min

  You're fully booked. The money is coming in. So why does your bank account still feel stressed? If you've ever looked around your practice and thought, "I should be making more than this..." you're not imagining it. In this episode, I sit down with CPA and cash flow strategist Emily Bowie to talk about cash flow for therapists and the financial trap nobody warned us about: earning more is not the same thing as keeping more. Here's the uncomfortable truth: You can have a thriving practice. You can bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars. You can even build a multi-million-dollar business... ...and still have no idea where your money is going. I know because I did exactly that. At one point,I was leading a practice that looked to be very successful from the outside, but because I didn't know how to read a financial statement, there was so much I was missing and it caused major problems. In this episode, you'll learn: Why "just get more clients" is often the worst solution to money stress The hidden reason tax season feels like a yearly ambush How to know if your sessions are actually profitable The expense leaks quietly draining your practice Why charging more isn't selfish—and may actually be ethical The financial blind spots that can impact your clinical decisions How to build a practice that supports both your clients and your future Because financial stress doesn't stay in your bank account. It follows you into your boundaries, your burnout, your pricing, and your decisions. And until you understand your numbers, you're flying blind. If you've ever thought, "I'm working this hard. Why doesn't it feel easier?" This episode is for you.
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  Struggling in Therapy Private Practice? Here’s Why (And What To Do Differently) | E102 01.07.2026 54min

  If your practice is growing but you're more exhausted than ever... if you're working nights and weekends just to stay caught up... if you're making more money but somehow feeling less free... this episode is for you. Because here's the truth nobody tells therapists: you can be exceptional at helping clients and still build a practice that quietly burns you out. In this conversation, I'm joined by Dr. Jennifer Wisdom, a consulting psychologist and organizational consultant who has spent more than 25 years studying how organizations actually function. She helps leaders identify the hidden problems that keep businesses stuck, and today we're applying those insights directly to therapy practices. Because the biggest threat to your practice isn't a lack of clients. It's the management skills nobody ever taught you. The same qualities that make you a wonderful therapist—being deeply empathetic, avoiding conflict, carrying more than your share, and putting everyone else's needs first—can become the exact things that create overwhelm, chaos, and burnout when you're running a business. In this episode, you'll learn: Why so many successful therapists secretly feel trapped by the practices they've built The hidden difference between being a great clinician and being an effective practice owner Why more clients and more revenue don't automatically create more freedom The leadership mistake that leaves therapists carrying everything on their backs How "being nice" can quietly undermine your team, culture, and profitability Why AI, EHR systems, and productivity tools can't solve a management problem The burnout warning signs that show up long before the numbers reveal a problem The money metrics every practice owner should understand—but most never look at How to delegate, give feedback, and lead without feeling like the bad guy Where to start when your practice feels disorganized, overwhelming, or out of control This episode is a reality check, but it's also a roadmap. Because if you've been telling yourself that you just need to work harder, be more organized, or somehow get better at juggling it all, I want you to know something: the problem may not be you. It may be that nobody ever taught you how to run the business you built. And once you understand the difference, everything starts to make a lot more sense. Xoxo, Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby Growing Self
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  Uncovering Your Blindspots: Cultural Competence in Therapy | LHSFT Classic 24.06.2026 43min

  All therapists have blindspots, and learning to recognize them is deep personal and professional growth work. It will make you more empathetic, more insightful, and more insightful, not only as a therapist, but also as a human.   But the thing about blindspots is... we can't see them! ⁠ Uncovering your blind spots to become a more culturally competent therapist⁠ is a process of self-exploration that will unearth perspectives and conditioning that you're not even aware of yet. It requires openness and courage, and it strengthens your capacity for self-reflection and connection to others.  That exploratory process is what we're talking about on this episode of Love, Happiness and Success for Therapists. My guest is Dr. Diane Estrada, a veteran of the craft and my long-time mentor. Diane brings so much heart and wisdom to her practice, as well as to her work helping others become the best therapists they can be. She's a treasure, and I'm so excited that I get to share her with you! Tune in to learn: 02:10 The Impact of Cultural and Identity Biases in Therapy 04:01 How to Develop Self-Awareness as a Therapist 12:08 Recognizing the Influence of Eurocentric Models 23:33 Reckoning with Feelings of Anger and Resentment 28:01 Seeing the Presence of Culture and Belief Systems 35:52 Practices for Growth and Development 39:52 The Importance of Checks and Balances 40:59 The Challenge of Engaging in Difficult Conversations 42:07 Understanding Your Clients' Context 43:30 Creating Courageous Space 44:18 Balancing Emotional Safety and Growth 45:08 Overcoming the Discomfort of Addressing Race   And more!   I hope you'll join us, and that you'll find our conversation as insightful and helpful as I did.    With love,    Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby    P.S. — Are you at risk of therapist burnout? Take my free quiz and find out.
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  Can Therapists Give Advice? How to Empower Clients While Staying Ethical | LHSFT Classic 17.06.2026 41min

  Ever had a client look at you, desperate for help, and ask, “What should I do?” Today, I’m pulling back the curtain on a dilemma that I hear from therapists all the time: “My clients are stuck, they need direction, and they’re asking me for advice. But I’m supposed to stay neutral, right?”  On one hand, we want to help, but on the other, we’ve been trained to stay neutral and let the client find their own answers. So ⁠can therapists give advice?⁠ What’s the right move when your client is stuck and clearly craving direction? In this episode of Love, Happiness and Success For Therapists, we're diving into the inner conflict therapists face between sticking to our non-directive, empathetic listening style and providing the more concrete guidance that many clients are asking for. I’ll also show how evidence-based coaching can complement therapy in a powerful way and provide that direction in your sessions. You’ll get clear, actionable steps on how to navigate this tricky balance—without stepping outside of your ethical boundaries. You don’t want to miss this! Episode Breakdown 00:00 Introduction: The Therapist's Dilemma 02:49 What Is the Role of a Therapist? 06:35 Why Do Therapists Struggle to Be More Direct? 09:16 How to Balance Client Expectations with Therapeutic Boundaries 15:19 Is Coaching the Solution? 20:24 What's the Difference Between Therapy and Coaching? 27:38 How Can Therapists Become Certified Coaches? 34:29 Resources for Therapists and Coaches If you’re feeling inspired by what I’ve shared and you’re ready to give your clients the directive support that they need, I’d love to invite you to take the next step in your professional development with my BCC-Accredited ⁠ Coaching Certification for Therapists⁠.  This program is designed specifically for therapists like you who want to build coaching competencies while staying within the ethical boundaries of your practice. You’ll receive 30 CEU credits for completing the certification and walk away with the skills to deliver more actionable, client-centered guidance that will help your clients get the results they’re asking for.  👉 ⁠ Transform your practice by learning how to coach⁠. If you want to stay updated on the latest podcast episodes, learn about upcoming free CEU webinars, and be a part of a supportive professional network, I’d love to connect with you on LinkedIn! ⁠Find me at Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby⁠. I share research, training opportunities, and news updates to help you grow, develop new skills, and thrive! Xoxo ⁠Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby⁠ ⁠ www.growingself.com⁠ PS: If you found this episode valuable, think about someone in your professional community who could benefit from this conversation. Share it with them, and let’s keep the discussion going!
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  Talking About Sex in Therapy: The Conversation Grad School Skipped | Dr. Nicole McNichols | E101 10.06.2026 56min

  After 25 years as a psychologist, I still catch myself doing it. A client edges toward something sexual, I reflect, I validate, and I quietly move us somewhere safer. If you have done the same thing in a session, you are not a bad clinician. You were just never taught how to stay in that moment, and almost none of us were. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Nicole McNichols, the University of Washington professor who teaches the largest human sexuality course in the country, more than four thousand students a year. Nicole is not a sex therapist. She is the person who teaches the next generation of clinicians, and I wanted her read on the gap most of us walked out of grad school with: what to actually do when sex shows up in the room. Her new book, You Could Be Having Better Sex, just landed, and it turns out to be a genuinely useful tool for our clients too. In This Episode: Why generalist training programs skip sex almost entirely, and what that absence quietly costs your clients The assumption that fixing a couple's communication will fix their sex life, and why the research often runs the other way How to open a conversation about sex without feeling like you are prying for salacious details What more than two thousand couples revealed over four years about which kind of satisfaction comes first How a caregiving role can quietly erode desire, and the parenting complaint that is often really about sex The moment a presenting sexual concern is not a sex problem at all, and what scope of competence asks of you then How to handle attraction, transference, and your own discomfort when sexual material enters the room Where your scope as a relationally trained generalist ends and an AASECT-certified sex therapist's begins This episode is for any clinician who has sat across from a client, felt the conversation drift toward sex, and chosen, almost without deciding to, to steer somewhere else. Maybe you told yourself it was outside your scope, or that the client was not ready, or that it simply was not the focus of the work. I have told myself all three. This conversation is about what becomes possible when we stop avoiding the one topic we were never trained to hold, and start treating it as part of the work we are already good at. Episode Breakdown 00:00:00 The Conversation We Quietly Steer Around 00:03:51 Why Sexual Health Is Clinical, Not Peripheral 00:04:43 Fix the Relationship, Fix the Sex? Not Quite 00:08:33 How to Open the Door Without Feeling Intrusive 00:12:30 Sex as the Skill Set That Builds the Whole Relationship 00:15:27 What the Research Actually Shows 00:17:23 Using a Book as a Clinical Tool 00:25:22 When It's Not a Sex Problem 00:34:04 The Transference Nobody Prepped You For 00:40:14 Where Your Scope Ends and a Sex Therapist's Begins Resources Full episode and show notes The Therapist Growth Collective If this episode put words to something you have been quietly carrying, share it with one colleague who would feel the same way. That is the whole game with a show like this. And if you want an ongoing place to keep growing into the parts of the work grad school skipped, come find us. xoxo, Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby  Growing Self
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  “What If I’m Doing It Wrong?” Untangling Therapist Performance Anxiety | LHSFT Classic 03.06.2026 43min

  Ever walk out of a session thinking, “Was that okay? Did I do it right? Did I help enough?” If so, you are so not alone.  In this episode of Love, Happiness, and Success For Therapists, I’m diving deep into ⁠therapist performance anxiety⁠ — the kind of internal pressure that doesn’t just keep us up at night, but can actually interfere with the quality of our clinical work.  From subtle fears about being "good enough" to the quiet panic that creeps in when clients stall out, I’m unpacking how this anxiety shows up, what it does to our clinical judgment, and why it's a hidden threat to both our clients and our own well-being. Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction: Therapist Performance Anxiety 01:04 – When Caring Becomes a Liability 06:13 – The Story of Sarah 14:52 – Financial Anxiety in Private Practice 31:19 – Strategies to Manage Performance Anxiety 39:35 – CEU Trainings for Therapists If performance anxiety is making you second-guess whether you’re “doing it right,” you’re not alone. This is particularly true for therapists who are in or headed into the realm of coaching. The waters between therapy and coaching can get murky which creates ethical dilemmas that most of us aren’t trained to identify.  My free CEU training ⁠ Think You’re Coaching? 8 Red Flags You’re Actually Doing Therapy⁠ is designed to clear that uncertainty. When you're not sure where the line is between coaching and therapy — or you're worried you’ve already crossed it — anxiety starts calling the shots. This training will help you get crystal clear on what’s what, so you can show up grounded, ethical, and effective in your work. Even better? When you complete the training and pass the quick quiz, you’ll earn 1 CEU and a certificate — totally free. ⁠ Check out the training here.⁠  And hey, let’s stay connected. If this topic resonated with you, I would love to continue the conversation and support your growth. Join our amazing community of growth-minded clinicians by ⁠connecting with me on LinkedIn⁠. I share insights, free CEU trainings, and sometimes a little healthy debate. Come say hi — I’m always cheering you on. 💛 Xoxo ⁠Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby⁠ ⁠ www.growingself.com
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  Coaching Psychology: The Rigorous Coaching Most US Therapists Don’t Know Exists | Christina Theo | E100 27.05.2026 1t 9min

  Have you ever heard the term coaching psychologist? Probably not. In the United States, it barely exists as a concept. In the United Kingdom, it is a recognized specialty of the British Psychological Society, with peer-reviewed journals, formal credentials, and university-level standards. So the next time someone tells you coaching can’t be a serious discipline, the honest answer is that it already is. We just have to import it. In this episode, I sit down with Christina Theo, a UK-based Coaching Psychologist with twenty-five years across the NHS, the voluntary sector, and international private practice. Christina holds credentials from both the British Psychological Society and the International Coaching Federation, and she practices the kind of integrated, evidence-based work I have spent the better part of two decades arguing for from the US side. She joined me to explain what coaching psychology actually is, what is breaking in the global coaching industry right now, and what every licensed clinician should know about the field before they engage with it, whether or not they ever plan to become a coach themselves. In this episode: The plain-English definition of coaching psychology, and why the UK has a credential for it while the US still does not The moment-to-moment difference between doing coaching and doing psychology, inside a single session How Christina integrates EMDR, IFS, and Pain Reprocessing Therapy inside a coaching framework without crossing the therapy line The four myths therapists believe about coaching, and what is actually true about ethics, supervision, evidence, and triage The biggest mistake therapists make when they add coaching to their practice (and why the financial reasoning behind it usually fails) Why “I healed myself, now I will heal you” coaching is doing measurable harm to trauma survivors who needed treatment instead What rigorous coaching credentials require, and the specific red flags to run from when a program advertises itself Where coaching psychology is headed in the next five years, and the role US clinicians could play in building a domestic version Why This Matters This episode is for any clinician who has watched the coaching industry from the sidelines with one eyebrow raised, and quietly wondered whether there is a serious version of this discipline anywhere. There is. It has a name, a credential, a body of research, and a small group of practitioners who have been doing it well for decades. You do not have to want to become a coach to find this conversation useful. You only have to want to understand the field your clients are increasingly being pulled toward, and to know the difference between the work Christina is describing and the work most of TikTok is calling by the same name. Episode Breakdown 00:00 Why "Coaching Psychologist" Isn't a Term Most US Therapists Know 04:35 How Christina Became a Coaching Psychologist 09:30 What Is Coaching Psychology? The Definition US Therapists Are Missing 13:00 Coaching Psychology vs. Therapy in a Single Session 24:30 The Myths Therapists Believe About Coaching 30:30 What Therapists Should Look For in a Coaching Credential 40:30 What's Actually Wrong With the Coaching Industry in 2026 56:30 What This Means for US Clinicians, and Where Coaching Psychology Goes Next Resources Full blog post for this episode Growing Self Coaching Certification for Therapists Therapist Growth Collective If this conversation cracked something open for you about coaching, I want to keep it going. There is a real, rigorous version of this work, and the people I trust most to do it well are the ones who started as licensed clinicians and added the credentials on top. That is exactly what our Coaching Certification for Therapists is built to support. The link is in the show notes. Come find me, and come find us. XO, Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby Growing Self
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  Solution-Focused Couples Therapy: A Clinician’s Guide | Elliott Connie | E99 20.05.2026 1t

  Elliott Connie thinks most of what we were trained to do in couples therapy is, in his words, ridiculous. The way he explains it: if you get shot with an arrow, does it help you to know who shot you, or do you just want the arrow out? That’s the question that anchors solution-focused couples therapy. And it’s the question that’s been quietly changing how a generation of clinicians thinks about the work. In this episode, I sit down with Elliott Connie, founder of The Solution Focused Universe, co-author of The Solution Focused Brief Therapy Diamond with Adam Froerer, and one of the clinicians I most respect in our field. Elliott and I did a consumer-facing conversation last year. This one is the clinician’s cut, and the question I most wanted him to answer: what has to change in the therapist before the technique can land? You’ll hear: Why the entire premise of “understanding the client’s problem” might be what’s keeping them stuck, and Elliott’s arrow analogy that reframes the work in one minute flat The two clinical realizations that almost made Elliott quit graduate school, and the professor who changed everything What “practicing from a solution-focused stance” actually means in the room, and why grafting SFBT techniques onto a problem-focused practice usually doesn’t work Why being a good therapist has more in common with being a good spouse than a good employee, and Elliott’s “relationship, not occupation” reframe The truth about CBT’s research dominance, including the story of the statistics professor who admitted why CBT keeps winning the citation game Why Elliott calls it unethical to graduate from a counseling program and never pick up another research article, and the simple fix if you’ve been guilty of this Where to start if you want to learn SFBT well, including Elliott’s books, his training organization, and the unexpected place his career has taken him This episode is for any clinician who has finished a couples session feeling more depleted than the couple in the room. It’s also for anyone who has wondered, quietly, whether the way you were trained to do this work is the way you actually believe in. Elliott’s argument is that the answer to clinician exhaustion isn’t a new technique. It’s a stance shift. And if you’ve been carrying questions about your own clinical orientation, this conversation will ask you to look at them honestly. Episode Breakdown 0:00 Why understanding the problem might be what’s keeping your clients stuck 05:00 How therapists got indoctrinated into problem-focused work 11:00 From the graduate school Elliott almost quit to the work that found him 27:00 Therapy as a relationship, not an occupation 35:00 What solution-focused brief therapy actually is 37:00 A session that didn’t address the problem (and what happened instead) 47:00 Inside the Solution Focused Universe and Elliott’s mission to train better therapists 52:00 The research, the bias, and the obligation to keep learning 01:03:00 The skeptic’s question and the surprising next chapter of Elliott’s career Resources Read the full article The Therapist Growth Collective for ongoing professional development and peer community If this conversation gave you something to chew on, or made you want to argue with your screen, I’d love for you to share it with a colleague. That’s how this show finds the clinicians it’s meant to find. And if you want to keep having these kinds of conversations week after week, come find us in the Therapist Growth Collective. The link is below. XO, Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby Growing Self
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  Attachment-Based Therapy: Why Insight Alone Doesn't Change Clients | Dr. Amir Levine | E98 13.05.2026 1t

  You've been recommending Attached for years. Your client has read it twice. They can name their attachment style, walk you through the childhood wound, and articulate exactly why they do what they do. And they are still, every few months, processing another version of the same painful cycle in their relationship. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Amir Levine, the Columbia psychiatrist and molecular neuroscientist whose first book Attached has now sold over three million copies in 42 languages and become a permanent fixture on every therapist's clinical shelf. His follow-up, Secure, just came out from Penguin Random House, and it answers the question therapists keep asking after handing Attached to a client: how do clients actually change their attachment style? In This Episode: Why naming a client's attachment style is not enough to change it, and what the neuroscience actually says about pattern change The Cyberball paradigm and what it tells us about why our clients' brains react so powerfully to small moments of disconnection Why a 50-minute therapy hour can't compete with the thousand social interactions a client encounters before next week's session CARP, the five pillars of secure mode, and how Levine teaches clients to recognize them in others The CARP intervention script you can teach an anxious client to invite secure recruits into their life Wall Tennis With Love, the technique for right-sizing the relationships that keep pulling anxious clients off-center Why most avoidant clients are accidentally creating the very neediness they resent in others, and the Strange Situation parallel that finally helps them see it What to do when your own attachment style is showing up in the therapy room, including the framework that works for therapists with ADHD or non-traditional rhythms Why This Matters This episode is for any clinician who has ever sat across from a self-aware, hard-working client and quietly thought: I am not sure what I am supposed to do with this. The ones who have read every book, named every pattern, and still cannot move. What Amir is offering is a clinical reframe that does not ask you to throw out what you already know, but adds something most of us were never explicitly trained to do. If you have been sitting with a stuck client lately wondering whether your method is the problem or your client is the problem, this conversation is going to land somewhere specific. Resources Therapist Growth Collective, our free professional community for clinicians Practice support and consulting for therapists If this conversation opened something up for you clinically, please share it with the colleague you were thinking about as you were listening. The work we do matters, and so does the way we do it together. XO, Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby Growing Self
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  Have Them at ‘Hello’ - Secrets to New Client Engagement | LHSFT Classic 06.05.2026 44min

  You had a first meeting with a prospective therapy client that YOU thought went great… but the client never came back. Here’s why: Therapists don’t know how to communicate their value. Why do amazing therapists struggle with ⁠therapy client engagement⁠? Spoiler alert: It’s not about your clinical skills, it's about how you connect. Engaging therapy clients isn’t just about being good at what you do; it’s about helping prospective clients see the unique value you bring. In this episode of Love Happiness and Success for Therapists, I’ll walk you through actionable steps to engage therapy clients, communicate your unique value, and grow a thriving private practice. You’ll learn how to structure consultations that naturally build trust and connection, how to address common concerns around cost, time, and readiness, and how to effectively communicate your process and unique approach to therapy. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction: Why Client Engagement Matters 00:45 The Common Struggles of Private Practice Therapists 01:47 Overcoming the Fear of Self-Promotion 03:33 Connect with Clients Before They Meet You 11:57 Helping Clients Define Their Goals 15:14 Explaining Your Therapy Process with Clarity 23:59 Tackling Client Objections Gracefully 28:18 Highlighting Your Unique Value Proposition 31:13 Mastering Post-Consultation Follow-Ups 34:12 Reflect, Refine, and Grow Your Practice 38:17 More Resources to Support You Your clients need more than what conventional therapy alone can offer. The reality? “Coaches” without formal training are scooping up the opportunities you’re missing, because they have a structured framework of change that they can communicate - and clients love it. You can learn how to do this too! In my free ⁠ “What Every Therapist Must Know About Coaching” Masterclass⁠, you’ll discover how to integrate evidence-based coaching techniques to stand out in a crowded field and enhance your therapy practice. Coaching tools can help you empower clients to achieve goals faster, deepen their engagement, and create lasting change—all while staying true to your professional integrity. 👉 ⁠ Join the Masterclass Now⁠ and take your practice to the next level! Let’s make 2025 your breakthrough year.  If you found this helpful, check out some of my other episodes for more tips and strategies to elevate your private practice! And hey, share this with your professional community—let’s help each other grow. 🌱 Xoxo ⁠Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby⁠ ⁠ www.growingself.com⁠ P.S. Let’s Connect! I’d love to hear your thoughts and be part of your professional journey. ⁠Connect with me on LinkedIn⁠ to join an amazing community of therapists growing and thriving together.
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  How to Stop Thinking About Your Therapy Clients | LHSFT Classic 29.04.2026 25min

  If you’ve been trying to figure out how to stop thinking about your therapy clients once the workday is over, you’re not alone. One of the hardest parts of being a therapist is that the session may end, but your mind keeps going. You replay what your client said, wonder what you could have done differently, and carry the emotional weight of the work into the rest of your life. In this episode, I’m revisiting a conversation about one of the most common therapist struggles and one of the biggest contributors to burnout: not being able to close the mental loop after a session. I’m talking about why therapists get stuck in post-session rumination, what that lingering activation is often telling us, and how to create more clarity so you can care deeply about your clients without carrying them with you at all hours. We’ll talk about the role of therapeutic orientation, case conceptualization, writing things down in a more intentional way, and learning how to gently redirect your attention back to the present. This conversation is a reminder that therapist self-care is not only about better boundaries. It is also about having a process that helps you trust your work, settle your mind, and return to yourself after doing deep emotional labor. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 How to stop thinking about your therapy clients after sessions 05:25 How your therapeutic orientation helps you find clarity 10:04 Why writing things down helps close the mental loop 12:39 Mental redirection and getting back to your own life 15:56 What post-session rumination may be telling you If you’ve been feeling isolated in your work, or quietly wondering how to keep caring deeply without carrying everything alone, I want you to know you’re not alone. One of the primary ways I support therapists beyond this podcast is through The Growth Collective for Therapists, a professional home I created for clinicians who want real consultation, meaningful connection, and support building a practice that feels sustainable and life-giving, not depleting. The Growth Collective brings together licensed therapists who are ready to receive the same level of care they give every day through monthly consultation, clinical supervision, CEU trainings, and practical guidance for building a stable, fulfilling private practice. If you’ve been missing community, feeling isolated in your work, or edging toward burnout, this space was built with you in mind. xoxo, Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby Growing Self
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  The Psychedelic Therapy Revolution | Dr. Scott Shannon | LHSFT Classic 23.04.2026 57min

  The research on psychedelic therapy is becoming too compelling to ignore. While it’s easy to dismiss this work as fringe—or assume it’s not relevant if you don’t plan to practice it—the reality is that, in the hands of skilled providers, these approaches can be profoundly effective. As therapists, it’s our responsibility to stay informed so we can have thoughtful, ethical conversations and help clients access the most powerful healing options available—even if we’re not the ones delivering them. Join me for a free CEU training with Dr. Scott Shannon on May 1st at 11am MT, where we’ll dive deeper into the world of psychedelic therapy. How can psychedelic-assisted therapy create deep, lasting transformation where conventional treatments only manage symptoms?⁠ Psychiatrist and integrative medicine pioneer Dr. Scott Shannon joins me to talk about how this emerging field is reshaping what’s possible for healing, not just for our clients, but for the future of mental health care itself. Dr. Shannon shares his decades of work exploring MDMA, psilocybin, and other psychedelic medicines as catalysts for safety, openness, and profound personal growth. We talk about how these experiences can unlock trauma healing, relational breakthroughs, and spiritual integration in ways that expand beyond traditional talk therapy. We also get into the ethics, boundaries, the training this work requires, and what it means for therapists who feel called to be part of this next frontier in care. Dr. Shannon is a psychiatrist, author, and founder of Wholeness Center, the largest integrative mental health clinic in the U.S., and a leader in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy research and education. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 From SSRIs to MDMA Therapy: A Different Model of Care 07:36 MDMA for Couples: Safety, Openness, Breakthroughs 12:25 PTSD Protocol: Prep, Medicine Sessions, Integration, Childhood Trauma 13:33 Psychedelic Treatment Framework: Container, Catalyst, Carrier 20:07 Paths and Policy: Legalization, Medicalization, FDA Outlook 24:55 Ethics and Safety in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy 39:53 Mystical Experience and Long-Term Outcomes 46:24 Training and Career Paths: How to Become a Psychedelic-Assisted Therapist Conversations like this remind me how much our field is growing and how important it is that we grow right along with it, in integrity and community. If you’ve been craving that kind of connection and support in your own work, come join me in ⁠The Growth Collective for Therapists⁠! It’s a space where therapists can show up as real people to talk honestly about the work, get meaningful consultation, and be part of a community that understands what it takes to do this job well and stay well. And if you want to keep this conversation going, ⁠find me on LinkedIn⁠. I’d love to hear what stood out to you from this episode and what’s inspiring your own path forward right now. xoxo, Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby⁠Growing Self
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  Why Your Therapy Clients Think You're Weird | LHSFT Classic 22.04.2026 28min

  Therapist boundaries are essential to ethical, effective care, but from a client’s point of view, they can sometimes feel confusing, distancing, or just plain weird. A long pause. A declined social media request. No direct advice. No follow-up between sessions after something heavy. If you’ve ever felt a client pull back after one of those moments, this episode is for you. In this episode of Love, Happiness, and Success for Therapists, I’m revisiting a conversation about the subtle ways therapist boundaries can create misunderstandings in the therapeutic relationship. I’m talking through the real-world moments that can leave clients feeling confused, rejected, or unsure about what’s happening, and how to handle them with more transparency, warmth, and clarity. We’ll walk through some of the most common examples, including public encounters with clients, awkward silence in session, dual relationships, inactive file closures, not giving direct advice, and why therapists usually do not reach out between sessions. More importantly, we’ll talk about how to explain these choices clearly so clients feel safer, more respected, and more connected to the work. This conversation is a reminder that therapist boundaries are not just about ethics. They are also about trust. When clients understand the why behind the work, they are much more likely to experience therapy as collaborative, supportive, and meaningful rather than confusing or distancing. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Why therapist boundaries can feel weird to clients 04:35 The importance of explaining boundaries early 09:20 Common therapy moments clients misunderstand 14:50 Why therapists do not give direct advice 20:35 Client autonomy, trust, and rupture repair If you’ve been feeling isolated in your work, or quietly wondering how long you can keep doing this on your own, I want you to know you’re not alone. One of the primary ways I support therapists beyond this podcast is through The Growth Collective for Therapists, a professional home I created for clinicians who want real consultation, meaningful connection, and support building a practice that feels sustainable and life-giving, not depleting. The Growth Collective brings together licensed therapists who are ready to receive the same level of care they give every day through monthly consultation, clinical supervision, CEU trainings, and practical guidance for building a stable, fulfilling private practice. If you’ve been missing community, feeling isolated in your work, or edging toward burnout, this space was built with you in mind. xoxo, Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby Growing Self
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  Marketing for Therapists: What It Really Takes to Get Clients | Jenny Arroyo | E97 15.04.2026 46min

  Marketing for therapists is harder than it should be and most aren’t getting clients. In this episode, I'm sitting down with marketing specialist Jenny Arroyo to unpack what actually drives client growth in private practice and why so many therapists struggle to gain traction despite being excellent clinicians. Jenny Arroyo is the founder and owner of Strategy Solutions. Her journey into the world of business growth is fueled by a genuine passion for helping others succeed. Together, we’re talking about private practice marketing in a way that feels practical, honest, and reassuring for therapists who want to grow without feeling forced into a version of marketing that does not fit who they are. We talk about why private practice marketing feels so difficult for so many therapists, what may be getting lost on your website, why social media does not have to feel performative, and how AI is changing the way prospective clients search for support. We also get into authority, differentiation, and the quiet truth underneath all of this: private practice marketing is often less about doing more and more about helping the right people quickly understand who you are, what you do, and why they might want to work with you. If you are excellent at the clinical side of the work but feel less confident about visibility, messaging, or growth, this conversation will give you a lot to think about. It is full of grounded ideas you can take back to your practice right away. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Why Marketing Is So Hard for Therapists 09:03 What Private Practice Marketing Actually Requires 14:54 Social Media Without Feeling Performative 19:21 How AI Is Changing Private Practice Marketing 25:29 How to Stand Out and Attract the Right Clients 29:56 Private Pay, Authority, and Why Clients Choose You If this conversation is stirring up bigger questions about your own practice, I hope it helps you remember that struggling with private practice marketing is not a sign that you’re failing. Most therapists were never taught how to build a business, and there is a lot to figure out along the way. And if you’ve been feeling isolated in your work, second-guessing yourself with clients, or wanting more support as you grow, I’d love to invite you into the Growth Collective for Therapists. It’s a professional home for clinicians who want real consultation, meaningful connection, and thoughtful support as they build a practice that feels sustainable and life-giving. Inside the Growth Collective, licensed therapists come together for monthly consultation, clinical supervision, CEU trainings, and practical guidance for building a stable, fulfilling private practice. If you’ve been craving community, feeling stretched thin, or looking for a place to keep growing, this space was created with you in mind. xoxo, Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby Growing Self
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  New Frontiers in Somatic Interventions: Where Cuddlists Go That Somatic Therapy Can’t (And What Your Clients Might Need You To Know) | E96 08.04.2026 1t 20min

  Somatic therapy is changing trauma treatment—but what happens when therapists can’t provide it? In this episode, I'm chatting with Keeley and Michelle, practitioners of a consent-based relational touch modality, to explore a provocative question: what do we do when our clients need experiences we ethically cannot provide? This is a rich conversation about the gap between insight and lived experience. We talk about why somatic therapy for trauma can be so powerful, and why there are moments when even excellent therapy, strong psychoeducation, and all the right language around boundaries still do not create the kind of embodied, relational experience a client may be longing for. If you’ve ever wondered what is somatic therapy when it moves beyond talking and into something more experiential, this episode opens up a fascinating and sometimes uncomfortable question. Keeley and Michelle walk us into the world of consent-based relational touch work and explain how it can support clients healing from relational trauma, childhood sexual abuse, grief, loneliness, people-pleasing, avoidant attachment, and disconnection from their own bodies. We also talk about ethics, referral decisions, and the responsibility we carry as clinicians when we introduce clients to any modality that asks them to be vulnerable in a new way. Keeley has practiced as a full-time Cuddle Therapist since 2015, supporting clients in both individual and group settings. She is a certified Cuddle Party facilitator and has taken every training program that exists for professional cuddlers. She continues her education in IFS, EFT, somatic experiencing, embodiment practices, the Wheel of Consent, and racial equity. In 2017, she became the Director of CuddleXpo, the first-ever professional cuddlers convention. Michelle Renee has been a pioneering force in the field of professional cuddling since joining Cuddlist as a Cuddle Therapist at its inception in late 2015. She is a certified Cuddle Party facilitator and trained surrogate partner, bringing deep experience to the intersection of relational touch and therapeutic practice. From 2016 to 2020, Michelle served as Cuddlist’s Director of Operations. In 2023, she returned to Cuddlist leadership as Director of Training and officially became a co-owner in early 2025. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Why This Conversation Matters 08:20 What Cuddlist Work Actually Is 12:05 Somatic Therapy, Trauma, and Safe Relational Touch 24:28 What Happens in a Session 32:55 Boundaries, Consent, and Bodily Autonomy 38:12 Neurodivergence, Sensory Needs, and Relational Safety 41:36 When Therapists Might Consider a Referral 55:00 Ethics, Risk, and Safe Referrals And if this conversation stirred something in you, professionally or personally, I want to offer you a gentle next step. Sometimes the most important shift is not figuring it all out alone, but finding the right kind of support. At Growing Self, thousands of people have transformed themselves, their relationships, or their careers with the help of the right counselor or coach, and you can too. Answer three quick questions so we can help you book your free consultation meeting with the right expert. It’s private, secure, only takes a couple of minutes, and it’s here for you whenever you’re ready. xoxo, Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby Growing Self