In the era of remote work and cell phones, time off from work can end up just working at weird hours or from a scenic location (or both). Truly getting the nourishing breaks we need can be super challenging unless we make sure we’ve planned how we can unplug and really get away from the…
As the year is winding down, I’m pushing myself to follow the slower rhythms of life. There is some hubbub and chaos related to the holidays – of course – but work has definitely hit a different cadence. Now, I know for me this isn’t solely due to winter or a focus on family and…
Originally posted on Therapy Reimagined (https://therapyreimagined.com/modern-therapist-blog/should-i-keep-my-office/) I’ve written about networking before, but it was really in the frame that most therapists want or need to hear: why networking benefits your clients. Now – that hasn’t changed, but I want to talk more practically to the #ModernTherapists who recognize that networking can make or break your…
Originally posted on Therapy Reimagined (https://therapyreimagined.com/modern-therapist-blog/should-i-keep-my-office/) More and more we’re hearing people grappling with the very challenging question – should I keep my therapy office? Many people have moved to virtual therapy for much of their practice, some have added walk and talk or outdoor therapy to keep some in-person services, and may not use…
Originally posted on Therapy Reimagined (https://therapyreimagined.com/modern-therapist-blog/what-drives-you/) When we think about creating a mission statement, we might think of buttoned up folks in a board room wordsmithing language that doesn’t really say anything. It’s too corporate. It’s a waste of time… But is it? When a business has a mission statement, or at least clarity of…
Originally posted on Therapy Reimagined (https://therapyreimagined.com/making-decisions-now/) Many of us are two months into quarantine and have settled into a new normal. There are people who are working from home, have shifted to 100% telehealth, and others who have navigated CDC and WHO guidelines to keep going to work or seeing clients in their office. We…
Originally posted on Therapy Reimagined (https://therapyreimagined.com/now-what-blog/) Each one of us has had to scramble to shift and change as our world has gone into crisis. Many of us have made a full switch to virtual meetings and sessions. There are economic uncertainties and there is emotional fall-out that we are navigating at the same time…
Originally posted on Therapy Reimagined (https://therapyreimagined.com/dont-have-to-be-thought-leader/) You have undoubtedly heard that you should start a private practice and that you should not take insurance or that you should have a side hustle or that you should definitely not work in community mental health. You may have even inferred these things from what we and our…
Originally posted onTherapy Reimagined (https://therapyreimagined.com/you-should-not-become-a-therapist/) Many of us are good listeners and have it in our hearts to help other people. We like to figure out how individuals think and help them improve their quality of life. But should all of us be therapists? Probably not. Being a therapist is hard, so unless you are…
Originally posted on Therapy Reimagined (https://therapyreimagined.com/schedule-wrangling/) I’ve talked recently on my podcast about the different ways that entrepreneurs and employees burnout: All Kinds of Burned Out. I wasn’t able to go deeper into some solutions, so I thought I would dig in on one of the most important things that creates a sustainable career: a…
The farther you go in your career, the easier it can be to find yourself without peers. Especially when you’ve taken on a leadership role. Leadership is touted as this amazing goal: “Become a Thought LEADER!” “Move up the ranks into MANAGEMENT!!” “Stand out as a BUSINESS OWNER!” And it IS a great…
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard the phrase “I’m stuck.” This can also sound like: “I can’t do anything different.” “I can’t leave because the income is too important for me and my family.” “It’s too hard.” “I don’t have time.” “But it might decrease my business.” “But it would really…
When you are in an executive or entrepreneurial position, it can be super hard to know what to do and when. There are a million extra decisions when someone else isn’t structuring your work. It can be wonderful to have autonomy, but if you’re not always sure how to manage yourself, you can be…
Do you often feel like work is just happening to you? Mile long to do lists, demands and responsibilities that you can never keep up with – grinding it out every day, just to fall in bed and start again the next day? Well… maybe… But I LOVE what I do, Katie!! I hear…
Originally posted on Therapy Reimagined (https://therapyreimagined.com/making-daily-business-decisions/) When there is a lot to do, it can be really hard to figure out what to focus your attention on, and what to spend time, money, and energy on… you name it. Here are some quick questions to help you sort through your to-do list. Ask yourself the…
Originally posted on Therapy Reimagined (https://therapyreimagined.com/the-7-best-excuses-to-avoid-starting-your-private-practice/) So, you want to start a private practice. Or at least you think you do. You’re dreaming about your gorgeous office while watching and reading a million free resources about how to get your first client. You have debated niche, insurance, and location and you’re going to get started.…
Originally posted on Therapy Reimagined (https://therapyreimagined.com/how-to-post-enough-stuff/) Everyone tells you that all #ModernTherapists need to have a blog, a podcast, a newsletter, and tons of social media posts. That’s not totally true, but it certainly can be helpful to put some nice content out there to share with your audience. The focus of this blog post…
Originally posted on Therapy Reimagined (https://therapyreimagined.com/simplify-it/) When you’re learning a job or starting (or growing) a business, it’s hard to do things well. You have to first figure out what you’re doing THEN you can think about how you want to do it. Many people in the therapy field get stuck doing things in really…
When you’re passionate about what you do, you can put a lot of yourself into your work. Even more, if you’ve embarked on this work because of a life changing experience, the work can feel more important than anything else in your life. I know how vital this work is and how helpful you are…
Many of us have heard repeatedly – work smarter, not harder. It sounds good, but is it really that simple? Do we just need to put some thought into how we operate, and we’ll suddenly be way more productive while feeling better? Can we really get more accomplished without burning the candle at both ends?…
When you’re ready to take charge of your life, your business, your career… you really need to make sure that you make decisions effectively. It can be easy to react instead of plan, just managing the crisis of the day. With this reactionary mindset, you can easily lose track of your life goals and what’s…
When you’re a passionate helper, you’ve probably sacrificed a lot to make sure that your clients and others you help get what they need. You’ve worked hard to make sure they’re improving. You’re there for them and will do whatever it takes to make sure they’re able to move forward. You find reward and meaning…
Imagine serving the people you’re called to serve, spending time with family, taking vacation and traveling, mentoring new members of your profession, and running a successful business. Without burning out. It sounds both fantastical and doable. Right? There are folks who talk about this like it’s super easy if you just have the right tools…
Unrealistic and unexamined expectations are at the root of some of the gnarliest (and most common) problems that we face as entrepreneurs, leaders, and helping pros. Our behavior is impacted by the expectations that we and others hold, so if we don’t clearly assess these expectations, we can make choices that aren’t in our own…
So, at a recent presentation I gave, someone asked me, “What would you have done differently to avoid burnout in public mental health?” That question stopped me in my tracks. I have had ideas and philosophical ponderings about what others can do to avoid the burnout they experience. But what led me to Sacrificial Helping…
Hiring anyone can be challenging, but when you’re hiring someone to do clinical or caregiving work, the stakes can be very high. The helping professions often are very challenging and can be risky. It can be life and death sometimes. So, you really need to be able to trust someone you’re hiring. Especially if they’re…
Many of us experience powerful, life-changing experiences that define us. We navigate through them with hard work and survival skills. These defining moments are hugely impactful and dramatically change our perspective on the world. When we’ve come through the other side (or at least mostly come through the other side), oftentimes we want to help…
When you go into business for yourself, you often have these grand plans to create a Zen-like workspace where you will feel energized by meaningful and purposeful work. All the time. You’ll be living the dream and feel calm and self-assured. You’ll feel the power of making the world a better place. Every. Single. Day.…
When you go out on your own, it can feel important to do everything yourself. You’re building your own practice and want to make sure that it represents you. Delegating something (bookkeeping, website building, scheduling, social media, billing, etc.) can feel especially daunting or just plain wrong. I hear the same reasons over and over…
Resumes and cover letters can tell us only so much when we’re trying to make a hiring decision. Here are 3 questions I think you should always ask during interviews, and one you really need to stop asking. 1. Why do you want to work here? What led the candidate to apply for your company?…
Times are hard for many people for many different reasons. In the world, there are huge conflicts and divisive messages. There has been so much tragedy and loss. It can feel like our lives (and our focus) are overwhelmed with what’s happening “out there” in the world, leaving us with unmet goals and dreams. We…
Becoming a successful helping professional would be so much easier if you were told exactly what to do to make it all work out. So often we get thrown off course by the growing pains or obstacles that are actually fairly predictable. Here are some of the common growing pains I see at each…
In my everyday interactions with helping professionals, I’ve come across a pattern of behavior and a specific mindset that holds so many of us back. This configuration of behaviors, thoughts, and feelings is so common in my experience, that I’ve decided to give it a name: “Sacrificial Helping Syndrome.” I can hear you now. Wow…
When I quit my agency job to open my practice, that was the first time I’d ever been self-employed. I was now a Mompreneur! I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but what I thought would be hard, like the legalities and financial side of owning a business, actually turned out to be easier than I…
As therapists, we’re big-hearted professionals who chose this career to help people, to give of ourselves and give back to the community. But we often don’t think about how we can sustain that giving, especially when we’re faced with all of the challenges unique to our field. It can be difficult to maintain this…
As children, our initial instincts are to trust whole-heartedly, with naïve abandon. Our very survival requires that we have trustworthy caregivers to nurture us as we grow. However, over time disappointments and betrayals can build up, making us very cautious with our trust. “Do you trust me?” This isn’t a question we take lightly. So…
This summer has been filled with observing excellence, almost every day. It was awesome! I was definitely sad to see the Olympics come to a close. (Although I’m glad to actually be getting to bed at a reasonable hour now…) While watching the coverage every night, I found myself paying close attention to these amazingly…
Benjamin Franklin said, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!” On the flip side, Robert Burns told us, “The best laid schemes o’ Mice an’ Men, Gang aft agley, An’ lea’e us nought but grief an’ pain, For promis’d joy!” Clearly, we all have very strong feelings about whether or not we…
So, I usually talk about my psychology background as most of my professional career has been in that arena. It may be hard to believe, but I started at a very different spot. When I talk about how I became a therapist, I often start with the phrase: “I wanted to be a movie star…
When I first became a hiring manager, I hired plenty of the “wrong” people. Over the many years I worked as a hiring manager (and then as a recruiter), I’ve refined my hiring process to bring in the right candidate who fits for the team as well as for the job. Hiring the wrong person…
Why Networking is a Critical Best Practice for Helping Professionals So many people HATE networking. Especially helping professionals, in my experience. Many helping professionals think that networking is selling or passing a million cards out and hoping they get a referral. That’s just wrong. This mindset can be very short-sighted and, potentially, dangerous. It’s time…
I’m tired of hearing about how all the world’s ills are due to lack of mental health services. The resources are there. Or can be. That’s not the whole problem. It’s super complex and must be addressed holistically. We can’t just blame access and call that a solution. What’s the problem, you may ask? Well,…
We need to stop running! I’m not talking about all those amazing marathon runners – you all keep up the good work. I’m talking about the busy-ness and chaos that ensues when there’s too much to do and no time to breathe! OH MY GOODNESS!! It feels like so many people I’ve talked to are…
So, when I was talking about my blog earlier this week, someone asked me to write a blog about new managers. This is an interesting topic because there are a number of ways that you can come into that role. Here are some things to think about when you step up into a leadership role.…
Sitting still and putting together a to do list can be pretty dull. I know that I have trouble taking the time when there is something else interesting to do. I have also seen folks that don’t feel the need to make protocols or procedures because “everyone knows what to do.” Even when your company…
Most people see the world through their own eyes and don’t always remember that other people might do things differently. It is important to remember that each person in a team can come from a different background, have a different world view, and like doing things in a different way. This was especially apparent to me…
Last month, I wrote about ways to simplify your life. This month, I thought I would take on the work place. So many things can complicate our experience at work. Obviously, the amount of simplifying you can do (and what you will do) changes based on your role (boss, worker bee, lone ranger), but I…
How many times have you heard or said that things are just too complicated? I know I have said it many times and I can’t count how many times my clients have said it. As we move forward along our paths, things seem to get muddier and more complex. It can get quite overwhelming. How…
The process of understanding yourself can be challenging. Sometimes we aren’t honest with ourselves. Sometimes we don’t see the whole picture. Sometimes we see exactly what is there, but fight against it. That being said, it is important to do your best. Only when you know what makes yourself tick, will you be able to…
There are so many excuses that keep us from moving forward: “I want to make sure it is just right,” or “I need more time to develop skills,” or “The timing isn’t quite right.” These excuses hide our fear of change and of stepping outside our comfort zone. We try to protect ourselves against all possible negative outcomes before…
Okay, so here are my thoughts on the other side of the mentorship equation: being a mentor. As you know, I believe seeking mentors is extremely important when you are making your way up. What about when you have made it (or at least made it part way)? How do you give back? Finding and supporting mentees…
This week, someone asked me an interesting question: “What if you don’t need any more mentors?” That was a tough question for me because I find huge value in mentorship. I love finding great mentors and, in turn, being the best mentor I can. I cannot imagine my life without mentors or mentees. These relationships…
“I’m so burned out!” “I’m exhausted.” and “I just need to make it to the weekend.” These should be red flags, but are often just the response to “How are you doing?” Burnout is rampant for so many people. How do you avoid it? How do you recover? Take care of your health. Now, I…
So, 2014 has started. The ink on our New Year’s Resolutions have dried and we’re trying to make them work in the real world. The holidays are over and we have no more excuses. Determined folks are still soldiering forward, seeing how long they can sustain this new and exciting motivation. On the other hand…
Too often in the business world (and in many families), we get caught in the blame game. Something goes wrong and we have to figure out who made the mistake and vilify them. This sets up an environment of fear that does not support good teaming, healthy communication, or really anything that we want to…
For whatever reason, the past couple weeks I have been talking to a number of folks about jobs that just weren’t a fit for them. There are mixed stories. Horror at being fired or waiting too long to leave and triumph at leaving early enough to avoid pain and suffering. How do you know if you are…
So, I didn’t get a new blog post out for April. I had previously set a goal for myself that I would post something once a month around the 15th. I didn’t get overly structured, but I had been doing pretty darn well until last month. What happened? The old “I don’t wanna, you can’t…
Balancing work and life is extremely challenging. I want to say that again. Balancing work and life is extremely challenging! I am repeating myself because, as I troll through Facebook and self-help spheres, it seems like if you just do a few simple things, you will get it and be forever blissful. Poppycock! (Sorry for the outmoded expostulation. Just…
As human beings, we have natural instincts that help us to survive. The primal part of the brain (the brainstem, to be technical about it) takes care of these instincts. You know the brainstem is working because you don’t have to think “breathe in, breathe out” all day to remember to move oxygen through your body. A…
Communication is one of the things that I believe everyone should get training in. We need to communicate effectively to be successful in our relationships, in our jobs, and pretty much every aspect of our lives. I am not talking about eloquence, I am talking about clearly communicating what you intend to communicate with another…
When you manage others, you are evaluated based on the work your employees perform (by your customers, by your boss, etc.). This can feel like a very risky proposition, if you don’t know how to get your employees to do good work. Here are some of the reasons I’ve encountered that employees don’t perform. You don’t act like…
Stop! You can say No!! It’s been a long time since I’ve written something new. Why’s that, you ask? Well, I’ve been taking care of some basics. But it’s really hard to slow down because it requires me to say “no” to a lot (and I wasn’t always successful). Why is saying “no” so hard?…
When we hate conflict, it can feel horrifying to find an angry, dissatisfied customer yelling at us. In our personal lives, we yell back, shut down, give in, or whatever. But when we’re facing customers, we feel responsible to handle it better. Here are six steps to diffuse conflict in a different way: Take a…
Happy New Year! As we start into the new year, many of us are looking to improve our selves and our lives. I think that’s fabulous! I want to put out some warnings, however, for some new year’s resolutions that can be harmful, rather than helpful. “I want to lose weight.” So many people have…
