エピソード

  • 84. Documentation, Sustainability, and Self-Care: Insights from Becca Ferguson, LPC

    84. Documentation, Sustainability, and Self-Care: Insights from Becca Ferguson, LPC
    2024/11/07
    In this episode of the Colleague Down the Hall Podcast, Jeanene Wolfe is with Becca Ferguson. Becca shares her journey into working as a therapist, her experiences navigating challenges as an LPC, and her transition from ministry to the therapy profession. Jeanene and Becca talk about building sustainable practices, especially amid the ongoing impact of the pandemic on mental health professionals. They dive into financial challenges therapists face and the taboo around earning money from other therapists, along with Becca’s documentation course aimed at helping therapists streamline their clinical work. The episode highlights the value of Therabundle, a resource supporting therapists globally, and Becca's experience with the community. “ I go through from the very beginning, the whole workbook is there where I walk through how to get people to understand, not only how to use your DSM to create a chief complaint, because that's one of the hardest things that I see people struggling with when it comes to an initial treatment plan. People don't understand how to properly back up a diagnosis in a chief complaint. And so when you go or if you ever have to go to court, they say, I don't want to be mean in my notes, and I'm like, fair, valid, okay, you don't want to be mean in your notes. We don't have to be mean in your notes. We want to protect the client in your documentation. Protect the client and protect your license.” - Becca Key takeaways: ***Navigating Challenges in Private Practice: Becca discusses her journey into therapy work, the challenges she faced due to poor training in documentation, and the overall lack of supportive communities for interns and grad students in Arkansas. Becca advocates for therapists to prioritize their own mental health and embrace healing practices. ***Therapists Challenges: Jeanene and Becca discuss the taboo of therapists making money, advocating for fair compensation and sustainable business models in the profession. They explore the toll the pandemic continues to take on therapists, increasing workloads & emotional strain, and stress the importance of self-care and professional support. Becca highlights the lack of training in business management for therapists, sharing her journey toward strategic planning and effective financial management. ***Documentation and Course Creation: Becca’s contribution to TheraBundle this year is a documentation course that helps therapists streamline their paperwork, safeguarding both their clients and licenses. Therabundle offers a wealth of resources, including Becca's documentation course, and sooo many other trainings, tools and resources. About Becca Ferguson: Becca Ferguson is a Licensed Professional Counselor, business coach for therapists, and the founder of The Therapy Office in Springdale, Arkansas. She helps mental health professionals build sustainable, growth-oriented businesses while staying true to themselves. As an ADHD creative and trauma survivor, Becca brings a unique, authentic approach to both therapy and business development. Known for her authenticity and drive for justice, Becca teaches others how to thrive without losing sight of who they are. Connect with Becca: Instagram: instagram.com/beccafergusonlpc Facebook: facebook.com/beccafergusonlpc21 Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/beccafergusonlpc Ready to elevate your therapy practice? Discover valuable tools, resources, and insights with Therabundle! Learn more at https://therabundle.com/jeanene (affiliate link, time sensitive) and take the next step in building a sustainable, impactful career in therapy. To get updates about future Fictionalized Clinical Consultation Groups: www.CollabOasis.com/FCC_live Connect with Jeanene: *Get your free Four Keys to Private Practice Peace of Mind workbook: https://collaboasis.com/4keysworkbook *Learn more about clinical consultation groups: https://collaboasis.com/ *Join my free therapist Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/oasispcgt *Connect on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jeanene-wolfe-lcsw-64042220a/
    続きを読む 一部表示
    38 分
  • 83. Understanding Highly Sensitive People: Traits, Challenges, and Therapeutic Approaches

    83. Understanding Highly Sensitive People: Traits, Challenges, and Therapeutic Approaches
    2024/10/31
    In this episode of the Colleague Down the Hall Podcast, Jeanene Wolfe is joined by April Snow, psychotherapist and HSP consultant, to discuss the traits, challenges, and the unique needs of highly sensitive people (HSPs). This neurotype affects approximately 30% of the population. April describes how HSPs experience deep emotional processing, acute detail awareness, and heightened empathy. They explore common misunderstandings HSPs face, often feeling pressured to fit into non-HSP norms, and how this can overlap with conditions like ADHD. April shares tailored therapeutic approaches, emphasizing mindfulness, somatic techniques, and resilience-building while preserving sensitivity. The conversation highlights sustainable self-care for HSP clients and therapists, with practical advice on setting boundaries, managing burnout, and navigating client relations with compassion. “A lot of people do equate it as a diagnosis, because mostly, HSPs that you're seeing in therapy, a lot of times, are struggling with anxiety, OCD, complex trauma, because we're more impacted by our environment, our experiences. But it's actually a temperament trait, so it's something you're born with. It's even prior to personality being formed, because there's, like I said, there's an evolution. An advantage to being more perceptive, more sensitive, to notice the little details, pick out the dangers, keep everyone safe. So we're going really far back biologicallly here. So, yeah, just something you're born with, and there's an advantage to it”- April Snow Key points: ***Definition and Traits of HSPs: April shares how highly sensitive people (HSPs) deeply process emotions and information, are highly empathetic, and notice fine details. This neurotype makes up about 30% of the population. ***Challenges and Misunderstandings: HSPs often experience overwhelm and misunderstandings from others due to their unique nervous system wiring and feel pressure to conform to non-HSP norms, which can lead to invalidation. ***Therapeutic Approaches: Effective therapy for HSPs includes understanding their deep processing needs and using somatic and mindfulness techniques to support nervous system regulation. Therapists are encouraged to educate themselves on the unique needs of HSPs through resources like the "Sensitive" documentary and Dr. Elaine Aaron’s work, fostering a supportive client-therapist relationship. About April Snow: April Snow, LMFT is a licensed psychotherapist, author, consultant, and Sensitive Stories podcast host. She specializes in working with highly sensitive people and therapists to help calm the storm of overwhelm, anxiety, and self-doubt to allow their innate sensitive strengths to shine through. Deeply committed to changing the narrative of what it means to be highly sensitive, April has created and led HSP workshops all over the country as well as online through her Sensitive School. In addition to Find Your Strength: A Workbook for the Highly Sensitive Person, she has written Mindfulness Workbook for Stress Relief and The Empowered Highly Sensitive Person's Self-Care Journal. Connect with April: Website: https://www.sensitivestrengths.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths TIktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths To get updates about future Fictionalized Clinical Consultation Groups: www.CollabOasis.com/FCC_live Connect with Jeanene: *Get your free practice building and growing trainings (time-sensitive): https://therasummit.com/jeanene (affilitate link) *Get your free Four Keys to Private Practice Peace of Mind workbook: https://collaboasis.com/4keysworkbook *Learn more about clinical consultation groups: https://collaboasis.com/ *Join my free therapist Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/oasispcgt *Connect on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jeanene-wolfe-lcsw-64042220a/
    続きを読む 一部表示
    40 分
  • 82. Providing Safe and Affirming Therapy Practices With LGBTQIA+ Clients with Dara Hoffman

    82. Providing Safe and Affirming Therapy Practices With LGBTQIA+ Clients with Dara Hoffman
    2024/10/24
    In this episode of the Colleague Down the Hall Podcast, Jeanene Wolfe introduces Dara Hoffman, a non-binary, queer-identified licensed counselor with 18 years of experience serving the trans and non-binary community. Dara shares key insights on supporting LGBTQ clients, addressing microaggressions, and creating inclusive therapy spaces. Dara delves into the importance of using correct pronouns, handling mistakes such as misgendering your client, and promoting safety and trust. Dara emphasizes continuous learning, cultural humility, and the need for therapists to stay informed about evolving standards of care. This episode offers valuable guidance for therapists looking to be affirming and inclusive providers. “Honestly, the fear and the self doubt can really paralyze a therapist from being able to even start working with these clients, referring these clients out too soon, where, really checking in to say, Okay, this is really just because I'm uncomfortable, not because this person's trans, I just don't want to mess up. And that's a point of where more so sticking with your client, especially if you've known them for a while, and turns out they're like, ‘I can finally tell my therapist I'm trans’, but being able to recognize that is a point where you need education or consultation to be able to move forward with that client. If the client would like to have a different therapist, that's a different story, but be careful not to refer out too soon.”- Dara Hoffman Key points: ***Use Correct Pronouns and Names: It is critical for therapists to gather and use clients' correct names and pronouns from the beginning to avoid microaggressions. Misgendering and using incorrect or gendered language can derail sessions and harm clients' sense of safety. ***Be Culturally Humble: Therapists should balance understanding their clients as individuals while acknowledging their trans identity without hyper-focusing on it unless relevant. If a mistake is made, it’s important for therapists to recognize it, process it after the session, and address it if needed in future sessions. ***Create an Inclusive Space: Inclusive office practices, such as displaying LGBTQ flags and addressing restroom policies, contribute to a safer environment for clients. ***Continuing Ed: Engage in continuous learning and consult colleagues rather than referring clients out too quickly. ***Stay Updated on Standards of Care: Therapists need to remain informed on evolving standards, such as requirements for gender-affirming surgeries or hormone use, by consulting resources like WPATH. About Dara Hoffman: Dara Hoffman (they/them) is a nonbinary, queer-identified licensed professional counselor in Colorado Springs, Colorado who has 18 years of experience serving the trans and nonbinary community. As the author of YOU AND YOUR GENDER IDENTITY: A GUIDE TO DISCOVERY, Dara has been recognized nationally as an expert trainer and presenter, sharing their knowledge with organizations, businesses, and conferences across the country. Currently, Dara provides supervision to interns and licensure candidates and works as a contract trainer and facilitator for various organizations. After closing their private practice two and a half years ago, Dara is in a transformative period, taking intentional steps toward new ventures that resonate deeply with their life’s purpose. As they navigate their own health challenges, Dara is committed to honoring this journey, knowing it will shape and inform the meaningful work they will offer in the future. Dara lives in Colorado Springs with their cat, Mew and can be found frolicking in hot springs, drum circles and karaoke bars, studying astrology, and hosting gatherings at their home for their beautiful circle of friends. Connect with Dara: Website: https://darahoffmanfox.com/ Email: darahoffman222@gmail.com To get updates about future consultation groups: www.CollabOasis.com/FCC_live Connect with Jeanene: *Get your free Four Keys to Private Practice Peace of Mind workbook: https://collaboasis.com/4keysworkbook *Learn more about clinical consultation groups: https://collaboasis.com/ *Join my free therapist Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/oasispcgt *Connect on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jeanene-wolfe-lcsw-64042220a/
    続きを読む 一部表示
    41 分
  • 81. The Ins and Outs of Clinical Consultation for Psychotherapists

    81. The Ins and Outs of Clinical Consultation for Psychotherapists
    2024/10/17

    Hello everyone! I am so excited to be starting this new journey with my fellow therapists so we can learn and grow together. In this inaugural episode, I'll share about my journey into solo private practice, along with challenges and solutions to getting the peer support we all need to do this work. You’ll get a “behind the scenes look” at how the idea for live, fictionalized case consultation came to be and the importance of getting clinical consultation. There will be some do’s and don’ts for participating in group consultation and prepping a group of therapists to discuss a fictionalized case.

    “The most important thing we can do in consultation is get curious, ASK QUESTIONS. If you're hearing someone present a case and you're feeling like, oh, that sounds awful, off, or I would never do it that way, ask questions. Find out what are the other dynamics that you may be missing.” - Jeanene Wolfe

    Learn More About:

    • Get to know me

    • My journey into solo private practice

    • How the idea for live, fictionalized case consultation came to be

    • Importance of getting clinical consultation

    • And so much more!



    To participate on October 22, 2024: www.CollabOasis.com/FCC

    To get updates about future consultation groups: www.CollabOasis.com/FCC_live



    Connect with me:

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanenewolfelcsw/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeanenewolfelcsw/

    Website: https://collaboasis.com/
    続きを読む 一部表示
    23 分
  • 80. Holistic Approaches to Chronic Pain: Navigating Trust, Self-Compassion, and Collaborative Care with Dr. Jaimee Arnoff

    80. Holistic Approaches to Chronic Pain: Navigating Trust, Self-Compassion, and Collaborative Care with Dr. Jaimee Arnoff
    2024/10/10

    Welcome to another episode of the Colleague Down the Hall podcast, Jeanene Wolfe sits down with Jaimee Arnoff, Ph.D., to discuss the complex biopsychosocial nature of chronic pain. Dr. Arnoff delves into the multifaceted aspects of chronic pain, encompassing biological, psychological, and social components.. Dr. Arnoff shares her personal journey and emphasizes building rapport with clients who feel alienated by the medical system, highlighting the significance of validating their experiences. The discussion transitions to addressing grief, loss, and the importance of self-compassion, alongside practical techniques for retraining the brain through somatic tracking and mindfulness activities. Cultural and societal influences on pain perception are also considered, emphasizing the role of support systems and collaborative care with medical providers.

    “In terms of working with clients with chronic pain, I always like to remind them, just because pain can be addressed psychologically does not imply that it's imaginary.” - Dr. Jaimee Arnoff

    Key Points:

    ***Biopsychosocial Understanding of Chronic Pain: Chronic pain is not merely a physical issue; it involves biological, psychological, and social factors. Dr. Jamie Arnoff emphasizes that addressing all these components is crucial for effective treatment and support.

    ***Building Trust and Rapport: Establishing trust with clients who have experienced chronic pain and may have had negative interactions with the medical system is essential. Validating their experiences and showing empathy can help build a therapeutic relationship.

    ***The Importance of Self-Compassion: Techniques like self-compassion, safety reappraisal, and mindfulness activities are key to pain reprocessing therapy. They help clients reframe their relationship with pain and regain trust in their bodies.

    ***Cultural and Societal Influences: Treatment for chronic pain must consider cultural and societal factors, as these shape clients’ lived experiences and access to support. Involving family members and caregivers in therapy can enhance the effectiveness of interventions.

    ***Collaboration and Advocacy: Collaborating with medical providers and advocating for clients is crucial. Having support systems in place, such as someone to accompany clients to appointments and using tools like spoon theory to understand communicate energy levels, can improve care and reduce the burden on clients.

    About Jaimee Arnoff, Ph.D:

    Dr. Jaimee Arnoff is a licensed clinical psychologist, specializing in adolescents and young adults with internalizing disorders, including those in the Deaf Community, at her private practice in Beacon, NY. Dr. Arnoff is certified in Pain Reprocessing Therapy and has been featured on multiple podcasts discussing mental health treatment for chronic pain including Confidently Insecure and Behavioral Health Today. She is on the Founding Providers Board for the venture-backed digital health company, Flowly, that combines virtual reality and biofeedback training for chronic pain patients. She also provides them and other agencies with workshops for individuals, their families, and providers on how to manage physical pain therapeutically. As an individual who experiences chronic pain personally, she hopes to reduce the stigma of seeking out therapy services as a treatment for chronic pain.

    Connect with Jaimee:

    Website: BFFTherapy.com

    Instagram: @BFFTherapy



    Connect with Jeanene:

    *Get your free Four Keys to Private Practice Peace of Mind workbook: https://collaboasis.com/4keysworkbook

    *Learn more about clinical consultation groups: https://collaboasis.com/

    *Join my free therapist Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/oasispcgt

    *Connect on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jeanene-wolfe-lcsw-64042220a/
    続きを読む 一部表示
    50 分
  • 78. Lessons Learned After One Year in Solo Private Practice with Erin Hoffman

    78. Lessons Learned After One Year in Solo Private Practice with Erin Hoffman
    2024/09/26

    In today’s episode of the Colleague Down the Hall podcast, Jeanene Wolfe speaks with Erin Hoffman who is back on the podcast to reflect on her first year in private practice. (See Episode 27 as she discusses getting started in private practice.) The episode delves into the complexities of running a solo private practice and the financial and administrative hurdles therapists face in private practice work. Erin discusses the critical role of boundaries in maintaining well-being, the significance of peer support, and the continuous need for growth as professionals. Together, they underscore the value of community, self-awareness, and ethical decision-making in adapting to the realities of private practice.



    “If we don't fill our cups and we don't understand what leads to burnout, that is ultimately going to affect our clients. And the quality of work that they receive. I think I got a LinkedIn request from Better Help who offered me to see 40 clinical hours a week but what was so great about it is that I could make six figures, but hopefully in private practice, we're going to be taking a bigger income home. But there are just some things that I found out I'm not willing to do, like, I would be miserable seeing that many clients per day. So I think like when you said, we have to really be aware of our needs because we are the product, like we are the tool, what we are providing is coming 110 percent from us, from our minds, from our energy levels, from our, you know, what we can serve as far as that goes, giving that to our clients.” - Erin Hoffman



    In this episode, let’s talk about:

    ***Balancing Personal and Professional Lives: Therapists often face blurred lines between their personal and professional lives and needing to navigate this.

    ***The Necessity of Boundaries: The importance of time management and learning to say no to clients to avoid burnout and maintain the quality of therapy.

    ***The Importance of Peer Support: Connecting with colleagues and building a supportive network is critical to managing the challenges of private practice.

    ***Adapting to the Realities of Therapy: There are significant differences between the idealized view of therapy in graduate school and the actual practice, requiring flexibility and self-awareness.

    ***Managing Countertransference and Ethical Dilemmas: Therapists must be mindful of their own biases and emotions, particularly when navigating challenging client interactions and ethical practices.

    ***Building a Supportive Community: The importance of sharing experiences and learning from peers, underscoring the importance of kindness and support within the therapeutic community.



    About Erin Hoffman:

    Erin is an LCPC in Illinois and specializes in working with adults who had the experience of an emotionally unavailable parent or caregiver in childhood. I practice through a trauma informed lens and include focus on both the mind and body as teammates in the healing process.

    Connect with Erin:

    Website: www.elhtherapy.com



    Connect with Jeanene:

    *Get your free Four Keys to Private Practice Peace of Mind workbook: https://collaboasis.com/4keysworkbook

    *Learn more about clinical consultation groups: https://collaboasis.com/

    *Join my free therapist Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/oasispcgt

    *Connect on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jeanene-wolfe-lcsw-64042220a/
    続きを読む 一部表示
    47 分
  • 77. Balancing Therapy Practice and Parenthood: Strategies for Back-to-School Season

    77. Balancing Therapy Practice and Parenthood: Strategies for Back-to-School Season
    2024/08/22

    Here’s another episode of The Colleague Down the Hall Podcast. In today's episode, I explore the challenge of balancing a therapy practice with the demands of parenthood during the back-to-school season. I talk about strategies to manage this seasonal stress and maintain well-being, from setting boundaries at work to adjusting your practice schedule to accommodate family needs. I also share practical tips on using EHR systems, streamlining client scheduling, and outsourcing tasks to lighten the load.

    “Remember it's okay to say no to extra commitments that don't align with your top priorities. In fact, it's more than okay. It can be vital if you've ever reached that extra crispy level of burnout, you know what I mean? So if you're someone who has trouble saying no, especially with extracurricular activities your kids might be involved in, decide how much time you have to give, if any, and stick to that amount.”

    In this episode, let’s talk about:

    ***Set Boundaries at Work: Reassess your work schedule to better align with family needs, particularly during the back-to-school season. Saying no to extra commitments and setting clear work boundaries can help reduce stress and prevent burnout.

    ***Streamline Practice Management: Utilize EHR systems for scheduling, billing, and client records. Consider features like self-scheduling and automation tools to minimize administrative tasks and improve efficiency.

    ***Outsource and Delegate Tasks: Don’t hesitate to ask for help, whether it's hiring a virtual assistant, getting extra help at home, or leveraging support from your clinical consultation group. Delegating tasks can ease your workload significantly.

    ***Prioritize Self-Care and Presence: Focus on quality time with your family, practice self-care, and accept imperfection. Remember that balancing a therapy practice and parenting is challenging, and giving yourself grace is essential to navigating this busy season.

    Connect with Jeanene:

    *Get your free Four Keys to Private Practice Peace of Mind workbook: https://collaboasis.com/4keysworkbook

    *Learn more about clinical consultation groups: https://collaboasis.com/

    *Join my free therapist Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/oasispcgt

    *Connect on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jeanene-wolfe-lcsw-64042220a/
    続きを読む 一部表示
    13 分