loader from loading.io

LaToya Smith | Telling Your Story & Diversity In Private Practice | TPOT 145

The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

Release Date: 09/14/2020

Gary Katz | Build a Group Practice on Connection, Not Chaos | TPOT 388 show art Gary Katz | Build a Group Practice on Connection, Not Chaos | TPOT 388

The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

🎧 Ready to Grow Your Practice Without Losing Your Soul? This Episode’s for You. In this episode, Gordon sits down with Gary Katz—psychotherapist, group practice owner, and intimacy expert—who’s scaling his business across state lines without sacrificing connection, clinical quality, or his sanity. Gary opens up about what it really takes to grow a group practice that feels good, not just on paper, but in your body, your calendar, and your team culture. From building tight-knit pods of therapists to letting go of perfection and people-pleasing, this conversation is packed with honest...

info_outline
Edy Nathan | Supporting Clients Through Complex Grief in Private Practice | TPOT 387 show art Edy Nathan | Supporting Clients Through Complex Grief in Private Practice | TPOT 387

The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

Let’s talk about grief. (I know—what a fun little opener, right?) But hang in there, because Edy Nathan doesn’t talk about grief the way most people do. There’s no clinical detachment or textbook jargon here. Edy speaks from the kind of deep, personal knowing that only comes from living it. She lost her partner at 27—a heartbreak that didn’t just shatter her world, but reshaped it completely. Instead of stuffing it down or soldiering through, Edy got curious. She studied grief, sat with it, wrote about it, and eventually made it her life’s work. Today, she helps others see grief...

info_outline
Kerry Thomas | Mood, Food, and Medicine in Private Practice | TPOT 386 show art Kerry Thomas | Mood, Food, and Medicine in Private Practice | TPOT 386

The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

What if your private practice could be a place where people stop trying to fix themselves—and start actually feeling what’s going on inside?  In this powerful episode, Kerry Thomas pulls back the curtain on her 25-year journey in mental health, sharing how a personal wake-up call challenged everything she thought she knew about therapy, medication, and what it really means to heal. We talk about the connection between nutrition and mood, why numbing emotions isn’t the answer, and how private practice therapists can stop pathologizing normal human experiences.  This one’s...

info_outline
Julie Herres | Private Practice Tax Changes Ahead | TPOT 385 show art Julie Herres | Private Practice Tax Changes Ahead | TPOT 385

The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

Let’s be honest: when someone says “Let’s talk tax law,” most of us want to fake a Wi-Fi outage and run for cover. But when Julie Herres joins The Practice of Therapy Podcast, you actually want to lean in. Somehow, she manages to make the ever-shifting sands of tax policy sound (dare we say it?) friendly — like a conversation over coffee with a really smart friend who also color-codes her spreadsheets. So, what’s happening with taxes in 2025? Buckle up, practice owners, because there’s a whole lot of “maybe” in the air. But Julie’s here to help us wade through the...

info_outline
Dori Lewis | Should you Consider Integrating Psychedelics into Trauma Work in Private Practice? | TPOT 384 show art Dori Lewis | Should you Consider Integrating Psychedelics into Trauma Work in Private Practice? | TPOT 384

The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

What if the path to healing trauma isn’t just through talk therapy, but through carefully guided psychedelic experiences? In this episode of The Practice of Therapy Podcast, I sit down with Dori, an experienced therapist and psychedelic facilitator, who shares her deeply informed perspective on the nuanced, responsible, and transformational use of medicines like ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin mushrooms. Dori doesn’t just follow trends—she’s been on the frontlines, participating in research, working underground before legalization, and now helping clients access inner healing...

info_outline
Tamar Blue | Creating a Safer Space for Peer Support and Digital Therapy | TPOT 383 show art Tamar Blue | Creating a Safer Space for Peer Support and Digital Therapy | TPOT 383

The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

Are you ready to discover a powerful new way to support your clients—and yourself? In this episode of The Practice of Therapy Podcast, Gordon sits down with Tamar Blue, founder of , a revolutionary platform that empowers therapists, coaches, and mental health advocates to create secure, community-driven support groups online. Whether you're a provider looking to scale your services or someone seeking a safe space to heal and connect, this conversation is packed with insight, innovation, and heart. Don’t miss this inspiring story of how one woman turned a passion for peer support into a...

info_outline
Steve Bisson | Let the Work Find You: Niching with First Responders Through Podcasting | TPOT 382 show art Steve Bisson | Let the Work Find You: Niching with First Responders Through Podcasting | TPOT 382

The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

What Happens When the Work Finds You? Steve Bisson didn’t plan to become a go-to therapist for first responders—but sometimes, purpose arrives without a roadmap. In this episode, Steve shares how a chance encounter on a crisis team back in 1999 set off a chain of events that led to a passionate, purpose-filled career. From riding along in police cruisers to launching a podcast that speaks directly to the hearts of firefighters, paramedics, and law enforcement officers, Steve’s story is a powerful reminder that when you say yes to the work that moves you, incredible things happen. Whether...

info_outline
Jeremy Zug | Private Pay, Insurance, or Hybrid? Decide For Your Private Practice | TPOT 381 show art Jeremy Zug | Private Pay, Insurance, or Hybrid? Decide For Your Private Practice | TPOT 381

The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

What if the two most important questions in your practice— 'Is this financially viable?' and 'Am I doing the work I love?' — didn’t have to compete? In this eye-opening episode, Jeremy dives deep into the strategic crossroads every private practice owner faces, especially when considering whether to take insurance, stay private pay, or explore a hybrid model. He breaks down the real numbers, state-by-state reimbursement differences, and the often-overlooked red flags in insurance relationships—like sneaky non-quantitative treatment limitations and the true cost of claim denials....

info_outline
James Marland | Stop Trading Hours for Income: Scalable Growth in Private Practice | TPOT 380 show art James Marland | Stop Trading Hours for Income: Scalable Growth in Private Practice | TPOT 380

The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

Are you tired of the “time for dollars” trap—where every vacation, sick day, or even slow week hits your bottom line? In this episode, James Marland gets real about the burnout that comes from trading hours for income and why the solution isn’t just slapping together an online course. He dives into what it really takes to build something scalable and sustainable—without losing yourself or your sanity in the process. Whether you’ve toyed with the idea of creating a course or you’re just craving more freedom in your practice, this conversation is a must-listen. It's honest,...

info_outline
Dr. ​​Robyn Miller | Preparing For The Worst: Professional Wills in Private Practice | TPOT 379 show art Dr. ​​Robyn Miller | Preparing For The Worst: Professional Wills in Private Practice | TPOT 379

The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

What happens to our clients when we’re suddenly not there to care for them? In this powerful and eye-opening episode, Dr. Robyn Miller dives into the difficult but essential topic most therapists avoid: what happens when a therapist dies or becomes incapacitated. With compassion, clarity, and deep professional insight, Dr. Miller reveals the ethical, legal, and emotional chaos that can follow when we don’t have a solid closure plan in place—and how TheraClosure offers a dignified, comprehensive solution. If you’re a mental health professional who’s ever told yourself, “I’ll...

info_outline
 
More Episodes

In this episode, LaToya Smith of LCS Counseling and Consulting Agency joins the show. LaToya speaks about the importance of telling your story as it relates to creating connections and networking in your community. Plus, storytelling is a great way to build your brand and expand your social media presence. Stay tuned as we talk about the Black Lives Matter movement and diversity in private practice.

Meet LaToya Smith

LaToya is the owner of LCS Counseling and Consulting Agency in Fortworth Texas. She firmly believes that people don’t have to remain stuck in their pain or the place they became wounded. She encourages her clients to be active in their treatment and work towards their desired outcome.

She has also launched Strong Witness which is a platform designed to connect, transform, and heal communities through the power of storytelling.

Visit LaToya’s website and connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, Strong Witness Instagram, and Twitter.

Why Story is Important

The more you talk about your story, the easier it gets. It would help if you weren't afraid to speak about your story. Telling your story will help you be more confident in your voice. Plus, people will come up to you and connect with you. We are not out on an island by ourselves - it's time to be vulnerable and create connections. Telling stories will bring healing and understanding through being free, and sharing will allow yourself to be who you are.

Empowering Through Story

Vulnerability will build courage. The most authentic stories allow us to be seen, and that is how the connection is made. When we put words to our pain and our emotions, then we light up. Story will help bridge the gaps. We need to learn to set things aside, listen, and connect through stories and experience. It will help tear down walls and prevent division. When we are willing to hear other people’s pain, we realize that strangers are no different from us.

Black Lives Matter

It’s hard to heal; there is always something. 2020 has been devastating. You can’t stop to catch your breath. It’s so heavy, and therapists are overwhelmed. If your clients are still being traumatized, then it’s going to be hard to heal. Even Black therapists are having a hard time. It’s a lot to process, and unfortunately, it’s not new. People who are not Black can empathize with the community. A faithful ally will do something to prove that they are anti-racist.

LaToya has been part of peaceful protests, and she sees change happening. When you are walking through the protests, you don’t get all the love back. If you’re out at the protests, then you need to practice mental health. There are people out there doing the work that needs to be done, reach out to them, and lend a helping hand.

Storytelling Consultancy

LaToya helps therapists and private practice owners incorporate storytelling into their presentations and social media profiles. LaToya wants to help private practice owners integrate stories into their everyday lives and help boost their business. Visit Strong Witness - an app designed to give people a platform and a safe space to share their stories. They welcome any story you are comfortable with sharing. This includes stories of triumph, victory, pain, joy, gratitude, shame, love, or defeat.

You want to tell stories that will draw people to you. The story should get people to take action. Allow yourself to be seen at the moment. People can connect with you better when they can see you. When you share, people will want to pick up the phone and call you. Use your authentic voice and tell the stories that you are comfortable with.

Being transparent… Some of the resources below use affiliate links which simply means we receive a commission if you purchase using the links, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for using the links!

LaToya’s Resources

Visit LaToya’s Website

Facebook

Instagram

Strong Witness Instagram

Strong Witness Facebook

Twitter

Resources

 Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free.
Learn more about GreenOak Accounting 

Listen to Therapy For Your Money Podcast

Solo to Group Practice: Adding More Therapists to Grow Your Time & Income

Use my link for 1 Month FREE of Brighter Vision services

Brighter Vision Fall Into Cash Event

Sign up for Killin’It Camp – October 5-7, 2020

Check out these great resources from PsychMaven

G Suite for Therapists | The E-Course

Session Note Helper 3.0

Money Matters in Private Practice | The Course

Join the G-Suite for Therapists Users Group

Cool Resources

Follow @TPOTpodcast on Instagram

Meet Gordon Brewer, MEd, LMFT

Gordon is the person behind The Practice of Therapy Podcast & Blog. He is also President and Founder of Kingsport Counseling Associates, PLLC. He is a therapist, consultant, business mentor, trainer, and writer. PLEASE Subscribe to The Practice of Therapy Podcast wherever you listen to it. Follow us on Twitter @therapistlearn, and Pinterest, “Like” us on Facebook.