Libsyn Directory

Kathryn Esquer | Connecting With Other Therapists During The Pandemic | TPOT 153

The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

Release Date: 11/09/2020

When Narcissism Walks Into Your Therapy Office | Dr. Anthony Mazzella | TPOT 415

The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “Why is this client so hard to reach?” or “Why does every conversation turn into a power struggle?” this episode is for you. Today, I’m joined by Dr. Anthony Mazzella, a psychoanalyst who specializes in working with narcissistic dynamics. We go far beyond surface-level conversations about narcissism. This isn’t about labels, buzzwords, or quick fixes. It’s about what’s actually happening underneath the behavior and what truly helps. We talk about why arguing over “reality” never works, why confrontation often backfires, and how...

The Unconventional Path: Why Your Practice Doesn’t Need Another Resolution | TPOT 414

The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

As we step into a new year, many of us feel it—that quiet but persistent pressure to do more, fix more, and somehow have everything figured out right now. New goals, new systems, bigger numbers—and for practice owners, that pressure can feel especially heavy and often pretty lonely. In today’s episode, I want to invite you to think about January differently—not as a month for pushing harder or becoming more efficient, but as a chance to slow down and get honest about what you can actually hold. Drawing on Barbara Brown Taylor’s Home by Another Way and Oliver Burkeman’s 4,000 Weeks,...

How AI Can Transform Private Practice Marketing | Greg Goodman | TPOT 413

The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

I am so excited for today’s episode because we’re diving into one of the most transformative tools in private practice right now: AI. And joining me is someone who has been living at the intersection of mental health, creativity, and digital marketing for nearly two decades—Greg Goodman of Goodman Creatives. Greg isn’t a therapist, but his story is rooted deeply in the world of mental health. Inspired by his father’s work as a clinician, he built a career helping therapists share their voice, grow their practices, and create meaningful impact through smart, authentic marketing....

Why Private Practice Owners Feel Overwhelmed (and How to Fix It) | Samantha Parrinello | TPOT 412

The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

If you’ve ever ended a workday wondering, “Where did all my time go?”—this episode is going to change the way you run your business. In today’s conversation, I sit down with executive coach Samantha Perinello, a powerhouse in helping business owners reclaim their time, streamline their operations, and finally build the kind of practice that doesn’t rely on them for every little task. Samantha has a remarkable track record—her clients regularly get back 10 to 14 hours every single week—and she’s here to break down exactly how that happens. We dive into the real reasons so many...

How Personal Calling Shapes Your Private Practice | Derrick Boger | TPOT 411

The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

In today’s episode of The Practice of Therapy Podcast, I’m excited to introduce you to someone who made a big impact on me at the Wise Practice Conference—Derrick Boger. Derrick is a licensed clinical mental health counselor, military veteran, former firefighter, and the founder of Transformation Christian Counseling in Greensboro, North Carolina. His journey into the therapy world is rooted in a lifelong commitment to serving others, and you’ll hear that passion come through in every part of our conversation. In this episode, Derrick and I dive deep into what it really looks like to...

The Exit Plan Every Therapist Should Have (But Most Don’t) | Carla Titus | TPOT 410

The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

Welcome back to the Practice of Therapy Podcast! I’m Gordon Brewer, and I am so glad you’re here today because we’re diving into a topic that every private practice owner needs to be thinking about—whether you’re brand new or decades into the work. I’m thrilled to welcome back my friend and financial powerhouse, Carla Titus. Every time Carla joins us, she brings clarity, strategy, and a whole lot of honesty about what it really takes to run a profitable, sustainable practice. And today, we’re talking about something most of us don’t think about until we’re exhausted, burned...

How Traditional Therapy Misses the Mark for Men | Marc Azoulay | TPOT 409

The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

Today’s episode is one I’ve been looking forward to for a long time. We’re diving into a topic that doesn’t get talked about nearly enough in our field—men’s mental health—and why so many traditional therapy approaches miss the mark when it comes to helping men heal. My guest is Marc Azoulay, LPC, LAC, CGP, ACS—the founder of Men’s Therapy Online and host of The Men’s Therapy Podcast. Marc brings a powerful blend of psychoanalysis, neuroscience, and Buddhism to his work, and he’s built an incredible community that helps men get real, get connected, and get results. In...

Integrating Sexuality and Somatic Work in Private Practice | Darshana Avila | TPOT 408

The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

In today’s episode, I am sitting down with Darshana Avila for a truly fascinating and important conversation about the intersection of sexuality, somatic work, and trauma healing. As therapists, we often talk about the mind and body connection, but many of us shy away from exploring how that connection relates to our clients’ sexuality, intimacy, and sense of pleasure. Darshana brings a deeply trauma-informed and culturally sensitive approach to this work, helping clients reconnect with their bodies, navigate consent, and move beyond shame into embodied wholeness. In our discussion,...

Boundaries, Growth, and Private Practice Success | Dr. Jason Branch | TPOT 407

The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

Well, y’all are in for a treat today. My guest, Dr. Jason Branch, brings some serious fire and fresh perspective to this conversation. He’s been in the counseling world for over two decades, as a clinician, educator, and entrepreneur, and what I love most about him is how real he gets about the struggles we all face in private practice: imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and finding the courage to just keep showing up. Jason has an incredible way of using analogies that stick: salamanders, gators, and what he calls being D.U.N. - doing things that are different, uncomfortable, and new....

The Keys to Private Practice Success | Wendy Pitts Reeves | TPOT 406

The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

When I first connected with Wendy Pitts Reeves, I knew she was someone who truly gets it — the ups, downs, and constant balancing act of running a private practice. In this episode, Wendy joins me to share her powerful framework, The Seven Pillars of a Thriving Private Practice, and it’s one you’ll want to take notes on. Wendy has spent decades building her own successful practice in Tennessee and now helps other therapists do the same through her coaching and podcast, Ideal Practice. In our conversation, we dive into what it takes to build a business that’s not just profitable, but...

More Episodes

As a telehealth therapist, do you ever feel alone? My guest, Kathryn Esquer, knows exactly what this feels like. She misses the daily interactions with fellow mental health professionals. That’s why Kathryn created the Teletherapist Network, an organization for the next generation of therapists in private practice. Tune in as Kathryn speaks about how she created a community, politics in the therapy room, and the benefits of finding your network.

Meet Kathryn Esquer

Kathryn Esquer is a Clinical Psychologist and MBA graduate. She currently works in her rural hometown in central Pennsylvania providing outpatient mental health services integrated into primary care. She loved her career, but COVID helped her realize that something was missing from her private practice. The clinical work was rewarding, but she felt professionally isolated and uninspired. She also knew consultation was a critical part of the ethical practice but didn't know where to find it. So, Kathryn created the Teletherapist Network for modern therapists to crowdsource the knowledge and experiences of other private practice teletherapists so that members can develop their clinical and business skills, all while staying connected to their mission and preventing burnout.

Teletherapist Network

Don’t practice teletherapy alone. Join a premier organization for the next generation of therapists in private practice at Teletherapist Network. Kathryn Esquer explains the inspiration behind her network. When COVID hit, there were loads of challenges that therapists experienced. Once we had to switch to telehealth, it felt professionally isolating and uninspiring. No longer did we have peers or other people in the mental health trenches. As a problem solver, Kathryn wanted to find people to connect with. Thus, the Teletherapist Network was born!

Creating A Community

Kathryn uses a platform that does all the technical stuff for you. Weekly, they do mindfulness exercises and questions. Plus, they consult with each other and have live consultations every other week via Zoom. Each week, they highlight a new member – they get to know each other on a deep level. People get to pick their brains all day. Therapists will ask questions, and the group gets to benefit from the collective knowledge. Plus, they have guest expert webinars coming in every month. Industry professionals will teach something new to the community. It’s a neat way to connect with people who want to help private practice owners. Now, Kathryn feels more inspired to better herself as a clinician. It’s easy to get out there and learn new things in the Teletherapist Network.

Politics In The Therapy Room

Do you disclose your political affiliations or beliefs in the therapy room? We should be aware of what we personally bring into the therapy room and keep it in check. The only way to do that is to consult with peers. There’s a lot of political conversations happening in Kathryn’s community. It’s a skill to have civil discourse with your peers. This year, in general, has been challenging with COVID and the election. A lot of things are affecting our therapy internally. Finding a community will be essential for a therapist.

You’re Not Alone

You’re not alone in feeling isolated or uninspired as a private practice owner. It’s scary that this community wouldn’t have happened without COVID-19. Kathryn is glad she has the community to stay on top of best practices and resources. When she started the network, over 150 people were looking to join the group. There’s an overwhelming response for the community – you’re not alone! Therapists need to speak with their peers. If you’re feeling a little isolated, find a community of support. With telehealth becoming so prominent, the barriers to entry for private practice are very low. If you recently went out on your own, you can learn loads in the Teletherapist Network.

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