Diversifying a Private Practice Through Couples Work | Erin Valente | TPOT 418
The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer
Release Date: 02/02/2026
What It Really Takes to Run a Profitable Private Practice | Brandy Mabra | TPOT 431
The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer
Thinking about starting a private practice in 2026? There’s a lot to consider… and it’s not as simple as it used to be. In this episode of The Practice of Therapy Podcast, I’m joined by Brandy Mabra, who brings nearly two decades of experience across private practice, corporate healthcare, and entrepreneurship. We dig into what’s really happening in the industry right now—from AI and changing business models to profitability and long-term sustainability. If you’re wondering whether now is the right time to start (or grow) a practice, this conversation will help you think more...
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Why A Lot of Therapists Struggle in Private Practice | Katie Piura | TPOT 430
The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer
Thinking about starting a private practice… but feeling unsure where to begin? In this episode, Katie Piura shares the mindset shifts every therapist needs to make before launching (or growing) a successful practice. From burnout in agency work to building something aligned and sustainable, Katie breaks down the real challenges therapists face and why being a great clinician isn’t always enough. We also get into the business side of private practice that grad school never taught you, including money mindset, marketing, and why asking for help might be the most important step you take. If...
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How This Simple Method Transforms Private Practice Sessions | Tanya Dantus | TPOT 429
The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer
What if the thing keeping your clients stuck isn’t what they’re talking about… but what they’re avoiding feeling? In this episode, I’m joined by Tanya Dantus, and we dive into a really practical way of helping clients move through what’s actually underneath the surface. Tanya shares her RIFRA Method, which stands for Root, Impact, Feel, Reflect, and Act, and how this process helps clients stop intellectualizing and start creating real change. We talk about why so many people struggle to access their emotions, how that shows up in therapy, and what it looks like to guide someone...
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Are Superbills Worth It in Private Practice? | Mark Florian | TPOT 428
The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer
Thinking about taking insurance in your private practice or trying to figure out a better way to handle out-of-network clients? This is one of those decisions that almost every therapist wrestles with at some point. On one hand, insurance can help fill your caseload and make therapy more accessible. On the other hand, the admin work, lower reimbursement rates, and constant back and forth can leave you feeling stretched thin and frustrated. In this episode, I’m joined by Mark Florian, founder of Deputy Care, and we get into what is really happening behind the scenes with insurance,...
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Private Pay vs Insurance: What Therapists Get WRONG | Avivit Fisher | TPOT 427
The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer
Private pay versus insurance is one of the biggest decisions therapists face, and honestly, it’s also one of the most misunderstood. In this episode, we’re breaking down what therapists often get wrong when thinking about these two models. It’s not just about money or convenience. It’s about how you want to run your practice, who you want to serve, and where you’re willing to spend your time and energy. If you’ve been going back and forth on whether to take insurance, go private pay, or try a hybrid approach, this conversation will help you think about it in a much clearer way....
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Thoughts on AI and Tech Platforms in Private Practice | TPOT 426
The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer
What happens when you open the floor and let your audience ask anything? That’s exactly what we did in this episode, and the questions did not disappoint. We’re diving into the big ones therapists are quietly asking right now. Is AI going to replace us? Are companies like BetterHelp helping or hurting the field? And how do you actually stand out when clients can talk to a chatbot instead of a human? I’m sharing my honest thoughts on where all of this is headed, what most therapists are getting wrong about AI, and why the human connection in therapy still matters more than ever. If...
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Helping Clients Navigate Digital Overwhelm in Private Practice | Eli Singer | TPOT 425
The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer
Most of us know the feeling. You pick up your phone to check one thing and suddenly twenty minutes have disappeared. For many people, this has become a daily pattern, and it is starting to show up more and more in therapy sessions. In this episode, I sit down with Eli Singer to talk about digital overwhelm and the complicated relationship many of us have with our phones and devices. Eli has spent years working in the digital world, including building one of the early social media agencies in North America. After stepping away from that work, he began focusing on helping people develop...
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How Therapists Can Use Social Media Without Feeling Fake | Jazzmyn Proctor | TPOT 424
The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer
Marketing can feel uncomfortable for a lot of therapists. Most of us were trained to be neutral, private, and to keep the focus on the client. So when someone tells you that you need to show up on social media or talk about your work publicly, it can feel a little strange. But visibility matters more than ever when it comes to building a private practice. In this episode, I’m joined by Jazzmyn Proctor, a therapist, podcaster, and marketing mentor who helps clinicians show up online in ways that feel authentic and sustainable. Jazzmyn shares how she started building her presence while still...
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Scaling a Private Practice with Intensives, Classes, and Conferences | Dr. Wyatt Fisher | TPOT 423
The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer
Couples therapy can be some of the most rewarding work we do as therapists, but it can also be one of the most challenging. Many couples don’t reach out for help until things feel like they’re falling apart. By the time they sit down in your office, there are often years of resentment, hurt, and miscommunication built up beneath the surface. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Wyatt Fisher, a psychologist and couples therapist who has spent years refining his approach to helping couples work through those deeper issues. Wyatt shares how his own personal and professional experiences shaped...
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Doing Couples Therapy as a Husband-and-Wife Team | Kiana & Andrew Joyner | TPOT 422
The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer
If you’ve ever thought about offering couples therapy in your private practice but felt intimidated by the complexity of it, you’re going to love this conversation. In this episode, I’m joined by Kiana and Andrew Joyner, a married duo who run their practice together and specialize in couples work. Kiana is a licensed therapist, and Andrew is a certified professional coach, and together they bring a really unique dynamic into the therapy room. We talk about what it actually looks like to do couples counseling as a husband and wife team, how they divide roles between therapy and coaching,...
info_outlineWhat if couples therapy isn’t about fixing the other person at all?
In this episode, Gordon sits down with Erin Valente, a couples therapist based in Los Angeles, to talk about one of the most common mistakes couples make when they come to therapy—and why real change doesn’t live with one partner, but in the relationship itself.
They explore why couples work can feel intimidating for therapists, how regulation and co-regulation shape meaningful conversations, and what it really takes to help couples move out of blame and into connection. Erin also shares how she’s structured her private practice to avoid burnout, including her work with ketamine-assisted therapy, groups, and coaching.
Whether you work with couples, are curious about relationship dynamics, or are thinking about new ways to diversify your practice, this episode offers a grounded, thoughtful look at what healing in relationships actually looks like.
Resources Mentioned In This Episode
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Meet Erin Valente
Erin Valente is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in trauma-focused therapy for individuals and couples. With advanced training in EMDR, Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy, and somatic and narrative therapy, Erin helps clients reconnect with their inner voice and move toward healing, growth, and authentic connection.
A lifelong student of the human experience, Erin explores the intersections of psychology, emotion, and personal wisdom. She believes that while psychology offers valuable direction, true healing emerges when we integrate our own understanding of who we are and what we need. Her approach centers on helping individuals and couples rediscover alignment, resilience, and self-compassion as they navigate life’s inevitable challenges—heartbreak, love, loss, and transformation.
Drawing from her background in trauma-informed therapy, domestic violence work, and somatic awareness, Erin creates a deeply resonant therapeutic experience that empowers lasting change. She has been featured on multiple podcasts, hosts her own show, and is launching a group coaching program designed to help individuals and couples cultivate passionate, healthy relationships that support the healing of the human experience.
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Private Podcast: Healing the Human Experience