Research shows that courage isn’t an innate trait, but more like a muscle that can be developed through deliberate practice.
Though there is not a ton of research available on the topic of courage, I think it’s worth digging into a little deeper to see if we can learn how to teach our clients to be courageous as they move towards their treatment goals - whether it’s the courage to leave a harmful partner, to report a harmful boss at work, or to fully accept themselves for who they are.
In this episode, we explore some of the concepts brought up in an article from the September 2025 issue of the APA Monitor on Psychology titled: "Courage: Why some people act despite fear.” You can follow along with the article here:
https://www.apa.org/monitor/2025/09/courage
We also explore 6 types of courage, and how we might foster them in our therapy clients. For this portion of the episode, I referenced the Helpful Professor article titled: "The 6 Types of Courage – with Examples”:
https://helpfulprofessor.com/types-of-courage/
Thank you to Paubox for sponsoring this episode. Paubox makes HIPAA-secure email easy and streamlined. Check them out here:
https://bit.ly/pps_paubox_spotify
*Get $250 off your first year with Paubox with coupon code "SKILLS"
*Bonus Deal:* If you add the Paubox badge to your website you get an extra $100 off your first year - that means you can get your whole first year free if you apply both deals!
LINKS:
*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!
👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8
👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear
This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.
Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/privatepracticeskills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatepracticeskills/
This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.
I’m excited to share about all the ways I use metaphor in counseling as a therapeutic tool. I use metaphors a LOT in therapy, but I don’t always hear other folks share about how they use metaphors in therapy.
This episode has two parts:
Part 1: Therapeutic reasons for using metaphors in counseling
Part 2: Types of metaphors to use in counseling
There was so much to cover that I decided to just release one longer episode this week. I hope you find it useful!
FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling:
https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8
Links Mentioned:
Video by Milton H. Erickson Foundation: "5 Minute Therapy Tips - Episode 15: Metaphor - The Use of Metaphor”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tss8D05eDF4
Book: Metaphor in Practice: A Professional’s Guide to Using the Science of Language (2017) by Niklas Torneke, MD and Steven C. Hayes, PhD
https://amzn.to/4mA6Wlr
(This is an affiliate link)
Book: Metaphor Therapy (1995) by Richard R. Kopp, PhD
https://amzn.to/4n9pCsn
(This is an affiliate link)
Article: "How therapists in cognitive behavioral and psychodynamic therapy reflect upon the use of metaphors in therapy: a qualitative study”
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9235099/
Article: “Metaphor in Professional Counseling”
https://tpcjournal.nbcc.org/metaphor-in-professional-counseling/
Similar Past Episodes:
"My go-to Therapy Tools as a Therapist”
https://youtu.be/nO-TrbwJ0V8
"More of my Favorite Therapy Tools”
https://youtu.be/brTyHQ_hDH8
LINKS:
*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!
👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8
👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear
This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.
Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/privatepracticeskills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatepracticeskills/
This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.
If you feel overwhelmed by all the information out there on how to start a private practice, this episode offers a simplified approach to get started.
You do still need some elbow grease, but hopefully these tips help reduce some of the overwhelm :)
Thank you to Paubox for sponsoring this episode. Paubox makes HIPAA-secure email easy and streamlined. Check them out here:
https://bit.ly/pps_paubox_spotify
*Get $250 off your first year with Paubox with coupon code "SKILLS"
*Bonus Deal:* If you add the Paubox badge to your website you get an extra $100 off your first year - that means you can get your whole first year free if you apply both deals!
Links Mentioned:
Video: "Values-Based Approach to a Fulfilling Career”
https://youtu.be/b9rxVgXDL4U
FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling:
https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8
Playlist: Private Practice Marketing Strategy:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLi4iw1FZZYrAaqD-YMZm_Hc5WSZMq5WSB&feature=shared
Marketing Training: Client Attraction System (now $57 woo!)
https://privatepracticeskills.teachable.com/p/client-attraction-system
LINKS:
*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!
👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8
👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear
This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.
Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/privatepracticeskills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatepracticeskills/
This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.
According to a poll I posted on Instagram, most therapists feel at least a moderate amount of pressure to have "breakthroughs" with their clients in therapy.
It's common for us to talk about breakthroughs in therapy. In today's episode, I dive into questions like:
-What is a breakthrough?
-How much pressure is there to have breakthroughs in therapy?
-Where does that pressure come from?
-How important is it for therapists to focus on breakthroughs in therapy?
Let me know if you know of available research or literature tracking the degree that breakthroughs are correlated with progress towards client goals in therapy. I'm so curious!
Inkblot Article: "What Does Having a Breakthrough in Therapy Mean?"
https://www.inkblottherapy.com/post/what-does-having-a-breakthrough-in-therapy-mean
Reddit Post: "What do you consider a breakthrough in therapy?"
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalkTherapy/comments/g8mu1x/what_do_you_consider_a_breakthrough_in_therapy/
LINKS:
*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!
👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8
👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear
This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.
Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/privatepracticeskills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatepracticeskills/
This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.
I used to stress, hard, about preparing for my therapy sessions. I thought I needed to brush up on any and all relevant information related to my clients' experiences and presenting issues, and I also felt the pressure that every session needed to one-up the last session's "ah-hah" moment.
With time, I've built a routine that makes session prep a breeze. My current structure allows me not to sweat it anymore, while feeling prepared to support my clients.
In today's episode, I share how I prepare for therapy sessions, in case some of my tips and tricks could be useful for you too.
Thank you to Paubox for sponsoring this episode. Paubox makes HIPAA-secure email easy and streamlined. Check them out here:
https://bit.ly/pps_paubox_spotify
*Get $250 off your first year with Paubox with coupon code "SKILLS"
*Bonus Deal:* If you add the Paubox badge to your website you get an extra $100 off your first year - that means you can get your whole first year free if you apply both deals!
Links mentioned in today’s episode:
Video: Therapist's Pre-Game Routine Before Seeing Clients:
https://youtu.be/kIz0_dD6FKs
Video: How to Start a Therapy Session as a Therapist:
https://youtu.be/EM7r6RWo-z0
LINKS:
*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!
👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8
👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear
This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.
Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/privatepracticeskills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatepracticeskills/
This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.
I LOVE being a therapist. But at the same time, it’s clear that there’s a whole lot that’s wrong with the therapy profession as a whole.
It’s a topic I think about a lot, so in today’s episode I decided to invite you all to share what you would like to change about the field of psychology. I read and react to your responses, and we also sprinkle some articles and reddit posts to enhance the conversation. I hope you find it helpful!
Thank you to Paubox for sponsoring this episode. Paubox makes HIPAA-secure email easy and streamlined. Check them out here:
https://bit.ly/pps_paubox_spotify
*Get $250 off your first year with Paubox with coupon code "SKILLS"
*Bonus Deal:* If you add the Paubox badge to your website you get an extra $100 off your first year - that means you can get your whole first year free if you apply both deals!
Links mentioned in today’s episode (there’s a lot I know lol):
Reddit Post: "Was Your Internship Paid?"
https://www.reddit.com/r/therapists/comments/1dy5sv0/was_your_internship_paid/
Reddit Post: "How much are you getting paid?”
https://www.reddit.com/r/therapists/comments/1fwvlz3/how_much_are_you_getting_paid/
Reddit Post: "Therapists who ethically oppose medication…”
https://www.reddit.com/r/therapists/comments/1i0lwo1/therapists_who_ethically_oppose_medication/
APA Article: "About Prescribing Psychologists”
https://www.apaservices.org/advocacy/issues/prescriptive-authority/prescribing-psychologists
Psychology.org article: "4 Steps to Becoming a Licensed Counselor”
https://www.psychology.org/careers/counseling/
Student Loan Planner Article: "Mental Health Counselor Salary: Is it Worth the Student Debt?”
https://www.studentloanplanner.com/mental-health-counselor-salary-worth-student-debt/
Student Loan Planner Article: "Psychologist Salary: Is It Worth the Huge Student Debt?”
https://www.studentloanplanner.com/average-psychologist-salary/
Prior Episode on Self-Care: "Redefining Self-Care for Therapists”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQfPpe1XW4Q
Prior Episode: "Is Diagnosing our Therapy Clients Helpful?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AA_CUwY2Pwg
Navigating the Insurance Maze Article: "Are Raises Possible?”
https://theinsurancemaze.com/articles/raises/
Reddit Post: "What’s up with the hostility towards each other in our field?”
https://www.reddit.com/r/therapists/comments/1jxh91l/whats_up_with_the_hostility_towards_each_other_in/
APA Article: "Can religion and spirituality have a place in therapy? Experts say yes”
https://www.apa.org/monitor/2023/11/incorporating-religion-spirituality-therapy
NPR Article: "Insurers can restrict mental health care. What laws protect patients in your state?”
https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2024/08/23/nx-s1-5084256/insurance-mental-health-care-coverage-legal-protection
LINKS:
*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!
👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8
👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear
This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.
Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/privatepracticeskills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatepracticeskills/
This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.
Passive income has been super trendy for a while. And especially as a therapist, it's wonderful to have some of my income not be tied to an hour with a therapy client. It's really freed me up to enjoy working with a part-time caseload, and relieved the pressure to get more clients during slower periods.
Naturally, lots of therapists are drawn to this idea. But, there is more to passive income than meets the eye. Today, I share some of the tools and "real talk" about passive income that I don't often hear folks talk about. And I offer some tools to help overcome the common emotional hurdles that keep folks from building the business they dream about.
Thank you to Paubox for sponsoring this episode. Paubox makes HIPAA-secure email easy and streamlined. Check them out here:
https://bit.ly/pps_paubox_spotify
*Get $250 off your first year with Paubox with coupon code "SKILLS"
*Bonus Deal:* If you add the Paubox badge to your website you get an extra $100 off your first year - that means you can get your whole first year free if you apply both deals!
Links mentioned:
Ali Abdaal's video: "My honest advice to someone who wants passive income"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgSNvCY-AcY
Prior Private Practice Skills episodes about passive income:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLi4iw1FZZYrAJE2wKQi1ffjEwy9MEOvNG
LINKS:
*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!
👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8
👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear
This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.
Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/privatepracticeskills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatepracticeskills/
This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.
How do you build trust during the first therapy session—without it feeling forced?
In this episode, I share practical, relational ways to help clients feel safe and supported from the start. From referencing intake paperwork to defusing shame with warmth, these small moments help build a strong therapeutic foundation—especially when clients are nervous or unsure.
What you’ll hear:
-Little touches that help clients feel seen
-Language that gently normalizes embarrassment or anxiety
-Tips for bringing warmth to intake questions
-How to wrap a first session with connection and clarity
Whether you're a new therapist or just want to refine how you show up in those early sessions, I hope this episode helps you build trust in real, human ways.
Thank you to Paubox for sponsoring this episode. Paubox makes HIPAA-secure email easy and streamlined. Check them out here:
https://bit.ly/pps_paubox_spotify
*Get $250 off your first year with Paubox with coupon code "SKILLS"
*Bonus Deal:* If you add the Paubox badge to your website you get an extra $100 off your first year - that means you can get your whole first year free if you apply both deals!
LINKS:
*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!
👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8
👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear
This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.
Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/privatepracticeskills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatepracticeskills/
This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.
Is your therapist website feeling… a little stale? You’re not alone. But you don’t have to burn it all down and start from scratch.
In this episode, I walk you through a simple rubric you can use to “audit” your therapy website—no tech expertise required. We’ll look at how clearly your message comes across, whether your site actually feels like you, and how to spot the areas that might be turning potential clients away without you realizing it.
You can even use this tool with a trusted colleague to get an outside perspective—and then focus your energy on the areas that need the most love.
Whether your site’s been collecting dust for years or you’re just wanting a fresh set of eyes, this video is here to help you reconnect with your voice, your brand, and your ideal clients.
🔍 You’ll learn:
How to assess your website's clarity and emotional tone
Signs your site may be confusing or generic to visitors
What to prioritize when refreshing your site content or layout
Tips for gathering helpful feedback from a fellow therapist
✨ You don’t have to be a tech expert or designer—just a thoughtful human who wants their website to reflect the work they’re already doing well.
Thank you to Paubox for sponsoring this episode. Paubox makes HIPAA-secure email easy and streamlined. Check them out here:
https://bit.ly/pps_paubox_spotify
*Get $250 off your first year with Paubox with coupon code "SKILLS"
*Bonus Deal:* If you add the Paubox badge to your website you get an extra $100 off your first year - that means you can get your whole first year free if you apply both deals!
Download the Website Refresh Checklist:
https://mailchi.mp/privatepracticeskills/website-refresh-checklist
Prior episodes about finding your niche:
Develop your Niche in Private Practice:
https://youtu.be/bh6bJRb7iwQ
5 Ways to Find Your Therapy Niche:
https://youtu.be/FU1eHRDwkus
LINKS:
*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!
👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8
👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear
This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.
Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/privatepracticeskills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatepracticeskills/
This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.
What if the things that actually help you thrive as a therapist weren’t taught in grad school at all?
In this episode, I’m sharing the honest truths I wish someone had told me earlier — from the myths we hear about productivity and private practice, to the real emotional weight of this work, and why nourishing yourself isn’t just okay…it’s essential.
Whether you're just starting out or years into the field, this is your reminder that you're not doing it wrong — the system just left a few (dozen) things out.
🧠 Topics include:
Why your effectiveness doesn’t depend on how long you’ve been practicing
The truth about long hours and client load expectations
Private practice myths (and why it’s not selfish to go that route)
What your professors didn’t teach you about boundaries, advocacy, and burnout
The healing power of real therapist friendships and genuine self-care
You’re not alone in figuring this all out. Let’s unpack it together.
FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling:https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8Links Mentioned:Article referencing declining therapist effectiveness over time:
“#3. Clinical Practice vs. Deliberate Practice: Why Your Years of Experience Doesn’t Get You Better”:
http://darylchow.com/Daryl_Chow/Blog/wordpress/blog/2015/01/17/3-clinical-practice-vs-deliberate-practice/Video: "15 Alternative Career Options for Therapists":
https://youtu.be/jdsKse4Yf1w
LINKS:
*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!
👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8
👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear
This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.
Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/privatepracticeskills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatepracticeskills/
This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.
In this episode, I’m answering questions that therapists don’t usually get asked. These reflections offer a behind-the-scenes look at the human side of being a therapist.
If you’re a fellow therapist or just curious what it’s like behind the scenes, I hope this feels like a warm, thoughtful conversation with a colleague or friend.
Thank you to Paubox for sponsoring this episode. Paubox makes HIPAA-secure email easy and streamlined. Check them out here:
https://bit.ly/pps_paubox_spotify
*Get $250 off your first year with Paubox with coupon code "SKILLS"
*Bonus Deal:* If you add the Paubox badge to your website you get an extra $100 off your first year - that means you can get your whole first year free if you apply both deals!
Check out Heard's bookkeeping plan for $50/month:
bit.ly/affordable-bookkeeping-YT
(this is an affiliate link)
Fav protein bar:
https://bit.ly/4l0ful2
LINKS:
*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!
👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8
👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear
This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.
Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/privatepracticeskills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatepracticeskills/
This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.
Therapist burnout doesn’t always look like overwhelm.
Sometimes it looks like losing your sense of identity.
Or believing you should be able to do more than you can.
In this episode, I share 5 tools that help me keep burnout at bay — not just by working less, but by shifting how I relate to my work. These include autonomy, emotional load, support, narrative acceptance, and personal identity. Plus, a bonus thought on work-life balance from my early-career burnout story.
This one’s for any therapist who’s ever wondered if it’s just them.
(It’s not.)
Thank you to Paubox for sponsoring this episode. Paubox makes HIPAA-secure email easy and streamlined. Check them out here:
https://bit.ly/pps_paubox_spotify
*Get $250 off your first year with Paubox with coupon code "SKILLS"
*Bonus Deal:* If you add the Paubox badge to your website you get an extra $100 off your first year - that means you can get your whole first year free if you apply both deals!
Links to Burnout Resources:
ProQOL Measure:
https://proqol.org/proqol-measure
Video: "Let’s talk about Therapist Burnout"
https://youtu.be/-oUOQa_jnPc
APA Article: "Practitioners are overworked and burned out, and they need our support"
https://www.apa.org/monitor/2023/04/psychologists-covid-burnout
LINKS:
*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!
👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8
👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear
This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.
Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/privatepracticeskills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatepracticeskills/
This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.
Even after years in the field, being a therapist is still hard sometimes.
In this episode, I asked therapists to share what they still struggle with in their work—and the responses were honest, heartfelt, and deeply relatable. From setting boundaries to managing imposter syndrome, this conversation is a reminder that you're not alone if parts of the job still feel challenging.
Let this be a validating space to reflect on the invisible labor, emotional complexity, and humanity we carry as therapists.
LINKS:
*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!
👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8
👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear
This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.
Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/privatepracticeskills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatepracticeskills/
This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.
Therapists mess up too—because we’re human. In this episode, I explore what happens when we make mistakes in session, from forgetting details to saying the wrong thing, and how to handle those moments with care.
✨ You’re not a bad therapist—you’re a human therapist.
Thank you to Paubox for sponsoring this episode. Paubox makes HIPAA-secure email easy and streamlined. Check them out here:
https://bit.ly/pps_paubox_spotify
*Get $250 off your first year with Paubox with coupon code "SKILLS"
*Bonus Deal:* If you add the Paubox badge to your website you get an extra $100 off your first year - that means you can get your whole first year free if you apply both deals!
LINKS:
*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!
👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8
👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear
This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.
Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/privatepracticeskills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatepracticeskills/
This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.
Marketing as a therapist can feel deeply uncomfortable — like you're trying to "sell" yourself in a way that doesn’t align with your values. In this episode, I explore why marketing feels gross (especially for therapists), and how to approach it from a more human, authentic place.
We’ll talk about:
The hidden fears behind showing up authentically
Why feeling “not special enough” stops so many of us
Practical shifts to help marketing feel more aligned
If you’ve ever struggled to write your website bio or talk about what you do without cringing, this episode is for you.
Thank you to Paubox for sponsoring this episode. Paubox makes HIPAA-secure email easy and streamlined. Check them out here:
https://bit.ly/pps_paubox_spotify
*Get $250 off your first year with Paubox with coupon code "SKILLS"
*Bonus Deal:* If you add the Paubox badge to your website you get an extra $100 off your first year - that means you can get your whole first year free if you apply both deals!
LINKS:
*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!
👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8
👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear
This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.
Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/privatepracticeskills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatepracticeskills/
This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.
Let’s talk numbers — the honest, encouraging kind.
In this episode, I’m joined by Michael Fulwiler, Director of Brand at Heard, to unpack the key findings from Heard’s 2025 Financial State of Private Practice Report. We dig into what therapists are actually earning, how much they’re spending on their practices, and the financial challenges (and wins!) that private practitioners are facing right now.
It’s an honest, supportive conversation for anyone who’s feeling uncertain or curious about the financial side of being a therapist.
Download the 2025 Financial State of Private Practice Report:
https://www.joinheard.com/resources/downloads/the-heard-2025-financial-state-of-private-practice-report
Check Out Heard for a free 15-minute phone consultation:
https://bit.ly/3rNmDJx
(this is an affiliate link)
Watch last year’s interview: “The State of Private Practice Finances in 2024”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvVlpsT-zPk
Check out Heard’s Business School Podcast:
https://www.joinheard.com/podcast
Podcast Episode: "Leveraging YouTube to Build Your Therapy Business with Dr. Marie Fang”
https://www.joinheard.com/podcast/episode/leveraging-youtube-to-build-your-therapy-business-with-dr-marie-fang
Playlist of Prior Videos with Heard:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLi4iw1FZZYrCeMCOvYxz1zfYqtNxFFnZz&feature=shared
LINKS:
*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!
👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8
👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear
This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.
Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/privatepracticeskills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatepracticeskills/
This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.
This episode explores the quiet — and sometimes chaotic — inner world of therapists after the session ends. From compassionate reflections to intrusive worries, “therapist brain” doesn’t always clock out at 5pm.
I’ll share some common (and totally human) thoughts that might pop up after seeing clients, why they happen, and how we can meet them with compassion instead of shame.
New episodes every week to support your growth as a therapist, especially if you’re early in your career or building your practice.
Thank you to Paubox for sponsoring this episode. Paubox makes HIPAA-secure email easy and streamlined. Check them out here:
https://bit.ly/pps_paubox_spotify
*Get $250 off your first year with Paubox with coupon code "SKILLS"
*Bonus Deal:* If you add the Paubox badge to your website you get an extra $100 off your first year - that means you can get your whole first year free if you apply both deals!
FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling:
https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8
LINKS:
*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!
👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8
👉 How to DIY a Therapist Website that Fills your Practice: https://privatepracticeskills.teachable.com/
👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear
This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.
Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/privatepracticeskills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatepracticeskills/
This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.
Therapists aren’t immune to tough days—or tough seasons. In this episode, I normalize the experience of being a therapist who’s not okay, and share practical strategies to help you navigate client work when your emotional reserves are low.
From deciding whether to cancel a session to bigger questions about sustainability, we’ll explore what it means to show up for others without abandoning yourself.
Thank you to Paubox for sponsoring this episode. Paubox makes HIPAA-secure email easy and streamlined. Check them out here:
https://bit.ly/pps_paubox_spotify
*Get $250 off your first year with Paubox with coupon code "SKILLS"
*Bonus Deal:* If you add the Paubox badge to your website you get an extra $100 off your first year - that means you can get your whole first year free if you apply both deals!
FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling:
https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8
LINKS:
*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!
👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8
👉 How to DIY a Therapist Website that Fills your Practice: https://privatepracticeskills.teachable.com/
👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear
This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.
Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/privatepracticeskills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatepracticeskills/
This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.
Can AI replace therapy? Probably not—and here’s why.
In this episode, I take a deep dive into what AI can (and can’t) do when it comes to mental health support. From helpful tools to serious limitations, we explore how therapists and clients might use AI platforms like ChatGPT—and where they should be cautious.
We cover:
How AI *could* (maybe?) support therapy work
Why I think AI will never fully replace human connection
Ethical and privacy concerns with AI in mental health
And, I put AI to the test by challenging it to answer some mental health-related questions it claims to be able to help with. How does it hold up?
Thank you to Paubox for sponsoring this episode. Paubox makes HIPAA-secure email easy and streamlined. Check them out here:
https://bit.ly/pps_paubox_spotify
*Get $250 off your first year with Paubox with coupon code "SKILLS"
*Bonus Deal:* If you add the Paubox badge to your website you get an extra $100 off your first year - that means you can get your whole first year free if you apply both deals!
FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling:
https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8
Reddit post: “Yet another reason why AI can’t replace therapy”:
https://www.reddit.com/r/therapists/comments/1k9k1ue/yet_another_reason_why_ai_cant_replace_therapy/
Watch the short and snappy version of this episode (with bonus skits):https://youtu.be/71Vr8LPfQuw
LINKS:
*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!
👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8
👉 How to DIY a Therapist Website that Fills your Practice: https://privatepracticeskills.teachable.com/
👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear
This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.
Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/privatepracticeskills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatepracticeskills/
This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.
Why do therapy clients say “I don’t know”—and what should we do when they do?
In this episode of Private Practice Skills, I explore six reasons clients might say “I don’t know” in session and name effective, compassionate responses that can help move the work forward.
Because I know we've all been in the situation where a therapy client says "I don't know" and then we think: "uh oh, I don't know what to do now either!" This one's for you :)
You’ll walk away feeling more prepared and less alone in those awkward or confusing moments.
FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling:
https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8
LINKS:
*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!
👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8
👉 How to DIY a Therapist Website that Fills your Practice: https://privatepracticeskills.teachable.com/
👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear
This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.
Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/privatepracticeskills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatepracticeskills/
This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.
