In this solo episode, I reflect on my experiences as a leader in 2025, discussing the lessons learned about leadership, capacity, and the costs associated with growth. I share my journey from clinician to leader to CEO, emphasizing the importance of delegation, team empowerment, and maintaining a balance between accessibility and effectiveness. I also address the challenges of capacity and burnout, and candidly discuss the financial realities of business growth, including the impact of staffing and operational changes.

Key Takeaways:

• Leadership requires vulnerability and authenticity.

• Comparing ourselves to others can be misleading.

• Delegation is essential for growth and scaling.

• Effective leaders inspire and empower their teams.

• Accessibility must be balanced with effectiveness.

• Energy and time are limited resources.

• Burnout can result from overextending oneself.

• Financial growth does not always equate to profitability.

Julia's Links:

Website

Free Consult

Facebook

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Jose Diaz is a licensed professional counselor who is currently navigating the process of expanding is solo practice to group. In this consulting episode, he shares his journey of establishing a successful solo practice, the factors that contributed to his decision to build a team, and highlights the challenges and successes he has encountered along the way. We delve into the importance of understanding personal roadblocks, particularly through the lens of the Enneagram, which helped Jose identify fears that have hindered his growth. The conversation emphasizes the significance of self-awareness and the need for support in navigating the complexities of running a counseling practice. Insights are shared about the practical aspects of running a practice, the hiring process, and the value of taking imperfect action.

Key Takeaways:

• The Enneagram can be helpful in understanding the fears that prevent us from taking action.
• You are in control of the pace of the hiring process.
• You do not have to do everything on your own.
• You can start with part-time clinicians to ease into expansion.
• Relationship building is crucial for consistent referrals.
• Acknowledge your achievements.

Jose's Links:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Kara Cruz is a psychotherapist, private practice owner, and educator whose work centers on helping women and helping professionals reconnect with themselves-without burning out in the process. She is the founder of Therapist Group Bootcamp, a mastermind guiding therapists in designing, planning, and launching their own signature group programs and It Begins with Us, a group for women focused on rebuilding self trust and healing from self abandonment. She specializes in working with women, therapists, and helpers who are successful on the outside but feel disconnected, burned out, or out of alignment on the inside. Her focus is on nervous system health, self-trust, and helping people stop abandoning themselves in the name of being good, productive, or successful. She shares her personal journey of overcoming burnout and how she now helps other women navigate similar struggles. She talks about how over-functioning, people-pleasing, and nervous system dysregulation can slowly pull us away from our values and what it actually looks like to build a life and career that feels aligned, sustainable, and rooted in self-trust.

Key Takeaways

• Self-trust in an important component of overcoming burnout.
• Burnout can manifest in various ways, including physical and emotional exhaustion.
• Creating a supportive community is essential for healing and growth.
• Setting clear boundaries is crucial for maintaining mental health.
• It is important to focus on a few key projects rather than spreading yourself too thin.
• Self-care and rest are vital for long-term success and well-being.
• Therapy and coaching can provide valuable insights and support.
• Building self-trust takes time and practice, similar to developing a new skill.

Kara’s Links:

Website

Therapist Group Bootcamp

It Begins With Us

Instagram

Abbey Howe is a certified Enneagram coach who creates educational content that is accessible for everyone. She works with teams around the world-from global companies to local community groups-helping people build self-awareness, empathy, and stronger relationships. She shares her personal journey discovering the Enneagram and how it transformed her life. She also discusses her upcoming book, My Enneagram: A Visual Guide to Find Your Personality Type, Stress Less, and Live Your Dreams. She opens up about parenting through the lens of the Enneagram and the ongoing journey of personal growth.

Key Takeaways:

• The Enneagram can help you understand your motivations and course-correct life decisions.
• The Enneagram can help improve communication and collaboration with teams.
• The Enneagram can help parents respond rather than react.
• The Enneagram can help individuals separate their worth from their productivity.

Abbey's Links:

Website

Instagram

Book Pre-Order

Tom Butero is a seasoned social worker and author of the book 'I Don't Want to Die.' Tom shares his extensive experience in the field of social work, particularly focusing on suicide prevention and risk assessment. He discusses his unique approach to understanding suicidality, emphasizing the importance of both content and process in risk assessment. The conversation also delves into the challenges of having difficult conversations with clients, the process of writing and promoting a mental health book, and the significance of supervision and support in the therapeutic process. Tom's insights aim to equip mental health professionals with the tools and knowledge to better support their clients in crisis.

Key Takeaways:

• Risk assessment should consider both content and process.

• Suicidal feelings are often temporary and can be managed.

• Comfort with discussing suicide is crucial for clinicians.

• Asking direct questions about suicidality is essential.

• The writing process for a book is extensive and requires persistence.

• Marketing a book falls largely on the author.

• Supervision and peer support are vital in mental health work.

Tom's Links:

Website

Book

Kym Tolson is a traveling therapist who shares her journey of transitioning from a brick-and-mortar practice to a fully remote therapy model. She discusses the challenges and logistics of practicing therapy while traveling, including navigating licensure and insurance issues. She also shares insights on evolving her business model to include multiple income streams, embracing AI technology, and the importance of marketing strategies. Kym emphasizes the significance of creating a life that aligns with personal desires and encourages listeners to take action towards their dreams.

Key Takeaways:

• Hiring help early on can accelerate business growth.
• Flexibility and adaptability is crucial in remote work as well as navigating licensure and insurance requirements.

• Develop income streams from your own experiences.

• Creating a Facebook group can be a helpful marketing strategy.
• Podcasting can serve as an organic lead magnets for your business.
• Structuring her schedule contributes to a balanced lifestyle.
• Pursue their dreams and live fully.

Kym's Links:

Website

Podcast

Lindsay Coulter is a therapist who has developed her own framework for building trust in relationships. She shares her journey from individual therapy to specializing in couples therapy, the importance of trust in relationships, and the unique framework she has created based on positive psychology and attachment theory. Lindsay shares insights on marketing her practice, the structure of her couples work, and the cultural considerations she navigates in therapy. The conversation highlights the delicate nature of therapy and the importance of support in the entrepreneurial journey.

Key Takeaways:

• Trust is a central theme in all relationships and is rooted in our early attachment.
• Cultural considerations are important in therapy, especially regarding communication of needs.
• In-person networking and having a digital presence are both equally important.

Lindsay's Links:

Trust Lab

Love Futurism Newsletter

Michelle Risser is a multi-passionate entrepreneur who shares her journey of becoming a CE provider and consultant. Michelle discusses the challenges she faced, the importance of persistence, and the strategies she used to balance multiple roles in her career. She emphasizes the significance of mentorship, time management, and understanding the dynamics of multiple income streams. The conversation also delves into effective marketing strategies and the value of asking for help in business growth.

Key Takeaways:

• CE's can be a lucrative income stream for mental health professionals.
• Create a training with the intention of it being approved first.
• Start with your state and then choose a larger organization.
• Persistence is key in building a successful career.
• Time blocking and organization are essential for balancing multiple roles.

• Hiring a virtual assistant can help streamline operations.
• A business mentor can provide valuable insights and guidance.
• Pick one thing and start!
• Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
• Social media content should be 50% fun, 30% nurture, and 20% sales.

Michelle's Links:

Free CE Course Planning Checklist

Website

Instagram