The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

When I started my private practice nearly 20 years ago, there were not nearly as many resources available for therapists as there are today. I learned a lot by trial and error, and looking back, there are definitely some things I would do differently.

In this episode, I'm sharing what I wish I had known when I first started private practice. One of the biggest lessons I learned is that I made things more complicated than they neede...

Are you charging enough in private practice, or does guilt keep getting in the way?

In this episode, Gordon is joined by Bianca Hughes, LPC, therapist, speaker, mentor, and founder of Authentically BU and the Soulful Clinician Collective. Bianca shares how she moved from hospital work into private practice and the mindset shifts that helped her build a career that feels aligned, sustainable, and authentic.

Gordon and Bianca talk ab...

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Phebe Brako for a really thoughtful conversation about what it means to make therapy more culturally responsive.

So many of the clinical theories we learn were developed through a Western lens, and while those theories can be helpful, they don't always fit every client, every family system, or every cultural background. Dr. Phebe talks about why therapists need to examine their own worldview, stay...

Private practice has changed a LOT over the last few years… and therapists are still trying to figure out what comes next.

In this episode, Gordon talks with Lex E. Santi about the evolution of therapy after telehealth, online platforms, insurance shifts, and changing client expectations. They dive into why more clinicians are entering private practice, why clients still crave in-person connection, and how companies like Bet...

Grief is something every one of us will face at some point, and yet most of us have no idea what to say when someone is hurting.

In this episode, I'm joined by Shelby Forsythia, a grief coach, author, and host of the Grief Grower podcast. Shelby shares her own story of profound loss and how it shaped the work she does today, helping people navigate grief in a way that actually honors what they are going through.

We talk about why s...

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 profita...

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...

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 cre...

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 fru...

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 an...

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 th...

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,...

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 m...

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 h...

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 th...

If you've ever thought, "There has to be a way to make money in my private practice besides just seeing more clients," this episode is for you.

In this conversation, I'm joined by Jenny Melrose, host of the Practice to Profit podcast, and we dive into what it really looks like to diversify your income as a therapist. We talk about moving from one-to-one work into one-to-many offers, creating resources based on the same questions yo...

Running a private practice usually means you did not set out to become a numbers person.

You are trained to help people, not to read profit and loss statements or stress about tax projections. But the reality is this. If you own a practice, you are running a business.

In this episode, I sit down with Gretchen Roberts of Red Bike Advisors to talk about the financial side of private practice in a way that feels practical and doable. ...

What if chronic pain isn't a sign that your body is broken—but that your nervous system is trying to protect you?

In this episode, Dr. Melissa Tiessen, a clinical psychologist and neuroplastic pain specialist, joins the show to unpack a paradigm-shifting way of understanding chronic pain and persistent physical symptoms. Drawing on neuroscience, trauma-informed therapy, and real-world clinical experience, Melissa explains how...

What 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-regulati...