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PODCAST

The Modern Therapist"s Survival Guide with Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy

Curt Widhalm, LMFT and Katie Vernoy, LMFT

The Modern Therapist’s Survival Guide: Where Therapists Live, Breathe, and Practice as Human Beings It’s time to reimagine therapy and what it means to be a therapist. We are human beings who can now present ourselves as whole people, with authenticity, purpose, and connection. Especially now, when clinicians must develop a personal brand to market their private practices, and are connecting over social media, engaging in social activism, pushing back against mental health stigma, and facing a whole

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All Episodes

48:58

The Licensing Racket: Therapist Licensing,...

The Modern Therapist"s Survival Guide with Curt... ·

2026/03/02

The Licensing Racket: Therapist Licensing, Discipline, and Access to Care – An Interview with Rebecca Haw AllensworthWho does licensing protect - the public or the profession? Curt and Katie talk with Rebecca Haw Allensworth, law professor and author of The Licensing Racket, about how professional licensing boards actually function, and what that means for therapists, discipline, and access to care. After attending licensing board meetings across professions and states, Rebecca identified a

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73:38

Training Therapists in the Age of AI: Preventing...

The Modern Therapist"s Survival Guide with Curt... ·

2026/02/23

Training Therapists in the Age of AI: Preventing Deskilling and Teaching Clinical Judgment As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly embedded in mental health care, therapists, supervisors, and educators face a critical responsibility: integrating AI tools without eroding clinical judgment, reasoning, and skill development. In this continuing education episode of the Modern Therapist’s Survival Guide, Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy examine how AI can create the illusion of competence while

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37:47

Why Food Anxiety Is Not Always About Dieting:...

The Modern Therapist"s Survival Guide with Curt... ·

2026/02/16

Why Food Anxiety Is Not Always About Dieting: Understanding ARFID and Intuitive Eating - An interview with Robyn L. Goldberg, RDN, CEDS-CDiet culture often dominates conversations about eating disorders, but not all struggles with food are driven by weight, body image, or dieting. In this episode, Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy talk with registered dietitian nutritionist and certified eating disorder specialist Robyn L. Goldberg about Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), intuitive

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43:47

The Epstein Files Fallout: Navigating Client Trauma,...

The Modern Therapist"s Survival Guide with Curt... ·

2026/02/12

The Epstein Files Fallout: Navigating Client Trauma, Justice Fatigue, and Clinical Responsibility In this episode of the Modern Therapist’s Survival Guide, Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy explore the emotional and clinical fallout following the release of the Epstein files. Rather than reacting to breaking news, they focus on what happens after the headlines fade—when trauma resurfaces, justice feels out of reach, and both clients and therapists are left carrying the weight. This conversation

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41:34

Why the Math Doesn’t Work: How Student Loan Debt Hits...

The Modern Therapist"s Survival Guide with Curt... ·

2026/02/09

Why the Math Doesn’t Work: How Student Loan Debt Hits Therapists Harder Than Other Professions – An Interview with Mick MacLavertyStudent loan debt affects nearly every corner of the mental health field, but for therapists, the numbers often don’t add up. In this episode, Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy talk with student loan expert Mick MacLaverty about why therapists carry disproportionately high debt, how inconsistent income makes repayment especially difficult, and the structural factors in

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36:46

Special Series: Becoming a Therapist - Starting Out...

The Modern Therapist"s Survival Guide with Curt... ·

2026/02/05

Starting Out After Graduate School: Team-Based Care, Stability, and Early Career Decisions - An Interview with Eden LathemSpecial Series: Becoming a TherapistIn this Becoming a Therapist special series episode, Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy welcome back Eden Lathem for a second-year check-in following her graduation from graduate school. Now working under temporary licensure, Eden shares what it has been like to enter the workforce in an intensive outpatient treatment setting, navigate supervision

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41:42

Special Series: Becoming a Therapist - Becoming a...

The Modern Therapist"s Survival Guide with Curt... ·

2026/02/02

Becoming a Therapist as a First-Generation Clinician-in-Training: An Interview with Marvin VasquezSpecial Series: Becoming a Therapist In this Becoming a Therapist special series episode, Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy welcome back Marvin Vasquez for a second-year check-in as he moves into the clinical phase of his training. Marvin reflects on beginning direct client work as a first-generation clinician-in-training, providing therapy in both English and Spanish, and supporting members of his own

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44:43

Special Series: Becoming a Therapist - After...

The Modern Therapist"s Survival Guide with Curt... ·

2026/01/29

After Graduation: Starting a Therapy Career on a Nontraditional Path - An Interview with Derek Isetti In this Becoming a Therapist special series episode, Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy check back in with Derek Isetti one year after his first appearance on the podcast. Now graduated from his MSW program, Derek reflects on the prelicensed phase of the journey, including navigating post-graduation registration requirements, taking the Law and Ethics Exam, and searching for supervised clinical work

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43:11

Special Series: Becoming a Therapist - From Corporate...

The Modern Therapist"s Survival Guide with Curt... ·

2026/01/26

From Corporate Leadership to Counseling Advocacy: An Interview with Iris Wilson-Farley Special Series: Becoming a Therapist In this special Becoming a Therapist series episode, Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy welcome back Iris Wilson-Farley for a second-year check-in on her journey through graduate school. Iris reflects on how her expectations of training have shifted, what the internship search was really like in an online program, and how she’s preparing to move into primarily in-person clinical

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40:45

When Does Therapy Really Start? Managing Risk and...

The Modern Therapist"s Survival Guide with Curt... ·

2026/01/19

When Does Therapy Really Start? Managing Risk and Responsibility Before the First Session When does therapy actually begin—and when does therapist responsibility start? Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy explore the ethical, legal, and clinical risks that can arise before the first session ever happens, and what therapists can do to protect both their clients and themselves. In this host-led episode, they break down common scenarios involving consultation calls, intake paperwork, crisis disclosures,

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45:10

When Therapy Goes Vibe-Forward: The Cost of Losing...

The Modern Therapist"s Survival Guide with Curt... ·

2026/01/12

When Therapy Goes Vibe-Forward: The Cost of Losing Clinical DepthAn Interview with TJ Walsh, LPC When therapy becomes more about relatability and “vibes” than clinical depth, what gets lost? Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy talk with TJ Walsh, LPC about how social media culture is shaping therapy expectations, why neutrality and containment still matter, and how supervision and self-work support real therapeutic change. This episode challenges therapists to balance authenticity with professionalism

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43:33

REPLAY: Working With Politically Divided Families...

The Modern Therapist"s Survival Guide with Curt... ·

2026/01/05

REPLAY: Working With Politically Divided Families with Angela Caldwell, LMFT In this Reprise episode, Curt and Katie revisit their timely conversation with Angela Caldwell, LMFT on working with politically divided families. This episode explores family systems, differentiation, distress tolerance, and therapeutic neutrality when political conflict enters the therapy room. Angela offers a hopeful, clinically grounded framework for helping families tolerate opposing viewpoints, stay in relationship,

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50:23

REPLAY - Therapy As a Political Act: An Interview...

The Modern Therapist"s Survival Guide with Curt... ·

2025/12/29

Replay Episode: Therapy As a Political Act with Dr. Travis HeathIn this reprise episode, Curt and Katie revisit their powerful conversation with Dr. Travis Heath on why therapy is inherently a political act. Originally recorded in June 2020, just days after the murder of George Floyd, this episode examines how therapists navigate racism, systems of oppression, political overwhelm, and community trauma in the therapy room. Curt and Katie reflect on how the cultural landscape has shifted over the

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32:22

How Therapists Can Actually Rest During the Holidays:...

The Modern Therapist"s Survival Guide with Curt... ·

2025/12/22

How Therapists Can Actually Rest During the Holidays: Letting Go of Guilt, Productivity, and Instagram-Worthy ExpectationsCurt and Katie explore how therapists can create a real holiday break - not a performative or productivity-driven one. They discuss the pressure to rest “perfectly,” the guilt of not fully unplugging, how to shift into restorative downtime, and why passive vs. active rest matters. They also highlight anxiety, money scarcity, grief, and family dynamics that often intensify

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46:00

Bonus Episode! When Good Intentions Lead to Bad...

The Modern Therapist"s Survival Guide with Curt... ·

2025/12/18

When Good Intentions Lead to Bad Policy: Why the BBS Needs Therapist Feedback – An Interview with Dr. Benjamin E. Caldwell, LMFT Curt and Katie talk with Dr. Benjamin E. Caldwell about the California BBS’s new regulatory proposals and why several well-intended ideas may actually undermine therapist education and professional standards. We discuss the proposal to award CE hours simply for providing supervision, giving CE credit for passive activities, concerns about codifying the licensing exam

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43:40

How Therapists Can Help Clients Finally Sleep: An...

The Modern Therapist"s Survival Guide with Curt... ·

2025/12/15

How Therapists Can Help Clients Finally Sleep: An Interview with Jessica Fink, LCSW-S Curt and Katie interview sleep specialist Jessica Fink, LCSW-S, about what therapists often misunderstand about sleep—and what actually helps when clients are stuck in cycles of insomnia, nighttime anxiety, or maladaptive sleep behaviors. Jessica breaks down the limits of sleep hygiene, the fundamentals of CBT-I, what to do when clients wake up at 3 a.m. spiraling, how to distinguish tired vs. sleepy, and why

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35:24

Navigating Client Crises When Your Own Life Hits Hard

The Modern Therapist"s Survival Guide with Curt... ·

2025/12/08

Navigating Client Crises When Your Own Life Hits HardCurt and Katie talk about what therapists can do when client crises show up at the exact wrong time—during holidays, illness, personal stress, or overwhelming seasons of life. They explore capacity, boundaries, communication, safety planning, and how to ethically support clients without becoming a 24/7 crisis line. This is a practical, validating look at the realities therapists face when their own lives get complicated. Key Takeaways

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34:38

When Crisis Hits Home: How Therapists Can Survive and...

The Modern Therapist"s Survival Guide with Curt... ·

2025/12/01

When Crisis Hits Home: How Therapists Can Survive and Support Each Other — An Interview with Jeanine RoussoCurt and Katie chat with Jeanine Rousso, a licensed counselor and supervisor in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina and founder of Therapist Resource Network, about how therapists can care for themselves when natural disasters or crises directly impact them. They discuss why therapists often push past their limits, how to assess capacity and step back ethically, and the importance of

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37:45

Surviving Family Gatherings Without Becoming the...

The Modern Therapist"s Survival Guide with Curt... ·

2025/11/24

Surviving Family Gatherings Without Becoming the Family Therapist: Emotional Boundaries for the HolidaysCurt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy explore how therapists can navigate family gatherings without slipping into the role of “family therapist.” They discuss emotional boundaries, guilt, codependency, and the importance of authenticity during the holiday season. Learn how to recognize old family patterns, manage emotional triggers, and show up as a whole human (not just a clinician) when family

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40:53

Designing a Sustainable Therapy Career: Reflections...

The Modern Therapist"s Survival Guide with Curt... ·

2025/11/17

Designing a Sustainable Therapy Career: Reflections on Burnout, Legacy, and Letting GoCurt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy reflect on what it takes to build and sustain a meaningful therapy career and how to leave the profession well. They explore professional identity, burnout, and how to stay connected to the work without losing yourself in it. Drawing from recent interviews with Lynn Grodzki, Margaret Wehrenberg, and Ofra Obejas, they share insights on sustainability, capacity, and creating a “good

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