In this episode of The Therapist Thrival Guide, I’m joined by the insightful Letisha Harris to talk through It Shouldn’t Be This Way by Janina Scarlet: a book rooted in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy that blends practical tools with a compassionate approach to healing.

We unpack themes like rewriting your origin story, navigating the difference between acceptance and enabling, and using metaphor and movement to support growth. Letisha shares what stood out most to her and how she’s using the book’s strategies with clients in real life. Whether you’re a mental health professional or just someone who’s been through some tough chapters, there’s something here for you.

Link to book: https://amzn.to/4ndfEah

Link to our previous episode about geek/superhero therapy: https://open.spotify.com/episode/68TYylJl9JwdbDKvfXIh12?si=hxvJACNBQ8WUqaadzANC8Q

Episode breakdown:01:08 – What drew us to this book01:28 – Core takeaways and key themes02:37 – Origin stories + superhero therapy03:40 – ACT in action06:40 – The time travel exercise & journaling10:24 – Acceptance vs. enabling15:22 – Grief, ambiguous loss, and gentle self-compassion20:06 – Letting go of control21:25 – Mind-body alignment23:30 – The phoenix metaphor26:59 – Changing the narrative30:22 – Book recs + wrap up

The Therapist Thrival Guide is a podcast by Ellie Mental Health. We want to move therapists beyond surviving and into the realm of thriving by covering all the things that graduate school didn't teach you! This mental health podcast is hosted by Miranda Barker, LICSW and a rotating cast of seasoned therapists. Each episode features a therapist speaking to their areas of expertise to help us learn how to thrive as therapists.⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Miranda Barker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, MSW, LICSW, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠has been practicing as a therapist for over three years. She previously worked as a child protection investigator, adoption social worker, and case manager. She's new to the therapy game and loves soaking up all of the knowledge from the expert therapists in her life. She's currently the Director of Content and Production at Ellie Mental Health's in-house creative agency and believes that creativity is an important aspect of mental health care.

The Therapist Thrival Guide is one of many creative productions from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ellie Mental Health⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Ellie is a national mental health brand organized around community-based outpatient mental health clinics. It all began with a single office in St. Paul, Minnesota back in 2015, and since then has expanded to over 24 clinics in Minnesota and an explosive number of locations nationwide after franchising our model in 2021. Ellie will be opening over 500 locations in communities nationwide with new clinics opening each week. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#therapy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of The Therapist Thrival Guide, Miranda sits down with Heather Dunlap, a licensed professional counselor and occupational therapist, to break down what occupational therapy (OT) really is—and how it complements the work we do in mental health.

Heather shares her unique perspective as a dual-licensed provider, offering insight into how OT supports clients across the lifespan in developing independence with daily activities, sensory regulation, and fine motor coordination. You’ll hear practical examples of how occupational therapy can benefit children struggling with sensory integration, and how therapists and OTs can collaborate to support clients more holistically.

We also dig into topics like:

• The difference between OT and physical therapy

• How OT helps with sensory issues, including feeding challenges

• Overlaps between mental health counseling and OT

• The medical model in OT, and where it sometimes falls short

• The power of therapeutic listening and brain-body integration

Whether you're a therapist considering a referral, curious about how OT and mental health intersect, or just looking to expand your clinical toolkit—this episode is packed with valuable takeaways.

Timestamps:

00:18 – Meet Heather Dunlap: LPC & Occupational Therapist

01:33 – What is Occupational Therapy?

03:24 – OT vs. Physical Therapy

05:49 – OT Support for Children

07:18 – Sensory Integration in Kids

12:50 – How OT Sets Goals and Tracks Progress

26:05 – OT and Autism Spectrum Support

29:39 – Sensory Seeking vs. Sensory Avoidance

31:04 – Feeding Therapy & Sensory Needs Around Food

35:26 – Medical Model in OT: Strengths and Limitations

41:32 – Building Bridges: Collaborating with OTs

The Therapist Thrival Guide is a podcast by Ellie Mental Health. We want to move therapists beyond surviving and into the realm of thriving by covering all the things that graduate school didn't teach you! This mental health podcast is hosted by Miranda Barker, LICSW and a rotating cast of seasoned therapists. Each episode features a therapist speaking to their areas of expertise to help us learn how to thrive as therapists.⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Miranda Barker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, MSW, LICSW, ⁠⁠⁠⁠has been practicing as a therapist for over three years. She previously worked as a child protection investigator, adoption social worker, and case manager. She's new to the therapy game and loves soaking up all of the knowledge from the expert therapists in her life. She's currently the Director of Content and Production at Ellie Mental Health's in-house creative agency and believes that creativity is an important aspect of mental health care.

The Therapist Thrival Guide is one of many creative productions from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ellie Mental Health⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Ellie is a national mental health brand organized around community-based outpatient mental health clinics. It all began with a single office in St. Paul, Minnesota back in 2015, and since then has expanded to over 24 clinics in Minnesota and an explosive number of locations nationwide after franchising our model in 2021. Ellie will be opening over 500 locations in communities nationwide with new clinics opening each week. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#therapy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of the Therapist Thrival Guide, Miranda is joined by Hannah, a licensed associate marriage and family therapist and one of the newest content creators at Ellie Mental Health.

Together, we dive into the world of Erotic Blueprints—a framework that explores the different ways people experience and connect with pleasure.

We break down the five blueprint types: energetic, sensual, sexual, kinky, and shapeshifter, and talk about how understanding these “pleasure languages” can support deeper connection, improved communication, and a more fulfilling intimate life—both individually and in relationships.

Whether you're new to the concept or already familiar, Hana shares how this model can be a powerful tool in therapy and self-reflection. We also touch on practical ways to explore your own blueprint (like taking the quiz), what to do when you hit sexual blocks, and how to incorporate this work into self-care and healing.

If you’re curious about expanding your understanding of desire, intimacy, and how to bring more intention to pleasure—this one’s for you.

Read Hannah's article here: https://elliementalhealth.com/discover-a-new-approach-to-combating-stress-through-pleasure-unlock-your-erotic-blueprint/

Episode Breakdown (with Timestamps):

00:27 – What Are Erotic Blueprints?

01:34 – The Five Blueprint Types Explained

04:42 – Using Blueprints in the Therapy Room

11:22 – Navigating Blocks and Barriers

24:52 – Training & Certification in Erotic Blueprint Work

27:06 – Self-Care Through the Lens of Erotic Blueprints

The Therapist Thrival Guide is a podcast by Ellie Mental Health. We want to move therapists beyond surviving and into the realm of thriving by covering all the things that graduate school didn't teach you! This mental health podcast is hosted by Miranda Barker, LICSW and a rotating cast of seasoned therapists. Each episode features a therapist speaking to their areas of expertise to help us learn how to thrive as therapists.⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Miranda Barker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, MSW, LICSW, ⁠⁠⁠has been practicing as a therapist for over three years. She previously worked as a child protection investigator, adoption social worker, and case manager. She's new to the therapy game and loves soaking up all of the knowledge from the expert therapists in her life. She's currently the Director of Content and Production at Ellie Mental Health's in-house creative agency and believes that creativity is an important aspect of mental health care.

The Therapist Thrival Guide is one of many creative productions from ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ellie Mental Health⁠⁠⁠⁠. Ellie is a national mental health brand organized around community-based outpatient mental health clinics. It all began with a single office in St. Paul, Minnesota back in 2015, and since then has expanded to over 24 clinics in Minnesota and an explosive number of locations nationwide after franchising our model in 2021. Ellie will be opening over 500 locations in communities nationwide with new clinics opening each week. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#therapy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, Alexa (our go-to Director of Compliance), and Emily Kohler Hanson (one of our amazing Clinical Operations Directors) team up to unpack everything you need to know about treatment planning.

We’re diving into what makes a solid treatment plan—from understanding the difference between goals and objectives to using the SMART format to write ones that actually work. We’ll walk you through how to keep plans client-centered, compliant, and connected to your clinical work using the “golden thread.”

You’ll also get practical strategies for writing measurable goals, choosing effective interventions, and navigating documentation, signatures, and updates. If you’ve ever felt unsure about what a “good” treatment plan really looks like, this one’s for you.

Here’s what we cover (and timestamps):00:37 – What makes up a strong treatment plan01:06 – Why treatment planning actually matters02:45 – Keeping plans client-centered while meeting compliance needs06:18 – What the heck is the “golden thread”?12:41 – How to write SMART goals that make sense17:19 – Tips for effective, actionable plans20:10 – Setting goals that feel realistic (and helpful!)21:25 – Examples: writing SMART goals for depression22:50 – Using the PHQ-9 to guide goals24:10 – How to document context and progress27:55 – Making objectives measurable30:08 – Interactive complexity + care coordination32:48 – Matching interventions to goals36:47 – Who signs what, and when39:17 – Reviewing and updating treatment plans

The Therapist Thrival Guide is a podcast by Ellie Mental Health. We want to move therapists beyond surviving and into the realm of thriving by covering all the things that graduate school didn't teach you! This mental health podcast is hosted by Miranda Barker, LICSW and a rotating cast of seasoned therapists. Each episode features a therapist speaking to their areas of expertise to help us learn how to thrive as therapists.⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Miranda Barker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, MSW, LICSW, ⁠⁠⁠has been practicing as a therapist for over three years. She previously worked as a child protection investigator, adoption social worker, and case manager. She's new to the therapy game and loves soaking up all of the knowledge from the expert therapists in her life. She's currently the Director of Content and Production at Ellie Mental Health's in-house creative agency and believes that creativity is an important aspect of mental health care.

The Therapist Thrival Guide is one of many creative productions from ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ellie Mental Health⁠⁠⁠⁠. Ellie is a national mental health brand organized around community-based outpatient mental health clinics. It all began with a single office in St. Paul, Minnesota back in 2015, and since then has expanded to over 24 clinics in Minnesota and an explosive number of locations nationwide after franchising our model in 2021. Ellie will be opening over 500 locations in communities nationwide with new clinics opening each week. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#therapy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of The Therapist Thrival Guide, Miranda sits down with Sam Griggs, a licensed professional counselor and clinic director, to unpack the real-world challenges and rewards of providing mental health services in school settings.

Sam shares what it’s really like to support students' mental health within the structure of a school day-- from navigating school expectations to managing crises in real time. Together, they explore how to balance confidentiality, connect with parents, and build trust with students—all while juggling the fast pace and unpredictability of school-based work.

Whether you’re currently working in a school, considering it, or just curious about what school-based therapy actually looks like, this episode offers practical insight, honest reflections, and creative strategies to help you thrive in this unique setting.

Timestamps:00:18 – Meet Sam: Licensed Professional Counselor & Clinic Director01:04 – What Are School-Based Mental Health Services?03:01 – Common Challenges in School-Based Therapy05:03 – Navigating School Expectations as a Clinician06:44 – Confidentiality & Handling Crisis Situations10:14 – A Day in the Life of a School-Based Therapist12:27 – Group Therapy in School Settings17:24 – How to Engage Parents and Caregivers22:16 – Creative Solutions for School-Based Barriers30:20 – Final Thoughts & Encouragement for School-Based Clinicians

The Therapist Thrival Guide is a podcast by Ellie Mental Health. We want to move therapists beyond surviving and into the realm of thriving by covering all the things that graduate school didn't teach you! This mental health podcast is hosted by Miranda Barker, LICSW and a rotating cast of seasoned therapists. Each episode features a therapist speaking to their areas of expertise to help us learn how to thrive as therapists.⁠⁠

⁠⁠Miranda Barker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, MSW, LICSW, ⁠⁠has been practicing as a therapist for over three years. She previously worked as a child protection investigator, adoption social worker, and case manager. She's new to the therapy game and loves soaking up all of the knowledge from the expert therapists in her life. She's currently the Director of Content and Production at Ellie Mental Health's in-house creative agency and believes that creativity is an important aspect of mental health care.

The Therapist Thrival Guide is one of many creative productions from ⁠⁠⁠Ellie Mental Health⁠⁠⁠. Ellie is a national mental health brand organized around community-based outpatient mental health clinics. It all began with a single office in St. Paul, Minnesota back in 2015, and since then has expanded to over 24 clinics in Minnesota and an explosive number of locations nationwide after franchising our model in 2021. Ellie will be opening over 500 locations in communities nationwide with new clinics opening each week. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#therapy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In our 100th episode, Miranda is joined by Steve Drzewoszewski, LCSW, LCADC, CCS, CSC, a therapist and clinic director from New Jersey who’s been exploring the growing role of AI in the mental health world.

We get into all the big questions—Is AI actually useful for therapists? What are the risks? And how do we use it responsibly without losing the heart of the work?

We talk through how tools like Cloud AI and Therapro AI are already helping clinicians with documentation, note-taking, and even generating treatment plans, all while staying HIPAA-compliant. But we don’t shy away from the concerns, either. We unpack the ethical gray areas, the importance of client consent, and the general uneasiness that some folks feel about AI’s presence in such a human-centered field.

Some highlights:

• Real-life ways therapists are using AI (and where it helps)

• How to talk to clients about AI and get informed consent

• Where the line is between helpful tool and overreach

• Using AI for non-clinical tasks like marketing, content, and admin work

• Environmental impact, privacy risks, and what's on the horizon. Read more at this article.

  Link to Good Place scene Miranda references: https://youtu.be/R8m_5HDZF7w?si=lnfrBCbbQoZU4lVm&t=108

Whether you're a full-blown tech nerd or someone who side-eyes every new app, this episode has something for you. It’s not about replacing therapists—it’s about how we can use tools wisely to support the work we already love doing.

The Therapist Thrival Guide is a podcast by Ellie Mental Health. We want to move therapists beyond surviving and into the realm of thriving by covering all the things that graduate school didn't teach you! This mental health podcast is hosted by Miranda Barker, LICSW and a rotating cast of seasoned therapists. Each episode features a therapist speaking to their areas of expertise to help us learn how to thrive as therapists.⁠⁠

⁠Miranda Barker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, MSW, LICSW, ⁠has been practicing as a therapist for over three years. She previously worked as a child protection investigator, adoption social worker, and case manager. She's new to the therapy game and loves soaking up all of the knowledge from the expert therapists in her life. She's currently the Director of Content and Production at Ellie Mental Health's in-house creative agency and believes that creativity is an important aspect of mental health care.

The Therapist Thrival Guide is one of many creative productions from ⁠⁠Ellie Mental Health⁠⁠. Ellie is a national mental health brand organized around community-based outpatient mental health clinics. It all began with a single office in St. Paul, Minnesota back in 2015, and since then has expanded to over 24 clinics in Minnesota and an explosive number of locations nationwide after franchising our model in 2021. Ellie will be opening over 500 locations in communities nationwide with new clinics opening each week. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#therapy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, Miranda sits down with Kathy Flamino, founder and CEO of Move Mindfully, and Chrissy Mignogna, their lead trainer and director of education. We dive into what it really looks like to integrate trauma-responsive, body-based practices into everyday spaces—therapy sessions, classrooms, hospitals, and even juvenile justice settings.

Kathy and Chrissy are all about making these tools accessible and practical for the people who need them most. Whether you're a therapist, educator, or just someone trying to bring more regulation and grounding into your life (or your kid’s life), this episode is packed with ideas you can actually use.

We talk about:

• Meeting people where they’re at, especially in crisis

• Why movement matters in mental health care

• How to introduce mind-body work to folks who are skeptical or shut down

• Tools that work for kids, teens, and even stressed-out college students

• Tips for therapists (because let’s be honest—we need regulation tools too)

They also share some really powerful takeaways from their new book, I Am Safe, and walk through examples of portable, classroom-friendly coping strategies.

If you’re curious about how to weave the mind-body connection into the work you already do—or if you're looking for new ways to support regulation and safety—this one’s worth a listen.

The Therapist Thrival Guide is a podcast by Ellie Mental Health. We want to move therapists beyond surviving and into the realm of thriving by covering all the things that graduate school didn't teach you! This mental health podcast is hosted by Miranda Barker, LICSW and a rotating cast of seasoned therapists. Each episode features a therapist speaking to their areas of expertise to help us learn how to thrive as therapists.⁠⁠

Miranda Barker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, MSW, LICSW, has been practicing as a therapist for over three years. She previously worked as a child protection investigator, adoption social worker, and case manager. She's new to the therapy game and loves soaking up all of the knowledge from the expert therapists in her life. She's currently the Director of Content and Production at Ellie Mental Health's in-house creative agency and believes that creativity is an important aspect of mental health care.

The Therapist Thrival Guide is one of many creative productions from ⁠Ellie Mental Health⁠. Ellie is a national mental health brand organized around community-based outpatient mental health clinics. It all began with a single office in St. Paul, Minnesota back in 2015, and since then has expanded to over 24 clinics in Minnesota and an explosive number of locations nationwide after franchising our model in 2021. Ellie will be opening over 500 locations in communities nationwide with new clinics opening each week. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#therapy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, Miranda is joined by Erin Stevens, LPC-S from New Orleans, for a conversation about a powerful and creative idea that emerged during the height of the pandemic: a virtual book club for clients. Erin shares how she launched the group, the logistics behind keeping it running, and how reading books like The Body Keeps the Score helped participants process trauma and build meaningful connections.

They dive into the practical considerations—like navigating confidentiality, managing group dynamics, and knowing when and how to bring a group to a close. Erin also reflects on how something as simple as a shared story can become a therapeutic tool. If you're a therapist looking for new ways to foster community and healing, this episode offers thoughtful inspiration.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

00:27 The Concept of a Therapy Book Club

02:20 First Book and Group Dynamics

05:07 Challenges and Logistics

12:04 Ending the Group and Reflections

14:15 Future Plans and Advice

22:33 Conclusion and Call to Action

The Therapist Thrival Guide is a podcast by Ellie Mental Health. We want to move therapists beyond surviving and into the realm of thriving by covering all the things that graduate school didn't teach you! This mental health podcast is hosted by Miranda Barker, LICSW and a rotating cast of seasoned therapists. Each episode features a therapist speaking to their areas of expertise to help us learn how to thrive as therapists.⁠⁠

Miranda Barker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, MSW, LICSW, has been practicing as a therapist for over three years. She previously worked as a child protection investigator, adoption social worker, and case manager. She's new to the therapy game and loves soaking up all of the knowledge from the expert therapists in her life. She's currently the Director of Content and Production at Ellie Mental Health's in-house creative agency and believes that creativity is an important aspect of mental health care.

The Therapist Thrival Guide is one of many creative productions from ⁠Ellie Mental Health⁠. Ellie is a national mental health brand organized around community-based outpatient mental health clinics. It all began with a single office in St. Paul, Minnesota back in 2015, and since then has expanded to over 24 clinics in Minnesota and an explosive number of locations nationwide after franchising our model in 2021. Ellie will be opening over 500 locations in communities nationwide with new clinics opening each week. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#therapy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠