Compassionate Climb

What if your career as a therapist could evolve beyond traditional clinical work into something that creates more freedom, financial stability, and fulfillment? In this episode of The Compassionate Climb Podcast, Julia Nepini welcomes back Arilda Surridge, therapist, retreat host, entrepreneur, and co-founder of the Therapist Evolution Summit, to share the story behind their upcoming event in Seattle, Washington. What started as a friendship formed at a retreat in Bali has evolved into an exciting collaboration designed to help mental health professionals explore opportunities beyond the therapy room. Julia and Arilda discuss the inspiration behind the summit, the incredible lineup of 18 speakers, and the diverse topics attendees can expect, including AI, group practice growth, retreats, professional speaking, financial wellness, marketing, and alternative revenue streams. They also share why authentic connections, transparency about the realities of entrepreneurship, and creating an inclusive community are at the heart of this event. Whether you're looking to diversify your income, expand your impact, or simply discover what's possible in the next chapter of your career, this conversation will inspire you to think bigger about your future.Key Takeaways:Your career can evolve beyond traditional therapy: Mental health professionals have valuable skills that can translate into multiple income streams and entrepreneurial opportunities.Diversification creates opportunities: From retreats and speaking engagements to group practices, intensives, books, and educational programs, there are countless ways to expand your impact and income.Learn from people who have actually done it: The Therapist Evolution Summit features 18 speakers sharing firsthand experiences, practical strategies, successes, and challenges.Embrace innovation and technology: AI and other emerging tools can help therapists increase productivity, streamline operations, and explore new business opportunities.Financial growth and fulfillment can coexist: Building a sustainable career means creating opportunities that support your financial goals, personal interests, and desired lifestyle.Entrepreneurship isn't always what it looks like on social media: Behind every successful business are challenges, setbacks, and valuable lessons that deserve to be shared.Connections are just as valuable as education: Meaningful relationships, networking, and collaboration can open doors to opportunities you may never have considered.You don't have to figure everything out alone: Learning directly from experienced entrepreneurs can help you avoid costly mistakes and accelerate your growth.Community and inclusion matter: The summit is intentionally designed to create a welcoming environment where attendees can build authentic relationships, regardless of where they are in their professional journey.Your next chapter starts with exploring what's possible: You don't have to abandon your identity as a therapist to pursue new passions, create additional revenue streams, or redefine success.Connect with Arilda:Website: https://therapistsretreats.com/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1736305820240510Instagram: @therapistretreatJoin Arilda and other inspiring therapists, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders at the Therapist Evolution Summit, August 19–21, 2027, in Seattle, Washington, where she'll share insights on building a retreat business.Learn more here: https://therapistsretreats.com/the-therapist-evolution-summit/

Caty Miller, therapist, group practice owner, and business coach, discusses how she launched her group practice while still completing her counseling internship and grew it into a thriving six-clinician practice. Caty shares the lessons she's learned about financial planning, hiring, marketing, and creating systems that allow her to spend approximately 10 hours per week managing her business. Together, they challenge the idea that success requires constant expansion, explore the importance of transparency and intentional growth, and discuss why therapists shouldn't feel guilty about wanting to earn a comfortable income. Whether you're considering transitioning from solo to group practice or looking for ways to create more freedom in your existing business, this conversation is packed with practical insights and encouragement.Key Takeaways:Start before you feel completely ready: Caty launched her group practice during her counseling internship and achieved profitability in her first year.Bigger isn't always better: A successful group practice doesn't need 15, 20, or 30 clinicians to be profitable and provide financial and personal freedom.Plan for the unexpected: Budget for expenses to be at least 30% higher than anticipated and establish a financial runway while building your caseload.Transparency builds stronger teams: Open communication about compensation, billing, expectations, and practice operations helps create a culture where clinicians want to stay.Systems create freedom: Streamlining intake, billing, payments, and administrative processes can dramatically reduce the time required to manage your practice.Be intentional with marketing: Choose three marketing strategies that align with your strengths rather than trying to be everywhere at once.Hire for the right fit: Being patient during the hiring process can save significant time, money, and frustration.Understand your business: Even when delegating responsibilities, practice owners should understand the fundamentals of billing, claims, and daily operations.Profitability and ethics can coexist: Therapists deserve to earn a sustainable income while providing high-quality, ethical care.Connect with Caty:Instagram: @therapistbizschool

Shawn Hondorp, clinical psychologist and host of The Innovative Therapist Podcast shares her remarkable journey from academia and conventional clinical work to building innovative, community-centered practices including the retreat experiences she now designs to foster deep connection and healing. Shawn opens up about the pivotal moments that pushed her to rethink her career, how she learned to trust her intuition as a guide, and why creativity isn't just a nice-to-have-it's central to her work and her wellbeing. She also discusses how dance and play have been transformative in her work and life. Whether you're a clinician feeling stuck, an entrepreneur navigating self-doubt, or someone craving more play and authenticity in your life, this conversation is full of honest insight and practical wisdom.Shawn's Links:WebsitePodcastInstagram

Jennifer "Taz" Vazquez, therapist, hypnotherapist, certified life coach, fitness instructor, speaker, and veteran shares how she overcame depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and low self-esteem and built a successful career rooted in service and healing. We discuss the connection between trauma, identity, and achievement, and how high performers often struggle silently with feelings of inadequacy despite external success. Taz opens up about transitioning from military life into mental health work, balancing multiple professional passions, and learning how to stop merely surviving and start truly thriving. We dive into practical and out-of-the-box approaches to creating aligned income streams, using your unique gifts and interests to build a sustainable and fulfilling career. From tapping techniques and life coaching tools to redefining success beyond finances, this episode is filled with insight, encouragement, and actionable wisdom for anyone navigating personal growth, entrepreneurship, or major life transitions. Taz's Links:WebsiteFacebookInstagram

Charity O'Reilly, trauma therapist, author, and founder of O'Reilly Trauma Healing discussed her innovative intensive therapy model and how clinicians can explore this transformative approach in their own work. She shares the evolution of her practice, the development of her 5-day IFS-informed EMDR intensive model, and her decision to offer intensives on her healing-centered property. Charity also discusses pricing, marketing, identifying appropriate client fit, and the realities of building a sustainable and impactful therapy practice.Charity's Links:WebsiteCourseInstagramBookPractice Expansion RetreatTherapist Evolution Summit

Charity Chaffee, owner of the private practice, Raising Vibrance Counseling & Consulting, and the organization Teens Uncharted, shares how she found her calling unexpectedly. Originally trained as a biology and environmental studies teacher, she realized her passion was supporting teens in a deeper, more personal way. She believes every young person deserves support outside of their family in a space that feels safe, specialized, and truly understanding. She has now built a community that provides ongoing mentorship and resources for clinicians supporting teens and their families including the podcast Teens: No Cap, downloadable guides, and the first national professional community dedicated entirely to advancing teen-focused care. Tune in to learn about her unique approach to teen therapy, operating her business, and maintaining work-life balance.Key Takeaways:Teens are their own specialty.All clinicians can benefit from developing the skills to connect with teens.Specializing in one population doesn't limit the work, it enriches it.There is no "right" schedule in private practice.Passion protects against burnoutCharity's Links:FacebookInstagram

Amanda Hunter, owner of Everlasting Wellness is back to discuss the evolution of her group practice. We explore the importance of hiring full-time staff, the challenges of providing employee benefits, and the significance of productivity and accountability in a mental health practice. Amanda shares insights on implementing a bonus structure, and the value of consulting. The conversation also delves into defining leadership roles and the critical importance of workplace culture and transparency in fostering a supportive environment for employees.Key Takeaways:-Hiring full-time staff can significantly improved practice efficiency.-Employee benefits can be costly but are essential for retention.-Productivity metrics are crucial for accountability in a practice.-A well-structured bonus system can motivate staff and improve performance.-Consulting can be invaluable for navigating business growth.-Defining clear leadership roles is essential for operational success.-Workplace culture and transparency foster trust and commitment among staff.Amanda's Links:WebsiteFacebookInstagram

Jenny Hughes is a psychologist specializing in trauma. She discusses the concepts of vicarious trauma and resilience, sharing her career journey and the founding of the Brave Trauma Therapist Collective. The conversation delves into the importance of recognizing vicarious trauma, the development of the BRAVE method, and practical strategies for mental health professionals and the general public to navigate their emotional well-being. She emphasizes the significance of community support and the need to identify and celebrate small moments of joy, referred to as 'glimmers', in challenging times.Key Takeaways:Vicarious trauma is a normal experience for helpers.The BRAVE method helps address vicarious trauma.Naming vicarious trauma is the first step to managing it.Vicarious resilience can be accessed through empathic engagement.Community support is crucial for mental health professionals.Glimmers of hope can be found in everyday moments.Self-care is essential but should be part of a larger structural change.The journey of healing is not linear and requires patience.Jenny's Links:WebsiteFacehttps://www.facebook.com/groups/thebravevicarioustraumacommunitybookInstagramYouTube

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:WebsiteFree ConsultFacebookInstagram

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:WebsiteFacebookInstagram