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In this episode of The Mental Health Business Mentor, we explore what happens when therapists move beyond working in isolation and start building true community with one another. Our guest, Nick Bognar, MFT, shares why authentic, nourishing relationships among clinicians aren’t just nice to have—they’re essential for sustaining our work, preventing burnout, and ensuring clients receive the best care possible. We discuss how welcoming peers, sharing resources, and offering genuine support can strengthen individual practices while uplifting the entire mental health field. Whether you're a solo practitioner or part of a larger organization, this conversation will inspire you to cultivate connections that make the work more sustainable, meaningful, and deeply human.

What You'll Learn:

• Why therapists benefit personally and professionally from building authentic connections with colleagues
• Practical ways to cultivate meaningful professional relationships, even if you’re a solo practitioner
• How sharing resources, referrals, and wisdom strengthens both individual practices and the broader mental health community
• Small, intentional shifts therapists can make to create more welcoming, supportive spaces for one another

Bio:

Nick Bognar is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and the founder of Nick Bognar Coaching, LLC. Based in Pasadena, CA, he owns a thriving private practice with five associates and specializes in men’s mental health and codependency. Much of his clinical work centers on helping clients set healthy boundaries and step out of limiting relationship patterns. In addition to his therapy practice, Nick is the creator of Action Practice Building, a coaching program and digital course designed to help therapists grow sustainable, relationship-based, values-driven private practices. Drawing on his experience across business, hospitality, and therapy, Nick teaches clinicians how to build their caseloads through authentic, nourishing professional relationships—without relying on hustle or gimmicks. Nick’s work has been featured in NPR, The New York Times, Medium, and other outlets. Whether in the therapy room, through his coaching programs, or as a media contributor, he is passionate about helping people live fuller lives, strengthen their relationships, and grow practices that align with their deepest values.

Connect with Nick Bognar:

http://www.nickbognartherapy.com/

https://www.facebook.com/NickBognarTherapy/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-bognar-bb2692371/

Dr. Margo Jacquot is the award-winning founder and Chief Care Officer of The Juniper Center, one of the largest woman-owned counseling and therapy practices in the Chicago area. With over 20 years of experience, she specializes in trauma recovery, addiction treatment, and LGBTQ-affirming therapy. Dr. Jacquot is also the host of the "Mental Health Business Mentor" podcast, where she shares insights on running a successful mental health practice.

thejunipercenter.com

Connect with Dr. Margo Jacquot:

• Website: thejunipercenter.com
• Instagram: @thejunipercenter
• Facebook: The Juniper Center

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In this episode of The Mental Health Business Mentor, Dr. Margo Jacquot sits with Stacy Schaffer to shine a spotlight on a population that is too often overlooked in clinical practice: children and teens. Stacy shares why prioritizing youth mental health isn’t just beneficial for young clients—it’s essential for the long-term well-being of families, communities, and the mental health field as a whole. Together, they explore the unique needs of young people today, the gaps in available services, and why now is the time for practices to thoughtfully expand their offerings. You’ll learn how integrating youth services can strengthen your practice, diversify your caseload, and create meaningful early interventions that change lives. This conversation will challenge you to reimagine your role in supporting the next generation.

What You'll Learn:

• The unique mental health challenges young people are facing today and why early intervention matters
• How offering youth services can strengthen your practice, diversify your caseload, and increase long-term sustainability
• Practical considerations for clinicians who want to begin working with youth, from training to systems to structuring sessions
• Ways mental health professionals can collaborate, advocate, and innovate to ensure young voices are truly heard

Bio:

Stacy Schaffer is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over twenty years of experience helping children, teens, and young adults navigate emotional and behavioral challenges. Based in Arvada, Colorado, she is the founder and director of Stacy Schaffer Counseling and specializes in both grief and anxiety therapy. Her extensive training includes a Master's Degree in Professional Counseling from Ottawa University, a Graduate Diploma in Christian Counseling from Phoenix Seminary, and certification in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and
Reprocessing). She is a proud member of both the National Association of Play Therapy and the Colorado Association for Play Therapy.

Connect with Stacy:

Purchase her book: https://amazon.com/dp/1964251516

https://stacyschaffer.com/

https://www.instagram.com/hoperestored/

Dr. Margo Jacquot is the award-winning founder and Chief Care Officer of The Juniper Center, one of the largest woman-owned counseling and therapy practices in the Chicago area. With over 20 years of experience, she specializes in trauma recovery, addiction treatment, and LGBTQ-affirming therapy. Dr. Jacquot is also the host of the "Mental Health Business Mentor" podcast, where she shares insights on running a successful mental health practice.

thejunipercenter.com

Connect with Dr. Margo Jacquot:

• Website: thejunipercenter.com
• Instagram: @thejunipercenter
• Facebook: The Juniper Center

Send us a text

In this episode of The Mental Health Business Mentor, we sit down with Omar Ruiz, an amazing guest who believes marketing doesn’t have to drain your time, energy, or bank account. Together, Omar and Margo explore simple, high-impact strategies—like optimizing your Psychology Today and Google Business Profiles—that can dramatically increase your visibility and bring in consistent referrals without adding to your workload. You’ll learn how clarity, sustainability, and small, strategic adjustments can help you attract more private-pay clients while staying grounded in your values. Whether you’re new to marketing or feeling overwhelmed by it, this conversation will show you how to build a steady client flow without burning yourself out.

What You'll Learn:

• How simple, high-impact marketing tweaks can attract more private-pay clients without adding to your workload.
• The most effective ways to optimize your Psychology Today and Google Business Profiles for consistent referrals.
• How to build sustainable marketing routines that support your practice without draining your time or energy.
• Practical steps to improve visibility even if you’re not “tech savvy” or comfortable with traditional marketing.

Bio:

As a featured expert on WebMD, Women's Health, Newsweek, and more, Omar A. Ruiz is a Puerto Rican–born, Boston-raised Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. He has run a successful solo private practice, TalkThinkThrive, for over 11 years, transitioning from insurance-based care to a private-pay model where he specializes in helping couples heal from infidelity.
Beyond his clinical work, Omar is now the founder of Private Practice Marketing and creator of the Client Attraction System, an affordable course and coaching program that empowers therapists to market their private practices ethically and effectively, making the process feel less salesy and more authentic. Drawing from both his clinical and entrepreneurial experience, Omar is also a seasoned speaker and podcast guest. He is returning for his third year at the Mental Health Marketing Conference, has been a featured presenter at the Small Business Expo, & is known for offering concrete, actionable advice to therapists in private practice on podcasts such as Practice of the Practice, The Practice of Therapy, Private Practice Elevation, The Therapists Collective, and more.

Connect with Omar Ruiz:

www.marketyourprivatepractice.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/omar-a-ruiz-lmft-ab1b8738/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/private-practice-marketing-llc/

Dr. Margo Jacquot is the award-winning founder and Chief Care Officer of The Juniper Center, one of the largest woman-owned counseling and therapy practices in the Chicago area. With over 20 years of experience, she specializes in trauma recovery, addiction treatment, and LGBTQ-affirming therapy. Dr. Jacquot is also the host of the "Mental Health Business Mentor" podcast, where she shares insights on running a successful mental health practice.

thejunipercenter.com

Connect with Dr. Margo Jacquot:

• Website: thejunipercenter.com
• Instagram: @thejunipercenter
• Facebook: The Juniper Center