In this episode, Kim Rippey, LPC, and Kaitlyn Steele, LMFT, dive into the delicate balance of helping clients sit with discomfort in therapy. They explore how to recognize when a client is experiencing healthy versus unhealthy discomfort, how to gauge your own role as a therapist in these moments, and how authenticity and attunement can serve as anchors for both therapist and client.

Kim and Kaitlyn share practical strategies for identifying nonverbal cues, checking in with clients, and pacing sessions to encourage growth without overstepping boundaries. They also discuss the importance of trust, co-regulation, and guiding clients to confront challenges safely, even when it feels uncomfortable for the therapist. Listeners will gain insight into using their authentic self to create a safe, supportive space where meaningful growth can happen.

Key Takeaways:

• How to identify healthy vs. unhealthy client discomfort

• Using authenticity and attunement as anchors

• Recognizing verbal and nonverbal signs of discomfort

• Balancing client-led vs. therapist-led exploration

• Strategies for supporting clients through challenging topics

• Preparing for repair when discomfort leads to minor ruptures

Connect with us:

Website: ⁠Keystone Therapy Group

Instagram: ⁠@KeystoneTherapyGroup

Supervision: ⁠https://keystonetherapygroup.com/supervision/

If this episode was helpful, leave a five-star review and subscribe for more conversations about authentic, grounded, human-centered therapy.

Disclaimer:

This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for clinical supervision. All information shared represents our own opinions and should not be taken as legal or clinical direction.

#AuthenticTherapist #TherapistBoundaries #ClientDiscomfort #Attunement #TherapistAuthenticity #ClinicalSupervision #HumanCenteredTherapy #TherapistTraining #NewTherapistSupport #TherapistSelfCare

In this episode, Kaitlyn and Kim explore the concept of a “vulnerability hangover”, the emotional aftermath therapists can experience after self-disclosing personal experiences with clients. They discuss why these feelings of self-doubt, overanalyzing, and heightened emotional reactions happen, how to recognize them, and strategies to process them without guilt.

Kaitlyn and Kim share practical guidance on reflecting on your own experiences, using supervision to navigate complex moments, and maintaining healthy boundaries while staying authentic and connected with clients. Listeners will learn how to honor their emotional responses, integrate lessons into future sessions, and continue showing up as grounded, human-centered therapists.

Key Takeaways:
• What a vulnerability hangover is and why it happens
• How to recognize and process self-doubt and anxious reactions
• Reflecting on disclosure: what surprised you and why
• Using supervision and peer support to navigate challenging emotions
• Maintaining boundaries while staying authentic and empathetic
• Practicing self-compassion and forgiveness as a therapist

Connect with us:
Website: Keystone Therapy Group
Instagram: @KeystoneTherapyGroup
Supervision: https://keystonetherapygroup.com/supervision/

If this episode was helpful, leave a five-star review and subscribe for more conversations about authentic, grounded, human-centered therapy.

Disclaimer:
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for clinical supervision. All information shared represents our own opinions and should not be taken as legal or clinical direction. All therapy skills discussed should be used within the scope of your experience and with appropriate clinical supervision.

#AuthenticTherapist #TherapistBoundaries #SelfDisclosure #VulnerabilityHangover #ClinicalSupervision #HumanCenteredTherapy #TherapistTraining #NewTherapistSupport #TherapistSelfCare #AuthenticityInTherapy

In this episode, Kaitlyn and Kim continue their series on authentically showing up as a therapist, focusing on the challenges of late cancellations, frequent reschedules, and repeated no-shows. They explore how to hold boundaries while staying compassionate, clinically effective, and human.

Kaitlyn and Kim share strategies for navigating these situations, including how to balance flexibility with accountability, when and how to apply fees, and how to approach conversations with clients in ways that are respectful, empathic, and professional. They discuss how patterns of missed sessions can communicate important clinical information and why maintaining consistency supports therapeutic progress for both clients and therapists.

Key Takeaways:
• How to differentiate between late cancellations, frequent reschedules, and no-shows
• Understanding when flexibility is appropriate and when to hold boundaries
• Communicating scheduling expectations clearly from the first session
• Using missed sessions as an opportunity to explore client needs and engagement
• Balancing therapist self-care and empathy while maintaining professional structure
• How supervision can support boundary-setting, accountability, and clinical reasoning

Connect with us:
Website: Keystone Therapy Group
Instagram: @KeystoneTherapyGroup
Supervision:
⁠https://keystonetherapygroup.com/supervision/⁠

If this episode was helpful, leave a five-star review and subscribe for more conversations about authentic, grounded, human-centered therapy.

Disclaimer:
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for clinical supervision. All information shared represents our own opinions and should not be taken as legal or clinical direction. All therapy skills discussed should be used within the scope of your experience and with appropriate clinical supervision.

#AuthenticTherapist #TherapistBoundaries #LateCancels #NoShows #TherapyBusiness #ClinicalSupervision #TherapistTraining #HumanCenteredTherapy #ClientEngagement #NewTherapistSupport