Episode 14: Becoming the Therapist You Are

In this episode, Clinical Supervisor ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Kaitlyn Steel, LMFT⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is joined by ⁠⁠Essie Bent, MEd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a resident therapist at Keystone Therapy Group who specializes in working with LGBTQ+ and BIPOC clients across Virginia. Together, they explore the journey of residency, balancing multiple professional roles, and what it truly means to show up authentically as both a therapist and a human.Essie shares her path into the field, her passion for breaking mental health stigma within marginalized communities, and how she navigates holding both strength and softness in the therapy room. Kaitlyn and Essie discuss embracing vulnerability, giving yourself grace while learning, integrating personal identity into clinical work, and how supportive supervision helps therapists grow with confidence and authenticity. Through honest reflection and lived experience, this conversation highlights the beauty of becoming—not just being—a therapist.Listeners will gain insight into balancing life and residency, practicing self-compassion while developing skills, and bringing your full, authentic self into the therapy space.Key Takeaways:• Navigating residency while balancing multiple professional roles• Showing up authentically in the therapy room• Integrating cultural identity and lived experience into clinical work• Supporting LGBTQ+ and BIPOC clients with intention and care• Embracing vulnerability and self-compassion as a therapist• The power of supervision and community in professional growthConnect with us:Supervision: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.keystonetherapygroup.com/supervision/⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@TheUnmaskedTherapistEmail: ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠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 #TherapistResidency #LGBTQTherapist #BIPOCTherapist #ClinicalSupervision #HumanCenteredTherapy #TherapistGrowth #AuthenticityInTherapy #MentalHealthProfessionals