Off The Chair

Burnout doesn’t always mean you need more rest. Sometimes it means your nervous system is asking for a different rhythm—or even a different container for your work.In this special three part holiday series of Off the Chair, Dr. Colleen Long dives into the science of nervous system regulation, winter hibernation, and why clinicians feel more depleted than ever during December. You’ll learn how seasonal biology, unfinished stress cycles, trauma physiology, and systemic pressure collide—especially for therapists, psychologists, physicians, and helpers who feel for a living.This episode helps you identify what kind of tired you’re actually experiencing—the kind a nap will fix, the kind that needs a nervous system reset, or the kind that signals a deeper career redesign. You’ll also hear why December is not a neutral month for clinicians, how rest can bring uncomfortable clarity, and why evolving your work is not failure—it’s biology.If you’re feeling exhausted, flat, or quietly done, this episode offers language, permission, and practical tools to slow down without shame and listen to what your nervous system is asking for next.Who this episode is for:• Therapists, psychologists, counselors• Physicians, psychiatrists, dentists• Coaches, healers, helpers• Burned-out professionals considering a career pivot

Burned out, questioning everything, and wondering if you’re allowed to want something different from your work and your life? This episode is for therapists, group practice owners, and mental health leaders who have hit a wall and know they cannot go back to “business as usual.”In this conversation, Sarah Olson opens up about slamming into burnout at full speed, even while her practice and life looked successful from the outside. She traces the moment everything stopped working, the fog that made it hard to think straight, and the reckoning that forced her to step back, rest, and rebuild her relationship to work, productivity, and worth.You’ll hear her talk about how hard it actually is to delegate, release control, and trust a team when you’ve been holding everything together for too long. Sarah describes what it took to take real time off, reconnect with her body, and how healing her own trauma shifted everything.Key takeaways:➡️ Burnout can manifest unexpectedly, even when things seem to be going well.➡️ Recognizing the signs of burnout is crucial for recovery.➡️ Taking a break is not a sign of weakness but a necessary step for mental health.➡️ Delegation can be challenging but is essential for sustainable practice management.➡️ Self-care should not be viewed as selfish but as a priority for well-being.➡️ Redefining success involves understanding personal limits and needs.➡️ Quality work can be achieved in shorter, focused periods rather than long hours.➡️ It's important to listen to your body and respect its signals.➡️ Leadership styles can shift significantly after experiencing burnout.➡️ Finding peace in professional life is a continuous journey.➡️ Listening to your body is crucial for maintaining well-being.➡️ Healing personal trauma can enhance professional practice.➡️ Small changes can lead to significant improvements in well-being.➡️ Prioritizing what truly matters can help manage stress and burnout.If you've ever wondered what sustainable work-life balance as a clinician could look like, Sarah outlines a pathway there in this episode.Episode chapters:00:00 – The burnout experience03:40 – Recognizing the signs of burnout07:32 – The decision to step back18:30 – The shift in mindset24:58 – Finding community and support26:45 – Recognizing personal limits and the need for rest29:12 – The journey back from burnout30:50 – Learning to delegate and trust the team33:02 – Navigating the challenges of group practice ownership35:47 – Understanding burnout and its impact38:22 – Shifting perspectives on productivity42:16 – Finding motivation and embracing change46:03 – Dismantling old beliefs about success53:33 – The evolution of leadership in practice ownership01:03:02 – Leading with connection and inspiration01:06:58 – Listening to your body: a journey to self-care01:14:12 – Shifting therapy practices: from management to leadership01:18:47 – Marketing and building a sustainable practice01:21:31 – Advice for clinicians: small steps to avoid burnout​If this episode speaks to you, hit subscribe so you don’t miss future conversations. Leave a review so other clinicians can find these stories, and share this episode with a colleague who is on the edge of burnout and needs to know they are not alone.​Connect with us!Website: www.offthechair.comInstagram: @offthechairpodcastYouTube: @offthechairpodcastTikTok: @offthechairpodcast​

Burned out, morally injured, and wondering if you’re the problem? Good news and bad news: it's not you, it's the system. This episode is for clinicians, group practice owners, and mental health leaders who feel trapped between their ethics, insurance demands, and the crushing weight of “doing it all.”In this conversation, we unpack the evolving challenges facing clinicians in independent practice, especially the shift from “I’m just burned out” to recognizing true moral injury. We look at how systemic forces, insurance requirements, and changing rules in healthcare are reshaping what it even means to do ethical, sustainable clinical work.You’ll hear how isolation in leadership, constant multitasking, and opaque power dynamics erode both capacity and integrity over time. The episode also explores why so many group practice owners feel like they “failed,” when in reality the rules changed without their consent or control.What you’ll learn➡️ Why your group practice didn’t fail just because you “couldn’t hack the rules”➡️ The difference between burnout as a capacity failure and moral injury as an integrity failure➡️ How clinicians become the vicarious “fall guy” for insurance companies and broken systems➡️ Why burnout can stop being a phase and start to feel like an identity you can’t escape➡️ How isolation at the top quietly harms clinical judgment, leadership, and well-being➡️ What it looks like to reinvent your work using technology and AI without losing your humanity➡️ Why “off the chair” means refusing to believe that suffering is the price of legitimacy in this fieldIf you’ve ever thought, “I can survive this if I can just see a way out,” this episode sketches the contours of that way out. It offers language, frameworks, and possibilities for clinicians who are ready to stop surviving in silence and start reimagining what practice can look like.Episode chapters00:00 – Introduction to the journey of clinicians06:46 – The illusion of freedom in group practice09:05 – The changing landscape of healthcare10:26 – The new power dynamics in healthcare12:53 – The burden of multitasking in practice management13:11 – Understanding moral injury vs. burnout17:55 – The impact of moral injury on clinicians21:13 – The isolation of leadership in healthcare25:07 – Navigating workplace turmoil27:48 – The burden of leadership in mental health30:27 – The impact of insurance on mental health practices36:43 – The journey to selling a practice40:24 – Reinventing mental health care in a changing landscape45:58 – Embracing technology for sustainable practice48:33 – Finding hope and healing in the chaos50:33 – Understanding human behavior and cues51:24 – Taking action for changeIf this episode resonated with you, hit subscribe so you don’t miss future conversations. Leave a review to help other clinicians find this show, and share this episode with a colleague who is quietly burning out or carrying moral injury alone.Connect with us!Website: www.offthechair.comInstagram: @offthechairpodcastYouTube: @offthechairpodcastTikTok: @offthechairpodcast

In this conversation, the hosts discuss the challenges of leadership in group practices, emphasizing the importance of trauma-informed leadership and building a culture of trust. Dr. Colleen Long introduces Poonam and Julianne from Level Up Leaders, who share their journey from clinicians to leadership consultants. The discussion covers the significance of understanding group practice owners, navigating isolation, and integrating culture into daily practices, especially in remote work environments. They highlight the costs of neglecting culture and the need for compassionate accountability in leadership, ultimately encouraging leaders to embrace their humanity and foster relational ecosystems within their teams.Key takeaways:Trauma-informed leadership is essential for sustainable practices.Turnover is costly, affecting both finances and morale.Survival mode hinders effective leadership.Building a culture of trust is crucial for team cohesion.Daily practices can automate culture cultivation.Compassionate accountability balances empathy with expectations.Honesty in leadership fosters trust and growth.Neglecting culture leads to high costs and low morale.Everyone in a team shares responsibility for culture.Transitioning from clinician to entrepreneur requires strategic planning.If you are in the thick of it, you are not alone. And you are definitely not the only one trying to survive inside something that was never built to support you.Connect with us!Julianne and Poonam: Website: https://www.levelupleaders.org/ Newsletter: https://levelupleaders.myflodesk.com/newsletterOff the Chair:Website: www.offthechair.comInstagram: @offthechairpodcastYouTube: @offthechairpodcast

WATCH THE FULL VIDEO EPISODE HERE!This one is personal. In part one of our deepest dive yet, we begin the autopsy of a seven-figure practice that rose fast, broke even faster, and exposed what happens when the realities of a broken mental health system collide with raw human limits. This is not a business teardown. It is a confession, a reckoning, and a mirror for every therapist pushing through clinician burnout while trying to hold an entire organization together with grit and fear.We unpack how early conditioning shaped a lifelong scarcity mentality, how that scarcity mentality fueled a grind that looked like ambition from the outside, and how scarcity mentality quietly infected every decision behind the scenes. The result was a domino effect of fear-based decisions, the kind of fear-based decisions that feel logical in the moment but corrosive in hindsight, the type of fear-based decisions that eventually collapse even the most profitable seven-figure systems.We name what clinicians are rarely allowed to say out loud. We name what happens when clinician burnout becomes an invisible job requirement. We name what happens when the broken mental health infrastructure pushes good providers into survival mode. And we name the emotional cost of carrying all of this while trying to convince yourself you are fine inside something that looks like a thriving seven-figure business from the outside.This is part origin story, part accountability, and part solidarity with every therapist who ever wondered if they were the problem when in reality they were operating inside a system that is fundamentally the problem. If you feel the weight of clinician burnout, if you have made fear-based decisions out of desperation, or if you are navigating the fallout of a broken mental health landscape, this episode will land exactly where it needs to.What you will hearThe early imprint that wired a lifelong scarcity mentality and how it shows up in leadershipHow clinician burnout becomes an identity instead of a warning signThe quiet ways a broken mental health system shapes everything from hiring to ethicsWhy fear-based decisions masquerade as responsibility and feel impossible to avoidThe moment a seven-figure practice revealed its fault lines in real timeIf you are in the thick of it, you are not alone. And you are definitely not the only one trying to survive inside something that was never built to support you.Connect with us!Website: www.offthechair.comInstagram: @offthechairpodcastYouTube: @offthechairpodcastColleen Long, Psy.D.Website: www.claritypsychologicaltesting.comLinkedIn: Dr. Colleen Long Jennifer Politis, PhD, LPCWebsite: www.wellnesscounselingBC.comInstagram: @wellnesscounselingnjTikTok: @wellnesscounselingLinkedIn:

WATCH THE FULL VIDEO EPISODE HERE!What happens when you finally pause long enough to ask, “Is this really the life I built my practice for?”In this conversation with Gordon Brewer, LMFT, founder of The Practice of Therapy Podcast, Kingsport Counseling Associates, and PsychCraft Network, we explore what it means to move from burnout to balance through purpose, faith, and intentional growth.After 30 years in the field, Gordon has learned that lasting success starts when you know your why and build an aligned business that supports your life instead of consuming it. He shares how his own path to freedom came not from hustle, but from alignment, clarity, and community.If you have ever wondered what it takes to create a career that is both profitable and peaceful, this is your invitation to reconnect with your purpose and rebuild your aligned business from the inside out.In this episode, we discuss: • How to know your why when the work starts feeling heavy or directionless • What it really means to move from burnout to balance while staying true to your values • Why building an aligned business is the foundation for long-term sustainability • The mindset shifts that lead to intentional growth and authentic leadership • How to design your personal path to freedom without sacrificing impact or integrityEvery clinician deserves to build an aligned business that reflects who they are becoming, not who they were when they started. This episode is your reminder that when you know your why, you can move from burnout to balance, step into intentional growth, and walk your own path to freedom with clarity and confidence.Resources from this Episode:Clarity Psychological TestingClinician CollaborativeBook: Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals - Oliver Burkeman Connect with us!Website: www.offthechair.comInstagram: @offthechairpodcastYouTube: @offthechairpodcastColleen Long, Psy.D.Website: www.claritypsychologicaltesting.comLinkedIn: Dr. Colleen Long Jennifer Politis, PhD, LPCWebsite: www.wellnesscounselingBC.comInstagram: @wellnesscounselingnjTikTok: @wellnesscounselingLinkedIn: Jennifer Politis Erika Bugaj, MA,...

WATCH THE FULL VIDEO EPISODE HERE!In this episode of Off the Chair, host Dr. Colleen Long sits down with Shalene Kite, LPC, DBT LBC, RYT, founder of DBT of South Jersey and Rebel Mente, to talk about how she transformed her DBT practice into a thriving business that challenges clinician burnout and empowers therapists to build freedom through aligned entrepreneurship.From building a team of more than twenty clinicians to launching a national training brand, Shalene shares how she turned her skills as a therapist business coach into a movement for mental health professionals who want to lead without losing themselves. She explains how her background in dialectical behavior therapy and yoga shaped her approach to leadership, balance, and passive income for therapists who crave a more sustainable future.This episode dives deep into what it means to grow a purpose-driven DBT practice, create systems that prevent clinician burnout, and redefine success beyond the therapy chair. Shalene’s story reminds every listener that passive income for therapists is not just a dream but a strategy that works when led with clarity and heart.Key Topics CoveredHow Shalene rebuilt her DBT practice after experiencing clinician burnout and found a more grounded way to leadWhat it takes to build passive income for therapists while staying true to your mission and your clientsHow a therapist business coach helps clinicians systemize, delegate, and grow without overwhelmThe mindset shifts that protect therapists from clinician burnout and promote balance in business and lifeHow to diversify income through training, consulting, and creative offers that extend your impactThe connection between a thriving DBT practice, emotional resilience, and long-term sustainabilityWhy working with a therapist business coach can transform how you think about leadership and legacyIf you have ever wondered how to move from clinician to CEO, recover from clinician burnout, and create passive income for therapists that reflects your values and purpose, this episode is your roadmap.Connect with us!Website: www.offthechair.comInstagram: @offthechairpodcastYouTube: @offthechairpodcastColleen Long, Psy.D.Website: www.claritypsychologicaltesting.comLinkedIn: Dr. Colleen Long Jennifer Politis, PhD, LPCWebsite: www.wellnesscounselingBC.comInstagram: @wellnesscounselingnjTikTok: @wellnesscounselingLinkedIn: Jennifer Politis Erika Bugaj, MA, MSW, LICSWWebsite: www.dandelioncounselingcare.comInstagram:

If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, “There’s got to be a smarter way to run this practice,” this episode is for you. Dr. Colleen Long takes you behind the scenes of AI automation examples and tools that are helping the modern therapist finally reclaim time without sacrificing quality, connection, or creativity.From real-world AI for clinicians to easy-to-apply systems that bring freedom back to your week, Colleen breaks down how AI tech is reshaping what’s possible in private practice. This is your no-fluff guide to building structure, scaling smarter, and learning how to reclaim time while letting technology do the heavy lifting.In this episode, you’ll learn:The AI automation examples that make running your practice simpler and more sustainableHow AI for clinicians is changing documentation, admin tasks, and communicationWhich AI tech tools Dr. Colleen actually uses to reclaim time every weekWhy the modern therapist needs systems that match their values and workflowHow embracing AI automation examples helps you grow with purpose, not pressureIf you’re ready to work less, earn more, and think bigger, this conversation will show you how to apply AI for clinicians, choose practical AI tech, and join a community of modern therapists redefining success through systems that reclaim time and energy.👉 Join the conversation inside the Founders Circle, our 2026 mastermind for clinician-entrepreneurs ready to grow sustainably. WATCH THE FULL VIDEO EPISODE HERE!Connect with us!Website: www.offthechair.comInstagram: @offthechairpodcastYouTube: @offthechairpodcastColleen Long, Psy.D.Website: www.claritypsychologicaltesting.comLinkedIn: Dr. Colleen Long Jennifer Politis, PhD, LPCWebsite: www.wellnesscounselingBC.comInstagram: @wellnesscounselingnjTikTok: @wellnesscounselingLinkedIn: Jennifer Politis Erika Bugaj, MA, MSW, LICSWWebsite: www.dandelioncounselingcare.comInstagram: @dandelioncounselingcareLinkedIn: Erika Bugaj

Therapists talk about everything except money, and that cost could be leaving you with money anxiety.Too many therapists feel financially drained even while helping others heal. The truth is, avoiding your numbers only fuels money anxiety and keeps you from the financial empowerment you deserve.In this Halloween: Spooky Finances Edition with Lori Atwood, CFP, we face the real-life fears that keep clinicians up at night. Lori, founder of Fearless Finance and a seasoned financial empowerment guru, helps therapists replace fear with clarity through simple, human strategies to help you release that money anxiety.Dr. Jennifer Politis, Dr. Lori Atwood, and Erika Bugaj get real about the hidden shame and overwhelm behind bookkeeping for therapists. Together with Lori, they unpack how to stop ignoring your money, reframe your money anxiety, and finally create a relationship with your finances that feels aligned and sustainable.You’ll learn:Why therapists feel financially drained even when their calendars are fullHow a money mindset coach reframes money anxiety into confidence and controlThe essential year-end steps for confident bookkeeping for therapistsPractical ways to strengthen your financial empowerment before the new yearWhat small mindset shifts can turn dread into clarityLori’s honest, practical approach proves that you are never too far gone to find financial empowerment. If you’ve been avoiding your books or feeling financially drained, this conversation will leave you grounded, calm, and ready to rebuild a healthier relationship with money.🎃 No tricks, only practical treats for your wallet and your well-being.WATCH THE FULL VIDEO EPISODE HERE!Connect with us!Website: www.offthechair.comInstagram: @offthechairpodcastYouTube: @offthechairpodcastColleen Long, Psy.D.Website: www.claritypsychologicaltesting.comLinkedIn: Dr. Colleen Long Jennifer Politis, PhD, LPCWebsite: www.wellnesscounselingBC.comInstagram: @wellnesscounselingnjTikTok: @wellnesscounselingLinkedIn: Jennifer Politis Erika Bugaj, MA, MSW, LICSWWebsite: www.dandelioncounselingcare.comInstagram: @dandelioncounselingcareLinkedIn: Erika BugajLori Atwood, CFPInstagram:

What if leaving the char wasn’t the end of your career, but the beginning of your healing? If you’ve ever felt torn between ambition and exhaustion, this conversation is for you.In this raw and unfiltered episode, we sit down with Gabrielle Juliano Vilani, a licensed clinical social worker who built and sold a seven-figure group practice, only to discover that true freedom requires more than a business transaction. Together, we talk about how to refresh mental health, rebuild your sense of purpose, and find peace in the space that success leaves behind.You’ll learn: • How to recognize the early signs of identity burnout and rebuild your foundation before it breaks • Why selling your practice often triggers grief and how to refresh mental health without running from your emotions • The smartest ways to achieve revenue diversification that add stability instead of chaos • Simple business sustainability strategies that protect your energy and profits long term • How to reimagine your legacy beyond the therapy chair through alignment, intuition, and restThis episode is your permission slip to stop performing success and start living it. Whether you’re exploring revenue diversification, craving a full refresh mental health reset, or finally ready to apply business sustainability strategies that last, this conversation shows you what it really means to build a life after burnout.🎧 Listen now to The Healer’s Exit Plan: Identity, Legacy & What Comes After the Chair and discover how to heal the healer, recover from identity burnout, and craft a more sustainable, fulfilling chapter of your work and life.WATCH THE FULL VIDEO EPISODE HERE!Connect with us!Website: www.offthechair.comInstagram: @offthechairpodcastYouTube: @offthechairpodcast Colleen Long, Psy.D.Website: www.claritypsychologicaltesting.comLinkedIn: Dr. Colleen Long Jennifer Politis, PhD, LPCWebsite: www.wellnesscounselingBC.comInstagram: @wellnesscounselingnjTikTok: @wellnesscounselingLinkedIn: Jennifer Politis Erika Bugaj, MA, MSW, LICSWWebsite: www.dandelioncounselingcare.comInstagram: @dandelioncounselingcareLinkedIn: Erika BugajGabrielle Juliano-VillaniWebsite: http://gabriellejulianovillani.comInstagram:

Too many practice owners fall into the trap of treating their staff like family. It feels caring, but it blurs boundaries and leads to therapist burnout and business chaos. We’ve been there, and we’re sharing how to reset your team relations.As three entrepreneurial therapists, we know the tension between compassion and leadership. In this episode, we explore what happens when empathy goes too far, why clarity matters more than kindness, and how to lead with confidence. These are conversations about team relations and hiring and firing that every entrepreneurial therapist needs to hear.What you’ll hear in this episode:Why confusing team relations with family loyalty backfiresHow over-identifying with staff fuels therapist burnoutReal talk about hiring and firing without guilt or people-pleasingWays therapist training complicates leadership and how we’ve learned to adaptThe leadership reset that protects both your practice and your peopleIf you’re an entrepreneurial therapist ready to lead with clarity, hold boundaries, and create a sustainable business, you’re not alone; we’re figuring it out right alongside you.👉 Follow Off the Chair, leave us a review, and share this episode with a colleague who needs a reset.WATCH THE FULL VIDEO EPISODE HERE!Connect with us!Website: www.offthechair.comInstagram: @offthechairpodcastYouTube: @offthechairpodcast Colleen Long, Psy.D.Website: www.claritypsychologicaltesting.comLinkedIn: Dr. Colleen Long Jennifer Politis, PhD, LPCWebsite: www.wellnesscounselingBC.comInstagram: @wellnesscounselingnjTikTok: @wellnesscounselingLinkedIn: Jennifer Politis Erika Bugaj, MA, MSW, LICSWWebsite: www.dandelioncounselingcare.comInstagram: @dandelioncounselingcareLinkedIn: Erika Bugaj

If you’ve ever whispered I don’t have time while drowning in back-to-back sessions, paperwork, and payroll, you’re not alone. The truth is, most clinicians stay stuck in therapist burnout and therapist fatigue, convincing themselves they’ll “figure it out later.” But later never comes.In this conversation, we unpack the Shawshank Conundrum - the hamster wheel every therapist knows too well - and reveal how to chip away at the walls keeping you trapped in a model that doesn’t serve your life.This isn’t another pep talk about hustling harder. It’s about naming the reality: trading every hour for dollars will never create the freedom, joy, or sustainability you crave. Whether you’ve Googled jobs for burned out counselors at midnight or secretly wondered about alternative careers for therapists, this episode offers both solidarity and strategy.What you’ll learn in this episode:Why the phrase “I don’t have time” is the biggest lie fueling therapist burnoutThe hidden cost of staying on the hamster wheel of therapist fatigue (and why most clinicians never escape it)How carving out non-negotiable CEO time each week is the first step toward alternative careers for therapistsThe power of accountability, masterminds, and community when exploring jobs for burned out counselorsThis episode will challenge your assumptions about what it means to be a “successful” clinician. You’ll walk away with permission to stop hustling, tools to reclaim your time, and inspiration to explore jobs for burned out counselors and alternative careers for therapists that align with your values.Ready to stop living in therapist burnout and start carving your way to freedom? Press play now. WATCH THE FULL VIDEO EPISODE HERE!Connect with us!Website: www.offthechair.comInstagram: @offthechairpodcastYouTube: @offthechairpodcast Colleen Long, Psy.D.Website: www.claritypsychologicaltesting.comLinkedIn: Dr. Colleen Long Jennifer Politis, PhD, LPCWebsite: www.wellnesscounselingBC.comInstagram: @wellnesscounselingnjTikTok: @wellnesscounselingLinkedIn: Jennifer Politis Erika Bugaj, MA, MSW, LICSWWebsite: www.dandelioncounselingcare.comInstagram: @dandelioncounselingcareLinkedIn: Erika Bugaj

Feeling fried, curious about therapist retreats, or secretly dreaming of side hustles for therapists that will actually restore you? We get it - and we made this episode for clinicians who want rest and revenue without the shame spiral.We sit with Amy Johnston, founder of The Exhale Collective, to unpack how a practicing clinician builds therapist retreats into a life-saving creative business. We get candid about therapist burnout, the logistics of running international retreats, and how to launch side hustles for therapists alongside your clinical work. This episode balances the hard numbers (deposits, payment plans, marketing) with the softer, lifesaving stuff - how a well-designed wellness trips for women rekindles joy, reduces overwhelm, and gives clinicians permission to exhale.Here’s what you’ll hear:How Amy turned weekend cabin experiments into full-scale therapist retreats - and the exact planning step that stopped her from losing money on a trip (yes, there was an “oh-shit” moment)…The real anatomy of therapist burnout for mid-career clinicians - why time off alone isn’t enough and what ritualized presence looks like in practice…Practical ways to fund side hustles for therapists without quitting your day jobHow to design therapist retreats experiences that heal versus just “vacation”Ready to hear the messy, honest roadmap - the wins, the disasters, and the exact next steps Amy used to get from idea to an alternate stream of income? Press play and listen to the full episode now.WATCH THE FULL VIDEO EPISODE HERE!Connect with us!Podcast Website: www.offthechair.com Colleen Long, Psy.D.Website: www.claritypsychologicaltesting.comLinkedIn: Dr. Colleen Long Jennifer Politis, PhD, LPCWebsite: www.wellnesscounselingBC.comInstagram: @wellnesscounselingnjTikTok: @wellnesscounselingLinkedIn: Jennifer Politis Erika Bugaj, MA, MSW, LICSWWebsite: www.dandelioncounselingcare.comInstagram: @dandelioncounselingcareLinkedIn: Erika BugajAmy JohnstonWebsite: www.the-exhale-collective.comInstagram: @the-exhale-collective

When it comes to running a therapist business, nothing derails growth faster than the wrong hire. In this episode, we get real about the delegation problems, the bad hires, and the lessons that cost us time, money, and plenty of sleep. From missed calls to admin chaos to leaders who looked great on paper but wrecked the culture, we’re unpacking the true cost of bad hires and how to recover when your group private practice takes a hit.We’ve lived these mistakes, and we want you to skip the heartbreak by learning from our scars. Here’s what we cover in this episode:The red flags we ignored when bringing on new team members - and how those bad hires nearly broke our practices.Why therapists confuse delegation with abdication, and how those delegation problems set us up for failure.The hidden cost of bad hires that goes beyond payroll and eats away at culture, client care, and reputation.How running a therapist business forces you to balance empathy with accountability, and why that tension is so hard to navigate.Practical systems that help protect a group private practice from repeating these hiring heartbreaks.If you’ve ever felt that pit in your stomach about a staff member, this episode will make you nod in painful agreement - and give you tools to act with more confidence. Tune in and let’s make the hard parts of leading a therapist business a little easier together.Listen to the full episode now and learn how to stop repeating the same hiring mistakes in your group private practice.WATCH THE FULL VIDEO EPISODE HERE!Connect with us!Podcast Website: www.offthechair.com Colleen Long, Psy.D.Website: www.claritypsychologicaltesting.comLinkedIn: Dr. Colleen Long Jennifer Politis, PhD, LPCWebsite: www.wellnesscounselingBC.comInstagram: @wellnesscounselingnjTikTok: @wellnesscounselingLinkedIn: Jennifer Politis Erika Bugaj, MA, MSW, LICSWWebsite: www.dandelioncounselingcare.comInstagram: @dandelioncounselingcareLinkedIn: Erika Bugaj

Freedom after selling your practice isn’t guaranteed - and scaling doesn’t have to break you. In this episode, we unpack what happens when “I’ll feel free after the exit” meets real life. We explore why peace comes from boundaries, systems, and aligned choices - not the transaction - while showing how a growing practice can actually create space. Along the way, we share practical ways a therapist mom can protect energy, use AI tools for therapists to reclaim time, practice real self care for therapists, and boost therapist productivity without losing humanity. If you’re in the messy middle, this one’s for you.What’s inside (and why it matters):When selling doesn’t equal serenity: a therapist mom shares post-exit overload - and the surprising shifts that finally restored calm (hint: self care for therapists that looks like SOPs, not spa days).Scaling without the spiral: how we lifted therapist productivity by delegating outcomes (not tasks) and shortening meetings - and why that’s the most sustainable self care for therapists we’ve found.Real-life systems that stick: energy-based scheduling, admin-only days, and hard stops that any therapist can try this week to protect focus and raise therapist productivity.Tech that gives hours back: specific AI tools for therapists for notes, reports, content prompts, and creative assets - plus the ethical guardrails we use so AI tools for therapists support care (not replace it).Guilt, grace, and identity whiplash: how we navigate being a therapist mom who’s ambitious and present - and how reframing “self-care” as capacity building lifted both morale and therapist productivity with help from AI tools for therapists.It’s strategic, human, and immediately usable - especially if you’re balancing clients, leadership, and carpool.Join us and walk away with a calmer calendar, smarter AI tools for therapists, sturdier self care for therapists, and a kinder approach to therapist productivity as a working therapist mom.WATCH THE FULL VIDEO EPISODE HERE!Connect with us!Podcast Website: www.offthechair.com Colleen Long, Psy.D.Website: www.claritypsychologicaltesting.comLinkedIn: Dr. Colleen Long Jennifer Politis, PhD, LPCWebsite: www.wellnesscounselingBC.comInstagram: @wellnesscounselingnjTikTok: @wellnesscounselingLinkedIn: Jennifer Politis Erika Bugaj, MA, MSW, LICSWWebsite: www.dandelioncounselingcare.comInstagram: @dandelioncounselingcareLinkedIn: Erika Bugaj

Being a mom therapist means wearing more hats than most people can imagine - and switching between them in the blink of an eye. In this raw and real episode, we talk candidly about balancing motherhood and career, and how we manage the mental load without completely burning out.We dig deep into the lived experience of being a mom therapist in today’s “do it all” culture - and we don’t hold back. From awkward Zoom calls with kids in the background to the cost (financial and emotional) of showing up at your kid’s 10am school play, this is what balancing motherhood and career actually looks like behind the scenes.We talk about:The crushing mental load of modern motherhood - and how working mom burnout sneaks in, even when you love your jobThe real cost of that school play (yep, we calculated it) - and why it’s so hard for a mom therapist to make time for both clients and class partiesWhat “identity whiplash” feels like when you're code-switching between CEO, clinician, and carpool driverCreative ways we’re redefining “quality time” with our kids without sacrificing the businesses we’ve builtHow we recognize the signs of therapist burnout - and the micro-adjustments we make to protect our energy and our kidsWhether you're crying in your car between sessions or building your dream mental health business after bedtime, this episode will make you feel seen, supported, and a little less alone.WATCH THE FULL VIDEO EPISODE HERE!Connect with us!Podcast Website: www.offthechair.com Colleen Long, Psy.D.Website: www.claritypsychologicaltesting.comLinkedIn: Dr. Colleen Long Jennifer Politis, PhD, LPCWebsite: www.wellnesscounselingBC.comInstagram: @wellnesscounselingnjTikTok: @wellnesscounselingLinkedIn: Jennifer Politis Erika Bugaj, MA, MSW, LICSWWebsite: www.dandelioncounselingcare.comInstagram: @dandelioncounselingcareLinkedIn: Erika Bugaj

When the walls feel tighter than ever, that crossroads of deciding to scale, sell, or stay is real - and confusing. In this episode, we unpack the deeply personal, strategic, and emotional decision every practice owner faces: whether to scale therapy, sell, or stay - and how aligned practice management can help you make the right call for your life and your business.We share the truth about what happens when your practice feels too big to manage but too valuable to walk away from. We talk about what it means to evolve as a clinician-turned-CEO, how to lead with clarity instead of burnout, and how strong clinic practice management can shift the entire trajectory of your career.In this episode, we explore:Why “freedom” isn’t just about income or time - and how to know if your practice is helping or hurting bothThe signs it's time to scale therapy, shift your model, or step away entirely - and how to trust yourself through the processHow poor practice management can make scaling impossible - and what changes when your systems finally match your growthWhat we’ve learned from staying too long, scaling too fast, or selling too soon - and why we don’t believe in “one right answer”How our therapist identities have evolved - and how being a CEO therapist doesn’t mean abandoning your clinical heartFeeling stuck between craving growth and needing rest? You’re not alone - and you don’t have to decide blindly. Join us for an honest look at what’s possible when you scale therapy practices with intention, alignment, and just a little more permission to change your mind.WATCH THE FULL VIDEO EPISODE HERE!Connect with us!Podcast Website: www.offthechair.com Colleen Long, Psy.D.Website: www.claritypsychologicaltesting.comLinkedIn: Dr. Colleen Long Jennifer Politis, PhD, LPCWebsite: www.wellnesscounselingBC.comInstagram: @wellnesscounselingnjTikTok: @wellnesscounselingLinkedIn: Jennifer Politis Erika Bugaj, MA, MSW, LICSWWebsite: www.dandelioncounselingcare.comInstagram: @dandelioncounselingcareLinkedIn: Erika Bugaj

Therapist burnout doesn’t start with big breakdowns - it starts with tiny betrayals of your time, your energy, and your vision. In this episode, we get real about the emotional toll when you scale therapy practices, the identity shifts that come with leadership, and how to build a business that actually loves you back.We don’t just talk about how to scale therapy practices - we unpack what it means to scale with integrity, values, and your own well-being intact. If you're craving more ease in your practice management while staying deeply connected to your mission, this conversation is for you.In this episode, we explore:How therapist burnout creeps in - even when your business looks successful on paperWhat we wish someone told us before stepping into leadership and practice managementHow to scale therapy offerings without abandoning your clinical identity or burning outWhy alternative careers for therapists don’t always mean leaving therapy - and what that path can look likeThe moment we each realized our business no longer felt like ours - and what we did to take it backWhether you’re managing a growing caseload, hiring your first employee, or questioning if this path still fits - this episode will help you gut-check your growth strategy and reconnect with the parts of you that got lost along the way.WATCH THE FULL VIDEO EPISODE HERE!Connect with us!Podcast Website: www.offthechair.com Colleen Long, Psy.D.Website: www.claritypsychologicaltesting.comLinkedIn: Dr. Colleen Long Jennifer Politis, PhD, LPCWebsite: www.wellnesscounselingBC.comInstagram: @wellnesscounselingnjTikTok: @wellnesscounselingLinkedIn: Jennifer Politis Erika Bugaj, MA, MSW, LICSWWebsite: www.dandelioncounselingcare.comInstagram: @dandelioncounselingcareLinkedIn: Erika Bugaj

Ever wonder if you're the only one silently struggling while running a practice? You're not. This episode dives deep into the raw reality of therapist burnout - and what comes after.In this episode, we pull back the curtain on our personal journeys through therapist burnout, the emotional toll of leadership, and the hard-earned lessons we’ve learned from building and breaking our therapy businesses. We’ve led teams, scaled services, and weathered some serious storms inside our own group therapy practice models. And we know firsthand how often clinician mental health is sacrificed in the process.Whether you're dreaming of launching a side hustle for therapists, reimagining your practice, or dying to explore fresh mental health business ideas, this is your space.In this episode, we talk about:How we recognized therapist burnout and why we finally decided to stop pushing throughWhat’s missing in most conversations around clinician mental health, and how to center your ownWhy traditional paths aren’t sustainable - and how we started building mental health business models that actually support usHow a side hustle for therapists can offer freedom and purpose when the 1:1 model starts to wear thinThe real-life mistakes, wins, and mental health business ideas we’re exploring nowIf you’re holding space for everyone but yourself, questioning whether you can keep going, or wondering if it's possible to run ethical, profitable therapy businesses without breaking down - this conversation is for you.We’re sharing our stories not because we’ve figured it all out, but because we know someone else needs to hear them.Subscribe and listen now. New episodes every Tuesday.WATCH THE FULL VIDEO EPISODE HERE!Connect with us!Podcast Website: www.offthechair.com Colleen Long, Psy.D.Website: www.claritypsychologicaltesting.comLinkedIn: Dr. Colleen Long Jennifer Politis, PhD, LPCWebsite: www.wellnesscounselingBC.comInstagram: @wellnesscounselingnjTikTok: @wellnesscounselingLinkedIn: Jennifer Politis Erika Bugaj, MA, MSW, LICSWWebsite: www.dandelioncounselingcare.comInstagram: @dandelioncounselingcareLinkedIn: Erika Bugaj

If you’ve ever felt trapped by your own success, stuck in the grind of growing your therapy businesses, or secretly questioning your career while leading others - this episode is for you. We’re talking about the real cost of therapist burnout, what no one tells you about running therapy businesses, and how we finally stepped away from the chair (emotionally, clinically, and sometimes financially).In this first episode of Off the Chair, we share our personal stories of crashing, questioning, and rebuilding from the ground up. Each of us has navigated the highs and lows of running a group therapy practice, often while carrying the invisible weight of perfection, responsibility, and fear. We created this podcast because we know firsthand how often clinician mental health gets overlooked in the rush to grow, lead, and serve. And we’re not here to sell you a formula - we’re here to walk with you through the messy middle of leadership.In this episode, we talk about:The behind-the-scenes reality of therapist burnout - what triggered ours, and how we knew it was time to make a changeWhat it looks like to leave behind the “right way” of running therapy businesses and do it your own way insteadHow running a group therapy practice can lead to both empowerment and exhaustion - and how to find your center againThe emotional and strategic impact of neglecting clinician mental health as a leaderWhy we believe successful therapy businesses don’t have to sacrifice your well-being or your valuesIf you’re building a group therapy practice, leading a team, or silently battling therapist burnout, we see you. Listen now and hear what happens when clinicians stop pretending, start healing, and finally get off the chair. New episodes drop every Tuesday.WATCH THE FULL VIDEO EPISODE HERE!Connect with us!Podcast Website: www.offthechair.com Colleen Long, Psy.D.Website: www.claritypsychologicaltesting.comLinkedIn: Dr. Colleen Long Jennifer Politis, PhD, LPCWebsite: www.wellnesscounselingBC.comInstagram: @wellnesscounselingnjTikTok: @wellnesscounselingLinkedIn: Jennifer Politis Erika Bugaj, MA, MSW, LICSWWebsite: www.dandelioncounselingcare.comInstagram: @dandelioncounselingcareLinkedIn: Erika Bugaj

When therapist burnout meets business overwhelm, something has to change. Off the Chair is here to spark that change.In this trailer, we introduce our unfiltered mission: to talk about what really happens behind the scenes of building and sustaining a therapist business in today's broken mental health system. We are Dr. Colleen Long, Dr. Jennifer Politis, and Erika Bugaj, LICSW - three clinicians who have led, scaled, and sometimes struggled with running a group therapy practice while navigating the messy middle of motherhood, leadership, and identity.This show is not about perfection. It is about truth, transparency, and tangible strategies for therapists who are ready to think differently. We created this space because we know therapist burnout is real. Clinician mental health is often ignored. And the old model of doing more with less is no longer working.Each week, we will share honest conversations, behind-the-scenes lessons, and real-time reflections that merge business strategy with emotional clarity. Whether you're building your first therapist business or trying to breathe life back into your established group therapy practice, we are here to remind you that you are not alone.If you are a therapist who is tired of pretending everything is fine, a practice owner who feels like the business is running you, or a clinician who wants more freedom without selling your soul, this podcast was made for you.Subscribe now and join us every Tuesday for honest insights on therapist burnout, clinician mental health, the realities of running a group therapy practice, and what it takes to build a sustainable and fulfilling therapist business.Connect with us!Podcast Website: www.offthechair.com Colleen Long, Psy.D.Website: www.claritypsychologicaltesting.comLinkedIn: Dr. Colleen Long Jennifer Politis, PhD, LPCWebsite: www.wellnesscounselingBC.comInstagram: @wellnesscounselingnjTikTok: @wellnesscounselingLinkedIn: Jennifer Politis Erika Bugaj, MA, MSW, LICSWWebsite: www.dandelioncounselingcare.comInstagram: @dandelioncounselingcareLinkedIn: Erika Bugaj