Conversations With A Wounded Healer

Some advice for therapists and those in adjacent healing professions: This (gestures wildly at everything) is not the time to close ranks. We’re being called to proceed with less ego and more accountability. Lately, however, anger (much of it warranted) and impatience have turned accountability into more of a cudgel than the intended call-in.  Tamila Gresham is here to reconnect us to core strategies that have always worked but may have gotten away from us in the current social climate (see: anger and impatience). Tamila is co-founder of Harmonize, a consulting firm that helps organizations bridge the gap between values, vision, and impact. Tamila centers justice and heart-work in her efforts to change organizations and the world. She’s our people, and you’re gonna love her as much as I do. GUEST BIO Tamila Gresham is a co-founder of Harmonize, a consulting firm helping organizations bridge the gap between values, vision, and impact. She's a life-long educator, with formal education in law, sociology, & p

How can we learn from past experiences to improve future practices? You may not know this but LGBTQ-focused group practices are a fairly recent development in our field. Jeff Levy recounts his journey from co-founding Live Oak, in Chicago, to his current solo private practice with a focus on virtual therapy and consultations. He and Sarah discuss the evolution of group practices, market shifts post-COVID, and the challenges of maintaining a practice including capital investment, balancing client and staff needs, and transparency in financial operations.  *** Group Practice (R)evolution is a new platform and podcast series offering insights from owners, employees, and experts, and resources to support this wildly ambitious vision for the future.  Podcast episodes are available for free in this feed for a limited time. If you want to hear more episodes like this one and access Sarah’s “why do you stay?” interview template… Join other leaders in the Group Practice (R)evolution! Available episodes include: Sust

David Allen is quietly and thoroughly advancing the notion of masculinity into a new era. He’s a tattoo artist working with post-mastectomy clients in Chicago. David is also a father who, despite his childhood wounds, has devoted himself to raising emotionally intelligent kids. It’s a path informed by his work with cancer patients, his ancestral lineage, and his commitment to therapy.  If you missed the first half of our conversation, go back one episode where you’ll learn about David’s artistry and quest for self-awareness. GUEST BIO David Allen is a Chicago-based tattoo artist known for his bespoke floral designs that transform mastectomy scars into powerful expressions of healing and renewal. With a deep respect for each client’s voice and story, David approaches tattooing as a collaborative process — one that centers agency, artistry, and emotional care. His work is rooted in compassion, intention, and connection. Authentic Leaders Group  Are you a therapist stepping into leadership for the first time? Or

Look for the helpers. It’s a simple axiom meant to comfort small children, a reminder to find supportive adults in times of distress. But good advice doesn’t stop being good just because we’ve aged out of the original target audience. Adults need helpers, too. David Allen is an absolute gem of a helper, an art director turned tattoo artist who works with post-mastectomy clients in Chicago. While breast cancer survivors aren’t the whole of his business, David gratefully acknowledges the indelible mark that these warriors have left on his personal life and professional outlook. GUEST BIO David Allen is a Chicago-based tattoo artist known for his bespoke floral designs that transform mastectomy scars into powerful expressions of healing and renewal. With a deep respect for each client’s voice and story, David approaches tattooing as a collaborative process — one that centers agency, artistry, and emotional care. His work is rooted in compassion, intention, and connection. Authentic Leaders Group  Are you a thera

Ready to dive into artificial intelligence in the therapy space?! Steve Duke, founder of The Hemingway Group, is back for part two of our conversation. Steve helps us think more purposefully about how we can AI-proof the relational component of therapy while acknowledging that the tech may make other aspects of the job easier, like note-taking. GUEST BIO Steve Duke (he/him) is the founder of The Hemingway Group - a business working with mental health organisations to help them succeed clinically and commercially. He also writes an industry publication called The Hemingway Report, which is read by thousands of mental health operators and clinicians each week.    Authentic Leaders Group  Are you a therapist stepping into leadership for the first time? Or maybe you've been in a leadership position for a while, but are bumping up against new struggles? Our Authentic Leaders Group is here to help you become the authentic and wholehearted leader you aspire to be. And we believe this journey is best undertaken with

How are y’all doing while the United States (specifically) plummets into political, social, and economic freefall? Therapists are freaking tf out right with good reason. We're at a tipping point in the evolution of our field, especially when it comes to the rapid ascendancy of venture capital, consolidation, and technology––those AI chatbots lurking and learning in the digital shadows.  I sound the alarm to encourage resistance. Steve Duke is one of the bright minds I turn to for data-driven inspiration and motivation. He founded The Hemingway Group, a business working with mental health organizations to help them succeed clinically and commercially. He’s parlayed his experiences at McKinsey and two unicorn startups to help leaders scale mental health innovations. GUEST BIO Steve Duke (he/him) is the founder of The Hemingway Group - a business working with mental health organisations to help them succeed clinically and commercially. He also writes an industry publication called The Hemingway Report, which is

“I thought I knew what this conversation might be like. I had all my worries, concerns, and anticipations of what might be brought up––and it didn't go that way,” laughs Heather Lovegood.  Intrigued??  Check out part one, and then come back here for the conclusion of my conversation with Heather, a holistic bodyworker and lymphatic drainage expert who provides healing-centered, trauma-trained services to clients in Chicago. We’re exploring the interconnectedness of everything, the subtle energy of Indigenous wisdom, and the power we claim (or not) in spaces where healing occurs. GUEST BIO A long-time student of life, Heather Lovegood’s own healing path led her to the healing arts, specifically bodywork. Drawing from these tools for both her personal practice and her work with clients has been the deepest gift and greatest of teachers.   Authentic Leaders Group  Are you a therapist stepping into leadership for the first time? Or maybe you've been in a leadership position for a while, but are bumping up against

I’m a firm believer in the connectedness of everything. Healing happens at the intersection of spirituality, science, and Indigenous wisdom. Sure, each principle can (and has!) exist in its own sphere, but the true magic is in the mix. Heather Lovegood agrees. She’s a holistic bodyworker and lymphatic drainage expert who provides healing-centered, trauma-trained services to clients in Chicago. She helps people build the capacity to identify and release buried, inflammatory emotions–those squishy, sticky, and often devastating sensations that our bodies hold onto in the wake of complex trauma or prolonged periods of stress.  GUEST BIO A long-time student of life, Heather Lovegood’s own healing path led her to the healing arts, specifically bodywork. Drawing from these tools for both her personal practice and her work with clients has been the deepest gift and greatest of teachers.  Authentic Leaders Group  Are you a therapist stepping into leadership for the first time? Or maybe you've been in a leadership pos

How do we bridge the divide between practice owners and employees in the therapy field to create better healing environments for everyone?  Discover how innovation, open communication, and shared values can transform group practices, resulting in a culture of connection. Group Practice Revolution is a new platform and podcast series offering insights from owners, employees, and experts, and resources to support this wildly ambitious vision for the future! Learn more about how you can join the Group Practice Revolution! *** Group Practice (R)evolution platform is in beta testing mode! We're just getting everything up and running. But if you just CAN'T WAIT and want to join the revolution now, use code REVBETA25 to get a 3-month trial membership for $10!  Sign up here!   Group Practice (R)evolution Website Head/Heart Business Therapy Website  Facebook @headheartbiztherapy Instagram @headheartbiztherapy

Leadership is lonely, y'all. It's also hella rewarding. Cara Chae, LCPC, knows this duality all too well. She's working on finding (and holding!) the balance between the two––an evolutionary pursuit that resonates with many.  GUEST BIO Cara Chae, LCPC, (she/her) is a psychotherapist working in a group private practice in Chicago. Her professional interests include working with issues related to Attachment (parenting, relationships, childhood wounds), and, more recently, Neuroplastic Symptoms. Cara’s second full time job is parenting her two elementary school aged children while trying to simultaneously take care of herself, too. Authentic Leaders Group  Are you a therapist stepping into leadership for the first time? Or maybe you've been in a leadership position for a while, but are bumping up against new struggles? Our Authentic Leaders Group is here to help you become the authentic and wholehearted leader you aspire to be. And we believe this journey is best undertaken with the guidance of experienced mento

Cue the klieg lights and gift bags because THIS episode marks the seventh anniversary of Conversations With A Wounded Healer! Major thanks to everyone from the OG fans to the newbies. I couldn’t do it without you, which is the perfect segue to today’s episode. Cara Chae, LCPC, is a psychotherapist at Inner Voice Psychotherapy, a group private practice in Chicago. She focuses on issues related to attachment (parenting, relationships, childhood wounds) and, more recently, neuroplastic symptoms. Cara also spent eight months as a member of my Authentic Leaders Group. I thought it might be interesting to explore some of her a-ha! moments and group experience on the podcast. GUEST BIO Cara Chae, LCPC, (she/her) is a psychotherapist working in a group private practice in Chicago. Her professional interests include working with issues related to Attachment (parenting, relationships, childhood wounds), and, more recently, Neuroplastic Symptoms. Cara’s second full time job is parenting her two elementary school aged ch

If you missed Part One of my conversation with sociocracy expert Ted Rau, PhD., hit play on that episode now. You won’t be disappointed, nor will you want to miss our introduction to sociocracy, the decentralized way for organizations, workplaces, and communities to make decisions.  In Part Two, Ted and I expand on how sociocracy might work in the group practice environment and how the fundamental issues of trust, personal power, and organizational accountability inform its success.  GUEST BIO Ted Rau is an advocate, trainer, and consultant for self-governance with a focus on sociocracy. After earning a PhD in linguistics and working in academia, he co-founded Sociocracy For All in 2016, a now global organization with 250 members. Ted consults with mission-driven organizations, teaches, and actively participates in Sociocracy For All’s work. A transgender man and father of five, Ted has lived in Massachusetts since 2010. He is the co-author of three books on self-governance, including Many Voices One Song (20

Change may be inevitable, but it’s far from easy. That’s especially true in the therapy field. Part of my own shift is a greater focus (on this podcast and IRL) on system-wide transformation, especially in the group practice realm. How do we bridge the gap between employees and owners when both feel overworked and underpaid?  Sociocracy could be the answer. But first, what the heck is sociocracy? Ted Rau, PhD., co-founded Sociocracy For All (SoFA), a nonprofit that makes decentralized, consent-based governance accessible to workplaces, organizations, and communities. He knows a lot about how sociocracy works in principle and practice, having become a practitioner of the governance style as a member of an intentional living community. GUEST BIO Ted Rau is an advocate, trainer, and consultant for self-governance with a focus on sociocracy. After earning a PhD in linguistics and working in academia, he co-founded Sociocracy For All in 2016, a now global organization with 250 members. Ted consults with mission-dr

In the words of my esteemed co-host, Anne Remy, “There’s a difference between an elder and a person who is older than you.” Judith Lewis Herman, MD, is wise––a psychiatrist, professor, researcher, author, and advocate who helped establish the diagnosis of PTSD back before many of us were born. In addition to her work with veterans and children, Judith fundamentally altered the discourse around women’s traumatic experiences and pioneered subsequent treatments for victims of abuse. How’s that for street-cred sagacity!? I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that this is Anne Remy’s final episode as co-host. Don’t worry, it’s all for good! You can find out more by tuning in. I couldn’t think of a more fitting interview than this to close out Anne’s incredible tenure. It’s been my pleasure and privilege to share this virtual space with her. GUEST BIO Judith Lewis Herman, MD, is a part-time senior lecturer in psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. For 30 years until she retired, she was director of training at the Victi

There's no denying that our systems and selves are at a crossroads. So, my fellow therapists, will we accept the universe's invitation to evolve, or will the profession regress beyond the point of no return?  Ki Smith believes in the potential of the collective to transform and transcend our current fractured moment. They're a psychotherapist, coach, mediator, and facilitator of power-conscious nonviolent communication and an affiliated teacher with the Right Use Of Power Institute. The two of us explore what it means to foster personal and professional relationships in which collective care is valued, communal wisdom is centered, and power to the people is reinforced. GUEST BIO Ki Smith (she/they) is an Internal Family Systems (IFS)-trained contemplative psychotherapist, coach, mediator, and facilitator of Power-Conscious Nonviolent Communication, and an affiliated teacher with the Right Use of Power Institute. Ki works with individuals, dyads, and groups to support restoration, healing, and transformation.

Let’s play fill-in-the-blank: Sex is _____ . The possibilities are endless! But, my word of choice is intimate. It’s a perfect shorthand for the spectrum of desires, experiences, and, yes, traumas that inform every sexual encounter––even if the act in question is fake. As in: part of an acclaimed Hollywood film in which sex represents the main character’s evolving agency.  Intimacy Coordinator Elle McAlpine has worked on some impressive projects, including the award-winning film, Poor Things and the award-winning Netflix series Baby Reindeer. Co-host Anne Remy engages Elle in a nuanced conversation about the power dynamics, energy transference, and permission structures at play behind the scenes of our favorite films and series. GUEST BIO Elle McAlpine is the co-founder of EK Intimacy and brings a unique perspective to intimacy coordination through her background in acting and directing. Passionate about exploring character psychology and storytelling through sexual expression, she helps create spaces where a

Oh, fellow therapists, how I love you! That said, I'm super-concerned about our capacity to move through interpersonal challenges exacerbated by, among other things, a volatile election season. My question is: How do we model being with folks outside the profession––even those we disagree with––if we can't make space for complexities of thought and motivation within our own community? Marc Mathys considers Spiral Dynamics a solid foundation on which to build. You may have already guessed that Marc and I spent the bulk of this episode exploring the trajectory of the collective. What patterns are playing out? Where are the avenues for evolution? What can we, as individuals, do to support system-wide changes in our profession, our families, or the world? GUEST BIO Marc Mathys is an accomplished specialist in organizational transformation, certified professional coach, and social entrepreneur who holds multiple degrees, including Engineering and an MBA in Responsible Management & Leadership. As co-founder of

Self-care is a basic human right. Sadly, intuitive healing practices like acupuncture are often dismissed, especially in Western society, as woo-woo or pseudoscientific time-wasters. Thank goodness for practitioners like the delightful Jo Darling in Brighton, UK!  Jo is passionate about women’s health and healing, and she’s also co-host Anne Remy’s acupuncturist, so we’ll finally get to the core of Anne’s cross liver sitch. Are you curious about how acupuncture works and why this Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has stood the test of time? Jo offers clear, supportive answers––and she does so with a delightful laugh!  GUEST BIO Jo Darling is an experienced acupuncturist based in Brighton & Hove, with a passion for supporting health and wellbeing through holistic practices. She specializes in fertility, cancer care, menopause, and pain relief, bringing a thoughtful and individualized approach to her work. Jo enjoys sharing her knowledge and insights to help others navigate their health journeys with confi

Discomfort doesn’t automatically denote danger. Identifying the difference and holding those nuances takes practice. Let this episode be part of the lesson plan. Deborah Ooten, PhD., is the founder/director of the Conscious Living Center, and she’s the first person to successfully merge the teachings of the Enneagram with the Spiral Dynamics evolutionary model.  I’m a fan of both models; my co-host Anne Remy isn’t. Friction can rub us the wrong way AND expand our capacity for complex conversations. As Anne says, it’s possible to engage with concepts that you vehemently disagree with, express concerns, explore differences, and come out the other end while still having a reasonable opinion of one another. GUEST BIO Deborah A. Ooten, PhD, is the founder/director of the Conscious Living Center. She has her doctorate in clinical psychology, is trained as a craniosacral therapist and is a Certified Enneagram Teacher in the Narrative Tradition. She is the founder and lead trainer of Conscious Dynamics, LLC. Know the

Disclaimer: No! Anne’s conversation isn’t with that Alex Jones. Instead, it’s with Alex Jones, the creator of Humans of Brighton And Hove, an Instagram account featuring candid street photos and stories of folks in the UK’s eclectic, beloved seaside village.  While Alex’s photography is stunning, the captions create a broader community of compassion. They’re real, raw glimpses into the subject’s world. And they reveal how kindred humans are despite the manufactured divisions of race, religion, or economic status.  GUEST BIO Alex Jones is a storyteller, interviewer, and documentary photographer dedicated to capturing the depth of human experiences through intimate conversations with strangers. His work is driven by a profound desire to bring people closer together through the transformative power of storytelling. Know the Numbers/Navigate the Feelings: Financial Literacy for Group Practice Owners Join Aggie Chydzinski and Sarah Buino for an engaging and interactive online workshop designed specifically for gro