In this podcast episode, Amber Boyd, LMFT, discusses her transition from a W-2 position to a full-time private practice after moving back to California, highlighting the challenges and growth experienced since 2019. She details the evolution of her virtual practice, the impact of the pandemic, and the decision to return to private practice due to burnout. Amber emphasizes the importance of intuition, community support, and overcoming limiting beliefs. She also shares the process of setting up a brick-and-mortar office, including receiving help from her community and creating an Amazon wish list. The episode concludes with reflections on flexibility, taking risks, and the power of community support.

Stepping into New Territory: Introduction and Background

• Amber discusses her 2019 transition to Texas, which allowed her to explore her intuition and spirit.

• The episode will cover adjusting from past truths to new possibilities, the new adventure, and allowing people to show up.

• Amber invites listeners to share their thoughts and experiences related to the episode.

  
  

  Transition to Private Practice and Pandemic Challenges

• Amber details the evolution of her virtual private practice since 2019, including moving to Texas and California, and adapting to the pandemic.

• She expresses gratitude for the flexibility and support from clients and the community during these changes.

• Amber initially planned to continue private practice part-time while searching for a W-2 position, but realized they needed to return to full-time private practice due to burnout.

• The decision to transition out of the W-2 position and return to private practice full-time was driven by a desire for agency, autonomy, and flexibility.

  
  

  Challenges and Decision to Return to Private Practice

• Amber reflects on the discomfort of working in a system that felt like a "woolly sweater" and the importance of being true to oneself.

• She discusses the emotional impact of transitioning out of the W-2 position and the realization of becoming a therapist they didn't like.

• The opportunity to open a brick-and-mortar solo office presented itself, challenging limiting beliefs and offering a new possibility.

• Amber’s colleague and sorority sister played a significant role in introducing the office space, which felt aligned and supportive.

  Overcoming Limiting Beliefs and Community Support

• Amber acknowledges her belief that she needs to figure things out alone and the cognitive distortion of all-or-nothing thinking.

• Amber shares the process of seeking advice from others, including colleagues and accountability partners, to make the office space work.

• Creating an Amazon wish list for office supplies helped us receive the necessary items from the community.

• Amber emphasizes the importance of allowing people to show up for you and the positive impact of community support during the transition.

  
  

  Office Warming and Reflections on the Journey

• Amber describes the office warming event, where friends and family wrote affirmations and shared their support.

• She reflects on the significance of having a solo private practice for the first time, as well as the validation and encouragement she received.

• The episode concludes with Amber sharing insights on being open to new possibilities, doing things despite fear, and the importance of community support.

• Amber encourages listeners to share their thoughts and experiences related to the episode and to support others' growth.

🎶 Music by: Noir Et Blanc Vie

Moments of Authenticity 📧 Email: amber@amberboydtherapy.com 📱⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ |⁠⁠ Facebook⁠⁠ 🌐⁠⁠ Website⁠⁠ 🎧⁠⁠ Spotify⁠⁠ |⁠⁠ Apple⁠⁠

• Saying the Hard Things Out Loud 0:00

• • Amber Boyd, LMFT welcomes listeners and mentions the significance of the podcast episode, which is about saying the hard things out loud.

  • Amber shares a personal story about feeling overwhelmed and drowning in challenges, including moving back to California and living with family.

  • The speaker discusses how environments affect personal well-being and how returning to familiar surroundings led to discomfort and isolation.

  • There’s a discussion about the importance of acknowledging struggles and having conversations that shed light on one's experiences, which can lead to positive changes.

• Challenges of a New Job and Environment 4:59

• • Amber talks about taking on a full-time W-2 position that lacked flexibility and autonomy, leading to feelings of overwhelm and frustration.

  • She describes how the new job environment changed her trajectory and affected her mental and emotional state.

  • There’s a reflection on the impact of not being able to do the work she loved, in the way that she was used to, which felt like a loss of identity and voice.

  • The speaker acknowledges that the job helped her get back to California, but acknowledges the negative effects it had on her well-being.

• The Power of Conversation and Acknowledgment 6:00

• • Amber shares an experience of being on a podcast and feeling overwhelmed with shame, guilt, and frustration. It highlighted the importance of having conversations that allowed her to be seen, heard, and understood, which can lead to positive changes.

  • Amber acknowledged the conversation with April Williams and Jason Smith of BariNation about the need to say the hard things out loud, which changed the trajectory of her journey.

  • The conversation emphasizes the importance of not isolating oneself and the power of acknowledging and addressing one's struggles.

• Mitigating "Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda" and Taking Action 7:16

• • Amber discusses the challenges of dealing with "shoulda, woulda, coulda" thoughts and how they can hold one captive.

  • The speaker reflects on the importance of recognizing and acknowledging what one is holding and the impact of past experiences.

  • Amber emphasizes the need to act based on a detailed understanding of one's struggles, not just minimal information.

  • The speaker encourages listeners to take inventory of their experiences and recognize what they want to do and what they have the capacity to do.

• Encouragement to Address Shame and Seek Support 11:52

• • Amber encourages listeners to address shame and not isolate themselves, urging them to seek support from professionals or community resources.

  • The speaker highlights the importance of utilizing resources and finding safe spaces to share and address one's struggles.

  • Amber emphasizes the need to take action and not allow oneself to spiral in shame.

  • The speaker concludes by thanking listeners and encouraging them to share the podcast with others who might need it.

    
    

    🎶 Music by: Noir Et Blanc Vie

    Moments of Authenticity 📧 Email: amber@amberboydtherapy.com 📱⁠ Instagram⁠ |⁠ Facebook⁠ 🌐⁠ Website⁠ 🎧⁠ Spotify⁠ |⁠ Apple⁠

    
    

    
    

🎙️ The Honeymoon Is OVER!

Welcome back to another episode! Whew — where do I even start? In this raw and unfiltered episode, I’m getting real about what life has looked like after the initial excitement of change wore off. From the high of returning home to the unexpected weight of transition, I’m sharing how I’ve navigated the tough terrain of starting over (again), losing a sense of grounding, and the emotional reality of living with family, working full-time, and trying to maintain a private practice on the side.

If you’ve ever felt like you were supposed to be thriving but instead felt stretched thin, overwhelmed, or unsure of your footing, this episode is for you. I’m sharing the unglamorous (but deeply human) moments of transition and how I’m slowly reclaiming peace, autonomy, and space for myself — one intentional step at a time.

• Why moving back home felt necessary — and why it hasn’t been easy.

• How I lost myself in the transitions of housing, work, and identity.

• The emotional toll of no longer having my own space (and trying to find peace in one room).

• The impact of stress on my body, my habits, and my bariatric journey.

• How FOMO, family dynamics, and a full workload had me stretched way too thin.

• What it took to reset my priorities — and finally start building the life I needed.

• The relief and freedom I’ve found in securing my own space again.
  

This one is vulnerable, personal, and deeply rooted in truth. If you're in a season of change or feeling pulled in too many directions, I hope it reminds you that you're not alone — and that you can slow down and come back to yourself.

[00:00] Welcome back + podcast intro

[01:00] Why “The Honeymoon is Over” — reflections on returning to California

[03:00] Missing community, physical affection, and emotional connection

[04:15] Challenges of losing space and autonomy — living with family again

[05:20] Overworking, stress, and the toll on physical health [06:30] Bariatric struggles, emotional eating, and feeling ungrounded

[08:00] FOMO, people-pleasing, and spreading myself too thin

[09:30] Prioritizing housing and choosing what to focus on first [11:00] Finding freedom and peace in my new apartment [13:00] Lessons on capacity, patience, and presence

[15:00] Closing reflections and gratitude

“I lost myself in the changes… stress overtook my energy.”

“I was working 10-hour days and then doing private practice on the weekends — I was exhausted.”

“No one else in my family has had bariatric surgery. I was eating what everyone else was eating… it completely threw me off.”

“The thing that worked in one season won’t always work in another.”

“Sometimes when you knock out one of the things, it really sets in motion the other pieces at play.”

“All the things we’ve prayed for, hoped for, wished for — they’re happening. But we’re so focused on the next thing that we miss it.”

“It’s okay to need or want something different for yourself.”

🎶 Music by: Noir Et Blanc Vie

Moments of Authenticity 📧 Email: amber@amberboydtherapy.com 📱 Instagram | Facebook 🌐 Website 🎧 Spotify | Apple

Welcome back to another episode of Moments of Authenticity!

Transitions are a part of life and are rarely easy to navigate. In this episode, I open up about how I’ve handled some of the most significant changes in my personal and professional life. From moments of uncertainty to finding clarity through reflection, this conversation is a reminder that growth often begins in discomfort.

Whether you’re in the middle of a transition or just reflecting on what’s next, this episode offers practical insights and a little encouragement to keep moving forward—even if the path isn’t clear.

In this episode I am breaking down:

• Making the decision to make a HARD decision.

• An exploration into sustainability with limited community and a changing financial landscape

• Mitigating shame and fear

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction: Navigating transitions in life and work. [02:20] A personal story: What change taught me about trust and patience. [06:45] Practical tools for sitting with discomfort during periods of uncertainty. [10:10] Client stories: Parallels between therapy work and my own journey. [14:00] Closing reflections: Growth and resilience through transition.

Notable Quotes:

• "I’ve literally been moving in silence.”

• “I recognized how lonely I was feeling without community, in its fullness.”

• "I knew that my practice was not sustainable the way that it was, and the lack of community was not sustainable for my mental health, so I made the decision to go home!”

• "Coming home first required that I work through my own self-prescribed shame and fear of failure!”

• "In release comes movement!”

• “I appreciate that folx are making space for me back in Oakland.”

• “I’m so grateful that once I moved out of the way, there was a sense of movement and urgency…I didn’t need to know the how or the when…I just needed to move!”

• “I gave myself permission to change my trajectory about work.”

• “Biggest takeaways: don’t beholden yourself to a decision if the circumstances have changed, you are not a failure for acknowledging what you need…and going home, and STAND ON BUSINESS!”

• “My phrase for 2025 is RELINQUISHING CONTROL.”

Music by: Noir Et Blanc Vie

Moments of Authenticity

Email: amber@amberboydtherapy.com |⁠ Instagram ⁠ |⁠ Facebook⁠ |⁠ Website⁠ | ⁠Youtube⁠ | ⁠Spotify⁠ | ⁠Apple⁠

Welcome back to another episode!

Can you believe it’s been five years? In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain and sharing the real story behind how I built Healing Through Authenticity, PLLC, from the ground up. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t easy! From packing up my life in Oakland to diving into the deep end with no job, no safety net – just pure faith in myself – this journey has been a wild ride of risks, rewards, and so many lessons along the way.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to chase your dreams while battling perfectionism, doubt, and everything in between, then you’re in for an eye-opener. This episode is raw, real, and full of the personal insights I’ve gained through it all.

In this episode, I’m breaking down:

• Why I took the biggest leap of my life – moving to a new state with no job, no insurance, just a dream.

• How betting on myself paid off in ways I never expected (but also some ways I wasn’t ready for).

• The behind-the-scenes struggles of starting my practice – clients, boundaries, and the reality of setting up shop.

• Why I’ve stopped striving for perfection (hint: it’s impossible) and started embracing my progress.

• How my clients, past and present, have shaped who I am as a therapist—and why I’m tearing up just thinking about it.

Trust me, you won’t want to miss this one.

Curious about what happens when you push past fear and bank on yourself? Hit play now and join me as I reflect on five unforgettable years of growth, healing, and authenticity!

Timestamps

[00:02] 5-year milestone in therapy practice, including training and certifications.

[04:30] Perfectionism, self-doubt, and personal growth.

[08:50] Personal growth, self-care, and professional development for a therapist.

Notable Quotes

“I believed in this business and I believed in this practice, and since then, it has sustained me. It has kept me.”

“I’m still a work in progress, wanting to continue to shift and think about what kind of therapist I want to be, because I don’t have to necessarily be one thing. I’m not a monolith.”

“The perfectionist side of me, is exhausting, and usually it doesn’t come out perfect anyway.”

“I can do hard things, and I do hard things all the time.”

“It’s okay to pace yourself.”

“I am not perfect. I will never be perfect. I will consistently be a person who wants better for themselves.”

“I recognize that I can’t control how people perceive me. I can only provide the information that I have in the way that I can, and if it’s received, then I’ve done my job.”

“I’m giving myself permission to be exactly where I’m at versus where I’m not.”

“I’m grateful, and it’s okay to, like, pause for a second and just be in it.”

Music by: Noir Et Blanc Vie

Moments of AuthenticityEmail: amber@amberboydtherapy.com | Instagram | Facebook | Website | Youtube | Spotify | Apple

Welcome back to another episode! In this episode, we dive into the concept of “Hidden Blessings.”

Have you ever felt frustrated when things don’t go as planned? Do you find yourself struggling with setbacks? Sometimes, these setbacks are actually blessings in disguise. I’ll share personal experiences and insights on how unexpected inconveniences can help realign us with our true paths. Join me as we explore the importance of being present and appreciating the journey. This episode is all about finding gratitude in the unexpected.

Timestamps

[00:41] Unexpected Inconvenience and Personal Story

[03:41] Importance of Timing and Patience

[05:41] Rethinking Grind Culture

[08:06] Balancing Helping Others with Self-Care

[09:01] Advocating for Personal Health Decisions

[10:51] Gratitude and Reframing Experiences

Notable Quotes

• “Sometimes we get inundated with an idea that something not working out is for our worst good. And I think that sometimes things don’t work out for our best good, right?”

• “Sometimes the unexpected inconvenience can jumpstart or reinvigorate the path that you’re meant to be on.”

• “Sometimes you don’t get where you’re going fast because you need to be where you are right this moment.”

• “Grind culture will have you thinking that you’re doing and you’re, you’re not doing enough, and yet, you could be doing entirely too much.”

• “When you are constantly trying to be alive for others, you have to realize when it’s time to shine a light back into your life and your space.”

• “Being very cognizant of rushing into a burning building, and that person is already standing outside.”

• “I feel like although it is happening at a time, that is much different than when I advocated for myself the first time, it is now taking place. And it’s now, I think, a ‘better circumstances situation’ outside of insurance.”

• “I’m grateful that some things did not work out, like who I thought I was going to be with at this point in time.”

• “It’s okay to take a pause for the cause and really reevaluate and take inventory of where you’re at this very moment.”

• “Sometimes, I think maybe things aren’t supposed to happen fast. Because you need to be in this present moment.”

Music by: Noir Et Blanc Vie

Moments of AuthenticityEmail: amber@amberboydtherapy.com | Instagram | Facebook | Website | Youtube | Spotify | Apple

Ever found yourself torn between following your intuition and rationalizing your decisions? Have you ever wondered about the power of gut feelings in guiding your life’s path? This "Moments of Authenticity" episode explores the transformative journey of trusting our inner voice. Join me as we navigate one of the most vulnerable episodes I’ve done to date, exploring twists and turns of intuition and heart-led choices, and uncovering the profound impact they can have on our lives.

What’s Covered:

• Going on a soulful trip to the Rhythm of Life Conference in New Jersey, guided by my inner voice.

• Discovering inspiration and connection with friends like Dr. Erica Dawkins and colleague Chanel McCord, LPC at the conference.

• Extending my travels to California to reunite with family before a significant surgery.

• Reflecting on the sudden loss of a dear Sorority Sister, Ophelia Mattox, and the lessons learned about cherishing every moment.

• Embracing gratitude and the transformative power of listening to our instincts in life’s twists and turns.

Join me for a deep dive into the journey of trusting your gut and stepping into your destiny. Don’t miss out on the heartfelt reflections and powerful insights shared in this episode of "Moments of Authenticity."

Timestamps

[00:00] An overview of my recent extensive travels, highlighting the significant experiences and insights I gained along the way.

[02:05] Reconnecting with Dr. Erica Dawkins, a valued Sorority Sister and accountability partner, fostering meaningful discussions and camaraderie.

[04:52] Participating in a panel discussion at Chanel McCord, LPC’s conference, offering a platform to exchange ideas and insights with fellow professionals.

[08:49] Booking a flight to California to visit family and the significance of this decision.

[10:51] Following intuition and saying goodbye to a dear friend.

Notable Quotes

“I felt like I needed to be there, I could not really pinpoint why I needed to be there. But it felt like a necessity. And so I followed my intuition. I followed my gut.”

“To see each individual person, the ones who were there, discuss what their chapter was about, it felt like it also gave me strength, to continue to stand in my truth. And that my whatever I have to share is important. And I am in so much gratitude for each lady who I got a chance to sit next to who I got to hear their story, even in that small amount of time.”

“So whenever I question why something, like, something in my gut is telling me I need to show up. I’m trying to be there. And I hope that you’ll take away from this episode, that same feeling. So, when you feel a shift in your spirit, in your heart, or your gut, make it.”

“Because no matter how long I’ve been in mental health, that doesn’t mean that I haven’t impacted people negatively. I recognize that, like there is power and accountability.”

“If you know or think you’re supposed to be somewhere, and it’s going to be to your best benefit, do it. Don’t ignore it. It’s important. And I don’t think that we do that enough, because we’re so concerned about the ifs, buts, and whatever the case may be – the should’ve, would’ve, could’ve.”

“I hope that you listen to your instinct. I hope you listen to your gut and your discernment. It’s telling you something.”

“Sometimes you got to make that move even when it doesn’t seem or sound convenient. Sometimes you have to make decisions and sacrifices that you don’t know are going to be for your best good, but it’s moving you in that direction.”

Music by: Noir Et Blanc Vie

Moments of Authenticity

Email: amber@amberboydtherapy.com | Instagram | Facebook | Website | Youtube | Spotify | Apple