In this episode of Therapist Thrival Guide, Miranda is joined by Roxanne (Roxi), one of our trauma therapists based out of the Woodbury office. Roxi brings experience in EMDR and IFS—and shares both her clinical wisdom and personal story of navigating panic disorder.

We explore how trauma can show up in the body, the therapeutic techniques that help clients feel safe and empowered, and why belief systems (especially the sneaky limiting ones) play such a big role in the healing process. Roxi also reflects on what it means to work through your own stuff as a therapist, how cultural disconnects can show up in the therapy room, and what it looks like to really tune in to the body’s messages.

This conversation is packed with insight—whether you're a fellow therapist or just curious about trauma work, there’s a lot here for you.

Links:

IFS Training Manual: https://amzn.to/4fbt5nm

Mind-Body Connection Episode: Link

IFS Episode: Link

The Therapist Thrival Guide is a podcast by⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ellie Mental Health⁠⁠⁠⁠. We want to move therapists beyond surviving and into the realm of thriving by covering all the things that graduate school didn't teach you! This mental health podcast is hosted by Miranda Barker, LICSW and a rotating cast of seasoned therapists. Each episode features a therapist speaking to their areas of expertise to help us learn how to thrive as therapists.⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Miranda Barker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, MSW, LICSW, ⁠⁠⁠⁠has been practicing as a therapist for over three years. She previously worked as a child protection investigator, adoption social worker, and case manager. She loves soaking up all of the knowledge from the expert therapists in her life. She's currently the Director of Content and Production at Ellie Mental Health and believes that creativity is an important aspect of mental health care.

The Therapist Thrival Guide is one of many creative productions from⁠ ⁠Ellie Mental Health⁠.⁠ Ellie is a national mental health brand organized around community-based outpatient mental health clinics. It all began with a single office in St. Paul, Minnesota back in 2015, and since then has expanded to over 24 clinics in Minnesota and an explosive number of locations nationwide after franchising our model in 2021. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#therapy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Need a deeper understanding of intimate partner violence—and how to support those impacted by it?

In this episode of The Therapist Thrival Guide, we are joined by Christy Sim, a therapist at Ellie Mental Health in Grapevine, Texas. Christy brings incredible insight to the conversation, shaped by her doctoral research and years of working directly with survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV).

We explore the many forms IPV can take, how it's different from what people typically think of as domestic violence, and how to recognize the signs—especially when they’re subtle or masked by shame, fear, or trauma. Christy walks us through safety planning, how to support clients who are still in the thick of abusive situations, and what healing can look like (even when it feels out of reach).

We also dig into trauma-informed care, EMDR, narrative therapy, and the power of reframing negative beliefs. Whether you’re a clinician or someone looking to understand this complex issue more deeply, this conversation offers both practical tools and meaningful perspective.

00:00 – Welcome + intro

03:24 – Types of IPV

05:59 – Spotting the signs

08:28 – How to create a safety plan

14:18 – Therapeutic approaches that help

21:04 – Using EMDR

21:44 – Narrative therapy in action

28:54 – Generational trauma + breaking cycles

36:14 – Co-parenting with an abusive partner

37:55 – Final reflections + resources

This is a tough topic, but it’s such an important one. We hope this episode helps you feel more informed, empowered, and equipped—whether you're supporting clients, loved ones, or yourself.

LINKS:

• Power and Control Wheel: https://www.thehotline.org/identify-abuse/power-and-control/
• Christy's book: https://amzn.to/3IEVLsO

The Therapist Thrival Guide is a podcast by⁠⁠⁠ Ellie Mental Health⁠⁠⁠. We want to move therapists beyond surviving and into the realm of thriving by covering all the things that graduate school didn't teach you! This mental health podcast is hosted by Miranda Barker, LICSW and a rotating cast of seasoned therapists. Each episode features a therapist speaking to their areas of expertise to help us learn how to thrive as therapists.⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Miranda Barker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, MSW, LICSW, ⁠⁠⁠has been practicing as a therapist for over three years. She previously worked as a child protection investigator, adoption social worker, and case manager. She loves soaking up all of the knowledge from the expert therapists in her life. She's currently the Director of Content and Production at Ellie Mental Health and believes that creativity is an important aspect of mental health care.

The Therapist Thrival Guide is one of many creative productions from ⁠Ellie Mental Health⁠. Ellie is a national mental health brand organized around community-based outpatient mental health clinics. It all began with a single office in St. Paul, Minnesota back in 2015, and since then has expanded to over 24 clinics in Minnesota and an explosive number of locations nationwide after franchising our model in 2021. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#therapy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of The Therapist Thrival Guide, Miranda is joined by Letisha and Madison for a thoughtful, honest conversation about Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab. This book sparked such a rich discussion—one that we know will resonate whether you’re a therapist, a client, or just someone trying to navigate relationships more clearly.

This episode dives into what healthy boundaries actually look like across different parts of life—family, friendships, work, and even social media—and share real-life examples of how boundary setting has shown up in our own lives and in our work. We also break down the different types of boundaries Tawwab describes, what gets in the way of holding them, and why boundaries are such an essential part of self-care and healing.

This episode is full of takeaways you can use right away, whether you're trying to have clearer communication, protect your energy, or show up more fully for yourself and others.

Link to the book: https://amzn.to/469AjWt

Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome + Meet Letisha and Madison

01:37 – How we talk about boundaries in therapy

02:30 – A look at the different types of boundaries

03:55 – What makes boundaries actually work

05:08 – How we've struggled (and grown) with boundaries personally

08:38 – What makes boundary enforcement so hard

16:56 – Time and material boundaries in real life

19:34 – How trauma complicates boundary work

26:40 – Being clear and direct without guilt

28:41 – Family dynamics + long-standing patterns

36:22 – Setting boundaries with yourself (yes, that counts!)

42:26 – Final reflections and favorite insights

The Therapist Thrival Guide is a podcast by⁠⁠ Ellie Mental Health⁠⁠. We want to move therapists beyond surviving and into the realm of thriving by covering all the things that graduate school didn't teach you! This mental health podcast is hosted by Miranda Barker, LICSW and a rotating cast of seasoned therapists. Each episode features a therapist speaking to their areas of expertise to help us learn how to thrive as therapists.⁠⁠

⁠⁠Miranda Barker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, MSW, LICSW, ⁠⁠has been practicing as a therapist for over three years. She previously worked as a child protection investigator, adoption social worker, and case manager. She loves soaking up all of the knowledge from the expert therapists in her life. She's currently the Director of Content and Production at Ellie Mental Health and believes that creativity is an important aspect of mental health care.

The Therapist Thrival Guide is one of many creative productions from ⁠Ellie Mental Health⁠. Ellie is a national mental health brand organized around community-based outpatient mental health clinics. It all began with a single office in St. Paul, Minnesota back in 2015, and since then has expanded to over 24 clinics in Minnesota and an explosive number of locations nationwide after franchising our model in 2021. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#therapy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode Miranda sits down with Jean Hoarder, a therapist and the Clinic Director at in Pittsburgh. Jean works closely with franchise owners Fred and Sharon (who are mentioned, but not a part of this episode).

Jean gets real about what it was like stepping into a clinic environment that wasn’t working—and how she helped turn things around. We talk about the importance of consistent leadership, honest communication, and celebrating wins. Jean shares the intentional ways she worked to rebuild trust, create a supportive team vibe, and make the clinic a place people actually want to work. If you're a clinic director or in any kind of leadership role, this one’s packed with insight and encouragement.

Timestamps

00:21 – Meet Jean: Background and Role

00:30 – Walking into a toxic culture

02:08 – What positive change actually looks like

05:25 – Building trust and communication

09:54 – Doubts and growing through challenges

16:30 – Jean’s advice for clinic directors

18:42 – Wrapping it up

The Therapist Thrival Guide is a podcast by⁠ Ellie Mental Health⁠. We want to move therapists beyond surviving and into the realm of thriving by covering all the things that graduate school didn't teach you! This mental health podcast is hosted by Miranda Barker, LICSW and a rotating cast of seasoned therapists. Each episode features a therapist speaking to their areas of expertise to help us learn how to thrive as therapists.⁠⁠

⁠Miranda Barker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, MSW, LICSW, ⁠has been practicing as a therapist for over three years. She previously worked as a child protection investigator, adoption social worker, and case manager. She loves soaking up all of the knowledge from the expert therapists in her life. She's currently the Director of Content and Production at Ellie Mental Health and believes that creativity is an important aspect of mental health care.

The Therapist Thrival Guide is one of many creative productions from ⁠Ellie Mental Health⁠. Ellie is a national mental health brand organized around community-based outpatient mental health clinics. It all began with a single office in St. Paul, Minnesota back in 2015, and since then has expanded to over 24 clinics in Minnesota and an explosive number of locations nationwide after franchising our model in 2021. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#therapy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of The Therapist Thrival Guide, we sit down with Dr. Jennifer Dall—former educator, now ADHD coach and consultant—to talk about something we both care deeply about: what ADHD actually looks like in women. Spoiler alert: it’s often overlooked, misdiagnosed, or misunderstood.

We get into our own stories, the emotional toll of masking, and what it means to get a diagnosis later in life. Plus, we share practical tools like the Pomodoro Technique, body doubling, and ways to build structure that actually work with your brain, not against it.

This episode is full of honesty, insight, and encouragement—especially for those navigating ADHD in themselves or supporting someone who is.

Here’s what we cover:

01:22 – What ADHD can look like in women

03:16 – Personal stories + early signs

08:44 – Diagnosis, misconceptions, and being missed

22:05 – Masking + why it’s so exhausting

26:23 – Burnout in ADHD and autism

27:18 – Identity struggles that come with masking

28:40 – Podcast rec: Climbing the Walls

29:48 – Realizing your own ADHD through your kids

32:21 – Why everyday stuff can feel impossible

38:01 – Pomodoro, body doubling + other tools that help

42:40 – What Dr. Dall is creating next

OUR GUEST:

Dr. Jennifer Dall is a Grief-Informed Neurodivergence Specialist and the founder of ADHD Holistically, where she empowers individuals with ADHD to transform daily struggles into opportunities for growth and self-discovery. With over 25 years of experience as an educator and a background in ADHD coaching, yoga instruction, and grief education, Dr. Jennife offers a holistic, deeply personal approach to helping neurodivergent individuals thrive.

Diagnosed with ADHD in her 50s after years of being told she "couldn’t possibly have it," Dr. Jennifer knows firsthand the challenges of navigating misinformation and masking symptoms—especially for women diagnosed later in life. Now, she specializes in helping women identify what truly works for them, focusing on practical, quick-fix strategies that simplify daily life without relying on medication or a one-size-fits-all approach.

Through her courses, workshops, and speaking engagements, Dr. Jennifer equips women—and those who support them—to reframe their ADHD narratives and unlock their full potential. Her work also extends to therapists, life coaches, and HR professionals, offering comprehensive training to better support neurodivergent clients and employees.

Website: https://adhdholistically.com/

The Therapist Thrival Guide is a podcast by Ellie Mental Health. We want to move therapists beyond surviving and into the realm of thriving by covering all the things that graduate school didn't teach you! This mental health podcast is hosted by Miranda Barker, LICSW and a rotating cast of seasoned therapists. Each episode features a therapist speaking to their areas of expertise to help us learn how to thrive as therapists.⁠⁠

Miranda Barker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, MSW, LICSW, has been practicing as a therapist for over three years. She previously worked as a child protection investigator, adoption social worker, and case manager. She loves soaking up all of the knowledge from the expert therapists in her life. She's currently the Director of Content and Production at Ellie Mental Health and believes that creativity is an important aspect of mental health care.

The Therapist Thrival Guide is one of many creative productions from ⁠Ellie Mental Health⁠. Ellie is a national mental health brand organized around community-based outpatient mental health clinics. It all began with a single office in St. Paul, Minnesota back in 2015, and since then has expanded to over 24 clinics in Minnesota and an explosive number of locations nationwide after franchising our model in 2021. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#therapy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of The Therapist Thrival Guide, I’m joined by the insightful Letisha Harris to talk through It Shouldn’t Be This Way by Janina Scarlet: a book rooted in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy that blends practical tools with a compassionate approach to healing.

We unpack themes like rewriting your origin story, navigating the difference between acceptance and enabling, and using metaphor and movement to support growth. Letisha shares what stood out most to her and how she’s using the book’s strategies with clients in real life. Whether you’re a mental health professional or just someone who’s been through some tough chapters, there’s something here for you.

Link to book: https://amzn.to/4ndfEah

Link to our previous episode about geek/superhero therapy: https://open.spotify.com/episode/68TYylJl9JwdbDKvfXIh12?si=hxvJACNBQ8WUqaadzANC8Q

Episode breakdown:01:08 – What drew us to this book01:28 – Core takeaways and key themes02:37 – Origin stories + superhero therapy03:40 – ACT in action06:40 – The time travel exercise & journaling10:24 – Acceptance vs. enabling15:22 – Grief, ambiguous loss, and gentle self-compassion20:06 – Letting go of control21:25 – Mind-body alignment23:30 – The phoenix metaphor26:59 – Changing the narrative30:22 – Book recs + wrap up

The Therapist Thrival Guide is a podcast by Ellie Mental Health. We want to move therapists beyond surviving and into the realm of thriving by covering all the things that graduate school didn't teach you! This mental health podcast is hosted by Miranda Barker, LICSW and a rotating cast of seasoned therapists. Each episode features a therapist speaking to their areas of expertise to help us learn how to thrive as therapists.⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Miranda Barker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, MSW, LICSW, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠has been practicing as a therapist for over three years. She previously worked as a child protection investigator, adoption social worker, and case manager. She's new to the therapy game and loves soaking up all of the knowledge from the expert therapists in her life. She's currently the Director of Content and Production at Ellie Mental Health's in-house creative agency and believes that creativity is an important aspect of mental health care.

The Therapist Thrival Guide is one of many creative productions from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ellie Mental Health⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Ellie is a national mental health brand organized around community-based outpatient mental health clinics. It all began with a single office in St. Paul, Minnesota back in 2015, and since then has expanded to over 24 clinics in Minnesota and an explosive number of locations nationwide after franchising our model in 2021. Ellie will be opening over 500 locations in communities nationwide with new clinics opening each week. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#therapy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of The Therapist Thrival Guide, Miranda sits down with Heather Dunlap, a licensed professional counselor and occupational therapist, to break down what occupational therapy (OT) really is—and how it complements the work we do in mental health.

Heather shares her unique perspective as a dual-licensed provider, offering insight into how OT supports clients across the lifespan in developing independence with daily activities, sensory regulation, and fine motor coordination. You’ll hear practical examples of how occupational therapy can benefit children struggling with sensory integration, and how therapists and OTs can collaborate to support clients more holistically.

We also dig into topics like:

• The difference between OT and physical therapy

• How OT helps with sensory issues, including feeding challenges

• Overlaps between mental health counseling and OT

• The medical model in OT, and where it sometimes falls short

• The power of therapeutic listening and brain-body integration

Whether you're a therapist considering a referral, curious about how OT and mental health intersect, or just looking to expand your clinical toolkit—this episode is packed with valuable takeaways.

Timestamps:

00:18 – Meet Heather Dunlap: LPC & Occupational Therapist

01:33 – What is Occupational Therapy?

03:24 – OT vs. Physical Therapy

05:49 – OT Support for Children

07:18 – Sensory Integration in Kids

12:50 – How OT Sets Goals and Tracks Progress

26:05 – OT and Autism Spectrum Support

29:39 – Sensory Seeking vs. Sensory Avoidance

31:04 – Feeding Therapy & Sensory Needs Around Food

35:26 – Medical Model in OT: Strengths and Limitations

41:32 – Building Bridges: Collaborating with OTs

The Therapist Thrival Guide is a podcast by Ellie Mental Health. We want to move therapists beyond surviving and into the realm of thriving by covering all the things that graduate school didn't teach you! This mental health podcast is hosted by Miranda Barker, LICSW and a rotating cast of seasoned therapists. Each episode features a therapist speaking to their areas of expertise to help us learn how to thrive as therapists.⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Miranda Barker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, MSW, LICSW, ⁠⁠⁠⁠has been practicing as a therapist for over three years. She previously worked as a child protection investigator, adoption social worker, and case manager. She's new to the therapy game and loves soaking up all of the knowledge from the expert therapists in her life. She's currently the Director of Content and Production at Ellie Mental Health's in-house creative agency and believes that creativity is an important aspect of mental health care.

The Therapist Thrival Guide is one of many creative productions from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ellie Mental Health⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Ellie is a national mental health brand organized around community-based outpatient mental health clinics. It all began with a single office in St. Paul, Minnesota back in 2015, and since then has expanded to over 24 clinics in Minnesota and an explosive number of locations nationwide after franchising our model in 2021. Ellie will be opening over 500 locations in communities nationwide with new clinics opening each week. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#therapy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of the Therapist Thrival Guide, Miranda is joined by Hannah, a licensed associate marriage and family therapist and one of the newest content creators at Ellie Mental Health.

Together, we dive into the world of Erotic Blueprints—a framework that explores the different ways people experience and connect with pleasure.

We break down the five blueprint types: energetic, sensual, sexual, kinky, and shapeshifter, and talk about how understanding these “pleasure languages” can support deeper connection, improved communication, and a more fulfilling intimate life—both individually and in relationships.

Whether you're new to the concept or already familiar, Hana shares how this model can be a powerful tool in therapy and self-reflection. We also touch on practical ways to explore your own blueprint (like taking the quiz), what to do when you hit sexual blocks, and how to incorporate this work into self-care and healing.

If you’re curious about expanding your understanding of desire, intimacy, and how to bring more intention to pleasure—this one’s for you.

Read Hannah's article here: https://elliementalhealth.com/discover-a-new-approach-to-combating-stress-through-pleasure-unlock-your-erotic-blueprint/

Episode Breakdown (with Timestamps):

00:27 – What Are Erotic Blueprints?

01:34 – The Five Blueprint Types Explained

04:42 – Using Blueprints in the Therapy Room

11:22 – Navigating Blocks and Barriers

24:52 – Training & Certification in Erotic Blueprint Work

27:06 – Self-Care Through the Lens of Erotic Blueprints

The Therapist Thrival Guide is a podcast by Ellie Mental Health. We want to move therapists beyond surviving and into the realm of thriving by covering all the things that graduate school didn't teach you! This mental health podcast is hosted by Miranda Barker, LICSW and a rotating cast of seasoned therapists. Each episode features a therapist speaking to their areas of expertise to help us learn how to thrive as therapists.⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Miranda Barker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, MSW, LICSW, ⁠⁠⁠has been practicing as a therapist for over three years. She previously worked as a child protection investigator, adoption social worker, and case manager. She's new to the therapy game and loves soaking up all of the knowledge from the expert therapists in her life. She's currently the Director of Content and Production at Ellie Mental Health's in-house creative agency and believes that creativity is an important aspect of mental health care.

The Therapist Thrival Guide is one of many creative productions from ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ellie Mental Health⁠⁠⁠⁠. Ellie is a national mental health brand organized around community-based outpatient mental health clinics. It all began with a single office in St. Paul, Minnesota back in 2015, and since then has expanded to over 24 clinics in Minnesota and an explosive number of locations nationwide after franchising our model in 2021. Ellie will be opening over 500 locations in communities nationwide with new clinics opening each week. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#therapy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠