In this episode, Kaitlyn and Kim continue their series on authentically showing up as a therapist, focusing on the challenges of late cancellations, frequent reschedules, and repeated no-shows. They explore how to hold boundaries while staying compassionate, clinically effective, and human.

Kaitlyn and Kim share strategies for navigating these situations, including how to balance flexibility with accountability, when and how to apply fees, and how to approach conversations with clients in ways that are respectful, empathic, and professional. They discuss how patterns of missed sessions can communicate important clinical information and why maintaining consistency supports therapeutic progress for both clients and therapists.

Key Takeaways:
• How to differentiate between late cancellations, frequent reschedules, and no-shows
• Understanding when flexibility is appropriate and when to hold boundaries
• Communicating scheduling expectations clearly from the first session
• Using missed sessions as an opportunity to explore client needs and engagement
• Balancing therapist self-care and empathy while maintaining professional structure
• How supervision can support boundary-setting, accountability, and clinical reasoning

Connect with us:
Website: Keystone Therapy Group
Instagram: @KeystoneTherapyGroup
Supervision:
⁠https://keystonetherapygroup.com/supervision/⁠

If this episode was helpful, leave a five-star review and subscribe for more conversations about authentic, grounded, human-centered therapy.

Disclaimer:
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for clinical supervision. All information shared represents our own opinions and should not be taken as legal or clinical direction. All therapy skills discussed should be used within the scope of your experience and with appropriate clinical supervision.

#AuthenticTherapist #TherapistBoundaries #LateCancels #NoShows #TherapyBusiness #ClinicalSupervision #TherapistTraining #HumanCenteredTherapy #ClientEngagement #NewTherapistSupport

In this episode, we talk about one of the most challenging and confusing parts of early clinical work: cancellations, no-shows, and inconsistent attendance. These moments bring up questions about boundaries, financial policies, client investment, and the balance between being human and being a clinician. We break down the differences between each type of missed session, how they impact the therapeutic relationship, and why your approach matters both clinically and ethically.
Kaitlyn and Kim share how these situations show up in real sessions, why new clinicians often feel guilty or unsure about charging fees, and how to understand the clinical meaning behind patterns of missed appointments. They discuss the tension between being flexible and maintaining structure, how to navigate conversations about attendance with authenticity, and why consistency is foundational to therapeutic progress. You will also hear how supervision can support you in handling these moments without slipping into performance mode or abandoning your boundaries.

Key Takeaways:
• The clinical differences between no-shows, late cancellations, and inconsistent attendance
• Why charging for missed sessions exists and how to understand client investment
• How to hold boundaries without losing authenticity or compassion
• What missed appointments can communicate clinically
• The role of supervision in navigating guilt, uncertainty, and boundary-setting
• How consistency and structure support safety in the therapeutic relationship

Connect with us:
Website: Keystone Therapy Group
Instagram: @KeystoneTherapyGroup

Supervision:
https://keystonetherapygroup.com/supervision/

If this episode was helpful, leave a five-star review and subscribe for more conversations about authentic, grounded, human-centered therapy.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for clinical supervision. All information shared represents our own opinions and should not be taken as legal or clinical direction. All therapy skills discussed should be used within the scope of your experience and with appropriate clinical supervision.

#AuthenticTherapist #TherapistBoundaries #NoShows #TherapyBusiness #ClinicalSupervision #TherapistTraining #HumanCenteredTherapy #ClientEngagement #NewTherapistSupport

In this episode, we talk about the moments in therapy when there is not a clear intervention, resource, or solution. The system falls short, your options are limited, and the client still needs you to show up. We explore how presence becomes the intervention, why it can feel uncomfortable for therapists who want to do more, and how to sit with clients through pain that cannot be immediately resolved.

Kaitlyn and Kim share the internal struggle of wanting to fix what is unfixable, how to avoid slipping into performance mode, and why genuine connection matters more than perfect technique. They discuss the tension between professional responsibility and human compassion, what it means to love your clients well in session, and how emotional attunement creates safety even when circumstances cannot change. You will also hear why supervision is essential in navigating these moments, especially when it mirrors the same stuck places you experience with clients.

Key Takeaways:
• Why presence is a legitimate and powerful therapeutic intervention
• What to do when a client’s needs exceed available resources
• How to stay regulated when you cannot offer a concrete solution
• The role of supervision in processing shared feelings of stuckness
• How authenticity and attunement build safety when nothing can be fixed

Connect with us:
Website: Keystone Therapy Group
Instagram: @KeystoneTherapyGroup

Supervision:
https://keystonetherapygroup.com/supervision/

If this episode was helpful, leave a five-star review and subscribe for more conversations about authentic, grounded, human-centered therapy.

Disclaimer:This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for clinical supervision. All information shared represents our own opinions and should not be taken as legal or clinical direction. All therapy skills discussed should be used within the scope of your experience and with appropriate clinical supervision.

#AuthenticTherapist #TherapistPresence #HoldingSpace #TherapistSupport #ClinicalSupervision #TherapyTraining #TherapistLife #HumanCenteredTherapy #ClientConnection #MentalHealthProfessionals

In this episode, we explore authenticity from the client’s perspective, how showing up as a real human as a therapist deepens trust, safety, and connection. We unpack the role of self-disclosure, why grad school often teaches clinicians to avoid it, and how to use it responsibly without shifting the focus away from the client.

Kaitlyn and Kim share personal reflections on finding the right balance, including the difference between connecting through lived experience versus oversharing. They discuss how authenticity helps clients feel seen, why details matter, and how boundaries protect both the therapeutic relationship and the therapist’s presence in the room. You’ll also hear how supervision becomes a parallel process that models how you respond to client authenticity.

Key Takeaways:

• How authentic presence strengthens client safety and trust
• Understanding self-disclosure without centering yourself
• When to share, when to hold back, and how to repair if you overshare
• Why supervision mirrors the therapeutic relationship
• Using authenticity to create deeper therapeutic connection

Connect with us:
Website: Keystone Therapy Group
Instagram: @KeystoneTherapyGroup

Supervision:

https://keystonetherapygroup.com/supervision/

If this episode was helpful, leave a five-star review and subscribe for more conversations about authentic, grounded, human-centered therapy.

Disclaimer:This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for clinical supervision. All information shared represents our own opinions and should not be taken as legal or clinical direction. All therapy skills discussed should be used within the scope of your experience and with appropriate clinical supervision.

Hashtags: #AuthenticTherapist #TherapyConnection #SelfDisclosure #TherapistBoundaries #ClinicalSupervision #TherapyTraining #TherapistLife #MentalHealthProfessionals #AuthenticityInTherapy #HumanCenteredTherapy

In this episode, we dive into the “blank slate” approach taught in graduate school and why strictly following it can create disconnection between therapists and clients. We unpack how countertransference is often misunderstood as a “dirty word,” how ethics and liability shape early clinician training, and why showing up authentically is essential for real therapeutic connection.

Kaitlyn and Kim share personal stories, including navigating sensitive topics like miscarriage, to illustrate how bringing your humanity, and not just your professional skills, into the therapy room helps clients truly feel seen and supported. Learn why empathy, co-regulation, and genuine presence are more impactful than rigidly adhering to the blank slate model.

Key Takeaways:

• Why the blank slate approach can limit authentic connection

• Understanding countertransference and its role in therapy

• How showing up as a human improves client outcomes

• Balancing professional boundaries with authentic presence

Connect with us:
Website: Keystone Therapy Group
Instagram: @KeystoneTherapyGroup

Supervision:

⁠https://keystonetherapygroup.com/supervision/⁠

If this episode helped you, leave a five-star review and subscribe so you never miss new insights for therapists and mental health professionals.

Disclaimer:

This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for clinical supervision. All information shared represents our own opinions and should not be taken as legal or clinical direction. All therapy skills discussed should be used within the scope of your experience and with appropriate clinical supervision.

#TherapistMask #TherapyTraining #BlankSlate #Countertransference #AuthenticTherapist #TherapistLife #MentalHealthProfessionals #TherapyTips #GraduateSchoolTherapy #EmpathyInTherapy

In this episode of The Unmasked Therapist, Kaitlyn and Kim explore what it really means for therapists to show up authentically in the therapy room. They break down the long-held “blank slate” myth, discuss the difference between authenticity and oversharing, and talk through real clinical moments where being genuine strengthened the therapeutic relationship.

From countertransference awareness to value differences with clients, they share practical insights on how to remain human, ethical, and attuned without making the session about you. Whether you're a new therapist or a seasoned clinician, this conversation offers grounding guidance for navigating your inner world while holding space for your clients.

We release new episodes every Monday morning.
If you want to learn more about our supervision group for Virginia counseling residents and MFT residents, visit:
KeystoneTherapyGroup.com/supervision

Have a question or want to reach out? Email us anytime at:
podcast@keystonetherapygroup.com

Connect with us:Website: ⁠Keystone Therapy Group⁠Instagram: @KeystoneTherapyGroup

Supervision:

⁠⁠https://keystonetherapygroup.com/supervision/⁠

If you found this episode helpful, please like, share, and rate us 5 stars so we can reach more therapists growing into their authentic selves.

Disclaimer:

This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for clinical supervision. All information shared represents our own opinions and should not be taken as legal or clinical direction. All therapy skills discussed should be used within the scope of your experience and with appropriate clinical supervision.

#therapy #clinicalsupport #therapists #supervision #mentalhealth #authenticity #newtherapists #counseling #mft #lpc

Welcome to the very first episode of The Unmasked Therapist Podcast.

In this episode, Kaitlyn and Kim dive into the heart of what it really means to show up authentically in the therapy room. Together, they unpack their early experiences in agency settings, the pressure to be a “blank slate,” and how embracing humanity, emotion, and vulnerability strengthens the therapeutic relationship.

They explore:
• Why authenticity is clinically powerful
• How to ethically bring your full self into the room
• The difference between centering the client vs. taking up space
• How new clinicians can navigate countertransference, self-disclosure, and imposter syndrome
• The shift from rigid agency work to the clinical freedom of private practice
• Why healthy therapists = healthy clients

Whether you're a brand-new resident or a seasoned therapist looking to reconnect with your passion, this conversation sets the tone for the entire series: real, grounded, and deeply human.

Connect with us:

Website: ⁠Keystone Therapy Group⁠

Instagram: @KeystoneTherapyGroup

Supervision:

⁠⁠https://keystonetherapygroup.com/supervision/⁠

New episodes drop every Monday morning.
If you enjoyed today’s conversation, please like, subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and share so we can reach more therapists who are ready to step into their authenticity.

Disclaimer:

This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for clinical supervision. All information shared represents our own opinions and should not be taken as legal or clinical direction. All therapy skills discussed should be used within the scope of your experience and with appropriate clinical supervision.

#UnmaskedTherapist #TherapistPodcast #ClinicalSupervision #TherapistLife #AuthenticTherapy #NewTherapists #CounselingResidents #KeystoneTherapyGroup

We’re taking off the therapist mask! Hosts Kim Rippy, LPC, and Kaitlyn Steel, LMFT, introduce The Unmasked Therapist, a podcast about authenticity, vulnerability, and growth in the therapy room.

Connect with us:

Website: ⁠Keystone Therapy Group⁠

Instagram: @KeystoneTherapyGroup

Supervision:

⁠⁠https://keystonetherapygroup.com/supervision/⁠