Colleague Down the Hall

About Colleague Down the Hall

More of us than ever are practicing in solo or online psychotherapy practices and we all need colleagues to process cases with, commiserate with on those really hard days and also to celebrate our successes with. The Colleague Down the Hall podcast is a place where we'll discuss fictionalized cases and ways to practice sustainably. I'll also bring you insights about trends and changes in our field, and sit down with amazing therapists who are doing amazing work.

Publisher

Jeanene Wolfe, LCSW

Category

business · health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

15 Mar 2023

Latest episode

13 Mar 2025

Latest episodes

108 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   13 Mar 2025

   102. Breaking the Stigma: New Perspectives on Addiction and Recovery with Michael Chiappione

   Tune in to The Colleague Down the Hall Podcast for an insightful conversation with Michael Chiapone, LCSW, as he explores addiction and recovery through the unique lens of music and film. This episode sheds light on the power of creative tools in therapy, the importance of reducing stigma, and how understanding shame and connection can transform treatment approaches. “Get back to a bigger ‘What is this’? If this person was your patient, what are they trying to say? Where are they? Where are they in the stages of change? Where are they in a cycle of addiction? And to try to tease out those things in hearing some of these pop culture or songs that we all know. So then the goal is, especially in the group process, in the class, by being able to identify those things that we can then move forward and approach that person in a more welcoming manner, instead of a ‘look at them, they're doing it again’. Or ‘why can't they stop,’ to kind of try to create a better understanding, with more empathy about where this person might be coming from” - Michael Here are the key takeaways: Using Music and Film in Addiction Recovery – Michael Chiapone discusses his unique approach to helping individuals with substance use disorders by incorporating music and film to foster deeper understanding, empathy, and engagement in therapy. Breaking the Stigma Around Addiction – The conversation highlights the importance of moving beyond judgmental perspectives on addiction, recognizing it as a complex issue rather than just a matter of willpower, and promoting a more compassionate, person-centered approach. Challenges in Treating Substance Use Disorders – The discussion covers the evolving nature of addiction, particularly with the rise of fentanyl and other potent substances, and the need for adaptable, evidence-based treatment approaches. The Role of Policy in Social Justice and Mental Health – Michael shares his involvement in policy discussions affecting social work and mental health, emphasizing the need for professionals to stay informed and advocate for policies that protect vulnerable populations. The Importance of Self-Care for Mental Health Professionals – The conversation stresses the need for therapists and social workers to prioritize self-care, avoid burnout, and acknowledge the emotional demands of their work while maintaining personal well-being. About the Michael Chiappione: Michael Chiappone, LCSW, is a seasoned social worker, educator, and entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in mental health and substance use treatment. As the CEO and Founder of CHI Professional Development, he creates and delivers continuing education courses for social workers, mental health professionals, and community advocates, focusing on practical skills and real-world applications. Michael has dedicated his career to working with individuals facing homelessness, mental illness, and substance use disorders, serving as the Director of a Substance Use Disorder clinic and previously holding leadership roles at Hope House Ministries. He is passionate about teaching clinicians how to integrate evidence-based practices, ethical decision-making, and advocacy into their work. Beyond clinical work, Michael is deeply engaged in policy discussions affecting social justice. Through his WTF: Policies That Threaten Social Justice series, he explores how shifts in legislation impact marginalized communities and challenges social workers to take an active role in advocacy and systemic change. Beyond his professional endeavors, Michael explores the intersections of mindfulness, recovery, and personal growth through innovative projects like CHI Golf, a brand that promotes mental clarity and focus on and off the course. He is also developing a Recovery Chatbot Website, designed to provide digital peer support and track progress for individuals in recovery. Connect with Michael: Website: www.chiprodevelopment.com Instagram:   https://www.instagram.com/chi_pro_development/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chi_pro_development Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chi-professional-development-inc/ Get updates about future Fictionalized Clinical Consultation Groups: www.CollabOasis.com/FCC_live Connect with Jeanene: *Get your free Four Keys to Private Practice Peace of Mind workbook: https://collaboasis.com/4keysworkbook *Learn more about clinical consultation groups: https://collaboasis.com/ (https://collaboasis.com/) *Join my free therapist Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/oasispcgt *Connect on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jeanene-wolfe-lcsw-64042220a/

2. 

   6 Mar 2025

   101. Future-Proofing Your Private Practice: Navigating 2025 with Confidence with Valery Krieg

   Want to stay ahead in your private practice? Valery Krieg joins Jeanene Wolfe In this episode to discuss future-proofing your practice in an ever-changing landscape. They dive into marketing strategies, burnout prevention, and navigating industry shifts, plus an inside look at the upcoming Savvy Practice Summit, a free virtual event packed with expert advice on marketing, scaling, and financial strategy for therapists.The sign-up form for the summit is in the show notes. Tune in now and take your next steps toward success! “The first thing that I always tell my clients that I work with is understand your marketing strategy. I think that the core is to really understand what you're doing and why. I mean, that's one of the best ways to stay on top of things and to know what's coming around the corner. I think so many of us do a lot of different types of marketing, and in some ways, we get kind of lucky when we don't really know what's working or why it's working, so we just keep doing all of it. So my first piece of advice is, really understand your strategy. Understand what's working and why it's working, so you can streamline, only focused on the things that have the highest impact and that are bringing in clients.” - Valery Here’s what we’ll cover in this episode: ***Future-Proofing Private Practices – The challenges therapists face in 2025, including shifting client trends, economic uncertainties and industry changes impacting private practice sustainability. ***Marketing Strategies for Therapists – The importance of ongoing marketing efforts, creating systems for consistency and tailoring strategies to attract ideal clients effectively. ***Burnout Prevention & Business Sustainability – How therapists can implement structured systems to reduce stress, avoid burnout and maintain a steady client flow without feeling overwhelmed. ***Savvy Practice Summit Overview – A breakdown of the upcoming Savvy Practice Summit (March 10-12, 2025), its purpose, key topics, and how therapists can benefit from expert-led discussions on scaling and growing their businesses. About Valery Krieg: Valery Krieg is a therapist, private practice owner, and business coach dedicated to helping therapists build thriving, sustainable practices. After struggling with ineffective, cookie-cutter marketing strategies in her own practice, she developed a method to help therapists attract their ideal clients and grow their businesses with confidence. Now, she teaches therapists how to ditch outdated advice, simplify their marketing, and create a practice that truly fits their life and goals. Connect with Valery: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/practicewithvalery/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@practicewithvalery Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@practicewithvalery Website: https://practicewithvalery.com/ Register for the Savvy Practice Summit: Register for the Savvy Practice Summit Get updates about future Fictionalized Clinical Consultation Groups: www.CollabOasis.com/FCC_live Connect with Jeanene: *Get your free Four Keys to Private Practice Peace of Mind workbook: https://collaboasis.com/4keysworkbook *Learn more about clinical consultation groups: https://collaboasis.com/ (https://collaboasis.com/) *Join my free therapist Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/oasispcgt *Connect on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jeanene-wolfe-lcsw-64042220a/

3. 

   27 Feb 2025

   100. The Cost of Care: Why Therapists Are Struggling to Stay Afloat with Miranda Palmer

   In this milestone 100th episode of The Colleague Down The Hall Podcast, Jeanene Wolfe welcomes Miranda Palmer, LMFT, a passionate therapist advocate, to discuss the financial and systemic challenges facing therapists today. Miranda shares insights from a recent discussion on the biggest problems therapists encounter. She highlights unsustainable insurance reimbursement rates, financial instability, and the increasing number of therapists leaving the profession. They dive into the complexities of insurance contracts, clawbacks, and the impact of venture capital-backed companies entering the therapy space. Miranda encourages therapists to take control of their careers by understanding their worth, setting sustainable rates, and advocating for legislative change. She emphasizes the importance of standing out rather than competing and creating a fulfilling, financially viable private practice. Listen in for an eye-opening conversation on making therapy work for therapists while still serving clients effectively. “If we all said no to insurance contracts that were not sustainable for us, that literally are not good for clients, you have to see twice as many clients, you're falling asleep in session, you can't even get your clients in on the regular amount of treatment that they're needing. All of the different things that we know happen in this scenario, if we just said no to those things. I'm a client of that insurance company, and there's nobody who's a trauma therapist in my area who has space,  that insurance company still has to connect me with a trauma therapist, and they have to find that person for me.” - Miranda Palmer In this episode, let’s discuss: ***Financial Struggles of Therapists The episode highlights the unsustainable reimbursement rates from insurance companies, the financial instability of therapists, and the growing number of professionals leaving the field due to inadequate compensation. ***Challenges with Insurance Companies The discussion covers the exploitative practices of insurance companies, including delayed payments, clawbacks, and regionally inconsistent reimbursement rates that make financial planning difficult for therapists. ***The Business Side of Therapy Many therapists struggle to see themselves as business owners, leading to poor financial decisions. Miranda emphasizes the importance of calculating sustainable rates and making informed choices about contracts. ***Impact of Venture Capital in the Therapy Space The rise of VC-backed therapy companies is discussed, with concerns about their profit-driven models further reducing therapist compensation and creating new challenges for independent practitioners. ***Advocacy and Solutions for Therapists The conversation encourages therapists to take action, whether by advocating for legislative changes, shifting to private pay models, or making informed decisions about which insurance contracts to accept. About Miranda Palmer: Miranda Palmer is an  LMFT and a therapist advocate who has been helping prelicensed and licensed therapists find joy and financial sustainability in their work. Connect with Miranda: Website: zynnyme.com Instangram: @zynnyme Get updates about future Fictionalized Clinical Consultation Groups: www.CollabOasis.com/FCC_live Connect with Jeanene: *Get your free Four Keys to Private Practice Peace of Mind workbook: https://collaboasis.com/4keysworkbook *Learn more about clinical consultation groups: https://collaboasis.com/ (https://collaboasis.com/) *Join my free therapist Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/oasispcgt *Connect on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jeanene-wolfe-lcsw-64042220a/

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

7 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 62 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

94

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

76