In this episode, Patrick Casale and Kendra Vargas, LCPC, PMH-C, and founder of Authentically You Psychotherapy, talk about her deeply personal journey with infertility and how it shaped her clinical focus, group offerings, and entrepreneurial growth. Kendra's story is a testament to how lived experience can fuel meaningful change in private practice—and impact entire communities.

Here are 3 key takeaways:

1. Leverage Your Lived Experience: Kendra emphasized how sharing her own infertility journey made her groups and sessions more relatable, accessible, and supportive for clients. Sometimes, our most powerful “credential” is empathy and shared experience.
2. Niche Down for Impact: By honing in on infertility and perinatal mental health, Kendra found an underserved community to offer support through therapy, resources, and retreats.
3. Expand Beyond 1:1 Sessions: From ongoing support groups and consultation to retreats and her fertility journal on Amazon, Kendra shows how creative offerings create ripple effects—helping more people without sacrificing boundaries or burning out.

Whether you’re a mental health clinician considering niching down or looking for new ways to serve your community, this episode is full of wisdom and practical inspiration.

More about Kendra:

Kendra A. Vargas (she/her), LCPC, PMH-C, is a culturally responsive and inclusive psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, and consultant. With over a decade of experience in the mental health field, she has worked across diverse settings, including community mental health and private practice.

As the founder of Authentically You Psychotherapy, Kendra runs a group practice offering both individual therapy and support groups. She also provides consultation services and conducts trainings on topics such as developing and integrating groups into private practice settings, as well as various topics on perinatal mental health. Kendra is certified in perinatal mental health and holds a certification through Postpartum Support International.

Kendra currently runs a Fertility Skills and Support Group, which has been active for over six years, supporting individuals utilizing Assisted Reproductive Technologies such as IUI, IVF, and surrogacy for family planning, which is an area she has a deep, personal connection and compassion for. Additionally, she facilitates a Pregnancy After Infertility Group to help those navigating pregnancy after a challenging fertility journey.

Kendra has shared her insights on several podcasts, created a prompted fertility journal on Amazon and Etsy, and hosts an in-person fertility retreat, all inspired by her personal experience and deep passion for supporting others on the infertility journey.

• Instagram: instagram.com/ayoupsychotherapy
• Purchase Fertility Journal: a.co/d/0HJjDiW

–––––––––––––––––––––

🎙️Listen to more episodes of the All Things Private Practice Podcast

🎙️Spotify

🎙️Apple

🎙️

In this episode, Patrick Casale and Ariel Shumaker-Hammond, a couple's therapist and professional photographer, talk about the messiness, curiosity, and joy that often come with pursuing the many paths to creating fulfilling careers, especially as an ADHDer.

Ariel’s journey as a therapist, specialist in couples intensives, and professional photographer is a reminder of how rewarding it can be to honor non-linear career paths and the power of authentic connection.

Here are 3 key takeaways:

1. Authentic Relationships are the Heart of Both Therapy and Business: Ariel built her thriving practice and photography business through genuine relationships, grounded in curiosity and shared values—not just traditional marketing. Your network can be your best referral source when you show up authentically.
2. Neurodiversity Fuels Innovation, Not Instability: What may feel like a "meandering" or chaotic path can be a strength, especially for ADHDers and other neurodivergent entrepreneurs. Following passion, honoring limited energy, and not shaming yourself for pivoting are vital for sustainable business growth.
3. Business Models Can—and Should—Evolve: Whether it’s moving into couples intensives for deeper, more effective therapy or blending therapeutic skills with creative talents like photography, you have permission to change things up, ditch "norms," and find what makes you and your clients thrive.

If you’re building a private practice or exploring creative expansions, remember to lead with your authentic self, stay curious, and value the relationships that make your work meaningful.

More about Ariel:

Ariel is originally from North Carolina. After living for almost a decade out West, she missed the soft air, warm greens, and changing seasons, and convinced her husband to move back with her to the mountains. Her pronouns are she/her/hers.

Ariel loves working with a variety of folx, but specializes in couples work, including healing from affairs, or those contemplating separation. She also has extensive training and experience working with infertility challenges, reproductive trauma, perinatal mood and anxiety issues, and people going through major life transitions.

Ariel’s work is largely shaped through an anti-racist/anti-oppression lens, and this often factors into sessions. She is comfortable with and experienced in working with BIPOC (Black Indigenous, People of Color)/people of the global majority, LGBTQI folx, and folx of any gender expression. She continues to work on her own anti-racist and decolonizing journey. She also uses humor, when appropriate, and is never afraid to cry with a client.

Ariel is also a professional photographer, specializing in a documentary style for families, newborn/early childhood, retreats, and headshots/business. For photography & counseling, she offers equity-based spots.

• Instagram: @arielshumakerphoto
• Facebook: facebook.com/ashevillephoto
• Website: arielshumakerphotography.com

–––––––––––––––––––––

🎙️Listen to more episodes of the All Things Private Practice Podcast

🎙️Spotify

🎙️

In this episode, Patrick Casale talks with Danni Biondini, LMFT, adjunct professor, and founder of Gemini Family Therapy, about their experience of utilizing their expertise as a licensed therapist to become an adjunct professor, including practical advice and the realities of teaching at the graduate level.

3 Key Takeaways:

1. You don’t need a doctorate to get started. Many adjunct positions at the graduate level accept applicants with a master’s degree and clinical experience. Danni emphasizes: “You absolutely can teach with just a master's degree.”
2. Be specific about what you want to teach. Programs need instructors for a variety of subjects like human development, psychopathology, research methods, multicultural counseling, and more. Highlight relevant clinical expertise and be clear about your subject interests when you reach out.
3. Teaching is rewarding—but don’t expect to get rich. Adjunct roles can pay between $3,000–$6,000 per class, per semester. The real benefits? Creative fulfillment, connecting with students, and diversifying your work as a therapist.

More about Danni:

Danni Biondini is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, born and raised in San Francisco and now living in Brooklyn. They served as core faculty and department chair of a graduate program for MFT students, and as adjunct professor at the University of San Francisco, the San Francisco Center for Psychoanalysis, and Brooklyn College.

Now, they primarily work as a family therapist in their private practice, Gemini Family Therapy, helping adult families in CA and NY repair from past hurts or estrangement.

They are also launching an online program that teaches theories and tools around how to repair from family estrangement. The program is called Prepare to Repair. Visit: prepareto.repair

• Instagram: @gemini_family_therapy
• Website: geminifamilytherapy.com

–––––––––––––––––––––

🎙️Listen to more episodes of the All Things Private Practice Podcast

🎙️Spotify

🎙️Apple

🎙️YouTube Music

▶️ YouTube

✈️ Learn about Retreats

🗨️ Join the free Empowered Escape FB Community

🗨️ Join the free All Things Private Practice FB Community

–––––––––––––––––––––

In this episode, Patrick Casale talks with Mikki Gates, a global HR leader, TEDx organizer, and advocate for authentic leadership. Mikki shares powerful lessons about imperfection, community, and the impact of sharing our stories.

Here are 3 key takeaways:

1. Perfection Isn’t the Goal—Progress Is: Whether you’re hosting a TEDx or launching a business, you’ll make mistakes and pivot. Embrace feedback, refine your process, and remember: It doesn’t have to be perfect to be impactful.
2. Our “Messy” Human Side Inspires Others: When we own our mistakes—whether that’s losing your train of thought on stage or dealing with a tech glitch—we model authenticity and give others permission to show up as they are.
3. Perspective Unlocks Gratitude: Mikki’s upcoming TEDx talk explores dignity, privilege, and learning from global experiences. Sometimes, what we take for granted—like access to bathrooms—can be life-changing for others.

More about Mikki:

Mikki Gates is a global HR leader, TEDx organizer, and SHRM chapter president with a passion for reimagining the future of work. She blends bold ideas with real-world experience from more than 50 countries to inspire leaders to "human up" and create workplaces & experiences where people thrive. She is also a lover of escape rooms and roller coasters.

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mikkigates

–––––––––––––––––––––

🎙️Listen to more episodes of the All Things Private Practice Podcast

🎙️Spotify

🎙️Apple

🎙️YouTube Music

▶️ YouTube

✈️ Learn about Retreats

🗨️ Join the free Empowered Escape FB Community

🗨️ Join the free All Things Private Practice FB Community

–––––––––––––––––––––

✨ The Receptionist for iPad

Thanks to

In this episode, Patrick Casale talks with Dr. Arielle Jordan—LCPC, Trauma Therapist, army veteran, author, and founder of Mindset Quality. Her wisdom on redefining resilience and building authentically healing businesses is a must-hear for anyone in the therapy, mental health, or entrepreneurial space.

Here are 3 key takeaways:

1. Redefining Resilience and Leadership: Dr. Jordan reminds us that healing work is not just about symptom relief, but about changing what leadership and resilience genuinely look like—especially for Black women and those in high-pressure helping professions. “What I build now has to heal me too,” she shares.
2. Boundaries Are Essential: Building a business or practice that looks great on Instagram but drains you from the inside is not sustainable. Learning to say “no” and prioritizing your own energy and healing is critical to longevity in this work.
3. Joy Shouldn’t Wait: If you keep pushing joy to the bottom of your to-do list, you’ll never get to it. Dr. Jordan is passionate about experiences that help professionals, veterans, and first responders learn to truly live and thrive after trauma—not just survive.

Healing, leadership, and entrepreneurship can—and should—be integrative, authentic, and sustainable.

More about Arielle:

Dr. Arielle Jordan, LCPC is a trauma therapist, Army veteran, author, speaker, and founder of Mindset Quality, a behavioral health practice dedicated to helping veterans, first responders, and purpose-driven professionals heal and lead with authenticity. She's also the creator of Mission REDEFINE, a soulfully disruptive retreat and group therapy experience designed to restore joy, resilience, and meaning after trauma. As the author of Holding Space and United We Serve, United We Heal, Arielle blends EMDR, coaching, and lived experience to meet people where they are—from therapy rooms to retreat spaces and training stages. Her work is about more than symptom relief—it's about redefining what healing and leadership look like.

• Website: ariellenjordan.com
• Mission REDEFINE Retreat (Jan 29–Feb 2, 2026 in Puerto Rico): mindsetqualityllc.com/mission-redefine-retreat
• All Links: bio.ariellenjordan.com

–––––––––––––––––––––

🎙️Listen to more episodes of the All Things Private Practice Podcast

🎙️Spotify

🎙️Apple

🎙️YouTube Music

▶️ YouTube

✈️ Learn about Retreats

🗨️ Join the free

In this episode, Patrick Casale and Shaelene Kite discuss how special interests can spark innovative business ideas. Shaelene shares her journey from DBT group practice owner to launching a Disney-themed clinical conference, blending her passions and love of Disney with her entrepreneurial path.

Here are 3 key takeaways:

1. Leverage Your Special Interests: Don’t be afraid to let your quirks and passions guide your business ideas—unique interests can lead to more fulfilling ventures.
2. Start Small and Let Ideas Grow: You don’t have to launch big right away. Pilot your ideas, gather community feedback, and iterate as you go. It’s okay to take incremental steps.
3. There’s No Shame in the Pivot: As Patrick and Shaelene both mentioned, passions can change—and that’s okay. Give yourself permission to evolve, try new things, and not get stuck in one mode of practice.

More about Shaelene:

Shaelene (she/her) is a 4x entrepreneur not limited to her work as a counselor, yoga teacher and practice owner. She leads a group practice of 20+ that has continued to grow rapidly since its opening in 2018.

Shaelene is a DBT Expert and Trainer, Yoga for Trauma Educator, International Speaker, and owner of Rebelmente-a mental health training and consulting company. In 2024 Shaelene launched The Rebel Minds Learning Collective, an all inclusive DBT training membership supporting providers in becoming kick ass DBT therapists. Shaelene also co-created the groundbreaking program Stabilize and Scale with her business partner Katie May in order to help visionary group practice with the business side of running a thriving practice.

Shaelene is also a Disney lover who blended work and play with her clinical conference, Clinically Ever After.

• Instagram: instagram.com/rebelmente
• Conference Website: rebelmente.com/disneyonline

–––––––––––––––––––––

🎙️Listen to more episodes of the All Things Private Practice Podcast

🎙️Spotify

🎙️Apple

🎙️YouTube Music

▶️ YouTube

✈️ Learn about Retreats

🗨️ Join the free Empowered Escape FB Community

🗨️ Join the free All Things Private Practice FB Community

–––––––––––––––––––––

In this episode, Patrick Casale and Jamie Roberts, therapist, author, and founder of NeuroPebble Corp, talk about the realities of neurodivergent entrepreneurship and building an affirming community for mental health clinicians and creators, referencing Jamie's company, NeuroPebble, how to handle balancing multiple projects, and the journey of writing her second book.

Here are 3 key takeaways:

1. Accessibility and Neurodivergence Matter: Creating spaces like NeuroPebble isn’t just about cataloging trainings—it’s about reducing executive function burdens for both presenters and learners, meeting people where they are, and making high-quality resources accessible in neuroaffirming ways.
2. Pacing and Boundaries Are Essential: Whether it’s scaling back on group practice duties to focus on writing, or confronting the grief of acknowledging our limitations and capacity, it’s crucial for neurodivergent entrepreneurs to honor their natural rhythms and set sustainable boundaries.
3. There’s Room for Every Story: The entrepreneurial path can feel isolating, but there’s immense value in sharing your story, workshop, or course—even if someone else is doing something similar. Your perspective matters, and there’s always space for more voices in this community.

If you’re a neurodivergent clinician, entrepreneur, or creative, this conversation encourages you to find your pace, seek out community, and keep telling your story.

More about Jamie:

Jamie Roberts is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Jamie is AuDHD (Autistic & ADHD) and Dyslexic, and actively shares her experiences with her later-in-life diagnosis as the Neurodivergent Therapist across social media and is an active speaker on Neurodivergent and Teen topics. She is the Founder of NeuroPebble Corp, a continuing education platform for neuroaffirming clinical trainings from instructors with lived experience, as well as the founder of Equilibrium Counseling Services, a teen and young adult group practice in Southern California. She is the author of Mindfulness for Teen Anxiety, and her second book will be out March 2026 titled Neurodiversity for Teen Girls.

• Instagram: instagram.com/neurodivergenttherapist
• TikTok: tiktok.com/@neurodivergenttherapist
• NeuroPebble Instagram: instagram.com/neuropebble
• Link to the course that Patrick and Jamie are promoting: neuropebble.learnworlds.com/course/audhd-entrepreneur

–––––––––––––––––––––

🎙️Listen to more episodes of the All Things Private Practice Podcast

🎙️Spotify

🎙️Apple

🎙️YouTube Music

▶️

In this episode, Patrick Casale talks with Chris and Daisy Chavers, an incredibly talented husband-and-wife duo behind Red Rabbit Tattoo, whose journey epitomizes what it means to persevere through a catastrophic disaster.

From losing their Asheville tattoo shop to Hurricane Helene, to reestablishing roots in Savannah and boldly diversifying their business, Chris and Daisy’s story is a testament to the grit behind small business ownership.

Here are 3 key takeaways:

1. Adaptability Isn’t Optional—It’s Survival: Catastrophic setbacks, like natural disasters, don’t just affect businesses—they impact entire communities and personal identities. Surviving as small business owners—and eventually thriving—requires creativity, quick pivots, and a willingness to experiment with new income streams.
2. The Entrepreneurial Journey is Unpredictable and Vulnerable: Daisy’s leap from tattooing to writing, and Chris’s foray into new ventures, highlight the importance of allowing yourself to evolve. Embracing vulnerability can unlock authentic creativity—and new opportunities you never expected.
3. Community and Connection Are Foundations for Recovery: Even in moments of loss, leaning on your network and focusing on relationships with clients, peers, and loved ones is critical. Collective resilience carries us further than going it alone.

More about Chris and Daisy:

Chris and Daisy Chavers are a husband-and-wife duo with deep roots in the tattooing world. Chris brings decades of experience to the craft, known for his precision, bold style, and deep commitment to the art of tattooing. Daisy specializes in delicate florals, fine line work, and cosmetic and paramedical tattooing, offering everything from scar camouflage to restorative procedures.

Together, they have built a reputation for excellence, creativity, and care in every piece of work they do. Now, Daisy is expanding her creative expression beyond the tattoo studio and into the world of writing. Her latest venture blends humor, heart, and hard-won wisdom—offering stories that connect, heal, and inspire.

• Instagram: @chrischavers @msdaisyink
• Red Rabbit Tattoo: Redrabbittattoo.com
• Daisy's Books and Tattoos: msdaisyink.com
• Coloring Books: pickletrainpress.com

–––––––––––––––––––––

🎙️Listen to more episodes of the All Things Private Practice Podcast

🎙️Spotify

🎙️Apple

🎙️YouTube Music

▶️ YouTube

✈️ Learn about Retreats

🗨️ Join the free