Shows
Therapists UnchainedBeyond Academia: An Interview with Janys Murphy Rising, Ph.D., LMHC, CMHSThis week's conversation dives into a long-standing issue in the mental health field: the gap between clinical training and real-world practice. Host Sivie Suckerman, MA, LMHC, ACS is joined by clinician and academic Janice Murphy Rising, Ph.D., LMHC, CMHS to unpack why so many graduate programs leave students unprepared for the practical demands of private practice. They discuss counseling education’s leadership gaps, the value of soft-skill development, and systemic support for emerging clinicians.Janys M. Murphy Rising (she/they) is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Olympia, Washington with two decades of experience. Her counseling mo...
2025-11-211h 12Therapists UnchainedTherapists Unchained Community and Advocacy Efforts: A mini-episode with Sivie Suckerman, MA, LMHC, ACSIn this mini-episode of Therapists Unchained, Sivie Suckerman, MA, LMHC, ACS, provides updates about the Therapists Unchained community and thanks listeners for their support. A core focus is building community and facilitating engagement, including promoting past events and two monthly "labs": the Liberated Practice Lab, focusing on business and practice issues, and the Collective Care Lab, offering mutual aid for navigating shared traumatic realities. Sivie outlines equitable, tiered membership options for accessing the labs, including per-lab and subscription models, emphasizing flexibility and affordability to ensure broad participation. Additionally, she encourages listeners to engage...
2025-11-0711 minTherapists UnchainedTherapists as Advocates: An Interview With Jack Register, LCSW, LIASC, CCS, ICAADC, ICCSIn this episode of Therapists Unchained, host Sivie Suckerman, MA, LMHC, ACS, sits down with Jack Register, LCSW, LIASC, CCS, ICAADC, ICCS, a seasoned advocate and clinician with experience in public policy and systemic change. Together, they discuss Jack’s journey as a registered lobbyist at both the state and federal levels, unpacking the nuanced difference between advocacy and activism.Jack shares how therapists and other mental health professionals can use their relational and communication skills to influence policy, shape legislation, and drive lasting change in the systems that impact their clients. The conversation also spotlights the wo...
2025-10-241h 03Therapists UnchainedHearing the Helper: An Interview with Ellen Tanner, MS, OTR/LIn this week's episode of Therapists Unchained, Sivie Suckerman, MA, LMHC, ACS sits down with Ellen Tanner, MS, OTR/L occupational therapist and founder of Hearing the Helper. Ellen shares her personal journey with burnout and how it opened her eyes to the deeper systemic challenges facing helping professionals. Together, they discuss why self-care alone falls short—and how storytelling can spark collective healing and drive change across education, healthcare, and social services.Ellen Tanner’s mission is to heal burnout and co-create a regenerative new paradigm in education, healthcare, and social services. She cultivates this work from...
2025-10-1052 minTherapists UnchainedThe Human Cost of Corporate Mental Health: An Interview with Caitlin Archibald, MS, LPC, NCC, ACSSivie Suckerman, MA, LMHC, ACS interviews Caitlin Archibald, MS, LPC, NCC, ACS, a licensed professional counselor and approved clinical supervisor who owns Chrysalis Counseling Center, a group practice in New Jersey. They discuss the challenges faced by small group practices amidst the rise of large venture capitalist (VC) backed mental health companies.Caitlin earned her Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Monmouth University in 2014. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (in NJ and via telehealth in DE), an Approved Counseling Supervisor, small group practice owner, and mom. Since founding The Chrysalis Counseling Center in 2020, she has de...
2025-09-2658 minTherapists UnchainedLifting Each Other Up: An Interview with Marta Hamilton, MA, LPCMarta Hamilton, MA, LPC-S, and Sivie Suckerman, LMHC, ACS, discussed the inspiration and mission behind TeleWellness Hub, highlighting its commitment to supporting wellness based professionals through diverse service listings, community building, and advocacy. Tune in to hear an exciting announcement about a new partnership between Therapist Unchained and TeleWellness Hub, designed to empower and support each other's initiatives through collaborative promotional strategies and integrated membership options. Including how you, our listeners, can get involved and join a growing community of mental health professionals committed to connection, support, and innovation.Marta Hamilton, MA, LPC-S, founded TeleWellness Hub with...
2025-09-1248 minTherapists UnchainedIs That Legal?: Navigating Tech, VC, and Collective Action Interview with James Ahearn, JD LPC, PhDcSivie Suckerman, MA, LMHC, ACS, and James Ahearn, JD, LPC, PhDc, explore the complex intersection of law, ethics, and mental health care. They unpack the relationships between clients, providers, and insurance companies; examine the growing influence of big tech and venture capital; and discuss how collective power can drive systemic change. Their conversation also highlights creative alternatives to traditional collective bargaining, the legal implications of the Corporate Practice of Medicine (CPOM) and Managed Services Organizations (MSOs), and practical ways clinicians can navigate a healthcare system shaped by intentional scarcity and structural complexity.James P. Ahearn, JD LPC...
2025-08-2954 minTherapists UnchainedMental Health Insurance Reform Task Force: An Interview with Nicole Sartini, LPCC, IMHPSivie Suckerman, LMHC, ACS, catches up with Nicole Sartini, LPCC, IMHP, to discuss Nicole’s advocacy work and the founding of both Bridge Counseling and Wellness and the Mental Health Insurance Reform Task Force. The conversation explores Nicole’s motivation to confront inadequate insurance reimbursement and the lack of enforcement of mental health parity laws. The two discuss how to approach organizing, the state of provider education, and alternatives to traditional insurance models. Together, they highlight the importance of education, empowerment, collective action, and interdisciplinary collaboration in driving systemic change within the mental health field.Nicole Sartini, LPCC...
2025-08-1559 minTherapists UnchainedCash Cow: An Interview with Pam Rothman, LPCThis week on Therapists Unchained, Sivie Suckerman, LMHC, ACS, chatted with Pam Rothman, LPC, to discuss her journey across diverse provider settings—from community mental health to tech-based mental health platforms. Pam offered a candid look into her experience at BetterHelp, highlighting the platform’s demanding model, low compensation, and prioritization of profit over therapist well-being. She also spoke to the broader challenges of working with insurance and emphasized the critical role of clinical supervision. Together, Sivie and Pam explored systemic issues fueling the perceived therapist shortage, the lack of business education and support for clinicians, and their shared expe...
2025-08-0254 minTherapists UnchainedField Fractures: An Interview with Laura Durkin, LMFT, PhDIn this episode of Therapists Unchained, Sivie Suckerman, LMHC, ACS, sits down with Laura Durkin, LMFT, PhD, to unpack the systemic challenges mental health professionals face. From rigid professional identities and inadequate supervision to exploitative contracts and lack of organizational support, they explore the urgent need to rethink therapist training, strengthen advocacy, and build a more collaborative, sustainable, and ethical field rooted in community.Laura is a WA State Approved Clinical Supervisor and received her PhD in 2025 in Counselor Education and Supervision from Antioch University, with her dissertation research focusing on accessibility within systems of h...
2025-07-181h 00
Therapists UnchainedInsurance Sh!tshow: Interview with Jennifer Koriath, LCPC, LPCIn this episode of Therapists Unchained, Sivie Suckerman, LMHC, ACS, interviews Jennifer Koriath, LCPC, LPC on the ins and outs of dealing with insurance companies, filing complaints, and how to advocate for yourself and your clients. There is a lot of venting in this one folks so we hope you enjoy commiseration with a side dish of holding insurance companies accountable!Jen Koriath, LCPC, LPC has 10 years experience in the field of psychotherapy. She works with clients who experience chronic pain/illness, anxiety and trauma. When she’s not guiding people toward healing with her unwavering belief in...
2025-05-2959 min
Therapists UnchainedInterview with Dr. Gail LaneDr. Lane, a seasoned therapist and former leader in a large group practice, shares her experiences and motivations for starting her own solo practice and consulting business, Fleuri. The discussion explores the challenges and rewards of leadership, the shifting dynamics of large mental health organizations, and the importance of business acumen for therapists. Dr. Lane also offers insights for newly licensed clinicians and touches on the complexities of insurance reimbursement and the rise of intermediary companies in mental healthcare. Ultimately, the episode highlights Dr. Lane's passion for fostering growth in both individuals and the mental health field....
2025-05-0653 min
Therapists UnchainedTherapists UnchainedEpisode Summary: In this episode of Therapists Unchained, we explore the movement's vision and open a dialogue about the role of tech platfoEpisode Summary:In this episode of Therapists Unchained, we explore the movement's vision and open a dialogue about the role of tech platforms in shaping access to care, the consequences of VC-backed therapy models, and building a community of mental health providers to support, mentor, educate, and empower each other. You’ll hear real talk about what’s happening behind the scenes in our field and what it means for providers and clie...
2025-04-0810 min