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

What should you do when that dreaded subpoena arrives in your private practice's inbox or mailbox?

In this episode, Patrick Casale talks with Dr. Brittany Bate, licensed psychologist, private practice strategy coach, and the founder of Be BOLD Psychology and Consulting, about the essentials that mental health professionals need to know to navigate legal requests and the court system.

3 key takeaways:

1. Paperwork Preparedness is Protection: Ensure your informed consent and scope of practice documents are up to date, specifically with clear language around court involvement, parental consent for minors, and your actual capacity/role as a therapist (hint: you are not a custody evaluator unless specifically trained!).
2. Don’t Ignore—Respond! Even if a subpoena isn’t a court order, it usually requires a response (not just in NC, but in most states). Failing to reply—even if the request is unnecessary or outside your scope—could result in being held in contempt of court.
3. Have (and Enforce) Reasonable Court Fees: Outline your fees for all court-related activities (prep, document compilation, testimony, etc.) in your paperwork. These should be reasonable and customary—don’t “price yourself out” unethically. Enforcing these agreements can often deter unnecessary requests and ensure your time is respected.

Brittany also reminds therapists to document every session as if it might be read aloud in court. You never know when your notes may become part of the public record.

If you want practical templates, risk-management tips, and on-demand courses to get your private practice truly “court-proof,” Brittany and her team have resources ready to go.

DISCLAIMER: This podcast episode is for educational purposes and is not intended as legal advice.

More about Brittany:

Dr. Brittany Bate is a licensed psychologist, private practice strategy coach, and the founder of Be BOLD Psychology and Consulting – a North Carolina-based, primarily telehealth group practice offering LGBTQIA+ celebratory, neuroaffirming, and trauma-informed care. Her team specializes in individual, couples, family, and group therapy, as well as psychological evaluations, court-ordered assessments, and forensic evaluations and services.

Brittany also owns Bold Practice Builders, where she helps therapists and group practice owners build values-aligned, efficient, and profitable businesses through trainings, masterminds, and done-for-you customizable templates and resources.

With a doctoral degree focusing in clinical psychology with a forensic emphasis, Brittany is a forensic psychologist at heart. Additionally, with a background in conducting therapy and assessment in forensic state hospitals, state and federal prisons, and conducting threat assessments with the NC State Bureau of Investigation’s Behavioral Threat Assessment Unit, Brittany brings a unique lens to the intersection of mental health and the legal system. She’s especially passionate about helping fellow clinicians navigate subpoenas, courtroom testimony, and high-stakes ethical decisions – before the subpoena arrives or they are on the stand. Her goal is to equip providers with the paperwork, confidence, and strategies they need to respond clearly, ethically, and without panic.

A self-proclaimed group therapy enthusiast and jury research nerd, Brittany combines real-world experience with research-backed best practices – especially when it comes to ethical testimony and witness preparation.

As a queer, cisgender woman with ADHD, Brittany is also deeply committed to uplifting other LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent professionals as they build bold, affirming businesses of their...

Navigating entrepreneurship is challenging enough—but add chronic illness or invisible disabilities to the mix, and the journey is a whole new level of complex. In this episode, Patrick Casale and Destiny Davis, MS, LPC, CRC, share powerful insights on building meaningful, sustainable work while honoring your own needs.

Here are 3 key takeaways:

1. Honor Your Capacity: Your energy and time are your most valuable resources. It’s okay to say “no,” set boundaries, and recognize that your own well-being comes first—even when that means letting go of things you once loved or cutting back on work that’s no longer sustainable.
2. Build Supportive Systems: Whether it’s a supportive partner, intentional friendships, or business relationships with similar values, surrounding yourself with understanding people makes a huge difference. Don’t have that support? Explore peer networks, online groups, or communities where your lived experience is understood and validated.
3. Practice Self-Compassion Over Perfection: Normalize the ebb and flow of your energy. Some days will be productive, while others are meant for rest—and that’s okay. Focus on what you can do rather than shaming yourself for what you can’t, and remember that progress is built through small, sustainable steps.

More about Destiny:

Destiny Davis, MS, LPC, CRC is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Rehabilitation Counselor in private practice in Atlanta, Georgia. She specializes in helping people with invisible illnesses and disabilities navigate relationships and build meaningful lives using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Somatic Experiencing approaches.

Destiny works with individuals and facilitates groups for adults, teens, and parents who want to strengthen their relationships with themselves, their families, and their communities. She created and facilitates Welcome to The Waiting Room, a membership community providing evidence-based, peer support for people with complex medical conditions.

As host of The Chronic Illness Therapists Podcast and leader of clinical consultation groups for medical professionals, Destiny bridges the gap between lived experience and clinical expertise in chronic illness care.

• Instagram: @the.chronicillnesstherapists
• Cohort Group page: revivepractice.com/chronic-illness-cohort
• Conference: chronicillnesstherapists.com

–––––––––––––––––––––

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

🎙️Spotify

🎙️Apple

🎙️YouTube Music

▶️ YouTube

✈️ Learn about...