320 - Practicing Therapy in a World on Fire
“I think therapy is freaking awesome. I love therapy. So yeah, it's really an honor to facilitate that work and help clinicians be able to focus on the clinical aspects of practice ownership.” ~Lane Essex
Why therapists must do their own work: leadership, integrity, and the future of therapy with Sarah Buino and Lane Essex.
We made it! To the middle of 2026. I realize that’s a bit of a good-news/bad-news scenario given the current political climate. Still, the fact that we’re all here is something worthy of celebration. Or, at the very least, reflection.
Where do we, as therapists, want to grow next? How do we get there?
Past travels can hold many answers. In May, for instance, I experienced a particularly bittersweet reparative moment while speaking at a conference in my home state of Ohio. The event reinforced my belief that the field of psychology is at an evolutionary crossroads. While therapists are trying to navigate overlapping social crises, I keep coming back to the one thing that will ease our path forward: therapists must do their own work.
I literally cannot fathom any other solution for how we evolve the profession, get better at running businesses, or treat each other and our clients than by working on ourselves.
But how does one even begin that self-work while sat in the middle of a dumpster fire? For my part, I’ve put Group Practice Revolution on hold to concentrate on writing. My upcoming book (publication date TBD) will help therapists build greater capacity for vulnerability, accountability, and grace.
Rather than offer a new modality, the book will introduce folks to practices and therapies that have helped me understand and embody my true self. Think of it as an entry point into all the healing stuff––NARM, Brené Brown, even the Enneagram––they don’t teach us in grad school.
Now, you may have noticed that we’ve been trying some new stuff on the show this year (omg I hope you’ve noticed). One of those new things is bringing on Lane Essex to copilot our episode intros.
Lane is more than an audience surrogate or voice of a younger generation (although I value both of these qualities). She’s someone I can bounce ideas off of in real time. After almost a decade’s worth of recorded episodes, I’ve learned that having another human alongside me makes the show and its host better.
Cheers to more growth in the second half.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
OACBA - Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities
Axis II - Unraveling
NARM - The NeuroAffective Relational Model
RECOMMENDED EPISODES
Livia Budrys and Sarah Buino - Letting Go and Doing the Work
Rachel Alexandria - The Enneagram Episode
Ebony Rutko - Presence, Listening and Deep Curiosity Using NARM For Yourself and Clients
Join the waitlist for the next Authentic Leaders Group!
This is a journey of self-discovery and leadership mastery, where you'll not only enhance your leadership skills but also forge meaningful connections with fellow therapists who are committed to their own growth and the betterment of the therapy field. Apply now!
Thank you to The Therapist Network for sponsoring the show!
The Therapist Network is a global community built by and for therapists. You’ll find live consult groups, an ever-growing library of workshops and courses, plus a community that really sees you. Sarah’s group, Tending to the Wounded Healer, meets every other Monday from 1–2pm CT, and it’s a space to explore the intersection of your lived experience and your clinical work.
So if you want to feel more supported and less alone, visit TheTherapist.Network—or join Sarah’s group directly at tinyurl.com/HealerConsultTTN.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Check the calendar for opportunities to connect with Sarah and earn CEs.
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