The Therapist Mom Podcast: Launch and Grow Your Private Practice Podcast By Ashley Comegys cover art

The Therapist Mom Podcast: Launch and Grow Your Private Practice

The Therapist Mom Podcast: Launch and Grow Your Private Practice

By: Ashley Comegys
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Motherhood and private practice aren’t two separate worlds, they’re your whole world colliding every day. The Therapist Mom Podcast is your weekly reminder that you can build a practice that fits your life, not the other way around. Being a therapist and a mom isn’t about balance, it’s about building differently and refusing to play by rules that were never written for us. Hosted by Ashley Comegys, a therapist, coach, and mom of three. You’ll hear candid stories, rebellious truths, and practical strategies for designing a practice that gives you freedom, flexibility, and room to breathe. The Therapist Mom Podcast is your permission slip to build a private practice that works for your real life. Each week, you’ll get honest conversations and practical strategy around starting, growing, and running a private practice, without the hustle, guilt, or burnout. We’ll talk about boundaries, money, motherhood, and dismantling the systems that were never built for us in the first place. Because you’re not “just a mom” or “just a therapist.” You’re both, and deserve a business that recognizes and respects that. If you’re ready to build a flexible, values-aligned private practice that gives you time freedom and the autonomy you’ve been craving, you’re in the right place.© 2025 Raised To Empower All Rights Reserved. Economics Hygiene & Healthy Living Leadership Management & Leadership Parenting & Families Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Relationships
Episodes
  • Ep 146: Why Your Therapy Website Is the Only Marketing You Actually Own

    Ep 146: Why Your Therapy Website Is the Only Marketing You Actually Own
    Mar 30 2026
    How to Own Your Marketing in Private Practice (and Why Borrowed Platforms Are Keeping You Stuck)This episode of The Therapist Mom Podcast is packed with actionable insights to help you get clear (and honest) about your marketing strategy so you're attracting the right-fit therapy clients without losing yourself in overwhelm. If you’ve been wrestling with the pressure of “doing all the things” in private practice marketing, or you’re worried about whether you’ll actually be able to fill your caseload, you’re in the right place.As someone who’s been building, growing, and advising private practices since 2015, and as a mom navigating the real life demands behind the business, I know all too well how disorienting it can feel to be told you need to build your practice everywhere, all at once—especially when the systems we’re working within are constantly shifting. What I’ve learned, both from my own start-and-stumble story and from supporting hundreds of therapists, is that real stability (and sanity) in practice-building comes from owning your marketing foundation. I’ll share exactly what that looks like, why most of us are building on “borrowed” land without realizing it, and how to shift into a more empowered, sustainable approach.If you’re ready to understand what you actually own vs. what could disappear overnight—and you want practical steps to make your website the heart of your strategy—this is for you.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeThe Assets You Truly Own in Marketing: How to differentiate between rented platforms and what’s really yours (so you stop spinning your wheels on things you can’t control).Borrowed Marketing Spaces: The Hidden Risk: Why relying on directories, social media, and group practices limits your ability to be found—and what to do instead.Building a Website That Actually Works: Why most therapy sites don’t bring in clients, plus practical ways to turn your site into your most effective referral tool.Episode Timestamps00:02: Raw and honest intro—why private practice marketing feels so overwhelming when you’re raising kids.01:34: What does it mean to own your marketing, and why does it matter for long-term stability?03:07: The myth of marketing “shoulds” and why directories, social media, and platforms are all borrowed space.10:06: A deep dive into true ownership—what you control, what you don’t, and the difference it makes.14:13: The current landscape: market saturation, big platforms, and the rising difficulty of standing out.20:14: Why most therapist websites don’t convert, and the three-step process that turns browsers into clients.26:27: Personalized support: details about the Website Audit Workshop (so you can finally take action).Top Takeaways on Marketing Ownership for Therapists1. You Only Own What You Control—So Stop Building on Borrowed LandLet’s break this down: If your main marketing strategies are on social media, directories, or even most group practice pages, you’re pouring energy and money into platforms that could disappear or pivot without your input. I get how tempting it is—they’re simple, familiar, and everyone else seems to be there. But, as I’ve seen time and time again, when you don’t control the platform, you don’t control your visibility—or your future. When Instagram changes its algorithm (again), or a directory prioritizes paid profiles, your spot in front of clients may vanish overnight.Relatable story? I started out hustling across every available marketing channel—only to realize that my real referral power grew when I invested in my own site. Everything else became a bonus—not a lifeline.2. Your Website Is Home Base—But Only If You Actually Own ItHere’s how you can start implementing this TODAY:Step 1: Make sure you’re on a platform you truly own (not a leased, subscription site). That means buying your own domain and setting up hosting you control.Step 2: Periodically audit your website. Is it communicating who you help and how, or is it more like a digital business card? (I walk you through exactly what to look for in my Website Audit Workshop.)Step 3: Pro tip: Use your site as a hub—with all marketing pointing people back to it. This way, you’re not at the mercy of disappearing profiles or policies.3. The...
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    31 mins
  • Ep 145: Therapist Moms: Coping with Burnout, Vicarious Trauma, and a Heavy World

    Ep 145: Therapist Moms: Coping with Burnout, Vicarious Trauma, and a Heavy World
    Mar 23 2026
    Navigating the Political Climate as a Therapist Mom: Real Talk, Practical Strategies, and Permission to Protect Your CapacityThis episode of The Therapist Mom Podcast is packed with honest, practical insights for therapists and moms navigating an increasingly complex world. If you’re exhausted by current events, overwhelmed by the demands of private practice and motherhood, or just wondering how to support your clients, your kids, and yourself without burning out, you’re in the right place.As someone who’s been building a practice—and a family—while advocating for better systems for therapist moms, I know just how heavy and relentless life can feel right now. But I also know (both personally and from connecting with colleagues like Dara Friedman Wheeler, Jamie Bodenlos, and Jenny Hughes) that sometimes, small shifts—like giving yourself permission to rest, or simply speaking truthfully about your struggles—can make the difference between surviving and thriving.In this roundtable episode, we’re diving into what it means to protect our capacity as therapist moms in this charged climate, how to talk to our kids about tough topics, and why honoring your limits is more powerful than pretending you have it all together. You’ll hear validation, actionable ideas, and maybe that one thing you needed to hear today to finally give yourself a break.If you’ve been looking for a space to feel seen, understood, and gently challenged to prioritize YOU, you are absolutely in the right place.What You’ll Learn in This Episode1. How to manage emotional overwhelm (as a therapist and a mom): Real talk about why “having it all together” is a myth, and how checking in with yourself can help you navigate daily ups and downs.2. Strategies for values-driven parenting and hard conversations: Practical approaches to shaping your family’s values, talking with kids about what’s happening in the world, and why your small, honest conversations matter more than perfection.3. Practical self-protection tools for therapist moms: Learn how to assess your real capacity, set gentle boundaries, and choose social engagement that feels meaningful (without guilt)—even in seasons when you can’t be on the front lines.Episode Timestamps00:02 - Welcoming listeners, roundtable intro, and episode context—how political realities affect therapist moms.00:53 - Personal reflections: How has the past year impacted us as moms, women, and therapists? No one has a playbook.10:01 - Navigating burnout and boundaries—choosing where and how to engage in activism and self-care.24:07 - Age-appropriate talks: How we discuss stressful current events and values with young kids, teens, and our clients.40:55 - Gauging your own capacity—when to lean in, when to pull back in work, activism, and home life.52:48 - Re-defining rest and community: The choir metaphor, the power of deep rest, and redefining what “doing the work” can look like for you.01:00:00 - Final roundtable—what do you say to a fellow therapist mom who feels completely depleted right now?Top Takeaways on Protecting Your Capacity as a Therapist Mom1. You’re Not Supposed to Have It All Together (And That’s Okay)Let’s break this down: The myth that therapists “should” be handling the world better than everyone else is exactly that—a myth. Jenny Hughes shares candidly in this episode that despite supporting trauma therapists herself, she still struggles to turn off, draw boundaries, and honor her real-life limits. We hear it again and again: you are human first. Let’s give ourselves the same kindness (and reality checks) we give to our clients. Think: less guilt, more permission.Relatable moment: When Jamie Bodenlos admits, “I can’t do it all anymore—I actually cut back my clients because physically and emotionally, I couldn’t keep going at that pace.” Let’s normalize adjusting our expectations with each season of life.2. Parenting from Your Values—One Honest Conversation at a TimeHere’s how you can start implementing this TODAY:Step 1: Clarify your family values—consider sitting down with your partner (or even with your kids, if they’re older) to name what matters most: kindness, justice, standing up for others.Step 2: Make these values visible: hang a list on your fridge, revisit them together, and let them grow along with your kids.Step 3 (Pro tip): Use daily life moments (not just big, scary events) as springboards for conversations about respect, disagreement, and compassion—the small talks add up.As Dara Friedman Wheeler puts it, “Let your kids see you live your values—whether that means attending vigils, supporting friends, or simply standing up for kindness. It all counts.”3. Permission to Rest, Step Back, and Redefine “Doing Enough”We all make mistakes, but let’s save you the headache. Here’s what NOT to do:Mistake 1: Believing you HAVE to be on the front lines of every cause, even at your own expense. Your ...
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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • Ep 144: Postpartum Mental Health: How Postpartum Support International Helps Moms and Therapists

    Ep 144: Postpartum Mental Health: How Postpartum Support International Helps Moms and Therapists
    Mar 16 2026
    How Postpartum Support International Empowers Moms & Clinicians Navigating Perinatal Mental HealthThis episode of The Therapist Mom Podcast is designed for therapists, mothers, and anyone supporting parents through the perinatal and postpartum journey. If you’re a private practice therapist, a mom struggling silently, or someone passionate about supporting healthy families, you’ll find actionable insights and relatable, heartfelt wisdom here.As someone who’s both a therapist specializing in perinatal mental health and a mom who’s personally navigated postpartum anxiety and depression, I know just how critical the right support—and the right resources—can be. Sometimes, that support looks like finding the right therapist or training to serve your clients better. Other times, it’s knowing you’re not alone and that what you’re experiencing is both normal and valid.This episode deep-dives into the invaluable work of Postpartum Support International (PSI), sharing my story and practical strategies to connect with help—whether you’re a mom, a clinician, or a supportive friend.Let’s dig in, share some honest truths, and remember we don’t have to do this alone.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodePersonal Story & Validation: Why lived experience with postpartum challenges matters—and what it means to move from surviving to seeking support.All About Postpartum Support International: What PSI offers to moms, families, and professionals, and why their resources are an absolute must-know.Steps for Clinicians & Moms: How to get specialized training, build a stronger support network, and access free, accessible help—no matter where you are in your journey.Episode Timestamps00:02 - Introduction to the Therapist Mom Podcast and the power of honest, strategic conversations about motherhood and practice-building.00:46 - What is Podcastathon 2026? Why we’re spotlighting nonprofits and how PSI personally and professionally changed my own journey.02:18 - Personal postpartum mental health story—when anxiety and depression show up differently than what you learned in grad school.05:28 - Facing postpartum struggles as a therapist mom, and how Postpartum Support International’s resources filled the gaps.14:44 - Practical PSI resources: helplines, directories, support groups for moms, partners, and clinicians.18:21 - Why specialization and training in perinatal mental health matters for providers, and how PSI helps you grow.22:31 - The intersection of systemic support, personal healing, and policy advocacy for families navigating postpartum challenges.Top Takeaways on Postpartum Mental Health & Support1. Understanding Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders Isn’t Always TextbookIf you’re working with (or are) a parent in the postpartum period, know that perinatal depression and anxiety can look and feel different than “classic” clinical depression and anxiety. My own experience as a licensed therapist didn’t immunize me from these challenges—in fact, it took me years (and three kids!) to recognize and give myself permission to seek the right help. If you’re struggling, there is no shame, and you are not alone.2. Postpartum Support International (PSI) Is a Game-Changer ResourceI can’t overstate how essential PSI is—whether you’re a mom seeking community or a clinician wanting to do right by your clients. Their free offerings include:Directories to help you find specialized therapists, prescribers, doulas, and lactation consultantsSupport groups for mothers, dads, partners, and diverse communitiesConsultation and certification opportunities for professionals (where you can earn your Perinatal Mental Health Certification)Crisis lines and warm lines for immediate and ongoing helpAccess doesn’t have to be complicated. Bookmark PSI now—whether it’s for you or someone in your orbit who’ll need it later.3. Specialized Training Isn’t Optional Anymore (and That’s Okay!)Most of us didn’t get adequate perinatal mental health training in grad school, and that’s not your fault. What matters is acknowledging that, seeking out PSI’s excellent (and often affordable) CE opportunities, and referring out when needed. There’s no room for gatekeeping in this space—our clients (and colleagues) thrive when we collaborate.What Not To Do:Don’t convince yourself you can “just wing it” if you’re feeling over your head (as a mom or a clinician).Don’t keep silent about your struggles—community, not isolation, is where the healing starts.Don’t forget about partners and fathers—postpartum depression and anxiety touch them, too.Resources Mentioned in This EpisodePostpartum Support International (PSI) Main SitePSI Provider DirectoryPSI Support GroupsJoin us for Therapist Mom Networking Meetup — a casual space to connect with other therapist moms, share what’s working in your practice, talk through challenges, and build real community. No pressure, no pitching — just ...
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    29 mins
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