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Brave and Well: Conversations helping mental health professionals build a sustainable, profitable & values-aligned business

Brave and Well: Conversations helping mental health professionals build a sustainable, profitable & values-aligned business

Hosted by Vanessa Newton

EntrepreneurshipHealthFitnessEducationInterviews guests
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Episodes

40

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Welcome to Brave and Well! On this podcast, host Vanessa Newton LCSW-S teaches mental health professionals how to build sustainable, profitable and values-aligned businesses. You’ll hear about decolonizing the business side of private practice and supporting the entrepreneur in the therapist. We’ll also invite fellow therapists and healers to share their stories. New episodes release on Tuesdays. Produced by Softer Sounds.

Listen to episodes

40 recent
June 23, 2026Episode 3934 min

How I Use AI as a CEO (Never as a Therapist)

✨ Book a Brave Boss VIP dayThere are biases baked into AI — the same biases we as therapists are trying to undo. So the topic of today's episode might land a little different coming from a therapist: AI. Vanessa is still a little skeptical, so she’s drawing a hard line between how she uses AI as a CEO and where she refuses to let it anywhere near client care. What she wants you to take from this episode is that AI is a tool, not a team member.Tune in to hear about:Why Vanessa is still a little skeptical of AIThe hard boundary: no AI in clinical work, treatment planning, or client dataFears around replacing human connection, confidentiality, bias baked into these tools, and the slippery slope into clinical judgmentUsing Claude as a CEO for cash flow clarity, payroll, and a full picture of where her practice standsDrafting emails, building hiring systems, and reading contracts in plain English instead of losing hours to adminConnecting Claude with her other tools (Asana, Slack, Notion, and Google Drive) to keep her business organizedWhy he never outsources her own discernment — and why she still runs everything through her team, her CFO, and her husbandWhy this is about getting back the margin to be present with her family and herselfMore from Brave & Well:Follow Brave and Well on Instagram @braveandwellSign up for the Brave and Well newsletterWork with me!Book a Brave Boss VIP dayGet my workbook — Laying the Foundation for your Private PracticeSign up for my course — From Therapist to CEOGet templates, tools and more in the Brave & Well shop!

June 9, 2026Episode 3836 min

Finding Your Way Back From Burnout with Krystal Jackson of Simply Being Wellness Counseling

✨ Book a Brave Boss VIP dayAs a therapist and CEO, it's so easy to put yourself last — grinding through the hard seasons, disconnecting from what lights you up, and telling yourself you'll rest when things slow down. Sometimes, that thing that you’ve been putting off is actually the key to leading from a regulated place.Today, I’m talking to Krystal Jackson of Simply Being Wellness Counseling about how to lead from a regulated place — and why desire, community, and intentional rest aren't luxuries, they're the strategy.Tune in to hear about:How working in high-stress clinical environments shaped the kind of leader and CEO Krystal becameWhat two years of feeling "slapped around" by her business taught her about infrastructure, strategy, and reconnecting to her whyWhy she stopped comparing her journey to everyone else'sThe role desire played in turning her practice around and getting honest about what she actually wants to buildHow she reframed travel as a leadership tool, not a reward — and how she makes it work on a budgetWhat investing in coaching gave her that she couldn't have figured out on her ownThe small, everyday practices that help her stay regulated on the weeks she's not going anywhereHer powerful "open fist" mindset and why letting go has become her greatest growth strategyMore from Krystal JacksonSimply Being Wellness Counseling: https://www.simplybeingcounseling.com/Find Krystal on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkrystalcj/Find Simply Being Wellness on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplybeingcounseling/More from Brave & Well:Book a Brave Boss VIP dayFollow Brave and Well on Instagram @braveandwellSign up for the Brave and Well newsletterWork with me!Get my workbook — Laying the Foundation for your Private PracticeSign up for my course — From Therapist to CEOGet templates, tools and more in the Brave & Well shop!

May 19, 2026Episode 3752 min

The Money Conversation Every Therapist CEO Needs to Have with Andrea Rotondo of Liquid Cents

📣 Book a Brave Boss VIP dayAs therapists and private practice owners, it's common to feel like your finances are a black box — something overwhelming that lives in the background and creates dread every time you think about it. But avoiding your numbers doesn't make them go away.Today, I'm talking to Andrea Rotondo of Liquid Cents Bookkeeping about why so many therapists avoid their financials, how to build a healthier relationship with your finances and what it actually means to lead your practice like a CEO.Tune in to hear about:Why so many therapists feel anxiety and shame around their finances (and how to change that)The difference between being busy and being profitableThe key numbers every private practice owner should know and review monthlyHow the Profit First method can transform the financial health of your practiceWhy getting curious about your money is one of the most powerful things you can do as a business ownerIf you've ever clicked away from your QuickBooks or dreaded meeting with your accountant, you have to listen to this episode.More from Andrea RotondoLiquid Cents Bookkeeping: https://www.liquidcentsbookkeeping.com/Find her on LindkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrearotondo1/Find her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrea.rotondo/More from Brave & Well:Follow Brave and Well on Instagram @braveandwellSign up for the Brave and Well newsletterWork with me!Book a Brave Boss VIP dayGet my workbook — Laying the Foundation for your Private PracticeSign up for my course — From Therapist to CEOGet templates, tools and more in the Brave & Well shop!

May 5, 2026Episode 3618 min

I'm Back! Why I Stepped Away, What Changed & The Future of Brave & Well

📣 Book a Brave Boss VIP dayThe Brave & Well podcast is back! Vanessa is coming back to the mic to share what happened after she took an intentional step back, why she paused, what she’s been building on the background, and what’s in store for Brave & Well.Tune in to hear about:Why she made the decision to step away from Brave & Well — and why it wasn't burnoutBalancing a group practice and a co-founded tech company at the same timeWhat a recovering perfectionist had to learn about stepping back vs. giving upThe non-negotiables she put in place to restructure her days and protect her energyHow Brave & Well kept generating revenue even while she wasn't actively marketing itWhy private practice is changing — and what that means for you as a practitionerWhat's coming next for this podcast and the Brave & Well communityMore from Brave & Well:Book a Brave Boss VIP dayFollow Brave and Well on Instagram @braveandwellSign up for the Brave and Well newsletterWork with me!Get my workbook — Laying the Foundation for your Private PracticeSign up for my course — From Therapist to CEOGet templates, tools and more in the Brave & Well shop!

September 30, 2025Episode 3539 min

How Delegating Tasks Can Transform Your Practice with Jennifer Crawford and Meredith Eaton of Move Forward Virtual Assistants

As therapists and small business owners, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking we have to do it all ourselves. But here’s the truth: doing everything on your own isn’t sustainable—and it definitely isn’t scalable.Today, I’m talking to Jennifer Crawford and Meredith Eaton of Move Forward Virtual Assistants about delegation as a superpower.Tune in to hear about:How to calculate the real ROI of hiring an assistantThe most common (and most helpful) tasks therapists delegateThree smart questions to ask when you’re ready to hireHow to be better at delegatingThe benefits of hiring a specialized VA who’s trained in mental health administrationIf you’ve been feeling stretched thin or wondering when to bring in support, this conversation is for you.  More from Jennifer and Meredith:Move Forward Virtual Assistants https://moveforwardvirtualassistants.com/More from Brave & Well:Follow Brave and Well on Instagram @braveandwellSign up for the Brave and Well newsletterWork with me!Get my workbook — Laying the Foundation for your Private PracticeSign up for my course — From Therapist to CEOBook a Brave Boss VIP dayGet templates, tools and more in the Brave & Well shop!

September 16, 2025Episode 3451 min

Demystifying Insurance: Answering Your Billing Questions with Jeremy Zug of Practice Solutions

Dealing with insurance can be one of the most confusing—and costly—parts of running a mental health practice. From clawbacks and claim denials to underpayments and long look-back periods, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.That’s why we invited Jeremy Zug on the podcast this week.Jeremy Zug is a nationally-recognized expert in insurance billing and revenue cycle management, with a distinguished career driving financial health and operational excellence for mental health professionals. He also co-founded Practice Solutions with his wife Kathryn in 2017.Tune in to learn about:Why clawbacks happen (and how to minimize their impact)How to decide which payers to work withStrategies for negotiating higher reimbursement ratesThe shift toward value-based care and what it means for youHow to troubleshoot (and prevent) claim denials If you want clarity and confidence in navigating insurance and billing, this episode is packed with actionable insights you won’t want to miss.Mentioned in the episode:Serif HealthSimple PracticeTherapy NotesCheckpoint EHRMore from Jeremy:www.practicesol.comhttps://www.instagram.com/practicesolutionsbillinghttps://www.linkedin.com/company/practice-solutions-llc/More from Brave & Well:Follow Brave and Well on Instagram @braveandwellSign up for the Brave and Well newsletterWork with me!Get my workbook — Laying the Foundation for your Private PracticeSign up for my course — From Therapist to CEOBook a Brave Boss VIP dayGet templates, tools and more in the Brave & Well shop!

September 2, 2025Episode 3359 min

The Hidden Keys to a Profitable Practice with Brie Chrisman of Boss Co

Welcome back to Brave and Well! In this episode, I’m joined by operations expert Brie Chrisman for a powerful conversation on why the behind-the-scenes structure of your practice is just as important as the client work you do.Brie is the founder and CEO of Boss Co, an operations management company that works 100% virtually. With over 15 years of experience in the project management and operations fields, she has revolutionized the way businesses operate by introducing the solution for overwhelm for CEOs. Her commitment to being human-first has led her to serving CEOs in the mental health field.If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by systems, struggled with inconsistent referrals, or wondered how to make your practice more sustainable and profitable, this one’s for you.Tune in to hear about:How standard operating procedures (SOPs) can dramatically reduce overwhelmWhat to do when potential clients say, “these rate are too high”Why referrals may have slowed down this year—and strategies to bring in new clientsThe overlooked importance of intake forms in building trust and efficiencyHow to spot and fix hidden profit leaks in your practice More from Brie and Boss Co:https://heybossco.com/https://www.instagram.com/hey_bossco/https://www.facebook.com/heybosscohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/brie-chrisman/ More from Brave & Well:Follow Brave and Well on Instagram @braveandwellSign up for the Brave and Well newsletter Work with me!Get my workbook — Laying the Foundation for your Private PracticeSign up for my course — From Therapist to CEOBook a Brave Boss VIP dayGet templates, tools and more in the Brave & Well shop!

September 3, 2024Episode 3230 min

Mapping Your Client Journey: How to Create a Seamless Intake Process & Answer Client Questions with Confidence

Have you ever taken on a new client, then gotten into your first session and realized it wasn’t a good fit?In this episode, we’re exploring the client journey from the moment someone starts looking for a therapist to their first session in your (virtual) office.Tune in to learn the key steps you can take to create a seamless and welcoming intake process. In less than 30 minutes, I’ll walk you through how to:Identify what your client needsBuild a welcoming intake processAnswer client questions clearly & confidentlyStreamline your operations to boost retention& Continuously improve your process over time Mentioned in the episode:Laying the Foundation for your Private PracticePrivate Practice CircleGroup Practice CircleMore from Brave & Well:Follow Brave and Well on InstagramSign up for the Brave and Well newsletterWork with me!Get my workbook — Laying the Foundation for your Private PracticeSign up for From Therapist to CEO & get 10% off with the code PODCASTGet templates, tools and more in the Brave & Well shop!

August 20, 2024Episode 3127 min

3 Things I’d Do Differently If I Was Starting My Therapy Business Now

I’ve been a working therapist for a over decade, and in that time I’ve worked in schools, private practice, group practice, therapy tech (at my company Social Note), and as a clinical supervisor.Across those positions, I’ve learned a lot about building a therapy business that supports you and your clients. So in today’s episode I’m sharing what I’d do differently if I was getting started right now — including one of my biggest business regrets from my early years.Tune in to learn from my successes and my mistakes. You’ll hear about:Why fall is my favorite season in private practiceThe power of retreats, workshops & support groupsHow to hit the ground running with relationship-buildingThe importance of establishing (& sticking to) your nicheThe money shift that made a big impact for my business Mentioned in the episode:Laying the Foundation for your Private PracticePrivate Practice CircleGroup Practice CircleMore from Brave & Well:Follow Brave and Well on InstagramSign up for the Brave and Well newsletterWork with me!Get my workbook — Laying the Foundation for your Private PracticeSign up for From Therapist to CEO & get 10% off with the code PODCASTGet templates, tools and more in the Brave & Well shop!

August 13, 2024Episode 3031 min

5 Creative Ways to Market Your Therapy Practice

Lately it feels harder than ever to market yourself and stand out as a private practice therapist. Doesn’t it?I’m hearing this from many of my Brave & Well clients, and I want to help!So today I’m sharing five ways to creatively market your practice, so you can continue to do the work that you love without burning yourself out in this era of Therapy Tech.In this episode, I walk you through how to leverage your assets, creatively maximize your specialties, generate revenue, and meet your clients where they’re at in the process.Tune in for practical advice covering:Why I’m focusing on SEO strategy over social media strategyEasy passive income ideasWays to implement & set up package pricingHow to use pay-over-time merchants to support clientsWhy I’m setting up intensives, modality-specific pricing, and flexible formatsHow to create a learning library or subscription model for easy, recurring incomeNew ways LinkedIn can help grow your businessAnd if you enjoy this episode, please share it with your therapist friends, and leave us a five-star rating and review! Mentioned in the episode:Episode 25: SEO, AI & Digital Marketing for Therapists with Kristie PlantingaKlarnaKambria Evans & the EMDR Intensive Design KitSquarespace memberships More from Brave & Well:Follow Brave and Well on InstagramSign up for the Brave and Well newsletter Work with me!Get my workbook — Laying the Foundation for your Private PracticeSign up for From Therapist to CEO & get 10% off with the code PODCASTGet templates, tools and more in the Brave & Well shop!

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