Susan and Melissa welcome Grove therapist Desi to celebrate her two-year anniversary on the team. They swap origin stories (and office décor tips), then get real about what actually makes therapy work: the person of the therapist, the culture behind the scenes, and finding the right client–therapist fit—sometimes that means a warm handoff to a different provider. They dig into the unique parts of practicing in a rural/micropolitan community—running into clients at Publix, confidentiality in close-knit towns, and why advocacy and resource-hunting matter here more than ever.

Desi shares how she balances a full caseload while nearing completion of her PhD (hello, “Dr. D” 👋) and previews her dissertation on the experiences of Black counselors working in rural areas—why the research gap exists, what she’s learning, and how it can shape better care. The trio also talk groups, community offerings, and why it’s okay (and healthy) to choose the therapist and space that feel right to you.

Remember that listening to this podcast is not therapy. It might be therapeutic, but it isn’t a replacement for good mental health treatment. We can help with getting you connected with a good therapist. Check out our website.

Grove: A Healing Collective