In this reflective season finale, Lisa looks back on the first four months of the Empowered to Lead podcast — the growth, the surprises, the learning curves, and the themes that kept surfacing across every conversation. She shares what she’s learned as a leader, a coach, and a new podcast host, and invites listeners to consider where they’re being stretched and how they might “winter” in their own leadership. With warmth and honesty, Lisa closes out Season One and offers a glimpse into what’s coming in Season Two.

What You’ll Hear:

• Why Season One was full of lessons, unexpected growth, and meaningful conversations
• The major themes that showed up repeatedly across interviews
• What Lisa learned about leadership from hosting her first season
• The importance of being intentional, slowing down, and creating space
• Reflections from Wintering by Katherine May and how they apply to group practice owners
• How to prepare yourself for Season Two’s deeper leadership work
• Your leadership challenge for the break between seasons

Resources Mentioned

• Book: Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May
• Email Lisa: lisa@grouppracticenetwork.ca

Meet the Host: Lisa Catallo

Lisa is a Canadian psychotherapist, group practice owner, and business coach with over eight years of experience leading a thriving, values-driven practice. She works with therapists who are ready to step into their role as confident, ethical, and intentional leaders—without burning out or getting buried in the day-to-day.

Lisa’s coaching focuses on building sustainable group practices through efficient systems, effective leadership, and a deep respect for time and energy. Her approach is calm and encouraging, offering grounded guidance that helps therapists move from overwhelm to clarity—so they can lead with confidence and purpose.

Whether she’s supporting someone just starting to grow a team or helping a seasoned leader reclaim their role as CEO, Lisa brings a blend of insight, structure, and heart to everything she does.

When she’s not coaching or connecting with therapists, you’ll find her hanging out with her children and grandchildren, reading, walking by the water, or dreaming up new ways to make business feel a little lighter.

Connect with the Host:

Website: www.grouppracticenetwork.ca

Instagram: instagram.com/grouppracticenetwork

Facebook: facebook.com/grouppracticenetwork

LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-catallo

Loved this episode? Let’s take it a step further.

Grab the free Time + Energy Audit for Group Practice Owners to get super clear on where your time is going—and what it’s actually worth.

👉 Download it here

And if you're ready for consistent support, connection, and access to done-for-you tools? Come join us inside Group Practice Connection—the membership designed to help Canadian group practice owners lead with clarity and confidence.

✨ You don’t have to do this alone.

In this episode of Empowered to Lead, Lisa sits down with Lucinda Bibbs and Stefanie Iverson, co-founders of New Ground Wellness, to explore what it takes to build and sustain a group practice in partnership. From defining roles to building trust, they share candid insights into navigating challenges, staying aligned with values, and leading with vision and collaboration.

What You’ll Hear:

• The story of how Lucinda and Stefanie met and transitioned from solo practices to forming a partnership.
• Why clearly defining roles and responsibilities has been key to their success.
• How trust, transparency, and shared values keep them aligned as leaders.
• The importance of pausing, slowing down, and seeking support when overwhelm sets in.
• Lessons they’ve learned about systems, numbers, and staying flexible as their business grows.
• What makes New Ground Wellness unique and deeply aligned with their values.

Resources Mentioned

Ambition Alliance - https://www.grouppracticenetwork.ca/the-ambition-alliance

Linzy Bonham’s training/course Money Skills for Group Practice Owners - https://moneynutsandbolts.com/msgpo-ngp-nb/

Group Practice Connection (peer support for practice owners) - https://www.grouppracticenetwork.ca/the-group-practice-connection

Featured Guests: Lucinda Bibbs and Stefanie Iverson

Stefanie Iverson is a Registered Clinical Counsellor, Group Practice Co-Owner, Clinical Supervisor, and mom of three, with over 15 years in the mental health field. She’s passionate about helping adults and couples navigate relationships, growth, and life transitions with compassion and authenticity.

In 2022, Stefanie merged her private practice with colleague Lucinda Bibbs to form New Ground Wellness—one of the South Okanagan’s largest and most trusted counselling practices. Today, she oversees operations and finances while leading a thriving team of 20+ clinicians and supporting emerging counsellors through supervision and practicum programs. Stefanie’s leadership reflects her deep commitment to collaboration, accessibility, and community well-being.

Lucinda Bibbs is a Registered Clinical Counsellor, Breathwork and Cold Exposure Facilitator, and co-owner of New Ground Wellness. With over a decade of experience, she helps people achieve mind–body–spirit balance through both traditional therapy and holistic practices.

After merging her practice with Stefanie’s in 2022, Lucinda expanded her work to include workplace wellness, community programming, and embodied healing experiences. Through LightFORCE Academy and New Ground Wellness, she offers breathwork, coaching, and workshops across B.C.—helping people reconnect with themselves and their communities. Lucinda’s work is rooted in accessibility, empowerment, and the belief that true healing engages the whole person.

Follow Stefanie and Lucinda/New Ground Wellness:

• Website: www.newgroundwellness.ca

Meet the Host: Lisa Catallo

Lisa is a Canadian psychotherapist, group practice owner, and business coach with over eight years of experience leading a thriving, values-driven practice. She works with therapists who are ready to step into their role as confident, ethical, and intentional leaders—without burning out or getting buried in the day-to-day.

Lisa’s...

People pleasing shows up in almost every group practice owner — even the ones who look calm, confident, and steady on the outside. In this episode, we explore why it’s so common for therapists-turned-leaders, how it quietly erodes clarity and confidence, and what you can do to shift into grounded, assertive leadership that protects your time, your energy, and the long-term health of your practice.

You’ll walk away with a simple leadership challenge to help you practise clearer, more values-aligned decision-making this week.

What You’ll Hear:

• Why people-pleasing is so common for group practice owners (and why it makes total sense)
• The subtle ways people pleasers “under-lead” without realizing it
• How undervaluing your expertise fuels unclear boundaries and over-accommodating
• What happens in your business when decisions are delayed or driven by guilt
• Why clarity — not control — is the foundation of effective, trauma-informed leadership
• Practical ways to define your boundaries as a CEO
• A leadership challenge with four options (you’ll choose just one!) to practise assertive, grounded leadership this week

Resources Mentioned

• The Group Practice Connection — Supportive membership for group practice owners who want to lead with clarity, confidence, and steadiness
• Group Practice Network (1:1 Coaching) — Individual coaching to strengthen your leadership and systems
• Website: grouppracticenetwork.ca

Meet the Host: Lisa Catallo

Lisa is a Canadian psychotherapist, group practice owner, and business coach with over eight years of experience leading a thriving, values-driven practice. She works with therapists who are ready to step into their role as confident, ethical, and intentional leaders—without burning out or getting buried in the day-to-day.

Lisa’s coaching focuses on building sustainable group practices through efficient systems, effective leadership, and a deep respect for time and energy. Her approach is calm and encouraging, offering grounded guidance that helps therapists move from overwhelm to clarity—so they can lead with confidence and purpose.

Whether she’s supporting someone just starting to grow a team or helping a seasoned leader reclaim their role as CEO, Lisa brings a blend of insight, structure, and heart to everything she does.

When she’s not coaching or connecting with therapists, you’ll find her hanging out with her children and grandchildren, reading, walking by the water, or dreaming up new ways to make business feel a little lighter.

Connect with the Host:

Website: www.grouppracticenetwork.ca

Instagram: instagram.com/grouppracticenetwork

Facebook: facebook.com/grouppracticenetwork

LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-catallo

Loved this episode? Let’s take it a step further.

Grab the free Time + Energy Audit for Group Practice Owners to get super clear on where your time is going—and what it’s actually worth.

👉 Download it here

And if you're ready for consistent support, connection, and access to done-for-you tools? Come join us inside...

In this episode of the Empowered to Lead podcast, Lisa Catallo interviews Wendy Huang, a group practice owner, about her journey in starting and managing a group practice. They discuss the challenges and rewards of leadership, the importance of having a vision and mission, and the common misconceptions about running a group practice. Wendy shares her experiences, insights on marketing, and the significance of mentorship in navigating the complexities of business ownership. The conversation emphasizes the importance of taking small steps, setting achievable goals, and finding support in the journey of entrepreneurship.

What You’ll Hear:

• You are not alone in this journey.
• Leadership is about leading by example.
• Starting small is crucial for success.
• Having a clear vision and mission is essential.

Featured Guest: Wendy Huang

Wendy Huang is a registered clinical counsellor and a professional art therapist. She works with children between 5 and 14 years old and adults, helping them learn emotional regulation and use creative ways to experience therapeutic processes.

ARTivity Finder explains itself. In art therapy, people are encouraged to combine ART with an ACTIVITY to explore their inner world. We, the therapists, can integrate art with a variety of counselling approaches to fit clients' needs.

Follow Wendy Huang:

Website: http://www.artivityfinder.com/

Instagram: @artivity_finder

Meet the Host: Lisa Catallo

Lisa is a Canadian psychotherapist, group practice owner, and business coach with over eight years of experience leading a thriving, values-driven practice. She works with therapists who are ready to step into their role as confident, ethical, and intentional leaders—without burning out or getting buried in the day-to-day.

Lisa’s coaching focuses on building sustainable group practices through efficient systems, effective leadership, and a deep respect for time and energy. Her approach is calm and encouraging, offering grounded guidance that helps therapists move from overwhelm to clarity—so they can lead with confidence and purpose.

Whether she’s supporting someone just starting to grow a team or helping a seasoned leader reclaim their role as CEO, Lisa brings a blend of insight, structure, and heart to everything she does.

When she’s not coaching or connecting with therapists, you’ll find her hanging out with her children and grandchildren, reading, walking by the water, or dreaming up new ways to make business feel a little lighter.

Connect with the Host:

Website: www.grouppracticenetwork.ca

Instagram: instagram.com/grouppracticenetwork

Facebook: facebook.com/grouppracticenetwork

LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-catallo

Loved this episode? Let’s take it a step further.

Grab the free Time + Energy Audit for Group Practice Owners to get super clear on where your time is going—and what it’s actually worth.

👉 Download it here

And if you're ready for consistent support, connection, and access to done-for-you tools? Come join us inside Group Practice Connection—the membership designed to

In this episode of Empowered to Lead, Lisa sits down with Madeline Larsen, co-founder of Practice Vital, to talk about how data can empower group practice owners to make confident, informed decisions. Together, they unpack how understanding your metrics can strengthen leadership, improve team conversations, and help you step fully into your CEO role—without drowning in spreadsheets.

What You’ll Hear:

• The story behind Practice Vital and how it helps group practice owners access key business data
• How to make sense of your numbers (without being a “numbers person”)
• Turning data into meaningful insight for leadership and team development
• Why data can neutralize emotional or difficult conversations with clinicians
• How understanding metrics supports better hiring, compensation, and retention decisions
• Tips for starting small and building confidence with data tracking
• Practice Vital’s features, integrations, and pricing overview

Resources Mentioned

- Practice Vital

- EHRs compatible with Practice Vital: Jane, Simple Practice, Therapy Notes, Theranest, Intake Queue, and more

- Connect with Practice Vital to book a demo or learn more

Featured Guest: Madeline Larsen

Madeline is one of four co-founders of PracticeVital. Her fellow co-founders include her cousin and his wife, who own a group therapy practice in the Chicago area, and her husband, an experienced software engineer and entrepreneur. Their skillsets came together back in 2023 after a dinner conversation inspired the creation of PracticeVital, the first ever automated dashboard for group therapy practices to more effortlessly track their business and performance metrics. Madeline’s background is in brand strategy and experience design. After leaving her 15 year career as an advertising executive in Chicago, she now leads all design and marketing efforts for PracticeVital. She and her husband reside in Evanston, Illinois with their two daughters.

Follow Practice Vital:

https://www.instagram.com/practicevital

https://facebook.com/groups/practicevital/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/practicevital

Free gift: $30 off your first month with PracticeVital. Use code GroupPracticeNetwork. link: **https://www.practicevital.com/?ref=GroupPracticeNetwork**

Meet the Host: Lisa Catallo

Lisa is a Canadian psychotherapist, group practice owner, and business coach with over eight years of experience leading a thriving, values-driven practice. She works with therapists who are ready to step into their role as confident, ethical, and intentional leaders—without burning out or getting buried in the day-to-day.

Lisa’s coaching focuses on building sustainable group practices through efficient systems, effective leadership, and a deep respect for time and energy. Her approach is calm and encouraging, offering grounded guidance that helps therapists move from overwhelm to clarity—so they can lead with confidence and purpose.

Whether she’s supporting someone just starting to grow a team or helping a seasoned leader reclaim their...

In this solo episode, Lisa dives into one of the most underrated leadership habits for group practice owners — quarterly meetings. Whether you have two team members or twenty, regular one-on-one meetings can help you build connection, boost engagement, and strengthen your team culture. Lisa shares practical strategies, common objections, and her own lessons learned (the good, the awkward, and the surprising!) to help you make quarterly meetings meaningful and manageable.

What You’ll Hear:

• Why quarterly meetings are essential for connection and engagement
• Common objections (and why they’re missing the bigger picture)
• How to structure your meetings for purpose and warmth
• What to talk about — from goals to metrics to personal check-ins
• How to use meetings to strengthen leadership and retention
• Real-life stories of what works — and when it doesn’t
• Practical tips on when, where, and how to meet effectively

Resources Mentioned

• Traction by Gino Wickman
• Group Practice Connection Membership — templates, discussion prompts, and examples for quarterly meetings
• Connect with Lisa at lisa@grouppracticenetwork.ca

Meet the Host: Lisa Catallo

Lisa is a Canadian psychotherapist, group practice owner, and business coach with over eight years of experience leading a thriving, values-driven practice. She works with therapists who are ready to step into their role as confident, ethical, and intentional leaders—without burning out or getting buried in the day-to-day.

Lisa’s coaching focuses on building sustainable group practices through efficient systems, effective leadership, and a deep respect for time and energy. Her approach is calm and encouraging, offering grounded guidance that helps therapists move from overwhelm to clarity—so they can lead with confidence and purpose.

Whether she’s supporting someone just starting to grow a team or helping a seasoned leader reclaim their role as CEO, Lisa brings a blend of insight, structure, and heart to everything she does.

When she’s not coaching or connecting with therapists, you’ll find her hanging out with her children and grandchildren, reading, walking by the water, or dreaming up new ways to make business feel a little lighter.

Connect with the Host:

Website: www.grouppracticenetwork.ca

Instagram: instagram.com/grouppracticenetwork

Facebook: facebook.com/grouppracticenetwork

LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-catallo

Loved this episode? Let’s take it a step further.

Grab the free Time + Energy Audit for Group Practice Owners to get super clear on where your time is going—and what it’s actually worth.

👉 Download it here

And if you're ready for consistent support, connection, and access to done-for-you tools? Come join us inside Group Practice Connection—the membership designed to help Canadian group practice owners lead with clarity and confidence.

✨ You don’t have to do this alone.

In this episode, Barbara Brown shares her experiences and insights as a group practice owner. From the unexpected challenges to the rewarding moments, Barbara discusses the importance of building a supportive team, staying true to one's values, and the continuous journey of leadership and growth.

What You’ll Hear:

• The transition from solo practice to group practice ownership can be challenging but rewarding.
• Building a reliable and trustworthy team is crucial for success.
• It's important to stay aligned with your values, even in a for-profit setting.
• Learning to delegate and trust others is a key part of leadership.
• Continuous self-reflection and understanding power dynamics are essential for effective leadership.

Resources Mentioned

21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership - John Maxwell

Featured Guest: Barbara Brown

Barbara Brown is the Founder & Clinical Director of Redbird Therapy Centre, a trauma treatment and psychotherapy clinic in Toronto, ON. She is also Co-Founder of Kutana Wema, an international, trauma-focused, educational program hosted annually in Kenya. She is a highly esteemed Registered Psychotherapist with 37 years experience working with marginalized communities for empowerment and social change.

Through Redbird, Barbara has built clinical partnerships with a native women’s center and a queer refugee program to provide accessible and pro bono services. She has also been Academic Staff at Seneca College and a University of Toronto affiliated college.

Barbara is the author of My Breasts, My Choice: Journeys Through Surgery, a photographic & narrative exhibit and book published by Sumach Press, which enjoyed a coast to coast Canadian tour. She is an extensively published writer, including documentary and personal narrative writing for CBC Radio, and has curated multiple community art shows.

Follow Barbara Brown and Redbird Therapy:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/redbird-therapy/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@redbirdtherapy5849

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redbirdtherapy

Pinterest: https://ca.pinterest.com/redbirdtherapy/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redbirdtherapycentre/#

All workshops offered by Redbird Therapy Centre are offered at no cost, as a part of our commitment to accessibility. Check out the upcoming options here: https://redbirdtherapy.ca/workshops/

Redbird & Wema Centre (Kenya) co-host Peer Trauma Consultations, which are offered biannually, at no cost, for trauma workers internationally, to discuss our work, learn together, and support each other. Register here: https://redbirdtherapy.ca/kutana-wema-peer-trauma-consultation/

We also have an extensive Educational Video series, that you can watch on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@redbirdtherapy5849

Meet the Host: Lisa Catallo

Lisa is a Canadian psychotherapist, group practice owner, and...

In this episode, Lisa chats with Registered Clinical Counsellor Becky Palmer, who brings a unique blend of experience as a former pharmacist, military leader, and now clinical director at OK Clinical in BC. Together, they dive into the intersection of ethics, leadership, and sustainability in private practice — and how those principles play out when you’re leading a team.

Becky also shares about her collaborative project, “This Is Why We Practice,” a hub for ethics-based continuing education co-developed with BC family lawyer Betti White, designed to demystify the legal side of counselling.

What You’ll Hear:

• How Becky’s background in pharmacy and the Canadian Forces shaped her leadership approach as a therapist and clinical director.
• Why strong ethical foundations are key to sustainable, values-driven leadership in group practice.
• How “This Is Why We Practice” came to life — and why collaboration with a lawyer makes ethics education more grounded and practical.
• How to use these courses to support your team’s growth, especially if you supervise students or new grads.
• The difference between ethical education for new clinicians vs. seasoned therapists.
• The connection between self-care and ethics — and why revisiting this relationship matters for all leaders.

Resources Mentioned

Free gift - https://thisiswhywepractice.thinkific.com/products/digital_downloads/reflectivepractitionerstarterkit

Featured Guest: Rebecca (Becky) Palmer

Rebecca (Becky) Palmer, BSP, MACP, RCC (#18982) is a Registered Clinical Counsellor, clinical director, and educator based in British Columbia. With a background in military, pharmacy and counselling, Becky brings a unique blend of clinical precision, practical experience, leadership and ethical clarity to her work. She has extensive experience in trauma, vocational rehabilitation, and clinical supervision, and is passionate about equipping counsellors with tools that are both legally defensible and therapeutically sound. As co-creator of This Is Why We Practice, Becky teaches with warmth, humour, and a down-to-earth approach that makes ethics feel not only accessible, but deeply relevant to everyday practice.

Betti White, JD is a practicing BC family lawyer who specializes in high-conflict family law and brings a legal lens to the intersection of counselling and the courts. Betti contributes her expertise to help counsellors understand the realities of subpoenas, legal requests, and the court system, ensuring they feel confident navigating the complexities of documentation and disclosure.

Together, Becky and Betti weave clinical, ethical, and legal perspectives into trainings that protect counsellors, strengthen therapeutic work, and support sustainable practice.

Follow This is Why We Practice:

Instagram: https://linktr.ee/thisiswhywepractice https://thisiswhywepractice.thinkific.com/collections/products

Meet the Host: Lisa Catallo

Lisa is a Canadian psychotherapist, group practice owner, and business coach with over eight years of experience leading a thriving, values-driven practice. She works with therapists who are ready to step into their role as confident, ethical, and intentional leaders—without burning out or getting buried in the day-to-day.

Lisa’s coaching focuses on building sustainable group practices through efficient systems, effective leadership, and a deep