Are you too nurturing with your clients, too structured or just right?

In this episode of The Gettin’ Gritty Podcast for Mental Health Therapists we unpack the Goldilocks Principle for therapists, finding that “just right” balance between structure and nurture, both in the therapy room and in your own life.

Drawing from our transformative experience with TBRI (Trust-Based Relational Intervention), we explore how every therapist leans naturally toward one side, either low structure/high nurture or high structure/low nurture and how self-awareness can bring the two back into balance. Through humor, storytelling, and relatable “been there, done that” moments, we show that true therapist grit grows from reflection, not perfection.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What the Goldilocks Principle teaches about structure and nurture in therapy
• How to recognize whether you lead with nurture or structure (and when to rebalance)
• Insights from TBRI that transform how you connect with clients and yourself
• How to use self-reflection and consultation to grow your confidence and presence
• Why grit is about balance, patience, and self-compassion—not toughness

If you're a mental health professional who wants to strengthen your confidence, avoid burnout, and find a healthy rhythm between caring and containing, this podcast is for you!

👉 Follow us @grittytherapist on Instagram for grounded tools and therapist real talk.
💻 Get resources, trainings (coming soon!) and “gritty nuggets” at thegrittytherapist.com