Today's episode is one I've been looking forward to for a long time. We're diving into a topic that doesn't get talked about nearly enough in our field—men's mental health—and why so many traditional therapy approaches miss the mark when it comes to helping men heal.

My guest is Marc Azoulay, LPC, LAC, CGP, ACS—the founder of Men's Therapy Online and host of The Men's Therapy Podcast. Marc brings a powerful blend of psychoanalysis, neuroscience, and Buddhism to his work, and he's built an incredible community that helps men get real, get connected, and get results.

In this conversation, we're breaking down what it actually takes to build trust and respect with male clients, why "safety" isn't always the right starting point, and how we as therapists can better support men in becoming the best versions of themselves.

Marc also shares some fantastic insights on private practice growth, niching boldly, and finding your authentic voice as a clinician. This one's packed with wisdom and heart—so stay tuned, you're really going to enjoy it.

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Read the show notes here

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Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free

Consulting with Gordon

The PsychCraft Network

Profit First for Therapists Workbook

Meet Marc Azoulay LPC, LAC, CGP, ACS

Marc Azoulay, LPC, LAC, CGP, ACS, is the founder of Men's Therapy Online, a community and healing hub for men who want to get back on their feet or take their lives to the next level. With the help of his team of licensed clinicians, he provides ongoing men's groups, individual counseling, and powerful wilderness retreats for members.

With a background in psychoanalysis, neuroscience, and Buddhism, Marc helps men uncover and destroy the unconscious barriers that hold them back. His mission is to help men become the best versions of themselves and truly show up for their lives, relationships, and communities.

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​​In today's episode, I am sitting down with Darshana Avila for a truly fascinating and important conversation about the intersection of sexuality, somatic work, and trauma healing.

As therapists, we often talk about the mind and body connection, but many of us shy away from exploring how that connection relates to our clients' sexuality, intimacy, and sense of pleasure. Darshana brings a deeply trauma-informed and culturally sensitive approach to this work, helping clients reconnect with their bodies, navigate consent, and move beyond shame into embodied wholeness.

In our discussion, we explore what sexological bodywork actually looks like, how it differs from traditional sex therapy, and why somatic awareness is essential for both healing trauma and deepening intimacy. We also touch on how therapists can hold space for these conversations within private practice and why it is so important to bring curiosity, consent, and compassion to this part of the human experience.

This is one of those episodes that might stretch your perspective a bit, and that is a good thing. I am so grateful to Darshana for sharing her wisdom, and I think you will walk away with a richer understanding of how to support your clients and yourself in a more embodied and holistic way.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• How Darshana's personal journey led her to somatic and erotic healing work
• The difference between sexological bodywork and traditional sex therapy
• Why somatic awareness is essential for trauma healing and intimacy
• What it means to truly "come home to your body"
• How consent goes beyond just saying yes or no
• The role of the nervous system in safety, pleasure, and connection
• How therapists can introduce somatic principles in private practice
• Understanding erotic wholeness and how it expands our idea of healing
• The impact of shame and cultural conditioning around sexuality
• Why pleasure and safety are part of the same healing process

Resources Mentioned In This Episode

Watch on YouTube

Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free

Consulting with Gordon

The PsychCraft Network

Profit First for Therapists Workbook

Meet Darshana Avila

Darshana Avila is a trauma-informed somatic sex & intimacy practitioner (SEP, CSB) who guides people through embodied journeys of erotic wholeness. Her work blends nervous-system regulation, somatic awareness, consent-fluency, and relational liberation. Featured on Sex, Love & Goop (Netflix), she supports women, non-binary folks, and couples in reclaiming pleasure, voice, and connection.

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Well, y'all are in for a treat today. My guest, Dr. Jason Branch, brings some serious fire and fresh perspective to this conversation. He's been in the counseling world for over two decades, as a clinician, educator, and entrepreneur, and what I love most about him is how real he gets about the struggles we all face in private practice: imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and finding the courage to just keep showing up.

Jason has an incredible way of using analogies that stick: salamanders, gators, and what he calls being D.U.N. - doing things that are different, uncomfortable, and new. It's all about stepping into growth, setting healthy boundaries, and remembering that we're not impostors... we're learners.

So if you've ever doubted yourself or wondered whether you belong in the room, this episode is going to challenge and inspire you. Let's dive into this conversation with Dr. Jason Branch.

In This Episode, We Talk About:

• Understanding imposter syndrome in private practice
• The "Salamander vs. Gator" analogy for growth and boundaries
• How vulnerability helps us become better therapists and leaders
• Being D.U.N.—Different, Uncomfortable, and New
• Overcoming perfectionism and impatience
• The power of consistency, curiosity, and celebration
• Embracing authenticity and confidence in your private practice journey

Resources Mentioned In This Episode

Read the show notes here

Watch on YouTube

Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free

Consulting with Gordon

The PsychCraft Network

Profit First for Therapists Workbook

Meet Dr. Jason Branch

Dr. Jason Branch brings over two decades of expertise in the mental health and counseling profession, transforming lives and advancing the field through his work in higher education, community mental health, city government, corporate settings, and substance abuse treatment facilities.

As the Founder and CEO of J. Branch and Associates, a dynamic virtual clinical group practice, Dr. Branch leads a team dedicated to providing high-quality therapy services to adults, couples, and families across Georgia, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

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When I first connected with Wendy Pitts Reeves, I knew she was someone who truly gets it — the ups, downs, and constant balancing act of running a private practice.

In this episode, Wendy joins me to share her powerful framework, The Seven Pillars of a Thriving Private Practice, and it's one you'll want to take notes on.

Wendy has spent decades building her own successful practice in Tennessee and now helps other therapists do the same through her coaching and podcast, Ideal Practice. In our conversation, we dive into what it takes to build a business that's not just profitable, but purposeful — one that fits who you are and how you want to live.

We talk about:

• Why getting clear on your purpose changes everything
• How to serve your ideal clients (and enjoy the work again)
• The importance of solid systems and boundaries
• Developing a confident money mindset
• And how your perspective shapes your success

This is one of those conversations that reminds us why we do this work — and how to build a practice that truly supports both your clients and your life.

🎧 Listen in and learn how to build your ideal practice — one pillar at a time.

Resources Mentioned In This Episode

Read the show notes here

Watch on YouTube

Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free

Consulting with Gordon

The PsychCraft Network

Profit First for Therapists Workbook

Meet Wendy Pitts Reeves

Wendy Pitts Reeves, LCSW, is a seasoned therapist-turned-entrepreneur who has spent over two decades building and coaching private practices that serve both clients and the clinicians behind them. After founding and managing a thriving group practice in East Tennessee, Wendy pivoted to support healing-arts professionals — therapists, coaches, yoga teachers, and energy healers — through her firm, C2C Consulting, and her podcast, Ideal Practice.

Known for her strategic clarity, intuitive insight, and no-nonsense encouragement, Wendy helps practice owners move through common roadblocks — from money mindset struggles to scattered systems and unclear offers — and build practices that align with their values and vision.

She is a member of the Forbes Coaches Council, a speaker and workshop leader, and a former public official, having served in local government in Tennessee. Her approach blends deep therapeutic understanding with solid business strategy, helping clinicians shift from just "doing therapy" to running a business they truly enjoy.

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Today's episode is one I've really been looking forward to because we're diving into something that's transforming the way we think about mental health treatment: low-dose ketamine therapy. My guest, Dr. Sharon Niv, is the co-founder of Joyous, a public benefit company helping make this kind of care more accessible and affordable than ever before.

Sharon brings a fascinating background in cognitive psychology, meditation, and technology, and she's helping bridge the gap between neuroscience and therapy in a way that's incredibly gentle, safe, and empowering for both clients and clinicians.

We'll talk about what makes psycholytic, or low-dose, ketamine different from traditional psychedelic experiences, how it can enhance the therapeutic process, and how you, as a therapist, can get trained to integrate it into your own work.

This is one of those conversations that opens your mind to what's possible in therapy, so let's jump in.

Resources Mentioned In This Episode

Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free

Consulting with Gordon

The PsychCraft Network

Profit First for Therapists Workbook

Meet Sharon Niv, Ph.D.

Dr. Sharon Niv is a cognitive psychologist and co-founder of Joyous Team, a Public Benefit Corporation dedicated to making evidence-based mental health treatments accessible and affordable. Her work bridges the worlds of neuroscience, technology, and therapy with a focus on how scalable, data-driven approaches can enhance emotional well-being.

Dr. Niv earned her Ph.D. in Brain and Cognitive Science from the University of Southern California, where she conducted research on EEG biomarkers, neurofeedback, and the neural underpinnings of mood and behavior. She also holds a B.A. in Molecular and Cellular Biology from UC Berkeley and an M.A. in Clinical and Cognitive Psychology from USC.

Before founding Joyous, Sharon worked on developing virtual-reality interventions for chronic pain and neurofeedback programs designed to help people improve emotional regulation and resilience. A long-time meditation practitioner, she combines scientific rigor with a deep understanding of mindfulness and experiential learning.

Through Joyous, Sharon and her team are pioneering low-dose (psycholytic) ketamine therapy, creating safer, more sustainable pathways for individuals and therapists to experience healing and insight. Her mission is to empower both clinicians and clients with practical tools that promote neuroplasticity, compassion, and mental clarity.

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I'm so glad to welcome Julie Herres back to the podcast! Julie is the founder of GreenOak Accounting, the host of the Therapy for Your Money Podcast, and the author of Profit First for Therapists. This time, she's joining me to talk about her brand-new Profit First for Therapists Workbook — a hands-on companion to her original book that helps you actually implement the Profit First system in your practice.

In this episode, we dig into what it really takes to build a financially sustainable practice. Julie explains how she helps therapists move from confusion to clarity by using simple systems that make it easy to know where your money is going, what's normal for your practice, and how to pay yourself consistently.

We also talk about some of the common money mistakes we see in private practice, especially when it comes to paying your team, setting up payroll, or growing too fast without clear financial guardrails. Julie shares the mindset shifts and practical steps that can help you stay profitable and sustainable long-term.

You'll hear:

• How Profit First flips the traditional accounting equation
• Why your practice should serve your life — not the other way around
• How to make intentional, values-based decisions with your money
• What to watch for when hiring or adding new revenue streams
• How the new workbook helps you troubleshoot and customize Profit First for your unique practice

If you've ever wondered, "Am I doing this money thing right?" then this episode will give you a lot of peace of mind. Julie's approach takes the intimidation out of accounting and replaces it with clarity and confidence.

Resources Mentioned In This Episode

Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free

Consulting with Gordon

The PsychCraft Network

Profit First for Therapists Workbook

Therapy For Your Money

GreenOak Accounting

Meet Julie Herres

Julie Herres is on a mission to inspire every private practice to be profitable. Over the last several years, that dream has become reality as Julie and her team have helped hundreds of private practice owners take their profit first and gain financial freedom. As the owner of GreenOak Accounting, Julie leads her firm with this goal in mind, providing tax, accounting and Profit First consulting services to private practices across the United States. Julie is also a Certified Profit First Professional, an IRS Enrolled Agent, a speaker and the host of the Therapy For Your Money podcast.

What if private practice wasn't the end goal but the launchpad?

In this episode, Gordon talks with Carly Hill, LCSW, business strategist and host of The Thriving Therapreneur Podcast, about how therapists can outgrow the office by adding coaching, creating digital offers, and building freedom-based businesses.

Carly shares her journey from burnout to building a seven-figure coaching brand and breaks down exactly how clinicians can protect their license while expanding beyond therapy. You'll learn the key differences between therapy and coaching, how to ethically separate your businesses, and how to market your coaching offers with confidence.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• The real difference between therapy and coaching
• How to protect your license when adding coaching
• Why therapists should lead the coaching space
• How to build multiple income streams beyond private practice
• Carly's approach to creating freedom, flexibility, and impact

Resources Mentioned In This Episode

Read the show notes here

Watch on YouTube

Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free

Consulting with Gordon

The PsychCraft Network

Profit First for Therapists Workbook

Meet Carly Hill, LCSW, Business Coach For Therapists

Carly Hill, LCSW, is a business strategist and coach who helps clinicians venture beyond the therapy room and build successful, sustainable online businesses. Through her signature programs and trainings, she teaches everything from understanding the difference between therapy and coachin
g to mastering niche clarity, marketing, sales, branding, and mindset. Her mission is simple: to help clinicians impact more lives while creating freedom-based businesses.

Before becoming a business coach, Carly worked as a therapist and loved the work she did—but she loved her freedom even more. She longed for time freedom, energy freedom, travel freedom, and financial freedom—something she couldn't fully experience within the traditional therapy model.

Seeing so many other therapists facing burnout and financial limitations, Carly began questioning the system that left such highly educated professionals overworked and underpaid. She started a networking group to help fellow therapists combat burnout, which soon evolved into a larger mission: to find real solutions for therapists who wanted more flexibility and fulfillment.

Through her own discovery, research, and training in high-ticket group coaching and organic lead generation, Carly developed a proven client attraction system she calls the Modern Marketing Masterplan. This approach allowed her to grow from $0 to consistent six-figure months in record time.

Today, Carly's focus is on sharing everything she's learned—empowering therapists to leverage their expertise, attract ideal clients, and design businesses that align with the freedom-filled lives they deserve.

Carly believes every therapist has the power to build a business that supports both their purpose and their peace.

Learn How To Turn Your Clinical Skills Into A Coaching Business So You Can Earn Back Your Freedom!

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Ops expert Brie Chrisman (CEO, BosCo) shares how to increase profit in private practice without adding more clients, clinicians, or ad spend—by tightening expenses, streamlining workflows, delegating $20 tasks, and optimizing client onboarding.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why "profit = revenue − expenses" (and why most owners only push the revenue side)
• How to reclaim 21+ hours/year with simple email templates
• The $20 vs. $200 task rule for smarter delegation
• SOPs that make onboarding, training, and busy-day brain fog easier
• The #1 lever for growth: client onboarding (lead → consult → paperwork → first session)

Resources Mentioned In This Episode

Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free

Consulting with Gordon

The PsychCraft Network

Profit First for Therapists Workbook

Meet Brie Chrisman

Brie Chrisman is the founder and CEO of Boss Co, an operations management and growth strategy agency dedicated to supporting mental health private practice owners. With over 15 years of experience in project management and operations, Brie has redefined how businesses can maximize resources and increase profits without adding to the overwhelm that often accompanies entrepreneurship. Her innovative approach has empowered practice owners to streamline operations and lead with intention.

A passionate mental health advocate, Brie is committed to fostering a human-first, inclusive environment within the operations world. She believes that making practice owners' lives easier and more fulfilled can create a ripple effect, positively impacting their staff, clients, and beyond.

Outside of her work, Brie is a devoted partner to her college sweetheart, a special needs advocate, and a proud mom of two young children.

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