In this episode of The Unmasked Therapist Podcast, Clinical Supervisors ⁠⁠Kim Rippy⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Kaitlyn Steel⁠⁠ continue their series on therapist identity development by exploring one of the biggest questions early clinicians face: “What is my model?”

Rather than encouraging therapists to rush into choosing a theoretical orientation based on popularity, supervision expectations, or graduate school pressure, Kim and Kaitlyn unpack how a therapist’s model often develops through deeper self-awareness, lived experience, and clinical curiosity. They discuss how understanding your own values, emotional responses, relational patterns, and clinical instincts can guide you toward approaches that genuinely align with who you are as a therapist.

Through conversations about EFT, CBT, trauma work, attachment, supervision, and the process of “dating” different therapeutic models, this episode examines how clinicians can begin identifying the theories and interventions that feel authentic rather than performative. Kim and Kaitlyn also explore the importance of hypothesis-building, clinical curiosity, and using supervision as a space to intentionally reflect on what naturally stands out to you in the therapy room.

This episode invites therapists to move away from trying to force themselves into a model and instead begin discovering the approaches that already reflect how they naturally conceptualize and connect with clients.

In this episode, we discuss:
• Why many early clinicians feel pressure to “pick a model”
• How therapist identity influences theoretical orientation
• The difference between learning skills and developing clinical authenticity
• Why self-awareness helps therapists recognize aligned approaches
• How attachment, values, trauma, and relationships shape conceptualization
• The process of exploring and “dating” therapeutic models
• Using curiosity and supervision to clarify your clinical direction
• Why confidence grows when interventions align with who you are as a therapist

Connect with us:
Supervision: ⁠www.keystonetherapygroup.com/supervision/⁠
Instagram: @TheUnmaskedTherapist
Email: ⁠Supervision@KeystoneTherapyGroup.com⁠

If this episode resonated with you, leave a five-star review and subscribe for more conversations about authentic, grounded, human-centered therapy.

Disclaimer:
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for clinical supervision. All information shared represents our own opinions and should not be taken as legal or clinical direction.

#TheUnmaskedTherapist #UnmaskedTherapist #TherapistPodcast #MentalHealthPodcast #TherapistConversations

In this episode of The Unmasked Therapist Podcast, Clinical Supervisors ⁠Kim Rippy⁠ and ⁠Kaitlyn Steel⁠ introduce the first part of a new series focused on one of the most underdeveloped but essential aspects of becoming a clinician: developing your therapist identity.

They explore the “person of the therapist” model and why supervision in the early stages of training often overemphasizes skills while leaving little room for deeper reflection on who the therapist actually is. Kim and Kaitlyn discuss how understanding yourself as a person—your values, emotional patterns, life experiences, and internal world—directly shapes how you show up in the therapy room.

Through honest reflection and real clinical insight, they unpack the idea that therapists cannot separate personal growth from professional development. They also discuss how experiential awareness, supervision, and self-reflection help clinicians move beyond scripted interventions and into more grounded, authentic clinical presence.

This episode sets the foundation for the series by inviting therapists to begin examining how their own lived experience informs their work, and why this integration is key to long-term clinical effectiveness and sustainability.

In this episode, we discuss:• What the “person of the therapist” model is in clinical supervision• Why therapist identity development is often missing in early training• The limits of skill-based supervision without self-reflection• How personal experience shapes clinical perception and intervention• The connection between therapist authenticity and nervous system regulation• Why ongoing self-awareness is essential for effective therapy• How experiential understanding deepens clinical work

Connect with us:Supervision: www.keystonetherapygroup.com/supervision/Instagram: @TheUnmaskedTherapistEmail: Supervision@KeystoneTherapyGroup.com

If this episode resonated with you, leave a five-star review and subscribe for more conversations about authentic, grounded, human-centered therapy.

Disclaimer:This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for clinical supervision. All information shared represents our own opinions and should not be taken as legal or clinical direction.

#TheUnmaskedTherapist #UnmaskedTherapist #TherapistPodcast #MentalHealthPodcast #TherapistConversations

In this episode of the Unmasked Therapist Podcast, ⁠Kaitlyn Steel, LMFT⁠, continues her conversation with Michelle Vaughn, LPC—practice owner of Truth and Grace Counseling in Arizona—for part two of this two-part series.

Picking up where they left off, Kaitlyn and Michelle dive deeper into Michelle’s clinical work, with a focus on trauma and the modalities that shape her approach. Michelle shares how working from an attachment-focused lens informs her understanding of clients, emphasizing the importance of looking beyond presenting symptoms to uncover the deeper roots of distress.

The conversation explores the integration of EMDR and Michelle’s growing use of Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR), a newer trauma modality that works at a lower level of brain processing. Michelle explains how DBR can be especially helpful for clients with complex trauma or dissociative tendencies, offering a slower, more accessible way to process experiences without becoming overwhelmed.

As the episode continues, the discussion shifts into the importance of consultation and community in clinical work. Kaitlyn and Michelle highlight how seeking support from other clinicians can expand perspective, improve client care, and introduce therapists to new approaches they may not have otherwise considered.

The final portion of the conversation focuses on Michelle’s journey as a supervisor and private practice owner. She shares insights on building a practice rooted in autonomy, flexibility, and client-centered values, while also encouraging early career clinicians to think intentionally about their own needs, boundaries, and long-term sustainability in the field.

Grounded in both clinical insight and real-world experience, this episode offers a thoughtful look at trauma work, professional growth, and what it means to show up authentically—not just for clients, but for yourself as a therapist.

In this episode, we discuss:• Using an attachment-focused lens in trauma work• How EMDR and Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) are used in practice• Working with complex trauma and dissociation• The importance of consultation and building a professional network• Lessons from supervision and transitioning into private practice• Balancing clinician needs with client care

This is part two of a two-part conversation. Be sure to check out last week’s episode for the beginning of this discussion.

Connect with us:Supervision: ⁠www.keystonetherapygroup.com/supervision/⁠Instagram: @TheUnmaskedTherapistEmail: ⁠⁠Supervision@KeystoneTherapyGroup.com⁠⁠

If this episode resonated with you, leave a five-star review and subscribe for more conversations about authentic, grounded, human-centered therapy.

Disclaimer:This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for clinical supervision. All information shared represents our own opinions and should not be taken as legal or clinical direction.

#TheUnmaskedTherapist #UnmaskedTherapist #TherapistPodcast #MentalHealthPodcast #TherapistConversations