Embracing Holistic Self-Care: An Interview with Chris McDonald

In this episode of the SoulCare for Therapists podcast, host Dawn Gabriel interviews licensed holistic therapist, yoga teacher, and author Chris McDonald, discussing her multifaceted background and her new workbook 'Self-Care for the Counselor'. Chris shares her journey into holistic care, the importance of integrating yoga and breathwork into therapy, and how her companion workbook provides practical exercises and techniques for comprehensive self-care. Key topics include managing therapist burnout, incorporating spiritual practices, and innovative methods for clearing energy post-session.

• 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
• 01:16 Chris McDonald's Background and Career
• 03:31 The Journey to Holistic Therapy
• 05:29 Interactive Workbook Features
• 07:28 Holistic Self-Care for Therapists
• 12:11 PIECES: A Holistic Health Plan
• 16:29 Mindfulness and Emotional Check-ins
• 16:57 The Importance of Therapy for Therapists
• 17:33 Compartmentalizing and Managing Stress
• 18:20 Creating Support Systems
• 20:41 Energetic Health and Clearing Practices
• 26:25 Spiritual Health and Connection
• 27:56 Silent Retreats and Recharging
• 29:47 Mindfulness in Counseling Sessions
• 30:21 Resources and Closing Remarks

• Sacred Space Community Groups - with Dawn

• Soul Care Retreats: Exclusively for therapists who want to recharge in a deep and fulfilling way. You will engage in your own spiritual journey, find some release from the work you do, as well as connect with other therapists all while enjoying the beauty of Colorado at a secluded and peaceful retreat center. Limited to 6-8 therapists.

• Show Notes and Podcast Production by Course Creation Studio.

• Website Home - Holistic Counseling Podcast

• Podcast for Holistic Counseling https://www.facebook.com/holisticcounselingpodcast

• Instagram (@holisticcounselingpodcast)

• Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-mcdonald-bb831823/

• The Holistic Counseling Podcast (@HCPodcast8) on X

• Chris McDonald on TikTok

• How to Build Confidence as a Holistic Therapist

Exploring Spiritual Discernment: Understanding Consolation and Desolation

In this solo episode, host Dawn Gabriel delves into the concepts of spiritual direction, formation, and soul care, focusing on discernment, specifically consolation and desolation. Drawing from her two-year course in Ignatian spiritual direction, Dawn provides insights into how these practices can help individuals, particularly therapists, understand their internal spiritual movements. She explains the significance of recognizing attachments and differentiates between healthy and unhealthy ones. The episode also highlights practical exercises and experiences that lead to deeper faith, hope, and love, as well as common pitfalls like false consolations. Dawn shares personal anecdotes and recommends helpful books for those interested in exploring discernment further.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

01:27 Discovering Discernment

01:53 Ignatian Spiritual Direction

04:56 Understanding Attachments

07:15 Constellation and Desolation Explained

11:57 Practical Applications of Discernment

17:03 Recommended Reading and Conclusion

• What's Your Decision?

• God's Voice Within: The Ignatian Way to Discover God's Will

• The Way of Discernment: Spiritual Practices for Decision

• Sacred Space Community Groups - with Dawn

• Soul Care Retreats: Exclusively for therapists who want to recharge in a deep and fulfilling way. You will engage in your own spiritual journey, find some release from the work you do, as well as connect with other therapists all while enjoying the beauty of Colorado at a secluded and peaceful retreat center. Limited to 6-8 therapists.

Show Notes and Podcast Production by Course Creation Studio.

Finding Fulfillment: An Interview with Kasey Compton

In this episode of the 'SoulCare for Therapists' podcast, host Dawn Gabriel welcomes author and entrepreneur Kasey Compton. They discuss the launch of Kasey's new book 'In Search of You,' a journey through her personal and professional life, and the struggles of finding fulfillment despite success. Casey vulnerably shares her story of navigating personal turmoil, including a sudden divorce, and her path to self-discovery and therapy. The conversation emphasizes the importance of self-care for therapists and business owners, touching on themes of vulnerability, over-functioning, and the challenges of balancing personal ambitions with internal happiness. The episode offers valuable insights for therapists on normalizing resistance to therapy and the need for self-awareness and soul alignment in their practice.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

01:24 Casey's Background and Journey

02:45 The Vulnerability of Launching a Book

04:09 Exploring Unfulfillment and Overfunctioning

08:35 Casey's Personal Struggles and Turning Point

13:01 The Writing Process and Book Structure

14:23 Impact and Reception of the Book

17:41 Challenges and Vulnerability in a Conservative Community

26:01 Advice for Therapists and Personal Growth

27:55 Looking Ahead and Final Thoughts

• In Search of You - Get more info on the book and Kasey’s story

• Kasey’s Social Media on Facebook and Instagram:@HiKaseyCompton

• Sacred Space Community Groups - with Dawn

• Soul Care Retreats: Exclusively for therapists who want to recharge in a deep and fulfilling way. You will engage in your own spiritual journey, find some release from the work you do, as well as connect with other therapists all while enjoying the beauty of Colorado at a secluded and peaceful retreat center. Limited to 6-8 therapists.

Show Notes and Podcast Production by Course Creation Studio.

Returning with Reflection: Navigating Challenges and Finding Renewal

In this episode of Soulcare for Therapists, host Dawn Gabriel shares her journey through a four-month hiatus, addressing personal challenges, burnout, and the unexpected departure of key therapists from her practice.

Despite these trials, she reflects on the growth and insights gained during this period, including the importance of detachment and reevaluation of her attachments, particularly concerning her business and team dynamics.

Dawn opens up about the spiritual and emotional processes that aided her through these times, highlighting a meaningful retreat and her continuous dedication to her spiritual practice. She also announces plans for expansion and the renewed direction for her group therapy practice, emphasizing the importance of resilience, faith, and the continuous cycle of learning and healing for therapists and within their practices.

Show Highlights

• 00:00 Welcome Back: A Personal Journey of Growth and Pause
• 01:56 The Power of Taking a Break: Reflections and Realizations
• 02:40 A Spiritual Retreat: Rejuvenation and Divine Encounters
• 03:53 Navigating Challenges: Group Practice Dynamics and Personal Growth
• 08:12 Healing and Leadership: A Journey of Renewal
• 13:20 Embracing Vulnerability: Lessons from the Grand Canyon
• 17:21 Looking Ahead: New Beginnings and Continued Growth
• 18:14 Closing Thoughts and Invitations for Engagement

• Sacred Space Community Groups - with Dawn

• Soul Care Retreats: Exclusively for therapists who want to recharge deeply and be fulfilling. You will engage in your own spiritual journey, find some release from your work, and connect with other therapists while enjoying the beauty of Colorado at a secluded and peaceful retreat center. Limited to 6-8 therapists

• Show Notes and Podcast Production by Course Creation Studio

Pausing for Soul Care 

In this episode, we explore the story behind the decision to take a break from the Soul Care for Therapists podcast. Dawn Gabriel opens up about the importance of prioritizing self-care and provides insights into her own journey of recognizing signs of burnout and the need for soul care. She emphasizes the significance of setting boundaries and offers support to listeners during her hiatus. The podcast concludes with a reminder to listeners to prioritize self-care and invites them to explore previous podcast episodes and connect with Dawn through various channels.

• 00:07 Introduction to Soul Care for Therapists Podcast
• 01:00 The Need for a Break: Recognizing Signs of Burnout
• 01:28 The Importance of Self-Care and Taking Time Off
• 02:36 The Power of Community and Permission to Pause
• 03:23 The Plan for the Break and Future Expectations
• 04:35 Continued Availability and Encouragement for Self-Care
• 05:29 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

• Sacred Space Community Groups - with Dawn

• Soul Care Retreats: Exclusively for therapists who want to recharge in a deep and fulfilling way. You will engage in your own spiritual journey, find some release from the work you do, as well as connect with other therapists all while enjoying the beauty of Colorado at a secluded and peaceful retreat center. Limited to 6-8 therapists.

Show Notes and Podcast Production by Course Creation Studio.

The Therapuetic Power of Hiking with Dr. Dawn Brukenhoefer

Dr. Dawn Bronkenhofer joins Dawn Gabriel, host of the Soul Care for Therapists podcast, to discuss the importance of self-care for mental health therapists. Dr. Bronkenhofer owns a group practice and utilizes her counselor education background to design retreats and educational opportunities for therapists. Specializing in hiking retreats, she explores the physical and psychological benefits of overcoming challenges in nature. These retreats pushes therapists to face their fears, helping them build resilience and stamina. The tougher retreats are described as 'tours', emphasizing the intense physical demand they impose. While the process is not always easy, participants ultimately gain a sense of accomplishment, inner development, and greater mental strength. Dr. Bronkenhofer shares how she uses hiking to prevent burnout, and encourages therapists to partake in the spiritual practice of being still in nature to promote overall wellness.

00:08 Introduction and Welcome

00:08 Meet the Host: Dawn Gabriel

01:23 Guest Introduction: Dr. Dawn Bronkenhofer

03:12 Dr. Dawn's Journey into Hiking Retreats

05:28 The Healing Power of Nature

06:56 The Dynamics of Hiking Tours

10:03 The Impact of Hiking Tours on Therapists

14:24 The Importance of Self-Care for Therapists

25:45 The Practice Class: Upcoming Tours and Retreats

32:25 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

• Podcast Web Page

• Social Media Handles: @thepacticeclass

• The Practice Class: Innovative counselor education trainings and retreats for therapists of all levels wanting more

• Sacred Space Community Groups - with Dawn

• Soul Care Retreats: Exclusively for therapists who want to recharge in a deep and fulfilling way. You will engage in your own spiritual journey, find some release from the work you do, as well as connect with other therapists all while enjoying the beauty of Colorado at a secluded and peaceful retreat center. Limited to 6-8 therapists.

Show Notes and Podcast Production by Course Creation Studio.

In this podcast episode, host Dawn Gabriel converses with Katie Kroening, a licensed clinical social worker and owner of a faith-based counseling practice. Katie provides insight into her faith's influence on her career, starting with her decision to seek a career in social work and setting up her own counseling practice in 2018. She emphasizes the importance of waiting upon the Lord and aligning one's professional decisions with spiritual convictions. She shares a personal story about the tragedy her husband faced and how the experience reinforced her trust in God. Katie also discusses her recent decision to open a second location of her practice, which came after years of prayer and waiting. Katie and Dawn talk about the challenges in dealing with the fear of reducing their practices' size or altering their offering due to faith-related decisions. They conclude with a conversation on overcoming the fear of judgment, maintaining cultural values, and balancing business decisions with spiritual commitments, encouraging listeners to stay true to their values and persevere in their journey. View the full show notes on the webpage. 

• 00:08 Introduction and Welcoming Guest
• 00:32 Getting to Know Katie Kroening
• 00:41 Katie's Professional Journey and Personal Life
• 02:04 Discussing Katie's Specialization and Practice
• 03:17 God as a Business Partner
• 03:30 Katie's Faith Journey and Career Aspirations
• 06:54 The Importance of Waiting on the Lord
• 07:28 Katie's Personal Story and Challenges
• 07:41 Katie's Business Growth and Expansion
• 09:06 The Power of Faith and Patience
• 19:15 The Role of Fear in Decision Making
• 21:13 The Importance of Aligning with Values
• 22:57 The Struggles and Rewards of Running a Practice
• 31:36 Closing Thoughts and Encouragement

• Center for Courageous Living
• Instagram: Linktr.ee/thrcenterforcourage
• Facebook: Courageous7777
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/Katiekroeningctr4crg/
• Sacred Space Community Groups - with Dawn
• Soul Care Retreats: Exclusively for therapists who want to recharge in a deep and fulfilling way. You will engage in your own spiritual journey, find some release from the work you do, as well as connect with other therapists all while enjoying the beauty of Colorado at a secluded and peaceful retreat center. Limited to 6-8 therapists.

Show Notes and Podcast Production by Course Creation Studio.

Incorporating Faith into Owning a Private Practice: A Conversation with Nathan Hanson

In this podcast, Nathan Hanson is invited to discuss his career as a licensed professional counselor (LPC), husband, father, and owner of a private practice. He takes pride in his role as a business owner and places importance on his personal life as a husband and a father. He emphasizes the importance of a balance between personal and professional life, namely putting family first and work second. Nathan mentions his faith throughout the conversation, expressing how he prays for his clients and his practice regularly. He holds onto the belief that his practice is God's business too, and it's this faith that has helped him grow his practice over the years. Also, Nathan shares how he prioritizes honesty, integrity, compassion, and grace, which are core tenets of his faith, in his practices. Visit the web page for full shownotes. 

• 00:07 Introduction and Guest Background
• 02:32 The Journey to Becoming a Practice Owner
• 03:11 Balancing Personal Identity and Professional Role
• 03:54 The Role of Faith in Personal and Professional Life
• 06:58 The Decision to Incorporate Faith into Practice
• 09:09 The Impact of Faith on Client Relationships
• 14:30 The Practice of Inviting God into the Workspace
• 16:32 Understanding Our Relationship with God
• 17:30 The Concept of Pleasing God
• 18:39 God's Perception of Us
• 19:34 The Unique Place of Humans in Creation
• 20:56 God's Unconditional Love for His Children
• 21:05 God's Role in Our Professional Lives
• 23:41 Balancing Trust in God and Business Efforts
• 26:53 The Importance of Humility and Trust in God
• 28:04 Praying for Clients and Trusting God's Provision
• 29:23 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

• Great Lakes Wellness Counseling

• Great Lakes Wellness Counseling on Facebook

• Sacred Space Community Groups - with Dawn

• Soul Care Retreats: Exclusively for therapists who want to recharge in a deep and fulfilling way. You will engage in your own spiritual journey, find some release from the work you do, as well as connect with other therapists all while enjoying the beauty of Colorado at a secluded and peaceful retreat center. Limited to 6-8 therapists.

Show Notes and Podcast Production by Course Creation Studio.