Guest blogger Michelle Farris, LMFT who is the founder of Counseling Recovery in San Jose, California specializing in anger management and addiction recovery, shares her story and some great tips on how she nurtured a professional dream into reality, as well as created a profitable and fun leveraged income stream....

Do you want to increase your speaking gigs? If so, this is a list of my most tried and true tips for landing more speaking opportunities. They fall into three categories: Free Local Presentations, Annual Conferences, Paid Corporate and Industry Speaking.

Warning: If you expect a perfectly executed message, sunshine wrapped up in a rainbow, zero profanity, and impeccable sentence structure, then run quickly away as this imperfect blog post will likely disappoint or offend or both. I've got a rescue kitten perched on my belly currently who is playing with this keyboard and I'm not moving him...

Are you a therapist who would like to give public speaking a shot but deal with stage fright? If so, I discuss 12 tried and true ways I gave fear the finger and went on to land interesting and exciting speaking gigs. If I can do it, then so can you!...

One of the topics that comes up frequently in my coaching sessions is if a therapist "should" incorporate their practice. There are pros and cons to incorporating a private practice. And there are laws and mandates within most states, including my state of California, that a licensed MFT, LCSW, and PhD must adhere to. The following information is provided as a non-expert overview on this complex topic of private practice...

In a sea of private practice blogs, Mari has created a free extensive blog guide outlining fifteen practical, no bullshit, and important steps to growing your business. This comprehensive information can be immediately applied and is offered as a support for therapists who are interested in building a successful and profitable private practice...

Creating and launching your first therapy group is a challenge to even the most seasoned clinician. One of the top questions I receive is, "Mari, I want to start a group, but I am worried I won't fill it. I've never done group therapy...how do I even begin?" I answer the top questions here and offer 10 solid tips on first important steps...

Professional hypocrisy among therapists happens more that you might expect. And, it is a topic that comes up with my coaching clients more than I would have anticipated. Coaching clients sometimes share with me that part of their fear of moving forward in building their private practice is because of professional trauma and hurt due to another therapist, supervisor, colleague, organization, or coach (s). Their trust has been broken, their confidence undermined, or they fear retaliation...

What does being a successful woman really mean?

Is it a certain dollar amount in the bank account?
Is it being on the cover of magazines?
Is it having a business that is blowing up?
Is it being beautiful and fit?
Is it having perfect kids and the right partner?
Is it being celebrated in the media?

Maybe. Or maybe not...

Do you want to write an e-book, but are tired of searching high and low for information? Are you feeling stuck or overwhelmed? Author, Therapist, and Coach Mari A. Lee opens up the vault and shares her step-by-step information, tips, tools and focused support on how to roll up your sleeves and create a successful e-book....

I've been seeing a lot of memes and graphics floating around social media on introverts the last few weeks. What I find most interesting about this recent trend are the heated comments that follow these posts. Some introverts on these threads share feeling highly misunderstood, while the extroverts share that they are feeling labeled as pushy insensitive assholes...

One of the topics I am often asked to write and speak on is healthy personal and professional boundaries and ethics. It is one of the most important topics I teach to my clinical clients and the therapists I supervise.  However, the topic of boundaries is often misunderstood by folks, even therapists seem confused at times. My "Mari-ism" or golden rules on boundaries have to do with thinking that other people are responsible for our boundaries. Are you a boundary buster? Or do you bust others unfairly for crossing your boundaries?

Creating successful passive and leveraged income streams may sound daunting or mysterious, but I promise you that any one with a good idea and the willingness to learn and dig in can do this! If you have have been procrastinating on writing your book, e-book, or creating a group, retreat or workshop, here is a secret: any therapist, not just the tech savvy, the writing wizards, or the creative geniuses, can develop at least one additional income stream with clear information, supported direction, encouragement, and tools...

Working toward CSAT certification is a rewarding process, however, it can also feel as if you are learning a new language. Because there are many concepts, tools and tasks to learn, it can feel overwhelming at times! As a support I have provided answers to the most frequently asked questions I receive as a CSAT supervisor. 

Does sitting down and writing the suggested twice weekly blog post feel overwhelming? My coaching clients often share, "Mari, I sit down to write my blog, and my brain fogs up...I feel blocked." or, "Writing a blog each week feels like a time hog - I have other things to focus on too!" I feel you fellow therapists and bloggers!  Just like you, I juggle many roles. We CAN blog like a boss, and it doesn't have to suck our energy dry. Here are my best super speedy tips for a fun blog relationship that lifts up your energy vs. another time suck in your day...

I have had the honor of speaking and teaching on various topics (resiliency, sex addiction, betrayal, practice building, writing, connection) to wonderful audiences and good hearted groups of people all over the country. One of the concepts I often discuss is what I call, "living and loving with open palms." I think about it this way:

If I live and I love holding all of what I have tightly in my fisted hands...it is true that nothing will escape - not my knowledge, or support, or information, not my time, not my love, nor my money, or my opportunities...nada will slip away from my tight grasp, nothing is lost, zip is risked.

But nothing gets in either. 

Do you know the difference?

I've been a part of both before. And I now recognize the difference. What about you?

Healthy Tribes:

Allow for unique voices and different approaches. While there are professional boundaries and a code of conduct, no one "owns" the leadership or authority, there are many opinions and ideas, each worthwhile and valued. No one is threatened by the other's success. Sincerity and transparency is celebrated...