We’re therapists. We’re human. Let’s talk about both.
Therapy is messy. Being a therapist can be, too. Join us for honest conversations about the work, the people behind it, and everything we’re usually expected to have figured out.
Behind the Therapist. Beyond the Textbook.
We’re taught how to hold space for other people. But who’s holding space for the therapist?
We’re taught to be compassionate, boundaried, self-aware, professional, and emotionally available. We’re supposed to know when to speak, when to stay quiet, how much of ourselves to share, and how to leave our own stuff at the door.
And somehow, we’re expected to do all of that while also being regular human beings.
Yeah. It’s a lot.
The Unmasked Therapist is a podcast about what it’s actually like to be a therapist – not just the clinical skills, theories, and interventions, but the person behind the professional role.
We’re talking about the contradictions, insecurities, uncomfortable moments, unexpected joys, and very real growing pains that come with this work.
From imposter syndrome and burnout to authenticity, boundaries, countertransference, and finding your own voice as a clinician, we’re pulling back the curtain on the parts of being a therapist that don’t always make it into the textbooks.
Because being a good therapist doesn’t mean having it all figured out.
It means being willing to keep learning, growing, and showing up as a human being.
Meet the voices behind the microphones.
Two Therapists. A Lot of Opinions. Absolutely Still Figuring Things Out.
Kim Rippy, LPC, MA
Co-Host
Licensed Professional Counselor
Board Approved Supervisor for Virginia LPC & LMFT Residents
Practice owner, clinical supervisor, trauma therapist, and believer that authenticity and professionalism don’t have to be opposites.
Kaitlyn Steel, LMFT, MS
Co-Host
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Board Approved Supervisor for Virginia LMFT & LPC Residents
Clinical supervisor, relationship therapist, and advocate for doing the personal work that makes us more present, grounded clinicians.
What We Talk About
Therapist Identity
& Authenticity
Finding your voice, showing up as yourself, and navigating the contradictions of being a therapist.
Clinical Skills & Therapeutic Relationships
The real-life clinical moments that challenge us, shape our judgment, and strengthen our work with clients.
Boundaries, Ethics, & Self-Disclosure
Navigating professional boundaries, ethical gray areas, and the balance between authenticity and responsibility.
Supervision & Professional Growth
Building confidence, developing your clinical approach, and learning through mentorship, consultation, and reflection.
Therapist Burnout & Well-Being
The emotional weight of being a therapist, compassion fatigue, regulation, and caring for yourself while caring for others.
Private Practice & Career Development
The practical side of being a therapist, from managing a caseload to building a sustainable career and practice.
Listen to the Conversations
This Podcast is for you if…
You Love Being a Therapist. But Sometimes, This Job Is Weird.
Maybe you’re a graduate student wondering whether you’ll ever feel like you know what you’re doing.
Maybe you’re a resident who can explain attachment theory beautifully but still replays your sessions afterward, wondering whether you said the right thing.
Maybe you’ve been licensed for years and are discovering that experience doesn’t magically eliminate self-doubt, burnout, or the occasional What am I even doing? moment.
Or maybe you simply want to hear other therapists talk about the things you’ve been thinking but haven’t quite known how to say.
You’re in good company.
Whether you’re just beginning your career or have been doing this work for decades, we believe there’s always room to grow, question, laugh, reflect, and become more comfortable being the person behind the therapist.
Take Off the Therapist Mask. Stay for the Conversation.
Whether you’re here to learn something, question something, or simply feel a little less alone in this profession, we’re glad you found us.
Pull up a chair. We’ve got a lot to talk about.
More than a Podcast
You weren’t meant to figure this profession out alone.
Some conversations deserve more than a podcast episode.
At The Unmasked Therapist, we’re passionate about creating spaces where therapists can bring their questions, uncertainties, experiences, and whole selves into their professional growth.
Through clinical supervision, consultation, and professional development opportunities, we help therapists strengthen their clinical skills while developing a professional identity that feels genuinely their own.