Abundant Practice Podcast Episode #723 Summary

Episode Title: Confidence, Clothing, And The Leap Of Faith In Entrepreneurship
Host: Allison Puryear
Guest: Marisol Colette (Therapist & Image Consultant)
Date: January 14, 2026

Overview

This rich, engaging episode centers on how intentionality with clothing and personal style supports therapists navigating the leap from agency work to private practice. Allison and guest Marisol Colette explore the links between authentic self-expression, professional branding, and confidence—especially in moments of personal transition or entrepreneurship. The episode goes beyond superficial fashion tips, diving into the therapeutic and transformative potential of dressing with purpose while embracing changing bodies, evolving personal identities, and business growth.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Reframing Clothing: From Obligation to Opportunity (03:17–07:15)

• Agency vs. Private Practice: Marisol emphasizes how dressing in private practice is no longer dictated by institutional expectations. Therapists can (and should) create their own “rules” that align with their business, personal values, and authentic selves.
  • “What you were taught to wear, what you felt like you had to wear in your agency job is actually not the same... You make the rules. This is your business.” — Marisol [03:24]
• Intentionality in Appearance: Thoughtfulness in how therapists physically show up is part of building a unique business identity and is as important as other aspects of branding.
  • “There is a vibe, and we can't deny that there is a vibe in how what you wear and how you show up…impacts your marketability.” — Allison [04:35]

Authentic Expression & Magnetizing Ideal Clients (06:25–09:12)

• Clothing as a Marketing Tool: Marisol recounts styling a therapist for branding photos, showcasing how intentional wardrobe choices supported the client’s evolving business—years later, those images still serve her brand.
• Relatability and Authority: What you wear can boost client trust—maintaining both approachability and professional authority fosters stronger therapeutic connections.
  • “We want a therapist that we know can hold all the parts of us as a client…that we believe has expertise in holding space.” — Marisol [06:55]

Defining Values Through Wardrobe Choices (07:15–12:47)

• Translating Values into Clothing: Trusting one's instincts (e.g., choosing bold colors, different cuts) is key; therapists are encouraged to practice intentional dressing that truly reflects their personalities.
  • “Start practicing paying attention to how you want to show up…start building that trust with yourself around intentional dressing.” — Marisol [08:15]
• Body Transitions & Vulnerability: The discussion turns to how therapists in transition (career, body, identity) face unique vulnerability around clothing. Marisol’s therapeutic lens helps clients let go of clothing tied to old identities and embrace their changing selves.
  • “It might be like a slow titration of letting go of the clothes that they wore when they were in their agency.” — Marisol [10:16]

Body Image, Menopause, and Representation (12:08–14:51)

• Rejecting Outdated Narratives: The hosts challenge negative cultural scripts about body changes (like menopause), reframing this season as liberating, and clothing as a joyful, adaptive practice.
  • “What does it look like to not give a shit what other people think?...divest from the male gaze further.” — Allison [12:14, 12:48]
• Therapeutic Parallels: Mirroring therapy’s process, wardrobe evolution can become a therapeutic practice enacting self-acceptance and growth.

Dressing for Aspirations & Comfort (14:51–16:59)

• Dress for the Practice You Want: Both hosts underscore the confidence that comes from aligning internal aspirations with outer expression.
  • “If I show up as myself, there’s a courage and bravery behind that.” — Marisol [13:21]
• Comfort is Non-Negotiable: Modern professional style must balance looking good and feeling good. Both reject the old belief that fashion is inherently uncomfortable.
  • “Just because something is stylish or looks good does not mean it's uncomfortable.” — Allison [14:51]

Practical Tips & Accessible Strategies (16:59–21:31)

• Curating with Intention: Let go of clothes that no longer serve; focus on a manageable, expressive closet, especially in times of body or career transition.
  • “You're sitting in your new office...wearing this outfit that you wore when you weren't a business owner, and the old parts of you start to show up again.” — Marisol [16:31]
• Thrifting, Swapping, and Upcycling: Budget-friendly strategies like thrifting, consignment, and creative reuse meet the realities of tight finances in early private practice.
• “One Outfit Per Week” Hack: Allison shares a tip for therapists with recurring weekly clients—wearing the same “power outfit” for sessions to limit wardrobe stress and expense.
  • “If you see your clients once a week, you can wear one outfit all week…You don’t need a million things in your closet.” — Allison [19:35]
• Digital Closets: Marisol describes styling clients using digital closets for easy, daily decision-making—removing stress and supporting confidence.

Clothing as a Tool for Visibility & Magnetism (22:10–27:18)

• Intentional Attire for Branding & Networking: How wardrobe choices at branding shoots, networking, or even casual coffee meetings can reinforce professional identity, attract ideal clients, and communicate authenticity.
  • “The more out there we are about who we are, the easier it is for our people to find us.” — Allison [25:46]
• Aligning Attire & Identity: Marisol illustrates helping a successful therapist “turn the dial” to visually embrace and communicate their queer identity, thereby attracting the clients they most want to serve.

Modeling What We Teach (25:51–27:18)

• Walking the Talk: Therapists who model bold, authentic self-presentation encourage clients to do the same—moving beyond internalized shame or limiting social scripts.
  • “If they see us wearing oversized black clothes…you're telling me to show up boldly, but I can see your discomfort as you pull on your clothes.” — Marisol [27:05]
• Therapist Visibility as Essential: With therapists doing life-saving work, it’s crucial not to “hide”—showing up authentically enables them to speak and serve more powerfully.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Start practicing paying attention to how you want to show up…start building that trust with yourself around intentional dressing.” — Marisol [08:15]
• “There is liberation...it actually [can be] a really freeing time.” — Marisol on menopause transitions [12:13]
• “You have more important things to do than worry about what to wear.” — Marisol [16:18]
• “Let go of all these other past parts of yourself that are going to send the wrong, like...like ping on the neurotransmitters that are the wrong ones.” — Marisol [16:23]
• “The more out there we are about who we are, the easier it is for our people to find us.” — Allison [25:46]
• “Therapists are some of the most important people. You are saving lives...we need therapists to be speaking their truth...showing up holding space. And if we're hiding, we can't do that.” — Marisol [26:00]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:17 — Breaking free from agency dress codes; building a visual brand in private practice
• 06:25 — Relatability, authority, and the impact of wardrobe on marketing and trust
• 08:15 — Practicing intuitive, authentic dressing
• 10:04 — Navigating body changes and the vulnerability of career transitions
• 12:08 — Rewriting the menopause narrative, embracing body and identity with liberation
• 13:20 — Dressing courageously for the entrepreneurial leap
• 14:51 — Challenging the comfort/style dichotomy
• 16:59 — Letting go of old clothes and identities, practical wardrobe curation
• 19:35 — “One outfit per week” strategy for early private practitioners
• 22:10 — Using clothing to foster confidence in vulnerable business moments
• 25:46 — The power of authentic visual branding in client attraction
• 27:05 — Modeling authenticity for clients, challenging shame and invisibility

Guest Contact Information

Marisol Colette

• Website: soulreflection.com
• Email: marisol@soulreflection.com
• Instagram/Facebook: @soulreflection
• Offer: Free 20-minute consultation for therapists in transitional phases ([details in show notes])

This episode is a must-listen for any therapist—or entrepreneur—navigating new professional territory, seeking ways to blend authenticity, confidence, and business success through intentional, expressive style.