Episode Overview

Title: The Daring Way™ of Technology in Therapy
Podcast: Private Practice Startup Podcast (Episode 102)
Hosts: Dr. Kate Campbell & Katie Lemieux
Guest: Carol Park, therapist and creator of TheraLink
Date: September 8, 2018

In this episode, Kate and Katie dive deep with guest Carol Park into the intersection of technology, therapy, and vulnerability, inspired by the work of Brené Brown. They explore the emotional challenges therapists face when integrating new technologies, discuss the concept of "shame resilience," and highlight how empathy and connection are at the heart of both effective therapy and successful tech adoption. The conversation is candid, relatable, and filled with practical wisdom.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Origin of TheraLink: Meeting Clients Where They Are

• Carol shares the inspiration behind TheraLink (07:00–08:20).

  • Traditional tech solutions for online therapy were expensive and doctor-focused.
  • Carol wanted something simple, affordable, and designed for therapists' unique needs.
  • Quote: "TheraLink basically started from my own experience. My two guiding principles in therapy are connection and meeting the client where they are... Literally, meeting the client where they are in their dorm room at college while I'm in my office." – Carol (07:30)

• TheraLink now offers HIPAA-compliant video, scheduling, notes, and document sharing.

2. Technology & Therapist Vulnerability: The Brené Brown Framework

• Vulnerability in adopting technology (09:30–13:22)

  • Technology places therapists in an "arena"—a space of uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure.
  • Common anxiety triggers: "What if I don't know how to use it? What if my client knows more than me?"
  • Quote: "Vulnerability is any place where there's uncertainty, risk and emotional exposure—eg, life. But for a therapist, technology, right? Uncertainty." – Carol (09:30)
  • Feelings of incompetence can trigger shame ("shame spiral").

• TheraLink's empathy-based support mindset

  • Help desk staff trained to respond empathetically, not judgmentally.
  • "It's not like, 'What, you didn't know how to unmute your microphone?' It's, 'Oh, yes, we get it. This can be anxiety-provoking. We're here and we'll walk you through it.'" – Carol (12:15)

3. Embracing Imperfection & Practicing Self-Compassion

• Hosts share their own technology mishaps (14:00–15:40)

  • Relatable stories about video and chat failures in sessions and webinars.
  • Katie: "It's like, you're on Broadway, you might have sprained your ankle, but you still have to dance. You're sweating, you're trying to deliver..." (15:20)

• Therapists as role models for resilience

  • Clients benefit when therapists model handling imperfection with grace.
  • Quote: "If you feel comfortable, just like feeling comfortable in a therapy chair with your client, they're going to feel comfortable, and them just seeing you be able to manage that with yourself helps them learn that." – Carol (17:30)

4. Shame Triggers and Shields

• Identifying and responding to shame triggers (21:00–24:54)
  • Shame often rooted in unwanted identities: "I don't have all the answers," "I'm inadequate."
  • Shields:
    • Move against (become combative/blame others)
    • Move toward (people-please or over-apologize)
    • Move away (withdraw or give up)
  • Quote: "We may get the move against S.H.I.E.L.D. coming at us. It's okay. We're going to just be there. We're going to listen, we're going to practice empathy." – Carol (22:10)

5. Practical Resilience and Empathy Tools

• Tools from Brené Brown integrated into tech support and therapy practice (24:54–28:05)
  • Self-compassion: self-kindness, common humanity, mindfulness.
  • Empathy: having trusted "marble jar people" to talk with about struggles.
  • Quote: "Fall down, treat yourself kindly, and get back up again. It's okay, you don't have to be perfect. My values are connection and meeting them where they are." – Carol (25:35)

6. Values, Collaboration & Growth

• Hosts reflect on their own experiences with "not good enough" triggers (26:11–28:05)
  • Leaning into gratitude and viewing criticism as an opportunity for growth.
  • The importance of teamwork and mutual support among colleagues.
  • Quote: "Not everybody's our tribe, and that's okay. And we're not everybody's tribe." – Kate (27:42)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "TheraLink...it's almost like getting a big hug. You guys are like the most supportive."
  – Kate (13:22)

• "Shame is any unwanted identity. So for a therapist...we want to be perceived as, 'Oh, she knows everything.' So when we get into a space where we feel a little inadequate, ...risk for a shame trigger to show up."
  – Carol (09:50)

• "Having my business partner is amazing, too, because right when I'm in a place, you can kind of say, 'hey, Katie, it's okay. It's just not a tribe. It's okay, it's okay.' and I'm like, 'oh, okay, right?'"
  – Katie (27:29)

• "Don't be afraid to enter the arena. It's okay if it – in fact, it's probably not going to go perfectly, because whatever does. Just have the courage to show up and be seen."
  – Carol (28:10)

Important Timestamps

• 05:07 – Introduction of Carol Park and TheraLink
• 07:00 – Story behind TheraLink and central values
• 09:30 – Technology as an arena of therapist vulnerability
• 13:22 – Kate shares that TheraLink feels like “a big hug”
• 14:00 – Katie’s story: when tech fails in session
• 15:20 – “Being online is like being on Broadway...” (Katie)
• 21:00 – Carol introduces “shame shields” and how therapists react to triggers
• 25:35 – Carol’s self-compassion mantra
• 26:11 – Discussion on embracing feedback and practicing gratitude
• 28:10 – Carol’s takeaway: “Don’t be afraid to enter the arena”

Key Takeaways

• Tech Vulnerability is Universal: Therapists are not immune to tech anxiety or shame; acknowledging this is the first step to resilience.
• Empathy is Essential—Even in Tech: Whether supporting clients or colleagues, leading with empathy reduces anxiety and fosters connection.
• Perfection Isn’t the Goal—Connection Is: Clients relate more to therapists who model healthy imperfection and self-compassion.
• Own Your Values: Let guiding principles like connection and service lead both your practice and your tech journey.
• It’s OK Not to Be Perfect: Growth comes from trying, failing, and getting back up—with kindness to ourselves and each other.

Resources Mentioned

• TheraLink – HIPAA-compliant online therapy platform [Special offer: 20% off first year + 15-day free trial]
• Brené Brown’s work – On vulnerability, shame, and empathy
• Gottman Connection Concepts – Turning toward/away/against (relationship dynamics)

For more resources and private practice support, visit www.PrivatePracticeStartup.com.