Podcast Summary: Private Practice Startup Podcast

Episode 150: What if I Don't Want to Be a Therapist Anymore?!?
Date: August 24, 2019
Hosts: Dr. Kate Campbell & Katie Lemieux
Guest/Co-host: Ernesto Segismundo

Brief Overview

In this candid and vulnerable episode, Katie Lemieux and guest host Ernesto Segismundo tackle a taboo but relatable topic in the mental health professional world: “What if I don’t want to be a therapist anymore?” Through personal stories and open dialogue, they normalize feelings of stagnation, burnout, and shifting career passions, removing the shame around questioning or departing from a traditional therapy career. The episode is a rare permission slip for clinicians to honor where they are and consider what truly lights them up—whether that remains therapy or evolves into something new.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Taboo of Career Change in Therapy ([05:09]–[08:12])

• Vulnerability in Discussing Career Uncertainty:
  Katie shares her hesitancy about being open with her feelings, acknowledging that many therapists are privately struggling with similar thoughts but often feel unable to admit them.
  • Quote: “Sometimes therapy is a season, and that’s okay.” – Katie Lemieux ([06:12])
• “Therapist Shame” Defined:
  Katie recalls a colleague giving a name to the guilt therapists feel about wanting a change after investing years in education and identity as a therapist.
  • Quote: “We invest so much time and energy…then it’s like, well, I can’t leave…I have all this therapist shame.” – Katie Lemieux ([07:03])

2. Evolving Passions and Professional Burnout ([08:12]–[14:32])

• Acknowledging Burnout Without Judgment:
  Ernesto and Katie both call out the harmful tendency to pathologize or shame normal career restlessness as “resistance” or “burnout.”
  • Quote: “It’s not that we’re leaving a bad profession…you’re increasing your identity as a career entrepreneur.” – Ernesto Segismundo ([11:10])
• Finding Joy in New Skills:
  Katie realized her excitement lies in leading, systematizing, and business consulting—skills she grew beyond the therapy room.
  • Quote: “I love working in teams and leading people…sometimes therapy is a season.” – Katie Lemieux ([09:03]–[11:10])
• Transferable Skills:
  The therapists highlight how skills from therapy—active listening, rapport building, understanding people—translate perfectly to new professions or business arenas.
  • Quote: “Wherever we go in business…the ability to work with people to make them feel validated…those are all amazing business skills.” – Katie Lemieux ([12:56])

3. Emotional Realities of Transition ([14:32]–[23:19])

• The Guilt, Boredom & Frustration:
  Ernesto describes feeling trapped or stuck before client sessions, candidly admitting to emotions like annoyance and dread even as a successful therapist.
  • Quote: “It’s a real emotional response. It doesn’t mean I don’t like my clients... it’s being human, bitch. Sorry.” – Ernesto Segismundo ([19:10])
• Permission to Be Human:
  Both hosts emphasize that therapists need spaces where they can safely process their doubts and downturns—mirroring the advice they give clients.
  • Quote: “If you’re telling me you 110% love seeing your clients and it’s always butterflies...I’m gonna have a hard time believing you.” – Ernesto Segismundo ([24:27])
  • Quote: “You need to be able to do that…this is what we would tell our clients.” – Katie Lemieux ([32:27])

4. Rethinking the Therapist Identity ([23:19]–[34:51])

• The Multidimensional Therapist:
  Ernesto points out that more therapists are blending their clinical work with passions like real estate, filmmaking, design, or entrepreneurship, pushing against the lone-counselor stereotype.
  • Quote: “There’s other clinicians that are doing things—they’re real estate agents, makeup artists, home designers…” – Ernesto Segismundo ([29:36])
• Mindset over Morality:
  They challenge the idea that it’s “bad” or morally wrong to want something different, urging listeners to release the moral judgment of emotions and choices.
• Taking Practical Steps:
  Katie describes her process of creative exploration—consulting with business professionals, networking, and investigating how her therapy skills could serve new ventures.

5. Giving (and Receiving) Permission to Pivot ([31:11]–[36:39])

• Normalize “Freak Out” Moments:
  Both encourage listeners to allow themselves to grieve, vent, swear, and experience whatever emotions come with transition, without isolating or self-shaming.
  • Quote: “At the end of the day…you’re doing amazing work. And it’s okay to say f** this, I don’t want to be a therapist anymore.”* – Ernesto Segismundo ([31:11])
• Support & Authenticity:
  Katie underscores the importance of trusted friends, partners, and peers who won’t try to “fix” you, but simply hold space for your process.
• What’s Next?:
  Both guests share their own evolving career trajectories—Katie into business consulting, Ernesto into training, film, and conferences—reminding listeners that careers can and do keep changing.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|---------|-------| | 07:03 | Katie Lemieux | “We invest so much time and energy…then it’s like, well, I can’t leave…I have all this therapist shame.” | | 11:10 | Ernesto Segismundo | “It’s not that we’re leaving a bad profession…you’re increasing your identity as a career entrepreneur.” | | 12:56 | Katie Lemieux | “Wherever we go in business…the ability to make people feel validated…those are all amazing business skills.” | | 19:10 | Ernesto Segismundo | “It’s a real emotional response. It doesn’t mean I don’t like my clients... it’s being human, bitch. Sorry.” | | 24:27 | Ernesto Segismundo | “If you’re telling me you 110% love seeing your clients and it’s always butterflies...I’m gonna have a hard time believing you.” | | 31:11 | Ernesto Segismundo | “At the end of the day…you’re doing amazing work. And it’s okay to say f*** this, I don’t want to be a therapist anymore.” | | 32:27 | Katie Lemieux | “You need to be able to do that…this is what we would tell our clients.” | | 34:05 | Katie Lemieux | “I’m really starting to look at what it would look like to do business consulting…I’m giving myself permission to be completely passionate about what I do at this stage.” |

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [05:09] Impromptu Facebook Live: Setting the stage for an unscripted, honest conversation
• [07:03] Naming “therapist shame” and struggles with career change
• [09:03] Katie’s journey: From clinical leadership to business and systems
• [12:56] Transferable therapy skills to other careers/business
• [16:15] Emotional processing of transition—anxiety, resistance, self-doubt
• [19:10] Ernesto’s raw confession: therapist dread and reframing “negative” feelings
• [23:19] How boredom and agency drives career shifts in therapists
• [29:36] Examples of creative therapist careers: blending multiple identities
• [31:11] Giving permission to feel stuck, frustrated, or “freak out”
• [34:05] What’s next: concrete plans, continued self-exploration for both speakers

Conclusion

This episode is a much-needed, honest exploration of the hidden feelings many therapists have about their careers. By sharing their vulnerabilities, Katie and Ernesto de-stigmatize the desire to pivot and offer practical encouragement for anyone feeling restless in their current role. The overarching message: It’s okay to honor shifting passions, and no therapist—or anyone—should feel stuck in a career out of guilt, habit, or outside expectations. Permission to evolve granted.