Therapists Unchained
Therapists Unchained is about opening a dialogue about the state of mental health in the United States as seen through the eyes of the clinicians and the role of tech platforms in shaping access to care, the consequences of VC-backed therapy models, the intentional complexities of dealing with insurance companies, and building a community of mental health providers to support, mentor, educate, and empower each other. You’ll hear real talk about what’s happening behind the scenes in our field and what it means for providers and clients alike.
Why It Matters:
As the mental health field becomes increasingly shaped by corporate interests and algorithm-driven care, clinicians are being left out of critical conversations — and often critical decisions. This podcast is our space to educate, connect, and organize.
Join the Movement:
If this conversation resonates with you, we invite you to subscribe, share with your networks, and start the conversation in your communities. Together, we can unchain the future of mental health care.
Connect With Us:
If you'd like to be on the show or collaborate with Therapists Unchained, please get in touch with Sivie Suckerman, MA, LMHC, ACS, at sivie@therapistsunchained.com
THANK YOU!
Episodes
26 episodes
The Human Behind the Healer with Anna Steele, LCSW
Content Warning: This episode of Therapists Unchained features a deeply honest and vulnerable conversation regarding severe depression, systemic burnout, and suicidal ideation among mental health professionals. In this episode of...
MediSprout: Reclaiming the EHR from Venture Capital Control with Dr. Samant Virk and Ben Putland
This podcast episode of Therapists Unchained, hosted by Sivie Suckerman, features MediSprout founders Dr. Samant Virk and Ben Putland, who discuss their mission to provide an ethical technology alternative for mental...
The Power of Advocacy with Meg Curtin Rey-Bear, LPCC, LMHC, NCC
This podcast episode of Therapists Unchained, hosted by Sivie Suckerman, features Meg Curtin Rey-Bear, MA, LPCC, LMHC, NCC, a veteran therapist and advocate from Eastern Washington. As the finance task force chair and co-cr...
Billing Under Fire: Supervisory Billing Explained (and more), with Susan Frager, MSW, Part 2
Host Sivie Suckerman, LMHC, ACS and “Psych Billing Coach” Susan Frager, MSW, clarify key administrative and regulatory shifts impacting mental health clinicians. Susan explains the technical differences between ...
The Psych Billing Coach: Fighting Insurance Giants and Venture Capital Platforms with Susan Frager, MSW - Part 1
In this episode of the "Therapists Unchained", host Sivie Suckerman interviews Susan Frager, MSW, widely known as the "Psych Billing Coach". Susan shares her journey from working as an MSW in a high-stress managed care envi...
Fighting the Therapist Farms: Why Small Group Practices Matter with Jessica Frick, LPC
In this episode, host Sivie Suckerman, LMHC welcomes her guest, Jessica Frick, LPC. Drawing on her background in community mental health, Jessica shares vital updates on her macro-level advocacy work within the Mental Hea...
Data, Dollars, and the Future of Therapy: The Therapist Resource Institute with Sharon Harper, LCSW
In this episode of Therapists Unchained, Sivie Suckerman interviews Sharon Harper, a licensed clinical social worker and the founder of the Therapist Resource Institute (TRI). The conversation explores and emphasizes the necessi...
Dismantling the Status Quo: The People's Solidarity Fund with Nicole Sartini, LPCC, IMHP
*The audio in this episode is not my favorite. Thanks for your understanding!*In this episode, host Sivie Suckerman welcomes her first-ever return guest, Nicole Sartini. Nicole is a licensed professional clinical counselor, integrated me...
If it Sucks, Fix it: Taking Back our Professional Associations with Shannon Thompson, LMHC
In this episode, Sivie sits down with Shannon Thompson, LMHC, Executive Director of the Washington Mental Health Counselors Association (WMHCA), the state chapter of the American Mental Health Counselors Association, to explore and dismantle th...
Building a Safety Net: The Therapist Resource Network with Jeanine Rousso, LMHC, LPC, ACS, RPT-S
In this episode of Therapists Unchained, host Sivie Suckerman sits down with Jeanine Rousso, a licensed clinical mental health counselor and registered play therapist supervisor based in North Carolina. They discuss the harsh financial...
Hacked! Data Security, Ethics, and Venture-Backed Platforms: an Interview with Kim Kabar, LMFT
In this episode of Therapists Unchained, host Sivie Suckerman, LMHC, ACS sits down with Kim Kabar, LMFT, to discuss the hidden dangers of the "uberification" of mental health care. The conversation highlights a harrowing se...
Behind Enemy Lines: What VC Middlemen Are Really Doing to Mental Health Care - An Interview with Michael Clifton
In this episode of Therapists Unchained, host Sivie Suckerman, MA, LMHC, ACS sits down with Michael Clifton, MA, LPC, LAC, NCC, a brave clinician willing to speak openly about what it’s actually like to work inside the very VC-backed mental-hea...
Mutual Aid Effort: A Quick Check-In with Sivie Suckerman, MA, LMHC, ACS
Hey folks,This is a very short episode to recognize and acknowledge the current oppressive systems we are facing in the United States. This episode is meant to connect and offer mutual aid to those looking for community during these unpr...
Beyond Academia: An Interview with Janys Murphy Rising, Ph.D., LMHC, CMHS
This week's conversation dives into a long-standing issue in the mental health field: the gap between clinical training and real-world practice. Host Sivie Suckerman, MA, LMHC, ACS is joined by clinician and academic Janice Murphy Rising, Ph.D....
Therapists Unchained Community and Advocacy Efforts: A mini-episode with Sivie Suckerman, MA, LMHC, ACS
In this mini-episode of Therapists Unchained, Sivie Suckerman, MA, LMHC, ACS, provides updates about the Therapists Unchained community and thanks listeners for their support. A core focus is building community and facilitating engage...
Therapists as Advocates: An Interview With Jack Register, LCSW, LIASC, CCS, ICAADC, ICCS
In this episode of Therapists Unchained, host Sivie Suckerman, MA, LMHC, ACS, sits down with Jack Register, LCSW, LIASC, CCS, ICAADC, ICCS, a seasoned advocate and clinician with experience in public policy and systemic change. Together, they d...
Hearing the Helper: An Interview with Ellen Tanner, MS, OTR/L
In this week's episode of Therapists Unchained, Sivie Suckerman, MA, LMHC, ACS sits down with Ellen Tanner, MS, OTR/L occupational therapist and founder of Hearing the Helper. Ellen shares her personal journey with burnout and how it o...
The Human Cost of Corporate Mental Health: An Interview with Caitlin Archibald, MS, LPC, NCC, ACS
Sivie Suckerman, MA, LMHC, ACS interviews Caitlin Archibald, MS, LPC, NCC, ACS, a licensed professional counselor and approved clinical supervisor who owns Chrysalis Counseling Center, a group practice in New Jersey. They discuss the challenges...
Lifting Each Other Up: An Interview with Marta Hamilton, MA, LPC
Marta Hamilton, MA, LPC-S, and Sivie Suckerman, LMHC, ACS, discussed the inspiration and mission behind TeleWellness Hub, highlighting its commitment to supporting wellness based professionals through diverse service listings, community buildin...
Is That Legal?: Navigating Tech, VC, and Collective Action Interview with James Ahearn, JD LPC, PhDc
Sivie Suckerman, MA, LMHC, ACS, and James Ahearn, JD, LPC, PhDc, explore the complex intersection of law, ethics, and mental health care. They unpack the relationships between clients, providers, and insurance companies; examine the growing inf...
Mental Health Insurance Reform Task Force: An Interview with Nicole Sartini, LPCC, IMHP
Sivie Suckerman, LMHC, ACS, catches up with Nicole Sartini, LPCC, IMHP, to discuss Nicole’s advocacy work and the founding of both Bridge Counseling and Wellness and the Mental Health Insurance Reform Task Force. The conversation explores Nicol...
Cash Cow: An Interview with Pam Rothman, LPC
This week on Therapists Unchained, Sivie Suckerman, LMHC, ACS, chatted with Pam Rothman, LPC, to discuss her journey across diverse provider settings—from community mental health to tech-based mental health platforms. Pam offered a candid look ...
Field Fractures: An Interview with Laura Durkin, LMFT, PhD
In this episode of Therapists Unchained, Sivie Suckerman, LMHC, ACS, sits down with Laura Durkin, LMFT, PhD, to unpack the systemic challenges mental health professionals face. From rigid professional identities and inadequate supervis...
Insurance Sh!tshow: Interview with Jennifer Koriath, LCPC, LPC
In this episode of Therapists Unchained, Sivie Suckerman, LMHC, ACS, interviews Jennifer Koriath, LCPC, LPC on the ins and outs of dealing with insurance companies, filing complaints, and how to advocate for yourself and your clients. There is ...
Interview with Dr. Gail Lane
Dr. Lane, a seasoned therapist and former leader in a large group practice, shares her experiences and motivations for starting her own solo practice and consulting business, Fleuri. The discussion explores the challenges and rewards of leaders...
