Episode 215: The Power of Being Real: Community, Opportunity, and Showing Up [featuring Blaise Harris]

In this episode, Patrick Casale sits down with Blaise Harris, an EMDR-certified therapist, former firefighter, podcast host, speaker, and author, to talk about taking up space, fighting imposter syndrome, and staying authentic in the mental health profession—especially as a first responder and Black therapist—and beyond.

3 key takeaways:

1. Relatability Matters More Than Jargon: Both Blaise Harris and Patrick Casale share that being authentic, relatable, and accessible with clients is more effective—and much more healing—than overloading sessions with clinical jargon.
2. Imposter Syndrome is Universal—Do It Anyway: Even highly accomplished professionals struggle with self-doubt and the pressure to "play small." Doubt yourself and do it anyway.
3. Building Community Fuels Growth: Relationships and professional networks are everything. Having colleagues that encourage you, support you, and nudge you past your inner critic truly enables personal and professional growth.

More about Blaise:

Blaise Harris is an EMDR certified licensed mental health counselor and former firefighter with over 14 years of service as a first responder and is the founder and owner of G Squared Consulting and Counseling Services. Harris has a passion for helping others and hopes to end the stigma surrounding mental health amongst first responders and in the community. Blaise hosts a biweekly podcast called The Dope Black Therapist, where he shares practices, tools, coping mechanisms and addresses issues regarding mental health. Blaise is also an international speaker and the author of “Becoming the Dope Black Therapist.”

1. Website: thedopeblacktherapist.com

–––––––––––––––––––––

🎙️Listen to more episodes of the All Things Private Practice Podcast

🎙️Spotify

🎙️Apple

🎙️YouTube Music

▶️ YouTube

✈️ Learn about Retreats

🗨️ Join the free Empowered Escape FB Community

🗨️ Join the free All Things Private Practice FB Community

–––––––––––––––––––––

Thanks to Our Sponsors: The Receptionist for iPad & Alma!

✨ The Receptionist for iPad

Thanks to The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode.

The Receptionist offers an iPad list check-in option where clients can scan a QR code to check in, which negates the need for you to buy an iPad and stand. Go to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice and sign up for a free 14-day trial. When you do, you'll get your first month free. And don't forget to ask about our iPad list check-in option.

✨ Alma

Thanks to Alma for sponsoring this episode.

Building and managing the practice you want can be challenging. That’s why Alma offers tools and resources to help you build not just any practice, but your private practice. They’ll help you navigate insurance, access referrals who are the right fit for you, and efficiently manage administrative tasks — so you can spend less time on the details and more time delivering great care. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Visit helloalma.com/ATPP to learn more.

Mentioned in this episode:

Alma

I want to thank Alma for sponsoring this episode. Building and managing the practice you want can be challenging. That’s why Alma offers tools and resources to help you build not just any practice, but your private practice. They’ll help you navigate insurance, access referrals who are the right fit for you, and efficiently manage administrative tasks — so you can spend less time on the details, and more time delivering great care. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Visit helloalma.com/ATPP to learn more.

The Receptionist for iPad

I want to thank The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode. From new patients faced with an empty lobby and no idea where to find their therapist to clinicians with a session running over time and the doorbell ringing, some of the most anxiety-ridden moments of a therapy appointment happen before a session even starts. The Receptionist for iPad, helps you tackle some of that pre-appointment apprehension and anxiety. The Receptionist for iPad is an easy-to-use digital client check-in system that helps your visitors check in securely to their appointments and notify their practitioners of their arrival via SMS, email, or your preferred channel. No more confusion, and less lobby checking or having clients sign in on paper logbooks. It can even help you upgrade and update your demographic information for your clients as well and even validate parking. Start a 14-day free trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link and you'll also get your first month free if you decide to sign up.