#160. How Do You Serve Clients When You're Barely Surviving, Yourself? A Conversation with Gordon Brewer

Ideal Practice

Today I’m sitting down with the ever-steady and ever helpful Gordon Brewer to talk about something we don't discuss nearly enough – how to keep your practice thriving when life gets really, really hard. 😓

Gordon is the owner of Kingsport Counseling Associates, a group practice, and host of The Practice of Therapy podcast. (Gordon is way ahead of me. He’s approaching his 400th episode!)

He also has an extremely powerful story to share … For 13 years, Gordon successfully ran and grew his practice all while at the same time serving as primary caregiver for his beloved wife through her battle with breast cancer, brain surgery, and eventual passing in 2023. 💔

And yet somehow, even through all of that, he managed to build a sustainable practice that could support his family, serve his clients, and give him the flexibility to be present for what mattered most.

How did he do that? And what can we learn from his experience?

In this episode, you'll discover:

• The specific systems that allowed him to step away from his practice when needed, while still supporting his team and clients.
• The ONE thing Gordon prioritized when starting his business (and how it paid off when the unimaginable happened).
• The ‘non-negotiables’ that helped get him through the toughest times (even if they sometimes made him feel guilty).
• A core coping strategy that Gordon used, and why it was both a blessing and a curse.

The truth is, folks, we never know what's coming our way. And sometimes, life may have a way of demanding everything from us right when we think we can't give any more.

But as Gordon shows us, when you build the right foundation and tend to some healthy business basics right from the start, you can weather almost anything (all while still serving your clients and supporting your family).

Give this one a listen.

~Wendy

P.S. If this topic resonates with you, you may also want to be sure you listen to Episode 146, where I spoke with Robyn Miller about how important it is to have a professional will.

P.P.S. And hey, if you enjoyed this episode, can you give us a thumbs up? Maybe even a 5 star review and a few words over on Apple Podcasts or even Spotify?

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TODAY’S GUEST: GORDON BREWER

L. Gordon Brewer, Jr., MEd, LMFT, therapist | podcaster | trainer | speaker | writer, is a licensed marital and family therapist and an AAMFT Approved Supervisor. Gordon is also the voice behind The Practice of Therapy Podcast, providing information and resources for clinicians starting, growing, or scaling private practices. Gordon has worked in the human services and mental health fields for over 30 years. He has previously worked in agency settings and is currently in private practice as a therapist. He is the owner of a group therapy practice, Kingsport Counseling Associates PLLC, located in Kingsport, TN. He has also served as an adjunct instructor and internship supervisor at East Tennessee State University.

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Wendy Pitts Reeves, LCSW
Host, Ideal Practice
Private Practice Coach and Mentor
www.WendyPittsReeves.com
[email protected]