Alex Shink
July 24, 2023

Todd Blair, LMHC, CCATP.

1. What's your practice focus and what kind of clients knock on your door ?

I work with all sorts of clients/concerns but my primary focus has been around OCD, anxiety and trauma work.

2. Tell us about yourself. 

I know it's a cliched response but I went into the profession because I wanted to help people. I also felt like if there was some way I could help someone then that is what I needed to do, just kind of felt it in my bones. What motivates me to continue is much the same. Of course it's nice to see people get better but more than anything I want to dedicate my time to helping.

3. Tell us the story of a patient who you are most proud of helping.

I started out my career actually working with first episode psychosis for 3.5 years in a pilot program for Washington State. Schizophrenia is very challenging and my heart went out to these teens experiencing it for the first time. My client had their episode, left school, left work and was living in a shack; just a teenager. We worked with them and they started improving. They worked again, started dating, taking classes and expressing their experience through art they shared with others.

4. What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a practitioner in private practice?

I'd say it's probably self care and boundaries. In a private practice you want to take on every client that reaches out to you and it's easy to end up with a case load where you have no time to do any of the additional requirements of your practice. I think it's important to recognize that you can take a sick day! you can take off a holiday! you can't share your cup if you don't fill it.

5. What are the top 3 tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a private practice today?\

The top 3 tips I would give anyone looking to start, run and grow a private practice today are:


  1. Find an area that you are passionate about to emphasize. I started working with OCD because of my personal experience with it and it's just a very under served/recognized issue. Now that seems to be what people seek me out for and I like helping with it!
  2. Continue to learn. Even if it's the 500th time you've read about mindfulness each time it gives you a different perspective.
  3. Don't let fear hold you back. Trust your heart and know that anxiety doesn't determine outcome.

6. Where can people find you?

READ MORE

Share by: