Aubrey Richardson Aubrey Richardson

The Imperative of Supporting Private Practice Therapists Over Venture Capitalist Firms

As the landscape of mental health care evolves, the growing influence of venture capitalist (VC) firms in the therapy industry is a cause for concern. The allure of convenience and accessibility promised by digital platforms (whose names I will not say, because they like to sue people) masks a deeper issue: the commodification of therapy. To ensure the highest standards of care and uphold ethical practices, it is crucial to support private practice therapists over these profit-driven firms that have a history of putting profit over client rights and well-being. This not only preserves the integrity of the therapeutic profession but also bolsters local small businesses that are the backbone of our communities.

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Aubrey Richardson Aubrey Richardson

When You’re Doing It All… and It’s Not Helping Anyone

This post is especially for therapists, healthcare professionals, caregivers, and lifelong helpers who find themselves stuck in over-functioning patterns. If that’s you and you’re seeking therapy for therapists in Texas, know that you’re not alone, and you don’t have to stay in this cycle. In my work providing therapy for therapists in Texas, I see this all the time: smart, competent people caught in a loop of doing everything for everyone else, anticipating the needs of others, smoothing every rough edge. They see it as kindness. But when we look closer, we see that it’s actually keeping the people around them from taking responsibility for their own lives. And more than that? It’s slowly burning them out.

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Aubrey Richardson Aubrey Richardson

Why I’m No Longer Sold on ‘Recovering Perfectionist’

You’ve probably seen it in bios and captions, maybe even in mine: recovering perfectionist. It’s meant to be a wink to those who know, for those of us who have spent years trying to get things just right, who carry the weight of everyone’s expectations like it’s our full-time job. But lately, I’ve started to question the term. Not because I don’t relate to it. I do, 100%. But, because I think we need to talk more deeply about what “recovering” implies, who it is used to describe, and what that says about our current culture.

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Aubrey Richardson Aubrey Richardson

What I Wish I Knew My First Year Licensed as a therapist

Becoming fully licensed is a huge milestone and a huge adjustment. You go from having constant supervision and structured guidance to suddenly being "on your own," and while that independence can feel exciting, it can also feel overwhelming and isolating. No longer a “baby therapist”, but a full “adult therapist” with a shiny new license. But if you’re anything like I was, you quickly realize that licensure doesn’t come with a roadmap or a book with answers. Suddenly, you look around and realize that you are the therapist in charge of the room (how did I become the most adult in the room?), and you miss your supervisor. There’s so much I wish I had known that first year about managing my calendar, setting boundaries, and building a sustainable career. If you're just starting or have been practicing for a while, I hope these lessons help you skip some of the unnecessary stress. If anything, I hope you make your own mistakes and learn from mine.

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Aubrey Richardson Aubrey Richardson

The Silent Burnout of High-Functioning & Anxious therapists: Signs You’re Missing

High-functioning anxiety often wears a smile. It masquerades as productivity hacks, a full color-coded calendar, and a full bag of emergency supplies at all times—all signs that someone is allegedly thriving and “has it all together”. But behind the curtain of performance lies a persistent tension, an internal pressure cooker that never seems to release. For many helping professionals, especially therapists, this experience is familiar. You keep showing up. You keep giving. But under the surface, something feels off. The best metaphor: You act like a duck, swimming smoothly on the surface, but kicking like hell underneath the water.

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Aubrey Richardson Aubrey Richardson

Recognizing the Signs of Perfectionism: A Self-Assessment Guide

Everything always has to be just right.
Balanced. Timed perfectly. Handled without flaw.

But living like that? It’s exhausting.
And for many helpers and high-achievers, it’s not about aesthetics—it’s about survival.

Perfectionism isn’t just a personality quirk. It can be a trauma response. A way to feel in control, safe, or worthy in systems that reward overfunctioning and punish rest.

This week’s blog offers a self-assessment to help you gently explore the why behind your perfectionism—and how it’s showing up in your daily life

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Aubrey Richardson Aubrey Richardson

How to Break Free from the Perfectionism Trap

Perfectionism convinces you that everything needs to be just right—including you. But real connection doesn’t come from being flawless; it comes from being human. You don’t have to hold everything together to be worthy of rest, support, and care.

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Aubrey Richardson Aubrey Richardson

The Difference Between Helping and Self-Sacrificing

f you’re a natural giver, a helper, or someone who has spent a lifetime tending to the needs of others, it might feel like second nature to step in whenever someone needs you. You’re the one who anticipates problems before they happen, who offers support before it's requested, and who is so deeply attuned to the emotions of those around you that their struggles feel like your own. Helping is part of who you are. It’s a value you hold close. But at what point does helping shift from an act of kindness to an act of self-sacrifice? And when does that self-sacrifice become harmful?

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Aubrey Richardson Aubrey Richardson

Why Perfectionism Is Keeping You Stuck in the Helper Role

Perfectionism convinces you that balance means keeping everything perfectly aligned—never letting anything slip, always staying in control. But in reality, true balance isn’t about perfection; it’s about allowing yourself to rest, set boundaries, and accept that “good enough” is enough.

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Aubrey Richardson Aubrey Richardson

Ask Me Anything: Behind the Scenes with a Therapist

Ever wondered what inspired me to become a therapist, what challenges I love tackling, or what I’d be doing if I wasn’t in this field? I recently answered some of your burning questions in an AMA video, and let’s just say—you got me to spill!

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Aubrey Richardson Aubrey Richardson

How My Own Therapy Helps Me Be a Better Therapist

Let’s get something straight—I would never ask my clients to do something I wouldn’t be willing to do myself. Whether it’s sitting with discomfort, confronting hard truths, or actively working toward healing, I believe in practicing what I preach. That’s why I recently started my own EMDR therapy. Yes, even therapists need therapy. And honestly? It’s about time.

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Why Therapists Stay in Therapy

Therapists are often seen as the ones who have all the answers. We hold space, provide guidance, and are trained to help others navigate their emotions and challenges. But despite our expertise in helping others, many of us still choose to seek therapy for ourselves. If you’ve ever wondered why a therapist would stay in therapy, especially when we spend our days helping others, you're not alone. The reality is, that therapy is just as important for us as it is for our clients.

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Aubrey Richardson Aubrey Richardson

The Emotional Cost of Always Saying Yes

Underneath that automatic yes is often a quiet (or not-so-quiet) panic—an internal scream as we realize we’ve overcommitted again. In the moment, saying yes might seem like the easier choice. It spares us from disappointing someone else, from feeling guilty, or from confronting the discomfort of setting a boundary. But over time, consistently saying yes at the expense of your own needs comes with a steep emotional cost.

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Aubrey Richardson Aubrey Richardson

ROUND-UP: Self love resources from a therapist’s therapist

Looking for some self-love inspo from a therapist who gets it? 💖 Here's a quick recap of last year's blog posts all about cultivating self-love—even when you’re the one doing the helping. 💗 Tune in as I share some key takeaways and tips for making self-care a priority, even when life (and work) gets hectic.

Let’s get cozy and reflect on the year of self-love! 💕

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Aubrey Richardson Aubrey Richardson

Video: My Experience Finding a New Therapist

Finding a therapist as a therapist is an Olympic-level event. Do I want someone who knows the ins and outs of countertransference, or do I need someone who won’t let me intellectualize my feelings for 50 minutes straight? Should they be trauma-informed? Somatic? Do I have the emotional bandwidth to explain why “just set a boundary” is NOT helpful advice?

This is my journey of trying to find a therapist who could handle me—a high-achieving, overthinking, people-pleasing therapist who knows all the coping skills but still sometimes wants to dissolve into the floor.

If you’ve ever tried to find a therapist (especially as a helping professional), this one’s for you. 💚

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Aubrey Richardson Aubrey Richardson

PODCAST FEATURE WITH GENESIS WOMEN’S SHELTER & SUPPORT

Ever wondered how those who help others manage their own well-being amidst the chaos? Licensed professional counselor Aubrey Richardson joins us to share her journey from researcher at Johns Hopkins University to providing care in clinical settings across Texas. She highlights her mission, focusing on helping therapists, caregivers, and healthcare professionals navigate the challenges of perfectionism, people-pleasing, and burnout, particularly as amplified by the shared trauma of the COVID-19 pandemic. Aubrey's approach emphasizes holistic healing and advocates for a balanced life in a world that often glorifies relentless hustle.

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The Power of Supervision, Consultation & Therapy: Why Every Therapist Needs It (Even When There’s No Time)

Group supervision isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity for every therapist. It’s a space where you get to process, grow, and be supported in ways that help you show up as the best version of yourself for your clients.

Even when time feels tight, investing in supervision, consultation, and your own therapy is essential for maintaining balance, perspective, and long-term success in your work

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Aubrey Richardson Aubrey Richardson

5 Signs It's Time for a Therapist to See a Therapist

As therapists, we know the importance of seeking help when we need it—but sometimes, it’s hard to admit that we need support too. 🧠💚 In my latest blog post, I share the 5 signs it’s time for a therapist to see a therapist (because yes, even we need help sometimes!).

From burnout and self-doubt to the tricky dynamics of finding a therapist who “gets it,” this post explores why it's okay to reach out for support—and how to overcome the unique challenges therapists face when seeking therapy.

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Aubrey Richardson Aubrey Richardson

Why You Stay with a “Good Enough” Therapist

✨ Are you staying with a "good enough" therapist because you think it's all you deserve? ✨

Limiting beliefs like "I'm not important enough" or "Change is too hard" can keep us stuck in therapeutic relationships that no longer serve our growth. But therapy isn’t about settling—it’s about finding the support that aligns with your needs.

If you’re feeling uncertain about whether to stay or move on, this blog explores why we hold onto "good enough" and how to take the courageous step toward something better. 💚

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