Therapist Voices @ ReachLink | Naomi Burks, LMFT

Therapist Voices @ ReachLink | Naomi Burks, LMFT

In this episode of Therapist Voices @ ReachLink, we speak with Naomi Burks, LMFT, founder of Encouraging Hope Counseling, a therapist whose calling has been embedded in her since she was seven years old and whose work now sits at the intersection of trauma, identity, and faith. Naomi shares her journey from East Oakland to graduate school, how caring for her younger brother at 28 nudged her back into education, and why she knew from the start that spirituality would be woven into everything she does. She walks us through the inner child and EMDR work she does with women, including a powerful case study about a client whose unresolved cultural wound had quietly shaped every relationship in her adult life. This is a deeply personal and clinically rich conversation about healing, purpose, and the courage it takes to sit with what is happening for you and finally acknowledge it. Chapters 00:00 – Episode Introduction 00:52 – Naomi's Journey: From East Oakland to Encouraging Hope 06:31 – Inner Child Work: Healing Wounds Women Carry 10:28 – Recover or Repeat: Breaking Generational Patterns 16:54 – ReachLink Ad Break 18:10 – Restoring the Soul: Bridging Faith and Mental Health 23:13 – Finding Your Identity After Losing Yourself 27:25 – Meeting Clients Where They Are Guest Bio Naomi Burks, LMFT, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and founder of Encouraging Hope Counseling, a private telehealth practice based in San Leandro, California. Her work sits at the intersection of spiritual care, mental wellness, and trauma-informed support, with a focused commitment to helping women navigate the evolving seasons of their lives. She specializes in supporting women through unresolved trauma, life transitions, and the emotional weight of balancing roles as mothers, partners, professionals, and caretakers, guiding them from survival mode into intentional, empowered living. Certified in Trauma-Focused EMDR, Naomi integrates evidence-based practices with faith-based and spiritually integrative perspectives, drawing on clients' beliefs as a source of strength and healing. She is currently expanding into clinical supervision, mentoring pre-licensed therapists, and her debut book, "Restoring the Soul: A Biblical Guide to Mental Health and Wholeness," bridges faith and mental health for those navigating both. Links Follow Naomi Burks: Website → https://www.encouraging-hope-counseling.com/ [https://www.encouraging-hope-counseling.com/] Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/nbmental_health [https://www.instagram.com/nbmental_health] LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/naomi-burks-ma-lmft-16b45a75/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/naomi-burks-ma-lmft-16b45a75/] Additional Resources: Restoring the Soul: A Biblical Guide to Mental Health and Wholeness → https://www.encouraging-hope-counseling.com/ [https://www.encouraging-hope-counseling.com/] Connect with ReachLink Website → https://reachlink.com/ [https://reachlink.com/] LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/company/reachlink [https://linkedin.com/company/reachlink] Learn more about therapist opportunities → https://reachlink.com/for-providers/ [https://reachlink.com/for-providers/]

Therapist Voices @ ReachLink | Fatema Kapadia, MA Psychology (Clinical Focus)

In this episode of Therapist Voices @ ReachLink, we speak with Fatema Kapadia, Integrative Psychotherapist - MA Psychology (Clinical Focus), an integrative psychotherapist and the founder of Unchaos Living. Fatema opens up about the fragmented, chaotic infrastructure that therapists face globally, from confusing credentialing systems to the financial strain of building a practice. She shares why she started a free, intimate peer support circle where therapists can drop the mask of “professional excellence” and bring their real, messy, human moments. We discuss the hidden costs of becoming a therapist, the guilt around charging for care, and her dream of building a “therapist-first sanctuary” that removes the burden of finding clients. Chapters 00:00 – Episode Introduction 00:25 – Meet Fatema Kapadia & Unchaos Living 02:42 – Why the Mental Health Infrastructure Is Fragmented 05:56 – Moving from Berlin to Dublin: Credentialing Chaos 10:20 – The Pilot Group: A Therapist Who Fainted in Session 16:39 – The Financial Trap of CPD, Supervision, and Licensing 21:00 – A “Therapist First” Platform: Removing the Burden of Finding Clients 26:21 – Small, Intimate Groups vs. Dormant Communities 32:05 – Why Location Doesn’t Matter: Therapists Share the Same Global Problems Guest Bio Fatema Kapadia, MA Psychology (Clinical Focus), is an integrative psychotherapist and the founder of Unchaos Living. She uses multiple modalities to create tailored treatment for her clients while working to fix the infrastructure layer of the mental health landscape. Through Unchaos Living, she offers intimate peer circles where 4-5 therapists meet bi-weekly for 60-90 minutes to share cases, struggles, and the realities of the profession. These are not formal supervision groups but spaces for deep connection. Fatema successfully piloted her first circle on March 28th and has since organized two more groups with a steadily growing community. Links Follow Fatema Kapadia & Unchaos Living: Website → https://www.unchaosliving.com/ [https://www.unchaosliving.com/] LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/kapadiafatema [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kapadiafatema] Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/unchaosliving/ [https://www.instagram.com/unchaosliving/] Connect with ReachLink Website → https://reachlink.com/ [https://reachlink.com/] LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/company/reachlink [https://linkedin.com/company/reachlink] Learn more about therapist opportunities → https://reachlink.com/for-providers/ [https://reachlink.com/for-providers/]

Therapist Voices @ ReachLink | Meriam Njah, LMFT

In this episode of Therapist Voices @ ReachLink, we speak with Meriam Njah, LMFT, a couples therapist at Wholehearted Healing, LLC, whose work centers on helping individuals and couples navigate trauma, relational patterns, and emotional growth—especially within marginalized and multicultural communities. Meriam shares her personal journey into the mental health field, including how her own experience feeling misunderstood in therapy shaped her commitment to creating spaces where clients feel seen, safe, and culturally understood. We explore the importance of accessibility in mental health care and why therapists must move beyond one-size-fits-all approaches to truly support diverse lived experiences. Throughout the episode, Meriam emphasizes the value of curiosity, emotional safety, and helping clients reconnect with parts of themselves they may have lost or hidden in survival mode. Her compassionate, deeply human approach shines through in every part of the conversation. Chapters 00:00 – Episode Introduction 00:20 – Meet Meriam Njah & Wholehearted Healing 00:56 – Supporting Marginalized Communities in Therapy 07:18 – What Is the Developmental Model for Couples Therapy? 11:47 – “But They…”: The Common Couples Therapy Pattern 15:56 – Helping Couples Stay Curious Instead of Defensive 17:57 – ReachLink Ad Break 20:43 – Trauma Resolution in Couples & Individual Therapy 21:57 – Gottman vs. Developmental Couples Therapy 24:07 – Introduction to Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) 26:36 – Using NET With Domestic Violence Survivors 31:28 – NET vs. EMDR for Trauma Treatment 32:06 – Supporting Marginalized & Biracial Couples 33:10 – Final Reflections & Closing Guest Bio Meriam Njah, LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist based in Minneapolis and practicing with Wholehearted Healing, LLC. Meriam integrates multiple therapeutic modalities, including the Gottman Method, the Developmental Model for Couples Therapy, and Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET), to help clients navigate relational challenges, developmental trauma, and emotional healing. Her work is grounded in curiosity, compassion, and creating safe spaces for clients from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences. Links Follow Meriam Njah: Website → https://www.meriamnjah.com [https://www.meriamnjah.com] Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/meriam_njah/ [https://www.instagram.com/meriam_njah/] Learn More About the Modalities Discussed: The Gottman Method → https://www.gottman.com/ [https://www.gottman.com/] The Couples Developmental Model → https://www.couplesinstitute.com/ [https://www.couplesinstitute.com/] Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) Overview → https://www.vivo.org/en/narrative-exposure-therapy/ [https://www.vivo.org/en/narrative-exposure-therapy/] Connect with ReachLink Website → https://reachlink.com/ [https://reachlink.com/] LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/company/reachlink [https://linkedin.com/company/reachlink] Learn more about therapist opportunities → https://reachlink.com/for-providers [https://reachlink.com/for-providers]

Therapist Voices @ ReachLink | Amanda Martin, PhD, LMFT-S, LPC, BCN-L

In this episode of Therapist Voices @ ReachLink, we speak with Amanda Martin, PhD, LMFT-S, LPC, BCN-L, a specialist in complex trauma and an expert in integrating modalities like EMDR, neurofeedback, and equine-assisted therapy. Amanda shares how her highly individualized approach allows her to treat complex clinical presentations without fragmenting care across multiple providers. We explore the foundations of EMDR, how past experiences shape present-day emotional and physiological responses, and why reprocessing those experiences can lead to profound shifts in regulation, behavior, and self-perception. We also dive into her unique work in peak performance—particularly with athletes and performers—where she applies EMDR not only to heal trauma but to enhance focus, confidence, and flow states. Amanda explains how fear-based patterns can disrupt performance and how reconnecting clients to their “best moments” can restore optimal functioning. Chapters 00:00 – Episode Introduction 00:25 – Meet Amanda Martin & Her Specialties 03:32 – EMDR 101: How It Works 07:09 – Do Clients Know Their Root Trauma? 08:55 – The Power of Connecting the Dots 09:49 – Vulnerability in the Therapy Process 11:03 – Single-Incident vs. Complex Trauma 13:38 – EMDR for Peak Performance 14:05 – Working with Athletes & Performers 15:21 – Fear vs. Flow States 18:33 – ReachLink Ad Break 19:50 – Who Seeks Peak Performance Work? 21:02 – Working with Youth & Early Intervention 23:05 – Parenting Opportunities for Emotional Support 23:42 – Teaching Emotional Awareness Early 26:24 – Can Systems Change? Schools & Beyond 26:45 – A School Model That Worked 29:10 – Seeing Beyond Behavior 30:33 – How Quickly EMDR Can Work 31:35 – Flexibility in Working with Athletes 32:27 – Accessibility of Care & Meeting Clients Where They Are Guest Bio Amanda Martin, PhD, LMFT-S, LPC, BCN-L, is a licensed therapist and trauma specialist with extensive training in EMDR, neurofeedback, and family therapy. She is board certified in neurofeedback and an EMDRIA Certified Therapist, Consultant, and Trainer. Amanda specializes in treating complex trauma through an integrative, individualized approach and is known for her work in EMDR-informed peak performance and equine-assisted therapy. She works with individuals, families, athletes, and performers to help them achieve regulation, healing, and optimal functioning. Links Follow Amanda Martin: Website → https://amandamartincounseling.com/ [https://amandamartincounseling.com/] Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/amandamartincounselingpllc/ [https://www.instagram.com/amandamartincounselingpllc/] LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-martin-99739b78 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-martin-99739b78] Additional Resources: Symbolic Experiential Family Therapy (2011) Is Intuition an Influential Factor in Marital Partner Selection? (Dissertation) Connect with ReachLink Website → https://reachlink.com/ [https://reachlink.com/] LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/company/reachlink [https://linkedin.com/company/reachlink] Learn more about therapist opportunities → https://reachlink.com/for-providers/ [https://reachlink.com/for-providers/]

Therapist Voices @ ReachLink | Madeline Maldonado, LCSW-R

In this episode of Therapist Voices @ ReachLink, we speak with Madeline Maldonado, LCSW-R, President and Founder of Minnette Psychotherapy Services and Executive Director of the Minnette Foundation, about the realities of building a private practice, the gaps in graduate training, and what it truly takes to succeed as both a clinician and a business owner. Madeline shares her journey from an early passion for helping others to pivoting from engineering into social work, and how her early experiences in community mental health—particularly during times of crisis—shaped her clinical identity. We explore the “bootcamp” nature of community clinics, the importance of supervision and diagnostic confidence, and why many therapists underestimate the demands of running a practice. Finally, we discuss her vision behind the Minnette ecosystem, expanding mental health beyond therapy rooms into community impact, and creating a pipeline of confident, well-trained clinicians ready to meet growing demand. Chapters 00:00 – Episode Introduction 00:25 – Meet Madeline Maldonado & Her Roles 02:42 – Pivot from Engineering to Social Work 05:56 – Starting as a Therapist Pre-9/11 06:38 – Baptism by Fire: Working Through Crisis 10:20 – Challenges of Community Mental Health 16:39 – Transitioning Toward Private Practice 20:00 – Learning Business Responsibilities Early 25:21 – Financial Reality of Private Practice 31:05 – Reducing Stigma in Mental Health Settings 34:12 – Launching a Practice During COVID-19 38:30 – Financial Struggles in Early Practice Years 41:48 – ReachLink Ad Break 43:05 – Therapists as Multi-Skilled Professionals 44:18 – Mentorship & Training New Clinicians 48:05 – The Minnet Ecosystem Explained 50:00 – Training Future Therapists 52:36 – Making the Field More Accessible 53:51 – Full Circle: Giving Back to Community 57:21 – Final Reflections & Closing Guest Bio Madeline Maldonado, LCSW-R, is a licensed clinical social worker with over 25 years of experience in mental health. She is the President and Founder of Mannette Psychotherapy Services and Executive Director of the Minnette Foundation. Madeline specializes in clinical training, supervision, and building accessible, culturally competent mental health services. She is passionate about mentoring therapists and expanding care for underserved communities. Links Follow Madeline Maldonado & Minnette: Website → https://www.minettepsychotherapy.com/ [https://www.minettepsychotherapy.com/] Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/madelinemaldonado_lcsw/ [https://www.instagram.com/madelinemaldonado_lcsw/] LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmaldonado-lcswr/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmaldonado-lcswr/] Latinx in Social Work → https://www.amazon.com/Latinx-Social-Work-Stories-communities/dp/1952779766 [https://www.amazon.com/Latinx-Social-Work-Stories-communities/dp/1952779766] Connect with ReachLink Website → https://reachlink.com/ [https://reachlink.com/] LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/company/reachlink [https://linkedin.com/company/reachlink] Learn more about therapist opportunities → https://reachlink.com/for-providers/ [https://reachlink.com/for-providers/]