Professional Will for Therapists: An Ethical Responsibility You Can’t Ignore

Описание: What would happen to your clients if you died tomorrow?

The New York Times recently highlighted just how devastating it can be when a therapist falls ill or dies without a plan in place. Clients are left confused, abandoned, and without the closure they deserve. (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/24/he...)

It’s a hard question, but one every therapist has an ethical obligation to face. Psychologist Dr. Robyn Miller—Founder of TheraClosure, the first psychotherapist professional executor service—knows this firsthand. When her closest colleague became terminally ill, she stepped in as practice executor—supporting clients, managing records, and grieving her best friend all at once. That experience inspired her to help others create a professional will for therapists that protects clients, families, and the legacy of their work.

In this episode, we explore why having a professional will isn’t optional—it’s part of our ethical duty as clinicians. We’ll talk about the logistics of professional wills, the emotional burden of asking loved ones to step in, and why a real plan is more than just a name on a form.

So let me ask you:
Do you have an ethical plan in place if you were suddenly unable to practice?
Have you ever asked someone to be your backup—without realizing what you were really asking of them?
What would it feel like to know your clients, your records, and your legacy are truly protected?

We’re therapists. We know how to sit with hard things. Let’s not leave this one in the shadows.

Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Ethical Guidelines & Continuity of Care
05:03 When a Therapist Dies: A Colleague’s Story
08:49 Breaking the News to Patients
15:05 Patient Reactions & Clinical Risk
18:18 Business Logistics & Record Retention
23:06 Why Friends and Family Shouldn’t Be Executors
30:29 Costs & Contracting a Professional Executor
40:10 Continuity of Care Plan Options
44:46 TheraClosure: Professional Will for Therapists

Want to go deeper? Read my full article on professional will for therapists—covering the ethical responsibilities, challenges, and how to create a plan with clarity: https://www.growingself.com/professio...

If this conversation stayed with you, I’d love for you to check out my Free CEU Trainings For Licensed Therapists at https://courses.growingself.com/ceu-t.... These resources are here to support you—not just in your clinical work, but as a whole person navigating a complicated profession.

And if we’re not connected yet, please come find me on LinkedIn. It’s my favorite place to continue these kinds of conversations with thoughtful therapists like you.

I also want to spotlight the incredible work of my guest, Dr. Robyn Miller. She’s the founder of TheraClosure, where she helps therapists create professional wills and ethical continuity-of-care plans that protect clients, families, and practices.

Lastly, I’d love to hear what’s working for you, what could be better, and what’s on your wishlist for future episodes. Share your thoughts—let’s talk: https://forms.gle/zLfZfPomDgtQc1Jx8

xoxo,
Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby


🔗 Connect with Dr. Robyn Miller:
  / theraclosure  
  / robynmillerphd  

🔗 Connect with Me, Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby:
https://www.growingself.com/
  / drlisabobby  
Love, Happiness, and Success For Therapists on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Love, Happiness, and Success For Therapists on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/49LMNdM...


🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

Hey, fellow therapists! 🌟 Welcome to Love, Happiness, and Success for Therapists — the podcast designed to support your growth as a clinician and as a human.

I’m Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby, fellow therapist and founder of Growing Self Counseling and Coaching. Every week, we’ll dive into real-world strategies to strengthen your practice, nurture your well-being, and help you create the love, happiness, and success you deserve.

We’ve chosen a profession that’s both demanding and rewarding — but therapists need support too. This show is here to give you the tools, insights, and encouragement to thrive in your work and your life. 🌱💕