Presenter Bio
Meet Kathleen Landry, a licensed clinical mental health counselor with over 16 years of experience in the field of counseling, and 28 years in education. Kathleen has a unique background that combines teaching and counseling, having spent over a decade as a teacher before transitioning to a career in counseling. She is currently the Clinical Director and Supervisor at OpenGate, a counseling center and counselor training center in Vermont.
Kathleen is passionate about her work at OpenGate, where she guides new counselors in building their own private practices and learning the skills necessary to become strong, independent clinicians and business owners. She finds joy in watching her mentees develop and grow, both personally and professionally. With her entrepreneurial spirit, Kathleen enjoys supporting independent practitioners in realizing their business visions.
With her extensive experience and expertise, Kathleen is well-equipped to guide you through the process of building a successful private clinical supervision practice in Vermont. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from her and take the first step towards achieving your goals!
Workshop Descriptions
Documentation Boot Camp: The Lindsay Clancy Case Study Edition
August 21, 2026- Friday 8-1
$150.00 includes the comprehensive Documentation Handbook
Live Via Zoom
What happens when a clinical record is examined years later, line by line, by people who were never in the room?
This special edition of Documentation Boot Camp uses the Lindsay Clancy case and the ongoing criminal trial as a case study throughout the training. The case provides an extraordinary opportunity to examine documentation, clinical reasoning, risk assessment, and continuity of care through the lens of actual behavioral health records and clinician testimony.
Participants will learn the core principles of strong, efficient clinical documentation while applying those principles to issues raised throughout the Clancy case. We will examine intake and assessment, diagnosis and diagnostic reasoning, progress notes, medical necessity, treatment planning, risk assessment, changes in clinical presentation, coordination and continuity of care, and the use of templates and AI-assisted documentation.
This edition of Documentation Boot Camp will place particular emphasis on risk assessment and risk management. We will look beyond phrases such as “denies SI/HI” and consider what documentation should demonstrate about the information a clinician gathered, how that information was interpreted, the clinical decisions that followed, and the rationale supporting those decisions.
Throughout the training, we will consider questions such as:
- How do we document risk without writing excessively long notes?
- How do we distinguish client report, clinician observation, and clinical interpretation?
- How do we document changes in symptoms and risk over time?
- What should the record show when a client’s presentation changes significantly?
- What responsibility do clinicians have to review previous records and coordinate with other providers?
- How do we document diagnostic uncertainty and evolving clinical formulations?
- What happens when EHR templates, checkboxes, or AI-generated language do not accurately reflect our clinical judgment?
- If another clinician—or an attorney—needed to understand a clinical decision years later, would the documentation explain why it was made?
The purpose of this training is not to judge the clinicians involved in the Lindsay Clancy case or suggest that clinicians can predict every tragic outcome. Instead, we will use the information emerging through the trial to examine what good documentation can—and cannot—do.
The goal is not to teach clinicians to document defensively or to write more. It is to teach clinicians to document thoughtfully, efficiently, and with enough clinical reasoning that the record tells the story of the care provided.
The training will conclude with a dedicated case discussion focused on the major documentation and risk-management lessons emerging from the Lindsay Clancy trial.
Your documentation does not need to prove that you could predict the future. It should allow someone in the future to understand your clinical reasoning at the time.
Claims and Billing 101- A Complete Guide
July 24th- Friday 10-2
$99.
Live via Zoom
Running a private practice means balancing both clinical and administrative responsibilities—and the financial side can often feel overwhelming. This workshop is designed to help mental health counselors build strong, ethical systems for claims and billing. You’ll learn how to correctly set up and manage electronic claims (EDI), navigate public and private insurance, handle deductibles and co-pays, and receive private payments of all kinds. We’ll also cover how to write and administer financial policies that support both you and your clients, preventing money-related conflicts and easing financial stress. By mastering the money side of your practice, you can protect your business, reduce liability, and strengthen the therapeutic alliance with every client you serve.
Professional Will Writing for Counselors- Your Legacy of Care
August 26th- Wednesday 1-3
$99.
Live via Zoom
As private practitioners, we hold a profound responsibility—not only to our clients in the present, but also to their care in the event of our unexpected absence. A professional will is a critical, ethical requirement that provides clear instructions for managing client records, ongoing sessions, billing, and every detail of your practice if you become incapacitated or pass away.
This workshop walks you through the entire process of developing your professional will: from understanding the ethical and legal foundations, to selecting and preparing an executor, to drafting a customized document that reflects the needs of your practice. With a balance of practical guidance and supportive discussion, you’ll leave equipped to create a professional will that offers peace of mind for you, continuity for your practice, and protection for the clients who depend on you.
Policies that Protect: Best Practices for Private Practitioners
August 17th- Monday 2-4
$99.
Live via Zoom
Policies are more than paperwork—they are the foundation of a healthy private practice. Clear, well-written policies prevent misunderstandings, protect your time and energy, and support a strong therapeutic alliance by setting expectations with clients from the very beginning.
In this workshop, you’ll learn the essentials of policy writing for private practice, covering cancellation policies, court appearance and records requests, payment structures, special requests, and more. Together, we’ll walk through a structured writing process and review practical examples of policies for common scenarios. You’ll leave with both draft language and a repeatable framework, giving you the confidence to create policies that are professional, compassionate, and tailored to your unique practice.
Ethics in Private Practice: Tools for Rural Counselors
June 5th, 2026- Friday 8:30-12:30
$175 includes 4 CEUs
Live via Zoom
Ethics in private practice is rarely black and white—especially in rural settings where dual relationships, limited resources, and community overlap add layers of complexity. Many ethics trainings emphasize fear and liability, but this course takes a different approach: building competence and confidence.
Through case examples, discussion, and a practical decision-making framework, you’ll learn how to approach ethical dilemmas with clarity, skill, and professionalism. Rather than memorizing rules, you’ll develop the ability to apply ethical principles flexibly in the real world—protecting your clients and yourself while strengthening your practice.
Tailored for Vermont counselors and others working in rural contexts, this course will leave you feeling equipped, supported, and ready to navigate the everyday challenges of ethical private practice.
The Heart of Marketing: Connecting with the Clients Who Need You
September 9th, 2026- Wednesday 8-10
$99.
Live via Zoom
Marketing is often the missing piece for private practitioners. Many counselors shy away from it, worried about being “too sales-y” or unsure of what’s ethical. But effective marketing isn’t about flashy ads—it’s about clearly communicating who you are, who you serve, and how people can reach you.
This workshop equips you with the tools and confidence to market your practice ethically and authentically. You’ll learn how to create a strong online presence (websites, Psychology Today, Google Business listings), build referral networks in your community, and use social media wisely. We’ll also explore messaging strategies that highlight your unique strengths as a counselor while staying true to professional ethics.
By the end, you’ll have a practical, step-by-step plan to attract and retain clients in ways that feel natural and sustainable—helping your practice grow while keeping your integrity intact.
Substance Use Counseling: Building Comfort and Skill classes
Tuesday, May 19 11-1, Tuesday June 16 11-1.
*OpenGate Clinicians only on these dates
Substance Use Counseling: Building Comfort and Skill is designed for OpenGate counselors seeking a foundational understanding of substance use disorders. This session provides a foundational overview of substance use and its impact on individuals, families, and communities. Participants will explore commonly used substances, the continuum of use (from experimentation to dependence), and the biological, psychological, and social factors that contribute to substance use. We will also cover basic education around screening and assessment basics, diagnostic criteria, stages of change, and evidence-based treatment approaches such as motivational interviewing and relapse prevention. Participants will gain practical knowledge to support clients with substance use concerns across a range of settings.
Private Practice Start-Up 101
August 7th, 2026, Friday- 8-10
$150 includes the comprehensive Private Practice Handbook
Live via Zoom
Private practice offers freedom, flexibility, and fulfillment—but it also requires running a business. Private Practice Management 101 is designed to help counselors take the leap into private practice with clarity and confidence.
We’ll cover the essentials of practice setup: business structure, insurance paneling, scheduling systems, billing basics, and policies that keep your practice running smoothly. You’ll leave with a roadmap for getting started, avoiding common pitfalls, and building a practice that supports both you and your clients. Whether you’re brand new or looking to strengthen the foundation of your practice, this course equips you with the tools you need to thrive.
Bookkeeping and Admin Basics for Counselors
$125.00
September 16th, Wednesday 1-4
Live via Zoom
Bookkeeping and Admin Basics for Counselors is a practical introductory class designed to help counselors understand the financial and administrative foundations of running a private practice. Topics include basic bookkeeping workflows, setting up QuickBooks and chart of accounts, business banking, organizing income and expenses, tax-related considerations, and knowing when and how to work with accountants, bookkeepers, and tax professionals. This class is designed specifically for counselors and focuses on the essential knowledge clinicians need to confidently manage the business side of practice. This course is educational in nature and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice.