In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Kade Sharp, an Autistic, queer, trans clinician and sexologist, talk about their journey balancing private practice, a PhD program, and advocacy for disabled, queer, and neurodivergent communities.

Here are 3 key takeaways:

1. Follow Your Special Interests: Choosing a dissertation topic that aligned with Kade's passions (like “Kink on the Spectrum”) helped them stay motivated through the ups and downs of getting a PhD. Leaning into what energizes you can be your best fuel.
2. Intentional Energy Management is Vital: Balancing private practice, academic work, and personal life required continuous adjustment for Kade. Building in buffer time for self-care and allowing others to help you recognize burnout cues is essential for sustainability.
3. Community Makes the Difference: Surrounding yourself with people invested in your journey boosts motivation, creativity, and resilience. Finding your supportive community matters.

It's important to work toward creating affirming space and more accessible, representative mental health care. If you’re considering a new degree, niche, or direction—let your interests and passions guide you.

More about Kade:

Dr. Kade Sharp (he/they) is an Autistic, queer, trans Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, Certified Sex Therapist, and Child Mental Health Specialist practicing in Washington state. He specializes in supporting disabled, queer, non-cis Autistic and AuDHD clients of all ages, as well as neurodivergent supervisees. He has his PhD in Clinical Sexology through Modern Sex Therapy Institutes. Kade runs the Curious Cryptid Learning continuing education platform for therapists. He is also a co-host for the Aces Up Your Sleeve Podcast, where he and Sabrina Longley give insight into navigating Autistic and AuDHD life as two Autistic, asexuality-spectrum therapists. Kade loves helping people figure out they're Autistic, playing board and card games, roleplaying, reality TV, true crime, and his 2 adopted senior cats.

The Autistic Clinical Insights symposium is coming up, and Kade is on the Leadership team. It's a grassroots, Autistic-led symposium for mental health professionals with a focus on presenters with lived experience and clinical knowledge. It's held virtually Nov. 14-16th and offers over 13 NBCC CEs. Join here: autisticclinicalinsights.com

1. Courses: cryptidlearns.com
2. Podcast: neurokink.org/auys
3. Facebook: facebook.com/cryptidlearns
4. Instagram: instagram.com/cryptidlearns

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Thanks to Our Sponsors: The Receptionist for iPad & Alma!

✨ The Receptionist for iPad

Thanks to The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode.

The Receptionist offers an iPad list check-in option where clients can scan a QR code to check in, which negates the need for you to buy an iPad and stand. Go to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice and sign up for a free 14-day trial. When you do, you'll get your first month free. And don't forget to ask about our iPad list check-in option.

✨ Alma

Thanks to Alma for sponsoring this episode.

Building and managing the practice you want can be challenging. That’s why Alma offers tools and resources to help you build not just any practice, but your private practice. They’ll help you navigate insurance, access referrals who are the right fit for you, and efficiently manage administrative tasks — so you can spend less time on the details and more time delivering great care. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Visit helloalma.com/ATPP to learn more.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Receptionist for iPad

I want to thank The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode. From new patients faced with an empty lobby and no idea where to find their therapist to clinicians with a session running over time and the doorbell ringing, some of the most anxiety-ridden moments of a therapy appointment happen before a session even starts. The Receptionist for iPad, helps you tackle some of that pre-appointment apprehension and anxiety. The Receptionist for iPad is an easy-to-use digital client check-in system that helps your visitors check in securely to their appointments and notify their practitioners of their arrival via SMS, email, or your preferred channel. No more confusion, and less lobby checking or having clients sign in on paper logbooks. It can even help you upgrade and update your demographic information for your clients as well and even validate parking. Start a 14-day free trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link and you'll also get your first month free if you decide to sign up.

Alma

I want to thank Alma for sponsoring this episode. Building and managing the practice you want can be challenging. That’s why Alma offers tools and resources to help you build not just any practice, but your private practice. They’ll help you navigate insurance, access referrals who are the right fit for you, and efficiently manage administrative tasks — so you can spend less time on the details, and more time delivering great care. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Visit helloalma.com/ATPP to learn more.