STP 130 | How to Stay Focused on Change When Things Get Tough

When you’re running a practice, change is constant, but staying focused during the hard parts is where most therapists get stuck. In this episode, James talks with Michael Dettrich-Chastain, therapist and CEO of Arc Integrated, about why we revert to old habits and what to do instead. From real-life struggles with tools like ClickUp to Michael’s 7 Influencers of Change, this episode is packed with insights for practice owners who want to grow without burning out. 

In this episode

• How to stay focused when making changes in your practice, even when things get uncomfortable


• A breakdown of Michael Dettrich-Chastain’s 7 Influencers of Change framework


• Real examples of why we revert to old habits and how to build support systems that keep you moving forward

Show Highlights

[00:00:01] Michael opens with the idea that success is self-defined because we are always in flux and always changing.

[00:01:00] James introduces Michael and shares how they met at the Wise Practice Summit.

[00:02:00] Michael shares about the flood in North Carolina and the community’s response during crisis.

[00:04:15] Michael’s journey from therapist to CEO and the leap from comfort to entrepreneurship.

[00:07:00] How becoming a father changed Michael’s perspective on work, travel, and balance.

[00:08:00] Why change in practice often shows up as symptoms, not signs—frustration, delay, complaints.

[00:10:00] Michael introduces his 7 Influencers of Change: cognition, heart, action, nourishment, guts, environment, spirit.

[00:12:00] How environment keeps us stuck—and how to shift it to support change.

[00:13:45] James shares his ClickUp struggle as a real example of falling back on old habits when change gets hard.

[00:15:00] Michael applies his framework to James’s situation, focusing on cognition and environment.

[00:17:30] Why clearly defining success is the key to staying focused when things get tough.

[00:20:00] Entrepreneurship as personal development—how change forces us to grow in unexpected ways.

[00:20:30] Where to find Michael’s free change management resources and tools.

Links and Resources

• Free toolkit from Michael: arcintegrated.com/free


• Michael’s website: arcintegrated.com


• Project management tool discussed: ClickUp


• Book: Changes by Michael Dettrich-Chastain