Interview profile: how a financial therapist guides grounded decisions

Financial therapists blend psychology and money skills. This profile highlights a composite practitioner, Lila Gomes, who uses narrative therapy, accountability, and practical exercises so clients reconcile values and finances. The article documents her approach—storytelling, worksheets, and measurable check-ins—offering ideas you can adopt in coaching, therapy, or your own reflection practice.

Begin with stories, not spreadsheets

“People connect with their stories first,” Lila says. In initial sessions, she asks clients to share a money memory—perhaps a childhood scarcity moment or a victory. These stories reveal beliefs that shape behavior (“scarcity means hiding money,” “wealth equals guilt,” etc.).

She records the stories (with permission) and identifies themes. Then she invites clients to rewrite the narrative with curiosity: “What if scarcity meant vigilance rather than failure?” This reframing opens space for practical steps without activating shame.

Use worksheets with reflection prompts

Lila gives clients short worksheets:

Emotional spending map: Lists triggers, feelings, and consequences.
Values alignment grid: Connects spending categories to core values (family, security, learning).
Decision tree: Tips for pausing before impulse purchases.

She keeps the worksheets simple—two columns, a reflection question, and a prompt to note what went well. Clients keep the worksheet in their habit tracker or a dedicated notebook to reference during check-ins.

Accountability through measurable markers

Instead of focusing solely on dollar amounts, Lila tracks behaviors:

Action completion (e.g., “I logged expenses three days this week”).
Emotional response (“I felt calm reviewing the budget”).
Reflection (“What surprised me? What will I try next?”).

She uses a shared document (like the habit tracker dashboard) so clients update progress between sessions. This keeps meetings data-informed without becoming a numbers interrogation.

Teach small experiments

Each client chooses an experiment:

Pause before making a purchase over $30 and apply a reflection prompt.
Set aside $10 for generosity micro-habit (see our generosity article) to see how giving affects mood and spending.
Track savings via a custom calculator from the tools-resources section and report the surprise insights.

Experiments last a week and include a debrief on what worked and what changed. The therapist and client refine experiments iteratively, which keeps the work alive outside the therapy room.

Normalize setbacks

“A setback is data,” Lila reminds clients. When a client late paid a bill, they review the sequence (what triggered delay, how emotions impacted action). They document what to do differently next month and check the offense off as “learning.” The therapist encourages them to add the insight to a “failure log” (per our shame-to-curiosity article) so they can revisit later without shame.

Blend with community resources

Lila connects clients to community resources:

Financial educators (see our educator case study) for workshops.
Local cooperatives for loans or technical assistance (cooperative articles provide structure).
Support groups for shared accountability.

She encourages clients to treat therapy as part of a broader ecosystem—not a solitary fix.

Measure progress qualitatively

Beyond dollars, she notes:

Improved sleep or reduced anxiety.
Clearer conversations with partners about money.
Increase in intentionality (like habit stacking).

These qualitative markers reassure clients that the work matters, even when budgets don’t change overnight.

Closing insight

Financial therapy blends rigorous tracking with curiosity, storytelling, and experiments. Lila’s approach—story first, worksheets second, and community third—keeps clients grounded and accountable. You can incorporate her routines into coaching, personal reflection, or peer mentoring: share stories, log experiments, and document lessons so every setback becomes a step forward.