Something that I get asked a LOT from other therapists is how to handle negative comments online. 

If you’ve been online for any time at all, you’ve probably dealt with some kind of negativity. I know it can feel like your worst nightmare when you have trolls coming for you in the comments section.

It really sucks - nobody wants OR deserves to be put on blast like that!

But...I really want to help you understand how common this is, and what to do if/when it happens to you.

In this episode, I cover: 

• Why getting negative comments online doesn’t happen as often as you think
• One of my biggest fears about posting content online
• My *only* two @sitwithkelly Instagram posts that received negative comments
• Types of posts that spark more negativity on my @businessoftherapy Instagram page
• What you can do when you get negative comments on Instagram 

Connect with Kelly:

• Follow on Instagram @businessoftherapy and @sitwithkelly
• Check out the Business of Therapy website

Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Resources & Links:

• My Business Insider post on Instagram with negative comments
• My Instagram post about being a highly sensitive person (HSP)
• This episode is sponsored by Alma, the financially rewarding way to go in-network
• This episode is sponsored by Jane - use code: KELLY2MONTH for a 2 month grace period
• Private Practice Academy Bundle (PPA)
• Reels Membership
• Business Coaching Waitlist
• Free training
• Caption Guide

Mentioned in this episode:

FREE Training: How to Market & Grow Your Private Practice on Instagram

I’m very excited to welcome Dr. Elisabeth Morray onto the podcast today! 

Dr. Elisabeth Morray is a licensed psychologist who has done AMAZING work in her career as a therapist. She’s spent time in leadership and facilitating continuing education training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to thousands of licensed clinicians. Elisabeth is currently the VP of Clinical at Alma, a platform that supports the practices of over 24,000 behavioral health clinicians.

When it comes to seeing success as a therapist in private practice, it’s VITAL that you have strong clinical skills. You want to be able to attract your ideal client, serve them really well, AND retain them. 

Two of the major components that factor into this are clinical supervision and professional development. I knew Elisabeth was the perfect guest to bring on to chat about these topics!

In this episode, we cover: 

• Why clinical supervision is super important
• How clinical supervision changes for therapists throughout their careers
• How to find a clinical supervisor when you’re in private practice
• Benefits of having ongoing clinical supervision
• Peer supervision groups + finding the right one for you
• How continuing education can impact your work & identity as a therapist
• Why your certifications & qualifications will only go so far with your clients
• Continuing to prioritize professional development & supervision with a busy private practice
• Professional development & training offered by Alma
• Balancing the desire to invest in your skills while also stepping into your private practice

Connect with Elisabeth:

• Follow on LinkedIn

Connect with Kelly:

• Follow on Instagram @businessoftherapy and @sitwithkelly
• Check out the Business of Therapy website

Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Resources & Links:

• This episode is sponsored by Alma, the financially rewarding way to go in-network
• This episode is sponsored by Jane - use code: KELLY2MONTH for a 2 month grace period
• Private Practice Academy Bundle (PPA)
• Reels Membership
• Business Coaching Waitlist
• Free training
• Caption Guide

Mentioned in this episode:

FREE Training: How to Market & Grow Your Private Practice on Instagram

Charging a high rate as a therapist is HARD. 

We experience sooo much internal guilt when we choose to do this. It’s our job to work on our money mindset, process through these emotions, and own them.

But…what happens when OTHER therapists question your rates? 

They put you down for charging a premium rate, and place their limiting beliefs onto you. That shit is even HARDER!

This is something that has come up on many coaching calls within my PPA VIP community, so I knew I needed to dive into it more here.

In this episode, I cover: 

• My personal experience with others questioning my rates
• The deep-seated belief that many of us have with charging higher rates
• The internal ‘work’ you can do to improve your money mindset
• How to actually respond when other therapists question your rates

Connect with Kelly:

• Follow on Instagram @businessoftherapy and @sitwithkelly
• Check out the Business of Therapy website

Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Resources & Links:

• This episode is sponsored by Alma, the financially rewarding way to go in-network
• I recommend setting up an intro call scheduler within Jane - use code: KELLY2MONTH for a 2-month grace period
• Private Practice Academy Bundle (PPA)
• Reels Membership
• Business Coaching Waitlist
• Free training
• Caption Guide

Mentioned in this episode:

FREE Training: How to Market & Grow Your Private Practice on Instagram

Dr. Salena Justice is a psychologist based in North Carolina. She specializes in evaluating and treating adults diagnosed with autism later in life. She’s fully remote with her full-time private practice, and is licensed in over 40 states in the U.S.

While Salena is crystal clear on who she helps now, it wasn’t always that way.

Salena decided to go full-time in her private practice in January 2024. By April 2024, she had a few hundred Instagram followers and 8 insurance clients, but she REALLY wanted to fill her caseload. 

Salena discovered PPA, and joined in April 2024. Since then, she’s grown her Instagram to over 27k followers!

Not only that, but she’s been able to cut WAY back on work, only seeing clients 2 or 3 days a week. 

Salena has had some incredible success over the last year, and I KNOW she’s just getting started. Her story of niching down and gaining 27k Instagram followers is pretty freaking inspiring - you won’t want to miss it!!

In this episode, we cover: 

• Salena’s journey to choosing her unique niche
• Why Salena was so ‘broad’ with her niche when she first started her private practice
• How Instagram felt when Salena was ‘winging it’ there
• Salena’s ‘shift’ on Instagram + her 1st experience going viral
• How Salena showcases her expertise + personality on Instagram
• Using an intro call + clearly listing your rate for potential clients
• How it can feel when you raise your rates & get off insurance panels
• Finding contentment with where you are before scaling & growing
• Salena’s business 1 year ago vs. what it looks like today
• Why specificity in your messaging & content is KEY

Connect with Salena:

• Follow on Instagram @dr.salenajustice
• Check out her website

Connect with Kelly:

• Follow on Instagram @businessoftherapy and @sitwithkelly
• Check out the Business of Therapy website

Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Resources & Links:

• This episode is sponsored by Alma, the financially rewarding way to go in-network
• This episode is sponsored by Jane - use code: KELLY2MONTH for a 2 month grace period
• Private Practice Academy Bundle (PPA)
• Reels Membership
• Business Coaching Waitlist
• Free training
• Caption Guide

Mentioned in this episode:

FREE Training: How to Market & Grow Your Private Practice on Instagram

There's this myth out there that if you want to get more therapy clients, you have to do more work…right?

Maybe you think you need to post more on Instagram, or write more blogs. Maybe you believe running more ads or attending more networking events will lead you to more clients. 

For most of us, this list goes on and ON!

But…what if I told you there was something unexpected you could do, that would actually make it EASIER to get clients? And...you would be working LESS, not more!

In this episode, I cover: 

• How the psychology of pricing comes into play
• Effective marketing strategies for high-ticket clients
• Setting up a funnel for potential clients to go through

Connect with Kelly:

• Follow on Instagram @businessoftherapy and @sitwithkelly
• Check out the Business of Therapy website

Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Resources & Links:

• Follow Hayden on Instagram @lowtideplaytherapist
• This episode is sponsored by Alma, the financially rewarding way to go in-network
• This episode is sponsored by Jane - use code: KELLY2MONTH for a 2 month grace period
• Private Practice Academy Bundle (PPA)
• Reels Membership
• Business Coaching Waitlist
• Free training
• Caption Guide

Mentioned in this episode:

FREE Training: How to Market & Grow Your Private Practice on Instagram

I’m excited to welcome Maria Reiter onto the podcast today!

 Maria Reiter is a licensed therapist based in Wisconsin. She supports Gen Z and millennial women struggling with anxiety, trauma, perfectionism, and people pleasing tendencies. As a fellow anxious Gen Z anxious human, Maria can relate to many of the issues her clients are experiencing. She takes a collaborative and empathetic approach, tailored to each client’s specific needs. 

Maria has already made some incredible shifts in her career in a short time! She went from working in a hospital setting, to a group practice, and eventually, starting her own private practice in May 2024. 

Maria and I connected in August 2023 when she joined PPA. She was ready to start showing up on Instagram, but was unclear on her niche, and who she wanted to serve.

Fast forward a few months - Maria has FILLED her caseload with ideal clients. She’s charging $175+/session, and consistently hitting $10k months. 

The best part of all…her work-life balance is better than EVER!

In this episode, we cover: 

• Maria’s journey from a corporate, hospital job to starting her own private practice
• Maria’s experience going into private practice and seeing clients independently
• How Maria has filled her caseload with ideal clients
• Starting from scratch & growing your audience on Instagram
• The worthwhile piece of networking + putting yourself out there
• Prioritizing work-life balance
• Mindset shifts Maria has worked through since starting her private practice
• Advice for therapists wanting to leave their job and go into private practice

Connect with Maria:

• Follow on Instagram @mentalhealthbymaria
• Check out her website

Connect with Kelly:

• Follow on Instagram @businessoftherapy and @sitwithkelly
• Check out the Business of Therapy website

Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Resources & Links:

• This episode is sponsored by Alma, the financially rewarding way to go in-network
• This episode is sponsored by Jane - use code: KELLY2MONTH for a 2 month grace period
• Private Practice Academy Bundle (PPA)
• Reels Membership
• Business Coaching Waitlist
• Free training
• Caption Guide

Mentioned in this episode:

FREE Training: How to Market & Grow Your Private Practice on Instagram

How unusual is it that therapists can start their business with virtually NO startup costs?

When you stop and think about it…it’s actually pretty cool!

Starting part-time with your private practice is very doable with virtual therapy. As therapists, we can start with very little risk or financial investment. But...we can make an INCREDIBLE income for ourselves and our families! 

Even if you’re brand new and have $0 to put into your private practice upfront, it’s totally possible to still get clients. I have three proven strategies to help you do just that! 

In this episode, I cover: 

• Why you really need to niche down & be specific with who you’re helping
• Creating a standout profile with Psychology Today to use as your website
• Getting on Instagram + using it as a networking tool
• Accepting insurance panels with Alma
• The importance of re-investing back into your business

Connect with Kelly:

• Follow on Instagram @businessoftherapy and @sitwithkelly
• Check out the Business of Therapy website

Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Resources & Links:

• To get a free 6-month trial of Psychology Today email me at [email protected]
• This episode is sponsored by Alma, the financially rewarding way to go in-network
• This episode is sponsored by Jane - use code: KELLY2MONTH for a 2 month grace period
• Private Practice Academy Bundle (PPA)
• Reels Membership
• Business Coaching Waitlist
• Free training
• Caption Guide

Mentioned in this episode:

Sign up for the FREE LIVE Training on February 3rd!

I can’t believe I’m recording this episode but..I’ve *officially* had my first 7 figure-year in business!

Yep, you read that right - 2024 was a 7 figure-year for me in terms of revenue. Honestly...it’s WILD to think about!

Like...that is an insane amount of money. I am SO freaking proud!!!

I never thought something like this was possible when I was just starting my Instagram page and private practice four years ago. 

I’m excited to do a deep dive into exactly HOW I made $1,000,000 in 2024. Of course, there wasn’t one *magical* thing that made this goal a reality. So...let’s get into it!

In this episode, I cover: 

• My income breakdown
• My expenses + how this compared to my 1st year in private practice
• What travel and time off looked like for me
• Valuable lessons I learned this year
• Why you need to show TF up for the business you already have

Connect with Kelly:

• Follow on Instagram @businessoftherapy and @sitwithkelly
• Check out the Business of Therapy website

Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Resources & Links:

• This episode is sponsored by Alma, the financially rewarding way to go in-network
• This episode is sponsored by Jane - use code: KELLY2MONTH for a 2 month grace period
• Private Practice Academy Bundle (PPA)
• Reels Membership
• Business Coaching Waitlist
• Free training
• Caption Guide

Mentioned in this episode:

FREE Training: How to Market & Grow Your Private Practice on Instagram

To kick off the new year, I wanted to share 10 things I want you to stop worrying about on Instagram.

I get sooo many questions about these topics, and frankly, they are NOT important. 

They’re not things that are going to ‘move the needle’, and really grow your Instagram page like I know you want to. 

It’s time to leave this stuff behind in 2024. Instead, let’s focus on what IS going to bring you bigger and better results!

In this episode, I cover: 

• The timing of your Instagram posts
• Getting stuck on creating the ‘perfect’ pieces of content
• Using hashtags in your posts
• Creating reel cover photos
• Meaningless engagement on Instagram vs. building an actual community there
• What really matters when it comes to your background for photos & videos
• Showing MORE of you & your face on Instagram
• Talking more in your reels so people get to hear your voice
• Letting go of your fear of saying the ‘wrong’ thing 

Connect with Kelly:

• Follow on Instagram @businessoftherapy and @sitwithkelly
• Check out the Business of Therapy website

Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Resources & Links:

• This episode is sponsored by Alma, the financially rewarding way to go in-network
• This episode is sponsored by Jane - use code: KELLY2MONTH for a 2 month grace period
• Private Practice Academy Bundle (PPA)
• Reels Membership
• Business Coaching Waitlist
• Free training
• Caption Guide

Mentioned in this episode:

FREE Training: How to Market & Grow Your Private Practice on Instagram

To kick off the new year, I wanted to re-air one of my most popular episodes from 2024. I’m even MORE excited to share this one again, because I can now say that 2024 was my first 7-figure year in business!! 

I can’t wait to give you more of a behind the scenes look once I have all of my final numbers. In the meantime, enjoy this value-packed episode that will show you what’s REALLY possible + inspires you to dream bigger! 

In today’s episode, I’m giving you a BTS look at how I went from making $45/session, to $1 million/year as a therapist. 

My best advice for you is to take some time, and reflect on what you want your private practice and work/life balance to look like - it doesn’t have to look like what every other therapist out there is doing. 

You absolutely CAN have a sustainable business that you love (and also makes you a sh*t ton of money), regardless of what anyone else tells you. I believe in you, and what you have to offer; I hope this episode encourages you to take action, and bet on yourself!

In this episode, I cover: 

• Where my career path started in 2014 + what ultimately led me back to therapy and starting my own private practice
• My decision to go ‘all in’ with my business and step away from my safe, 6-figure career
• Realizing that trying something new doesn’t mean it’s going to feel hard or uncomfortable forever
• How learning marketing impacted my business growth + the power that comes from betting on yourself and your dreams
• What it’s been like for me to hustle & build my business + ‘scaling back’ in my therapy practice
• Getting crystal clear on what you want your therapy practice to look like

Connect with Kelly:

• Follow on Instagram @businessoftherapy and @sitwithkelly
• Check out the Business of Therapy website

Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Resources & Links:

• This episode is sponsored by Alma, the financially rewarding way to go in-network
• This episode is sponsored by Jane - use code: KELLY2MONTH for a 2 month grace period
• Private Practice Academy Bundle (PPA)
• Reels Membership
• Business Coaching Waitlist
• Free training
• Caption Guide

Mentioned in this episode:

FREE Training: How to Market & Grow Your Private Practice on Instagram