I can’t believe it, but…

We’ve made it to the 100th episode of The Business of Therapy podcast!!

TBH - hitting this milestone feels surreal. I’m sooo grateful for every single download, share, review, and listener who has been part of this journey!

To celebrate, I want to talk about something I believe is more important than ever for therapists: being on Instagram.

In today's episode, I'm sharing WHY every therapist needs to be on Instagram in 2026.

In this episode, I cover:

• Celebrating 100 episodes + growth of this podcast
• How Instagram helps potential clients research you + connect w/you
• Why building relationships is more important than EVER in the age of AI
• How content allows you to showcase your expertise & unique value as a therapist
• Why marketing skills create more flexibility, opportunities & long-term career options
• How building trust online can make it easier to attract private-pay clients
• How Instagram offers one of the highest-profit marketing strategies available
• Why marketing is NOT optional

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:

Click here to join my FREE LIVE training on 9/14!

Ever felt like your Reels are falling flat? It might not be your content ideas - it might be your visuals.

B-roll is suuuper simple, and it’s an effective way to speak to your ideal client. It’s literally everywhere on Instagram these days! The text that goes on top is important, but that’s not the only part that matters.

Your visuals are really going to impact how well your Reel does!

The good news? You don't need fancy equipment, complicated editing, or tons of extra work. Small changes can make a huge difference!

In today's episode, I'm talking about how to film better B-roll for your reels as a therapist on Instagram.

In this episode, I cover:

• What makes effective B-roll on Instagram
• Helpful guidelines for better B-roll
• How to improve your video quality
• How to make your on-screen text easy to read
• Why small content upgrades can make a BIG difference

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 favorite tools for content creation
• Tying shoes Reel
• Dancing w/ flashing lights Reel
• Spitting out coffee Reel
• Oldest daughters Reel
• 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:

Click here to join my FREE LIVE training on 9/14!

I’m excited to welcome anxiety therapist Rachel Sleeper to the podcast today!

Rachel started her therapy Instagram during her last semester of grad school, after not posting anything on any social media platform for 3 years.

While still in grad school, she joined Private Practice Academy. Since then, she’s graduated, and FILLED her private practice with cash-pay clients!

Now? She’s scaling her business and growing a thriving practice through Instagram, networking, and a willingness to stay consistent.

In today’s episode, we’re talking about how she filled her caseload during the summer slump (as a pre-licensed therapist).

In this episode, we cover:

• Rachel’s journey of building a private practice straight out of grad school
• Overcoming the fear of launching a private practice from scratch
• How her consistency on IG built confidence over time
• Using process-based goals instead of outcome-based goals
• Why the "summer slump" actually helped Rachel grow faster
• The Instagram strategy that helped fill her caseload
• How the Reels Membership simplified content creation & consistency
• Leveraging local networking both online + in person
• Improving intro call conversions with a clear process
• The unexpected referrals that came from Instagram relationships
• Building a supportive therapist community through networking

Connect with Rachel:

• Follow on Instagram @anxiety.therapist.rachel
• 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:

• Carrie Jackson’s Brand Deals Program
• Jennifer Ann’s Editing Course
• 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:

Click here to join my FREE LIVE training on 9/14!

This episode feels a little different than my usual content, but it’s also VERY on brand for me.

I’m not one to shy away from talking about money (if you follow me online or have listened to previous episodes, you probably know that). Money, transparency, and building wealth are all super important to me!

Today, I’m pulling back the curtain on exactly how and why I pay my son over $15k per year to appear in my content as an Instagram therapist.

I genuinely believe this is one of THE smartest things I can do for both my business and his future!

In this episode, I cover:

• Why I believe it’s fair to pay my son for appearing in my content
• The pros, cons, & personal boundaries of sharing kids online
• What counts as legitimate “work” for children in a business
• How my CPA helped me legally structure payment for modeling/content work
• Why fair market value + documentation matter for IRS compliance
• My exact payment breakdown
• How a custodial Roth IRA can build long-term generational wealth
• Why I’m also using a high-yield savings account for additional growth
• The potential long-term financial impact of investing early
• Why consulting your own CPA is non-negotiable before trying this strategy

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!

Some links referenced below are affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!

Resources & Links:

• Check out Heard
• 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:

Click here to join my FREE LIVE training on 9/14!

Feeling like the Instagram algorithm is working against you? If that's you, you are NOT alone.

I want to break down what Instagram actually says about how content gets pushed.

And no, we're not doing any fear tactics, gimmicks, or "secret sauce" that only marketing gurus know!

These are facts coming STRAIGHT from Instagram itself. It's totally possible to use them to grow your reach and attract more private pay therapy clients!

In today's episode, I'm diving into how the Instagram algorithm ACTUALLY works.

In this episode, I cover:

• Why the Instagram algorithm is not out to get you
• Common misconceptions about followers, views & conversions
• What Instagram actually prioritizes
• Why strong hooks matter in the first 1-3 seconds
• Key IG metrics to watch
• How to create more likable, shareable, savable & comment-worthy content
• Why connection and trust-building MATTER for engagement
• How to review your analytics & spot patterns that are already working
• Why you do NOT need every Reel to do everything well
• A simple way to help you prove future content performance

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:

• Instagram’s new analytics
• Example Reel of likable content
• Example Reel of shareable content
• Example Reel of savable content
• Example Reel of comment-worthy content
• Episode 89: How to Optimize Your IG Bio to Attract Private Pay Therapy Clients
• 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:

Click here to join my FREE LIVE training on 9/14!

Does the "summer slump" in private practice stress you out? If so, today's episode is for YOU!

No, you don't need to panic. Yes, cancellations can increase in the summer, and your inquiries might fluctuate a little. But none of that means your practice is doomed (I promise)!

It's totally possible to keep your caseload full and continue marketing yourself during the summer months. All of this matters now, more than ever!

In today's episode, I'm talking about the "summer slump" and your cancellation policy.

In this episode, I cover:

• Why the “summer slump” doesn’t have to hurt your practice
• The importance of continuing to market yourself during slower seasons
• How to offset cancellations
• The importance of enforcing your fees + modeling boundaries
• My personal 24-hour cancellation policy + grace pass approach
• Another creative cancellation policy model therapists may want to try
• How to clinically address frequent cancellations with clients
• Balancing flexibility w/accountability during the summer months
• Giving yourself permission to slow down if that’s what you truly want

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:

Click here to join my FREE LIVE training on 9/14!

I’m honored to welcome Licensed Clinical Social Worker Sarah Bolor to the podcast! In today’s episode, we’re talking about how Sarah 3x her income in 4 months.

Sarah specializes in helping anxious and overwhelmed high-achieving women build boundaries and reconnect with themselves. As a recovering people-pleaser and a perinatal-loss mom, her work is shaped by both professional training and lived experiences.

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s really possible to grow a profitable private practice while still working a full-time job, Sarah’s story is going to inspire you BIG time!

In this episode, we cover:

• Why Sarah started her private practice as a side hustle
• The limiting beliefs she had around private practice + business ownership
• How Instagram became her main source of private pay clients
• The simple Instagram ad strategy that helped grow her audience
• Why Instagram stories became a HUGE needle-mover for consult calls
• How she niched down into working with anxious, high-achieving women
• The consult call process that helped her convert private pay clients
• Why raising her rate from $125 to $175 changed everything
• How she tripled her income in just 4 months after joining PPA
• Sarah’s advice for therapists wanting to start a private practice on the side

Connect with Sarah:

• Follow on Instagram @sayitmentalhealth
• 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
• 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:

Click here to join my FREE LIVE training on 9/14!

I’m excited to welcome holistic trauma therapist Jaclyn Sappah to the podcast today!

In her own work, Jaclyn integrates EMDR, yoga, and Reiki energy healing to help women heal childhood trauma, break toxic patterns, regulate their nervous systems, and reconnect with themselves.

If you’ve ever felt like Instagram is “working” but not actually bringing in clients, Jaclyn’s story will definitely hit home!

In today’s episode, we’re diving into the secret to getting 29 clients from Instagram in 9 months.

In this episode, we cover:

• How Jaclyn grew from ~200 to 2k followers with zero clients at first
• What happened when Jaclyn joined PPA in June 2025
• How Jaclyn generated 29 clients from Instagram over 9 months
• How she shifted from mostly insurance to primarily private pay
• Her experience with bringing in ~$20k from EMDR intensives alone
• Jaclyn’s simple ad strategy for consistent client flow + audience growth
• Why her private pay clients converted faster + more consistently
• How Jaclyn uses Instagram to fill both her own caseload + her associates’
• How she reduced her posting frequency while still growing with ads
• Why growth ≠ conversion + strategy is everything

Connect with Jaclyn:

• Follow on Instagram @holistictraumatherapy
• 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
• 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:

Click here to join my FREE LIVE training on 9/14!

If your Instagram isn’t bringing in clients, it’s usually not a consistency problem.

It’s a balance problem!

Most therapists lean too far one way - either constantly teaching OR constantly relating.

But you don’t get clients from just one. Connection builds trust, and authority drives decisions.

You need BOTH working together if you really want to fill your caseload!

In today's episode, I'm talking about how to balance connection vs. authority content on Instagram (so you actually get clients).

In this episode, I cover:

• Why you need BOTH connection + authority content on Instagram
• Why leaning too far into one type hurts conversions
• How connection content builds trust through relatable & personality-driven posts
• How authority content builds credibility through solutions, tips + actionable guidance
• How reels build connection and carousels build authority
• Why authority content may not go viral + what it CAN lead to
• Why strong content = connection AND authority
• Examples of balancing both connection + authority on Instagram
• How to keep content ethical & general

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:

• SitWithKelly Connection Reel
• SitWithKelly Authority Post
• BusinessOfTherapy Connection Reel
• BusinessOfTherapy Authority Post
• 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:

Click here to join my FREE LIVE training on 9/14!

Ever feel like your private practice is growing, but your to-do list is growing even faster??

If so, it’s probably time to hire a virtual assistant!

One of the FIRST things I recommend once your caseload is full is getting support behind the scenes.

Hiring a VA will allow you to get that time back (that you desperately need) AND do the things you love.

And yes, doing this will help you continue to grow and scale your private practice!

In today's episode, I'm talking about hiring a virtual assistant.

In this episode, I cover:

• When it’s the right time to hire a virtual assistant
• Why hiring a VA can help you scale + avoid burnout
• The best tasks to delegate first to a virtual assistant
• What to look for in the right virtual assistant
• Where to find a quality VA for your business
• How to get started with hiring and onboarding a VA

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:

• Free VA Matchmaking Service with Sara Wiles
• 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:

Click here to join my FREE LIVE training on 9/14!