Oftentimes, therapists have their sights set on private practice after grad school. But what about going beyond the 1:1 therapy sessions as a business opportunity?

Dr. Alex Auerbach is a powerhouse in sports psychology. He has experience at both the college level with the University of Arizona and the professional level with the Toronto Raptors. He’s a seasoned entrepreneurial therapist who owns multiple companies, including a thriving coaching business. 

With an MBA under his belt, he seamlessly blends psychological insight with business savvy to think outside of the box. 

In this episode, Alex speaks to host Michael Fulwiler about his journey as an entrepreneur and offers advice on how to “level up” your existing practice by going beyond individual therapy sessions. 

In the conversation, they discuss:

• Confidently setting prices that reflect your true worth while ensuring business sustainability
• How focusing on a specific market enhances credibility and trustworthiness
• Embracing experimentation and learning from rejection and failure
• The importance of self-care, setting boundaries, and finding a community to mitigate feelings of isolation
• Foundational elements to build a practice that serves others and feels good to you
• How therapists can expand their scope by offering coaching services

Connect with the guest:

• On X (formerly Twitter): @alexauerbachphd
• On Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexauerbachphd
• Sign up for his newsletter: https://perform.alexauerbach.com/
• Check out his website: https://alexhuerbach.com 

Connect with Michael and Heard:

• Michael’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelfulwiler/
• Heard website - https://joinheard.com/ 
• Newsletter - https://www.joinheard.com/newsletter 
• Book a free consult: https://www.joinheard.com/welcome-form 

Jump into the Conversation:

[00:00] Introducing Heard Business School and Dr. Alex Auerbach

[02:41] Getting an MBA and how it affected his future career

[09:12] Shifting from professional sports to private practice and executive coaching

[14:55] Importance of aligning pricing with market and personal worth

[21:32] Translatable skills from being a sports psychologist to coaching

[28:29] Understanding what it takes to build a therapy business 

[35:35] Building trust in a specific market segment

[39:43] Importance of routine, boundaries, and social support

[41:32] Addressing loneliness and building a supportive network 

[42:36] The importance of joining classes and exploring non-professional interests

This episode is to be used for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, business, or tax advice. Each person should consult their own attorney, business advisor, or tax advisor with respect to matters referenced in this episode.