Today’s session covers a topic that many clinicians are pondering. Many, like me, are having conversations with themselves in their heads about the available opportunities and the most efficient and ethical ways not to be left behind as technology presents new options in our field. The issue is how we can navigate the world of mental health tech startups that are available to join us to support our good work. Examples of what these startups provide are electronic health records, website design, marketing, and more. The truth is that the pandemic changed everything and catapulted the tech startup world into the range of billions of dollars. Don’t miss my enlightening conversation with today’s guest!

Our Featured Guest

Michael Fulwiler

Michael Fulwiler is Head of Brand Marketing at Heard, a company that assists therapists with bookkeeping and financial needs. I’ve come to rely on Mike’s expertise as a good friend as I navigate the aspects of STC, trying to be a protector of our field while staying in alignment with my values. In this session, Mike and I discuss the mindblowing numbers around the multitude of mental health tech startups and how clinicians can be informed about which ones are most likely to succeed or fail. We also discuss the vitally important topic of client data privacy and the top three considerations we should have before signing up for a product or service. 

Heard Website

You’ll Learn: 

• How to view tech startups in the mental health industry in terms of “headwind” and “tailwind” tendencies since the COVID-19 pandemic
• What the data shows about tech startups: 90% will fail!
• Why the big risk also comes with big opportunities in the startup world
• What happens when a clinician contracts with a mental health tech startup
• Why client data privacy is a valid concern when working with a tech startup (Hear Mike’s advice about watching out for red flags!)
• Top three considerations for a therapist about a tech startup:
• How they handle the data 
• Whether or not there is a mental health professional on their team who helps with decisions and development
• How compensation for therapists is structured
• Mike’s advice about doing your due diligence when contacted by a tech startup
• An overview of Mike’s work and mission at Heard and what they provide for therapists

Resources:

Interested in starting a podcast?

https://sellingthecouch.com/podcastingworkshop

Want to launch your online course?

Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit For Therapists: https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekit

This will be the last episode for a month or so as I take a break to get ahead on some projects and take extra time to recharge. Today’s session is in response to a frequent question about optimizing your LinkedIn profile. I don’t pretend to be a LinkedIn expert, but I have learned some valuable lessons in the past two years of using this platform. As I share screens and info with you today, you may find it more helpful to watch the YouTube video rather than simply listen to the audio. So many people are curious about LinkedIn and how to use it best, so I’m happy to share some of my insights today!

You’ll Learn:

• View your profile as a landing page, not a sales page. 
• Tips for your banner (Canva is a great resource!), profile picture, text, and graphics
• My philosophy when trying something new: “Get going, get good, and then get smart.”
• Including credibility and social proof in your LI profile
• Beware of playing the analytics game!
• Taplio is a great resource for scheduling LI posts.
• Structure your “About” section with an emphasis on storytelling.
• Gauge your level of engagement with your ideal client.
• Be clear and simple about your call to action.
• Connect with your audience on a deeper level through your “Featured” section.
• Thoughts about maximizing the impact of your “Activity” section
• Tips for other sections on your LI profile

Resources:

Interested in becoming part of our affiliate program? Learn more!

Want to launch your online course?

Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit for Therapists at https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekit.

If you are a seasoned therapist who wants to move from clinical to online course income, we have a specific mastermind for you. We meet together to build, grow, and scale our online courses. You can learn more at https://sellingthecouch.com/mastermind.

Mentioned in this episode:

Try Psych Careers!

I’ve thought a lot about this topic and want to share more about it today. You might wonder why I don’t want to become social media famous since being active in thought leadership and content creation seems to require a certain degree of social media involvement. People “hang out” on social media platforms, but my impact on the world is not dependent on being a social media influencer. Let’s explore this topic!

You’ll Learn:

• Fame is more accessible than ever today.
• The path I’ve chosen values peace, depth, and privacy over chasing online recognition.
• Three key reasons why I don’t seek social media fame (and powerful reflection questions for you to consider):
• The illusion of fame as a solution to personal insecurities
• The lesson: If you aren’t grounded before you attract attention, more attention will only amplify your struggles.
• The emotional toll of public exposure
• The lesson: When you have a platform, you aren’t simply sharing content, but you are influencing people’s emotions, choices, and mental health. 
• The erosion of personal privacy
• The lesson: Privacy is precious, and I want to build a business that supports my life, not one that makes me feel like I’m on display. 
• My thoughts here are influenced by an impactful 2007 blog post by Tim Ferriss. You can check it out here. 

Resources:

Interested in becoming part of our affiliate program? Learn more!

Want to launch your online course?

Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit for Therapists at https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekit.

If you are a seasoned therapist who wants to move from clinical to online course income, we have a specific mastermind for you. We meet together to build, grow, and scale our online courses. You can learn more at https://sellingthecouch.com/mastermind.

If you've ever thought about starting a podcast but felt overwhelmed by the idea of keeping it up long-term, this episode is for you! Whether you're still dreaming of launching or you've already started and are feeling burnout, I'm here to share the habits that have completely transformed my approach to podcasting. Podcasting can be an incredibly powerful tool to extend your reach and grow your impact beyond the therapy room, but without a sustainable strategy, it’s easy to get caught up in the chaos. In today’s episode, I'll walk you through the 7 simple yet impactful habits that have changed my relationship with podcasting and made this endeavor sustainable for the long haul. Get ready to hear how you can implement these practices into your own podcasting journey and finally create a process that works for YOU!

You’ll Learn: 

• 7 habits that have changed everything for me:
• Design for longevity, not growth.
• Learn how I structure my podcast schedule around the life I want.
• Capture ideas daily.
• I use a private Slack channel to keep podcast ideas and give me a pipeline of new content.
• Follow a repeatable episode outline.
• Establish a framework for solo and guest episodes, and use solo episodes to invite people to your products and services.
• Batch record on off-months.
• I record January and February episodes in November and December and keep 3-6 episodes “in the bank” to create a buffer and flexibility.
• Warm up my voice and energy before recording.
• There are simple habits (tea, deep breathing, diction exercises, etc.) that work to help me treat my podcast like a speaking engagement.
• Promote my own offers first, and not just sponsors.
• Research shows that podcasters are the most trusted media personalities, and inviting people in through dynamic ads is a game changer. (Check out Captivate and the discount available for STC listeners.)
• Engage with listeners on a regular basis.
• Ask listeners what topics they want you to cover. Podcasting is not a one-way street!

Resources:

Try our FREE Podcasting Workshop to learn more.

Interested in becoming part of our affiliate program? Learn more!

Want to launch your online course?

Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit for Therapists at https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekit.

If you are a seasoned therapist who wants to move from clinical to online course income, we have a specific mastermind for you. We meet together to build, grow, and scale our online courses. You can learn more at https://sellingthecouch.com/mastermind.

Today’s session highlights important questions to ask for solo or group practices about hiring an intake coordinator. Is this a smart move for your practice? Let’s dive into this topic and discuss barometers by which to measure and consider if an intake coordinator makes sense for your practice right now.

Our Featured Guest

Uriah Guilford

Uriah Guilford is a group practice owner based in northern California. He also owns Productive Therapist, which provides virtual assistants and intake coordinators for therapy practices. Uriah has been a group practice owner since 2015 and has a lot of wisdom to share about the journey to hire and train an intake coordinator. We cover all the bases on this topic, including if hiring an intake coordinator makes sense for your practice and the most common responsibilities of an intake coordinator that can help you reclaim valuable hours in your day. We also cover data privacy, how an intake coordinator should handle this, and the top mistakes clinicians make in hiring for this role. We wrap up with the metrics in determining when an intake coordinator is a great fit for your practice. 

Productive Therapist

You’ll Learn:

• The purpose and role of an intake coordinator
• Trends in intake processes—what works best?
• Too many options confuse and overwhelm people looking for therapy.
• Is it time for me to hire an intake coordinator? How do I know? (Take Uriah’s quiz to find out!)
• How an intake coordinator can help you grow your practice
• Uriah’s opinion on the importance of an intake coordinator: “Your Intake Coordinator is the MVP of your practice.”
• Understanding when to delegate to your intake coordinator
• Uriah’s journey of letting go and transitioning responsibilities to his intake coordinator
• Top responsibilities of an intake coordinator
• Considerations about data privacy for your practice and your intake coordinator
• Solutions when your intake coordinator is sick or away on vacation
• Uriah’s advice on hiring (and retaining) intake coordinators for growing practices
• Top mistakes therapists make in hiring an intake coordinator
• Important considerations in training an intake coordinator
• Solid metrics to determine if an intake coordinator is right for you
• Uriah’s course, The Intake Coordinator Starter Pack: Find the course here and use the discount code “STC” for 25% off!

Resources:

Interested in becoming part of our affiliate program? Learn more!

Want to launch your online course?

Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit for Therapists at https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekit.

If you are a seasoned therapist who wants to move from clinical to online course income, we have a specific mastermind for you. We meet together to build, grow, and scale our online courses. You can learn more at https://sellingthecouch.com/mastermind.

If you’ve ever thought about creating an online course or made preparations to launch a course, today’s show should bring you clarity and inspiration. We are discussing five indicators that you are ready to launch that course you’ve considered. Join us to learn more!

You’ll Learn:

• My online course journey and how it all began for me
• The biggest lessons I learned from my multiple fears of getting started
• Are you ready to launch your online course? Here are five signs to help you say YES!
• You are looking for a scalable impact. (Do you have a bigger vision?)
• You have mastered a specific skill or have become a known expert in a particular niche.
• You have a passion for teaching.
• You are open to learning new skills.
• You are willing to validate your idea. 
• My belief: “Every therapist has an online course inside them.” 
• Our free email course can help you become a course creator! Find it here.

Resources:

Interested in becoming part of our affiliate program? Learn more!

Want to launch your online course?

Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit for Therapists at https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekit.

If you are a seasoned therapist who wants to move from clinical to online course income, we have a specific mastermind for you. We meet together to build, grow, and scale our online courses. You can learn more at https://sellingthecouch.com/mastermind.

Private practice is often seen as the golden goose that brings everything clinicians hope for. However, there are many nuances to consider, as well as factors that can add significant stress to your life. This stress can lead to overwhelm, burnout, and questions about why you chose this route in the first place. Join us for today’s conversation!

James Childress

James Childress is a CPA whose practice primarily focuses on working with therapists, giving him a unique perspective on today’s topic. In this episode, we cover the top three uncomfortable aspects of private practice that can lead to imbalance and big problems. James shares insights that help us better understand business ownership, financial stability, and the seasonal nature of private practice.

James' Website

• Common factors that lead clinicians into private practice and entrepreneurship
• Key considerations before launching into private practice
• The importance of trusting your gut and paying attention to the data

1. There is a size of private practice that is inherently unstable. (This is a normal phase to pass through.)
2. Assessing your supervisor/admin load is critical to maintaining balance.
3. Therapists often strive to succeed in every area and “want it all.”

• The need for balanced growth and attracting more people into the field
• Ensuring the external environment aligns with the internal environment
• Achieving product-market fit for long-term sustainability

Interested in becoming part of our affiliate program? Learn more! here!

Want to launch your online course?

Check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit for Therapists at sellingthecouch.com/coursekit.

If you’re a seasoned therapist transitioning from clinical work to online course income, join our mastermind group! We meet to build, grow, and scale online courses. Learn more here.

If you’ve been thinking about posting more on LinkedIn or if you’re curious about how to best use this social media platform, today’s show is for you. It took me a long time to understand the purpose of LinkedIn and how it can be beneficial in connecting me to the right followers. Join me for an honest look at my experience and the biggest lessons learned.

You’ll Learn:

• 5 lessons learned over the last 2 years on LinkedIn:
• The magic is in the DMs.
• Focusing on thoughtful relationships is better than chasing followers.
• LinkedIn’s search tool is amazingly helpful for making connections.
• The algorithm will always change.
• Don’t chase trends, but focus on consistency and diversified content.
• Experiment on LinkedIn, but don’t overthink the metrics.
• Watch out for growth gurus.
• Be wary of those who over-promise and under-deliver.
• I’m more interested in posting things that will help a young therapist like I used to be.
• Followers are less relevant than you think.
• It’s about the right people—not ALL people.
• Try creator mode and curate your network intentionally.
• The daily posting game is a slow burn.
• I’ve learned to pace myself in posting.
• I would rather focus on slower growth in followers and have consistency and sustainability.
• Connect with me on LinkedIn!

Resources:

Interested in becoming part of our affiliate program? Learn more!

Want to launch your online course?

Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit for Therapists at https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekit.

If you are a seasoned therapist who wants to move from clinical to online course income, we have a specific mastermind for you. We meet together to build, grow, and scale our online courses. You can learn more at https://sellingthecouch.com/mastermind.

Today’s topic will resonate with many of us in private practice as we focus on burnout. Therapists are faced with many questions around how they want to conduct their businesses and structure their lives—and no one wants to face the reality of burnout. Let’s take a closer look with today’s guest.

Our Featured Guest

Dr. Jennifer Blanchette is a licensed psychologist, podcaster, speaker, career coach, and business consultant. She helps therapists get unstuck in their careers and lives. In this episode, Dr. Jen discusses the hazards of our profession, how it’s changing, and the emphasis on certain markers around revenue and numbers. Jen gives a sense of why we can't talk about burnout very often, along with telltale signs she noticed in her personal experience with burnout. We also discuss the strange juxtaposition of finding freedom in private practice but taking on more administrative roles, experiencing isolation, and bearing the heavy emotional toll. We close with honest insights about tuning into our bodies and learning to listen. Jen gives practical advice for any therapist who could be teetering on the edge of burnout. 

Website (and The Therapist Burnout Podcast)

You’ll Learn:

• Burnout—why we are afraid to talk about it
• Unexpected isolation and the need to find community
• Private practice offers freedom, right??
• Learning to listen to your body
• Factoring your body into major decisions in life and giving yourself space for rest
• Jen’s private practice experience during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Managing our resources, energy, and our ability to give
• Telltale signs of burnout for Jen
• It’s okay to ask for help!
• Looking at all aspects of private practice and the actual costs
• Jen’s perspective on burnout today and what therapists need to look for
• Burnout prevention vs. burnout recovery
• Jen’s advice to therapists who are teetering on the edge of burnout

Resources:

Interested in becoming part of our affiliate program? Learn more!

Want to launch your online course?

Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit for Therapists at https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekit.

If you are a seasoned therapist who wants to move from clinical to online course income, we have a specific mastermind for you. We meet together to build, grow, and scale our online courses. You can learn more at https://sellingthecouch.com/mastermind.

This is the first episode of 2025, which marks the ten-year milestone for the STC podcast! It’s incredible that, despite my fears and uncertainties, this podcast began as a small dream of mine to use our skill sets beyond the therapy room and learn to build successful businesses. I’ve loved documenting my journey of transitioning from psychologist to online creator, podcaster, and public speaker, and I’m eternally grateful to you, each listener. It is a humbling experience that’s given me way more encouragement in return than I could have ever imagined.

This episode is an honest look at my decision in 2024 to return to private practice, which I detailed in a podcast episode and on social media posts. I’m being extremely vulnerable in explaining why I’ve decided to pause my private practice journey for now. It’s tough for any people pleaser like myself to realize that others may be disappointed in my decision, so I want to explain. Join me for this solo episode as I lay out the details. 

You’ll Learn:

• The reality is that we don’t build a business in a vacuum, and external factors are always in play.
• Three significant life events impacting my decision:
• Susan’s job changes mean more home responsibilities for me.
• Aging parents–and their need for more consistent care
• More church responsibilities in leading a small group
• A look at my typical daily schedule
• My commitment to viewing parenting as a privilege–and what that looks like for me as a dad
• My simple insights about the totality of life and my next steps:
• Income is only one part of success.
• My brain is not wired for the mental load of running two businesses.
• I’m hitting my “enough” number with STC revenue.
• Caregiving for our parents is on the horizon, and I have the most flexibility in our family to do this.
• I’m realizing how I can best leverage what we’ve built with STC to bring the maximum benefit to our field and the world.
• My big dreams to do good and effect meaningful change to help more people

Resources:

Interested in becoming part of our affiliate program? Learn more!

Want to launch your online course?

Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit for Therapists at https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekit.

If you are a seasoned therapist who wants to move from clinical to online course income, we have a specific mastermind for you. We meet together to build, grow, and scale our online courses. You can learn more at https://sellingthecouch.com/mastermind.