The Bad Therapist Show

If you are feeling overwhelmed with administrative tasks and struggling to complete tasks that actually help your business grow, it's time to start thinking about hiring a virtual assistant! In today's podcast episode, I interview Betsy Castro, the CEO of The Mental Health VA, who shares her journey from therapy fan to virtual assistant extraordinaire.

Betsy explains what a virtual assistant is, the benefits of hiring a virtual assistant instead of an employee, the tasks you can delegate to a virtual assistant, and how hiring a virtual assistant can lead to business growth. She provides valuable tips on hiring the right virtual assistant for you, including conducting a time study, identifying tasks to delegate, considering culture fit, and conducting interviews and referrals.

If you're ready to delegate the tasks that you dread doing so you can focus on revenue-generating activities and improve your quality of life, this episode is for you!

More about Betsy Castro:

Betsy Castro is a Client Experience Expert and the founder of The Mental Health VA, a team of Mental Health Facilitators dedicated to connecting therapists with clients. With a background in Psychology and Business Administration, Betsy understands the needs of therapists and provides personalized solutions through services such as answering calls/emails and digital exposure. Committed to breaking down barriers to mental health, Betsy aims to expand access to therapy in underserved communities, particularly in third-world countries like Nicaragua.

Topics covered in this episode:

• Tasks that a virtual assistant can help you with.
• How much does it cost to hire a virtual assistant?
• Does hiring a virtual assistant lead to business growth?
• Why should you hire a virtual assistant who specializes in the mental health field?
• What is a standard operating procedure (SOP), and why is it important for therapists to have SOPs in place?
• Tips on hiring a virtual assistant that is the right fit for you and your business.
• The significance of a three-month trial period to assess compatibility with a virtual assistant.
• Why you should interview at least three people when hiring a virtual assistant. 
• What is a virtual assistant?

Connect with Betsy:

• Website: www.thementalhealthva.com
• Work with Besty: Get 10% off your first 3 months with the code ‘The Bad Therapist’
• Instagram: @mentalhealthva

Connect with Felicia:

• Instagram: @the_bad_therapist
• Website: www.thebadtherapist.coach
• Membership: Liberated Business
• Facebook group: Healing Money

Resources from this episode:

• Before hiring a virtual assistant, do these 9 steps

Related episodes:

• Episode 10:  From Employee to CEO with Kristie Plantinga 

Quote:

“Just start delegating. No matter how big or small that is, but start strengthening that muscle of delegating the work.” - Betsy

Are you overwhelmed with the day-to-day tasks of running your therapy practice? Hiring a virtual assistant could be the solution you've been looking for! In today's podcast episode, I talk about what you need to know before you hire a virtual assistant and how hiring a virtual assistant can help you grow your private practice. I share my own experiences working with multiple virtual assistants, how they transformed my business, and what were the biggest benefits.

I also highlight common mistakes therapists make when working with virtual assistants and how you can avoid them. Plus, I give you practical tips for hiring the right person for you and your business. Whether you're considering working with a virtual assistant or want to improve your current team, this episode will provide you with tips to take your private practice to the next level!

Topics covered in this episode:

• What is a virtual assistant and how can they help therapists in private practice?
• Why should you consider hiring a virtual assistant to grow your private practice?
• Benefits of hiring a virtual assistant who understands and aligns with your mission and vision for your business.
• What tasks can you delegate to a virtual assistant?
• How do you know it's time for you to hire a virtual assistant?
• Common mistakes therapists make when hiring a virtual assistant.
• An exercise that will set you up for success when hiring a virtual assistant.

Connect with Felicia:

• Freebie!  The Magic Sheets
• Instagram: @the_bad_therapist
• Website: www.thebadtherapist.coach
• Membership: Liberated Business
• Facebook group: Healing Money

Related episodes:

• Episode 17 What You Need to Know Before Hiring a Team Member for Your Private Practice

Quote:

“Paying someone to do administrative tasks in your business so you can have time off to relax is TOTALLY worth it!” - Felicia

Are you experiencing slow months in your therapy practice? You are not alone! Whether your clients are leaving, taking vacations, or you're just experiencing a dip in attracting new clients, these slow periods can be challenging and make you doubt yourself. But don't worry! In today's podcast episode, I share with you my top strategies and tips on how to overcome slow months in your therapy practice, and make these moments less painful, and even enjoyable! 

Tune in to learn my secrets to handling client fluctuations, attracting new clients, maintaining a positive mindset throughout the ups and downs of your therapy business, building financial resilience, embracing the concept of "fallow periods," and more. I hope you find these insights helpful and that they empower you to navigate and thrive during slumps in your therapy practice. Remember, you're doing great, and challenges are merely stepping stones on your path to success!

Topics Covered In This Episode:

• How charging higher fees affects your therapy practice during slow months.
• The natural ups and downs of running a therapy practice and why it's essential not to panic during slow months.
• Strategies and tips for getting through slow months in your therapy practice.
• How can your ego hinder your success and why is it crucial to shift your mindset during challenging times?
• What is an emergency fund and why do you need it?
• How writing a letter to your future self can be a powerful tool to overcome slow months in your therapy practice.
• Embracing your fallow periods instead of fighting them.
• Journaling prompts that will help you overcome slow months in your therapy practice.

Connect with Felicia:

• Instagram: @the_bad_therapist
• Website: www.thebadtherapist.coach
• Membership: Liberated Business
• Facebook group: Healing Money

Resources from this episode:

• Magic Sheet
• My personal finance advisor - Irina McGrath
• Blog on private practice fees
• Blog on cancellation policies

Related episodes:

• Episode 8 Setting Boundaries & Valuing Your Worth as a Therapist with Emily Adams

Quote:

“If we had the faith and the trust that this was, in fact, going to work out no matter what, then those moments of having fewer clients temporarily wouldn’t feel so intense.” - Felicia

Are you a therapist struggling with the guilt of upholding your cancellation policy? It's time to break free from the chains of guilt and start earning more money with confidence! In today's podcast episode, I dive deep into the world of cancellation policies and explore how you can uphold your cancellation policy without feeling weighed down by guilt.

Join me as I share my personal journey of overcoming guilt and building a thriving private practice. Learn powerful mindset shifts that will transform how you view your work as a therapist, and why taking your profession seriously is essential for your success and well-being. Discover practical tips to create a crystal-clear cancellation policy that promotes trust, consistency, and stability for your business and your clients. Find out how to navigate the delicate balance between serving your clients' needs and honoring your own boundaries. Tune in now to empower yourself with the tools and insights you need to uphold your cancellation policy confidently!

Topics covered in this episode:

• Shifting your mindset so you take your therapy practice seriously as a profession.
• The personal experiences that helped me overcome guilt and pursue my goals.
• Are you limiting yourself by setting small goals in your practice?
• How to deal with guilt when enforcing your cancellation policy.
• What are the benefits of having a clear and consistent cancellation policy?
• Additional resources for designing your cancellation policy.

Connect with Felicia:

• Instagram: @the_bad_therapist
• Website: www.thebadtherapist.coach
• Work with me 1:1: https://www.thebadtherapist.coach/private-coaching
• Membership: Liberated Business
• Facebook group: Healing Money

Resources from this episode:

• Sample Cancellation Policy Template for Therapists That Prevents No Shows

Related episodes:

•  Episode 1: My Journey of Becoming The ‘Bad Therapist'

Quote:

“If you ever have to choose between guilt and resentment, I always choose guilt. Never put a person in a position where you will resent them, especially if they are your clients.” - Felicia

When therapists consider hiring a private practice business coach, they often wonder if coaching is the right choice for them, whether the investment is worth it, and how a business coach could support them. The truth is, ambitious therapists don't work alone. They learn how to leverage their time and money so they can reach their ultimate goals of having a thriving private practice that gives them the freedom to pursue their passions and make a massive impact.

One key ingredient to achieving these goals is partnering with a private practice business coach who understands your unique needs as a therapist. A business coach can help you hold onto your big dreams, navigate important decisions, and stay on track to achieve your big, hairy, audacious goals. But with so many business coaches out there, how do you know which one is right for you? That's what I help you figure out in today's podcast episode! Tune in right now!

Topics covered in this episode:

• How can a business coach support you in your private therapy practice?
• Different ways I help my clients as their business coach.
• How do you know if you are ready to hire a business coach?
• What qualities should you look for in a business coach?
• Should you invest in a business coach even if it stretches your budget?
• How to get the most out of your investment from working with a business coach

Connect with Felicia:

• Instagram: @the_bad_therapist
• Website: www.thebadtherapist.coach
• Membership: Liberated Business
• Facebook group: Healing Money

Related episodes:

• Episode 14: Choosing a Therapy Niche That Aligns with Your Values & Passions w/ April Snow, LMFT

Quote:

“Ambitious therapists don't work alone. They learn how to leverage their time and money so they can reach their ultimate goals of having a thriving private practice.“- Felicia

Have you been thinking of hiring a team member for your private practice, but you’re not sure where to start? Then you are in the right place! In today's podcast episode, I talk all about hiring team members, who to hire, at what stage in your business, and what you should think about when hiring a team member for your private practice.

To be completely honest, when I first started my private practice, I thought I could do it all by myself. I thought I was going to be successful by spending as little money as possible and by doing the most that I could myself. 

Thankfully, over time, I realized that I was getting in my own way! Not to say that you should spend tons of money on hiring team members in order to be successful. But when you are ready, you can start small, and I'm here to guide you through the process. So let’s tune in!

Topics covered on this episode:

• How can hiring the right team member for your private practice help you achieve greater success?
• Understanding when to hire a team member and when to leverage your own strengths and resources.
• The different types of team members you might want to consider hiring to transform your business.
• How to approach hiring team members at different stages of your business, from setting up to building and growing.
• One-on-one coaching vs group coaching. Which is best for you?
• How to navigate the different stages of your business and make strategic hiring decisions?
• How to work with the team members you hired and set clear expectations.

Connect with Felicia:

• Instagram: @the_bad_therapist
• Website: www.thebadtherapist.coach
• Membership: Liberated Business
• Facebook group: Healing Money

Resources from this episode:

• Quickbooks

Related episodes:

• Episode 7: My Secret to Turning 10 Min Intake Calls Into Paying Clients

Quote:

“The professionals you hire are not miracle workers. They have specific and limited roles in your business, and there will still be places that you have to step up and learn new skills and take new actions.” - Felicia

Are you a clinician looking for an organization that values independence, freedom, and flexibility? Look no further than the Center for Mindful Psychotherapy (CMP), a nonprofit counseling center for associate clinicians based in San Francisco. In today's podcast episode, I interview Scott Balderson, the director and founder of CMP, who shares more about the Center for Mindful Psychotherapy, what motivated him to start the CMP, and whether it might be a right fit for you.

We discuss the unique level of freedom and flexibility given to clinicians over their practice decisions in the CMP, as well as the importance of creating a stable and supportive environment for associates. Join us as Scott explains what makes the CMP different from other agencies in the therapy field and how they prepare you for starting your own therapy practice. Plus, Scott shares great advice on how to make decisions about your practice!

More about Scott Balderson:

Scott Balderson LMFT, is the director and founder of Center for Mindful Psychotherapy, a non-profit counseling center for Associate clinicians. He has been practicing psychotherapy in the Castro District of San Francisco for over 30 years. In addition to traditional western psychological thought he honors different forms of self growth and knowledge including insight from the wisdom traditions of the East. In 2013, he founded the Center for Mindful Psychotherapy to provide a training community for Associate Marriage and Family Therapists in the process of obtaining hours towards licensure in the state of California. He still maintains a private practice as a psychotherapist serving individuals and couples in addition to serving as Director of the Center for Mindful Psychotherapy. 

Topics covered in this episode:

• Scott’s story of going from private practice to founding a nonprofit counseling center.
• Why Scott prioritizes giving clinicians freedom and control over decisions like cancellation policies and fees.
• How the Center for Mindful Psychotherapy's financial model differs from other group practices and how it benefits therapists.
• Values and principles that guide Scott in running the CMP.
• Is the Center for Mindful Psychotherapy the right fit for you? 
• How CMP supports you in transitioning smoothly into private practice after licensure without feeling lost.
• The Center for Mindful Psychotherapy encourages clinicians to take on additional roles within the organization, leveraging their skills and interests.
• How the technological advancements in therapy have shaped the profession and the way therapists attract and connect with clients?
• Advice on navigating the changing landscape of therapy and marketing strategies as a therapist in today's world.

Connect with Felicia:

• Instagram: @the_bad_therapist
• Website: www.thebadtherapist.coach
• Membership: Liberated Business
• Facebook group: Healing Money

Connect with Scott:

• Website: mindfulcenter.org

Related episodes:

Episode 14: Choosing a Therapy Niche That Aligns with Your Values & Passions w/ April Snow, LMFT

Episode 8: Setting Boundaries & Valuing Your Worth as a Therapist with Emily Adams

Quote:

“It felt really important to me to create an organization where there was a real sense of stability and that associates were gonna feel really held and taken care of, even though there's still a lot of independence. “- Scott

Are you feeling nervous about your upcoming clinical exam? I totally get it – I've been there too. But don't worry because in today's podcast episode, I'm going to share my top strategies and tips on how to pass your clinical exam on the first try, just as I did! Join me as I talk about the importance of taking your mock exams, why you shouldn't study before you have the test date set, how to effectively analyze questions before you even get to theory, and why it is crucial that you give your brain a break before the big day. I'll also share with you my personal experience of preparing for the test date and the exact steps I took that helped me to ace my clinical exam.

By the end of this episode, you'll know how to approach the clinical exam with confidence, less stress, and feeling more prepared, so you can focus on showcasing your knowledge. Get ready to take notes and let's dive in!

Topics covered in this episode:

• Why setting a test date is crucial for effective clinical exam preparation
• How can sticking to one study guide improve your chances of success?
• Studying with a partner might enhance your clinical exam preparation.
• Navigating differences in opinion with the clinical exam and maintaining confidence in your clinical perspective.
• What strategies can you use to effectively analyze clinical exam questions and select the most appropriate answers?
• Creating consistency to minimize decision-making and optimize focus.
• Recreating the testing environment during practice exams.
• What steps should you take in the two weeks before, one week before your clinical exam, and on the actual day of the exam to ensure readiness and address potential challenges?

Connect with Felicia:

• Instagram: @the_bad_therapist
• Website: www.thebadtherapist.coach
• Membership: Liberated Business
• Facebook group: Healing Money

Quote:

“This test isn't really a test of your worth or even effectiveness as a therapist. This test, in large part, is a test on how to take tests, and that has nothing to do with whether or not you're a good therapist.“ - Felicia

If you're a therapist seeking to find your therapy niche and make a greater impact, today's podcast episode is for you! I invited April Snow, a licensed marriage and family therapist who specializes in working with highly sensitive people (HSPs), to share her personal journey of becoming a therapist and the challenges she’s encountered along the way. April shares how she broke the good therapist rules by choosing a therapy niche very early in her career, went directly into private therapy practice, and faced pushback from therapists she didn't even know.

We discuss what inspired April to choose her therapy niche as a pre-licensed therapist, the various benefits of niching down in therapy, how to overcome the fear of "leaving people out" when you decide to niche down, and practical tips on finding a therapy niche that aligns with your personal experiences and passions, rather than solely focusing on what is currently popular or in demand.

More about April Snow:

April Snow, LMFT is a licensed psychotherapist, author, and consultant in California. She specializes in working with highly sensitive introverts and therapists to help calm the storm of overwhelm, anxiety, and self-doubt to allow their innate sensitive strengths to shine through. Deeply committed to changing the narrative of what it means to be highly sensitive, April has created and led HSP workshops all over the country as well as online through her Sensitive School. In addition to Find Your Strength: A Workbook for the Highly Sensitive Person, she has written the Mindfulness Workbook for Stress Relief and The Empowered Highly Sensitive Person's Self-Care Journal.

Topics covered on Choosing a Therapy Niche:

• April explains what it means to be an HSP (highly sensitive person).
• The gifts and challenges associated with being an HSP.
• April's personal journey of discovering her own HSP traits during grad school and her passion for working with HSP therapy clients.
• April's decision to focus on HSP clients and challenges she faced due to deciding on a therapy niche early in her career.
• How to create your path as a therapist, avoid burnout, and allow space for building therapy practices based on what you want
• What services you can offer as a therapist before you are licensed 
• Traits to look for in your supervisor if you don't want to follow the traditional therapy model.
• The common misperception about therapy niching
• Different benefits of choosing a specific therapy niche
• Tips on deciding what should be your therapy niche

Connect with Felicia:

• Instagram: @the_bad_therapist
• Website: www.thebadtherapist.coach
• Membership: Liberated Business
• Facebook group: Healing Money

Connect with April:

• Website: www.aprilsnowconsulting.com 
• Instagram: @sensitivestrengths
• Free Sensitive Self-Care Workshop
• Find Your Strength: A Workbook for the Highly Sensitive Person

Resources from this episode:

• The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You by Elaine N. Aron 
• Ep 4 How to Pick a Therapy Niche That Makes You Happy

Quote:

“There's so many different ways to be a therapist. We don't have to repeat the same hardships that previous generations of therapists have gone through.” - April Snow

Have you given any thought to where you would like to complete your therapist training hours? There are several options available, but the three primary choices for training sites after graduation are agency, private practice, or hybrid models, such as non-profit counseling centers. But how do you make a decision that is best for you and aligned with your values and goals?

You need to consider several factors, such as what you want your schedule to look like, how much freedom you want to have over your cancellation policy or fees, who you want to serve, and so on. I don't want you to make the mistake of choosing a place that won't get you closer to your dream goal, so let's discuss how to decide where to complete your therapist training hours, what the pros and cons are for each training site, what things you need to consider when making the decision, and more!

Topics covered on Completing Therapist Training Hours:

• The pros and cons of completing therapist training hours in an agency, a traditional private practice, and a hybrid model
• Things to consider when deciding where to complete your training hours
• How I chose where to complete therapist training hours and how I made sure that it aligned with my future goals and my values
• Leveraging your resources so you can get closer to your goals
• Forget about the good therapist conditioning that you need to pay your dues

Connect with Felicia:

• Instagram: @the_bad_therapist
• Website: www.thebadtherapist.coach
• Membership: Liberated Business
• Facebook group: Healing Money

Quote:

“We often give our newest clinicians some of the toughest jobs out there, but don't pay them well. That’s a major problem with the mental health system in general.” - Felicia