The Bad Therapist Show

Are you ready for the holiday season, or is your private practice bracing for a financial slump The festive season often brings increased expenses and client cancellations, leaving many therapists scrambling to maintain their income. But it doesn’t have to be that way!

In today’s episode, I’m breaking down actionable strategies to keep your private practice thriving during the holidays. From setting clear goals and planning your time off to adjusting your fees and policies, you’ll learn how to navigate this busy season without sacrificing your financial stability - or your peace of mind.

I’ll also share personal insights on why therapy is so crucial during this stressful time of year and how you can effectively communicate with clients to meet their needs while protecting your boundaries. Tune in and discover how you can make this holiday season a successful one for both you and your clients.

Topics covered on Preparing Your Private Practice for the Holidays:

• Preparing your private practice for the holidays and how to effectively communicate with clients about potential cancellations.
• Strategies to encourage clients to continue therapy during the holidays.
• Incorporating time off into your fee structure, ensuring financial stability while enjoying well-deserved breaks.
• How The Magic Sheets tool simplifies fee calculations, helping you to prepare your private practice for the holidays.
• Reassessing your financial goals and how to make 2025 your most successful year yet.

Resources from this episode:

• Want the roadmap to making six figures in your therapy business? Learn more about The Fee Formula course!
• Get my freebie & join the email list: The Magic Sheets

Related episodes

• Grow Your Private Practice with a 90 Day Sprint [Ep 101]
• How to Add $30k to Your Private Practice & Book Premium Fee Therapy Clients [Ep 115]

Connect with Felicia:

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

Quote:

“You don't need to wait for another thing in order to charge more money.” - Felicia

Did you work your ass off to hit a huge milestone, and now you feel more stressed, tired, and overwhelmed than before? The success hangover is real, and it's stopping ambitious group practice owners and mega successful solo practitioners like you from enjoying what you've built. You finally scale to multiple six figures, fill your calendar, buy that dream home, and instead of celebrating, you're buried under more responsibility, wondering, "Wait, is this it?"

In this episode, I'm breaking down why this happens and what you actually need to do about it. We're talking about the systems and delegation that will save your sanity, the difference between actual rest and just numbing out on your phone, and how to stop being trapped in that buzzy, exhausted cycle even after you've "made it." I'm also sharing my favorite mindset practice for releasing all those fears that show up with success, and how to figure out what lights you up next.

If you've been grinding hard and finally reached your goal but feel anything but fulfilled, this one's for you.

Topics covered on Success Hangover:

• What a success hangover is and how it keeps you from growing further or enjoying what you've built
• Systems and delegation strategies you need to implement as your practice grows more complex
• Identifying what actually restores and refreshes you vs what just turns your brain off, and why choosing real rest is critical
• The mindset practice I use with clients to release all the anxious thoughts that swirl after a big up-level
• The ‘Buy Back Your Time’ framework for understanding which tasks to remove from your plate first based on income generation and personal fulfillment

Resources from this episode:

•  Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martel

Connect with Felicia:

• Get my freebie & join the email list: The Magic Sheets
• Instagram: @the_bad_therapist
• Website: www.thebadtherapist.coach
• Facebook group: Healing Money

Quote:

“ At a certain point, you need to start delegating and leveraging the increase in income to start to buy back your time so that you can rest  and refocus your energy on continuing to grow your business.” - Felicia

What if the strategy that helped you grow your private practice didn’t come from working harder, but from finding one approach that works and sticking with it? In this episode, I sit down with my client Dr. Mikki Lee Elembaby, a New York-based psychologist who grew her private practice revenue from $5-6K a month to $17.5K in September. Dr Mikki shares how she turned TikTok into a top referral source by committing to one challenge, built a community with other ambitious therapists, and created a practice model centered on autism and ADHD assessments that gives her both financial stability and flexibility.

Dr Mikki also opens up about the discomfort of getting visible, the three hours it took to post her first video, and why results come from focus - not perfection or hustle. If you've been spinning your wheels trying to grow your private practice, feel hesitant about social media, or wondering how to increase your income without burning out, this conversation will shift something for you.

More about Dr. Mikki Lee

Dr. Mikki Elembaby is a licensed psychologist and neurodiversity specialist based in New York City, where she provides comprehensive autism and ADHD evaluations for adults and children. After beginning her career as a school psychologist in the NYC public school system, she transitioned into private practice to create a more aligned career that allowed for increased flexibility and meaningful impact. Dr. Elembaby is passionate about supporting late-diagnosed adults as they navigate self-discovery, identity, and thriving beyond the label.

Topics covered on Growing a Private Practice:

1. The real challenges Dr Mikki had to face when growing a private practice with ADHD.
2. The challenge Dr Mikki gave herself on TikTok that completely changed her referral pipeline.
3. How having 1,300 followers can generate more clients than some accounts with massive audiences.
4. The mindset shift that helped Dr Mikki set a goal to quadruple her income.
5. The importance of focusing on one marketing strategy when growing a private practice with ADHD.
6. What it means to be a villager in your community, not just someone looking for support.
7. The reason why six months of structured coaching worked better for Dr Mikki's ADHD brain than short-term programs.

Resources from this episode:

1. Join the waitlist for Liberated Business: www.thebadtherapist.coach/liberatedbusiness
2. Book an in-person Intensive Day with Felicia: www.thebadtherapist.coach/ceo-day

Connect with Dr. Mikki Lee:

1. Website: www.drmikkilee.com
2. TikTok: @dr.mikkilee
3. Instagram:@dr.mikkilee

Connect with Felicia:

1. Get my freebie & join the email list: The Magic Sheets
2. Instagram: @the_bad_therapist
3. Website: www.thebadtherapist.coach
4. Facebook group: Healing Money

Quote:

"You also have to be a villager. You can't just have a village and not also be part of it and contribute." - Felicia

Are you leaving thousands of dollars on the table because you're afraid to raise your therapy rates? If you're asking yourself when you should increase your fees, I'm telling you right now: you probably need to do it. The hardest part about raising therapy rates isn't figuring out the math. It's getting past the anxiety around having those conversations with your clients.

In today's episode, I'm breaking down exactly when to raise your therapy fees, how much to increase them by, and how to think through your risk tolerance so you can make a decision that actually works for your private practice. We're also talking about why this time of year is particularly strategic if you want to implement changes before 2026.

Plus, I'll walk you through different fee-raise strategies and show you how to stop overthinking this decision that's costing you money every single day.

Topics covered on Raising Therapy Rates:

• The signs that it's time to raise your therapy rates
• The different strategies for raising your therapy rates
• When is the perfect time to raise your therapy rates?
• The Magic Sheets, a powerful tool that will help you figure out by how much you need to raise your therapy rates
• Having a limited cancellation policy is just as important as raising your rates (if not more important)

Connect with Felicia:

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

Resources from this episode:`

• Get my freebie & join the email list: The Magic Sheets
• Want the roadmap to making six figures in your therapy business? Learn more about The Fee Formula course today!

Related episodes 

• How to Raise Your Fees & Take a Week off from Your Private Practice [Ep 2]
• How to Ethically Raise Your Therapy Fees [Ep 46]

Quote:

"If you are asking yourself if you need to raise fees, then that is already a strong indicator that you need to raise your fees." - Felicia

If you’ve ever caught yourself stuck in black and white thinking or feeling the pressure to be a good therapist, this episode might really land for you. I’m sharing my personal journey growing up in a deeply religious environment and how those early lessons about fear, guilt, and self-sacrifice still echo in my work today.

We’ll talk about how patterns from fundamentalist upbringings can sneak into our professional lives, shaping our beliefs about money, worthiness, and what it means to help others. I'll open up about the challenges of leaving the church, the residue of old fears, and the ongoing process of finding nuance and self-compassion. 

If you’ve ever felt pressure to be the “perfect” therapist, felt guilty for wanting more, or wondered how your past might still be shaping your present… this one’s for you.

Topics covered on Black and White Thinking:

• Growing up in fundamentalist churches and how it shaped my beliefs
• How black and white thinking from religious environments can resurface in the lives of exvangelical therapists
• The myth that good therapists must be selfless and never care about money
• The parallels between religious conditioning and professional expectations in therapy
• My journey of leaving the church and the lingering patterns that followed me

Connect with Felicia:

• Get my freebie & join the email list: The Magic Sheets
• Instagram: @the_bad_therapist
• Website: www.thebadtherapist.coach
• Facebook group: Healing Money

Quote:

“You can leave the church, but all of those patterns of thinking are still in you.” - Felicia

Have you noticed everyone’s talking about ketamine-assisted psychotherapy lately? Have you wondered what it’s really like for clients? In this special episode originally aired on the What Your Therapist Thinks Podcast, I’m sitting down with Dr. Shannon York, a New York–licensed psychologist who specializes in KAP therapy, to give you the real, unfiltered inside scoop.

We’re diving into what really happens in a session (beyond the highlight reels), why this treatment isn’t the “miracle cure” it’s sometimes made out to be, and how it can genuinely help people heal when done right. Shannon also breaks down the key difference between getting ketamine at a medical clinic versus working with a trained therapist, who shouldn’t try this approach, and why the prep and integration work are just as important as the medicine itself.

And yes, we’re tackling the questions you’ve seen floating around Reddit but haven’t quite dared to ask… like, can you talk during treatment? and what does a “breakthrough” even mean?

We also touch on dosages, safety concerns, and why your supportive person probably shouldn’t start chatting about pharmaceutical engineering while you’re in an altered state. Shannon gives us the straight talk about Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy: it's one tool in the toolbox, not a magic wand.

More about Shannon: 

Dr. Shannon York (she/her) is a queer licensed clinical psychologist and the founder of In Alignment Wellness, a virtual therapy practice serving clients in Florida and New York. She specializes in providing identity-affirming care tailored to individuals navigating the complexities of people-pleasing behaviors, 2SLGBTQIA+ identities, and polyamorous and kinky relationships. Dr. York supports clients through individual and group therapy on their journey of recovering from emotionally immature parents and systemic oppression. 

Topics covered on Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy:

• The key differences between medical ketamine treatment and ketamine assisted psychotherapy.
• The three neurobiological ways ketamine helps.
• Why KAP requires at least four therapy sessions before starting any medication.
• My personal experience with ketamine and why trust and safety are absolutely essential.
• Breaking down what "set and setting" means and how to prepare your physical and mental space.
• Shannon explains why people with a history of psychosis or active addiction need extra caution with KAP.
• Common myths about ketamine assisted psychotherapy and why recent celebrity news creates misconceptions.

This episode is for entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care. If you’re struggling, please reach out to a licensed therapist or call your local crisis line for support.

Resources from this episode:

• Watch the What Your Therapist Thinks podcast on YouTube www.youtube.com/@WhatYourTherapistThinks
• Listen to the What Your Therapist Thinks podcast www.pod.link/1837783166?view=apps&sort=popularity   
• Follow the podcast on Instagram
• BestTherapists.com - a directory that vets mental health professionals so therapy-seekers can focus on fit, not quality.

Connect with Shannon York:

• Website: https://www.inalignmentwellness.com
• Get the freebie for Loved Ones: https://www.inalignmentwellness.com/loved-ones-kap

Connect with Felicia:

• Get my freebie & join the email list: The Magic Sheets
• Instagram: @the_bad_therapist
• Website: www.thebadtherapist.coach
• Facebook group: Healing Money

Quote:

"Ketamine is the assistant. It makes the therapy open up other pieces that maybe weren't as accessible without the medicine, but the medicine is the helper, not the healer." - Dr Shannon York

What if you could double your practice revenue without adding a single new client to your already full calendar? In today's episode, I'm breaking down why so many therapists hit a $100K ceiling and stay stuck there, even when they're excellent at what they do.

If you've been getting by on reputation and word-of-mouth referrals, you're about to discover why that strategy falls apart when you're ready to scale to $150K or $200K. I share the two non-negotiable systems that took my business from constant income fluctuations to multiple $30K months this year alone. You'll hear the real story of what happened when my inquiries exploded and why I can no longer manage my own inbox. We're talking about the difference between random good months and consistent high revenue, plus the unexpected challenge that comes when your marketing actually starts working.

So if you're tired of crossing your fingers and hoping referrals keep coming, this episode shows you exactly what needs to change in your business right now. I'm getting specific about what works, what doesn't, and why being a great therapist isn't enough anymore if you want to double your practice revenue.

Topics covered on Double Your Practice Revenue:

• Why the strategies that got you to 80K won't help you double your practice revenue to 150K or 200K
• The exact marketing system I use that took my business from random good months to five months at or near 30K this year and how you can apply it to your therapy business
• What really happens when your marketing starts working and why more inquiries can actually become a problem you didn't see coming
• The specific system you need to stop wasting hours on people who will never book with you
• What you need to do differently from other therapists if you want to double your practice revenue potential without burning out or working longer hours

Connect with Felicia:

• Get my freebie & join the email list: The Magic Sheets
• Instagram: @the_bad_therapist
• Website: www.thebadtherapist.coach
• Facebook group: Healing Money

Resources from this episode:

• Join the interest list for Liberated Business: www.thebadtherapist.coach/liberated-business 

Related episodes

• How to Build a Marketing Ecosystem That AI Can't Break [Episode 130]

Quote:

"Luck can get you pretty far. Being a great therapist can get you pretty far. But when it comes to consistently hitting those higher income levels, you need more than that." - Felicia

What if I told you my coaching business started completely by accident? I spent years trying to make wellness workshops and recovery coaching work - but none of it stuck. All along the way, something else was happening. My therapist colleagues started asking me for help with their practices. Before I knew it, I had three paying clients and thought, "holy crap, there's something going on here."

In today's episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on exactly how I went from struggling to gaining traction with multiple business ideas to building what I have now–one-on-one coaching, international retreats, and scalable programs. I'll tell you about the moment someone handed me more money than I'd ever received at once, why the pandemic became my unexpected business accelerator, and the one non-negotiable factor that made all the difference (it's not what most business gurus tell you).

If you’ve been toying with the idea of stepping beyond your therapy practice but feel stuck or scared, this episode will give you the clarity (and the kick) to see what’s actually possible when you start a coaching business the right way.

Topics covered on Starting A Coaching Business:

• How I tried multiple business ideas including wellness workshops at tech companies and recovery coaching before finding my niche
• The story of my first $9,000 coaching client and how that changed my perspective on what was possible
• How the pandemic created both challenges and unexpected opportunities when I decided to start my coaching business
• What really determines success when starting a coaching business
• The difference between people who succeed quickly versus those who take years to build momentum

Connect with Felicia:

• Get my freebie & join the email list: The Magic Sheets
• Instagram: @the_bad_therapist
• Website: www.thebadtherapist.coach
• Facebook group: Healing Money

Quote:

“ The fastest way to make progress is to start now and do the scary thing.” - Felicia

Have you been spinning your wheels for weeks (or even months) trying to choose your therapy niche so you can finally move forward with your website? Plot twist: you might not need a website at all - at least, not yet.

In this episode, I share why starting on social media (instead of your website) is the smartest move when you’re stuck in indecision. You’ll learn how its “temporary” nature actually makes it the perfect testing ground for your niche and messaging, and how the rapid feedback loop  helped me build my business.

I’ll also bust the myth that you can “waste time” on the wrong niche, open up about the messy parts of my own marketing journey, and show you how experimenting led me to clarity and clients. Plus, I’ll walk you through building a simple marketing ecosystem that nurtures people who may not be ready to book today but will remember you when the timing is right.

If you're ready to stop overthinking and start experimenting with your therapy niche, this episode will give you permission to take imperfect action.

Topics covered on How to Pick A Therapy Niche:

• Why a website can actually slow down your marketing progress when you're unsure how to pick a therapy niche
• The surprising reason social media’s short shelf life makes it ideal for testing your therapy niche
• The truth about "wasting time" on the wrong niche
• What my digital marketing journey taught me about discomfort, visibility, and growth
• How to create a marketing ecosystem that keeps you top of mind with future clients

Connect with Felicia:

• Get my freebie & join the email list: The Magic Sheets
• Instagram: @the_bad_therapist
• Website: www.thebadtherapist.coach
• Facebook group: Healing Money

Resources from this episode:

• Liberated Business

Related episodes:

• Choosing a Therapy Niche That Aligns with Your Values & Passion [Ep 14]
• How to Pick a Therapy Niche That Makes You Happy [Ep 4]
• How to Build a Marketing Ecosystem That AI Can't Break [Ep 130]

Quote:

“ The fastest way to clarity is through action, not endless planning.” - Felicia

Is SEO for therapists completely dead now that AI is taking over? I brought back my friend and collaborator Kristie Platinga to answer this burning question that's keeping so many of us up at night. After watching my website clicks drop and hearing therapists panic about ChatGPT replacing Google, I knew we needed to have a real conversation about what's actually happening with marketing right now.

Kristie breaks down why Google still dominates and introduces the concept of "search everywhere optimization", because showing up on just Google isn't enough anymore. We get into the nitty-gritty of how AI pulls recommendations from across the entire internet, why your Google reviews matter more than ever, and what specific steps you can take to build your online presence even if marketing makes you want to hide under a blanket.

I also share my own journey from being that therapist who thought "I'm good at my job, I don't need to market" to finally understanding why SEO for therapists and digital visibility directly impact whether people choose to work with you. This conversation gets real about what it takes to compete in 2025.

More about Kristie Platinga:

Kristie Platinga is the founder of Place Digital, a marketing agency for therapists, coaches, and wellness practitioners.

Topics covered on SEO for Therapists:

• Why SEO for therapists isn't dead despite what everyone's saying about AI taking over everything
• How search everywhere optimization is replacing traditional SEO for therapists and why showing up on podcasts, social media, and directories matters more than just Google
• ChatGPT and AI tools pull from the entire internet to make recommendations and what that means for therapy practice visibility
• Real examples of getting recommended in AI overviews and how that leads to new clients finding your private practice and content
• Why Google reviews are now almost as powerful as backlinks for getting recommended by AI
• The reality that publishing a website isn't enough anymore, you need a complete marketing ecosystem to compete
• Practical steps for building your online presence even if marketing feels uncomfortable or overwhelming as a therapist

Resources from this episode:

• "What Your Therapist Thinks" podcast: www.youtube.com/@WhatYourTherapistThinks and website https://www.besttherapists.com/podcast 
• Moz: www.Moz.com
• ChatGPT: www.ChatGPT.com
• Google Business: www.business.google.com

Connect with Kristie Platinga:

• Website: https://grow.placedigital.com/the-bad-therapist

Connect with Felicia:

• Get my freebie & join the email list: The Magic Sheets
• Instagram: @the_bad_therapist
• Website: www.thebadtherapist.coach
• Facebook group: Healing Money

Related episodes:

• SEO For Therapists: Future-Proofing Your Therapy Practice with Kristie Platinga [Ep 38]
• My Secret to Turning 10 Min Intake Calls Into Paying Clients [Ep 7]

Quote:

"I really don't think it's ever been more accessible to just people who are willing to get their name out there. It's really barely even marketing - a lot of this is public relations, honestly." - Kristie Platinga