The Bad Therapist Show

Do you ever wish that you could just take a week off from seeing your clients? I’m not talking about taking a longer break for holidays and vacations, but taking a week off so you could step out of the employee role and step into your entrepreneurial self. If the answer is yes, then this episode is for you! 

If you are waiting for a secret roundabout way for you to take a week off without raising your fees, sorry, but it doesn’t exist. I know that you’re probably cringing when you hear the term ‘raising fees’, but the reality is that most therapists need to raise fees for their services and that’s exactly what I will teach you in this replay podcast episode! 

Tune in to learn about how to set up your practice so you can earn enough money to take time off, how to use the time off and invest it into growing your business, how to let clients know that you are raising your fees, tips on healing your money blocks, and much more!

Topics covered on Raising Fees:

• The first step you need to take so you can take a week off from seeing clients
• How to determine whether you need to raise your fees
• A free tool that helps you figure out what you should be charging for your services
• Common money blocks that stop you from raising your fees
• Why we devalue our labor and the labor of our fellow therapists
• This one mistake many therapists make when raising fees
• Why you need to start having regular CEO dates 
• My tips on healing your relationship with money

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

• My Journey of Becoming 'The Bad Therapist’’ [Episode 1] 
• The Bad Therapist Magic Sheets
• The Money Witch - Jessie Susannah

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 you might also enjoy:

• How to Ethically Raise Your Therapy Fees [Episode 46]
• Why You Can't Rely On This Method To Make More Money In Private Practice [Episode 61]

Quote:

“The truth is not that people won't pay that amount of money. The truth is that we are unwilling to do the work so that we could have what we want and we have beliefs about the people who would pay us well for our work.”

Money conversations in therapy are often avoided, but why are we so comfortable discussing trauma, sex, and family dynamics while tiptoeing around finances? In today's episode, I tackle the elephant in the therapy room: should you ask your clients how much money they make?

I've been there too - feeling weird about bringing up finances with clients. But I realized this avoidance wasn't serving them or me. Money shapes our clients' reality and our work sustainability. I’m sharing my favorite approaches to introduce money conversations in therapy that build rapport rather than damage it. Plus, we explore how to normalize money talk from intake forms to ongoing sessions, and why understanding your clients' financial circumstances is crucial for effective sliding scale implementation.

If you've ever felt uncomfortable discussing fees or noticed resentment creeping into your therapeutic relationships, this episode will give you straightforward guidance on creating financial transparency that benefits everyone involved. Let's get honest about money in therapy!

Topics covered on Money Conversations in Therapy:

• The importance of having clear criteria for sliding scale fees to avoid resentment and confusion.
• Real-life examples for you to introduce money conversations in therapy.
• The benefits of exploring clients' family history with money.
• Counter-transference that may arise when having money conversations in therapy.
• How to prioritize your own financial needs without feeling guilty.

Resources from this episode:

• The Fee Formula: https://www.thebadtherapist.coach/feeformula
• Liberated Business: https://www.thebadtherapist.coach/liberatedbusiness

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 you might enjoy:

• Breaking Taboos: How to Talk About Money with Your Therapy Clients [Episode 47]

Quote:

"It's super weird that we talk to our clients about all sorts of very intimate topics, and then we get so weird around money." - Felicia

In this episode, I'm tackling one of the biggest questions therapists face when transitioning to private practice: can you take your clients with you when leaving a group therapy practice?

Being able to take your clients with you can be the difference between starting with a full caseload instead of scrambling for referrals. But how do you handle this tricky transition without burning bridges? I’m breaking down exactly what you need to know about client transitions - from reviewing your contract to having that ‘awkward’ conversation with the group practice owner. I'll share how to approach this situation with transparency and kindness while preserving relationships. You'll learn the two possible paths for client transitions and how to handle each one professionally.

If you're preparing to make the leap to private practice or just want to understand your options for the future, this episode will give you the roadmap to transition with integrity and confidence. Listen in for a step-by-step guide to navigating this significant career move without the drama!

Topics covered on Leaving Group Therapy Practice:

• Reviewing your contract for non-solicitation or non-compete clauses before leaving a group therapy practice
• How to prepare for and approach the conversation with your group practice owner
• Strategies for discussing client transitions that prioritize client care while respecting professional boundaries
• Why being easily findable online is crucial when leaving group therapy practice

Resources mentioned:

• Liberated Business
• Improve Your Website Instantly with This Simple Practice [Ep 29]

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:

• Making the Leap: Tips for Transitioning from Agency Work to Private Practice [Ep 34]
• Celebrating 1st Anniversary with My Top Private Practice Growth Tips [Ep 57]
• How to Make As Much Money As You Want in Private Practice [Ep 62]

Quote:

"Remember, the best possible scenario is that you leave this group practice with mutual respect and care intact for each other." - Felicia

If you're tired of watching your therapy schedule and income evaporate every summer, I have a simple fix for you - therapy intensives. They can transform those dreaded summer months into your most profitable season yet. And I'm here to show you how!

In today's episode, I'm breaking down how offering therapy intensives can stabilize your summer income while giving traveling clients the focused care they need. You'll discover how to package your existing skills into premium-priced therapy intensive sessions that clients actually prefer during busy months. Plus, I share practical formatting options from half-day to multi-day intensives, pricing strategies that reflect their premium value, and how to position these services with both existing clients and your waitlist.

So if you're ready to ditch the summer revenue slumps and earn thousands in extra income with just a few therapy intensive bookings, this episode will give you the exact blueprint to make it happen.

Topics covered on Therapy Intensives:

• How therapy intensives can transform unpredictable summer schedules into reliable income streams with just a few bookings
• The different formats of therapy intensives
• Why premium pricing works for therapy intensives and how to confidently charge more than your standard hourly rate
• Smart strategies for marketing therapy intensives to different clients
• How to determine which clients are appropriate candidates for therapy intensives and which specific problems these sessions can address

Resources from this episode:

• Building a StoryBrand 2.0: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen by Donald Miller 
• How to Uphold Your Cancellation Policy Without Feeling Guilty [Ep 19]

Related episodes you might enjoy:

• How To Make As Much Money As You Want in Private Practice [Ep 99]
• A Step-by-Step Guide to Starting Your Private Therapy Practice [Ep 43]
• Choosing a Therapy Niche That Aligns with Your Values & Passion [Ep 14]

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:

"It's really important to remember that you actually already have the skills to do a therapy intensive - you simply need to repackage your skills in a different way so that you can deliver your expertise and earn more money." - Felicia

Ever wondered how specializing in Black health and well-being could actually expand your reach as a therapist? In today's episode, I’m chatting with Dr. Raquel Martin, a licensed clinical psychologist who's built an impressive following while staying true to her specialty. She breaks down how she juggles being a professor, researcher, private practice therapist, podcast host, and content creator (all while raising two kids!) without burning out. 

Dr. Raquel talks about her no-nonsense approach to social media - treating it as a business card rather than the main event - and why saying no is crucial to your success, how to set rates without guilt, and why having a solid referral network lets you confidently stay in your lane. Plus, she explains her innovative "Burn the Cape" program that helps Black women access mental health support without increasing her clinical caseload.

If you're tired of trying to be everything to everyone in your practice, Dr. Raquel's story will show you how focusing on what you truly care about can help you help more people.

More about Dr. Raquel Martin:

Dr. Raquel Martin is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Professor, Scientist, Podcast Host, Author, and Health Educator specializing in Black Health & Wellbeing. 

Topics covered in this episode:

• Why specializing in Black health and well-being became Dr. Raquel's focus despite being told it wasn't a "real specialty" in her doctoral program.
• The way Dr. Raquel uses social media as a "business card" rather than the end goal of her private practice.
• Dr. Raquel's success formula for creating content.
• The importance of saying no to opportunities that don't align with your goals.
• Dr. Raquel's approach to charging appropriate rates without guilt while still making her expertise accessible to those who need it.
• Why niching down in areas like Black health and well-being actually creates more clarity in your marketing and makes it easier to connect with ideal clients.
• The difference between therapy and social media content, and how to maintain clear boundaries between the two.

Connect with Dr. Raquel Martin:

• Website: www.raquelmartinphd.com
• Instagram: @raquelmartinphd
• TikTok: @raquelmartinphd
• YouTube: Dr. Raquel Martin
• Podcast: Mind Ya Mental
• Burn the Cape Group for Black Women: www.raquelmartinphd.com/burnthecape
• Donate to Dr. Raquel’s "Burn the Cape" program

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:

"I specialize in Black health and wellbeing. Not BIPOC. Not People of Color, black health. And that's so rare. It's so rare that 5% of licensed psychologists in the US are black." - Dr. Raquel Martin

Why do some private practice therapists have a waitlist, while others can’t fill their calendars? In today's episode, I'm breaking down the four essential ingredients that actually create trust and reputation - not just in theory, but in practice too. We’ll cover why staying the “secret therapist” is quietly killing your business, how perfectionism keeps you stuck, and the order you actually need to build your visibility, credibility, and authority (hint: most therapists get this completely backward).

You'll learn a visibility move you can make this week, the one-month consistency commitment that changes everything, when to actually focus on quality, and the uncomfortable truth about longevity that separates flash-in-the-pan therapists from those with lasting careers.

This isn't fluffy advice - This is the exact framework I’ve used during my biggest growth seasons, and I'm giving you the straight-up truth about what works. Stick around to the end for a quick homework assignment to help you apply this right where you are now.

Topics covered in this episode:

• The invisible practice trap keeping therapists overlooked (and the one bold move you can make this week to break free)
• Why perfectionism is quietly killing your momentum—and the permission slip you’ve been waiting for to start before you’re “ready”
• The consistency formula that transforms occasional interest into genuine client trust and positions you as the practitioner that everyone recommends
• The counterintuitive timing of quality improvement that most therapists completely misunderstand
• The often-missing ingredient of longevity that creates a sustainable, sought-after practice
• 
  

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:

"If you are a secret therapist, if you are invisible, then there is no way that you can build trust. People simply don't know you exist." - Felicia

Are you a therapist who's tired of feeling chained to your therapy chair, seeing client after client just to make ends meet? Freedom is what I keep hearing therapists want more than anything else - the ability to build a private practice around the life you crave.

So many therapists can articulate their money goals, but what lights them up is describing the life they'd create with that money - yoga in the middle of the day, three-day workweeks, or time for forgotten hobbies. So in today's episode, I'm digging into what therapist freedom really looks like and how to build a private practice that doesn't just pay the bills but actually supports your dreams. I'll walk you through getting honest about what freedom means to you personally, setting fees that create true profitability, implementing time-saving systems, and giving yourself permission to want more.

Ready to stop just surviving in your practice and start creating a business that gives you both income AND independence? Let's get into it.

Topics covered in this episode:

• How to start building a private practice that is aligned with your ideal lifestyle.
• A tool that will help you set the perfect fee in your private practice.
• Identifying energy-draining tasks in your private practice that could be automated or systematized.
• Practical steps to reduce your caseload while maintaining or even increasing income.
• The importance of finding a supportive community while making changes in your business.

Resources from this episode:

• Join Liberated Business - doors close soon for 2025 cohort!
• Get my freebie & join the email list: The Magic Sheets

Connect with Felicia:

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

Related episodes:

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

Quote:

"Your business should support your life, not the other way around." - Felicia

How do some therapists consistently land premium fee therapy clients while others struggle to fill their schedules? Attracting clients who pay top dollar is simpler than you think - but it's not about working harder, it's about working smarter.

In today's episode, I'm sharing with you how just 15 minutes a day can add $30,000 or more to your private practice this year. I'll break down my follow-up system that will help you stand out in a crowded market. You'll learn exactly how to respond quickly to inquiries with personalized templates, the perfect timing to follow-up with potential clients, and how to reconnect with former clients without being pushy. I'll also show you how to create a truly premium client experience that justifies premium fees and feels good to deliver!

So if you're tired of having a full schedule and an empty bank account, this episode is for you. Get ready to work less, earn more, and land premium fee therapy clients on autopilot!

Topics covered in this episode:

• How to increase your annual income by $30,000
• How spending 15 minutes each day can improve your client conversion rate
• The importance of quick response times when potential clients reach out
• A follow-up strategy for landing premium fee therapy clients
• How to frame follow-ups as a service rather than scummy sales tactics

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: www.thebadtherapist.coach/liberatedbusiness
• My Secret to Turning 10 Min Intake Calls Into Paying Clients [Ep 7]

Quote:

"You can add an additional $30,000 or more to your practice each year by seeing just three weekly premium fee clients." - Felicia

What happens when you finally find an authentic marketing strategy that aligns with who you are? In today's episode, I chat with Liberated Business alumna, Brittney Scott, a therapist and mother-daughter relationship coach who completely transformed her approach to running her private practice.

Brittney shares how she went from doing dancing videos on Instagram and letting clients dictate her fees to holding strong boundaries, raising her fees, and embracing a marketing strategy that aligns with her values and attracts her ideal clients. You’ll hear about the approach she’s using now (that she loves), how she dramatically raised her fees without losing income and how she’s working fewer hours as a result.

Most importantly, Brittney reveals how these shifts helped her become the kind of mom she wants to be - available for school pickup and fully present in her daughter’s life. This conversation is a powerful example of what's possible when you run your business instead of letting it run you.

More about Brittney Scott:

Brittney Scott is a Licensed Professional Counselor and mother daughter relationship coach. She works with women who have been hurt by their mothers in some way and want to heal from it and have relationships that aren't affected by that pain. Brittney is a military spouse currently living in California. She is also the eldest daughter and gets it!

Topics covered in this episode:

• Brittney's journey of moving to California and losing 70% of her income
• The different marketing strategies she tried but absolutely hated
• How she found an authentic approach that attracts ideal clients
• The importance of designing your private practice around being the parent you want to be
• The mindset shift that helped her take back control of her business
• Why she was hesitant to invest in Liberated Business after other coaching experiences
• The value of a supportive community when making significant business changes

Connect with Brittney Scott:

• Website:  www.brittneymscott.com
• Podcast: Mother Daughter Relationship Show
• Instagram: @theBrittneyScott
• Threads: @thebrittneyscott

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: www.thebadtherapist.coach/liberatedbusiness

Quote:

"I get to own my business and run the business the way that supports my life and the lifestyle that I want. The business isn't the one dictating me."- Brittney Scott

Ready for a private practice success story that’ll light a fire under you? In this episode, I’m joined by Ben Sollenberger, who left his full time corporate operations role and built a nearly full private practice, on track for six figures, in just a few months of joining Liberated Business!

Ben shares the pivotal moment he stopped playing it safe, the mindset shift that helped him tune out the doubters, and the strategic moves that sped up his growth. From leveraging his corporate background to learning a new skill set, his journey is full of unexpected turns and practical takeaways. If you're on the fence about starting your private practice or wondering if it's really possible to succeed quickly in today's market, Ben's journey might just be the nudge you need to finally make your move.

More about Ben Sollenberger:

Ben is a resident in counseling who specializes in counseling men in their 20s and 30s. In addition to loving counseling, Ben continues to enjoy working as a contractor in business operations, his first career. 

Topics covered in this episode:

• How Ben found a big gap in the mental health market and used it as a key element in his private practice's success story
• The surprising ways Ben’s corporate background helped him (and also didn't fully prepare him) for private practice
• The exact moment that convinced Ben to finally take the leap into private practice after months of hesitation
• The strategic investments Ben made that led to his private practice filling quickly
• The dual-income strategy Ben uses to feel more confident and calm while building his therapy business

Connect with Ben Sollenberger:

• Website: https://www.virginiatherapyservicesforyoungmen.com 

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 mentioned in this episode:

• Liberated Business: https://www.thebadtherapist.coach/liberatedbusiness
• Hold Space Creative
• Therapie SEO Website Templates

Related episodes 

• Liberated Business: How to Transform Your Private Practice in Six Months [Ep 63]

Quote

“ It's definitely not gonna work out if you don't have that blind trust in the universe.” - Ben