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To truly connect with clients, therapists must embrace authenticity, cultural awareness, and personal identity. On top of that, there needs to be a deeper understanding of how our backgrounds and identities shape our practice. Michelle Vo, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and advocate for mental health, emphasizes the importance of sharing personal narratives in fostering genuine connections.
In this episode, Michelle and host Michael Fulwiler explore why therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all. Michelle shares her journey as a first-generation Vietnamese American, the significance of acknowledging cultural backgrounds, and the power of being relatable in a therapeutic relationship. This conversation goes beyond therapy; it’s about breaking barriers, addressing stigmas, and finding ways to make mental health accessible and relatable for all. Listen to discover how embracing authenticity can transform your practice and build trust with clients.
In the conversation, they discuss: Michelle’s experience as a first-generation Vietnamese American deeply influences how she approaches therapy, helping her advocate for both herself and her community while navigating cultural nuances in mental health care. The financial and logistical hurdles of moving from hospital work to private practice, including the choice to become an S corporation and how she manages client loads while making sure to plan for time off. Her approach to being authentic in therapy, highlighting how bringing her full self into sessions — and practicing self-care — helps her connect more deeply with clients, especially those from diverse backgrounds.
Connect with the guest:
Visit her website: https://www.michellevolcsw.com/
Find Michelle on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modelmindfulness/
Connect with Michael and Heard:
Michael’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelfulwiler/
Newsletter: https://www.joinheard.com/newsletter
Book a free consult: https://www.joinheard.com/welcome-form
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Introduction to Heard Business School with guest Michelle Vo
(02:47) Michelle’s journey from a hospital setting to private practice
(09:31) Developing a niche and balancing self-care
(12:50) Combating self-doubt
(23:55) Advocating for thoughtful tech integration into therapy
(29:12) Authenticity in therapy and building strong client connections
(32:36) How therapists can navigate consultations without the pressure of sales
(35:34) The model minority myth and its impact on Asian-American mental health
(41:05) The importance of providing appropriate resources for clients
(44:34) Encouraging autonomy in private practice
(45:19) Closing remarks from Michael and Michelle
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.
Creating an excellent therapist profile is more than just credentials.
It’s about fostering one that truly resonates with clients in the hopes of building trust and meaningful connections.
In this episode, CEO of Mental Health Match, Ryan Schwartz joins host Michael Fulwiler to share his insights on crafting therapist profiles that instill hope and foster genuine client relationships.
Ryan discusses the importance of using warm, relatable language, avoiding clinical jargon, and the role of an inviting headshot.
He also touches on seasonal trends in client needs and the value of regularly updating profiles. Learn how to build trust and attract the right clients with a well-crafted profile.
In the conversation, they discuss:
Resources:
Connect with the guest:
Connect with Michael and Heard:
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Introduction to Heard Business School with guest Ryan Schwartz
(01:34) What clients are truly seeking when searching for a therapist
(03:24) Trends in client needs, including trauma and seasonal variations
(05:49) Why summer can impact therapy demand and what to expect
(07:16) The essentials of an effective therapist profile
(08:38) Crafting language of connection using "we" and "together"
(09:49) The importance of eye contact and warmth in headshots
(13:59) The impact of using "you" language to foster hope
(15:45) How emotions drive the decision to choose a therapist
(16:43) Why therapists often feel hesitant about marketing themselves
(19:24) Using words of hope and possibility in therapist profiles
(21:23) Avoiding clinical jargon by using everyday, relatable language
(23:36) The value of defining a niche to attract the right clients
(26:25) Tips for updating profiles regularly to reflect seasonal trends
(29:01) Managing full practices and waitlists effectively
(32:32) Personalized responses to client inquiries that build trust
(34:01) Updates at Mental Health Match to enhance the client experience
(39:46) The ongoing mission of Mental Health Match to connect clients and therapists
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.
Starting a private therapy practice in New York City is no small feat.
Growing it into a thriving business? That’s a whole different challenge.In this episode, therapist and content creator Lauren Larkin sits down with host Michael Fulwiler to share her journey of building a successful practice in one of the most competitive cities in the world. From navigating a saturated market to going viral on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, Lauren offers an inside look at what it takes to stand out and scale. She also dives into setting boundaries to prevent burnout, finding the right mentors, and financial strategies for long-term success.
In the conversation, they discuss:
Connect with the guest:
Visit her website: https://leltherapy.com/
Lauren on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@leltherapy
Lauren on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leltherapy/
Lauren on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-larkin1/
Connect with Michael and Heard:
Michael’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelfulwiler/
Newsletter: https://www.joinheard.com/newsletter
Book a free consult: https://www.joinheard.com/welcome-form
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Introduction to Heard Business School with guest Lauren Larkin
(02:30) Creating viral content on social media
(03:14) How Lauren’s marketing background shaped her private practice
(07:51) Transitioning from a group practice to starting her own practice
(08:42) How Lauren navigated the financial aspects of starting a private practice
(12:13) Advice on handling the logistics and legalities of forming a private practice
(15:23) How to navigate leaving a group practice and transitioning clients
(17:41) The ethical complexities of raising therapy fees
(20:25) Building a waitlist before expanding a practice
(24:52) The challenges of growing a practice in a competitive city like New York
(27:26) Managing client demand and hiring her first clinicians
(32:01) The balance between content creation and clinical work
(36:24) Lauren’s personal experience with an eating disorder and how it shapes her practice
(40:01) Ethical self-disclosure and its impact on the therapeutic relationship
(45:57) How Lauren handles self-disclosure on social media while maintaining client confidentiality
(50:00) Mentoring and consulting for early-career therapists
(50:07) Five tips for private practice success
(56:38) The importance of outsourcing taxes and financial management
(01:00:23) Protecting your schedule and setting boundaries to avoid burnout
(01:03:10) Creating networking and social events for therapists
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.
Building a successful and inclusive therapy practice comes with its own set of challenges.
Therapist and consultant Kenya Crawford, LMHC has created a model for doing just that.
By centering the needs of Black queer individuals and developing an anti-oppressive pricing structure, Kenya has built a practice that prioritizes accessibility and authentic healing.
In this episode, Kenya joins host Michael Fulwiler to share how she crafted a space that supports marginalized communities while maintaining a sustainable business model. She also discusses her work with Cultivating Healers, a community space for clinicians of color to grow anti-racist and sustainable practices. Kenya offers her perspective on the complexities of racial equity consulting and shares how organizations can address racial trauma early, before it reaches the therapy room.
Listen in as Kenya breaks down her approach to balancing her roles as a therapist, consultant, and community builder, all while staying true to her mission of fostering equitable, inclusive care.
In the conversation, they discuss:
Connect with the guest:
Connect with Heard:
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Introduction to Heard Business School with guest Kenya Crawford
(02:19) Kenya's personal mission of fostering radical and authentic healing
(03:53) The influence of traditional therapy training on Kenya's practice
(06:00) Transitioning from group practices to private practice
(10:33) Challenges faced when starting her business
(12:06) Kenya’s experience with virtual practice before the pandemic
(13:35) Niche specialization and its impact on client engagement
(15:02) The unexpected journey into consulting
(20:43) Pricing consulting based on expertise and impact
(24:27) Shifts in demand for anti-racist consulting post-2020
(30:48) Differentiating between therapy, consulting, and coaching
(34:50) Kenya’s anti-oppressive rate structure explained
(43:07) Introduction to Cultivating Healers initiative
(48:16) Pursuing dreams without waiting for permission
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.
Building a therapy business isn’t an easy task. But creating one as a neurodivergent therapist? Even harder.
Dr. Amy Marschall, a licensed psychologist and private practice owner of RMH-Therapy, shares her experience with host Michael Fulwiler, on how she found her own personal secret sauce to building additional income streams, including providing assessments and evaluations.
In detailing her journey of navigating her ADHD and autism to starting a private practice, Dr. Amy shares how she has built these other streams of income, as well as the intricacies of diagnostic processes, the hurdles of acquiring accurate diagnoses, and the consequences these have on patients seeking support.
Learn how Dr. Amy maintains professional boundaries, her tips on billing practices, the value of administrative support, and the nuances of having a practice in a rural area.
In the conversation, they discuss:
Connect with the guest:
Connect with Michael and Heard:
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Introduction to Heard Business School with guest Dr. Amy Marschall
(02:55) Dr. Amy’s experience in the group practice field
(04:54) Her experience and transition from a group practice to a private practice
(07:11) How she thought about the financial side of her practice
(12:29) Her process from getting clients rurally to clients in different states
(14:00) Dr. Amy’s niche and the type of clients she works with
(17:22) The mistakes Dr. Amy made when she first started her private practice
(20:28) How she started offering assessments and evaluations
(26:42) What Dr. Amy charges for assessments versus therapy sessions
(30:42) How Dr. Amy thinks about the balance between testing and therapy in her practice
(31:43) The process of training through Pessi
(36:59) How Dr. Amy’s ADHD and autism affect her work
(45:20) Current challenges Dr. Amy is experiencing today in her work and how she is dealing with them
(48:21) One thing Dr. Amy wants therapists to take from this conversation
(50:00) Closing
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.
As therapists, understanding and managing the financial side of your practice is crucial.
But that doesn't mean it has to be complicated.
Andrea Rotondo, a bookkeeping expert for therapy practice owners at Liquid Cents Bookkeeping, recognized the need for clear and accessible financial guidance in the mental health field.
Andrea shares her insights with host Michael Fulwiler, discussing the importance of setting up financial systems from the start and the common pitfalls therapists face when managing their practice’s finances.
She discusses the challenges therapists encounter when transitioning from clinical work to business management, the significance of keeping personal and business finances separate, and the essential steps to maintaining compliance while growing your practice.
Listen to learn how building a solid financial foundation can empower you to make informed decisions, reduce stress, and ultimately support the growth of your therapy practice.
In the conversation, they discuss:
Connect with the guest:
Connect with Michael and Heard:
Jump into the conversation:
[00:00] Introduction to Heard Business School with guest Andrea Rotondo
[02:37] Why Setting Up Financial Systems Early Is Crucial
[06:39] When and How to Start a Financial System as a New Practice Owner
[11:12] Choosing the Right Tools to Grow Your Practice
[18:05] Understanding the Role of Bookkeeping in Private Practice
[23:01] Costs and Benefits of Hiring a Professional Bookkeeper
[30:26] What to Do If You’re Behind on Your Financial Systems
[37:36] Regularly Assessing and Planning for Future Financial Needs
[42:29] Closing
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.
Referrals are the lifeblood of any successful therapy practice.
Yet many therapists struggle to build a consistent and sustainable referral network.
Dr. Brian Dixon is a triple board-certified psychiatrist, therapist, and entrepreneur passionate about patient care and systemic change.
In this episode, Dr. Dixon joins host Michael Fulwiler to discuss the structural issues of the healthcare system, the pragmatic shifts he’s made in his practice, and valuable business strategies for therapists, emphasizing focusing on one's strengths and effectively outsourcing tasks that lie outside their "zone of genius."
Learn about his challenges as a Black entrepreneur in a predominantly white industry (2% of psychiatrists are Black), his innovative approach to streamlining operations through his practice management company, and the importance of peer referrals.
In the conversation, they discuss:
Connect with the guest:
Connect with Michael and Heard:
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Introduction to Heard Business School with guest Dr. Brian Dixon
(02:54) What it looks like for Dr. Brian Dixon to practice as a psychiatrist between behavioral health therapy and medication management
(05:18) How the medical school clinical rotation process works
(10:37) What made Dr. Dixon pivot into private practice
(11:53) The steps Dr. Dixon took to start his business
(12:57) How to acquire patients and clients
(14:53) The benefits of EOS in owning a private practice
(18:42) The types of services Simply Psych provides
(21:36) Dr. Brian talks about the challenges he faced starting his business
(23:40) How therapists can effectively network with doctors and physicians to get referrals
(28:23) Why Dr. Brian Dixon thinks insurance is a scam
(34:04) Representation of Black individuals in psychiatry
(38:23) Lessons Dr. Brian Dixon has learned from starting his business
(42:49) Challenges Dr. Brian Dixon is facing today with his practice
(46:01) Managing burnout
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.
There needs to be accountability for low pay, burnout, and blaming of therapists.
And for long-term sustainability in the field, we need to set boundaries and realistic expectations.
Tracy Vadakumchery, LMHC, also known as “The Bad Indian Therapist,” is known for her bold approach to therapy and systemic change.
In this episode, host Michael Fulwiler and Tracy unpack why therapy is political. She also shares the importance of self-disclosure in therapy, tackling healthcare inequities, and sustainable business practices.
Plus, her story is not just about therapy but about pushing boundaries, setting realistic goals, and finding innovative ways to make a meaningful impact.
Listen to learn how to overcome systemic challenges with resilience and innovation.
In the conversation, they discuss:
Connect with the guest:
Connect with Michael and Heard:
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Introduction to Heard Business School with guest Tracy Vadakumchery
(02:04) Tracy shares her journey of getting her Masters at Columbia
(04:36) How Tracy got on the path to creating her private practice
(09:58) Tracy talks about why therapists are underpaid and why it’s easy for them to get burnt out
(15:33) The importance of setting boundaries as a therapist
(21:29) Tracy shares why group practices put a bad taste in her mouth about private practices
(27:50) Identifying your worth as a therapist and knowing how much to charge
(33:29) How to find your niche
(37:13) What being a “bad Indian” means
(40:36) Tracy’s experience as a younger therapist in the field
(44:07) The mental health industrial complex and therapy
(46:34) Challenges Tracy is facing today in her business
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.
Starting a therapy practice comes with its own set of challenges. Expanding from a solo to a group practice adds a whole new layer of complexity.
Dr. Jennifer Contarino Panning, founder of Mindful Psychology Associates, shares her experience with host Michael Fulwiler, detailing her journey from a newly licensed clinical psychologist to the owner of a thriving group practice in Evanston, Illinois.
Dr. Panning discusses the hurdles she encountered, from navigating the financial aspects of running a business to the challenges of expanding her practice during the COVID-19 pandemic.
She also reflects on the importance of building a strong referral network and the unexpected lessons learned along the way.
Discover how Dr. Panning balanced her role as a therapist with the demands of managing a growing business, and learn valuable insights for anyone looking to expand their own practice or explore new avenues within the mental health field.
In the conversation, they discuss:
Connect with the guest:
Connect with Michael and Heard:
Jump into the conversation:
[00:00] Introduction to Heard Business School with guest, Dr. Jennifer Contarino Panning
[02:37] How Dr. Panning started her private practice in Evanston
[04:19] Building a client base through university referrals
[12:06] The challenges of expanding from solo to group practice
[22:31] Managing finances and working with insurance
[23:59] Dealing with seasonal fluctuations in client demand
[27:06] The importance of marketing and networking post-COVID
[48:27] Dr. Panning’s experience with the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program
[52:18] Exploring additional income streams in private practice
[55:20] Closing
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.
A lot of therapists are told to “niche down” but aren’t told exactly what that means or how to do it.
And without a well-defined niche, your practice will struggle, if not sink.
Allison Puryear is a licensed clinical social worker based in North Carolina and an inspiring mentor to therapists through her transformative program, Abundance Practice Building.
In this Office Hours episode with host Michael Fulwiler, Allison unpacks the significance of defining a niche in therapy, how to navigate multiple niches, and why specificity matters.
Plus, she debunks common myths like the idea that broadening a niche attracts more clients and explains why a well-defined niche can help build trust and connection more effectively than a broad approach.
Listen to learn strategies that can help you refine your practice to attract clients who resonate with your expertise.
In the conversation, they discuss:
Connect with the guest:
Connect with Michael and Heard:
Jump into the conversation:
[00:00] Introduction to Heard Business School with guest, Allison Puryear
[01:44] Allison describes what “niche” means to her
[02:58] The importance of population for finding a niche
[05:48] Allison debunks the myth that having a broader niche is better
[08:48] Is it a niche or not segment
[12:12] Do therapists need a niche or not?
[16:46] What having a niche enables a therapist to do
[19:52] Allison shares if a niche can be too narrow or not
[22:27] She explains if you can have more than one niche or if you can change it
[24:52] Allison describes the framework to finding your niche
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
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