The Thriving Therapreneur: Transition from therapist to coach & build a profitable coaching business

Is fear quietly keeping you stuck while you believe you’re playing it safe? In today’s episode, I get real about the fears that hold therapists back from growing beyond back-to-back sessions and building the freedom they crave. So many of us think we’re making responsible choices by sticking to what we know, but the truth is, fear is keeping you stuck and costing you more than you realize.

I open up about my own journey, how I went from burnout and a capped income to earning six figures a month. You’ll hear why the “safe” path of sticking only to therapy is actually the riskiest move, and how shifting your mindset can help you scale quickly.

If you’re ready to stop letting fear run your business and start saying yes to more income, freedom, and impact, this episode is for you. Join me for some tough love, honest conversation, and the push you need to finally put fear in the backseat and take the wheel of your business.

Topics covered on Fear Is Keeping You Stuck:

• Why the “safe” option of staying in therapy is actually costing you more than you think.
• What it looks like to work smarter, not harder, as a therapist.
• How you can start making smart investments that actually move your business forward.
• Client success stories of therapists who stopped waiting to feel ready and just decided to go ALL IN.
• How you can collapse timelines and reach your goals faster by changing your strategy.

Resources from this episode:

• Therapreneur: A Therapist's Guide to 3x Your Therapy Income
• Therapist to Coach Accelerator program
• Enter The Podcast Giveaway for the chance to win one of Carly’s digital products: https://thethrivingtherapreneurpodcast.com/reviews

This episode is sponsored by Berries — an AI-powered scribe tool designed for mental health pros. It’s HIPAA-compliant, private, and makes writing notes so much easier. Just record your sessions (with consent!),and Berries creates accurate, compliant notes for you—so you can stay present with clients and reclaim your time.

🎉 Try it at heyberries.com with code CARLY50 for $50 off your first month.

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💕 Looking for more support? Click here to explore different options to work with Carly

💕 What was your biggest takeaway from this episode? Drop me a DM on Instagram - I’d love to hear from you!

Quote:

“Fear is not a stop sign. Fear is proof you’re on the edge of growth.” - Carly Hill

I stepped away from a multi-million dollar coaching business and came back with completely fresh eyes. So in today's episode, I'm about to share the most exciting announcement I've ever made on this podcast! And trust me, it impacts everything about how I run my business and serve my clients.

After personally coaching over 400 clients and generating over half a million dollars while on maternity leave, I realized something had to change. Not because things weren't working, they were working incredibly well, but because I discovered gaps that were holding my clients back from even faster success. This isn't just another program update. It's a complete evolution that addresses every single frustration I've heard from my clients over the years.

Whether you've been with me since day one or you're just discovering my work, what I'm about to share will completely shift how you think about building your coaching business. I'm even addressing that question my mother-in-law asked me about people copying my work, and my answer might surprise you.

Topics covered on Shutting Down My $4 Million Coaching Business Program:

• Why I’m shutting down a program that's generated millions in revenue in my coaching business,
• How one client crossed the million-dollar mark in under two years using my system.
• Why are other wellness professionals suddenly joining my coaching program?
• What my mother-in-law asked me that made me realize just how different my approach to building a coaching business really is.
• Why giving clients MORE time (7 months instead of 4) actually produced WORSE results.

Resources from this episode:

• Therapreneur: A Therapist's Guide to 3x Your Therapy Income
• Therapist to Coach Accelerator program
• Enter The Podcast Giveaway for the chance to win one of Carly’s digital products: https://thethrivingtherapreneurpodcast.com/reviews

CONNECT AND WORK WITH CARLY

💕 Looking for more support? Click here to explore different options to work with Carly

💕 What was your biggest takeaway from this episode? Drop me a DM on Instagram - I’d love to hear from you!

Quote:

"Growth is not linear. It's spiral. You circle back, you refine, you revisit, you expand." - Carly Hill

Are you waiting for referrals to fill your private practice while wondering why it's getting harder every year? The future of marketing for therapists looks nothing like it did in 2010, and if you're not adapting, you're being left behind. In this episode, I'm taking you on a journey from the old days of Psychology Today listings and passive waiting to today's reality where clients expect to see, hear, and connect with you before they ever book a call.

I break down exactly why your static website and referral list won't cut it anymore, and what's actually working right now to attract clients consistently. You'll discover the different types of buyers in today's market, from the silent lurkers who watch you for months to the ones who binge your content and buy immediately. I also address the elephant in the room: why adding coaching to your private practice isn't about abandoning therapy, but about creating freedom and breaking through that income ceiling.

If you've been feeling stuck, invisible, or exhausted from trading dollars for hours, this episode will show you exactly what needs to change and how to position yourself for success in this new era.

Topics covered on Future of Marketing for Therapists:

• Why marketing for therapists has changed more in the last 15 years than in the 50 years before that.
• The real difference between how clients found you in 2010 versus how they find you today.
• The four types of buyers in today's market and why are you probably ignoring the most profitable ones.
• How you can keep your therapy practice AND build a coaching business without ethical conflicts.
• Why therapists who resist online marketing are getting left behind while others are scaling beyond six figures.
• What it means to create an "ecosystem" for your private practice instead of relying on one-hit wonders.

Resources from this episode:

• Therapreneur: A Therapist's Guide to 3x Your Therapy Income
• Therapist to Coach Accelerator program

• Enter The Podcast Giveaway for the chance to win one of Carly’s digital products: https://thethrivingtherapreneurpodcast.com/reviews

Related episodes you might enjoy

• Marketing Strategies for Therapreneurs to Get More Coaching Clients [Ep 20]

CONNECT AND WORK WITH CARLY

💕 Looking for more support? Click here to explore different options to work with Carly

💕 What was your biggest takeaway from this episode? Drop me a DM on Instagram - I’d love to hear from you!

Quote:

“The therapists who adapt are the ones winning. They're not just posting and praying. No, they're creating an ecosystem.“ - Carly Hill

Have you ever been attacked by your own therapist colleagues for charging premium rates? If you've felt the sting of being called "greedy" or "all about the money" simply because you decided to stop martyring yourself for low wages, this episode is for you.

I'm sharing the raw truth about what really happens when therapists start charging premium rates, and spoiler alert, the backlash usually comes from the people you'd least expect: your therapist friends, the Facebook groups, the colleagues who should be cheering you on. Well, guess what? Their criticism isn't about you at all! It's about the uncomfortable mirror you're holding up to their own stuck patterns. I break down exactly why this happens, especially for women in our field, and give you five concrete strategies to handle the hate while you build your sustainable private practice.

Because every time you say out loud "I'm charging premium rates" with confidence, you're not just making a business decision. You're literally rewriting history and paving the way for every therapist watching silently, wondering if it's possible for them too.

Topics covered on Charging Premium Rates:

• Why do your therapist friends suddenly turn on you when you start charging premium rates?
• The history of women's financial rights and what it has to do with guilt around charging premium rates as a therapist today.
• The five practical strategies to protect your energy when colleagues criticize your new pricing.
• Why charging premium rates makes you sustainable, not greedy.
• How courage to charge what you're worth creates a ripple effect for the entire mental health field.

Resources from this episode:

• Therapreneur: A Therapist's Guide to 3x Your Therapy Income
• Therapist to Coach Accelerator program
• Enter The Podcast Giveaway for the chance to win one of Carly’s digital products: https://thethrivingtherapreneurpodcast.com/reviews

CONNECT AND WORK WITH CARLY

💕 Looking for more support? Click here to explore different options to work with Carly

💕 What was your biggest takeaway from this episode? Drop me a DM on Instagram - I’d love to hear from you!

Quote:

“ Charging premium rates doesn't mean you're abandoning your ethics. It means you're raising the bar.” - Carly Hill

Have you ever wondered if $100K months are actually possible for someone like you? I get it. I remember when six-figure months felt completely out of reach for me too. But I've been hitting consistent $100K months for over two years now, and today I'm pulling back the curtain on exactly how it happens.

I'm breaking down the 13 specific pillars that took me from eating trail mix in my car between therapy sessions to building a multiple six-figure business with 40-50% profit margins. Plus, I'm celebrating one of my clients who just messaged me about hitting her very first $100K month, and I'm sharing the exact three shifts she made to get there. You'll discover why your messaging matters more than your follower count, how to build a sales team before you think you're ready, and the tracking numbers that actually move the needle.

I'm giving you my proven frameworks, my team structure, and the mindset reframes that made all the difference. This is the real, behind-the-scenes truth about six-figure months. No fluff, just the strategy and systems you need.

Topics covered on How I Built Consistent $100K Months:

• The real mindset shift that separates entrepreneurs making $20K months from those consistently hitting $100K+
• Three simple changes that helped my client finally break through to her first six-figure month.
• 13 non-negotiable pillars I've used to maintain $100K months for over two years straight
• Why 40-50% profit margins are possible in coaching, and how you structure your business to achieve them.
• How to build a sales team and support system without breaking the bank or sacrificing quality

Resources from this episode:

• Therapist to Coach Accelerator program
• Enter The Podcast Giveaway for the chance to win one of Carly’s digital products: https://thethrivingtherapreneurpodcast.com/reviews

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💕 Looking for more support? Click here to explore different options to work with Carly

💕 What was your biggest takeaway from this episode? Drop me a DM on Instagram - I’d love to hear from you!

Quote:

"You cannot outstrategize a broken mindset.” - Carly Hill

Is the coaching industry a pyramid scheme? Five people asked me that last week, and I get why. Between coaches coaching coaches, sketchy screenshots, and straight-up liars, the noise is real. What annoys me is people shaming others for investing in growth while they waste money daily.

In this episode, I break down why the pyramid-scheme label sticks, call out shady tactics, and draw the line between manipulation and ethical selling. I share my own journey—from LCSW to a successful online biz—including the debt, the fear, and why I hid my income.

If you’re a wellness pro questioning if coaching is legit, or just want to make good money helping people without guilt, this one’s for you.

Topics covered on Is the Coaching Industry a Pyramid Scheme:

• Why does everyone keep asking if the coaching industry is a pyramid scheme - and what's the real legal difference.
• The coaching industry practices giving everyone the ick.
• The truth about the coaching industry pyramid scheme accusations and the "coaches coaching coaches" problem.
• Why therapists make better coaches than most coaching certification grads.
• What an ethical, sustainable coaching business actually looks like in practice.

Resources from this episode:

• Therapist to Coach Accelerator program

• Enter The Podcast Giveaway for the chance to win one of Carly’s digital products: https://thethrivingtherapreneurpodcast.com/reviews

This episode is sponsored by Berries — an AI-powered scribe tool designed for mental health pros. It’s HIPAA-compliant, private, and makes writing notes so much easier. Just record your sessions (with consent!),and Berries creates accurate, compliant notes for you—so you can stay present with clients and reclaim your time.

🎉 Try it at heyberries.com with code CARLY50 for $50 off your first month.

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💕 Looking for more support? Click here to explore different options to work with Carly

💕 What was your biggest takeaway from this episode? Drop me a DM on Instagram - I’d love to hear from you!

Quote:

"I'm not building a tower of people below me, I'm building a ripple effect. And that ripple creates waves and impact generational healing income confidence." - Carly Hill

Are you being sold a lie about how to build your coaching business as a therapist? I'm calling out the BS I've been seeing online lately, especially from therapists who are literally running coaching programs while telling you coaching doesn't work. Yeah, you heard that right!

In today's episode, I'm breaking down the real pros and cons of every path you're considering: private practice, group practice, intensives, and coaching. I've done them all, and I'm sharing why I walked away from some and doubled down on others. You'll hear my honest take on why intensives are just a bigger chunk of dollars for a bigger chunk of hours (spoiler: still burnout), what really happened when I had clinicians under me, and why a coaching business (when done right) gave me the freedom to voice memo my team while doing tummy time with my baby.

If you're tired of back-to-back sessions draining your energy and capping your income, this episode will give you the clarity you need to decide your next move.

Topics covered on Coaching Business Myths:

• Why therapists with "coach" in their Instagram handles are telling you coaching businesses don't work?
• Is running a group practice actually freedom, or just managing other people's problems?
• Why intensives sound amazing on paper but still leave you drained.
• How you can start a coaching business without fancy funnels, websites, or paid ads.
• The profit margins in my multi-7 figure business.

Resources from this episode:

• Therapist to Coach Accelerator program
• Episode 47: The Step-by-Step Guide to Marketing Funnels for Coaches
• Episode 53: Paid Advertising Won't Save Your Broken Funnel - Fix This First
• Enter The Podcast Giveaway for the chance to win one of Carly’s digital products: https://thethrivingtherapreneurpodcast.com/reviews

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💕 Looking for more support? Click here to explore different options to work with Carly

💕 What was your biggest takeaway from this episode? Drop me a DM on Instagram - I’d love to hear from you!

Quote:

“ The truth is, it's not coaching that is the problem ever. It's how people are building their coaching businesses.” - Carly Hill

Still Googling everything and spending hours on presentations? In today's episode, I'm sharing my favorite AI tools that have completely changed how I run my business and my life. I literally just created a professional webinar presentation in UNDER five minutes using AI, and it looked better than anything I could have made spending hours in Canva.

I'm breaking down exactly how I use three specific tools - from creating brand photos without a photographer to having ChatGPT help me with everything from launch plans to baby food recipes. Yes, you heard that right - baby food recipes! Look, I get it if you've been avoiding AI because it feels overwhelming or too techie. I was there too. But these tools have given me back dozens of hours every month that I now spend with my five-month-old or focusing on the parts of my business I actually love.

You don't need to be tech-savvy, and you definitely don't need to use every AI tool out there. Just start with one, have fun with it, and watch how much easier your life becomes!

Topics covered on AI Tools:

• The AI tool can help you turn messy notes into professional presentations in under 5 minutes.
• AI-generated photos on Instagram - can people really tell the difference?
• How I use ChatGPT in business and my personal life as well.
• The custom AI tools I’m building for my mentorship clients to get them faster results.
• Where you should start with AI if you've been avoiding it like the plague.

Resources from this episode:

• Gamma
• Freepik
• ChatGPT
• Therapist to Coach Accelerator program
• Enter The Podcast Giveaway for the chance to win one of Carly’s digital products: https://thethrivingtherapreneurpodcast.com/reviews

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💕 Looking for more support? Click here to explore different options to work with Carly

💕 What was your biggest takeaway from this episode? Drop me a DM on Instagram - I’d love to hear from you!

Quote:

"AI has saved me dozens of hours a month. It's allowed me to serve my clients better, spend more time with my family, focus on the parts of my business that truly light me up." - Carly Hill

What if the real block between you and a million dollar business… is who you think you’re allowed to be?

This isn’t some mindset fluff. Your identity is either keeping you capped at $50K or launching you toward seven figures. I used to think therapists like me couldn’t earn more than a “decent” salary, even after quitting my 9 to 5. Then came the moment my dad warned me not to be the breadwinner (not about my husband, about generational fear). That same week, I chucked my phone across the room after posting my revenue.

We’re talking deep money wounds, starving artist syndrome, and the silent contracts we sign just to stay liked. But here’s the deal: if being accepted means playing small, it’s not acceptance, it’s self abandonment.

Your next level demands a new identity. Let go of the broke, burnout version of you and when you do? You become the permission slip for everyone else to rise too.

Topics covered on Identity Transformation:

• What the most expanded version of you actually looks like, and why you’re so afraid to become her.
• How childhood money stories and family conditioning secretly cap your income (even decades later).
• Why therapists and creatives believe they have to choose between meaningful work and financial abundance.
• What happens when your success threatens old friendships and is keeping those relationships worth staying small?
• How you can tell if your current identity is yours or something you inherited and agreed to along the way.
• Why sharing your wins and celebrating success is actually an act of service, not ego.

Resources from this episode:

• Therapreneur: A Therapist's Guide to 3x Your Therapy Income
• Therapist to Coach Accelerator program
• Therapist to Coach Startup School - Class starts on Sept 9th!

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💕 Looking for more support? Click here to explore different options to work with Carly

💕 What was your biggest takeaway from this episode? Drop me a DM on Instagram - I’d love to hear from you!

Quote:

"If belonging means staying in a smaller version of you, is it really belonging?" - Carly Hill

What if you could get paid repeatedly for teaching what you already know? In this episode, I’m chatting with Michelle Risser about becoming a CEU provider—an overlooked income stream most therapists don’t even realize is possible.

Michelle shares why starting with a course is actually a mistake, how to work backwards from approval requirements, and the truth that your therapy license alone is enough. We even break down real numbers: a 3-hour training for 20 people at $60 each = $1,200, you can repeat anytime.

After 15 years of doing this herself, Michelle now helps therapists launch this revenue stream with her complete course and templates. If you’re ready to earn beyond back-to-back client sessions, this convo is a total eye-opener.

More about Michelle Risser:

Michelle is a therapist in private practice and a multi-passionate entrepreneur. She believes that diversified income streams are the key to more impact and less burnout for mental health professionals. Michelle is passionate about helping therapists step into their expertise as approved CEU providers so they can have more income and more impact! She's the creator of several courses and group programs and also offers 1:1 consultation. Michelle lives with her family in Central Ohio, rows on a rowing team, is a cat lady with no cats, and is obsessed with knitting.

Topics covered on Become a CEU Provider:

• Michelle’s path from archaeology to CEUs
• Why CEUs are easier than coaching/consulting
• The biggest mistake to avoid
• Where to apply for CE approval
• Credentials required to start

Resources from this episode:

• Therapist to Coach Startup School

This episode is sponsored by Berries — an AI-powered scribe tool designed for mental health pros. It’s HIPAA-compliant, private, and makes writing notes so much easier. Just record your sessions (with consent!),and Berries creates accurate, compliant notes for you—so you can stay present with clients and reclaim your time.

🎉 Try it at heyberries.com with code CARLY50 for $50 off your first month.

Connect with Michelle Risser:

• Website: www.mrisser.com
• Instagram: @michelle_risser
• Grab the FREE CEU Course Planning Checklist: www.mrisser.com/checklist and get the chance to purchase Diversify Your Income With CEUs course for $79!

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💕 Click here to explore different options to work with Carly

💕 Drop me a DM on Instagram - I’d love to hear from you!

Quote:

"Unlike coaching, you do CEEs under your therapy license. You do not need a separate business." - Michelle Risser