In this episode, I'm dismantling the biggest myth therapists believe about creating online programs — that building one will just add more hustle and burnout to your already overwhelming life.

We're no longer in the early days when therapists could assume that more hours worked equals more value delivered. Today's most successful therapist-entrepreneurs are rejecting hustle culture entirely and building programs that actually give them energy instead of draining it. What's winning? Programs designed around your natural strengths and energy patterns, not cookie-cutter templates.

I'm breaking down why your therapy training is sabotaging your program design, the three biggest myths keeping you stuck in overwhelm, and how to build something sustainable that you'll actually enjoy running. You'll walk away with a completely new framework for thinking about programs — one that honours your need for flow, freedom, and sustainability.

HERE ARE THE 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:

Your therapy conditioning is working against you – We've been trained to equate exhaustion with worth, so we unconsciously design programs that recreate the same burnout patterns we're trying to escape from private practice.

Smaller, focused programs create more impact – Your students don't need everything you know. They need the right transformation delivered in a way that's sustainable for both you and them to complete successfully.

Tools and pre-recording aren't shortcuts — they're smart strategy – Using AI for content creation, automation for admin tasks, and pre-recorded lessons for consistency frees up your energy for the high-value connection work you actually love.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

You don't need to figure out your online program alone while juggling a full caseload.

Join me for the From Couch to Course Bootcamp this September 23-26. For just $37, I'll walk you through exactly how to map, price, and structure your first ethical online program using evidence-based frameworks your clinical training will actually recognise.

In four focused days, you'll move from "someday I'll figure this out" to having a clear, compliant roadmap — or get enough clarity to know this isn't your next step. Either way, you'll stop wondering "what if."

Secure your spot at therapistsrising.com/bootcamp

MORE FROM DR. HAYLEY KELLY

• The Therapist Rising Incubator – For therapists ready to create their first sustainable, anti-hustle online program: https://therapistsrising.com/incubator
• Follow me on Instagram @dr.hayleykelly

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more therapists who are ready to build programs without the burnout. Thanks for tuning in to Therapists Rising! See you next week!

If you’ve been feeling burned out by back-to-back sessions, wondering if the only way to help people is to keep adding more clients to your calendar — you’re not alone. This episode pulls back the curtain on what life can look like when you step beyond the traditional therapy chair.

I’m sharing a real, unfiltered week in my life as a therapist-turned-entrepreneur — the fun, messy, everyday realities of running a thriving online business while still making a meaningful impact. You’ll hear what it looks like to balance leadership, creativity, and connection, all while building a business that serves clients, students, and the broader community without burning out.

Whether you’re dreaming of more freedom in your calendar, curious about creating multiple income streams, or simply tired of the endless cycle of individual therapy sessions, this episode shows you what’s possible — and why it’s closer than you think.

If you’ve ever wondered how to serve beyond 1:1 without losing the depth and meaning of your work — or how to design a business that actually supports your life rather than consumes it — this episode is for you.

HERE ARE THE 5 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:

• Therapist life doesn’t have to mean burnout — long days of notes and sessions aren’t the only way to build a career.
• Leadership is part of the new therapist identity — stepping out of provider mode into visionary mode creates ripple effects across hundreds of lives.
• Creativity and teaching are just as impactful as 1:1 sessions — one program or training can support more people in months than years of private practice.
• Scaling doesn’t mean losing intimacy — you can hold depth and connection through memberships, masterminds, and group experiences.
• Real life is still messy — pajama school runs, café brainstorms, and tech hiccups are part of the journey, but with breathing room, they don’t derail you.

MORE FROM DR. HAYLEY KELLY

• Future-Ready Therapist Incubator – For therapists ready to create ethical, scalable online programs: https://therapistsrising.com/incubator
• The Collective Mastermind - For established therapist-entrepreneurs scaling their impact without sacrificing sustainability: https://therapistsrising.com/collective
  
  
• Follow me on Instagram @dr.hayleykelly
  for daily insights on building a sustainable, impactful business.

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

If this episode gave you a glimpse of what’s possible for therapists beyond the chair, please subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts here
— your support helps more therapists discover what’s possible for their future.

The mental health profession is changing. Therapists don’t have to wait for permission to build freedom and impact — you can create a business that serves your life and your clients.

Thanks for tuning in to Therapists Rising!

If you've been feeling incredibly skilled at individual therapy but somehow underprepared for what mental health delivery actually looks like in 2025 - you're not alone. This episode addresses the growing disconnect between traditional therapy training and the evolving mental health landscape worldwide.

I'm breaking down why qualified therapists globally can't meet the exploding demand for mental health support, and how unqualified voices are filling the spaces qualified therapists should occupy. You'll discover the five core competencies that Future-Ready Therapists are developing to remain relevant and impactful in the Mental Health 3.0 era.

Whether you're frustrated by long waitlists, concerned about your profession's declining influence, or ready to expand your therapeutic impact beyond individual sessions - this episode provides the professional development framework you need.

If you've been torn between staying in your traditional therapy lane and exploring innovative delivery models, or you're ready to lead your profession's evolution rather than react to it - this episode is for you.

HERE ARE THE 5 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:

Traditional training isn't keeping pace with global demand - Mental health services worldwide face unprecedented demand, with waitlists stretching months and qualified therapists unable to serve everyone who needs support.

Mental Health 3.0 requires new professional competencies - Future-Ready Therapists need digital fluency, innovation design thinking, ethical navigation skills, systems leadership abilities, and professional authority development to remain impactful.

Evidence-based interventions can scale beyond individual sessions - CBT principles work for hundreds of university students, trauma-informed approaches can be embedded in workplace policies, and therapeutic expertise can guide community-level programs while maintaining clinical integrity.

Professional development is shifting from modalities to delivery methods - The next decade of therapist education isn't just about learning new treatments, but developing capabilities to deliver existing interventions where people are, at the scale they need.

Continuing education requirements will soon include these competencies - Future-Ready Therapists are developing these skills proactively before they become mandatory, understanding that professional evolution is happening with or without their participation.

MORE FROM DR. HAYLEY KELLY

•  Future-Ready Therapist Incubator - For therapists ready to develop Mental Health 3.0 competencies through innovative program creation: https://therapistsrising.com/incubator
• Follow me on Instagram: @dr.hayleykelly for daily insights on Mental Health 3.0 professional development

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

If this episode helped you understand the professional competencies needed for Mental Health 3.0 practice, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts here. Your support helps us reach more therapists ready to lead their profession's evolution.

The mental health profession is evolving rapidly. Future-Ready Therapists aren't waiting for permission - they're leading the transformation while maintaining the highest clinical and ethical standards.

Thanks for tuning in to Therapists Rising! 

If you've been sitting on a program idea but paralyzed by the question "Am I allowed to do this?" - you're not alone. This episode tackles the fear that keeps brilliant therapists stuck on the sidelines of the online space.

I'm breaking down the critical difference between scope-safe and sketchy program positioning, using real examples of ideas that started with good intentions but crossed dangerous lines. You'll discover why following generic business advice can land therapists in hot water, and more importantly, how to spot the red flags before you invest months developing something risky.

Whether you're worried about board complaints, accidentally attracting people in crisis, or just want confidence that your program idea is ethically sound - this episode gives you the practical checklist you need.

If you've been torn between wanting to scale your impact and staying safely within your scope of practice, or you're tired of second-guessing every program idea you have - this episode is for you.

HERE ARE THE 5 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:

Generic business advice is dangerous for therapists - "Teach what you're passionate about" sounds innocent, but when what you know is therapy, this advice can lead you straight into scope violations without realizing it.

Language choices reveal everything - Words like "heal," "treat," "cure," "recovery," and "disorder" immediately signal clinical territory. If your marketing copy sounds therapeutic, you've probably crossed the line.

Your audience type determines safety - Growth-seekers want optimization; help-seekers need intervention. Attracting people in crisis to educational programs creates ethical dilemmas and safety risks.

Delivery method matters as much as content - Even scope-safe topics become problematic when delivered through inappropriate formats. Self-paced trauma content or group processing without therapeutic boundaries are recipe for disaster.

Red flag spotting is reactive, not proactive - While identifying warning signs protects you from obvious mistakes, what therapists really need is a systematic way to evaluate ideas before developing them.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Professional Registration Boards - Check your specific jurisdiction's guidelines for online program creation
• Scope of Practice Guidelines - Review what constitutes educational vs. therapeutic delivery in your area
• Continuing Education Requirements - Ensure any program delivery aligns with your professional development obligations

MORE FROM ME

• The Aligned Idea Accelerator - For therapists ready to find their scope-safe program concept: https://therapistsrising.com/idea
• Follow me on Instagram: @dr.hayleykelly for daily insights on ethical program creation

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

If this episode helped you feel more confident about evaluating your program ideas, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts here. Your support helps us reach more therapists who need practical guidance on creating impact while staying within professional boundaries.

The online space doesn't have to be scary territory for therapists. With the right frameworks, you can create programs that transform lives while keeping your registration completely safe.

Thanks for tuning in to Therapists Rising! See you next week!

If you've been feeling like our profession is under siege, you're not imagining it. This episode dives deep into the systemic challenges facing Australian therapists and why staying silent is no longer an option.

I'm sitting down with Sahra O'Doherty, President of the Australian Association of Psychologists (AAPI), for a conversation that will change how you think about your role as a therapist. Sahra reveals everything from the two-tier Medicare system to the Training Pathways Review that could completely overhaul psychology training in Australia.

With 30-40% of Australians now seeking support from unregulated providers, we're at a crossroads. We can either evolve and innovate, or risk becoming obsolete.

If you've felt torn between wanting to innovate and fearing professional backlash, or you're tired of feeling like our profession is being left behind - this episode is for you.

HERE ARE THE 5 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:

The profession is self-policing to a fault - Most AHPRA complaints come from other psychologists without collegial conversation first. This lateral violence keeps us small and scared.

Innovation is now mandated, not optional - New core competencies coming December 2025 explicitly require psychologists to advocate for clients and health equity. Your comfort zone is no longer compliant practice.

The substantial equivalence pathway is changing everything - Hundreds of psychologists are gaining endorsements in different areas, proving the arbitrary nature of the two-tier system.

Training reform is coming - Complete overhaul of psychology training pathways in the next 3-5 years, focusing on job-readiness rather than academic research.

Fear is keeping us irrelevant - While we stay paralyzed by compliance anxiety, other professions step into mental health spaces and government pushes psychology assistants as first-line interventions.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Australian Association of Psychologists (AAPI) - Learn more about membership and advocacy efforts
• AHPRA Core Competencies - New standards coming into effect December 2025
• Training Pathways Review - Government consultation on psychology education reform

MORE FROM SAHRA O'DOHERTY

• Mindscape Psychology: Sarah's private practice in Sydney's inner west

MORE FROM ME

• The Incubator: For therapists ready to create scalable digital offerings
• Follow me on Instagram: @dr.hayleykelly

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

If this episode opened your eyes to what's really happening in our profession, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts here. Your support helps us reach more therapists who need to hear these crucial conversations.

The psychology profession is at a turning point. The question isn't whether change is coming - it's whether we'll lead it or be left behind.

Thanks for tuning in to Therapists Rising! See you next week!

If you have 17 half-baked course ideas sitting in a Google doc but can't choose which one to build, you're not just procrastinating—you're missing out on income and impact while your expertise sits unused.

You've got brilliant insights and could help so many people. But when you can't decide between stress management for healthcare workers, communication skills for couples, or that trauma-informed approach you've been mulling over for months, analysis paralysis keeps you stuck on the sidelines. Meanwhile, those potential clients? They're buying programs from therapists who made a decision and took action.

In this game-changing episode, you'll discover:

• The Scope & Sanity Filter: Four critical tests every therapist program idea must pass
• Why the Flourishing Test protects your registration while ensuring program success
• The Energy Test: How to avoid building a program that drains you completely
• Why people already coming to you for help is your credibility goldmine
• The Market Demand reality check that prevents beautiful programs nobody buys
• Real client example: How one therapist chose between 8 ideas and built her signature offer
• The costly mistakes therapists make when they choose wrong (therapy-in-disguise alert!)
• Why having "good ideas" isn't enough—you need a validation system
• The three positioning frameworks that keep you scope-safe and profitable

Key Mindset Shifts:

✓ Too many ideas without a filter equals zero programs
 ✓ The problem isn't lack of expertise—it's lack of decision-making structure
 ✓ Your program should energize you, not become another source of burnout
 ✓ Market demand isn't about passion—it's about people willing to pay for solutions
 ✓ Professional safety and business viability can (and must) coexist

Take Action This Week:

1. List all your program ideas (yes, even the half-baked ones)
2. Run ONE idea through the four-test Scope & Sanity Filter
3. Ask yourself: Does this help stable people thrive or struggling people heal?
4. Rate your energy level (1-10) when you imagine teaching this topic
5. Share your biggest "aha" moment from this episode on Instagram @dr.hayleykelly

🎧 Love this episode? Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts here to help other therapists break through analysis paralysis and finally choose their program direction!

🎯 Ready to Stop Spinning Your Wheels and Choose Your Program Idea?

The Aligned Idea Accelerator gives you three complete frameworks to move from confused to confident—with a validated, scope-safe program idea that feels both exciting and ethically sound. Check it out here>> https://therapistsrising.com/idea

Connect with Dr. Hayley Kelly:

• Instagram: @dr.hayleykelly
• 
  

Keywords: therapist online program ideas, choosing program topic for therapists, therapist course creation, scope of practice online programs, analysis paralysis therapists, program idea validation, therapist business strategy, online course for mental health professionals, therapy vs education distinction, flourishing zone framework, therapist program development, ethical online programs therapists, decision making for therapist entrepreneurs, program topic selection process, therapist business clarity, scope-safe program ideas, mental health professional online courses, therapist income diversification, choosing profitable program niche, therapist course planning, online program frameworks therapists

The hard truth: If you're trying to help everyone with your online program, you're actually helping no one—and it's killing your business before it even starts.

You've got years of training and could help SO many people. But when you try to market to "everyone," your message becomes so vanilla that nobody feels seen. Those perfect clients? They're hiring someone who spoke directly to their specific pain.

In this game-changing episode, you'll discover:

• Why "I help people with anxiety" guarantees invisibility (with cringe-worthy examples)
• The Identity Trap: Why "moms" isn't a niche and demographics don't buy programs
• The math proving specificity INCREASES income (one student went from $97 to $5K programs)
• My 3-Question Clarity Check to know if your niche is specific enough
• The Step-Down Method: How to narrow focus without panic
• Why trying to serve everyone is actually UNETHICAL
• Real before-and-after examples showing the difference between noise and clarity

Key Mindset Shifts:

✓ Specificity is service, not selfishness
 ✓ You're not abandoning people—you're becoming excellent for the RIGHT people
 ✓ The market rewards clarity, not capability
 ✓ The narrower you go, the bigger you grow

🎯 Ready to Pick Your Profitable Program Topic?

The Aligned Idea Accelerator helps you go from confused to confident in under an hour—with a clear, profitable, scope-safe program idea you're excited about.

Limited Offer: $27 + free live Q&A workshop (before Tuesday midnight Australian time)

Get the Aligned Idea Accelerator → https://therapistsrising.com/idea

Take Action This Week:

1. Brain dump every problem you COULD solve
2. Circle the ONE that excites you most
3. Ask: Who's suffering from this RIGHT NOW?
4. Test with 5 real people this week
5. Share your before/after niche on Instagram @dr.hayleykelly

🎧 Love this episode? Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts here to help other therapists find the courage to get specific!

Keywords: therapist niche marketing, online program for therapists, therapist business strategy, niche down anxiety, specific vs broad marketing, ideal client clarity, therapist entrepreneur tips, program topic selection, marketing for mental health professionals, overcoming niche resistance, therapist income strategies, ethical marketing therapy, business clarity for therapists, specialized therapy programs, target audience for therapists, profitable therapy niches, therapist online course creation, mental health professional marketing, scope of practice online programs, niche market examples therapists

The online space keeps changing the rules the second you've figured them out. New algorithms, platform updates, economic uncertainty, and the constant pressure to keep up while holding space for clients—it's overwhelming, and it's real.

But what if I told you that feeling like "everything is too much" isn't a sign you're failing? What if it's actually your business giving you crucial information about where you're at, what matters most, and where you're ready to grow?

As therapists building businesses, we face a unique challenge: we're trained to create stability and hold space for others, but we're operating in a world of constant change and uncertainty. The skills that make us excellent clinicians can sometimes work against us when we need to navigate business pivots, market shifts, and the messy reality of entrepreneurship.

The uncomfortable truth: Waiting for "normal" to return isn't a strategy—it's avoidance. While you're hiding in research mode or postponing decisions until things "settle down," the world keeps moving, and your people keep needing what you offer.

In this essential episode, I break down:

• Why therapists get stuck in "caretaker mode" with their businesses (and how it's sabotaging growth)
• The irony of helping clients navigate uncertainty while panicking about our own business changes
• Why your overwhelm is actually proof you've built something worth protecting
• The fork in the road every therapist faces: hide until things stabilize, or learn to dance with uncertainty
• My three anchors for staying grounded when fear wants to take control
• Micro-momentum: the power of smallest-possible-action thinking for overwhelmed entrepreneurs
• Information hygiene: how to stay educated without staying panicked
• Scenario safety nets: simple "if/then" planning that calms your nervous system
• Why "action creates clarity" applies to business decisions, not just clinical work

The game-changer: You already have the skills to navigate uncertainty—you use them every day with clients. The challenge is applying that same wisdom to your own business growth instead of reverting to freeze, flight, or research-paralysis mode.

Bottom Line: Your business isn't broken if it feels overwhelming right now. The world is shifting, industries are evolving, and building something meaningful has always required tolerance for the unknown. Your job isn't to figure it all out before you move—it's to take the next small, true step and trust your capacity to handle whatever comes next.

🎧 Ready to stop hiding and start moving?

✅ Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts here - your reviews help overwhelmed therapists find episodes like this when they need them most!

📱 Let's connect! Message me on Instagram and tell me—where are you hiding right now, and what's one micro-action you could take this week? (I read every message and love hearing your breakthroughs!) - @dr.hayleykelly

Keywords: therapist business overwhelm, uncertainty in online business, therapist entrepreneur anxiety, business decision making for therapists, overwhelmed mental health professionals, therapist business strategy, managing business anxiety, therapist burnout prevention, sustainable business growth therapists, clinical skills business application, nervous system business building, therapeutic entrepreneur support, business uncertainty navigation, therapist leadership development, mental health professional business coaching

The marketing world feels gross because most of it IS gross. But what if I told you that ethical marketing isn't just possible—it's actually your secret weapon as a therapist?

While other industries scramble to add "authenticity" to their marketing playbook, you've been practicing it your entire career. You already know how to influence ethically, build trust without manipulation, and create genuine transformation. You just didn't know it was marketing.

The uncomfortable truth: Your humility might be beautiful, but if people can't find you, it becomes a barrier to your service. In a world where louder, less-trained voices are filling the vacuum, ethical visibility isn't just smart business—it's a public health necessity.

In this essential episode, I break down:

• Why that "icky" feeling about marketing is actually a sign of your professional integrity
• The clinical parallels you've been missing: ACT's creative hopelessness IS ethical marketing
• How motivational interviewing techniques translate directly to sales conversations
• The 4 Pillars of Ethical Marketing framework (transparency, genuine value, evidence, autonomy respect)
• Real vs. manufactured pain points—and why neuroscience backs addressing authentic struggles
• Robert Cialdini's influence principles: when they're ethical vs. manipulative
• Concrete examples of what NOT to do (fake scarcity, hidden pricing, manufactured urgency)
• What ethical marketing actually sounds like in practice
• Why "marketing as service" changes everything

The game-changer: You're not learning to market—you're learning to apply your existing clinical skills at scale. Your therapy training already taught you ethical influence, boundary management, and how to create safety and trust. Now it's time to use those superpowers to reach the people who need your help.

Bottom Line: Ethical marketing isn't about becoming someone else—it's about becoming more you, just in public. Your clinical advantage gives you everything you need to market with integrity while others manipulate their way to sales.

🎧 Ready to transform your relationship with marketing?

✅ Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts here - your reviews help ethical voices reach more therapists!

📱 Let's connect! Message me on Instagram and tell me—what was your biggest takeaway from this episode? (Yes, you—I actually read every message!)

Links Mentioned in This Episode:

• The Incubator Program - Create and launch your online course with integrity
• Robert Cialdini's books on influence 

Keywords: ethical marketing for therapists, therapist marketing strategies, clinical skills marketing, values-based business promotion, therapy practice marketing, mental health professional marketing ethics, authentic marketing for helpers, therapist visibility strategies, clinical parallels marketing, motivational interviewing sales, ethical influence techniques therapists, therapy training business skills, professional integrity marketing, transparent marketing practices, autonomy-respecting sales

You launched your program. Finally getting visible. Then it happens—colleagues start questioning your marketing, your methods, your motives.

That knot in your stomach when you see posts criticising "aggressive marketing tactics" in professional groups? Wondering if they're talking about YOU?

Here's what nobody tells you: when you do things differently, people don't react well. Not internet trolls—your peers, colleagues, even mentors.

Colleague criticism isn't a sign you're doing something wrong—it's proof you're doing something RIGHT.

This week, a Facebook post triggered hundreds of therapists by criticising marketing in our field. The irony? It used the exact tactics it condemned—creating urgency, amplifying problems, positioning the author as having the solution.

What really happened: textbook human psychology. Your innovation forces others to question their choices, making your success feel like implicit criticism of their status quo.

In this eye-opening episode, I break down:

• Why resistance to change is hardwired into helping professions
• The double standard: therapeutic vs. marketing techniques
• How ACT uses "problem amplification" as core intervention—but marketing can't?
• Real psychology behind colleague criticism when you innovate
• How to fact-check your ethics without getting derailed by projections
• Why stepping back to avoid criticism hurts people who need your help
• Difference between acknowledging real problems vs. creating fake ones
• How burnout rates and access barriers are documented realities—not marketing fabrications
• Why your courage gives other ethical innovators permission to continue
• Strategic frameworks for handling criticism without losing mission
• How to pick battles and protect energy for what matters

The uncomfortable truth: Mental health field desperately needs ethical innovators willing to face criticism. Your colleagues questioning your visibility aren't your ideal clients—they're not searching at 2 AM wondering if anyone understands their struggle.

Bottom Line: If you're building something meaningful and facing criticism, take it as validation you're onto something important. The people who need your innovation aren't the ones criticising it—they're desperately hoping someone brave will step up.

🎧 Ready to handle criticism like the leader you're becoming?

✅ Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts here 

🚀 Build your program without burning out: https://therapistsrising.com/incubator

Keywords: therapist marketing ethics, colleague criticism therapy practice, professional evolution mental health, ethical business development therapists, innovation resistance helping professions, therapist entrepreneur challenges, therapeutic techniques marketing, mental health field transformation, therapist visibility fears, clinical expertise business applications