Selling the Couch

Today’s session revolves around the phrase “quiet builder.” We are discussing the concept behind this phrase, as well as why this mindset is so vitally important in this day of political uncertainty, escalating AI technology, etc. You may wonder how you can build something meaningful without being loud, fast, and constantly online, and I honestly think about this concept very often. When I started Selling the Couch in 2015, I knew that I didn’t want to build my business like everyone else; my definition of success differs from what society pressures us to do to be successful as entrepreneurs. I wanted to embody a more holistic definition of success and well-being, and my purpose remains much bigger than simply building a successful business. Join me as we explore the idea of being a quiet builder.You’ll Learn:3 Marks of a Quiet Builder:Quiet builders create from depth, not noise.They focus on long-form content.Quiet builders design their businesses around their lives, not the other way around. They ask, “How do I build something I won’t resent 5-10 years from now?”Building with “margin” has become my goal.Quiet builders play the long game.They focus on timeless principles, like service, trust, and consistency as they look to cultivate a legacy.For building a values-driven, life-first business that goes against hustle culture messaging, join our new premium newsletter that is published twice monthly. Learn more about The Quiet Builder Newsletter. Resources:Interested in becoming part of our affiliate program? Learn more!Want to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit for Therapists at https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekit.If you are a seasoned therapist who wants to move from clinical to online course income, we have a specific mastermind for you. We meet together to build, grow, and scale our online courses. You can learn more at https://sellingthecouch.com/mastermind.Mentioned in this episode:Try Alma!Building and managing the practice you truly want can feel overwhelming. That’s why Alma is here—to help you create not just any practice, but your private practice. With Alma, you’ll get the tools and resources you need to navigate insurance with ease, connect with referrals that are the right fit for your style, and streamline those time-consuming administrative tasks. That means less time buried in the details and more time focused on delivering exceptional care to your clients. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Learn more at sellingthecouch.com/alma and get 2 months FREE —an exclusive offer for STC listeners.

Welcome to this session about AI and SEO, very relevant topics to consider in today’s world of constantly evolving technology. SEO is what most clinicians have focused on for many years, but the online world is changing rapidly in the face of new advancements in AI. With these advances come new levels of fear, excitement, and uncertainty about AI’s role in content creation, SEO, and more. If you feel lost and need direction around these topics, today’s podcast session will be helpful and informative. Our Featured GuestMary WalkerMary Walker is the new owner of Simplified SEO Consulting, a firm dedicated to helping therapists and other professionals grow their practices through strategic search engine optimization. In this conversation, Mary explains how AI is enhancing SEO, how she sees website SEO evolving with AI, and some of the biggest mistakes therapists make with SEO and AI. Simplified SEO ConsultingYou’ll Learn:Words of encouragement to clinicians about SEOWays that AI is enhancing SEO (what we need to understand)Thoughts on changing your perspective if you’ve been fearful of AIBenefits of using social media and AI searches togetherMary’s tips for maximizing SEO content on all platforms (Find out why YouTube is her #1 choice!)Don’t discount the effectiveness of video posts to share content and engage with your audience.Wisdom in balancing the frequency of social media posts and using AI tools to repurpose existing content (Mary recommends Pictory AI for easy video creation.)The scoop on schema markup–what it is and what it does (Find out more at schema.org.)Top SEO mistakes therapists make in the world of AI:Resisting change and being unwilling to adaptWriting content at a higher level, which AI doesn’t likeLearn more about SEO with a free course and YouTube video series. Click here.Resources:Interested in becoming part of our affiliate program? Learn more!Want to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit for Therapists at https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekit.If you are a seasoned therapist who wants to move from clinical to online course income, we have a specific mastermind for you. We meet together to build, grow, and scale our online courses. You can learn more at https://sellingthecouch.com/mastermind.Mentioned in this episode:Try Alma!Building and managing the practice you truly want can feel overwhelming. That’s why Alma is here—to help you create not just any practice, but your private practice. With Alma, you’ll get the tools and resources you need to navigate insurance with ease, connect with referrals that are the right fit for your style, and streamline those time-consuming administrative tasks. That means less time buried in the details and more time focused on delivering exceptional care to your clients. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Learn more at sellingthecouch.com/alma and get 2 months FREE —an exclusive offer for STC listeners.

Welcome! Today’s session kicks off a two-part series on podcasting for therapists. Today’s focus is on how podcasting can help you build something bigger than just a business and help establish you as a trusted voice that resonates far beyond the therapy room. If you are a therapist who has been wondering whether it’s time to expand your reach, this episode is for you. As I’ve grown as a podcaster, I’ve learned lessons about thinking of this skill set as a tool for reaching far beyond clinical work in serving others and growing a business. Even though I was initially surprised that people would even listen to my podcast, I’ve come to understand that podcasting for me wasn’t just about sharing content. It is simply “credibility building” in slow motion, but it’s not the loud credibility that permeates social media. It is the quiet kind that is built through consistency, trust, and service.You’ll Learn:In a noisy world, depth builds trust, and podcasting creates space for depth.Three ideas about using podcasting to build your thought leadership:Thought leadership begins with trust, and podcasting builds trust–one episode at a time.People follow voices that they trust, and podcasting gives them the time and space to be human and not just polished. Authenticity is a strength!Podcasting helps you organize and articulate your ideas.You learn to refine frameworks, language, and points of view.Podcasting positions you as a thoughtful voice in a noisy world.You don’t need to be the loudest; you need to be the most aligned. Going viral and building a massive audience has a lot of downsides.Therapists who podcast consistently become trusted voices. Resources:Interested in becoming part of our affiliate program? Learn more!Want to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit for Therapists at https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekit.If you are a seasoned therapist who wants to move from clinical to online course income, we have a specific mastermind for you. We meet together to build, grow, and scale our online courses. You can learn more at https://sellingthecouch.com/mastermind.Mentioned in this episode:Try Alma!Building and managing the practice you truly want can feel overwhelming. That’s why Alma is here—to help you create not just any practice, but your private practice. With Alma, you’ll get the tools and resources you need to navigate insurance with ease, connect with referrals that are the right fit for your style, and streamline those time-consuming administrative tasks. That means less time buried in the details and more time focused on delivering exceptional care to your clients. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Learn more at sellingthecouch.com/alma and get 2 months FREE —an exclusive offer for STC listeners.

Welcome to a new season of STC after a break of several weeks. I’m excited to be back with new sessions! Today’s topic to explore is the all-important question of why some offers sell well and others flop. I’m joined by my friend Prerna Malik!Our Featured GuestPrerna MalikPrerna has worked with well-known entrepreneurs like Pat Flynn as a conversion copywriter. She and I connected on LinkedIn, and I immediately saw that she comes from a place of integrity and wisdom. In this session, we discuss what offers are and the top three conversion secrets that make offers sell like crazy. You’ll find our conversation informational and inspirational. Prerna's Website and Free Email CourseYou’ll Learn:What is an offer? (and what is it not?)Five key elements to an offer:The core offerYour unique mechanismTrust buildersDesire driversObjection demolishersPrerna’s top three conversion secrets to strong offers:Lead with emotion, simplicity, and clarity.Use specific messaging and positioning.Use user-based urgency.Maximizing the impact of your copy on your audienceThe most common mistakes entrepreneurs make in their offersA conversion mistake most people make without realizing itThoughts on bonus offers: “Every bonus should have a purpose; otherwise, it’s just fluff.”Resources:Interested in becoming part of our affiliate program? Learn more!Want to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit for Therapists at https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekit.If you are a seasoned therapist who wants to move from clinical to online course income, we have a specific mastermind for you. We meet together to build, grow, and scale our online courses. You can learn more at https://sellingthecouch.com/mastermind. Mentioned in this episode:Try Alma!Building and managing the practice you truly want can feel overwhelming. That’s why Alma is here—to help you create not just any practice, but your private practice. With Alma, you’ll get the tools and resources you need to navigate insurance with ease, connect with referrals that are the right fit for your style, and streamline those time-consuming administrative tasks. That means less time buried in the details and more time focused on delivering exceptional care to your clients. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Learn more at sellingthecouch.com/alma and get 2 months FREE —an exclusive offer for STC listeners.

If you've ever thought about starting a podcast but felt overwhelmed by the idea of keeping it up long-term, this episode is for you! Whether you're still dreaming of launching or you've already started and are feeling burnout, I'm here to share the habits that have completely transformed my approach to podcasting. Podcasting can be an incredibly powerful tool to extend your reach and grow your impact beyond the therapy room, but without a sustainable strategy, it’s easy to get caught up in the chaos. In today’s episode, I'll walk you through the 7 simple yet impactful habits that have changed my relationship with podcasting and made this endeavor sustainable for the long haul. Get ready to hear how you can implement these practices into your own podcasting journey and finally create a process that works for YOU!You’ll Learn: 7 habits that have changed everything for me:Design for longevity, not growth.Learn how I structure my podcast schedule around the life I want.Capture ideas daily.I use a private Slack channel to keep podcast ideas and give me a pipeline of new content.Follow a repeatable episode outline.Establish a framework for solo and guest episodes, and use solo episodes to invite people to your products and services.Batch record on off-months.I record January and February episodes in November and December and keep 3-6 episodes “in the bank” to create a buffer and flexibility.Warm up my voice and energy before recording.There are simple habits (tea, deep breathing, diction exercises, etc.) that work to help me treat my podcast like a speaking engagement.Promote my own offers first, and not just sponsors.Research shows that podcasters are the most trusted media personalities, and inviting people in through dynamic ads is a game changer. (Check out Captivate and the discount available for STC listeners.)Engage with listeners on a regular basis.Ask listeners what topics they want you to cover. Podcasting is not a one-way street!Resources:Try our FREE Podcasting Workshop to learn more.Interested in becoming part of our affiliate program? Learn more!Want to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit for Therapists at https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekit.If you are a seasoned therapist who wants to move from clinical to online course income, we have a specific mastermind for you. We meet together to build, grow, and scale our online courses. You can learn more at https://sellingthecouch.com/mastermind.Mentioned in this episode:Try Alma!Building and managing the practice you truly want can feel overwhelming. That’s why Alma is here—to help you create not just any practice, but your private practice. With Alma, you’ll get the tools and resources you need to navigate insurance with ease, connect with referrals that are the right fit for your style, and streamline those time-consuming administrative tasks. That means less time buried in the details and more time focused on delivering exceptional care to your clients. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Learn more at sellingthecouch.com/alma and get 2 months FREE —an exclusive offer for STC listeners.

If you’ve ever thought about creating an online course or made preparations to launch a course, today’s show should bring you clarity and inspiration. We are discussing five indicators that you are ready to launch that course you’ve considered. Join us to learn more!You’ll Learn:My online course journey and how it all began for meThe biggest lessons I learned from my multiple fears of getting startedAre you ready to launch your online course? Here are five signs to help you say YES!You are looking for a scalable impact. (Do you have a bigger vision?)You have mastered a specific skill or have become a known expert in a particular niche.You have a passion for teaching.You are open to learning new skills.You are willing to validate your idea. My belief: “Every therapist has an online course inside them.” Our free email course can help you become a course creator! Find it here.Resources:Interested in becoming part of our affiliate program? Learn more!Want to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit for Therapists at https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekit.If you are a seasoned therapist who wants to move from clinical to online course income, we have a specific mastermind for you. We meet together to build, grow, and scale our online courses. You can learn more at https://sellingthecouch.com/mastermind.Mentioned in this episode:Try Alma!Building and managing the practice you truly want can feel overwhelming. That’s why Alma is here—to help you create not just any practice, but your private practice. With Alma, you’ll get the tools and resources you need to navigate insurance with ease, connect with referrals that are the right fit for your style, and streamline those time-consuming administrative tasks. That means less time buried in the details and more time focused on delivering exceptional care to your clients. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Learn more at sellingthecouch.com/alma and get 2 months FREE —an exclusive offer for STC listeners.

Private practice is often seen as the golden goose that brings everything clinicians hope for. However, there are many nuances to consider, as well as factors that can add significant stress to your life. This stress can lead to overwhelm, burnout, and questions about why you chose this route in the first place. Join us for today’s conversation!Our Featured GuestJames ChildressJames Childress is a CPA whose practice primarily focuses on working with therapists, giving him a unique perspective on today’s topic. In this episode, we cover the top three uncomfortable aspects of private practice that can lead to imbalance and big problems. James shares insights that help us better understand business ownership, financial stability, and the seasonal nature of private practice.James' WebsiteYou’ll Learn:Common factors that lead clinicians into private practice and entrepreneurshipKey considerations before launching into private practiceThe importance of trusting your gut and paying attention to the dataUncomfortable Truths About Private Practice Finances:There is a size of private practice that is inherently unstable. (This is a normal phase to pass through.)Assessing your supervisor/admin load is critical to maintaining balance.Therapists often strive to succeed in every area and “want it all.”Additional Insights:The need for balanced growth and attracting more people into the fieldEnsuring the external environment aligns with the internal environmentAchieving product-market fit for long-term sustainabilityResources:Interested in becoming part of our affiliate program? Learn more! here!Want to launch your online course?Check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit for Therapists at sellingthecouch.com/coursekit.If you’re a seasoned therapist transitioning from clinical work to online course income, join our mastermind group! We meet to build, grow, and scale online courses. Learn more here.Mentioned in this episode:Try Alma!Building and managing the practice you truly want can feel overwhelming. That’s why Alma is here—to help you create not just any practice, but your private practice. With Alma, you’ll get the tools and resources you need to navigate insurance with ease, connect with referrals that are the right fit for your style, and streamline those time-consuming administrative tasks. That means less time buried in the details and more time focused on delivering exceptional care to your clients. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Learn more at sellingthecouch.com/alma and get 2 months FREE —an exclusive offer for STC listeners.

Today’s session covers a topic that many clinicians are pondering. Many, like me, are having conversations with themselves in their heads about the available opportunities and the most efficient and ethical ways not to be left behind as technology presents new options in our field. The issue is how we can navigate the world of mental health tech startups that are available to join us to support our good work. Examples of what these startups provide are electronic health records, website design, marketing, and more. The truth is that the pandemic changed everything and catapulted the tech startup world into the range of billions of dollars. Don’t miss my enlightening conversation with today’s guest!Our Featured GuestMichael FulwilerMichael Fulwiler is Head of Brand Marketing at Heard, a company that assists therapists with bookkeeping and financial needs. I’ve come to rely on Mike’s expertise as a good friend as I navigate the aspects of STC, trying to be a protector of our field while staying in alignment with my values. In this session, Mike and I discuss the mindblowing numbers around the multitude of mental health tech startups and how clinicians can be informed about which ones are most likely to succeed or fail. We also discuss the vitally important topic of client data privacy and the top three considerations we should have before signing up for a product or service. Heard WebsiteYou’ll Learn: How to view tech startups in the mental health industry in terms of “headwind” and “tailwind” tendencies since the COVID-19 pandemicWhat the data shows about tech startups: 90% will fail!Why the big risk also comes with big opportunities in the startup worldWhat happens when a clinician contracts with a mental health tech startupWhy client data privacy is a valid concern when working with a tech startup (Hear Mike’s advice about watching out for red flags!)Top three considerations for a therapist about a tech startup:How they handle the data Whether or not there is a mental health professional on their team who helps with decisions and developmentHow compensation for therapists is structuredMike’s advice about doing your due diligence when contacted by a tech startupAn overview of Mike’s work and mission at Heard and what they provide for therapistsResources:Interested in starting a podcast?https://sellingthecouch.com/podcastingworkshopWant to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit For Therapists: https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekitMentioned in this episode:Try Alma!Building and managing the practice you truly want can feel overwhelming. That’s why Alma is here—to help you create not just any practice, but your private practice. With Alma, you’ll get the tools and resources you need to navigate insurance with ease, connect with referrals that are the right fit for your style, and streamline those time-consuming administrative tasks. That means less time buried in the details and more time focused on delivering exceptional care to your clients. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Learn more at sellingthecouch.com/alma and get 2 months FREE —an exclusive offer for STC listeners.

This will be the last episode for a month or so as I take a break to get ahead on some projects and take extra time to recharge. Today’s session is in response to a frequent question about optimizing your LinkedIn profile. I don’t pretend to be a LinkedIn expert, but I have learned some valuable lessons in the past two years of using this platform. As I share screens and info with you today, you may find it more helpful to watch the YouTube video rather than simply listen to the audio. So many people are curious about LinkedIn and how to use it best, so I’m happy to share some of my insights today!You’ll Learn:View your profile as a landing page, not a sales page. Tips for your banner (Canva is a great resource!), profile picture, text, and graphicsMy philosophy when trying something new: “Get going, get good, and then get smart.”Including credibility and social proof in your LI profileBeware of playing the analytics game!Taplio is a great resource for scheduling LI posts.Structure your “About” section with an emphasis on storytelling.Gauge your level of engagement with your ideal client.Be clear and simple about your call to action.Connect with your audience on a deeper level through your “Featured” section.Thoughts about maximizing the impact of your “Activity” sectionTips for other sections on your LI profileResources:Interested in becoming part of our affiliate program? Learn more!Want to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit for Therapists at https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekit.If you are a seasoned therapist who wants to move from clinical to online course income, we have a specific mastermind for you. We meet together to build, grow, and scale our online courses. You can learn more at https://sellingthecouch.com/mastermind.Mentioned in this episode:Try Alma!Building and managing the practice you truly want can feel overwhelming. That’s why Alma is here—to help you create not just any practice, but your private practice. With Alma, you’ll get the tools and resources you need to navigate insurance with ease, connect with referrals that are the right fit for your style, and streamline those time-consuming administrative tasks. That means less time buried in the details and more time focused on delivering exceptional care to your clients. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Learn more at sellingthecouch.com/alma and get 2 months FREE —an exclusive offer for STC listeners.

I’ve thought a lot about this topic and want to share more about it today. You might wonder why I don’t want to become social media famous since being active in thought leadership and content creation seems to require a certain degree of social media involvement. People “hang out” on social media platforms, but my impact on the world is not dependent on being a social media influencer. Let’s explore this topic!You’ll Learn:Fame is more accessible than ever today.The path I’ve chosen values peace, depth, and privacy over chasing online recognition.Three key reasons why I don’t seek social media fame (and powerful reflection questions for you to consider):The illusion of fame as a solution to personal insecuritiesThe lesson: If you aren’t grounded before you attract attention, more attention will only amplify your struggles.The emotional toll of public exposureThe lesson: When you have a platform, you aren’t simply sharing content, but you are influencing people’s emotions, choices, and mental health. The erosion of personal privacyThe lesson: Privacy is precious, and I want to build a business that supports my life, not one that makes me feel like I’m on display. My thoughts here are influenced by an impactful 2007 blog post by Tim Ferriss. You can check it out here. Resources:Interested in becoming part of our affiliate program? Learn more!Want to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit for Therapists at https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekit.If you are a seasoned therapist who wants to move from clinical to online course income, we have a specific mastermind for you. We meet together to build, grow, and scale our online courses. You can learn more at https://sellingthecouch.com/mastermind.Mentioned in this episode:Try Alma!Building and managing the practice you truly want can feel overwhelming. That’s why Alma is here—to help you create not just any practice, but your private practice. With Alma, you’ll get the tools and resources you need to navigate insurance with ease, connect with referrals that are the right fit for your style, and streamline those time-consuming administrative tasks. That means less time buried in the details and more time focused on delivering exceptional care to your clients. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Learn more at sellingthecouch.com/alma and get 2 months FREE —an exclusive offer for STC listeners.