The Practice of the Practice Podcast | Where Modern Psychology Meets the Business of Therapy

Hosted by Joe Sanok

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Episodes

552

Latest episode

Sep 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Business growth meets the cutting edge of psychology. This podcast is for psychologists, therapists, counselors, coaches, and wellness professionals. It explores modern psychology and how it connects to building a thriving practice. Hosted by consultant and author Joe Sanok, it features conversations with leading academics, psychologists, business leaders, and mental health experts. Topics include psychedelic-assisted therapy, mindfulness, CBT, ACT, peak performance, and the future of mental health care. You'll also hear clear strategies for marketing, streamlining your business, and scaling your private practice without burnout. Whether you want to sharpen your clinical skills, expand your perspective, or grow your impact, this podcast keeps you at the leading edge of mental health and practice growth.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

September 10, 202649 min

Insurance Companies Own CAQH. Should Therapists Trust the New Dataspring? With Dr. Alex Ding. | POP 1411

This episode explores the transition from CAQH to DataSpring and what the change means for therapists and independent practice owners. Melissa Schneider speaks with Dr. Alex Ding about clinician data privacy, insurance company access, credentialing, and the move from a nonprofit to a for-profit model. He explains how DataSpring aims to reduce administrative burden while maintaining clinician control, security, and transparency around professional information.

September 8, 202638 min

Beyond Quick Fixes with Stanford Professor Dr. Celeste Birkhofer | POP 1410

When life gets difficult, are you reaching for a quick fix or building the inner resources to depend on? Why is self-improvement more about learning to accept yourself while continuing to grow than trying to constantly "fix" yourself? How can you truly build a fulfilling life? In this episode, Joe Sanok sits down with Dr. Celeste Birkhofer to discuss her book, Beyond Quick Fixes , and why lasting mental health requires more than temporary solutions. They explore the five inner resources that support a fulfilling life: a healthy sense of self, emotional intelligence, mental capacity, relational capacity, and healthy coping skills. They also discuss why self-improvement isn't about "fixing" yourself, but balancing self-acceptance with growth, and Dr. Birkhofer shares advice for private practitioners on caring for themselves while helping others.

September 3, 202629 min

Building a Seven-Figure Practice in Three Years (Even if You're Not a Psychologist) with Dr. Casey Mangnall | POP 1409

Could assessment be the key to growing your practice? Are there ways to ethically offer testing in your practice, even if you don't employ a psychologist? How can you use testing to scale your practice without compromising care? In this episode, Joe Sanok talks with Dr. Casey Mangnall about how psychological assessment helped her grow the Utah Center for Psychological Services from a side gig into a seven-figure practice in just three years. They explore how private practitioners can determine whether testing is a natural fit for their existing services and how to integrate assessment ethically without turning it into a high-volume, transactional service. Casey shares practical advice on choosing appropriate testing protocols, knowing when a psychologist is required, working with insurance and billers, and using assessment relationships to build referral networks. She also explains why thorough testing can provide clients with a deeper understanding of themselves and help guide more effective treatment.

September 1, 202651 min

Building Great Lakes Online Counseling Week 24 with Joe Sanok: Google Ad Set-Up and SEO | POP 1408

Are you targeting the right Google keywords? Could location-based keywords outperform "online therapy" and virtual ones? Is your website helping Google find your practice? In this episode, Joe Sanok works with digital marketing strategist Mike Zoladkowski to develop a Google Ads and SEO strategy for Great Lakes Online Counseling. They explore why targeting "online therapy" and "virtual therapist" keywords may not be the most effective approach, and why geographic and population-based keywords can often deliver better results. Mike explains how to start with the goal of an advertising campaign, choose keywords based on specific services and client populations, and structure website content so Google can understand exactly who and where the practice serves. The episode also looks at how SEO, website design and paid advertising work together to attract the right clients.

August 27, 202630 min

How to Stop Over-Parenting with Dr. Emily Edlynn | POP 1407

What are we getting wrong in modern parenting? Why could flexibility in parenting be as - if not more - important than consistency? What should you stop doing for your kids now to give them a better life as they grow up? In this podcast, Joe Sanok talks with psychologist Dr. Emily Edlynn about what modern parenting gets wrong and why flexibility may be more important than perfect consistency. They explore how to balance structure with empathy, raise confident and resilient children, and avoid over-parenting. Emily also shares why kids need opportunities to struggle and develop independence, the importance of downtime, and how practitioners can better support overwhelmed parents.

August 25, 202642 min

Why You Can Ignore AI for SEO with Stephan Bajaio | POP 1406

Do you really need AI to improve your SEO? What if your greatest SEO asset is your own voice? How can you stop letting AI replace and block the human connection in your content? In this episode, Joe Sanok talks with SEO and digital marketing expert Stephan Bajaio about why therapists and private practice owners don't need to rely on AI to improve their SEO. Stephan explains where SEO is heading in 2026 and why authentic, experience-based content is becoming increasingly valuable. They discuss how potential clients search for their problems using everyday language, and why practices should reflect that language in their websites and content. Stephan also shares practical ways therapists can use AI as a tool without allowing it to replace their voice. Rather than asking AI to write generic content, practitioners can use it to help capture, organize, and repurpose their own knowledge and ideas. Ultimately, Stephan argues that a practice's greatest advantage in an AI-driven world is its unique data, expertise, and lived experience.

August 20, 202627 min

Building Great Lakes Online Counseling Week 23 | POP 1405

What are the core aspects of successful SEO for a new practice? How can you combine Google Ads with your social media and marketing strategies? When should you hire therapists in your new private practice? In this episode, Joe Sanok gives an update on building Great Lakes Online Counseling, sharing what he's learning about growing a new private practice through Google Ads, SEO, social media, and content marketing. He and Jen discuss how to use keywords effectively, coordinate different marketing channels, and attract the right clients online. Joe also explores adding psychedelic-assisted therapy to the practice, hiring additional therapists, and the next steps for expanding the business.

August 18, 202638 min

How to Sell Your Practice with Daniel King | POP 1404

How can private practice sellers find the right buyers? What's the equivalent of a kitchen upgrade before a sale for private practices? Which numbers do you need to determine how attractive your practice is to potential investors? In this episode, Joe Sanok talks with Daniel King about what it takes to successfully sell a private practice and find the right buyer. They discuss the emotional side of selling, how to create an attractive practice listing, and what investors look for when evaluating a business. Daniel shares practical steps owners can take 3–5 years before selling, including diversifying revenue, strengthening client and clinician retention, and reducing reliance on the owner. They also break down the basics of practice valuation, including SDE and EBITDA, and offer advice for building a more valuable, transferable practice.

August 13, 202634 min

Inside the Box: How Constraints Make Us Better with NYT bestseller David Epstein | POP 1403

Why does less freedom make you more creative? How can you use constraints effectively to help you get the most out of your creativity? Is AI helping you solve or avoid the real problem? In this podcast episode, Joe Sanok discusses creativity, constraints, and problem-solving with NYT bestselling author David Epstein, author of Inside the Box: How Constraints Make Us Better . They explore why having unlimited freedom can actually make people less creative, how constraints can unlock better ideas, and why subtracting commitments may be more effective than continually adding new ones. David also explains how AI can hinder creative problem-solving when it is used before the real problem has been identified, and offers advice for private practitioners navigating an increasingly AI-driven world while preserving the value of human connection.

August 11, 202639 min

Unhitched: The Essential Divorce Guide for Women with Oona Metz | POP 1402

Could the language we use around divorce be changed to reduce shame and stigma? How do you rebuild a life after letting go of the one you fought for? Could the end of a marriage become the start of yourself? In this episode, Joe Sanok speaks with Oona Metz, LICSW, CGP, about her book Unhitched: The Essential Divorce Guide for Women and the emotional journey of divorce. They explore the myths, shame, and stigma surrounding divorce, how language can reshape the way we understand it, and the different ways women and men experience the transition. Oona explains the five phases of divorce grief and shares practical guidance for rebuilding identity, establishing boundaries, caring for children, and eventually moving forward. She also discusses the value of group therapy and offers advice for private practitioners supporting clients through divorce.