With 1.81 million+ downloads, Selling the Couch is an Apple Top Career podcast for current and future mental health private practitioners who think differently. Psychologist Melvin Varghese interviews successful therapists in private practice about how they built their businesses as well as top entrepreneurs, business/marketing, and social media experts.*
You'll learn how therapists get referrals, grow their practices, work through fears, find their enough, and stop "trading time for income." Melvin also shares the lessons as he grows his impact + income beyond the therapy room (podcasting, YouTube, writing, online courses, masterminds, investing, etc) and the tips and tools he uses to grow STC from a single-person business to the CEO of a 6-figure business.*
Featured in Psychology Today, Good Therapy, and Psych Central
****Get show notes and even more good stuff at sellingthecouch.com/stcpodcast*
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Données mises à jour le 04/07/2026
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383: 5 Signs You're Ready To Launch Your Online Course
jeudi 30 janvier 2025 • Durée 19:35
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 me
The biggest lessons I learned from my multiple fears of getting started
Are 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!
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:
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.
382: Uncomfortable Truths About Private Practice Finances
jeudi 23 janvier 2025 • Durée 49:43
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 Guest
James Childress
James 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.
Common factors that lead clinicians into private practice and entrepreneurship
Key considerations before launching into private practice
The importance of trusting your gut and paying attention to the data
Uncomfortable 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 field
Ensuring the external environment aligns with the internal environment
Achieving product-market fit for long-term sustainability
Resources:
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
381: 5 Lessons from 2 Years on LinkedIn
jeudi 16 janvier 2025 • Durée 29:25
If you’ve been thinking about posting more on LinkedIn or if you’re curious about how to best use this social media platform, today’s show is for you. It took me a long time to understand the purpose of LinkedIn and how it can be beneficial in connecting me to the right followers. Join me for an honest look at my experience and the biggest lessons learned.
You’ll Learn:
5 lessons learned over the last 2 years on LinkedIn:
The magic is in the DMs.
Focusing on thoughtful relationships is better than chasing followers.
LinkedIn’s search tool is amazingly helpful for making connections.
The algorithm will always change.
Don’t chase trends, but focus on consistency and diversified content.
Experiment on LinkedIn, but don’t overthink the metrics.
Watch out for growth gurus.
Be wary of those who over-promise and under-deliver.
I’m more interested in posting things that will help a young therapist like I used to be.
Followers are less relevant than you think.
It’s about the right people—not ALL people.
Try creator mode and curate your network intentionally.
The daily posting game is a slow burn.
I’ve learned to pace myself in posting.
I would rather focus on slower growth in followers and have consistency and sustainability.
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.
380: Why Are Therapists Burning Out Of Private Practice?
jeudi 9 janvier 2025 • Durée 45:23
Today’s topic will resonate with many of us in private practice as we focus on burnout. Therapists are faced with many questions around how they want to conduct their businesses and structure their lives—and no one wants to face the reality of burnout. Let’s take a closer look with today’s guest.
Our Featured Guest
Dr. Jennifer Blanchette is a licensed psychologist, podcaster, speaker, career coach, and business consultant. She helps therapists get unstuck in their careers and lives. In this episode, Dr. Jen discusses the hazards of our profession, how it’s changing, and the emphasis on certain markers around revenue and numbers. Jen gives a sense of why we can't talk about burnout very often, along with telltale signs she noticed in her personal experience with burnout. We also discuss the strange juxtaposition of finding freedom in private practice but taking on more administrative roles, experiencing isolation, and bearing the heavy emotional toll. We close with honest insights about tuning into our bodies and learning to listen. Jen gives practical advice for any therapist who could be teetering on the edge of burnout.
Unexpected isolation and the need to find community
Private practice offers freedom, right??
Learning to listen to your body
Factoring your body into major decisions in life and giving yourself space for rest
Jen’s private practice experience during the COVID-19 pandemic
Managing our resources, energy, and our ability to give
Telltale signs of burnout for Jen
It’s okay to ask for help!
Looking at all aspects of private practice and the actual costs
Jen’s perspective on burnout today and what therapists need to look for
Burnout prevention vs. burnout recovery
Jen’s advice to therapists who are teetering on the edge of burnout
Resources:
Interested in becoming part of our affiliate program?
379: Why I'm Pausing My Private Practice
jeudi 2 janvier 2025 • Durée 47:50
This is the first episode of 2025, which marks the ten-year milestone for the STC podcast! It’s incredible that, despite my fears and uncertainties, this podcast began as a small dream of mine to use our skill sets beyond the therapy room and learn to build successful businesses. I’ve loved documenting my journey of transitioning from psychologist to online creator, podcaster, and public speaker, and I’m eternally grateful to you, each listener. It is a humbling experience that’s given me way more encouragement in return than I could have ever imagined.
This episode is an honest look at my decision in 2024 to return to private practice, which I detailed in a podcast episode and on social media posts. I’m being extremely vulnerable in explaining why I’ve decided to pause my private practice journey for now. It’s tough for any people pleaser like myself to realize that others may be disappointed in my decision, so I want to explain. Join me for this solo episode as I lay out the details.
You’ll Learn:
The reality is that we don’t build a business in a vacuum, and external factors are always in play.
Three significant life events impacting my decision:
Susan’s job changes mean more home responsibilities for me.
Aging parents–and their need for more consistent care
More church responsibilities in leading a small group
A look at my typical daily schedule
My commitment to viewing parenting as a privilege–and what that looks like for me as a dad
My simple insights about the totality of life and my next steps:
Income is only one part of success.
My brain is not wired for the mental load of running two businesses.
I’m hitting my “enough” number with STC revenue.
Caregiving for our parents is on the horizon, and I have the most flexibility in our family to do this.
I’m realizing how I can best leverage what we’ve built with STC to bring the maximum benefit to our field and the world.
My big dreams to do good and effect meaningful change to help more people
Resources:
Interested in becoming part of our affiliate program? Learn more!
ENCORE: If I Were Launching An Online Course Soon, I'd Do This...
jeudi 26 décembre 2024 • Durée 35:35
Here we are, all set for the final episode of 2024. We will fill the next few weeks with replays of popular episodes and be back in 2025 with exciting new episodes. During this hiatus, I’ll be using these “Walden months,” as I call them, for extra rest and taking time to work on specific projects, like my online course. If you are considering launching an online course, today’s episode is for you! I’ve learned a lot over the last 9 years as a course creator, and I’m sharing an honest look at my biggest lessons learned and what I would tell anyone on this course creation path.
You’ll Learn:
5 things I want to share about launching an online course:
Focus on what you already know and love to teach. (Stay within your niche!)
Hear my thoughts on course creation and AI.
Start small and build slowly. (Think about your “value ladder.”)
Think about recurring offers related to your course.
Validation is non-negotiable. (Validate your course idea before you proceed.)
Try Upheal Secure AI Therapy Notes! Visit https://sellingthecouch.com/upheal and enter the promo code “COUCH” to get 50% off for the first three months!
ENCORE: Low Risk Ways To Host Your First Retreat with Megan Gunnell
jeudi 19 décembre 2024 • Durée 54:26
Hosting a retreat sounds like a great idea, right? When you stop and think about all the logistical and financial details, that’s when many fears and questions come to the surface. Perhaps the biggest fear is whether enough people will pay for your retreat to make it a success. Join us as we dive into this topic with today’s expert guest!
Our Featured Guest
Megan Gunnell
In addition to being a business owner, author, and triathlete, Megan Gunnell is a Clinical Social Worker who has been hosting 1-day retreats, workshops and weekend/week long retreats for 20+ years.
She hosted her first one at a local community center–complete with harp music! From these humble beginnings, Megan’s retreats have evolved into weekend retreats and international retreats that started in 2012 in Costa Rica, Italy, France, and other places around the globe.
In this episode, we discuss why therapists find it so appealing to consider hosting a retreat, along with common fears related to the risk of hosting your first retreat.
Megan explains how to find suitable venues that offer 100% refund options and points out the important legal and logistical considerations. We wrap up our conversation by discussing retreat marketing, which is vital to the success of your retreat. Megan shares what she has learned along her journey as a retreat host.
Megan’s inspiration to expand beyond private practice into hosting retreats
Megan’s #1 lesson learned: Start small and grow later.
The attraction of retreats? They are transformative spaces for people to pull away from everyday life and reinvigorate their passion and purpose.
The major differences between private practice work and group retreats as income sources
Legal considerations around liability, disclaimers, emergencies, etc.
ENCORE: When An Idea For An Online Course Comes From Therapy Sessions
jeudi 12 décembre 2024 • Durée 45:08
Many therapists have created online courses or have thought about creating an online course. It’s one of the best ways to increase your visibility, establish your expertise, and expand your audience and impact in the world. The course creation journey is not an easy one, and it’s full of challenges and ups and downs. Join us for a transparent look at the process from today’s guest!
Our Featured Guest
Linda Murphy, MEd, MA, LMHC
Linda Murphy is a group practice owner in Florida, and she’s a member of the STC Online Course Mastermind group for therapists. Linda is the founder of the Banana Man Society and the Relationship and Divorce Counseling Center. She developed her idea to create a course for dealing with a difficult person because she saw that topic come up often for her clients, and she realized over time that there had to be a better way to distill and share information beyond 1:1 therapy. She created “Banana Man” as a metaphor for dealing with a difficult person–and the Banana Man Society was born. In this session, Linda gives an open, honest look at her course creation journey, along with insights into how she refined her idea. She shares tips and strategies she has learned that might be helpful to others in the course creation process.
How to embrace the mindset of connection, support, and collaboration
How Linda realized in her first career, as a teacher, that connection is more important than content
How Linda developed the idea for her online course
The origins of Banana Man as a metaphor for options in dealing with difficult people
Why Linda created an animated video of the Banana Man story (through the STC Mastermind group)
Linda’s best tips for others about creating a successful online course:
Lean into who you are and be authentic.
Market yourself and be creative with social media.
Where Linda sees her course going in the future with a specifically targeted niche
Linda’s thoughts about the impact and benefits of the STC Online Course Mastermind group
ENCORE: Behind The Scenes Of A Rebrand
jeudi 5 décembre 2024 • Durée 38:53
Today’s session is all about rebranding. We are taking a behind-the-scenes look at how different circumstances might affect the business you’ve established and force you to rebrand. Should you view this kind of pivot as a failure? Absolutely not! Let’s explore this topic together.
Our Featured Guest
Kevon Cheung
Kevon Cheung is the founder and head teacher at Small School. He was a previous guest on the podcast several years ago, and I’ve taken his Build in Public Mastery Course to help overcome my fears about posting on social media. I learned a lot of helpful information about creating effective posts on LinkedIn, YouTube, and the STC podcast. Kevon’s wisdom and practical knowledge have helped me lean into vulnerability in many areas. In light of his rebranding from Public Lab to Small School, Kevon shares the pain and difficulties in business building and rebranding, why he felt the need to rebrand, and what he teaches in his online “small courses.” He also explains where he sees course creators stumbling the most.
The painful parts of Kevon’s rebranding process (Changing your identity and “rebuilding what you’re known for”)
Kevon’s thoughts about working through the inevitable feelings of failure when a change became necessary (How to reframe your mindset about a pivot)
The biggest mistake course creators make
Kevon’s #1 piece of advice for entrepreneurs and course creators
Kevon’s reasoning behind his “all in” attitude about online courses
Knowing when to add a course as a new offering (Have you validated your expertise with your audience?)
Where course creators stumble the most–and why the goal is to create an experience that connects, surprises, and delights
Kevon’s perspective on what a “small course” is
Resources:
Mentioned in this session: Sign up for the newsletter for high-achievers!
ENCORE: What I Learned from Creating a Course for CEUs with Matthew Bierds
jeudi 28 novembre 2024 • Durée 43:22
Many of us have thought about creating continuing education courses and wondered how the process works and what factors are involved. Who better to learn from than someone who has done this successfully? Being successful at CEU course creation takes innovation, creativity, and an entrepreneurial spirit. Join us for informative insights from today’s guest!
Our Featured Guest
Matthew Bierds
Matt Bierds, from Duke City Counseling, is a licensed professional counselor, course creator, and professional speaker who does in-person and virtual counseling and LPC supervision in Texas and New Mexico. As far back as ten years ago, Matt realized that the world of online education was expanding, and he knew there were interesting opportunities for LPCs in the area of online courses. After jumping into this arena, Matt went through a “failing forward” phase before making a few tweaks and creating a course for LPC supervisors. In today’s session, Matt shares the lessons learned along his fascinating journey and the mistakes and successes that have brought him to where he is today.
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:
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.
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 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:
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 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:
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.
Interested in becoming part of our affiliate program? Learn more!
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:
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.
Megan’s low-risk tips for hosting retreats:
Start small with a test audience and test venue with a half-day or one-day retreat.
Look for 100% refundable venues through a certain date prior to the event.
Do the math and “beta-test” your audience.
Making your retreat a profitable venture
Finding 100% fully refundable venues—and why international properties are desirable
Megan’s top marketing strategies for retreats:
Be very clear about your intentions. (Who is this for, and what is the purpose?)
Think about your runway. (Make sure it is long enough to “land the plane.”)
Build a warm excitement with your audience around the date for open registration.
Handling the cancellation or rebooking of your retreat with flexibility and transparency
Resources:
Want to launch your podcast? Check out our free podcasting workshop
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,...
Resources:
Mentioned in this session: Sign up for the newsletter for high-achievers!
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.
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.
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Interested in becoming part of our affiliate program? Learn more at
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...
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