Explore every episode of the podcast Purpose and Profit: Scale Your Therapy Practice
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | Live Coaching: From OT to RCC With Lisa Brooks — Building Permission to Self-Promote | 24 Feb 2026 | 00:52:27 | |
When you've got unfinished PESI courses piling up and a background in OT, how do you actually translate all that knowledge into shameless self-promotion? Lisa Kessier-Brock is a registered clinical counsellor who blends her occupational therapy roots with psychotherapy to support parents navigating the messy, never-ending journey of parenthood. Cecilia coaches her through the permission piece, tech overwhelm, and building sustainable marketing systems that don't require dancing on social media. What You'll Learn:
Key Topics Discussed:
Mentioned in This Episode: Lisa Kessier-Brock, M.Ed., RCC - Registered Clinical Counsellor, Vancouver, BC Nurtured Foundations Therapy & Consulting - Lisa's practice supporting parents Full Practice Formula - Cecilia's program for therapists building sustainable practices PESI - Professional education platform with endless... | |||
| 24 | From Care Aide to Grief Specialist: Building a Practice That Honours the Messy, Non-Linear | 03 Feb 2026 | 00:39:33 | |
What happens when everything you learned in graduate school about grief contradicts what you experienced in real life? Eliezer Moreno, grief and loss therapist in Vancouver, shares the powerful story of losing his friend Ryan shortly after learning "all the right things" about supporting people in grief—only to find himself confused, lonely, and unable to cry at the memorial. This conversation explores how his grandmother's nursing legacy, hospice volunteering, and personal loss shaped a practice that rejects pathologizing grief and instead walks alongside people in their messy, non-linear healing. What You'll Learn: + Why the hospice model of "companioning" differs radically from clinical training's pathologizing approach + How losing a friend shortly after grief training revealed the gap between theory and lived experience + The physical manifestations of grief that aren't talked about enough + Why disenfranchised grief keeps people stuck and how to validate every type of loss + The power of saying "I don't know what to say" instead of trying to fix or solve + How to build a grief therapy practice that honours mess over models + Why YouTube and email marketing are essential for grief therapists in 2025 + The one-to-many service model that extends your impact beyond the therapy room Key Topics Discussed: + Eliezer's journey: grandmother's nursing legacy in the Philippines → care aide work → collecting stories from clients + The shift from practical care to therapeutic presence (noticing photos on walls, asking about people's lives) + Social work training: learning modalities and clinical interventions focused on pathology + Hospice volunteering: discovering the "companioning" model that honours grief as natural, not broken + The contrast: graduate school taught five-stage model (Kübler-Ross) in one paragraph; hospice taught complexity + 2017: losing friend Ryan shortly after 10-year high school reunion + The loneliness of being the only one not crying while surrounded by grieving people + Disenfranchised grief: losses that aren't socially recognized or validated + The pressure to "get over it" after arbitrary timelines (6 months, 1 year) + Why grief isn't linear and models can be more harmful than helpful + Supporting LGBTQ2S+ folks in grief (chosen family, complicated relationships with biological family) + Lessons from Full Practice Formula program (first cohort member) + Current challenge: wanting to create YouTube content but feeling overwhelmed + Cecilia's coaching: breaking YouTube into manageable steps (pick topic → record video → create 5-min clip → distribute) + Email list strategy: nurturing relationships through resources and video content Mentioned in This Episode: + Eliezer's Grandmother - Nurse from the Philippines, came to Canada in the 1960s, inspired Eliezer's helping profession path + Hospice Volunteering - Where Eliezer learned the "companioning" model vs. pathologizing approach + Elisabeth Kübler-Ross - Five-stage grief model taught in graduate school + Disenfranchised Grief - Losses not socially recognized (friendship loss, non-death losses, ambiguous loss) + Full Practice Formula Program - Cecilia's program, Eliezer was first cohort member + Jane App - Practice management software where Eliezer has email permission but hasn't launched list yet + Meaningful Counselling - Eliezer's practice serving Surrey, Coquitlam, and online in BC The Physical Reality of Grief: Eliezer shares his personal experience of physical grief symptoms many people don't talk about: jaw clenching at night, body tension, the confusion of not crying when "supposed to." This vulnerability normalizes the... | |||
| 23 | The Social Worker's Dilemma: Making Money Without Betraying Your Values | 27 Jan 2026 | 00:41:54 | |
Social workers are trained to fight capitalism and poverty—so what happens when you decide to open a private practice and charge for your services? April Griffin, MSW and group practice owner, gets brutally honest about the identity crisis, money shame, and values conflict that social workers face in the private sector. This conversation tackles the elephant in the room that nobody in social work education wants to discuss. What You'll Learn: + Why social workers struggle more than other therapists with the transition to private practice + The values conflict: anti-capitalist training meets the reality of needing income to survive + How social work education fails to prepare practitioners for private practice (or even acknowledge it exists) + Why private practice social workers aren't winning "Social Worker of the Year" awards + The scarcity mentality that prevents social workers from investing in their practice growth + How April built a 400-member Facebook group for BC social workers in private practice + What it takes to reconcile social work values with running a profitable business + Why "I just wanted to help people for free" is an unsustainable business model Key Topics Discussed: April's journey: Ukraine volunteer work at 18, Downtown Eastside, addiction/trauma/domestic violence work + Transition from Fraser Health (Maxine Wright Centre) to private practice during COVID + Starting in 2020: offering in-person therapy when everyone else was virtual only + The slow-and-steady build: hourly rental → sublet → own space → group practice (3 associates) + Social work's "client first" values that leave no room for practitioner sustainability + The cousin nobody talks about: private practice as the ignored sector in social work + Money shame: the discomfort of making money from people's pain + The values contradiction: being praised as a saint in healthcare but judged in private practice + How having three kids and a partner in school forced a mindset shift about money + Creating the BC Social Workers in Private Practice Facebook group (started from zero, now 400members) Mentioned in This Episode: + April Griffin's Group Practice - Emotion Wise Counselling, 3 associates, started ~3 years ago + BC Social Workers in Private Practice Facebook Group - 400 members, co-created with Dorcas -https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1B8H5Twurm/ + Fraser Health - Maxine Wright Community Health Centre (pregnant/parenting moms, substance use, trauma, domestic violence) + LinkedIn Strategy - April manually messaged social workers to build community + Social Work Education - MSW programs that don't teach business or acknowledge private practice + Anti-Oppressive Values - How they help clinical work but create friction with money + The COVID Bubble - In-person therapy demand during isolation + Slow Recovery - April's own journey from "I want to see people for free" to sustainable pricing The Social Work Values Conflict: + What Helps: Anti-oppressive lens, understanding social injustice, systemic awareness, trauma-informed care + What Hurts: Money shame, self-sacrifice narrative, capitalism guilt, scarcity mentality + The Paradox: Same salary in healthcare = saint; same salary in private = selfish + The Reality: "This is my only income now. I have three children. I had a partner at school for two years not working." + The Betrayal Feeling: Moving to private sector feels like abandoning social work's... | |||
| 22 | Live Coaching: When Your Two Niches Feel Like They Don't Belong Together | 20 Jan 2026 | 00:41:50 | |
What do you do when you have two completely different niches that you're equally passionate about? KelliWheatley is a first-year therapist in North Vancouver who loves working with both chronic pain/mind-bodyconnection AND walk-and-talk nature therapy. On the surface, they seem unrelated—but Cecilia coaches herthrough discovering the powerful connection that makes both niches work under one cohesive brand umbrella. What You'll Learn: + Why two different niches can work together when YOU are the umbrella + How to position yourself as the brand instead of fragmenting into separate identities + The biggest mistake therapists make when entering private practice (expecting to be fully bookedimmediately) + Why niche clarity is burnout prevention and creates practice longevity + How to write blog content at a conversational level (the 13-year-old test) + The mindset shift from "content creator" to "service provider" (one-to-many education) + Why marketing as a therapist feels gross (and how to reframe it as getting in front of people you cansupport) + How to connect two seemingly different specialties through the common thread Key Topics Discussed: + Kelli's background: competitive ballet, body image struggles, chronic illness journey, mind-bodyconnection + The "COVID bubble" myth: why the "everyone has a wait list" messaging set up new therapists fordisappointment + First-year reality check: the expectation vs. reality of building a private practice + Niche confusion: chronic pain/mind-body work AND walk-and-talk nature therapy—how do theyconnect? + The umbrella concept: YOU are the brand that holds everything together + Blog writing strategy: conversational tone, accessible language, service-focused content + Content as service: educating one-to-many instead of performative social media + The competitive mindset from dance that translates to business + Making language accessible (masters-level educated people need to simplify) Mentioned in This Episode: Kelli Wheatley - First-year therapist, North Vancouver, UBC graduate Kelli's Website - https://www.kelliwheatleycounselling.com Walk-and-Talk Therapy - Nature-based counselling approach Mind-Body Connection - Chronic pain, HPA axis, Gabor Maté's work The 13-Year-Old Test - Would a 13-year-old understand your content? Psychology Today - Where Kelli expected immediate results AI Tools - Mentioned as helpful for content creation Live Coaching Breakthroughs: The Problem: Two niches (chronic pain + walk-and-talk) felt disconnected and confusing The Reframe: YOU are the umbrella—both niches are tethered to your brand identity The Connection: Both niches are about embodiment and being present in your body The Solution: Position yourself as the intervention, not the modalities The Relief: "I don't have to dance on TikTok"—content can be written, educational service The Permission: You can pivot and evolve your niches over time; you're not married to them forever Key Coaching Moments: "You're not two separate entities floating around. They're both tethered to you. YOU are the umbrella." "Would a 13-year-old understand this? That's the filter. It's not about dumbing down—it's about making language accessible." "You are here on this podcast because of content that I produced. Content creation IS service." "You are the intervention. Your clients need to know who they're going to get—and that's who they're going... | |||
| 21 | Beyond Resolutions: The CEO Pause You Actually Need (New Year Reflection) | 06 Jan 2026 | 00:34:45 | |
New Year's resolutions feel empty because they skip the most important part: honest reflection. This isn't another "new year, new you" message—it's the anti-resolution episode you need. Before you set any goals for2026, you need to pause and look honestly at where you've been and who you're becoming as a practice leader. What You'll Learn: + Why reflection matters more than resolution-setting for sustainable practice growth + The exact journaling questions Cecilia uses every quarter to assess her practice + How to evaluate your year through the lens of lessons learned, not just wins and losses + What made 2025 successful in Cecilia's practice (ecosystem building, strategic hiring, marketing experiments) + The habits you need to start and stop to become the leader your 2026 vision requires + How to identify what needs to be released before you can move forward + Why personal growth is the prerequisite for business growth (not the other way around) Key Topics Discussed: + The CEO pause: taking off your clinician hat to reflect as a business leader + 2025 wins: building an ecosystem practice with diverse specialties, promoting from within, experimenting with AI optimization + 2025 challenges: bad hires, letting go quickly, investment experiments that didn't pay off Lessons learned: + Experimentation mindset, stabilization after growth, team culture importance + Releasing unfinished conversations and letting go of what no longer serves + Committing to stopping harmful habits and starting wellbeing habits + The identity shift required for your next chapter: who do you need to become? + Measuring success: defining what makes 2026 successful on your own terms + Growth happens at the edges, not the center—embracing discomfort as necessary + Personal disclosure: Cecilia's commitment to stop phone scrolling and prioritize self-care habits Mentioned in This Episode: Reflection Questions Worksheet - Download the complete journaling prompts from this episode Full Practice Formula Program - Over 50 graduates excelling in practice growth Marketing Experiments - AI optimization, blog post format testing (changed 5 times) 2026 Focus - Stabilization year after growth and experimentation Key Frameworks: The Reflection Process - What went well, what didn't, why it happened, lessons learned? Habits Assessment - Committing to starting new habits and stopping old ones Identity Evolution - Who you need to become for your success vision The CEO Pause - Stepping into leadership perspective quarterly Success Definition - Your definition, not external benchmarks Reflection Questions from This Episode: + How did 2025 go for you? (What went well and why?) + What lessons did you learn that you're taking forward? + What needs to be released before moving into 2026? + What habits are you committing to starting and stopping? + What would have to happen by the end of 2026 for you to consider it successful? Who do you need to become for this year's chapter to turn out the way you'd write about it? ABOUT YOUR HOST: | |||
| 20 | Why Great Leaders Still Drown in Chaos (4P — Process Pillar) | 09 Dec 2025 | 00:37:06 | |
You've got your purpose clear, your profit strategy solid, and your team aligned with your values. So why are you still spending 17+ hours a week drowning in administrative chaos? Here's the truth nobody tells you: You can have the best vision, strongest profit margins, and most authentic leadership—but if your operations don't have clear systems, they're going to burn you out. This final episode in the 4 Pillars series tackles the unsexy but essential foundation that makes everything else possible: processes. What You'll Learn:
Key Topics Discussed:
Mentioned in This Episode:
| |||
| 19 | Why You Can't Scale Without Letting Go (4P — People Pillar) | 02 Dec 2025 | 00:37:51 | |
You've built a thriving practice, you're at capacity, and you know the next step is hiring—but here's what nobody tells you: being an excellent therapist doesn't automatically make you a great leader. Most therapy practice owners struggle to scale not because they can't, but because we were never taught how to shift from clinician to leader. And the fear of becoming the kind of manager you never wanted to be? That's keeping you stuck in solo practitioner mode even after you've hired associates. What You'll Learn:
Key Topics Discussed:
Mentioned in This Episode:
Key Frameworks:
| |||
| 18 | Why Therapists Leave Thousands on the Table (4P —Profit Pillar) | 25 Nov 2025 | 00:31:31 | |
How much money would you be making if you didn't have beliefs about what therapists are "supposed" to charge? This episode tackles the profit problem in our profession: why therapists with incredible expertise, advanced training, and transformational impact are charging as if they're fresh out of grad school—and leaving tens of thousands of dollars on the table every single year. What You'll Learn:
Key Topics Discussed: This episode explores the inherited beliefs that create artificial income ceilings for therapists, including how the guilt loop equates fees with ethics and the martyr narrative connects to centuries of undervaluing women's work in a profession that's 90% female. We examine why financial security for therapists isn't selfish but sustainable, and how having associates complicates rather than fixes money mindset issues. The conversation covers the critical distinction between revenue and profit, with most therapy practices operating at 5-10% margins when the goal should be 30% or higher. Cecilia provides specific strategies for fee structuring, annual increases, and sliding scale implementation, plus guidance for group practice owners on pricing leadership value appropriately. We discuss sustainable profit metrics including calculating revenue per billable hour, tracking profit margins, building emergency funds, and creating long-term wealth beyond annual income. Mentioned in This Episode:This episode continues the Sustainable Practice Framework™ series with the Profit Pillar, exploring how ethical profit supports rather than compromises your purpose. We reference how the Purpose Pillar (Episode 1) connects to profit decisions, the importance of knowing your numbers for sustainable practice management, Canadian tax considerations including RRSPs and TFSAs for wealth building, and the upcoming People Pillar (Episode 3) on authentic leadership and values-aligned hiring. Key concepts include the difference between revenue and | |||
| 17 | Why Your Profitable Practice Feels Empty (4P — Purpose Pillar) | 18 Nov 2025 | 00:30:34 | |
You've hit your revenue goals, your calendar is full, and your practice looks successful from the outside. So why does it feel hollow? This episode tackles the growth paradox nobody warned you about: you can build a massively profitable practice that feels like a complete betrayal of why you became a therapist in the first place. What You'll Learn:
Key Topics Discussed: This episode explores why inherited success narratives from business culture don't fit therapy values and how financial pressures push therapists to follow blueprints that weren't designed for healing practices. We examine common misalignments—like building 40-hour practices when you wanted 20 hours or marketing services you've lost passion for—and their real costs including deep-seated burnout and building something you resent. The conversation covers the four elements of authentic purpose (vision alignment, values integration, energy sustainability, and meaningful impact) and how purpose becomes your decision-making compass that protects you from comparison and compromise. Cecilia shares her real-world experience of two different paths to seven figures, contrasting hustle-driven growth with purpose-driven rebuilding, plus practical implementation steps including free-writing exercises and the RECLAIM Process. Mentioned in This Episode:This episode introduces the Sustainable Practice Framework™, a four-pillar approach covering Purpose, Profit, People, and Process for building therapy practices that thrive. We reference the RECLAIM Process (Recognize, Examine, Challenge, Liberate, Affirm, Integrate, Manifest) as the methodology for transformation, discuss the Growth Paradox where external success feels hollow without authentic purpose, and break down how purpose functions as a decision-making compass. This is Episode 1 of a four-part series diving deep into each pillar of the framework. | |||
| 16 | Why Your Therapy Practice Is Losing Money (And How Retention Rates Fix It) | 14 Nov 2025 | 00:28:26 | |
Are you investing in marketing but still struggling to maintain a full caseload? The problem might not be your visibility—it's your retention rates. Most therapy practice owners in Canada aren't tracking how many new clients actually stay beyond a few sessions, which means they're losing thousands of dollars in revenue without even realizing it. In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly what client retention means for therapy practices, why it matters more than almost any other business metric, and how to coach yourself (or your associates) to boost retention rates above 70%. This is the revenue conversation you didn't know you needed to have. What You'll Learn:
Why This Episode Matters: If you're spending money on marketing but still feeling like you're on a client acquisition treadmill, retention rates are likely your missing piece. This episode gives you practical, implementable strategies to stop the revenue leak and build a more sustainable, profitable therapy practice—without hustling harder for more leads. Whether you're a solo practitioner or scaling a group practice, improving retention rates will transform both your bottom line and your therapists' confidence in their clinical work. Resources & Next Steps: Struggling with retention in your practice? This is exactly what we address in 1:1 coaching using the Sustainable Practice Framework™. Book a consultation call to explore how strategic business coaching can help you scale sustainably without burnout. Join The Practice CEO Circle to master marketing systems that attract your ideal clients—and learn the operational strategies that keep them engaged in long-term therapeutic work. Share this episode with a therapy practice owner who's investing in marketing but still struggling to maintain a full caseload. The problem might not be their visibility—it might be their retention rates. ABOUT YOUR HOST: Cecilia Mannella is a business coach for therapists and wellness practice owners with 25 years as a mental health practitioner and 17+ years building her group practice from solo therapist to seven-figure success. She's lived through every leadership identity phase herself and now helps Canadian therapists navigate their own leadership evolution to scale sustainably. PURPOSE & PROFIT: SCALE YOUR THERAPY PRACTICE Scale Without Sacrifice New episodes every Tuesday © CM Consulting - All Rights Reserved | |||
| 15 | The Leadership Identity Crisis Every Therapy Practice Owner Must Navigate | 28 Oct 2025 | 00:28:26 | |
What if I told you the version of you that built your practice to where it is today is actually the same version holding you back from the next level? In this raw, honest episode, I'm sharing my 17-year leadership evolution—including the parts I'm not proud of. From starting with zero strategy and pure mission-driven passion, to the scarcity mindset that made me hoard everything, to accidentally abdicating my CEO role by outsourcing too much, to the breakthrough moment that took me from $600K stuck to seven figures—this is the real, unfiltered story of how leadership identity shapes business growth. In This Episode: - The 4 leadership identity phases every practice owner cycles through - Why your business growth equals your leadership growth - The scarcity trap that kept me stuck at year 5 - How outsourcing became abdication (and cost me years) - The strategic shift that broke through the revenue plateau - Permission to be imperfect while you evolve Perfect for: Group practice owners stuck at a revenue plateau, solo practitioners ready to scale, and any therapist-turned-business-owner struggling with the identity crisis between helper and CEO. ABOUT YOUR HOST: Cecilia Mannella is a leadership coach for therapists and wellness practice owners with 25 years as a mental health practitioner and 17+ years building her group practice from solo therapist to seven-figure success. She's lived through every leadership identity phase herself and now helps Canadian therapists navigate their own leadership evolution to scale sustainably. LOVED THIS EPISODE? ⭐ This is real talk about the messy parts of business ownership—share it with another practice owner who needs to hear they're not alone ⭐ Leave a review sharing which leadership phase resonated most with you ⭐ Hit follow so you don't miss the next episode in the leadership series PURPOSE & PROFIT: SCALE YOUR THERAPY PRACTICE Scale Without Sacrifice New episodes every Tuesday © CM Consulting - All Rights Reserved | |||
| 14 | Post-COVID Impact on Therapy Practices with Lianne Perry | 21 Oct 2025 | 00:45:32 | |
Lianne Perry, a Vancouver Island-based virtual therapist, shares how she nearly lost her practice during the post-COVID crash of 2023 and discovered what was actually holding her back. After trying everything—blog posts, office space, contract positions—she realized her "dead website" was the real problem. In this candid conversation, Lianne reveals exactly what changed and why therapists are so bad at the business side of practice.Key Takeaways
The Real Business Training Gap Lianne's spent thousands on clinical training—EMDR, Gottman couples, master's degrees. Zero on business training. And she feels ashamed about not knowing what she "should" know. Cecilia's take: Therapy schools assume everyone will be self-employed but don't teach business. No other profession does this. Massage therapists, occupational therapists, chiropractors—they all get business training. Therapists? We come by our ignorance honestly and then shame ourselves for it. How Marketing Mental Health Services Actually WorksLianne's original assumption: "Pretty website = clients will find you" The truth: It's not about being salesy. It's about ethical visibility. Show up. Be authentic. Speak to your ideal client. Make it easy to find you. The magic: When people find you and your message resonates—that's when they pick you. Not because you convinced them, but because you showed them who you are and it felt like a fit. Purpose & Profit: Scale Your Therapy Practice Scale Without Sacrifice. Hosted by Cecilia Mannella | |||
| 13 | From Intimidated to Empowered: How Orli Built a Women-Led Addictions Practice | 16 Oct 2025 | 00:44:15 | |
What happens when you stop outsourcing your marketing and start owning your expertise? In this episode, Cecilia sits down with Orli Paling, a therapist who transformed her approach to building a group practice by embracing her role as a business owner—not just a clinician. Discover how Orli went from feeling intimidated by website design and marketing to confidently leading a specialized women-led addictions practice in British Columbia. Learn why firing her digital marketing agency was one of the best decisions she made, and how she now produces a month's worth of content in just two hours per week.Key Takeaways On the Business Owner Mindset Shift:"We can't grow our business as long as we're looking at it through the lens as a clinician. We have to look at it through the lens as being a business owner." - The transformation that changed everything for Orli On Marketing Strategy:"The investment in Full Practice Formula will do more for your business than any digital marketing specialist you can hire because your marketing strategy has to align with your values and reflect who you are—and only you can do that." On Content Creation Efficiency:Orli now produces blog posts, newsletters, and social media content for an entire month in just 2 hours per week—and she's actually excited about it. On Building Authority:With newsletter open rates over 50% (industry standard is 25-30%), Orli's authentic content is resonating deeply with her ideal clients. About Orli Paling Orli is the founder of OP Counseling, a women-led group practice in British Columbia specializing in addictions and concurrent disorders. With a background in residential treatment and youth programs, she's built a practice where all clinicians share specialized training in supporting men through addiction recovery—creating a unique positioning in the market. Connect with Orly:
Ready to take control of your practice marketing and stop spinning your wheels? Visit https://www.ceciliamannella.com/ to learn more about the Full Practice Formula and discover why you're the best person to market your own practice. Subscribe to Purpose & Profit wherever you listen to podcasts, and connect with our community of scaling therapists on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cecilia-mannella/ | |||
| 12 | Solo to Group Practice in 12 months with Suki Ó Huallacháin | 14 Oct 2025 | 00:43:48 | |
What does it look like to build a thriving therapy practice in less than a year? In this episode, Cecilia sits down with Suki Ó Huallacháin, a Clinical Counsellor who went from working grueling 10-hour shifts in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside to building a successful group practice in Port Coquitlam, BC—all while staying true to her values. Discover how Suki niched down to serve BIPOC women, hired her first associate in just months, and achieved over 100% growth in website traffic—without dancing on TikTok or sacrificing her authenticity.Key Takeaways On Finding Your Niche:"We specialize in helping BIPOC women break free from anxiety, people-pleasing, and self-doubt to help them find their own authentic voice and live a confident life." - Suki's transformation from "life transitions" to laser-focused positioning On Authentic Marketing:"If it's authentic, it actually has to be authentic. It has to line up." - Why Suki rewrote her entire website to match how she actually shows up in session On Sustainable Growth:From working six days a week to hiring an associate and taking back her weekends—all in less than a year About Suki Ó Huallacháin Suki is a Registered Clinical Counselor in Port Coquitlam, BC, specializing in helping BIPOC women navigate anxiety, cultural identity, and life transitions using EMDR and somatic therapies. After nearly six years working in addiction and trauma services in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, she launched her private practice in November 2023 and scaled to a group practice model within months. Connect with Suki:
Ready to scale your therapy practice without sacrificing your sanity? Visit ww.ceciliamannella.com to learn more about the Full Practice Formula and start building a practice that actually serves your life. Subscribe to Purpose & Profit wherever you listen to podcasts, and connect Cecilia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cecilia-mannella/ | |||
| 11 | From Burnout to Bold: How Evan Vukets Ditched Perfection Paralysis and Scaled His Practice | 30 Sep 2025 | 00:27:50 | |
Are you exhausted from trying to make your therapy practice marketing "perfect" while your beautiful website sits in your digital garage? In this candid conversation, therapist Evan Vukets shares his journey from 14-hour workdays and perfection paralysis to building a sustainable practice focused on men's mental health – including how he achieved a 1600% increase in website traffic in just weeks.Episode Highlights:
Key Insight: Evan's biggest breakthrough? Realizing his aversion to marketing wasn't conscious – he was hiding behind being "too busy" while secretly believing good therapists don't focus on money. When he challenged these hidden beliefs and moved his metaphorical lemonade stand from his garage to the street, everything changed. Ready to stop hiding your expertise and start attracting the clients who need you most? This episode proves you can scale sustainably without sacrificing your therapeutic values. Connect with Evan:
Ready to change your marketing and visibility? Join the next cohort of The Full Practice Formula starting in October 2025! | |||
| 10 | Generalist to Specialist: Finding Your Therapy Niche with Lindy Duchesne | 23 Sep 2025 | 00:36:49 | |
Starting a therapy practice at 60? Lindy Duchesne proves it's never too late to pivot your career and build something meaningful. In this candid conversation, Lindy shares her journey from real estate administrator to registered clinical counsellor, and the game-changing moment she realized that being a generalist was keeping her invisible online.Episode Highlights:
Key Insights: Lindy's story illuminates a challenge many therapists face: the paralyzing belief that niching down means turning clients away. As she discovered, the opposite is true. Being a generalist left her waving a flag saying "pick me" to anyone and everyone, which actually made her invisible in search results and unappealing to ideal clients. The breakthrough came when she realized that niching isn't just about marketing - it informs everything from the additional training you pursue to the confidence you bring to sessions. When you're working with clients aligned to your passion and expertise, you leave sessions feeling energized rather than drained. That's not just good business; it's the antidote to burnout. Perhaps most importantly, Lindy discovered that learning these business skills herself - rather than outsourcing them - wasn't just about saving money. It was about empowerment. As women therapists, we often tell ourselves we're "not good at tech" or "not business-minded." But these are learnable skills, and knowing them gives you control over your practice's growth and direction. Ready to stop being invisible online and start attracting clients who truly align with your expertise? This episode proves that with the right guidance and a willingness to learn, you can build a therapy practice that honors both your purpose and your profit - at any age.Join for FREE: The 3-Step Marketing Framework Masterclass Get clients through the door by joining The Full Practice FormulaConnect with Lindy: Website: www.lindyduchesnecounselling.com | |||
| 9 | Top Tips to Hire Remarkable Associates | 16 Sep 2025 | 00:29:17 | |
Are you tired of generic job postings that attract dozens of applications but zero perfect fits? After 17 years of group practice ownership and countless hiring mistakes (trust me, we've all been there), host Cecilia Mannella shares her game-changing approach to recruiting associates who don't just fill seats—they elevate your entire practice culture. In this episode, you'll discover why hiring for culture beats hiring for skills every single time, and how flipping your traditional recruitment process can save you months of wasted time while attracting associates who actually want to be part of your mission. Episode highlights:
Key Insights: Drawing from nearly two decades of group practice leadership, this episode tackles the reality that most therapy practice owners face: traditional hiring methods designed for corporate environments don't translate to the unique challenges of mental health practices. Cecilia walks through her evolved hiring process that prioritizes cultural alignment and values-based decision making. The breakthrough insight centers on recognizing that skill sets can be taught, but personality fit for your practice culture cannot. When you hire someone who aligns with your mission and values, you're not just filling a clinical position—you're investing in a team member who will actively contribute to the growth and evolution of your practice culture, even when you're not there. Her strategic approach includes creating job postings that sound intentionally "quirky" or specific because they speak directly to the type of person who would thrive in your particular practice environment. This approach may result in fewer applications, but dramatically increases the quality of candidates who do apply. Connect with Cecilia: Website: https://www.ceciliamannella.com/ Free Masterclass: https://www.ceciliamannella.com/masterclass LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cecilia-mannella/This episode is part of the Purpose & Profit: Scale Your Therapy Practice podcast, where we prove that you don't have to choose between your purpose and your profit. For established therapists ready to scale sustainably, this show delivers real strategies for building a practice that serves your life, not consumes it. | |||
| 8 | Transform Your Therapy Practice Website Into a Client Magnet | 10 Sep 2025 | 00:24:36 | |
What if the key to converting website visitors into therapy clients has nothing to do with your photos, fonts, or s Profit: Scale Your Therapy Practice, host Cecilia Mannella reveals why most therapy websites fail to convert and shares the exact copywriting strategies that transformed her practice into a seven-figure success.Episode Highlights:
Key Insights:Most therapists treat their websites like pretty business cards instead of conversion assets. The problem? We're speaking in our professional language (EMDR certified, IFS trained) instead of our clients' language. Your website copy should make the client the hero of their healing journey, with you as their trusted guide. Instead of saying "I am EMDR trained," try "Are you struggling with flashbacks and intrusive thoughts that prevent you from living your full life? I use EMDR to help you alleviate these symptoms and reclaim your peace." The hard truth is that your credentials matter far less to potential clients than whether they can see themselves in your story and trust you as their guide through their specific challenges. Learn how to make small changes to transform your website conversion rates.Resources Mentioned:
| |||
| 7 | Niching Down Your Therapy Practice: Why Specialists Win | 02 Sep 2025 | 00:26:58 | |
Struggling to fill your therapy caseload? The problem isn't your skills - it's being too general. In this episode, Cecilia Mannella explains why therapy specialists get more clients, better referrals, and higher rates than generalists.
Today's therapy clients don't want generalists - they want specialists who understand their specific problems. A generalist practice might convert 100 inquiries into 3 mediocre-fit clients, while a niched practice converts 40 inquiries into 20 ideal clients who are excited to work with you. Cecilia shares her Triple Overlap Method for finding your therapy niche: identify what energizes you (passion), what problems exist in your community (demand), and what skills/experiences set you apart (expertise). Your niche exists where all three intersect.
Ready to stop being invisible online and start attracting clients who energize you? Specialists don't just survive in today's therapy market - they thrive. Listen now and discover why narrow focus creates broader appeal to the right people. | |||
| 6 | Finding the Perfect Office Space for Your Therapy Practice | 26 Aug 2025 | 00:25:17 | |
Finding office space is like Tinder dating - you're swiping through listings wondering if you actually like this space or if you're settling because inventory is low. After 17 years of running a group practice, here's what actually matters when choosing therapy office space without killing your profit margins.
If you're generating $100,000 annually, accelerated growth takes you to $140,000 the next year - not the doubling many of us envision. Significant growth usually spikes then stabilizes while your business adjusts to its new size. Plan accordingly or you'll end up back in the therapy chair seeing extra clients just to pay that lease.
Must-Haves: Right-sized offices, functional waiting room, secure bathrooms, soundproofing potential, safe parking with evening lighting Financial Reality: Factor in annual lease increases and worst-case growth scenarios. Better to maximize smaller space utilization than lose profit margins on space you can't fill. Soundproofing Hacks: Door runners, white noise machines ($10-12), soundproofing curtains, foam blocks for glass Ready to make space decisions that support your scaling goals instead of sabotaging your profits? Listen now for the strategic approach to therapy practice real estate. Connect with Cecilia:
| |||
| 5 | Why grinding is different than hustling | 19 Aug 2025 | 00:25:41 | |
Are you working hard or just working yourself into the ground? In this episode of Purpose & Profit, host Cecilia Mannella breaks down the crucial difference between intentional grinding that builds your practice and toxic hustling that destroys it. Drawing from her 25 years as a mental health practitioner and 18+ years scaling her group practice to seven figures, Cecilia reveals why not all hard work is created equal—and how to protect your wellbeing while still achieving your scaling goals.
The fundamental difference between grinding and hustling comes down to intention and boundaries. Grinding is intentional hard work with clear purpose—it's seasonally intense, strategically aligned with your values, and includes built-in recovery. The work actually energizes you because it connects to your long-term vision. Hustling, on the other hand, is the "always on" mentality with zero recovery periods, where you're sacrificing health and relationships for unclear gains. As therapists, we're particularly vulnerable to the hustle trap because we're used to sacrificing for others. But sustainable impact requires sustainable practices. The GRIND framework offers a way to work intensively during growth phases while maintaining the boundaries and values that matter most to you.
Signs You've Slipped Into Hustling:
Ready to scale your practice without sacrificing your sanity? Listen now and discover how to work hard while protecting what matters most. Whether you're preparing for a group launch or navigating any growth phase, this episode will help you stay aligned with your values while building the practice of your dreams. | |||
| 4 | The Real Face of Business Owner Burnout | 12 Aug 2025 | 00:29:02 | |
Picture this: You built your therapy practice because you had an amazing vision - to transform lives, to create meaningful change, to build something that really mattered. But now you might be feeling like you're running on autopilot, going through the motions, and that fire that once drove you feels like it's been reduced to cold ashes. If you're nodding along thinking "that's exactly how I feel," then this episode is for you. Because what we're talking about today isn't just the physical exhaustion everyone associates with burnout - it's something much deeper and more devastating for practice owners. Episode Highlights:
Key Insights: Drawing from Cecilia's personal experience of nearly selling her 18-year practice after COVID burnout, this episode explores how business owner burnout differs fundamentally from clinician burnout. It's not the "I need a vacation" kind of burnout - it's soul-crushing, vision-killing burnout that makes you question everything you've built. The antidote isn't just better time management or delegation (though those help). It's reconnecting with your vision and building sustainable systems that protect and serve that vision. This means energy-first leadership - managing your energy cycles instead of just your time - and understanding that sustainable business practices for therapy practice owners look different than what typical business coaches teach. I'd love to hear from you: Email: hello@ceciliamannella.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cecilia-mannella/ | |||
| 3 | Boost Your Therapy Practice: No More Leaks! | 29 Jul 2025 | 00:26:23 | |
Are you throwing money at marketing and wondering why your practice isn't filling up? Here's the thing nobody talks about you might not need more clients – you might just need to fix the holes in your process to increase conversion rates. In this episode, Cecilia breaks down the client journey that will completely change how you think about growing your practice. Episode highlights: • The analogy that changes everything – why focusing only on getting more clients is like trying to fill a leaky pool • Your website as real estate – the only digital space you actually own (and why that matters more than your Instagram following) • The 7-step client journey breakdown – from website visitor to retained client, with conversion benchmarks for each stage • The meet-and-greet conversion crisis – why 70% of potential clients might be walking away after meeting your therapists • The confidence factor – how being too "un-pushy" is actually pushing clients away (with the mechanic example that'll make it all click) • Strategic measurement tactics – exactly what numbers to track and how often to review them Most therapy practices focus obsessively on acquiring new clients while completely ignoring what happens once those clients enter their process. It's like cranking up the water pressure while ignoring the holes in your hose – you'll just lose more water faster. If you're looking for a greater ROI for your efforts, this episode is for you! | |||
| 2 | Your Therapy Practice is an Asset, Not a Salary: How to Think Like a Business Owner (Finally) | 22 Jul 2025 | 00:21:41 | |
Are you treating your therapy practice like a bank account you drain to zero every month? If that hit close to home (and let's be honest, it probably did), this episode is about to shift everything for you. In this candid episode of Purpose & Profit, Cecilia gets real about the business lesson she wishes someone had taught her 15 years sooner: your therapy practice isn't just a business - it's your most valuable asset. And like any asset worth having, it needs strategic reinvestment to grow.
Perfect For You If:
Ready to stop treating your practice like a piggy bank and start building the asset it's meant to be? This episode will challenge everything you think you know about practice finances - and give you a clear roadmap for sustainable reinvestment that actually works. Real strategies for real therapists who are done with the financial stress rollercoaster. | |||
| 1 | Overcoming Fear in Entrepreneurship | 18 Jun 2025 | 00:21:03 | |
In this episode, Cecilia Mannella discusses the challenges of business ownership, particularly for wellness practitioners. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing and managing fear, which often dominates decision-making. Instead of allowing fear to take control, she advocates for feeding one's vision, which serves as a guiding light in business. By maintaining focus on the vision, entrepreneurs can navigate challenges with curiosity and strategic thinking, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling and successful business journey. Takeaways Fear can dominate decision-making in business. It's important to recognize and manage fear. Feeding your vision is crucial for success. Vision serves as a guiding light in business. Fear promotes scarcity, while vision promotes abundance. Business owners often forget to feed their vision. Curiosity is essential for problem-solving. Vision should be the co-pilot in business decisions. Aligning with vision leads to better team culture. The journey of entrepreneurship is about balancing fear and vision. Time Stamps 00:00 Introduction to Business Ownership and Leadership 03:06 The Role of Fear in Business Decisions 05:40 Feeding Your Vision vs. Feeding Your Fear 08:48 The Importance of Vision in Business 11:41 Curiosity and Abundance Over Scarcity 14:34 Aligning with Vision for Business Success 17:50 Conclusion: Embracing Vision Over Fear | |||