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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372: Decluttering As An Adjunct To Therapy- Sarah Mueller From The Decluttering Club
Thursday, September 26, 2024 • Duration 43:01
The act of decluttering sounds like a simple thing, but it can be loaded with emotions, triggers, and feelings of overwhelm. Today’s guest takes us through this process which can be a beneficial supplement to therapy.
Our Featured Guest
Sarah Mueller
Sarah Mueller is a friend I’ve known for several years. She started The Decluttering Club to teach people to declutter in a way that doesn’t create burnout, lets them keep the things they love, and actually lasts for the long term. She has grown a huge online following based on the concept of decluttering. It’s a relatable problem that we all face, and learning to let things go is important. Sarah discusses why decluttering is part of her story and part of who she is. She explains what decluttering is, what the benefits are, and how to declutter even when you feel overwhelmed. We wrap up by covering how decluttering can be an advantageous supplement to therapy.
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.
371: Leaving Therapy for Coaching with Dr. Corey Wilks
Thursday, September 19, 2024 • Duration 47:42
Today’s session is about leaving psychotherapy for coaching. This transition is one that many therapist colleagues have made, and the reality is that many more are shifting from the field of therapy into coaching. Several major factors play into this decision, and my guest today gives a transparent look at his experience in this transition. Join us to learn more!
Our Featured Guest
Dr. Corey Wilks
Dr. Corey Wilks is a good friend and licensed psychologist who joins us for an open and honest look at his transition from therapy to coaching. In giving a glimpse into the circumstances and perspectives that led him to make this decision and shift his career, he shares how his career goals have changed over the years, what autonomy means to him, and why it is important. We wrap up by discussing mistakes that therapists often make in this career change and the drawbacks to leaving a traditional career in mental health.
Corey’s career goals back in grad school—and how they have changed
Understanding autonomy, freedom, and why these are Corey’s top priorities
Corey’s realizations about therapy, wellness, and burnout
Considerations in making the shift to entrepreneurship
The biggest mistake people make in turning from therapy to coaching
The difference in coaching as a much more solo-based endeavor than therapy
Corey’s advice to a therapist considering becoming a coach
The distinction between the roles of therapist and coach—and how Corey navigates “the line”
Resources:
Mentioned in this session: Sign up for the newsletter for high-achievers!
Want to launch your podcast?
Check out our free podcasting workshop for therapists (and therapists turned coaches and consultants). Visit.
ENCORE: How to Start Writing a Book: Things They Don’t Tell You
Thursday, July 18, 2024 • Duration 51:58
If you’ve ever thought about writing a book, you’ve realized that the process is intimidating. Just knowing where to begin and how to proceed pose big challenges. We are tackling this topic with today’s guest and uncovering the things nobody tells you about writing a book. Join us to get real and learn more!
Our Featured Guest
Raj Lulla
Raj Lulla is a StoryBrand Certified designer and strategist. He and his partner, Ben Lueders, are the co-owners of Fruitful Design & Strategy, where they “create and grow compelling brands.” Raj has spent the last few years writing a book called The Caring House, and he joins us to dive deeper into the book-writing process. He shares why he chose to write a fiction book, how he approached the publishing aspect, and the financial outlay for a project like this. We wrap up with Raj’s perspective on the things no one tells you about marketing a book and Raj’s best tips for anyone who wants to write a book.
Big questions to confront around the grief-processing journey
Raj’s idea forThe Caring Houseas part of his personal healing process
Writing to answer the question, “What is this book for?”
Narrowing your purpose to the “most important thing”
Understanding the publishing dilemma: a traditional publisher, indie/hybrid publishing, or self-publishing?
Differences in the pitching/publishing process between a fiction vs. nonfiction book
Financial considerations in the book-writing process
Details about the “print-on-demand” publishing option and the hard work required to market a self-published book
Raj’s advice to aspiring writers
Resources:
329: 7 Questions to Ask Before Launching an Online Course
Thursday, October 27, 2022 • Duration 31:09
This episode is the last one before I take an extended break for a few months. The plan is to be back in April 2023, with exciting, brand-new STC episodes. I think rest is important in the human journey AND the entrepreneurial journey, so I’m looking forward to some extra downtime after podcasting regularly for seven years and hitting the 1.5 million download mark. Unbelievable! Thank you from the bottom of my heart! This is my life’s work and my great privilege to serve you, my colleagues.
Today’s episode takes a closer look at a major passion of mine: online courses. Let’s talk about the important questions to ask–and answer–before launching an online course. Join me!
You’ll Learn:
How online courses can help fill in the gap for those who need mental health services
7 Questions to Ask Before Launching an Online Course:
Have people paid me one-on-one for this course idea?
Can I see myself being in this space for 10+ years?
Is this course idea confronting a “massive pain” vs. an “annoying inconvenience” for my audience?
Can this population afford the course I’m selling? Do they have purchasing power?
Is this a population that is easy to target and find online?
Is my course idea a growing concern/need for my audience?
Are there others out there creating information products for this niche?
Further details about the STC Elite Mastermind for therapists who are creating online courses (The next launch is scheduled for Spring 2023.)
If you aren’t ready for the mastermind-level commitment, check out my FREE Webinar about creating online courses.
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.
328: Mental Roadblocks Of Going From Clinician To Coach with Angela Williams, LCSW
Thursday, October 20, 2022 • Duration 42:35
Today’s topic is very relevant in our post-pandemic world. Many clinicians are left wondering if their best work lies in the clinical field or the coaching/consulting arena. I’ve felt this dilemma myself, pondering how to balance my interests, endeavors, and the evolution of family life. I realized that I couldn’t sustain multiple paths, and I made the hard decision to give up my clinical work.
If you are struggling along those same lines, I hope today’s show gives you insights, clarity, and encouragement. Join us to learn more!
Our Featured Guest
Angela Williams, LCSW
Angela Williams is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Orlando, Florida. She has made the transition from clinician to coach, and she now works with other therapists who are making the same change in their lives. Angela shares her thoughts about why so many clinicians are leaving for the world of coaching, along with the biggest roadblocks that may come up on this path. She gives her best tips for overcoming those big roadblocks and recommends several books as helpful resources.
How the therapy field, with its inherent regulations, contains many barriers to providing services to clients—and coaching is different
The biggest mental roadblock for Angela in moving from clinician to coach
Why each clinician feels like the “insecure expert” and has to intentionally build up their confidence
Why it’s challenging to become an online, visible brand rather than a care provider
What holds clinicians back the most and presents the biggest roadblocks
How a mindset coach can help us rewrite our roadblocks into our success story
How perfectionism, fear of failure, and standards of success can prevent us from taking action
327: An Easier Way to Refer Out Clients with Anna O’Brien and Jim Pasquarella
Thursday, October 13, 2022 • Duration 42:45
I think often about legacy in providing STC as a resource for our field and being of service to our colleagues. The same desire for a lasting legacy drives me to connect with good people who are doing great things in the world, which is what this podcast is all about. Today’s conversation, with two of those good people, focuses on a common issue for clinicians in referring out clients. If you are looking to do referrals in a better way, this session will give you valuable information. Join us to learn more!
Our Featured Guests
Anna O’Brien
Jim Pasquarella
Anna O’Brien and Jim Pasquarella live and work locally in the Philly area as a clinician and commercial real estate developer, respectively. They have created a resource called The Consult List, which addresses a common problem for clinicians. “Referring out” clients to other colleagues is something every clinician faces, but what’s the best way to do it?
Anna and Jim will share with us how they created The Consult List for clinicians to use in making sure the clients we serve are getting appropriate and helpful referrals. This resource allows clinicians to harness the power of their community and streamline the referral process. They will explain how the resource handles issues like data privacy and protection, and we will discuss how they are monetizing this free resource.
The story behind The Consult List and how it came to be as Anna and Jim teamed up to improve access to mental health services
How Jim’s efforts are inspired by the memory of his mom’s tireless dedication in caring for others
How Anna and Jim met through the shared vision of making a vacant building into an affordable wellness center to serve the local community
What The Consult List is and how it helps clinicians with referrals
How the client can interact with The Consult List
What a prospective clinician would have access to on The Consult List in keeping safety and privacy in mind for the prospective client
326: Standing Out On Twitter-3 Lessons Learned From 0 to 200k Followers with Aadit Sheth
Thursday, October 6, 2022 • Duration 44:21
I still call myself a Twitter newbie because I haven’t been there for very long, but I’ve been honored to connect with amazing people holding full and varied skill sets. I’m chatting with one of them in today’s session, someone who has helped me learn what I was doing wrong on Twitter and how I can improve. If you need Twitter help, too, join us to learn more about standing out on Twitter!
Our Featured Guest
Aadit Sheth
Aadit Sheth is a 21-year-old engineering student who started on Twitter only a couple of years ago. He has built a following of over 200,000 by focusing on the life optimization habits of top entrepreneurs. Aadit shares with us about Twitter threads and how they work to make this social media platform one of the top ways to network and stay current with technology, productivity, and business.
How Aadit decided that Twitter would be his “place”
How Aadit began by engaging with people he admired on Twitter and finding ways to provide value to them
How to build strong connections through a “permission-less action” approach
A basic understanding of Twitter threads vs. single tweets
Aadit’s best tips for writing threads and hooks on Twitter–”80% of the performance of a thread is driven by the hook.”
Why you should identify the emotion you want to evoke and the purpose of your thread hook (i.e. counterintuitive, suspenseful, successes, novelty)
An example of a thread idea in a specific niche for mental health providers
How to use templates to help find a balance between perfectionism and spontaneity in writing Twitter threads
How to combat the crippling pressure to write the perfect Twitter thread by repurposing your content
An overview of Aadit’s work, including the Maker’s Mark agency and course on audience building for creators and founders
325: 7 Ways That Shifting To A 4 Day Work Week Made Me A Better Entrepreneur
Thursday, September 29, 2022 • Duration 25:38
Today’s topic is inspired by a Twitter thread I wrote about a life-changing event in our family when our daughter began preschool recently. Since she was born prematurely, going through the NICU experience four years ago coupled with the demands of entrepreneurship brought me to the realization that things had to change. The season of life that was one of the hardest things became the best thing to help me reevaluate and realign my life and goals. As much as I love my work, I wanted my life to be about much more than my work. Join me to learn how shifting my work week has made me a better entrepreneur, husband, father, and person.
You’ll Learn:
Business becomes more complicated with more time.
“You don’t have to suffer in order to succeed.”
For any task, look to automate, delegate, eliminate, or systemize.
There are more metrics than money.
“Not everything that counts can be counted.”
The time I’ve spent and the memories I’ve made with my daughter are priceless.
Creativity time is essential.
Time to explore and be curious should be an intentional part of the day/week.
Giving your mind time for creativity and play will help you make better business decisions.
Business doesn’t have all the answers.
Work will not fulfill you in every aspect of life.
“Don’t build your life around your business; build your business to support your life.”
Simplicity is key.
Concise communication is essential for people to understand you.
“Be clear, not clever.”
Seasons don’t last.
Entrepreneurship is a roller coaster ride, but time will pass quickly.
“Focus on the present and be grateful for now.”
The courage of a child is inspiring.
Be resilient like a child, and get back up when you fall down.
“The only way to fail in building a business is by refusing to get back up.”
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.
324: How To Grow A New Podcast with Jeremy Enns
Thursday, September 22, 2022 • Duration 44:55
“Will anyone listen to it? How can I grow my audience?” These are the questions that badger everyone who starts a podcast, and even though I am a veteran podcaster of several years, I know there is a lot of room to grow. The good news is that there are people who can help us learn by sharing their knowledge and experience. My guest today has answers to your biggest questions about growing and marketing your podcast. It’s easier than you think! Join us!
Our Featured Guest
Jeremy Enns
Jeremy Enns is a podcast marketing strategist for scrappy brands, networks, and creators who are looking to punch above their weight. He has helped his clients generate over 50 million podcast downloads and millions of dollars in revenue. By working with many different podcasters, Jeremy has learned what works best in podcast growth, and he’s here to share his top tips for growing a podcast strategically and intentionally.
Jeremy’s outlook on the fate of the podcasting industry–Is podcasting here to stay?
Why people from different platforms are getting into podcasting to build long-term engagement
Jeremy’s tips for beginning podcasters:
Have realistic expectations. “The root of unhappiness is misaligned expectations.” Think of podcasting as a five-year plan for learning a new skill—and appreciate the intangibles.
Think of marketing as just another way of creatively communicating ideas to help the people you want to serve. Find ways to make marketing fun for you.
Use the writing methods that work best for you.
Be an active participant in communities where you feel comfortable and always look for one-on-one conversation opportunities. “Go live in the world where your people already are.”
An overview of Jeremy’s upcoming workshop, and his flagship course,
323: 3 Tips To Become An Awesome Storyteller Online
Thursday, September 15, 2022 • Duration 30:19
Today’s topic is a fascinating one for me. As therapists, we are wired for stories, but telling an effective story online is a struggle for many of us. Fortunately for us, my guest has wisdom and tips to share to help us become awesome storytellers. Join us to learn more!
Our Featured Guest
Kieran Drew
Kieran Drew lives in Leeds, England, and is my writing coach for Twitter. In an interesting career twist, he was a dentist who left behind his stressful, work-filled life to become a copywriter/storyteller. My first connection to Kieran came through the viral story he wrote about his unique medical experiences as a teenager. He is a talented storyteller who has helped my writing immensely, and I know his insights will be helpful to anyone looking to improve their writing.
Why Kieran made the unconventional transition from dentist to copywriter/storyteller
An overview of Kieran’s spinal issues involving a tumor, surgeries, and titanium rods—this is the experience that helped him discover storytelling and a new love for life
3 tips to become a better storyteller:
Make a story bank by writing down everything that happens to you with specific details.
Cut through the noise to impart a lesson.
Even in sales, start every point with a story.
How specific details make your stories more impactful
How to draw a “lesson” from each story
How storytelling breaks down skepticism and improves your selling ability
How storytelling can be your differentiator in the online world
A storytelling template: what happened/the lesson, why people should care, and a call to action
How Kieran reviews his story bank to choose his next story
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.
Want to launch your podcast?
Check out our free podcasting workshop for therapists (and therapists turned coaches and consultants)
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.
Why money blocks and financial literacy play into our beliefs about money
Why the fear of success can be just as crippling as the fear of failure
Books recommended by Angela: The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks, Get Rich, Lucky Bitch by Denise Duffield-Thomas, and You Are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero
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.
How the location parameters are set for clinicians and clients on The Consult List
Why The Consult List is free in its essential version and offers a premium membership with extra features
How data is protected on this referral platform
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.
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.
The Minimalist Podcast Marketing Method,
Podcast Marketing Academy
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.
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.
🇨🇦 Canada - careers
01/07/2026
#63
🇨🇦 Canada - careers
20/06/2026
#95
🇺🇸 USA - careers
18/06/2026
#97
🇺🇸 USA - careers
17/06/2026
#67
🇬🇧 Great Britain - careers
30/05/2026
#86
🇺🇸 USA - careers
15/04/2026
#96
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