Selling the Couch

What would it be like to own and run your own group therapy practice--including the building? And to complicate matters, what if the whole endeavor is getting off the ground during a global pandemic? It might sound crazy, but you’ll hear the details from today’s guest who is making it all happen after facing down all the obstacles. Join us!Our Featured GuestKaren Grayson, PhD, LPCDr. Karen Grayson had a vision a few years ago of owning a therapy practice building, so she followed through with the big purchase in 2018. She’s here to help us navigate through the challenges of owning a therapy practice building during a pandemic. The Center for Inner Transformation, in St. Louis, is a place where Karen combines philosophy, therapy, and spirituality on an integrated pathway to her clients’ personal and collective development, and it’s also home for the practices of three other clinicians. She shares where the idea of buying a building came from, how she went into the process, along with practical steps that she took during the pandemic. We wrap up today’s conversation with four pieces of advice that Karen would give to her younger self about this undertaking.www.thecenterstl.comYou’ll Learn:How Karen began with the dream to purchase a therapy buildingHow she moved from vision to implementation through finding comfort in the unknownHow Karen’s journey unfolded from her teaching role to group therapyHow Karen purchased her office building in 2018, dealt with two colleagues who backed out after the purchase and endured a difficult neighbor in the office parkWhy Karen learned to be gentle with herself and fierce in her purpose, staying grounded in the uncertaintyHow the drawbacks in the process led to feelings of failure and depression for KarenHow she persevered with a deep commitment to her purpose and a willingness to failHow Karen learned the value in having support people in place from STCHow the pandemic has affected Karen and her endeavorsHow word-of-mouth referrals have benefitted Karen’s businessWhy we need to know what our strengths areHow Karen deals with her core wound of not being good enoughHow things worked out for Karen when she “let go and listened”Karen’s pieces of advice to her younger self about purchasing the building during a pandemic:Everything is an invitation for growth.The birthing process is always a hard thing.I’m not in charge of time.Be open to a larger container.Resources:Want to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit For TherapistsLooking to launch a successful podcast?Please check out our free "Using Podcasting To Grow Your Business" workshop for therapists.Mentioned in this episode:Try Alma!Building and managing the practice you truly want can feel overwhelming. That’s why Alma is here—to help you create not just any practice, but your private practice. With Alma, you’ll get the tools and resources you need to navigate insurance with ease, connect with referrals that are the right fit for your style, and streamline those time-consuming administrative tasks. That means less time buried in the details and more time focused on delivering exceptional care to your clients. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Learn more at sellingthecouch.com/alma and get 2 months FREE—an exclusive offer for STC listeners.

Today’s show is about navigating long-haul COVID symptoms and life as a private practitioner. I wanted to have a non-academic conversation about this intriguing topic from a real-life perspective. Join us to learn more!Our Featured GuestRobert Cox, MA, LPC, NCCRobert Cox is a private practitioner in Kentucky. He contracted COVID back in December. After a few weeks, he noticed that his symptoms improved a little but then continued. You’ll hear Robert’s story of his long-haul COVID symptoms and navigating through it as a private practitioner, especially regarding what to disclose to clients.Tristn Jevon Center for RecoveryYou’ll learn:What it means to have “long-haul COVID”How long-haul COVID symptoms can vary with dementia-like brain fog, heart problems, physical exhaustion, night sweats, etc.Robert’s story of contracting COVID last December from his daughter and facing moments of panic because of his asthmaHow Robert’s symptoms were complicated by the death of his son in February 2021How Robert learned to deal with long-haul COVID by taking more time off and learning to be more efficient, organized, and focusedHow Robert’s exhaustion and fatigue are impacting his daily life and activity levelWhy there is no standard treatment protocol for long-haul COVIDHow Robert is using meditation to cope with the daily challenges of life and workWhat Robert has learned about having limits and setting boundariesHow Robert decided to share openly with his clients about his experienceWhat Robert has learned about his resilience because of the support from his wifeHow Robert is functioning better because of the system changes he has put in placeWhy Robert’s #1 message to everyone is to get the COVID vaccineResources:Want to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit For TherapistsLooking to launch a successful podcast?Please check out our free "Using Podcasting To Grow Your Business" workshop for therapists.Mentioned in this episode:Try Alma!Building and managing the practice you truly want can feel overwhelming. That’s why Alma is here—to help you create not just any practice, but your private practice. With Alma, you’ll get the tools and resources you need to navigate insurance with ease, connect with referrals that are the right fit for your style, and streamline those time-consuming administrative tasks. That means less time buried in the details and more time focused on delivering exceptional care to your clients. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Learn more at sellingthecouch.com/alma and get 2 months FREE—an exclusive offer for STC listeners.

Today’s show is about one of my most favorite topics in the world: sleep. I’ll admit that my thinking about sleep has changed a lot over the years as I’ve learned more. Whether you’re a champion sleeper or someone who needs to pay more attention to rest, today’s show has helpful information and expert tips for you. Join us!Our Featured GuestLiz SlonenaLiz Slonena is a psychologist in Asheville, NC. She has expertise in sleep and insomnia, and I wanted to have her share her insights with us. Pandemic stressors and the blurred lines between work life and home life have been contributing factors to sleep problems for many therapists. We will discuss why quality sleep matters, the basics of sleep cycles, and how our hustle culture has impacted our sleep. We’ll finish up with practical tips about improving sleep.www.drlizlistens.com Use code #STC for premium access to Aura, an all-in-one wellness appFind Dr. Liz’s free mindful hypnosis videos on YouTubeYou’ll Learn:What happens during the normal sleep cycles:  light, restful, deep, and REMHow disruptions can affect sleep cyclesThe connection between quality sleep and moodHow sleep helps your immune system, neurogenesis, and muscle growth and repairHow deep sleep is the “washing cycle” for brain and body, flushing out negative thoughts and toxinsHow hustle culture and internalized capitalism (the belief that our worth is tied to our productivity and what we DO) can compound our sleep difficultiesWhy sleep is the first thing we cut away when cramped for time, even though it’s really our most effective superpowerThe specific challenges of entrepreneurship in getting enough sleepThe intricacies of racism and stereotypes related to internalized capitalismWhy rest is rebellious and radical empowermentThe importance of finding peace and balance in life through prioritizing restLiz’s tips for improved sleep:Clearly communicate boundaries to clients and colleagues about your hours and availability.Have a physical wind-down ritual for your body and mind to signal the transition from work.Write a gratitude or “win” list each night before bed.What’s up next for Dr. Liz? Become a Better Sleeper course and the podcast are coming soon!Resources:Want to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit For TherapistsLooking to launch a successful podcast?Please check out our free "Using Podcasting To Grow Your Business" workshop for therapists.Mentioned in this episode:Try Alma!Building and managing the practice you truly want can feel overwhelming. That’s why Alma is here—to help you create not just any practice, but your private practice. With Alma, you’ll get the tools and resources you need to navigate insurance with ease, connect with referrals that are the right fit for your style, and streamline those time-consuming administrative tasks. That means less time buried in the details and more time focused on delivering exceptional care to your clients. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Learn more at sellingthecouch.com/alma and get 2 months FREE—an exclusive offer for STC listeners.

So much of what we do as clinicians revolves around leadership, even though we may not be comfortable thinking of ourselves that way. If we are truly leaders in what we do, it makes sense to learn all we can about making ourselves the best leaders possible. The world needs good leaders! Join us as we discuss all things leadership development in today’s showOur Featured GuestJevin KolethJevin Koleth is a leadership coach who happens to be a childhood friend of mine. He has vast experience in what it means to be a leader through his time as a regional manager for a major healthcare system in Texas. I want you to hear Jevin’s insights about why leadership needs to be developed first at the individual level before implementing the more popular team approach. We also dive into how leadership has changed as a result of the pandemic, and we wrap up with personal and real-life experiences from Jevin that can help you in your growth as a leader.Jevin KolethYou’ll Learn:Why effective leadership development has to begin at the individual level with a solid foundationThe first steps in an individualized approach to leadership training:Identify the person’s personal purpose and missionIdentify the person’s barriers to being their best selfHow Jevin becomes an accountability coach in helping people develop long-term habitsWhy the mass team approach to leadership training needs to FOLLOW after the foundational individual approachWhy it’s good to develop one’s self as a leader to be the best version of yourselfHow an impactful leader will come across with consistencyHow leadership has changed during the pandemic in the three areas of remote leadership, interpersonal skills, and team cultureJevin’s pearls of wisdom about going back to work in the officeWhy a leader’s goal should be positive outcomes from difficult conversationsHighlights of Jevin’s current work as a leadership coachResources:Want to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit For TherapistsLooking to launch a successful podcast?Please check out our free "Using Podcasting To Grow Your Business" workshop for therapists.Mentioned in this episode:Try Alma!Building and managing the practice you truly want can feel overwhelming. That’s why Alma is here—to help you create not just any practice, but your private practice. With Alma, you’ll get the tools and resources you need to navigate insurance with ease, connect with referrals that are the right fit for your style, and streamline those time-consuming administrative tasks. That means less time buried in the details and more time focused on delivering exceptional care to your clients. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Learn more at sellingthecouch.com/alma and get 2 months FREE—an exclusive offer for STC listeners.

Today’s show is about building an online directory, which is hugely relevant to every clinician. Whether you’ve used an online directory to refer clients or thought about creating a directory to help other clinicians and clients, you know that it is a valuable resource that makes it easier to find a therapist who can help with very specific needs. Join us to learn more!Our Featured GuestLaura Reagan, LCSW-CLaura Reagan is a clinical social worker and integrative trauma specialist in Maryland who had the idea to create a directory for trauma therapists, Trauma Therapist Network. She’s a trauma survivor who has specifically worked around trauma for the past 19 years. Through her years of experience, she has learned a lot about the nuances of trauma therapy, the services available, and what services are lacking. Laura gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how her idea for the directory evolved, the logical steps in the creation process, and the helpful resources that are available in creating an online directory. We wrap up today’s conversation with a look at what has gone well in Laura’s process and the things that are being constantly tweaked along the way.Trauma Therapist NetworkYou’ll Learn:How Laura got the idea to create an online directory of trauma therapistsHow Laura saw the need and made the leap to create the online directoryHow the directory helps people find the specific therapy focus that aligns with their traumaHow the directory goes beyond finding a therapist but also helps inform and educate people about trauma and its effectsThe first steps Laura took to take the online directory from an idea to realityWhy Laura was willing to make the intentional commitment of time, effort, and money (lots of money!) to make the directory a thoroughly usable resource that helps people feel safe, hopeful, and reassuredHow Laura conveys the important message through the directory that trauma doesn’t define a person and that there is hope to improve and make a better lifeWhy Laura had to allow herself to receive help and support in the development processHow creating the directory has been similar to giving birth to a child and watching it grow and develop into what it was meant to beResources:Want to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit For TherapistsLooking to launch a successful podcast?Please check out our free "Using Podcasting To Grow Your Business" workshop for therapistsMentioned in this episode:Try Alma!Building and managing the practice you truly want can feel overwhelming. That’s why Alma is here—to help you create not just any practice, but your private practice. With Alma, you’ll get the tools and resources you need to navigate insurance with ease, connect with referrals that are the right fit for your style, and streamline those time-consuming administrative tasks. That means less time buried in the details and more time focused on delivering exceptional care to your clients. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Learn more at sellingthecouch.com/alma and get 2 months FREE—an exclusive offer for STC listeners.

Welcome to a new season of STC! Today’s conversation is different from the typical STC session, as it was inspired by a thread created in the STC community about healthcare providers dismissing legitimate medical concerns. This situation is one that you might encounter personally or with your clients, so I hope you’ll find our conversation helpful and informative. Join us!Our Featured GuestDanielle Hughes, MA, LPCDanielle Hughes is in private practice in Loveland, CO. Danielle shared her perspective in the STC community as someone with a chronic illness who struggled for 12 years to get a proper diagnosis. She interacted with several healthcare providers who didn’t believe that her physical issues could be attributed to anything other than stress and trauma.It’s been quite a journey for Danielle, who was just recently diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that truly affects her energy levels on a daily basis. In today’s session, Danielle shares her story and the challenges she has overcomewith the fortitude to keep going when doctors attributed her problems to psychological issues. We also dive deep into practical questions you can ask insessions with clients who have chronic illnesses and related psychological concerns.Find Danielle Hughes on Facebook and Instagram, @daniellehughesLPCYou’ll Learn:About Danielle’s health journey that began with joint pain and fatigue in collegeHow she was dismissed by the medical community as her physical concerns were attributed to stress for 12 yearsHow Danielle found the fortitude to keep pushing forward with multiple doctors and specialists to get a diagnosis of an autoimmune diseaseAbout the route Danielle took with her PCP, the VA system, and multiple specialistsDanielle’s advice for clinicians dealing with clients with physical issues in addition to psychological concernsWhy it’s important to believe the client and not relate everything to trauma or anxietyHow clinicians can be most helpful by asking questions and being supportive to understand the whole of the client’s lifeWhy we should respond with compassion and curiosity when we are tempted to assume there’s nothing wrong with someone who appears “fine”About a typical day/week for Danielle, a clinician in private practice with a chronic autoimmune diseaseHow Danielle deals with days when she struggles to function as a clinicianResources:Want to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit For TherapistsLooking to launch a successful podcast?Please check out our free "Using Podcasting To Grow Your Business" workshop for therapistsMentioned in this episode:Try Alma!Building and managing the practice you truly want can feel overwhelming. That’s why Alma is here—to help you create not just any practice, but your private practice. With Alma, you’ll get the tools and resources you need to navigate insurance with ease, connect with referrals that are the right fit for your style, and streamline those time-consuming administrative tasks. That means less time buried in the details and more time focused on delivering exceptional care to your clients. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Learn more at sellingthecouch.com/alma and get 2 months FREE—an exclusive offer for STC listeners.

Today’s episode is a valuable one if you are thinking about launching an online course sometime soon or in the future. My encouragement to you is to do it! Get started! Join me for this solo episode in which we discuss the basics.You’ll LearnThe most common reasons to launch an online course: to put your message out there to impact more people in different locations, to feel more fulfilled in your purpose, to diversify income streams, and to spark more creativityThe highlights of my online course creation story that began in 2015---complete with all the doubts and fearsHow my first online course has surpassed my wildest dreams in passing the $200K mark in revenueWhat it means to me to build a successful online course:I can build a life around my loved ones and self-care instead of fitting my loved ones and self-care around my career.We as a family can contribute time and resources to organizations that make the world a better place.I can create my ideal retirement schedule years before I actually retire.Why I want you to write down the completion to this statement: “A successful online course for me would mean . . .”Five pieces of advice to help you avoid the mistakes I made:Online course creation is a long road---don’t rush it!Don’t pick an online course platform because it’s cheap or free.The first version of your online course will not be the final version.See your online course as part of a larger value ladder rather than a one-off offering.Build your course in community with others.Resources:Want to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit For TherapistsLooking to launch a successful podcast?Please check out our free "Using Podcasting To Grow Your Business" workshop for therapistsMentioned in this episode:Try Alma!Building and managing the practice you truly want can feel overwhelming. That’s why Alma is here—to help you create not just any practice, but your private practice. With Alma, you’ll get the tools and resources you need to navigate insurance with ease, connect with referrals that are the right fit for your style, and streamline those time-consuming administrative tasks. That means less time buried in the details and more time focused on delivering exceptional care to your clients. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Learn more at sellingthecouch.com/alma and get 2 months FREE—an exclusive offer for STC listeners.

Creating an affiliate program for your online course can make a huge difference in your sales, but there are important things to consider. Being ready to start an affiliate program has prompted me to ask for a lot of advice from creators whose values align with mine. Do you want to know what they told me? Join me for this episode to learn more!You’ll Learn:My explanation of the basics of an affiliate program and how it works5 things successful creators told me to think about:Start with a small group of beta testers and get their valuable feedback. (I’m starting with a group of four people.)Establish your affiliate’s tax status from the start. (You’ll need to fill out the proper forms.)Set up auto payouts and refunds. (Take advantage of systems that make these processes easier. We use Kartra.)Think of your course as a way to build a “microphone” for your student, their message, and their social media/email marketing. (This makes it easier to bring in affiliate income.)Consider the 80/20 principle. The top 80-90% of your sales will come from the top 20% of your affiliates. (Ask, “What can I create to fuel the top 20% of my affiliates?”)Resources:Want to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit For TherapistsLooking to launch a successful podcast?Please check out our free "Using Podcasting To Grow Your Business" workshop for therapistsMentioned in this episode:Try Alma!Building and managing the practice you truly want can feel overwhelming. That’s why Alma is here—to help you create not just any practice, but your private practice. With Alma, you’ll get the tools and resources you need to navigate insurance with ease, connect with referrals that are the right fit for your style, and streamline those time-consuming administrative tasks. That means less time buried in the details and more time focused on delivering exceptional care to your clients. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Learn more at sellingthecouch.com/alma and get 2 months FREE—an exclusive offer for STC listeners.

Welcome! Today’s topic is relevant to every clinician and business owner. How do we create and build a business according to our values and sense of fulfillment rather than based on what society says should fulfill us? Join us to learn more!Our Featured GuestErin GibbErin Gibb is a group practice owner, podcast host, and coach who specializes in helping therapists navigate the societal and systemic factors that impact their businesses. She helps people build businesses and lives in alignment with who they are meant to be. In today’s session, we dive into how the words we say have a great impact on others, things that are happening at a systemic level, and why many therapists are suffering in silence because of self-sacrificial attitudes. You’ll Learn:How Erin got into her line of work focused on mentoring, supervising, and coaching therapistsWhy Erin’s mission now is to show the difference between success and fulfillmentWhy Erin calls her work a “mental health revolution”Why we get trapped in equating our self-worth with our revenueHow our “broken system” needs to changeHow Erin sees imposter syndrome play out for her clientsHighlights of Erin’s work, podcast, and available resourcesResources:Want to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit For TherapistsLooking to launch a successful podcast?Please check out our free "Using Podcasting To Grow Your Business" workshop for therapistsConnect with Erin GibbWebsiteMentioned in this episode:Try Alma!Building and managing the practice you truly want can feel overwhelming. That’s why Alma is here—to help you create not just any practice, but your private practice. With Alma, you’ll get the tools and resources you need to navigate insurance with ease, connect with referrals that are the right fit for your style, and streamline those time-consuming administrative tasks. That means less time buried in the details and more time focused on delivering exceptional care to your clients. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Learn more at sellingthecouch.com/alma and get 2 months FREE—an exclusive offer for STC listeners.

Two questions confront me daily: How big do I actually want to grow STC? What is the purpose of STC in relation to my overall life? Freedom is my most important value, and building my business around my life, family, and health is most important to me. Not every entrepreneur has the same goals, but these are questions for every entrepreneur to consider. Let’s take a closer look in today’s session!You’ll Learn:How I was compromising to fit life around my business instead of optimizing the business to fit the life I wanted5 key concepts I learned from Paul Jarvis in his book, Company of One:Companies of one reject limitless growth.We should set firm growth limits to keep opportunity costs small.Companies of one are okay with limited success.More profits mean more productivity, sales, customers, and infrastructure to manage.Develop your business out of a side gig.Your business needs time to incubate and grow so you can devote yourself to it full time.Target a specific audience to find your niche.The more specific your target is, the easier it is to connect, build trust, and distinguish your audience’s needs.Embrace the power of simplicity and personality.Amplify your uniqueness by sharing your most powerful asset: yourself and your personality. Resources:Want to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit For Therapists: https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekitLooking to launch a successful podcast?Please check out our free "Using Podcasting To Grow Your Business" workshop for therapists:https://sellingthecouch.com/podcastingworkshopMentioned in this episode:Try Alma!Building and managing the practice you truly want can feel overwhelming. That’s why Alma is here—to help you create not just any practice, but your private practice. With Alma, you’ll get the tools and resources you need to navigate insurance with ease, connect with referrals that are the right fit for your style, and streamline those time-consuming administrative tasks. That means less time buried in the details and more time focused on delivering exceptional care to your clients. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Learn more at sellingthecouch.com/alma and get 2 months FREE—an exclusive offer for STC listeners.