The Testing Psychologist Podcast

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. Many of you have either heard of Profit First or implemented it to varying degrees. My guest today, Julie Herres from Green Oak Accounting, literally wrote the book on using Profit First in mental health practices. But this isn’t another “basics of Profit First” episode…Julie and I have a broad conversation covering the principles of Profit First, more advanced cash flow options for folks who have a good handle on practice finances, and a touch of existential angst about our kids getting older. Other highlights of the conversation include: Financial red flags – if these things are happening, you need to do something ASAP Emotional challenges of managing money Advanced financial strategies for practice growth The “right” profit margin for your practice How much to pay employees if you’re thinking about growing Cool Things Mentioned The Testing Psychologist mastermind groups and business consulting Tools for your business Julie’s Book: Profit First for Therapists Green Oak Accounting Featured Resources I am honored to partner with two AMAZING companies to help improve your testing practice! PAR is a long time supporter of the Testing Psychologist podcast, and I will continue to bring you featured items from their catalog! Listen to each episode for specific product recommendations and links. Learn more at www.parinc.com. TherapyNotes is the leading EHR system for mental health practitioners. I’ve used TherapyNotes for over 10 years, and it just keeps getting better. Use this link and the promo code “testing” to get two free months and try it for yourself! www.therapynotes.com/testing The Testing Psychologist podcast is approved for CEU’s! I’ve partnered with At Health to offer CE credits for podcast episodes! Visit this link to access current and past episodes available for CE credit. You can use code “TTP10” for a discount on ALL the course credits you purchase from At Health! About Julie Herres I’m an accountant and the owner of GreenOak Accounting – a firm that specializes in working with therapists, psychologists, and counselors in private practice. Over the years my team and I have worked with hundreds of private practice owners and we’ve developed some serious knowledge about what makes a practice financially successful. The goal of my accounting firm is to help practice owners feel comfortable with the financial side of their business and have a profitable practice. My goal is the same for the podcast! I look forward to sharing the best practices I’ve learned along the way and to bring on guests to discuss a myriad of financial topics. Get in Touch Websites : https://www.therapyforyourmoney.com/ – https://www.greenoakaccounting.com/ About Dr. Jeremy Sharp I’m a licensed psychologist and Clinical Director at the Colorado Center for Assessment & Counseling, a private practice that I founded in 2009 and have grown to over 20 clinicians. I earned my undergraduate degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina before getting my Master’s and PhD in Counseling Psychology from Colorado State University. These days, I specialize in psychological and neuropsychological evaluation with kids and adolescents. As the host of the Testing Psychologist Podcast, I provide private practice consulting for psychologists and other mental health professionals who want to start or grow psychological testing services in their practices. I live in Fort Collins, Colorado with my wife (also a therapist) and two young kids. Ready to grow your testing services? Click below to schedule a complimentary 30-minute pre-consulting call! Schedule Your Call

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. Today we’re diving into one of the biggest decisions private practice owners face: when to hire help. If you’ve ever found yourself drowning in scheduling, billing, or intake calls, or if your waitlist is stretching out for weeks and you’re feeling completely maxed out, you’re not alone. In this episode, we’ll talk about both the qualitative and quantitative signs that it’s time to hire: how it feels emotionally when you’re taking on too much, and the key financial and operational metrics that tell you it’s time to bring in help. I’ll break down the numbers, the workflow challenges, and the real opportunity costs of waiting too long. Plus, I’ll share strategies to overcome the fears and hesitations that so many of us experience when making that first hire. If you’re on the fence about expanding your team (or just curious about the best way to do it), stick around. Let’s get into it. Cool Things Mentioned The Testing Psychologist mastermind groups and business consulting Featured Resources I am honored to partner with two AMAZING companies to help improve your testing practice! PAR is a long time supporter of the Testing Psychologist podcast, and I will continue to bring you featured items from their catalog! Listen to each episode for specific product recommendations and links. Learn more at www.parinc.com. TherapyNotes is the leading EHR system for mental health practitioners. I’ve used TherapyNotes for over 10 years, and it just keeps getting better. Use this link and the promo code “testing” to get two free months and try it for yourself! www.therapynotes.com/testing The Testing Psychologist podcast is approved for CEU’s! I’ve partnered with At Health to offer CE credits for podcast episodes! Visit this link to access current and past episodes available for CE credit. You can use code “TTP10” for a discount on ALL the course credits you purchase from At Health! About Dr. Jeremy Sharp I’m a licensed psychologist and Clinical Director at the Colorado Center for Assessment & Counseling, a private practice that I founded in 2009 and have grown to over 20 clinicians. I earned my undergraduate degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina before getting my Master’s and PhD in Counseling Psychology from Colorado State University. These days, I specialize in psychological and neuropsychological evaluation with kids and adolescents. As the host of the Testing Psychologist Podcast, I provide private practice consulting for psychologists and other mental health professionals who want to start or grow psychological testing services in their practices. I live in Fort Collins, Colorado with my wife (also a therapist) and two young kids. Ready to grow your testing services? Click below to schedule a complimentary 30-minute pre-consulting call! Schedule Your Call

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. I’m here with Dr. Ben Morsa for a fascinating discussion that combines two seemingly opposed ideas: psychoanalysis and assessment. This conversation explores the intersection of the two, focusing on the evolution of psychoanalytic thought, the significance of assessment tools like the Rorschach, and the complexities of testing that may go unnoticed in a typical evaluation. We also talk about  the importance of context in assessments, the ethical considerations involved, and the impact of self-diagnosis on identity. Dr. Morsa and I also delve into the challenges of modern diagnosis and the need for a more nuanced understanding of mental health.  Ben is a dynamic, incredibly bright individual – I think you’ll find this conversation thought-provoking and ultimately helpful for your work! Cool Things Mentioned The Testing Psychologist mastermind groups and business consulting Nancy McWilliams’ Books – Psychoanalytic Diagnosis, Psychotherapy, Case Formulation & Supervision The People’s History of Psychoanalysis – By Dr. Daniel Gastón-Vildó Dr. Dorothy Holmes’ Work on Psychoanalytic Inclusion – Learn More Rorschach Performance Assessment System (RPAS) – Visit Website Phil Erdberg’s Rorschach Research – Learn More Couples Therapy (Showtime series with Orna Guralnik) – Watch Here Judy Singer’s Work on Neurodiversity – Read More The Double Slit Experiment (Quantum Theory) – Learn More Featured Resources I am honored to partner with two AMAZING companies to help improve your testing practice! PAR is a long time supporter of the Testing Psychologist podcast, and I will continue to bring you featured items from their catalog! Listen to each episode for specific product recommendations and links. Learn more at www.parinc.com. TherapyNotes is the leading EHR system for mental health practitioners. I’ve used TherapyNotes for over 10 years, and it just keeps getting better. Use this link and the promo code “testing” to get two free months and try it for yourself! www.therapynotes.com/testing The Testing Psychologist podcast is approved for CEU’s! I’ve partnered with At Health to offer CE credits for podcast episodes! Visit this link to access current and past episodes available for CE credit. You can use code “TTP10” for a discount on ALL the course credits you purchase from At Health! About Dr. Ben Morsa Dr. Benjamin Morsa is a psychologist in private practice in Oakland CA, where he provides psychological assessment, psychoanalytic psychotherapy, and consultation. He founded the group psychology practice, Tide Pools, in 2022. He’s currently working on a book, Farewell Diagnosis: Diffracting Psychoanalysis, Assessment, and Autism – under contract with Bloomsbury.  Get in Touch Website: www.tidepools.org Email: bmorsa@tidepools.org About Dr. Jeremy Sharp I’m a licensed psychologist and Clinical Director at the Colorado Center for Assessment & Counseling, a private practice that I founded in 2009 and have grown to over 20 clinicians. I earned my undergraduate degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina before getting my Master’s and PhD in Counseling Psychology from Colorado State University. These days, I specialize in psychological and neuropsychological evaluation with kids and adolescents. As the host of the Testing Psychologist Podcast, I provide private practice consulting for psychologists and other mental health professionals who want to start or grow psychological testing services in their practices. I live in Fort Collins, Colorado with my wife (also a therapist) and two young kids. Ready to grow your testing services? Click below to schedule a complimentary 30-minute pre-consulting call! Schedule Your Call

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. Today, we’re diving into a trend that many private practice owners are noticing: client inquiries are staying steady, but conversion rates are dropping, especially for private-pay practices. If you’ve been feeling this shift in your practice, you’re not alone. What’s driving this downturn? And more importantly, what can you do about it? In this episode, I’ll break down the possible reasons behind this trend, from economic factors to pricing models, and share some strategies to help you boost conversions and communicate the value of testing more effectively. Whether you’re an established practice owner or just getting started, this discussion will give you practical tools to navigate the changing landscape of assessment services. Cool Things Mentioned The Testing Psychologist mastermind groups and business consulting Featured Resources I am honored to partner with two AMAZING companies to help improve your testing practice! PAR is a long time supporter of the Testing Psychologist podcast, and I will continue to bring you featured items from their catalog! Listen to each episode for specific product recommendations and links. Learn more at www.parinc.com. TherapyNotes is the leading EHR system for mental health practitioners. I’ve used TherapyNotes for over 10 years, and it just keeps getting better. Use this link and the promo code “testing” to get two free months and try it for yourself! www.therapynotes.com/testing The Testing Psychologist podcast is approved for CEU’s! I’ve partnered with At Health to offer CE credits for podcast episodes! Visit this link to access current and past episodes available for CE credit. You can use code “TTP10” for a discount on ALL the course credits you purchase from At Health! The Testing Psychologist podcast is approved for CEU’s!I’ve partnered with At Health to offer CE credits for podcast episodes! Visit this link to access current and past episodes available for CE credit. You can use code “TTP10” for a discount on ALL the course credits you purchase from At Health! About Dr. Jeremy Sharp I’m a licensed psychologist and Clinical Director at the Colorado Center for Assessment & Counseling, a private practice that I founded in 2009 and have grown to over 20 clinicians. I earned my undergraduate degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina before getting my Master’s and PhD in Counseling Psychology from Colorado State University. These days, I specialize in psychological and neuropsychological evaluation with kids and adolescents. As the host of the Testing Psychologist Podcast, I provide private practice consulting for psychologists and other mental health professionals who want to start or grow psychological testing services in their practices. I live in Fort Collins, Colorado with my wife (also a therapist) and two young kids. Ready to grow your testing services? Click below to schedule a complimentary 30-minute pre-consulting call! Schedule Your Call

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. Today, I’m here with Stephanie Tsapakis to talk about her journey in education, particularly focusing on her work with LDExpert, a company dedicated to providing specialized tutoring for students with learning differences. We discuss the importance of qualified tutors, the certification process for intervention programs, and the current state of dyslexia intervention research. Stephanie emphasizes the significance of building relationships with students and adopting neurodivergent affirming practices in education. Additionally, we explore how LDExpert’s business practices are designed to support neurodivergent families, making the process of finding and scheduling tutoring services more accessible and user-friendly. We also delve into the metrics for tracking student progress, the length and frequency of treatment, and the costs associated with these services.  As usual, there’s a ton of great info to take away from this conversation, especially if you work with kids and have trouble finding qualified reading interventionists! Cool Things Mentioned The Testing Psychologist mastermind groups and business consulting Wilson Reading Program – Learn More Barton Reading & Spelling System – Learn More Take Flight (Scottish Rite Program) – Learn More International Dyslexia Association (IDA) – Visit Website TutorBird (Tutoring Management Software) – Visit Website Featured Resources I am honored to partner with two AMAZING companies to help improve your testing practice! PAR is a long time supporter of the Testing Psychologist podcast, and I will continue to bring you featured items from their catalog! Listen to each episode for specific product recommendations and links. Learn more at www.parinc.com. TherapyNotes is the leading EHR system for mental health practitioners. I’ve used TherapyNotes for over 10 years, and it just keeps getting better. Use this link and the promo code “testing” to get two free months and try it for yourself! www.therapynotes.com/testing The Testing Psychologist podcast is approved for CEU’s! I’ve partnered with At Health to offer CE credits for podcast episodes! Visit this link to access current and past episodes available for CE credit. You can use code “TTP10” for a discount on ALL the course credits you purchase from At Health! About Stephanie Tsapakis Stephanie is the CEO & Founder of LD Expert, a company that specializes in online reading intervention and academic tutoring for students with learning disabilities. LD Expert partners with neuropsychologists nationwide to build referrals. Get in Touch Website: www.ldexpert.org Phone: 210-866-5174 Email: info@ldexpert.org Instagram: @ld_expert Facebook: The LD Expert About Dr. Jeremy Sharp I’m a licensed psychologist and Clinical Director at the Colorado Center for Assessment & Counseling, a private practice that I founded in 2009 and have grown to over 20 clinicians. I earned my undergraduate degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina before getting my Master’s and PhD in Counseling Psychology from Colorado State University. These days, I specialize in psychological and neuropsychological evaluation with kids and adolescents. As the host of the Testing Psychologist Podcast, I provide private practice consulting for psychologists and other mental health professionals who want to start or grow psychological testing services in their practices. I live in Fort Collins, Colorado with my wife (also a therapist) and two young kids. Ready to grow your testing services? Click below to schedule a complimentary 30-minute pre-consulting call! Schedule Your Call

Jana Parker, a licensed educational psychologist and founder of Mind by Design, shares her inspiring journey from school psychology to entrepreneurship. She discusses the unique challenges educational psychologists face transitioning to private practice, especially in California. The importance of community support through her initiative, Empower LEP, is emphasized, offering mentorship and resources for professionals. Jana also touches on overcoming self-doubt and the need for ongoing professional development, making this conversation valuable for anyone considering this career shift.

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. Today, we’re tackling one of the trickiest aspects of running a psychological practice in the digital age—Google Reviews. Whether you love them or hate them, online reviews are a major factor in how potential clients perceive your practice. But as psychologists, we don’t have the same freedom as other businesses when it comes to managing them. We’ll dive deep into the ethical and legal concerns of online reviews, including the APA guidelines that prevent us from soliciting them. We’ll also discuss how to handle negative reviews without violating confidentiality, strategies for getting them removed when possible, and how to build a strong online presence that makes reviews less relevant in the first place. Here are some topics that we cover: Why online reviews matter and how they impact potential clients’ decisions. Whether you can (or should) ever ask for a review—and alternative reputation-building strategies. The best ways to respond to negative reviews while staying ethical and professional. How to optimize your Google Business Profile so that search results work in your favor. What to do when you get a false or misleading review, and how to fight it. Why focusing on referrals and SEO strategies may be your best long-term solution.” Cool Things Mentioned The Testing Psychologist mastermind groups and business consulting Featured Resources I am honored to partner with two AMAZING companies to help improve your testing practice! PAR is a long time supporter of the Testing Psychologist podcast, and I will continue to bring you featured items from their catalog! Listen to each episode for specific product recommendations and links. Learn more at www.parinc.com. TherapyNotes is the leading EHR system for mental health practitioners. I’ve used TherapyNotes for over 10 years, and it just keeps getting better. Use this link and the promo code “testing” to get two free months and try it for yourself! www.therapynotes.com/testing The Testing Psychologist podcast is approved for CEU’s! I’ve partnered with At Health to offer CE credits for podcast episodes! Visit this link to access current and past episodes available for CE credit. You can use code “TTP10” for a discount on ALL the course credits you purchase from At Health! About Dr. Jeremy Sharp I’m a licensed psychologist and Clinical Director at the Colorado Center for Assessment & Counseling, a private practice that I founded in 2009 and have grown to over 20 clinicians. I earned my undergraduate degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina before getting my Master’s and PhD in Counseling Psychology from Colorado State University. These days, I specialize in psychological and neuropsychological evaluation with kids and adolescents. As the host of the Testing Psychologist Podcast, I provide private practice consulting for psychologists and other mental health professionals who want to start or grow psychological testing services in their practices. I live in Fort Collins, Colorado with my wife (also a therapist) and two young kids. Ready to grow your testing services? Click below to schedule a complimentary 30-minute pre-consulting call! Schedule Your Call

Join Brie Chrisman, Founder and CEO of Boss Co, as she shares her expertise in operations management for mental health practices. Learn the essentials of an effective client onboarding process, focusing on communication and follow-up strategies to enhance client experience. Brie addresses common pitfalls during onboarding and discusses the importance of systems to alleviate burnout. Plus, discover valuable tools like Google Forms for data collection and the benefits of using a CRM tool for better inquiry management.

Would you rather read the transcript? Click Here. Dr. Mariela Shibley returns to discuss the critical role of immigration evaluations in the current immigration system. She shares her personal experiences as an immigrant and mental health professional, emphasizing the importance of these evaluations in providing objective data to support immigration cases. The discussion covers the historical context of immigration in the U.S., the current climate of fear within immigrant communities, and the various types of evaluations needed for different immigration cases. Mariela also highlights the challenges faced by mental health professionals in conducting these evaluations and offers insights into best practices for ensuring effective and supportive assessments. The conversation also addresses common myths about immigration evals, such as the necessity of being bilingual and the frequency of court appearances. Cool Things Mentioned The Testing Psychologist mastermind groups and business consulting A Beginner’s Guide to Immigration Evaluations Featured Resources I am honored to partner with two AMAZING companies to help improve your testing practice! PAR is a long time supporter of the Testing Psychologist podcast, and I will continue to bring you featured items from their catalog! Listen to each episode for specific product recommendations and links. Learn more at www.parinc.com. TherapyNotes is the leading EHR system for mental health practitioners. I’ve used TherapyNotes for over 10 years, and it just keeps getting better. Use this link and the promo code “testing” to get two free months and try it for yourself! www.therapynotes.com/testing The Testing Psychologist podcast is approved for CEU’s! I’ve partnered with At Health to offer CE credits for podcast episodes! Visit this link to access current and past episodes available for CE credit. You can use code “TTP10” for a discount on ALL the course credits you purchase from At Health! About Dr. Mariela Shibley Dr. Mariela Shibley is a clinical and forensic psychologist, psychoanalyst, and expert in conducting immigration evaluations. She has a private practice in San Diego, California, where she also trains and supervises mental health professionals. Dr. Shibley is the founder of the online training program PsychEvalCoach, which trains clinicians to conduct immigration evaluations, and she authored the book, “Conducting Immigration Evaluations: A Practical Guide for Mental Health Professionals” published by Routledge in 2022. Additionally, Dr. Shibley serves as the Director of Mental Health at the University of California San Diego Student-Run Free Clinic and holds an adjunct faculty position at the California School of Professional Psychology. Dr. Shibley’s latest endeavor involves establishing a non-profit organization to increase access to low or no-cost immigration evaluations by training mental health providers and partnering with attorneys and legal nonprofits to facilitate these services to individuals in need. Get in Touch Website: www.psychevalcoach.com Email: drshibley@shibleypsychology.com IG: psychevalcoach About Dr. Jeremy Sharp I’m a licensed psychologist and Clinical Director at the Colorado Center for Assessment & Counseling, a private practice that I founded in 2009 and have grown to over 20 clinicians. I earned my undergraduate degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina before getting my Master’s and PhD in Counseling Psychology from Colorado State University. These days, I specialize in psychological and neuropsychological evaluation with kids and adolescents. As the host of the Testing Psychologist Podcast, I provide private practice consulting for psychologists and other mental health professionals who want to start or grow psychological testing services in their practices. I live in Fort Collins, Colorado with my wife (also a therapist) and two young kids. Ready to grow your testing services? Click below to schedule a complimentary 30-minute pre-consulting call! Schedule Your Call

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. That’s right, everyone – it’s time for another “best of” episode! This marks EIGHT YEARS for the podcast, with no signs of slowing down. 2024 was a remarkable year for me. On the Testing Psychologist side, I had the opportunity to interview several subject-matter experts on a wide variety of clinical and business topics. I introduced a la carte Strategy Sessions in addition to my individual consulting packages and groups, which let me connect with- and hopefully help practitioners in a new way as folks seemed to appreciate a more bite-sized version of consulting. The second annual Crafted Practice retreat was a success and cemented my intent to offer an in-person gathering for testing folks every year. On the clinical side, many of you know that my clinical practice went through a big transition as we right-sized down from 40+ to about 15 of us, in a pursuit of a little more joy and fun in my work. 2024 was also the year that me and my partner released Reverb, our AI-powered report-writing platform, and we saw it grow from virtually nothing to a user base of several hundred. Personally, my kids and wife are healthy and happy.  In short, there’s a lot to be grateful for. Thank you all for listening to the podcast and being a part of the Testing Psychologist world. I’m excited for all that 2025 might bring! For now, let’s review the top five most downloaded episodes of 2024. Cool Things Mentioned 443. A Deep Dive into Continuous Performance Tests w/ Dr. Chris Mulchay 466. Neurodiversity-Affirming Assessment w/ Dr. Matthew Zakreski 461. Decision-Making and Clinical Judgment w/ Dr. David Faust 447. Gender-Affirming Assessment w/ Dr. Jae Purnell & Dr. Emily Trittschuh 442. The Risk & Vulnerability of Business Ownership w/ Scott Robson Reverb (my AI-powered report-writing software): www.reverbreports.com  The Testing Psychologist mastermind groups and business consulting Featured Resources I am honored to partner with two AMAZING companies to help improve your testing practice! PAR is a long time supporter of the Testing Psychologist podcast, and I will continue to bring you featured items from their catalog! Listen to each episode for specific product recommendations and links. Learn more at www.parinc.com. TherapyNotes is the leading EHR system for mental health practitioners. I’ve used TherapyNotes for over 10 years, and it just keeps getting better. Use this link and the promo code “testing” to get two free months and try it for yourself! www.therapynotes.com/testing The Testing Psychologist podcast is approved for CEU’s!I’ve partnered with At Health to offer CE credits for podcast episodes! Visit this link to access current and past episodes available for CE credit. You can use code “TTP10” for a discount on ALL the course credits you purchase from At Health! About Dr. Jeremy Sharp I’m a licensed psychologist and Clinical Director at the Colorado Center for Assessment & Counseling, a private practice that I founded in 2009 and have grown to over 20 clinicians. I earned my undergraduate degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina before getting my Master’s and PhD in Counseling Psychology from Colorado State University. These days, I specialize in psychological and neuropsychological evaluation with kids and adolescents. As the host of the Testing Psychologist Podcast, I provide private practice consulting for psychologists and other mental health professionals who want to start or grow psychological testing services in their practices. I live in Fort Collins, Colorado with my wife (also a therapist) and two young kids. Ready to grow your testing services? Click below to schedule a complimentary 30-minute pre-consulting call! Schedule Your Call