Building a thriving private practice as a therapist comes with unique challenges, from finding clients to managing finances and maintaining work-life balance. Kelley Stevens , a licensed marriage and family therapist and founder of The Private Practice Pro, joins Michael Fulwiler to share her journey from group practice to running a successful private practice and growing a therapist-focused business. Kelley draws on her marketing expertise and hands-on experience to offer practical advice for t...
Aug 25, 2025•51 min•Ep. 35
Getting out of debt can feel impossible, especially when you're building a therapy practice, managing student loans, and trying to make your work sustainable for the long haul. Jacent Wamala , a licensed marriage and family therapist, financial wellness coach, and founder of Wamala Wellness , joins Michael Fulwiler to share how she paid off nearly $100,000 in debt in just three years. Jacent talks candidly about her journey through divorce, grief, and financial instability, and how those experie...
Aug 18, 2025•59 min•Ep. 33
Building a private practice is great. But building one rooted in lived experience is on a whole other level. Christopher Brown , a Marine Corps veteran and EMDR-certified therapist, joins Michael Fulwiler to share his path from combat to clinical work. After surviving a suicide bombing and facing years of PTSD, Christopher found healing through EMDR and turned that transformation into a mission to help others do the same, may they be veterans, first responders, or trauma survivors. He talks abou...
Aug 11, 2025•51 min•Ep. 34
Running a therapy practice while staying true to your values isn’t always easy, especially in a system that often prioritizes profit over people. Paul Fugelsang, founder and executive director of Open Path Psychotherapy Collective, joins Michael Fulwiler to talk about building a mission-driven organization that connects clients to affordable therapy without compromising clinical integrity. Paul shares his path from overwhelmed private practice therapist to nonprofit leader, and how Open Path now...
Aug 04, 2025•45 min•Ep. 29
Starting a private practice sounds exciting…until the clients don’t show up. In this episode, Gerald Joseph , licensed clinical social worker and founder of The Capital Therapist , joins Michael Fulwiler to share what it’s like to build a therapy business from the ground up. Gerald opens up about their journey from fashion merchandising to mental health care, the roadblocks he hit while getting licensed, and how he’s carved out a practice that centers authenticity and community care. He also exp...
Jul 28, 2025•53 min•Ep. 32
Navigating the complexities of running a therapy practice today means balancing clinical care with growing administrative demands and emerging technology. Ted Faneuff , a practicing therapist and Head of Clinical Operations at Upheal, joins Michael Fulwiler to explore how AI is reshaping mental health care and helping therapists reclaim time and reduce burnout. Ted shares his personal journey, including his late ADHD diagnosis, and explains how AI-powered tools can support therapists in staying ...
Jul 21, 2025•46 min•Ep. 31
Designing a career on your own terms isn’t easy, especially if it doesn’t exist out there yet. But Dr. Emily Anhalt found a way to do just that. Dr. Emily, clinical psychologist, author, and co-founder of Coa, talks with Michael Fulwiler about building a career that works for you. From her early days in private practice to launching a mental health startup, Emily shares how she reframed mental health as emotional fitness and found ways to apply therapy skills far beyond the usual clinic. She ope...
Jul 14, 2025•56 min•Ep. 30
Building a successful career in mental health often requires navigating personal challenges, shifting professional goals, and staying adaptable in the face of growing demand. Dr. Joy Harden Bradford , Founder of Therapy for Black Girls , joins Michael Fulwiler to discuss her path from a small-town Louisiana upbringing to becoming a leading voice in Black women’s mental health. Dr. Joy shares how her early curiosity about human behavior led her to psychology, how she built Therapy for Black Girls...
Jul 07, 2025•56 min•Ep. 28
Navigating a career in social work can be incredibly challenging, especially when balancing personal struggles, family life, and the demands of private practice. Gary “Trey” Taylor , a licensed clinical social worker, educator, and consultant, joins Michael Fulwiler to share his journey from the car customization business to advocating for mental health, particularly within the Black community. Gary reflects on his personal experiences with burnout, how his work with Black men shaped his therapy...
Jun 30, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 27
Building a therapy business comes with its challenges, especially when you’re navigating AuDHD and entrepreneurship. Patrick Casale , CEO of All Things Private Practice , joins host Michael Fulwiler to talk about how embracing vulnerability and authenticity can shape a successful therapy practice. Patrick opens up about his journey of navigating ADHD and autism while building a business, explaining how showing up as your true self can help you connect with clients in a deeper, more meaningful wa...
Jun 23, 2025•58 min•Ep. 26
Therapists have long been told they won’t make it on their own in private practice. Season 2 of Heard Business School flips that script. In this trailer, host Michael Fulwiler introduces you to therapists who are breaking the mold, redefining what success means, and sharing honest stories from their journeys. You’ll hear from guests who have faced tough challenges, like carrying invisible wounds or learning the business side of therapy, and found ways to build practices that truly reflect who th...
Jun 16, 2025•2 min
Did you know S corporations (S corps) can provide significant financial benefits for therapists and their private practices? Andrew Riesen , Co-founder and CEO of Heard , joins our host Michael Fulwiler to break down the process of electing S Corp status and using it to your advantage. He explains how it can help private practice owners save on taxes while also outlining the additional administrative responsibilities it entails. Tune in to learn when it makes sense to elect S corp status, the fi...
Nov 18, 2024•45 min•Ep. 25
How do you go from nonprofit work to a private practice making 6-figures? Kelly McKenna , a licensed clinical social worker and business coach, joins host Michael Fulwiler to share how she leveraged Instagram, raised her rates, and generated $250,000 in her first full year as a private practice therapist. Kelly shares her marketing expertise, how she found her niche, and how to navigate billing and administrative hurdles while running her own practice. So tune in and learn Kelly’s strategies for...
Nov 11, 2024•56 min•Ep. 24
Fostering a successful private practice while navigating academia, sports psychology, and representation in the therapy field can be daunting—but Dr. Lawrence Jackson has done just that. As a licensed therapist and mental performance coach, Dr. Jackson has worked with athletes transitioning out of professional sports while also focusing on elevating diverse voices in therapy. In this episode, Dr. Jackson joins host Michael Fulwiler to share his unique journey from aspiring medical professional t...
Nov 04, 2024•53 min•Ep. 23
To truly connect with clients, therapists must embrace authenticity, cultural awareness, and personal identity. On top of that, there needs to be a deeper understanding of how our backgrounds and identities shape our practice. Michelle Vo , a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and advocate for mental health, emphasizes the importance of sharing personal narratives in fostering genuine connections. In this episode, Michelle and host Michael Fulwiler explore why therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all. Miche...
Oct 28, 2024•46 min•Ep. 22
Creating an excellent therapist profile is more than just credentials. It’s about fostering one that truly resonates with clients in the hopes of building trust and meaningful connections. In this episode, CEO of Mental Health Match , Ryan Schwartz joins host Michael Fulwiler to share his insights on crafting therapist profiles that instill hope and foster genuine client relationships. Ryan discusses the importance of using warm, relatable language, avoiding clinical jargon, and the role of an i...
Oct 21, 2024•39 min•Ep. 20
Starting a private therapy practice in New York City is no small feat. Growing it into a thriving business? That’s a whole different challenge.In this episode, therapist and content creator Lauren Larkin sits down with host Michael Fulwiler to share her journey of building a successful practice in one of the most competitive cities in the world. From navigating a saturated market to going viral on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, Lauren offers an inside look at what it takes to stand out and...
Oct 14, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 19
Building a successful and inclusive therapy practice comes with its own set of challenges. Therapist and consultant Kenya Crawford, LMHC has created a model for doing just that. By centering the needs of Black queer individuals and developing an anti-oppressive pricing structure, Kenya has built a practice that prioritizes accessibility and authentic healing. In this episode, Kenya joins host Michael Fulwiler to share how she crafted a space that supports marginalized communities while maintaini...
Oct 07, 2024•50 min•Ep. 18
Building a therapy business isn’t an easy task. But creating one as a neurodivergent therapist? Even harder. Dr. Amy Marschall , a licensed psychologist and private practice owner of RMH-Therapy , shares her experience with host Michael Fulwiler , on how she found her own personal secret sauce to building additional income streams, including providing assessments and evaluations. In detailing her journey of navigating her ADHD and autism to starting a private practice, Dr. Amy shares how she has...
Sep 30, 2024•50 min•Ep. 17
As therapists, understanding and managing the financial side of your practice is crucial. But that doesn't mean it has to be complicated. Andrea Rotondo , a bookkeeping expert for therapy practice owners at Liquid Cents Bookkeeping , recognized the need for clear and accessible financial guidance in the mental health field. Andrea shares her insights with host Michael Fulwiler, discussing the importance of setting up financial systems from the start and the common pitfalls therapists face when m...
Sep 23, 2024•47 min•Ep. 16
Referrals are the lifeblood of any successful therapy practice. Yet many therapists struggle to build a consistent and sustainable referral network. Dr. Brian Dixon is a triple board-certified psychiatrist, therapist, and entrepreneur passionate about patient care and systemic change. In this episode, Dr. Dixon joins host Michael Fulwiler to discuss the structural issues of the healthcare system, the pragmatic shifts he’s made in his practice, and valuable business strategies for therapists, emp...
Sep 16, 2024•50 min•Ep. 15
There needs to be accountability for low pay, burnout, and blaming of therapists. And for long-term sustainability in the field, we need to set boundaries and realistic expectations. Tracy Vadakumchery, LMHC , also known as “The Bad Indian Therapist,” is known for her bold approach to therapy and systemic change. In this episode, host Michael Fulwiler and Tracy unpack why therapy is political. She also shares the importance of self-disclosure in therapy, tackling healthcare inequities, and susta...
Sep 09, 2024•50 min•Ep. 14
Starting a therapy practice comes with its own set of challenges. Expanding from a solo to a group practice adds a whole new layer of complexity. Dr. Jennifer Contarino Panning , founder of Mindful Psychology Associates , shares her experience with host Michael Fulwiler , detailing her journey from a newly licensed clinical psychologist to the owner of a thriving group practice in Evanston, Illinois. Dr. Panning discusses the hurdles she encountered, from navigating the financial aspects of runn...
Sep 02, 2024•57 min•Ep. 13
A lot of therapists are told to “niche down” but aren’t told exactly what that means or how to do it. And without a well-defined niche, your practice will struggle, if not sink. Allison Puryear is a licensed clinical social worker based in North Carolina and an inspiring mentor to therapists through her transformative program, Abundance Practice Building . In this Office Hours episode with host Michael Fulwiler, Allison unpacks the significance of defining a niche in therapy, how to navigate mul...
Aug 26, 2024•30 min•Ep. 12
Therapy hasn’t historically been accessible to everyone. And by “everyone,” we mean those from different backgrounds, communities, and cultures. Dr. Ayanna Abrams, licensed clinical psychologist and founder and executive director of Ascension Behavioral Health, identified a need in her community and took action. In her conversation with host Michael Fulwiler, Dr. Abrams shares her journey starting a private practice as a Black woman and the challenges she encountered along the way. She covers th...
Aug 19, 2024•56 min•Ep. 11
Representation matters, especially in men’s mental health. Dr. Justin K. Dodson, a licensed professional counselor based in Memphis who specializes in adult men’s mental health, knows this as well as anyone. As the first Black male to obtain a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Memphis, he’s paving his own path as an entrepreneur. In this conversation with host Michael Fulwiler, Dr. Dodson shares the essential steps for therapists transitioning into private practic...
Aug 12, 2024•55 min•Ep. 10
Starting a private practice can be tough, both emotionally and financially. Dr. Marie Fang is a private practice owner and host of the popular YouTube channel, Private Practice Skills. She has lived the entrepreneurial journey from struggling to get clients to building a successful practice while also being a content creator. In this conversation with host Michael Fulwiler, Dr. Fang shares her experiences and practical strategies for managing the financial and emotional challenges of private pra...
Aug 05, 2024•57 min•Ep. 9
Many therapists struggle with the complexities of managing their private practice, especially when it comes to financial planning, but understanding these elements is essential. Enter Ryan DeRousseau, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ specializing in the unique needs of therapists and small business owners. In this Office Hours episode, host Michael Fulwiler jumps into key topics with Ryan, from the benefits of solo 401(k)s and SEP IRAs to the importance of building a support team of professionals....
Jul 29, 2024•53 min•Ep. 8
Sometimes, taking the next step is all you need to expand your therapy practice in ways you never imagined. Dr. Racine Henry, a marriage and family therapist, has not only built a thriving private practice but also developed innovative approaches to her work with couples, such as her Integrative Culinary Therapy, or ICT. She shares her rich experience from starting Sankofa Marriage Family Therapy to overcoming the challenges of setting up a business in New York. In this episode, Dr. Henry discus...
Jul 22, 2024•57 min•Ep. 7
Having a bad experience with an employer may feel terrible at the time, but it can fuel a fire to create something amazing. Elizabeth Earnshaw, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Gottman Therapist, did just that by launching and expanding her group practice, A Better Life Therapy, to six locations across Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Elizabeth speaks with host Michael Fulwiler as she shares her personal experiences and practical tips on expanding from a solo therapy practice t...
Jul 15, 2024•55 min•Ep. 6
