Selling the Couch - podcast cover

Selling the Couch

Melvin Varghese, PhDsellingthecouch.com
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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Episodes

ENCORE: Why Every Course Creator Should Start A Podcast

If you have ever considered creating an online course, or if you are already a course creator, you have probably thought a lot about marketing that course. The challenge is how to be thoughtful and creative in marketing your course, which becomes a separate income stream for your business. Starting a podcast is one of the best ways to market your course while creating a solid, compound income stream, and we are talking strategy today as I share what I’ve learned through my experience. Join us! Y...

Aug 21, 202522 min

ENCORE: Leaving Therapy for Coaching with Dr. Corey Wilks

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...

Aug 14, 202545 min

ENCORE: How To Avoid Information Overload In Your Online Course

Today’s session is a coaching call, and our main focus is on a struggle that many course creators face. When you are an expert in your course content, how do you find the balance in presenting information without overwhelming your students? I feel sure that every course creator has felt this struggle, so I hope you find today’s call to be helpful. Our Featured Guest for today’s coaching call: Heather England, Ph.D., LCP, LCPC, CST, CDWF Dr. Heather England is a coach, certified sex therapist, an...

Aug 07, 202541 min

ENCORE: Behind The Scenes Of A Rebrand

Today’s session is all about rebranding. We are taking a behind-the-scenes look at how different circumstances might affect the business you’ve established and force you to rebrand. Should you view this kind of pivot as a failure? Absolutely not! Let’s explore this topic together. Our Featured Guest Kevon Cheung Kevon Cheung is the founder and head teacher at Small School . He was a previous guest on the podcast several years ago, and I’ve taken his Build in Public Mastery Course to help overcom...

Jul 31, 202533 min

ENCORE: When An Idea For An Online Course Comes From Therapy Sessions

Many therapists have created online courses or have thought about creating an online course. It’s one of the best ways to increase your visibility, establish your expertise, and expand your audience and impact in the world. The course creation journey is not an easy one, and it’s full of challenges and ups and downs. Join us for a transparent look at the process from today’s guest! Our Featured Guest Linda Murphy, MEd, MA, LMHC Linda Murphy is a group practice owner in Florida, and she’s a membe...

Jul 24, 202542 min

ENCORE: How To Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile

Today’s session is in response to a frequent question about optimizing your LinkedIn profile. I don’t pretend to be a LinkedIn expert, but I have learned some valuable lessons in the past two years of using this platform. As I share screens and info with you today, you may find it more helpful to watch the YouTube video rather than simply listen to the audio. So many people are curious about LinkedIn and how to use it best, so I’m happy to share some of my insights today! You’ll Learn: View your...

Jul 17, 202531 min

ENCORE: The Beginners Guide To Launching A Course Affiliate Program

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 works 5 things successful creators told me to think about: Start with a sma...

Jul 10, 202520 min

ENCORE: 7 Daily Habits That Changed My Relationship With My Podcast (And Made It Sustainable)

If you've ever thought about starting a podcast but felt overwhelmed by the idea of keeping it up long-term, this episode is for you! Whether you're still dreaming of launching or you've already started and are feeling burnout, I'm here to share the habits that have completely transformed my approach to podcasting. Podcasting can be an incredibly powerful tool to extend your reach and grow your impact beyond the therapy room, but without a sustainable strategy, it’s easy to get caught up in the ...

Jul 03, 202525 min

ENCORE: Is Your Course Idea Any Good? Here’s How To Tell

How do you know if your idea for an online course is a good one? Today’s session kicks off a three-part series about online courses and how to build a sustainable online course as a therapist. The most common question I get is about ideas for online courses. If you’ve thought about launching an online course but have some hesitancy, this episode will be helpful for you. I remember going through the dilemma of choosing course ideas and wondering which ones are good. It was overwhelming, but I fou...

Jun 26, 202520 min

ENCORE: When An Idea For An Online Course Comes From Therapy Sessions

Many therapists have created online courses or have thought about creating an online course. It’s one of the best ways to increase your visibility, establish your expertise, and expand your audience and impact in the world. The course creation journey is not an easy one, and it’s full of challenges and ups and downs. Join us for a transparent look at the process from today’s guest! Our Featured Guest Linda Murphy, MEd, MA, LMHC Linda Murphy is a group practice owner in Florida, and she’s a membe...

Jun 19, 202542 min

ENCORE: What I Learned from Creating a Course for CEUs with Matthew Bierds

Many of us have thought about creating continuing education courses and wondered how the process works and what factors are involved. Who better to learn from than someone who has successfully done this? Being successful in creating CEU courses requires innovation, creativity, and an entrepreneurial spirit. Join us for informative insights from today’s guest! Our Featured Guest Matthew Bierds Matt Bierds, from Duke City Counseling, is a licensed professional counselor, course creator, and profes...

Jun 12, 202540 min

ENCORE: If I Were Launching An Online Course Soon, I'd Do This...

Here we are, all set for the final episode of 2024. We will fill the next few weeks with replays of popular episodes and be back in 2025 with exciting new episodes. During this hiatus, I’ll be using these “Walden months,” as I call them, for extra rest and taking time to work on specific projects, like my online course. If you are considering launching an online course, today’s episode is for you! I’ve learned a lot over the last 9 years as a course creator, and I’m sharing an honest look at my ...

Jun 05, 202531 min

396: Designing a Life-First Business In An Uncertain World

Today’s topic is at the heart of the Quiet Builder philosophy. The question is, “How do we design a business that supports our lives, not swallows it?” This becomes increasingly important as the world grows more uncertain and our responsibilities grow daily. This episode is for anyone building a business that fits into real life, and not the other way around. You’ll Learn: My pandemic story of stepping back and reassessing my business 3 anchors for building a life-first business in an uncertain ...

May 29, 202511 min

395: Building a Private Practice Around The “Nice Guy Syndrome” Niche

Today’s session focuses on therapy work with men who struggle with “nice guy syndrome.” If you aren’t familiar with the term or wonder how that niche works in a private practice, join us to learn more! Our Featured Guest Jonathan Rudiger, PsyD Jonathan Rudiger is a licensed psychologist who lives and works in the Nashville, TN, area. He was one of my clinical supervisors when I was at Vanderbilt, and he’s become a dear friend and mentor who helped shape me into who I am today. Besides his time a...

May 22, 202532 min

394: How To Set Boundaries With Clients By Managing Up

Today’s session covers strategies for setting boundaries, managing client expectations, and raising rates. All of these tasks can be uncomfortable for clinicians, but we have expert tips for adjusting your mindset and understanding your value. Join us for more! Our Featured Guest Melody Wilding Melody Wilding, LMSW, has been in the coaching space for the past few years, doing amazing work through speaking engagements, workshops, and coaching. She recently wrote Managing Up: How to Get What You N...

May 15, 202536 min

393: Is Your Course Idea Any Good? Here’s How To Tell

How do you know if your idea for an online course is a good one? Today’s session kicks off a three-part series about online courses and how to build a sustainable online course as a therapist. The most common question I get is about ideas for online courses. If you’ve thought about launching an online course but have some hesitancy, this episode will be helpful for you. I remember going through the dilemma of choosing course ideas and wondering which ones are good. It was overwhelming, but I fou...

May 08, 202518 min

392: Insurance Denials and Rejections: Why Do They Happen, and How Do You Fix Them?

Are you a clinician in private practice who has considered taking insurance–but you just aren’t sure? Maybe you already take insurance, but are overwhelmed with navigating denials and rejections. Either way, today’s session is packed with helpful information and strategic tips. Join us to learn more! Our Featured Guest Jeremy Zug Jeremy Zug is a partner at Practice Solutions , which offers support and insurance billing for therapists and private practices. Their mission is to partner with and em...

May 01, 202536 min

391: Why Quiet Builders Are The Future

Today’s session revolves around the phrase “quiet builder.” We are discussing the concept behind this phrase, as well as why this mindset is so vitally important in this day of political uncertainty, escalating AI technology, etc. You may wonder how you can build something meaningful without being loud, fast, and constantly online, and I honestly think about this concept very often. When I started Selling the Couch in 2015, I knew that I didn’t want to build my business like everyone else; my de...

Apr 24, 202518 min

390: How Will AI Impact Website SEO

Welcome to this session about AI and SEO, very relevant topics to consider in today’s world of constantly evolving technology. SEO is what most clinicians have focused on for many years, but the online world is changing rapidly in the face of new advancements in AI. With these advances come new levels of fear, excitement, and uncertainty about AI’s role in content creation, SEO, and more. If you feel lost and need direction around these topics, today’s podcast session will be helpful and informa...

Apr 17, 202537 min

389: Why Podcasting Is Still One Of The Best Ways For Therapists To Build A Trusted Voice

Welcome! Today’s session kicks off a two-part series on podcasting for therapists. Today’s focus is on how podcasting can help you build something bigger than just a business and help establish you as a trusted voice that resonates far beyond the therapy room. If you are a therapist who has been wondering whether it’s time to expand your reach, this episode is for you. As I’ve grown as a podcaster, I’ve learned lessons about thinking of this skill set as a tool for reaching far beyond clinical w...

Apr 10, 202517 min

388: Why Some Offers Sell and Others Flop

Welcome to a new season of STC after a break of several weeks. I’m excited to be back with new sessions! Today’s topic to explore is the all-important question of why some offers sell well and others flop. I’m joined by my friend Prerna Malik! Our Featured Guest Prerna Malik Prerna has worked with well-known entrepreneurs like Pat Flynn as a conversion copywriter. She and I connected on LinkedIn, and I immediately saw that she comes from a place of integrity and wisdom. In this session, we discu...

Apr 03, 202535 min

ENCORE: 7 Daily Habits That Changed My Relationship With My Podcast (And Made It Sustainable)

If you've ever thought about starting a podcast but felt overwhelmed by the idea of keeping it up long-term, this episode is for you! Whether you're still dreaming of launching or you've already started and are feeling burnout, I'm here to share the habits that have completely transformed my approach to podcasting. Podcasting can be an incredibly powerful tool to extend your reach and grow your impact beyond the therapy room, but without a sustainable strategy, it’s easy to get caught up in the ...

Mar 27, 202523 min

ENCORE: 5 Signs You're Ready To Launch Your Online Course

If you’ve ever thought about creating an online course or made preparations to launch a course, today’s show should bring you clarity and inspiration. We are discussing five indicators that you are ready to launch that course you’ve considered. Join us to learn more! You’ll Learn: My online course journey and how it all began for me The biggest lessons I learned from my multiple fears of getting started Are you ready to launch your online course? Here are five signs to help you say YES! You are ...

Mar 20, 202516 min

ENCORE: Uncomfortable Truths About Private Practice Finances

Private practice is often seen as the golden goose that brings everything clinicians hope for. However, there are many nuances to consider, as well as factors that can add significant stress to your life. This stress can lead to overwhelm, burnout, and questions about why you chose this route in the first place. Join us for today’s conversation! Our Featured Guest James Childress James Childress is a CPA whose practice primarily focuses on working with therapists, giving him a unique perspective...

Mar 13, 202546 min

ENCORE: What Therapists Should Know As Billions Are Invested In Mental Health Startups

Today’s session covers a topic that many clinicians are pondering. Many, like me, are having conversations with themselves in their heads about the available opportunities and the most efficient and ethical ways not to be left behind as technology presents new options in our field. The issue is how we can navigate the world of mental health tech startups that are available to join us to support our good work. Examples of what these startups provide are electronic health records, website design, ...

Mar 06, 202537 min

387: How To Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile

This will be the last episode for a month or so as I take a break to get ahead on some projects and take extra time to recharge. Today’s session is in response to a frequent question about optimizing your LinkedIn profile. I don’t pretend to be a LinkedIn expert, but I have learned some valuable lessons in the past two years of using this platform. As I share screens and info with you today, you may find it more helpful to watch the YouTube video rather than simply listen to the audio. So many p...

Feb 27, 202529 min

386: Why I Don’t Want To Be Social Media Famous

I’ve thought a lot about this topic and want to share more about it today. You might wonder why I don’t want to become social media famous since being active in thought leadership and content creation seems to require a certain degree of social media involvement. People “hang out” on social media platforms, but my impact on the world is not dependent on being a social media influencer. Let’s explore this topic! You’ll Learn: Fame is more accessible than ever today. The path I’ve chosen values pe...

Feb 20, 202521 min

385: 7 Daily Habits That Changed My Relationship With My Podcast (And Made It Sustainable)

If you've ever thought about starting a podcast but felt overwhelmed by the idea of keeping it up long-term, this episode is for you! Whether you're still dreaming of launching or you've already started and are feeling burnout, I'm here to share the habits that have completely transformed my approach to podcasting. Podcasting can be an incredibly powerful tool to extend your reach and grow your impact beyond the therapy room, but without a sustainable strategy, it’s easy to get caught up in the ...

Feb 13, 202523 min

384: Should I Hire An Intake Coordinator For My Private Practice?

Today’s session highlights important questions to ask for solo or group practices about hiring an intake coordinator. Is this a smart move for your practice? Let’s dive into this topic and discuss barometers by which to measure and consider if an intake coordinator makes sense for your practice right now. Our Featured Guest Uriah Guilford Uriah Guilford is a group practice owner based in northern California. He also owns Productive Therapist , which provides virtual assistants and intake coordin...

Feb 06, 202537 min

383: 5 Signs You're Ready To Launch Your Online Course

If you’ve ever thought about creating an online course or made preparations to launch a course, today’s show should bring you clarity and inspiration. We are discussing five indicators that you are ready to launch that course you’ve considered. Join us to learn more! You’ll Learn: My online course journey and how it all began for me The biggest lessons I learned from my multiple fears of getting started Are you ready to launch your online course? Here are five signs to help you say YES! You are ...

Jan 30, 202516 min
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