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*
Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

382: 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...

Jan 23, 202546 min

381: 5 Lessons from 2 Years on LinkedIn

If you’ve been thinking about posting more on LinkedIn or if you’re curious about how to best use this social media platform, today’s show is for you. It took me a long time to understand the purpose of LinkedIn and how it can be beneficial in connecting me to the right followers. Join me for an honest look at my experience and the biggest lessons learned. You’ll Learn: 5 lessons learned over the last 2 years on LinkedIn: The magic is in the DMs. Focusing on thoughtful relationships is better th...

Jan 16, 202526 min

380: Why Are Therapists Burning Out Of Private Practice?

Today’s topic will resonate with many of us in private practice as we focus on burnout. Therapists are faced with many questions around how they want to conduct their businesses and structure their lives—and no one wants to face the reality of burnout. Let’s take a closer look with today’s guest. Our Featured Guest Dr. Jennifer Blanchette is a licensed psychologist, podcaster, speaker, career coach, and business consultant. She helps therapists get unstuck in their careers and lives. In this epi...

Jan 09, 202542 min

379: Why I'm Pausing My Private Practice

This is the first episode of 2025, which marks the ten-year milestone for the STC podcast! It’s incredible that, despite my fears and uncertainties, this podcast began as a small dream of mine to use our skill sets beyond the therapy room and learn to build successful businesses. I’ve loved documenting my journey of transitioning from psychologist to online creator, podcaster, and public speaker, and I’m eternally grateful to you, each listener. It is a humbling experience that’s given me way mo...

Jan 02, 202544 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 ...

Dec 26, 202432 min

ENCORE: Low Risk Ways To Host Your First Retreat with Megan Gunnell

Hosting a retreat sounds like a great idea, right? When you stop and think about all the logistical and financial details, that’s when many fears and questions come to the surface. Perhaps the biggest fear is whether enough people will pay for your retreat to make it a success. Join us as we dive into this topic with today’s expert guest! Our Featured Guest Megan Gunnell In addition to being a business owner, author, and triathlete, Megan Gunnell is a Clinical Social Worker who has been hosting ...

Dec 19, 202451 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...

Dec 12, 202441 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...

Dec 05, 202435 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 done this successfully? Being successful at CEU course creation takes 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 profession...

Nov 28, 202440 min

ENCORE: How To Work Through Perfectionism When Launching Your Online Course (Katie Lear, LCMHC, RPT, RDT)

If you’ve had a standoff with perfectionism in starting something new, you’ll want to join us for this coaching call in today’s session. Like most clinicians who are branching out with an online course, my guest is struggling with her fears about this new endeavor and whether she will get it right. Join us to hear the conversation. Our Featured Guest for today’s coaching call Katie Lear, LCMHC, RPT, RDT Katie Lear is a therapist in solo private practice near Charlotte, NC. She was part of the On...

Nov 21, 202453 min

ENCORE: How To Give Better Virtual Presentations with Lorraine Lee

In today’s busy online world, virtual presentations are everything in how you are received AND perceived. If you put forth the effort to create an online course, webinar, or speaking engagement, you want to show up authentically and masterfully to engage your audience. This is an important area in which there is always room for improvement! My guest today is a proven expert in virtual presentation, and she’s here to share her knowledge with us. Join us to learn more! Our Featured Guest Lorraine ...

Nov 14, 202439 min

378: 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 ...

Nov 07, 202429 min

377: Corporate Transparency Act: What Therapists Need to Know

If you are a therapist in private practice in the US, this episode will be helpful for you. We are breaking down the new legal requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act. This act requires that you comply by the end of 2024, so time is running out. This act is part of an effort to reduce money laundering by shell companies, focusing on business ownership. If you have an LLC or an S-corp, please take the time to listen and learn more. Our Featured Guests Dan Mayer and Dr. David Yood Dan Ma...

Oct 31, 202433 min

376: 7 Non-Obvious Things I Learned from My First Conference Talk

If you have aspirations to be a keynote speaker of any kind, this episode is for you! I recently had the opportunity to speak at my first conference, the Mental Health Marketing Conference, in Franklin, TN. This conference is for clinicians and marketing tech people in the mental health field, and it was a fantastic gathering of about 300 in-person participants. I’m sharing what I wish I had known earlier about speaking at conferences. I hope you find this episode helpful! You’ll Learn: 7 things...

Oct 24, 202427 min

375: Burnout in High-Achieving Mental Health Professionals

The perfect recipe for burnout is to work in a caring profession, be a slave to perfectionism, and neglect your needs. As clinicians, we realize that we work in a flawed healthcare system in the US, but how do we exist in this environment to do good work and sustain ourselves from a holistic perspective that goes way beyond basic self-care? We are diving into this topic with today’s guest. Join us! Our Featured Guest Dr. Jessi Gold Dr. Jessi Gold is the first Chief Wellness Officer for the Unive...

Oct 17, 202441 min

374: If I Started Podcasting with a Busy Private Practice, I’d Do This . . .

Have you thought about starting a podcast? If you run a busy private practice, you might wonder how you could take on such an endeavor in addition to all the other things you do. I feel your concerns, as I’m coming up on ten years as a clinician-turned-podcaster. I’ve learned a lot, and I want to share five unique ways you can launch and run a successful podcast without it feeling like another “job” you have to do. Join me in this session to learn more! You’ll Learn: Fact: Podcasting has made my...

Oct 10, 202427 min

373: Tips On Starting A Private Pay Group Practice - Dr. Adam Assoian

Today’s topic is one we’ve danced around but never tackled head-on. We’re covering the transition from being a solo practitioner to a private pay group practice. There are many things to consider in making this shift, and today’s guest shares an open and honest look at his experience. Join us! Our Featured Guest Dr. Adam Assoian Dr. Adam Assoian is a licensed clinical psychologist and the owner of Ally Psychological Services. His full private-pay group practice began in 2019 and now employs more...

Oct 03, 202443 min

372: Decluttering As An Adjunct To Therapy - Sarah Mueller From The Decluttering Club

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 h...

Sep 26, 202439 min

371: 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...

Sep 19, 202443 min

370: Why I Shut Down a 10K-Member Facebook Group

I want to take this opportunity to talk about a big decision we made recently to shut down and archive our 10,000-member STC Facebook group. In this session, I intend to pull back the curtain and give an authentic glimpse into the thought process and motives behind this move. In early August, about a month ago, we made this decision concerning our Facebook group that has been in existence since 2015. I never expected the group to grow as it did, and it required a great deal of time and energy to...

Sep 12, 202430 min

369: 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...

Sep 05, 202433 min

ENCORE: Strategies for Securing Contracts (with schools and the government)

Today’s session covers the unusual topic of securing contracts from different agencies for mental health services. This aspect of therapy work is not what we normally think about as clinicians, but the connection between private practice and federal funding for programs that can be a wonderful niche. Whether you’ve ever thought about this topic or this is brand new to you, today’s conversation will be food for thought about opening new doors and opportunities in the therapy world. Join us to lea...

Aug 29, 202441 min

ENCORE: 7 Lessons I Learned From Two 7-Figure Entrepreneurs

As I’ve learned and grown as an entrepreneur, I have tried to study and learn from those who are further along on the journey. I’ve come to understand that I can learn as much from their hard lessons and challenges as I can from their successes. Today’s session is based on a podcast interview I listened to a couple of months ago. It featured Ali Abdaal and Sahil Bloom, two online creators who have built 7-figure businesses and audiences of over 6 million followers. In their insightful interview ...

Aug 22, 202428 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, ...

Aug 15, 202439 min

ENCORE: What I Learned After My First Two Talks

To keep you informed, this will be the last session before I take a summer break. Along with taking time for much-anticipated rest, I’ll be busy with my family and many STC-related projects! STC will still be here, though, as we run replays of our best episodes for you during this time. I look forward to returning in a few weeks with another great season of podcast sessions for you! As I prepare to see clients very soon in my return to private practice, I’ve been given unique opportunities to do...

Aug 08, 202431 min

ENCORE: Finding You're Enough As An Entrepreneur

More is not always better. We often find that what we are chasing in our pursuit of success is not what we thought it was. Entrepreneurship for private practice clinicians naturally attracts many high achievers and recovering perfectionists, so we need to take a pause and periodically reassess and redefine what success looks like. Join us for a closer look at this important topic! Our Featured Guest Jeanetta Garrison, LCSW Jeanetta Garrison is an anxiety therapist in private practice in Charlott...

Aug 01, 202439 min

ENCORE: Starter Podcasting Setups

One of the most common questions I’m asked is about the gear needed to begin podcasting. I will honestly admit that it’s a difficult decision when you’re just starting because you want reliable equipment that does a great job, but you are also hesitant to break the bank for it. As you progress, several factors complicate the choices of gear, such as how you conduct guest interviews and whether you have a co-host. In today’s session, I’m walking you through four common podcasting scenarios and th...

Jul 25, 202434 min

ENCORE: How to Start Writing a Book: Things They Don’t Tell You

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 “c...

Jul 18, 202448 min

ENCORE: How To Make Money From Your Podcast Without Just Relying On Sponsors with Melvin Varghese PhD

Podcast sponsorship is often seen as the “golden goose” of podcasting. We started working with sponsors on STC a few years ago, and they have generated over $95k to this point. However, I’ve learned that relying solely on sponsorships is not the wisest stance because your success rides the ebbs and flows of another company’s marketing budget. I’m very grateful for the sponsors who have worked with us, but I don’t want to depend on them for the main source of income for STC. Today, I’m sharing th...

Jul 11, 202422 min

ENCORE: Low Risk Ways To Host Your First Retreat with Megan Gunnell

Hosting a retreat sounds like a great idea, right? When you stop and think about all the logistical and financial details, that’s when many fears and questions come to the surface. Perhaps the biggest fear is whether enough people will pay for your retreat to make it a success. Join us as we dive into this topic with today’s expert guest! Our Featured Guest Megan Gunnell In addition to being a business owner, author, and triathlete, Megan Gunnell is a Clinical Social Worker who has been hosting ...

Jul 04, 202452 min
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android