The Bad Therapist Show

Should you invest thousands in podcast production, or can you build a successful show from your closet? In today's episode, I'm continuing the conversation about how to start a podcast that actually grows your therapy business. I'm sharing the real, unfiltered truth about what's worked across my two very different shows - The Bad Therapist Show and What Your Therapist Thinks.

From total DIY setups to high-production video podcasts, I break down the production options that fit different budgets and time constraints. I'll tell you about the failed attempt that never aired, the accountability hack that keeps me showing up every single week, and why it took two years before I started seeing serious returns. Plus, I'm spilling the strategies that got What Your Therapist Thinks featured on Apple Podcasts multiple times and already receiving sponsorship requests!

So if you're wondering whether you need fancy equipment, an editor, or a huge budget to start your podcast, this episode will give you clarity on what actually matters and what you can skip.

Topics covered on How to Start a Podcast: 

• How to start a podcast with the right production approach for your budget, from total DIY to hiring a full production team.
• The failed podcast attempt at the end of 2022 that taught me exactly what not to do with editing and production quality.
• The realistic timeline for podcast growth and why it took two full years before The Bad Therapist Show started consistently converting listeners into paying clients.
• SEO optimization strategies for podcast titles and show notes that help new listeners find your episodes.
• Buzz-building tactics Kristie and I used that got us featured quickly.
• How to use opt-ins and email lists to turn podcast listeners into clients instead of just having people consume your content without ever contacting you.
• The sponsorship request I received for What Your Therapist Thinks.

Resources from this episode:

Starting a podcast for your private practice sounds exciting until you're drowning in decisions about format, equipment, naming, and whether anyone will actually listen. I've been hosting The Bad Therapist Show for almost three years, and just three months ago, I launched a completely different podcast called What Your Therapist Thinks that's kind of blowing up.

They serve totally different purposes in my business, and understanding that distinction is everything. In today's episode, I'm breaking down how to start a podcast that actually works for your private practice. I'm talking about why your show's purpose matters more than fancy gear, how to nail your concept and format, why your podcast name can make or break discoverability, and what I learned along the way that changed the game for my second show..

I'm also getting real about the mistakes I made with my first podcast that I'd do differently now. If you're a therapist thinking about starting a podcast but feel stuck on where to begin, this episode will help you think through the decisions that actually matter.

Topics covered on How To Start a Podcast:

• The difference between a podcast that nurtures your existing audience and one that reaches a massive new market
• Interviewing competitors on your show is actually costing you money
• How to structure your episodes instead
• The five-syllable rule for naming your podcast and why obscure titles work for some shows but might kill yours
• What to think about before you ever hit record so your podcast actually serves a purpose in your business instead of just draining your bank account
• How to start a podcast that creates intimacy with potential clients in a way no other marketing tool can replicate. 

Resources from this episode:

Are you ready for the holiday season, or is your private practice bracing for a financial slump The festive season often brings increased expenses and client cancellations, leaving many therapists scrambling to maintain their income. But it doesn’t have to be that way!

In today’s episode, I’m breaking down actionable strategies to keep your private practice thriving during the holidays. From setting clear goals and planning your time off to adjusting your fees and policies, you’ll learn how to navigate this busy season without sacrificing your financial stability - or your peace of mind.

I’ll also share personal insights on why therapy is so crucial during this stressful time of year and how you can effectively communicate with clients to meet their needs while protecting your boundaries. Tune in and discover how you can make this holiday season a successful one for both you and your clients.

Topics covered on Preparing Your Private Practice for the Holidays:

Did you work your ass off to hit a huge milestone, and now you feel more stressed, tired, and overwhelmed than before? The success hangover is real, and it's stopping ambitious group practice owners and mega successful solo practitioners like you from enjoying what you've built. You finally scale to multiple six figures, fill your calendar, buy that dream home, and instead of celebrating, you're buried under more responsibility, wondering, "Wait, is this it?"

In this episode, I'm breaking down why this happens and what you actually need to do about it. We're talking about the systems and delegation that will save your sanity, the difference between actual rest and just numbing out on your phone, and how to stop being trapped in that buzzy, exhausted cycle even after you've "made it." I'm also sharing my favorite mindset practice for releasing all those fears that show up with success, and how to figure out what lights you up next.

If you've been grinding hard and finally reached your goal but feel anything but fulfilled, this one's for you.

Topics covered on Success Hangover:

• What a success hangover is and how it keeps you from growing further or enjoying what you've built
• Systems and delegation strategies you need to implement as your practice grows more complex
• Identifying what actually restores and refreshes you vs what just turns your brain off, and why choosing real rest is critical
• The mindset practice I use with clients to release all the anxious thoughts that swirl after a big up-level
• The ‘Buy Back Your Time’ framework for understanding which tasks to remove from your plate first based on income generation and personal fulfillment

Resources from this episode:

What if the strategy that helped you grow your private practice didn’t come from working harder, but from finding one approach that works and sticking with it? In this episode, I sit down with my client Dr. Mikki Lee Elembaby, a New York-based psychologist who grew her private practice revenue from $5-6K a month to $17.5K in September. Dr Mikki shares how she turned TikTok into a top referral source by committing to one challenge, built a community with other ambitious therapists, and created a practice model centered on autism and ADHD assessments that gives her both financial stability and flexibility.

Dr Mikki also opens up about the discomfort of getting visible, the three hours it took to post her first video, and why results come from focus - not perfection or hustle.  If you've been spinning your wheels trying to grow your private practice, feel hesitant about social media, or wondering how to increase your income without burning out, this conversation will shift something for you. 

More about Dr. Mikki Lee 

Dr. Mikki Elembaby is a licensed psychologist and neurodiversity specialist based in New York City, where she provides comprehensive autism and ADHD evaluations for adults and children. After beginning her career as a school psychologist in the NYC public school system, she transitioned into private practice to create a more aligned career that allowed for increased flexibility and meaningful impact. Dr. Elembaby is passionate about supporting late-diagnosed adults as they navigate self-discovery, identity, and thriving beyond the label. 

Topics covered on Growing a Private Practice:

• The real challenges Dr Mikki had to face when growing a private practice with ADHD.
• The challenge Dr Mikki gave herself on TikTok that completely changed her referral pipeline.
• How having 1,300 followers can generate more clients than some accounts with massive audiences.
• The mindset shift that helped Dr Mikki set a goal to quadruple her income.
• The importance of focusing on one marketing strategy when growing a private practice with ADHD.
• What it means to be a villager in your community, not just someone looking for support.
• The reason why six months of structured coaching worked better for Dr Mikki's ADHD brain than short-term programs.

Resources from this episode: