Selling The Couch With Melvin Varghese, Ph.d. | Weekly Conversations To Build And Grow Your Counseling Private Practice

Today’s show is about a topic that has been a struggle for much of my life and career. I’ve fallen victim to comparing myself to others and feeling like I’m not measuring up. It’s taken a lot of personal work for me to learn to compare in healthy ways that don’t cripple and stifle my creativity and purpose. Are you in the same boat? Join us to learn more! Our Featured Guest - Supriya Blair, PsyD Dr. Supriya Blair is a psychologist in Albany, NY. We have connected through the STC community, and I wanted to get her input on the topic of comparing ourselves to others. We’ll start by discussing how comparison comes too easily for many of us and how Supriya noticed this comparison impacting her life until she was able to reframe her perspective. We will consider an all-too-familiar scenario in which a colleague’s success triggers insecurity in our lives, along with helpful tips and resources to navigate the tricky field of comparison to others. http://www.drsupriya.com/ (Dr. Supriya) You’ll Learn ● &nbs

What if I told you that there is something simple and free that most of us can do daily for an hour or less that yields amazing physical and mental benefits? Would you want to know what it is? Since the pandemic has forced us to take a closer look at our habits and make some changes, I want to share this life-changing activity that has become an almost daily habit for me. It’s hiking! Incorporating a midday hike several times each week helps me sleep better at night and stay centered for daily tasks. My inner “research nerd” got curious and took a deeper look at the intersection of hiking, mental health, and entrepreneurship, and I want to share with you what I’ve found. You’ll Learn ●     Why hike? What are the benefits? ○     Hiking helps keep our minds sharp and agile. ○     Hiking helps us to focus better. ○     HIking can spark serious creativity. ●     If you’re a hiker, please s

Many of us find the concept of networking to be an intimidating endeavor. Even though it’s a vital element of business success, it can feel scary and shady and a little too sales-y. Join us to learn more about what you should be focusing on in your networking relationships. Our Featured Guest Patrick Casale, MA, LCMHC, LCAS Patrick Casale is a clinician in Asheville, NC. He provides coaching for clinicians who are transitioning from a group practice or agency to a solo practice. He’s here to talk about networking in authentic ways. We’ll discuss what authentic networking means to Patrick and how to make your networking relationships count. We will also examine different scenarios that might be a win-loss situation, a win-win situation, and the most common mistakes that happen in the networking space. http://www.casalecoaching.com/ (Casale Coaching)  http://www.resilientmindcounseling.com/ (Resilient Mind Counseling)  You’ll Learn ●     How clinicians aren’t taught to use co

Today’s show is different from any previous STC episode. I’m doing a live coaching call, a new podcast format for me that is still in the experimental stage. If you’ve thought about starting your own podcast for even five minutes, then your brain has probably been bombarded with many questions. Join us as we discuss tips and advice for those who want to start a podcast. Our Featured Guest Steve Bisson, LMHC Steve Bisson is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Massachusetts. He’s written a book, Finding Your Way Through Therapy, and now he’s looking to start a podcast by the same name. Join us for this coaching call, where we cover many relevant topics. We’ll talk about whether to begin with a mission statement or business plan, how far out to record episodes, how to get guests, and more. We also discuss how you can promote your podcast in authentic ways. Join us for this live coaching call session! http://www.stevebissonlmhc.com/ (www.stevebissonlmhc.com)  You’ll Learn ●     Why

Today’s show is a special one because we are joined by the first female-identified electrician in the state of Oregon. Breaking into an overwhelmingly male-dominated field, along with other obstacles, gave her the motivation to keep going when faced with roadblocks. Join us to hear more about this fantastic journey.    Our Featured Guest Deb Marinos, MS, CRC, LPC   Deb Marinos has a varied career path with many diversions along the way. As a rehabilitation counselor and current LPC intern, Deb helps clients through her work as a trainer, coach, and counselor. Progressive vision loss has provided her with yet another outlet for her teaching methods and practical experiences to help others achieve their goals and be successful. Her multifaceted journey has given her a wealth of knowledge to share with us.    http://adaptabilityforlife.com/ (Adaptability For Life)   You’ll Learn   ●     How Deb followed in her father’s footsteps into the electrician wo

It can be a scary thing to truly pursue your calling. Today’s guest has beaten the odds to create brainspotting training specifically for the BIPOC community. He’s finding increased success and receiving positive feedback, so if you’re curious about what it takes to set up a training program, join us to learn more! Our Featured Guest: John Edwards, LCSWJohn Edwards is a therapist in Oakland, CA. In 2019, he went through brainspotting training and experienced a pivotal shift as he saw the need to bring this training to the BIPOC community. We’ll hear about John’s journey in creating a training program from the ground up, how he became interested in brainspotting and became aware of the need within the BIPOC community. John shares his tips and lessons with us in today’s episode. http://www.westcoastpsychotherapy.com/ (West Coast Psychotherapy) You’ll Learn ●     The realization that came to John in a pre-pandemic brainspotting training in March 2019--when he was the only black man out

My guest today is Jason Weiland, who operates his therapy practice in Florida. He is dedicated to helping clients through wilderness retreats and workshops. Jason shares how he has combined his practice and his love of nature in thinking outside the box. His first large-scale wilderness workshop is coming up in June against the beautiful backdrop of the Colorado Rockies. Join us to hear more about this unique offshoot of Jason’s therapy practice! RESOURCES TO GUIDE YOUR BUSINESS JOURNEY Disclosures: Please note that all opinions are my own and based on my personal experience. Sponsors are acknowledged. Some links in the description are affiliate links where if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a commission at no additional cost to you. I use these funds to continue to create helpful content to serve our field. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. MY FREE ONLINE WORKSHOPS (These Can Be Watched At A Date/Time That Works For You):

My guest today is Benjamin Reisterer, LPC, in Grand Rapids, MI. He has successfully accomplished something that is a frequent topic of discussion in the STC Facebook community: he designed and created an app. It’s called MetaFi, and it’s a more efficient way for clients to track emotions on a daily basis. He had to think outside the box and take action to see this idea become a reality. We’ll discuss the process he went through and the lessons he’s learned. Join us for more! http://www.sellingthecouch.com/session112 (www.sellingthecouch.com/session112) RESOURCES TO GUIDE YOUR BUSINESS JOURNEY Disclosures: Please note that all opinions are my own and based on my personal experience. Sponsors are acknowledged. Some links in the description are affiliate links where if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a commission at no additional cost to you. I use these funds to continue to create helpful content to serve our field. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchase

How are you at thinking outside the box? As private practitioners, that kind of creative thinking is vital, but we know that any journey has its bumps in the road. This episode is perfect for everyone who has thought about creating, marketing and selling a product. What is the process like? How do you take care of all the little details? What about the marketing piece of your product? We’re diving deep into these questions and more on today’s show. My guest is Rosanne Marmor, LCSW, in Portland, Oregon. She created a Feelings Wheel as a way for clients to identify their feelings both inside and outside the therapy room. Rosanne went on a journey that took almost two years of gathering data, development, and production. She was finally able to put this tool in the hands of her clients and has been overwhelmed by its success. http://www.sellingthecouch.com/session152 (www.sellingthecouch.com/session152) RESOURCES TO GUIDE YOUR BUSINESS JOURNEY Disclosures: Please note that all opinions are my own and based on my

Welcome to the final episode of 2019! I try to be intentional about the mindful breaks I take to keep myself refreshed and focus on producing quality content for STC. The plan is for the show to return in January with helpful and informative content for you. Today’s episode is a very personal topic of dealing with depression and anxiety, which has been a lifelong struggle for me. I knew that becoming more public with my practice and the podcast would force me to balance the daily pressures of life with my mental health. The past year has been particularly tricky with the premature birth of our daughter, which has brought scheduled feeding times and much sleep deprivation. Let’s talk about this topic and the ways I’ve found to combat depression and anxiety in my life. I hope my tips are helpful to you!  You can read the full show notes at: http://www.sellingthecouch.com/session211 (Session212) RESOURCES TO GUIDE YOUR BUSINESS JOURNEY Disclosures: Please note that all opinions are my own and based o

Grief, mourning, and loss---they aren’t topics we usually enjoy discussing, but whether we like it or not, they are processes that we all have to go through at some point in life. For a therapist, how do you build your private practice while dealing with these intense feelings, and what would prompt you to find your niche within this realm? Today’s guest answers these questions and more as we delve into this topic to begin a new season of STC. Nikki Sewell, LCSW, has tackled building a private practice through the loss of a loved one. She and her husband, Andrew, built a private practice together with his psychiatry work and her social work. Shortly after establishing the practice, he had complications following an extensive surgery and passed away unexpectedly. Nikki was only 30 years old when she became a widow and had to endure grief, loss, and the practical steps involved in moving forward. In today’s conversation, Nikki shares candidly about what inspired them to form a joint practice, how she felt the s

Today’s show is a special episode about the changes on both personal and professional levels since the beginning of the pandemic. The field of mental health therapy has been flipped upside-down in many ways, and there have been numerous and unexpected positive outcomes. We can all benefit from collective learning and the sharing of our stories, so let’s listen as twenty of my colleagues answer the following question: How has the pandemic changed you as a business owner? You’ll hear from: ●     Alice Rizzi, PsyD in NY, from http://www.dralicerizzi.com/ (Dr. Alice Rizzi) ○     Alice has learned to value creativity as she’s found her entrepreneurial side and opened a private practice in NYC that focuses on mindfulness. Visit her website for a free mindfulness worksheet. ●     Monet Goldman, LMFT in CA, from http://www.videogamecounseling.com/ (Video Game Counseling) ○     Monet realized that video games could be

Today’s topic is very specific, but it’s one that makes a big difference in your private practice and has a meaningful impact on your clients. We are talking about creating an epic welcome video for your practice website. If making a welcome video isn’t part of your website already, don’t miss today’s episode about showing up authentically in ways that connect you to your clients. Our Featured Guest Bryan Nixon, MA, LPC Bryan Nixon is a group practice owner in Grand Rapids, Michigan. His welcome video on his website stands out in my mind as a beautiful and powerful example of what we’re bringing forward in today’s show. Bryan will break down the process of creating such a video, along with things a clinician might overlook when creating such a video. We will wrap up with helpful tips if creating an engaging welcome video is on your to-do list. https://www.mindfulcounselinggr.com/ (Website) You’ll Learn ●     How a video can bring intentionality to your sacred work of therapy in a vi

Today’s solo episode is a show I’ve wanted to do, but it’s a vulnerable topic for me. This show highlights a moment of joy because it means I’m listening to my hopes and dreams and not my fears. Our Featured Guest Melvin Varghese, PhD During this last year, I’ve made the decision not to be a therapist in private practice any longer but to dedicate 100% of my time to STC, serving our field and our colleagues in this way. I’ll give you a behind-the-scenes look at this decision, share these big and painful moments in the business journey, and provide encouragement for anyone who is sitting on a dream in fear of moving forward. I’m sharing my professional story, the reasons that led to this decision, and answer questions that you might have for me. You’ll Learn: ●     My story of starting as a pre-med major to be a pediatrician before switching to psychology ●     How I felt that psychology was my life’s calling ●     How I was fascinate

The fear of being seen is something we all face at one time or another. When we feel called to serve in bigger and better ways, we can’t be afraid to show up authentically. Today’s conversation brings the message that we can’t let fear hold us back. The world needs the good things that we can bring. Join us to learn more! Our Featured Guest Cyndi Doyle, LPC-S, NCC, CDWF, CCISM Cyndi Doyle is a counselor, speaker, and author who had a big vision to work with couples in which one or both partners are in law enforcement. With a partner in law enforcement, Cyndi is familiar with the unique stressors that come to the individual and family from this line of work. She founded Code4Couples, which provides information and training to help law enforcement officers and their spouses remain connected and resilient. She recognizes the role that fear plays when your passion calls you to step into something new and unknown. Cyndi shares with us how she shows up to share her message and overcomes the fears and insecurities t

Today’s show takes on a very niched perspective, but the information and wisdom are useful in many aspects of our work as clinicians and business owners. We are specifically discussing how to move from an online course to a membership model. Maybe you’ve wondered about these components of your practice and how to make the transition. Join us for expert advice! Our Featured Guest Jennifer McGurk, RDN, CDN, CEDRD-S Jennifer McGurk is a registered dietitian in NY whose specialty is helping clients with eating disorders. She made the transition from an online course to a membership model, so she is sharing the good, the bad, and the ugly of such a move. I hope our discussion will be helpful to you if you’re considering a similar transition. https://pursuingprivatepractice.com/theecourse/ (Website) You’ll Learn: ●     How membership sites can help a clinician accomplish career goals ●     Details of Jennifer’s journey in private practice from an online course to a

As a business owner, if you’re baffled by the world of bookkeeping, then today’s show will be helpful to you. Maybe you’re a solo practitioner considering starting a group practice, or perhaps you want to learn more about efficient financial systems and processes. Join us! Our Featured GuestMichael Spencer Michael Spencer has an interesting career background as a CPA who became a licensed clinician in private practice. Recently, she started a bookkeeping practice to serve helpers and healers in the healthcare profession. Michael has a gentle presence that brings comfort and safety, and she brings a unique perspective as a therapist with an accounting background. http://www.mspencerbooks.com/ (Website) You’ll Learn: ●     How Michael transitioned from being a CPA to becoming a LPC, then went on to coaching before starting a bookkeeping business on the side ●     What’s involved in bookkeeping, which means tracking and recording all the financial transactions

We all want to have entrepreneurial confidence as we run our business. Today’s topic is how we connect our mindset to systems to achieve that confidence. Join us to learn more about translating an entrepreneurial mindset into systems and processes that will boost your profitability. Our Featured GuestKasey Compton, M.Ed, LPCC-S Kasey Compton from https://www.kaseycompton.com/ (KaseyCompton), lives and works in KY, where she has built a very successful, seven-figure group practice. When I thought about a show highlighting systems and processes, I knew Kasey would be the perfect person to cover this topic for us. We’ll discuss the dangerous trap we get stuck in as business owners, thinking that we can only be successful if we do everything ourselves. We’ll also get Kasey’s thoughts on why running your business as a therapist is not the wisest idea. We will break down a system and process that Kasey developed that’s based on the work of Mike Michalowicz and his Healthcare Hierarchy of Needs (HHN). Using this too

Many of us are wondering what our careers are going to look like in 2021 and beyond. We know the therapy model of 2019 as we knew it is not coming back. How do we pivot and move forward? We are answering this question in today’s show. Our Featured Guest Brant Thomsen Brant Thomsen is a therapist in private practice in the twin cities area of MN. He has an interesting life and career because he became a social worker after training at a music school in high-level piano performance. He is now making the move into less therapy and more coaching. Through interesting and unexpected circumstances, Brant was forced to make a quick transition to telehealth during the early days of the 2020 pandemic. He’s here to share what he considered and what he encountered, along with three lessons learned during the transition. Connect with Brant: http://www.onlinepracticebuilder.com/ (Online Practice Builder)   You’ll Learn: ●     How 2020 played out for Brant when he was abruptly quaran

Do you love learning new things but struggle to retain the information you’d like to remember for later use? This problem is an ever-present obstacle in my nerdy quest to accumulate knowledge. The good news? I’ve found something that works for me, and I’m sharing it in today’s show. Join me to learn more. This is a solo episode about building a second brain. You may or may not have heard of this concept, but it has revolutionized my life. As I stick to my commitment of setting aside two hours every day to learn new things, I find that I can grow as a business owner, gain knowledge and expertise, become more proficient in offering valuable products and services, and improve my physical and mental health. The problem is that I can’t always remember everything I read, hear, and think. That’s where the magic of the second brain comes in to help. Let’s dive in. You’ll Learn: ●     How note-taking helps me remember things and stay organized ●     How I was introduc