Business of Therapy®
Business & Finance
About
Are you a therapist that’s dreaming of your own 6-figure practice and all the freedom that comes with it? You’re asking yourself questions like “How do I build a business?”, “Do people really get private pay clients from Instagram” and “How can I scale beyond therapy?” You’re in the right place. Welcome to the Business of Therapy® Podcast. Here you’ll find honest conversations about what it truly takes to be successful as a therapist— the good, the bad, and the ugly all included. You’ll hear actionable advice for filling your caseload, best practices for growing on Instagram, and so much more. I’m your host, Kelly McKenna. I left burnout and nonprofit work behind to start my own private practice and ended up earning $250,000 my very first year. On this podcast we’re diving deep into the strategies that have worked for me and the thousands of therapists I’ve helped. Together we’ll navigate burn out, master your money mindset and boundaries, learn how to fill your caseload with Instagram, and more! I’m a licensed therapist with my MBA, but you don’t have to go to business school to build a successful practice. I’ve helped many of your favorite Instagram therapists, who started just like you, grow private practices they truly LOVE. I want you to be my next success story! Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Episodes
- How to Balance Connection vs Authority Content on Instagram (So You Actually Get Clients)
This episode of Business of Therapy® discusses balancing connection and authority content on Instagram to attract clients. It covers why both types of content are necessary, how each one builds trust and drives decisions, and examples of h…
- Hiring a Virtual Assistant
This episode discusses hiring a virtual assistant for a private practice. It covers when to hire a VA, how it can help scale a business and avoid burnout, best tasks to delegate, what to look for in a VA, and where to find and onboard them.
- How to Network & Get Private Pay Clients with Couples Therapist Alea DiGirolamo
Alea DiGirolamo, a couples therapist, discusses how networking helped her grow her private practice. She shares strategies for building referral relationships and using social media to attract private pay clients.
- How to Optimize Your IG Bio to Attract Private Pay Therapy Clients
This episode discusses optimizing an Instagram bio to attract private pay therapy clients. It covers how an Instagram bio acts as a conversion tool, impacting followers, consultation calls, and paying clients. The episode also details what…
- What's Working with Instagram Reels in 2026
This episode discusses current strategies for Instagram Reels in 2026. It covers topics such as creating engaging content, boosting engagement, and growing an audience.
- Building a Private Pay Practice as a New Mom with Trauma Therapist Irene Koutsidis-Martelli
Irene Koutsidis-Martelli, a trauma therapist and new mom, shares her experience building a private pay practice. She discusses transitioning from an insurance-based model and creating a business that integrates with her life as a mother.
- How I Earned $200,738 from Brand Deals in 2025 as an Instagram Therapist
This episode discusses how an Instagram therapist earned $200,738 from brand deals in 2025. It covers the ethics of brand deals, creating content for brands, and strategies for sustainable growth through long-term partnerships and affiliat…
- Scaling Beyond 1-1 Therapy with a Small Instagram Audience with EMDR Therapist Carolyn Solo
Carolyn Solo, an EMDR therapist, shares her experience scaling a business beyond one-on-one therapy. She discusses building a successful second business helping therapists launch EMDR intensives, emphasizing that a large Instagram followin…
- BTS of How I Turned Around My FLOPPED Launch
This episode discusses how the host analyzed a product launch that did not meet its initial sales goals. It covers the adjustments made based on data analysis and the subsequent results of those changes.
- How I Earned $854,316 in 2025
This Business of Therapy® episode discusses how the host earned $854,316 in 2025. It covers revenue streams, expenses, profit margins, and how the business thrived even during a 16-week maternity leave.
- Is Hyper-Niching Dead in 2026?
This episode discusses hyper-niching for private-pay therapists, explaining its importance for attracting clients and refining messaging. It covers how a clear niche attracts dream clients and opportunities, and how to avoid being "too-nic…
- How, When, & Why to Start a Podcast
This episode discusses how, when, and why to start a podcast. It covers the host's rationale for starting a podcast, the timing of its launch, and the practical aspects of podcasting from their experience.
- How She Rebuilt Her Caseload and Confidence by Going Private Pay with Perinatal Therapist Caitlin Silverstein
Caitlin Silverstein, a perinatal therapist, shares her experience transitioning from an insurance-based group practice to a private pay model. She discusses how she rebuilt her caseload and confidence, established a thriving practice, and…
- Returning from Mat Leave as a Therapist & Business Owner (The Unspoken Reality)
This episode discusses the experience of returning from maternity leave as a therapist and business owner. It covers emotional and identity shifts, strategies for structuring a return to work, and the business realities of maternity leave…
- How to Build Strong Referral Relationships and Network with Private Pay Therapists
This episode discusses how to build strong referral relationships and network with private pay therapists. It covers finding other therapists, outreach methods, effective networking call strategies, and maintaining long-term referral conne…
- Lazy Content Creator Hacks for Instagram Therapists
This episode explores lazy content creator hacks for Instagram therapists. It covers strategies for repurposing content to maximize engagement and growth while reducing burnout.
- The Reality of Balancing a Full-Time Job & Starting a Private Practice with Michelle Stiles
Michelle Stiles, a licensed mental health counselor, joins the podcast to discuss balancing a full-time job and starting a private practice. She shares her experiences with niching down, marketing, and transitioning to a private pay model.
- Steal My 2026 Planning Process
This episode discusses the 2026 planning process for private practice therapists. It covers how to prioritize, assess capacity, and use the SMART framework for goal setting and breaking down goals into smaller milestones.
- The 3 Reels That Totally Changed the Trajectory of My Private Practice
This episode discusses how three specific Instagram reels transformed a private practice. It covers the initial mindset shift, a viral reel that built credibility, and a reel that generated significant client inquiries.
- The Instagram Content Format to Focus on for Success as a Therapist
This episode discusses Instagram content formats for therapists. It covers how Reels can attract new people, carousels can nurture an audience, and Stories can build genuine connection. The episode explains how using all three formats crea…
- BTS of 20 Million Views on Reels with Therapist Lauren Auer
Lauren Auer, a trauma therapist, joins the podcast to discuss her experience with Instagram Reels, including a viral video that garnered 20 million views. She shares insights into her content creation process and the pros and cons of viral…
- Courses & Scaling Beyond 1:1 Therapy Q&A
This episode is a Q&A discussing courses and scaling beyond 1:1 therapy. Topics include course creation, pricing, and platforms.
- Instagram Analytics Therapists Need to Pay Attention To
This episode of Business of Therapy® discusses Instagram analytics for therapists. It covers core metrics to track, benchmarks for these metrics, and how to use insights to create content that attracts clients.
- Building a Business You’re Actually Grateful For
This episode discusses building a business you are grateful for. It covers aligning your practice with personal needs, values, and joy, and using big-picture visualization to clarify future goals.
- The Easiest Way to Earn an Extra $3k a Month as a Therapist
This episode discusses how therapists can earn an extra $3,000 per month. It covers how private practice allows control over income, the simple math behind earning more with just three private-pay clients, and using Instagram for referrals.
- How Angela Got 17 New Private Pay Clients in 4 Months
Angela Avery, a relationship therapist, discusses how she gained 17 new private pay clients in four months by using Instagram after her traditional referral sources slowed. She details her strategies for content creation, using Reels, and…
- How to Stop Talking Like a Therapist So Your Marketing Actually Converts
This episode discusses how therapists can adjust their marketing language to be more client-centered. It covers why shifting away from clinical terms can be challenging and provides examples of turning jargon into relatable messaging.
- How to Come up with Content Ideas for Your Therapy Instagram Account
This episode discusses how to generate content ideas for a therapy Instagram account. It covers strategies such as drawing inspiration from client sessions, personal experiences, and social media trends, as well as using AI for brainstormi…
- How to Get More Therapy Intro Calls on Your Calendar
This episode discusses how to get more therapy intro calls for a private practice. Topics include the benefits of an intro call scheduler, optimal places to share scheduling links, and effective scheduling tools.
- How to Get Clients from Instagram with a Small Following with Trauma Therapist Sarra Lashhab
Sarra Lashhab, a trauma therapist, shares her journey from community mental health to a full private practice. She explains how she consistently acquires clients through Instagram despite having a small following, focusing on content creat…
- Starting on Instagram When It Feels Uncomfortable
This episode discusses overcoming the discomfort of starting on Instagram as a therapist. It offers reasons why discomfort is normal, strategies to ditch perfectionism, and practical content ideas to connect with an audience.
- Part 3: How I’m Posting Content During Maternity Leave
This episode discusses strategies for managing content creation and posting during maternity leave. Topics include batching and scheduling content, delegating tasks, and maintaining audience engagement while taking time away from the busin…
- Part 2: How I Prepped My Team for Maternity Leave
This episode discusses how the host prepared her team for a three-month maternity leave. It covers task delegation, team structure, identifying areas needing extra coverage, team training, and implementing systems and boundaries to prevent…
- Part 1: How I Prepped Financially for Maternity Leave
This episode covers a business owner's financial preparation for maternity leave. It details income stream adjustments and managing business versus personal expenses.
- Getting Private Pay Clients From Psych Today with Julie Newman, Anxiety Therapist
Julie Newman, an anxiety therapist, shares her strategies for acquiring private pay clients through Psychology Today. She discusses how she optimized her profile to attract ideal clients and build a successful private practice.
- Starting, Scaling, & Breaking Through Plateaus in Your Private Practice
This episode of Business of Therapy® explores the journey of starting, scaling, and overcoming plateaus in a private therapy practice. It covers strategies for new practitioners to secure their initial clients, as well as methods for estab…
- The Myths That Keep You Undercharging and Overworking as a Therapist
This episode of Business of Therapy® discusses myths that contribute to therapists undercharging and overworking. It covers topics such as the cycle of being underpaid and overworked, the myth of affordable care, and fears related to raisi…
- How to Audit Your Therapy Instagram to Get More Followers & Clients
This episode discusses how to audit a therapy Instagram to get more followers and clients. It covers essential bio and profile elements, connecting content with the ideal audience, and building an Instagram marketing strategy.
- How to Earn 6-Figures+ with Group Therapy with Sara Schrieber
Sara Schrieber joins the podcast to discuss how to earn 6-figures+ with group therapy. She shares her journey of building a thriving group practice and offers strategies for pricing, marketing, and growing group therapy programs.
- Scripts for the Hard Conversations as a Therapist in Private Practice
This episode of Business of Therapy® provides therapists in private practice with scripts for challenging conversations. Topics include raising rates, declining clients, managing cancellations, and communicating schedule changes.
- Why Social Media Feels So Overwhelming Right Now
This episode explores why social media is overwhelming for therapists, detailing the time required for consistent Instagram posting, the process of creating reels, and prevalent Instagram myths. It emphasizes that showing up online is a sk…
- Stuck in 200-View Jail? Why Your Reels Aren’t Working (And How to Fix Them)
This episode discusses why Instagram reels may not be performing well for creators. It covers common issues leading to low views and strategies to improve reel performance and achieve better results.
- How Trauma Therapist Grew from 1k to 50k Followers in 6 Months with Ariell Murcko
Ariell Murcko, a somatic therapist, shares her experience of growing her Instagram following from 1,000 to 50,000 in six months. She discusses her strategies for consistent content creation, niche development, and community engagement.
- A Debrief: My Top 5 Viral Reels
This episode debriefs the top five viral Instagram reels from @sitwithkelly and @businessoftherapy. The host shares what worked, what they learned, and what they would do differently from each viral reel.
- How I Told My Therapy Clients I’m Pregnant & Going on Maternity Leave
This episode discusses how a therapist shared her pregnancy and maternity leave plans with clients. Topics include when to tell clients, how to plan for leave, and creating a re-entry plan.
- The *REAL* Reason She’s Getting Results… And You’re Not
This episode explores the reasons behind varying business results, addressing the impact of comparison, individual growth timelines, and the importance of defining success on one's own terms. It aims to clarify why some individuals may fee…
- Therapist to Author: How to Get a Book Deal with the ‘Big Five’ with Dr. Marina Rosenthal
Dr. Marina Rosenthal, author and PPA alum, shares her experience getting a book deal with the 'Big Five,' discussing how Instagram helped her career and how she juggles motherhood, her practice, and writing. She also covers the behind-the-…
- Consistent Posting Is Step One - Here’s What Comes Next
This episode of Business of Therapy® discusses why consistent posting on Instagram is just the first step for therapists, emphasizing the importance of strategy behind the content to achieve desired results. It encourages listeners to reth…
- The Step-by-Step Process to Reaching $100K in Private Practice
This episode outlines a step-by-step process for therapists to achieve $100K in private practice. It discusses strategies for financial growth and building a private practice.
- How I Transitioned Off Insurance and Refilled My Caseload at $250/Session
This episode discusses a private practice owner's journey from an insurance-based caseload to private pay. It covers how to build a caseload while paneled with insurance, the transition to private pay, and advice for growing a private pay…