Private Practice Elevation with Daniel Fava 199. Finding Success in Slow Growth: A Conversation with Melvin Varghese
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the pressure to grow quickly, show up on every social platform, or chase bigger numbers just for the sake of it? If so, this episode is for you.
In this episode of the Private Practice Elevation Podcast, Daniel Fava welcomes back psychologist and entrepreneur Melvin Varghese for a heartfelt and insightful conversation about building a private practice (or any type of business) at a pace that aligns with your life and values.
Melvin shares how he's intentionally slowed down his business growth to protect his well-being and stay grounded in what really matters: service, sustainability, and family.
You'll hear how Selling the Couch grew into a successful course and podcast platform, and why Melvin chose not to scale rapidly, even when there was financial momentum.
Instead, he prioritized nervous system regulation, systems, and structure that would allow him to thrive for the long haul, not just sprint for short-term gains.
Daniel and Melvin also talk candidly about how personal life seasons, like parenting, caregiving, and health challenges, impact business decisions.
Their honest discussion is a reminder that success doesn't have to mean constant hustle. Sometimes, it looks like doing less, more intentionally.
Whether you're building a solo practice or branching into online income, you'll come away from this episode with encouragement to define success on your own terms — and the permission to grow at your own pace.
This Episode Answers:
1. What does it really mean to build a lifestyle business as a therapist?
Melvin breaks down how he's designed his business to support health, family, and legacy over constant hustle. He shares insights from growing Selling the Couch to $12k/month in course income and why he chose to pause and re-evaluate instead of scaling aggressively.
2. How can therapists know which marketing channels to focus on?
Rather than trying to be everywhere, Melvin recommends aligning your marketing with your long-term goals. For example, if you want to speak, podcasting or YouTube can build your skills and audience. He shares how he sticks to three core channels to maintain quality and avoid burnout.
3. What's the role of nervous system regulation in business growth?
Both Daniel and Melvin reflect on the emotional toll of entrepreneurship. They discuss how rituals like prayer, reflection, golf, and quiet time in nature are essential to managing stress and sustaining a business long-term.
Other Key Takeaways:
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Entrepreneurship is not a race. Slow growth can be strategic and soul-sustaining.
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Having a team and systems in place doesn't eliminate stress, but it does help with sustainability.
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There's a natural cap to lifestyle businesses ($250k–$300k/year), and scaling beyond that requires a mindset shift.
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Your personal life and business are interconnected. Seasons of life should inform business strategy.
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You don't need to be on every social media platform. Choose what aligns with your energy and vision.
Links mentioned in this episode:
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Selling the Couch: https://sellingthecouch.com
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Quiet Builder Newsletter: https://sellingthecouch.com/quietbuilder
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Episode 16. The Top 5 Mistakes Therapists Make When Starting a Podcast w/ Melvin Varghese
Watch The Video:
This Episode Is Brought To You By:
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Alma is on a mission to simplify access to high-quality, affordable mental health care by giving providers the tools they need to build thriving in-network private practices. When providers join Alma, they gain access to insurance support, teletherapy software, client referrals, automated billing and scheduling tools, and a vibrant community of clinicians who come together for education, training, and events.
Learn more about building a thriving private practice with Alma at helloalma.com/elevation.
About Melvin Varghese
Melvin Varghese, PhD is a licensed psychologist in Philadelphia, PA.
In 2015, Dr. Varghese founded Selling The Couch, a podcast to help therapists move from clinical to online income.
On the podcast, he interviews successful practitioners about how they've built their practices, social media/marketing experts, and shares lessons as he uses our clinical skills to create an online business powered by podcasting + online courses.
The podcast is one of the top Career podcasts in Apple Podcasts, has been downloaded over 1.8 million times, and is heard in over 125 countries.
Dr. Varghese also founded several resources for therapists transitioning from the therapist chair to online income, including a podcasting community for therapists that's supported over 240 therapist podcasters, an online course mastermind for therapists launching their first online course (50+ students), and a mastermind for veteran course creators to find support growing and scaling their course.
About Daniel Fava
Daniel Fava is the owner and founder of Private Practice Elevation, a website and SEO agency focused on helping private practice owners create websites that increase their online visibility and attract more clients. Private Practice Elevation offers web design services, SEO (search engine optimization), and WordPress support to help private practice owners grow their businesses through online marketing.
Daniel lives in Atlanta, GA with his wife Liz, and two energetic boys. When he's not working he enjoys hiking by the river, watching hockey, and enjoying a dram of bourbon.