Selling the Couch

Today’s show is about one of my most favorite topics in the world: sleep. I’ll admit that my thinking about sleep has changed a lot over the years as I’ve learned more. Whether you’re a champion sleeper or someone who needs to pay more attention to rest, today’s show has helpful information and expert tips for you. Join us!Our Featured GuestLiz SlonenaLiz Slonena is a psychologist in Asheville, NC. She has expertise in sleep and insomnia, and I wanted to have her share her insights with us. Pandemic stressors and the blurred lines between work life and home life have been contributing factors to sleep problems for many therapists. We will discuss why quality sleep matters, the basics of sleep cycles, and how our hustle culture has impacted our sleep. We’ll finish up with practical tips about improving sleep.www.drlizlistens.com Use code #STC for premium access to Aura, an all-in-one wellness appFind Dr. Liz’s free mindful hypnosis videos on YouTubeYou’ll Learn:What happens during the normal sleep cycles:  light, restful, deep, and REMHow disruptions can affect sleep cyclesThe connection between quality sleep and moodHow sleep helps your immune system, neurogenesis, and muscle growth and repairHow deep sleep is the “washing cycle” for brain and body, flushing out negative thoughts and toxinsHow hustle culture and internalized capitalism (the belief that our worth is tied to our productivity and what we DO) can compound our sleep difficultiesWhy sleep is the first thing we cut away when cramped for time, even though it’s really our most effective superpowerThe specific challenges of entrepreneurship in getting enough sleepThe intricacies of racism and stereotypes related to internalized capitalismWhy rest is rebellious and radical empowermentThe importance of finding peace and balance in life through prioritizing restLiz’s tips for improved sleep:Clearly communicate boundaries to clients and colleagues about your hours and availability.Have a physical wind-down ritual for your body and mind to signal the transition from work.Write a gratitude or “win” list each night before bed.What’s up next for Dr. Liz? Become a Better Sleeper course and the podcast are coming soon!Resources:Want to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit For TherapistsLooking to launch a successful podcast?Please check out our free "Using Podcasting To Grow Your Business" workshop for therapists.Mentioned in this episode:Try Alma!Building and managing the practice you truly want can feel overwhelming. That’s why Alma is here—to help you create not just any practice, but your private practice. With Alma, you’ll get the tools and resources you need to navigate insurance with ease, connect with referrals that are the right fit for your style, and streamline those time-consuming administrative tasks. That means less time buried in the details and more time focused on delivering exceptional care to your clients. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Learn more at sellingthecouch.com/alma and get 2 months FREE—an exclusive offer for STC listeners.

So much of what we do as clinicians revolves around leadership, even though we may not be comfortable thinking of ourselves that way. If we are truly leaders in what we do, it makes sense to learn all we can about making ourselves the best leaders possible. The world needs good leaders! Join us as we discuss all things leadership development in today’s showOur Featured GuestJevin KolethJevin Koleth is a leadership coach who happens to be a childhood friend of mine. He has vast experience in what it means to be a leader through his time as a regional manager for a major healthcare system in Texas. I want you to hear Jevin’s insights about why leadership needs to be developed first at the individual level before implementing the more popular team approach. We also dive into how leadership has changed as a result of the pandemic, and we wrap up with personal and real-life experiences from Jevin that can help you in your growth as a leader.Jevin KolethYou’ll Learn:Why effective leadership development has to begin at the individual level with a solid foundationThe first steps in an individualized approach to leadership training:Identify the person’s personal purpose and missionIdentify the person’s barriers to being their best selfHow Jevin becomes an accountability coach in helping people develop long-term habitsWhy the mass team approach to leadership training needs to FOLLOW after the foundational individual approachWhy it’s good to develop one’s self as a leader to be the best version of yourselfHow an impactful leader will come across with consistencyHow leadership has changed during the pandemic in the three areas of remote leadership, interpersonal skills, and team cultureJevin’s pearls of wisdom about going back to work in the officeWhy a leader’s goal should be positive outcomes from difficult conversationsHighlights of Jevin’s current work as a leadership coachResources:Want to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit For TherapistsLooking to launch a successful podcast?Please check out our free "Using Podcasting To Grow Your Business" workshop for therapists.Mentioned in this episode:Try Alma!Building and managing the practice you truly want can feel overwhelming. That’s why Alma is here—to help you create not just any practice, but your private practice. With Alma, you’ll get the tools and resources you need to navigate insurance with ease, connect with referrals that are the right fit for your style, and streamline those time-consuming administrative tasks. That means less time buried in the details and more time focused on delivering exceptional care to your clients. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Learn more at sellingthecouch.com/alma and get 2 months FREE—an exclusive offer for STC listeners.

Today’s show is about building an online directory, which is hugely relevant to every clinician. Whether you’ve used an online directory to refer clients or thought about creating a directory to help other clinicians and clients, you know that it is a valuable resource that makes it easier to find a therapist who can help with very specific needs. Join us to learn more!Our Featured GuestLaura Reagan, LCSW-CLaura Reagan is a clinical social worker and integrative trauma specialist in Maryland who had the idea to create a directory for trauma therapists, Trauma Therapist Network. She’s a trauma survivor who has specifically worked around trauma for the past 19 years. Through her years of experience, she has learned a lot about the nuances of trauma therapy, the services available, and what services are lacking. Laura gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how her idea for the directory evolved, the logical steps in the creation process, and the helpful resources that are available in creating an online directory. We wrap up today’s conversation with a look at what has gone well in Laura’s process and the things that are being constantly tweaked along the way.Trauma Therapist NetworkYou’ll Learn:How Laura got the idea to create an online directory of trauma therapistsHow Laura saw the need and made the leap to create the online directoryHow the directory helps people find the specific therapy focus that aligns with their traumaHow the directory goes beyond finding a therapist but also helps inform and educate people about trauma and its effectsThe first steps Laura took to take the online directory from an idea to realityWhy Laura was willing to make the intentional commitment of time, effort, and money (lots of money!) to make the directory a thoroughly usable resource that helps people feel safe, hopeful, and reassuredHow Laura conveys the important message through the directory that trauma doesn’t define a person and that there is hope to improve and make a better lifeWhy Laura had to allow herself to receive help and support in the development processHow creating the directory has been similar to giving birth to a child and watching it grow and develop into what it was meant to beResources:Want to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit For TherapistsLooking to launch a successful podcast?Please check out our free "Using Podcasting To Grow Your Business" workshop for therapistsMentioned in this episode:Try Alma!Building and managing the practice you truly want can feel overwhelming. That’s why Alma is here—to help you create not just any practice, but your private practice. With Alma, you’ll get the tools and resources you need to navigate insurance with ease, connect with referrals that are the right fit for your style, and streamline those time-consuming administrative tasks. That means less time buried in the details and more time focused on delivering exceptional care to your clients. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Learn more at sellingthecouch.com/alma and get 2 months FREE—an exclusive offer for STC listeners.

Welcome to a new season of STC! Today’s conversation is different from the typical STC session, as it was inspired by a thread created in the STC community about healthcare providers dismissing legitimate medical concerns. This situation is one that you might encounter personally or with your clients, so I hope you’ll find our conversation helpful and informative. Join us!Our Featured GuestDanielle Hughes, MA, LPCDanielle Hughes is in private practice in Loveland, CO. Danielle shared her perspective in the STC community as someone with a chronic illness who struggled for 12 years to get a proper diagnosis. She interacted with several healthcare providers who didn’t believe that her physical issues could be attributed to anything other than stress and trauma.It’s been quite a journey for Danielle, who was just recently diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that truly affects her energy levels on a daily basis. In today’s session, Danielle shares her story and the challenges she has overcomewith the fortitude to keep going when doctors attributed her problems to psychological issues. We also dive deep into practical questions you can ask insessions with clients who have chronic illnesses and related psychological concerns.Find Danielle Hughes on Facebook and Instagram, @daniellehughesLPCYou’ll Learn:About Danielle’s health journey that began with joint pain and fatigue in collegeHow she was dismissed by the medical community as her physical concerns were attributed to stress for 12 yearsHow Danielle found the fortitude to keep pushing forward with multiple doctors and specialists to get a diagnosis of an autoimmune diseaseAbout the route Danielle took with her PCP, the VA system, and multiple specialistsDanielle’s advice for clinicians dealing with clients with physical issues in addition to psychological concernsWhy it’s important to believe the client and not relate everything to trauma or anxietyHow clinicians can be most helpful by asking questions and being supportive to understand the whole of the client’s lifeWhy we should respond with compassion and curiosity when we are tempted to assume there’s nothing wrong with someone who appears “fine”About a typical day/week for Danielle, a clinician in private practice with a chronic autoimmune diseaseHow Danielle deals with days when she struggles to function as a clinicianResources:Want to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit For TherapistsLooking to launch a successful podcast?Please check out our free "Using Podcasting To Grow Your Business" workshop for therapistsMentioned in this episode:Try Alma!Building and managing the practice you truly want can feel overwhelming. That’s why Alma is here—to help you create not just any practice, but your private practice. With Alma, you’ll get the tools and resources you need to navigate insurance with ease, connect with referrals that are the right fit for your style, and streamline those time-consuming administrative tasks. That means less time buried in the details and more time focused on delivering exceptional care to your clients. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Learn more at sellingthecouch.com/alma and get 2 months FREE—an exclusive offer for STC listeners.

Today’s episode is a valuable one if you are thinking about launching an online course sometime soon or in the future. My encouragement to you is to do it! Get started! Join me for this solo episode in which we discuss the basics.You’ll LearnThe most common reasons to launch an online course: to put your message out there to impact more people in different locations, to feel more fulfilled in your purpose, to diversify income streams, and to spark more creativityThe highlights of my online course creation story that began in 2015---complete with all the doubts and fearsHow my first online course has surpassed my wildest dreams in passing the $200K mark in revenueWhat it means to me to build a successful online course:I can build a life around my loved ones and self-care instead of fitting my loved ones and self-care around my career.We as a family can contribute time and resources to organizations that make the world a better place.I can create my ideal retirement schedule years before I actually retire.Why I want you to write down the completion to this statement: “A successful online course for me would mean . . .”Five pieces of advice to help you avoid the mistakes I made:Online course creation is a long road---don’t rush it!Don’t pick an online course platform because it’s cheap or free.The first version of your online course will not be the final version.See your online course as part of a larger value ladder rather than a one-off offering.Build your course in community with others.Resources:Want to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit For TherapistsLooking to launch a successful podcast?Please check out our free "Using Podcasting To Grow Your Business" workshop for therapistsMentioned in this episode:Try Alma!Building and managing the practice you truly want can feel overwhelming. That’s why Alma is here—to help you create not just any practice, but your private practice. With Alma, you’ll get the tools and resources you need to navigate insurance with ease, connect with referrals that are the right fit for your style, and streamline those time-consuming administrative tasks. That means less time buried in the details and more time focused on delivering exceptional care to your clients. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Learn more at sellingthecouch.com/alma and get 2 months FREE—an exclusive offer for STC listeners.

Creating an affiliate program for your online course can make a huge difference in your sales, but there are important things to consider. Being ready to start an affiliate program has prompted me to ask for a lot of advice from creators whose values align with mine. Do you want to know what they told me? Join me for this episode to learn more!You’ll Learn:My explanation of the basics of an affiliate program and how it works5 things successful creators told me to think about:Start with a small group of beta testers and get their valuable feedback. (I’m starting with a group of four people.)Establish your affiliate’s tax status from the start. (You’ll need to fill out the proper forms.)Set up auto payouts and refunds. (Take advantage of systems that make these processes easier. We use Kartra.)Think of your course as a way to build a “microphone” for your student, their message, and their social media/email marketing. (This makes it easier to bring in affiliate income.)Consider the 80/20 principle. The top 80-90% of your sales will come from the top 20% of your affiliates. (Ask, “What can I create to fuel the top 20% of my affiliates?”)Resources:Want to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit For TherapistsLooking to launch a successful podcast?Please check out our free "Using Podcasting To Grow Your Business" workshop for therapistsMentioned in this episode:Try Alma!Building and managing the practice you truly want can feel overwhelming. That’s why Alma is here—to help you create not just any practice, but your private practice. With Alma, you’ll get the tools and resources you need to navigate insurance with ease, connect with referrals that are the right fit for your style, and streamline those time-consuming administrative tasks. That means less time buried in the details and more time focused on delivering exceptional care to your clients. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Learn more at sellingthecouch.com/alma and get 2 months FREE—an exclusive offer for STC listeners.

Welcome! Today’s topic is relevant to every clinician and business owner. How do we create and build a business according to our values and sense of fulfillment rather than based on what society says should fulfill us? Join us to learn more!Our Featured GuestErin GibbErin Gibb is a group practice owner, podcast host, and coach who specializes in helping therapists navigate the societal and systemic factors that impact their businesses. She helps people build businesses and lives in alignment with who they are meant to be. In today’s session, we dive into how the words we say have a great impact on others, things that are happening at a systemic level, and why many therapists are suffering in silence because of self-sacrificial attitudes. You’ll Learn:How Erin got into her line of work focused on mentoring, supervising, and coaching therapistsWhy Erin’s mission now is to show the difference between success and fulfillmentWhy Erin calls her work a “mental health revolution”Why we get trapped in equating our self-worth with our revenueHow our “broken system” needs to changeHow Erin sees imposter syndrome play out for her clientsHighlights of Erin’s work, podcast, and available resourcesResources:Want to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit For TherapistsLooking to launch a successful podcast?Please check out our free "Using Podcasting To Grow Your Business" workshop for therapistsConnect with Erin GibbWebsiteMentioned in this episode:Try Alma!Building and managing the practice you truly want can feel overwhelming. That’s why Alma is here—to help you create not just any practice, but your private practice. With Alma, you’ll get the tools and resources you need to navigate insurance with ease, connect with referrals that are the right fit for your style, and streamline those time-consuming administrative tasks. That means less time buried in the details and more time focused on delivering exceptional care to your clients. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Learn more at sellingthecouch.com/alma and get 2 months FREE—an exclusive offer for STC listeners.

Two questions confront me daily: How big do I actually want to grow STC? What is the purpose of STC in relation to my overall life? Freedom is my most important value, and building my business around my life, family, and health is most important to me. Not every entrepreneur has the same goals, but these are questions for every entrepreneur to consider. Let’s take a closer look in today’s session!You’ll Learn:How I was compromising to fit life around my business instead of optimizing the business to fit the life I wanted5 key concepts I learned from Paul Jarvis in his book, Company of One:Companies of one reject limitless growth.We should set firm growth limits to keep opportunity costs small.Companies of one are okay with limited success.More profits mean more productivity, sales, customers, and infrastructure to manage.Develop your business out of a side gig.Your business needs time to incubate and grow so you can devote yourself to it full time.Target a specific audience to find your niche.The more specific your target is, the easier it is to connect, build trust, and distinguish your audience’s needs.Embrace the power of simplicity and personality.Amplify your uniqueness by sharing your most powerful asset: yourself and your personality. Resources:Want to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit For Therapists: https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekitLooking to launch a successful podcast?Please check out our free "Using Podcasting To Grow Your Business" workshop for therapists:https://sellingthecouch.com/podcastingworkshopMentioned in this episode:Try Alma!Building and managing the practice you truly want can feel overwhelming. That’s why Alma is here—to help you create not just any practice, but your private practice. With Alma, you’ll get the tools and resources you need to navigate insurance with ease, connect with referrals that are the right fit for your style, and streamline those time-consuming administrative tasks. That means less time buried in the details and more time focused on delivering exceptional care to your clients. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Learn more at sellingthecouch.com/alma and get 2 months FREE—an exclusive offer for STC listeners.

Many therapists are interested in diversifying their income streams beyond their clinical work. We focus today’s session on a very specific aspect of supplemental income, mainly around AirBnb rentals. Join us to learn more!Our Featured GuestMando Sallavanti IIIArmando “Mando” Sallavanti III is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ with a wealth of wisdom to share. We met and connected through LinkedIn, and we’ve had several conversations in recent months. In this session, he shares his expert opinion on owning AirBnb rental properties as compared to long-term rentals, along with the nuances of setting boundaries as a rental property owner. He is open to sharing mistakes he has made along the journey and what he finds rewarding in his role as a rental property owner. You’ll Learn:Why real estate became the natural pivot for Mando to diversify his incomeHow Mando and his fiancé became the owners of a triplex home, living in one unit and renting out the other twoWhy investing in real estate is a common denominator for wealthy peopleHow AirBnb rental management differs from traditional long-term rentalsHow Mando maintains boundaries with tenants living in such close proximity to his homeWhy Mando works with a rental management company for AirBnb rentals, cleaning, maintenance, etc.How Mando’s AirBnb rental properties bring in significantly more money monthly than the same units did previously as long-term rentalsMando’s mistakes in not knowing what his expenses would actually be on his older propertyMando’s advice to others: “Whether you purchase a property as a primary residence or for a rental, have an emergency fund set up to cover repairs and maintenance. There will always be unexpected issues that come up.”What Mando sees as the hardest part of owning rental propertiesArmando Sallavanti is a registered representative of and offers securities and investment advisory services through MML Investors Services, LLC. Member SIPC. Supervisory Office: 2 Bala Plaza, Ste 901, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004. Tel: 610.766.3000. Discussion of real estate investing is informational only and is not a service of MML Investors Services, LLC. or its affiliate companies.Resources:Want to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit For Therapists: https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekitLooking to launch a successful podcast?Please check out our free "Using Podcasting To Grow Your Business" workshop for therapists:https://sellingthecouch.com/podcastingworkshopMentioned in this episode:Try Alma!Building and managing the practice you truly want can feel overwhelming. That’s why Alma is here—to help you create not just any practice, but your private practice. With Alma, you’ll get the tools and resources you need to navigate insurance with ease, connect with referrals that are the right fit for your style, and streamline those time-consuming administrative tasks. That means less time buried in the details and more time focused on delivering exceptional care to your clients. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Learn more at sellingthecouch.com/alma and get 2 months FREE—an exclusive offer for STC listeners.

Since the beginning of this podcast in 2015, I’ve thought a lot about how I can use YouTube to maximize the impact of STC. I’ve pondered many questions about the sustainability of this endeavor and whether I should be creating separate content on YouTube or simply repurposing these podcast episodes on YouTube. As a result of coaching, taking courses, and obsessively (nerdily) studying YouTube, I have decided to finally leap into YouTube in 2024. In today’s session, I’ll share what went into this decision for me and what you should consider as a current or aspiring therapist podcaster. You’ll Learn:How our fears are usually rooted in some sort of trauma or feeling unseen or unheardTop considerations for me in starting out on YouTube:YouTube is intentionally appealing to podcasters and is becoming an ever more popular podcast platform.Putting a video editing team in place (Flocksy) makes the jump to YouTube much easier.YouTube (owned by Google) is very beneficial for discoverability and SEO.I plan to use the best of both playlists (podcasts, YouTube) and feed platforms (Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn).I plan to use “Walden months” to prioritize self-care and big projects. (My inspiration is the commitment to be a fully present family man and what I learned from Tim Ferris’ 2020 blog, 11 Reasons Not To Become Famous.)How I plan to keep you updated and document my YouTube journey in the weekly STC Newsletter Why I’m grateful for the support of STC listeners on this new path that has me feeling vulnerable, nervous, and fearfulWant to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit For Therapists: Looking to launch a successful podcast?Please check out our free "Using Podcasting To Grow Your Business" workshop for therapists:Mentioned in this episode:Try Alma!Building and managing the practice you truly want can feel overwhelming. That’s why Alma is here—to help you create not just any practice, but your private practice. With Alma, you’ll get the tools and resources you need to navigate insurance with ease, connect with referrals that are the right fit for your style, and streamline those time-consuming administrative tasks. That means less time buried in the details and more time focused on delivering exceptional care to your clients. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Learn more at sellingthecouch.com/alma and get 2 months FREE—an exclusive offer for STC listeners.