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

Today’s show covers lessons I have learned from launching a successful cohort-based course (CBC). The process takes a lot of work but is very rewarding, so if a CBC is in your future, don’t miss this episode.You’ll Learn:● How I launched my first online course, The Healthcasters, in 2015, even though I felt like an inadequate novice● How Online Course School launched in late 2021, with 16 workshops for nine colleagues in the beta cohort group● Ten lessons learned from my CBC launch:○ Get your beta students through your email list, previous courses, and Mastermind class colleagues.○ Screen the participants well. (I did this through one-on-one Zoom calls.)○ Do welcome calls with breakout rooms, so the students get to know each other.○ Keep the CBC length around 6-8 weeks, or structure a break after a few weeks if it is longer.○ Have an assistant with you on all workshops.○ Tier your support for students at multiple levels.○ Start with the “I do/we do/you do” framework for teaching.○ Prep your lessons ahead of t

This episode is the last one before I take an extended break for a few months. The plan is to be back in April 2023, with exciting, brand-new STC episodes. I think rest is important in the human journey AND the entrepreneurial journey, so I’m looking forward to some extra downtime after podcasting regularly for seven years and hitting the 1.5 million download mark. Unbelievable! Thank you from the bottom of my heart! This is my life’s work and my great privilege to serve you, my colleagues. Today’s episode takes a closer look at a major passion of mine: online courses. Let’s talk about the important questions to ask–and answer–before launching an online course. Join me!You’ll Learn:How online courses can help fill in the gap for those who need mental health services7 Questions to Ask Before Launching an Online Course:Have people paid me one-on-one for this course idea?Can I see myself being in this space for 10+ years?Is this course idea confronting a “massive pain” vs. an “annoying inconvenience” for m

Today’s topic is very relevant in our post-pandemic world. Many clinicians are left wondering if their best work lies in the clinical field or the coaching/consulting arena. I’ve felt this dilemma myself, pondering how to balance my interests, endeavors, and the evolution of family life. I realized that I couldn’t sustain multiple paths, and I made the hard decision to give up my clinical work. If you are struggling along those same lines, I hope today’s show gives you insights, clarity, and encouragement. Join us to learn more!Our Featured GuestAngela Williams, LCSWAngela Williams is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Orlando, Florida. She has made the transition from clinician to coach, and she now works with other therapists who are making the same change in their lives. Angela shares her thoughts about why so many clinicians are leaving for the world of coaching, along with the biggest roadblocks that may come up on this path. She gives her best tips for overcoming those big roadblocks and recommends se

I think often about legacy in providing STC as a resource for our field and being of service to our colleagues. The same desire for a lasting legacy drives me to connect with good people who are doing great things in the world, which is what this podcast is all about. Today’s conversation, with two of those good people, focuses on a common issue for clinicians in referring out clients. If you are looking to do referrals in a better way, this session will give you valuable information. Join us to learn more!Our Featured GuestsAnna O’Brien Jim PasquarellaAnna O’Brien and Jim Pasquarella live and work locally in the Philly area as a clinician and commercial real estate developer, respectively. They have created a resource called The Consult List, which addresses a common problem for clinicians. “Referring out” clients to other colleagues is something every clinician faces, but what’s the best way to do it? Anna and Jim will share with us how they created The Consult List for clinicians to use in making

I still call myself a Twitter newbie because I haven’t been there for very long, but I’ve been honored to connect with amazing people holding full and varied skill sets. I’m chatting with one of them in today’s session, someone who has helped me learn what I was doing wrong on Twitter and how I can improve. If you need Twitter help, too, join us to learn more about standing out on Twitter!Our Featured GuestAadit ShethAadit Sheth is a 21-year-old engineering student who started on Twitter only a couple of years ago. He has built a following of over 200,000 by focusing on the life optimization habits of top entrepreneurs. Aadit shares with us about Twitter threads and how they work to make this social media platform one of the top ways to network and stay current with technology, productivity, and business.WebsiteYou’ll Learn:How Aadit decided that Twitter would be his “place”How Aadit began by engaging with people he admired on Twitter and finding ways to provide value to themHow to build strong connections th

Today’s topic is inspired by a Twitter thread I wrote about a life-changing event in our family when our daughter began preschool recently. Since she was born prematurely, going through the NICU experience four years ago coupled with the demands of entrepreneurship brought me to the realization that things had to change. The season of life that was one of the hardest things became the best thing to help me reevaluate and realign my life and goals. As much as I love my work, I wanted my life to be about much more than my work. Join me to learn how shifting my work week has made me a better entrepreneur, husband, father, and person. You’ll Learn:Business becomes more complicated with more time. “You don’t have to suffer in order to succeed.”For any task, look to automate, delegate, eliminate, or systemize.There are more metrics than money. “Not everything that counts can be counted.”The time I’ve spent and the memories I’ve made with my daughter are priceless.Creativity time is essential.Time to

“Will anyone listen to it? How can I grow my audience?” These are the questions that badger everyone who starts a podcast, and even though I am a veteran podcaster of several years, I know there is a lot of room to grow. The good news is that there are people who can help us learn by sharing their knowledge and experience. My guest today has answers to your biggest questions about growing and marketing your podcast. It’s easier than you think! Join us!Our Featured GuestJeremy EnnsJeremy Enns is a podcast marketing strategist for scrappy brands, networks, and creators who are looking to punch above their weight. He has helped his clients generate over 50 million podcast downloads and millions of dollars in revenue. By working with many different podcasters, Jeremy has learned what works best in podcast growth, and he’s here to share his top tips for growing a podcast strategically and intentionally. WebsiteYou’ll Learn:Jeremy’s outlook on the fate of the podcasting industry–Is podcasting here to stay?Why

Today’s topic is a fascinating one for me. As therapists, we are wired for stories, but telling an effective story online is a struggle for many of us. Fortunately for us, my guest has wisdom and tips to share to help us become awesome storytellers. Join us to learn more!Our Featured GuestKieran DrewKieran Drew lives in Leeds, England, and is my writing coach for Twitter. In an interesting career twist, he was a dentist who left behind his stressful, work-filled life to become a copywriter/storyteller. My first connection to Kieran came through the viral story he wrote about his unique medical experiences as a teenager. He is a talented storyteller who has helped my writing immensely, and I know his insights will be helpful to anyone looking to improve their writing. WebsiteYou’ll Learn:Why Kieran made the unconventional transition from dentist to copywriter/storytellerAn overview of Kieran’s spinal issues involving a tumor, surgeries, and titanium rods—this is the experience that helped him discover sto

Today’s session is a coaching call, and our main focus is on a struggle that many course creators face. When you are an expert in your course content, how do you find the balance in presenting information without overwhelming your students? I feel sure that every course creator has felt this struggle, so I hope you find today’s call to be helpful.Our Featured Guest for today’s coaching call:Heather England, Ph.D., LCP, LCPC, CST, CDWFDr. Heather England is a coach, certified sex therapist, and licensed clinical psychotherapist in Overland Park, Kansas. She is part of our online course mastermind, which you can explore at www.sellingthecouch.com/mastermind. Heather is in the process of creating a course on erectile dysfunction, and she has already learned a lot in preparation to launch her course. Her biggest question is how to present her course without information overload for her students. You are invited to listen to the coaching call with Heather and Melvin!Love Filled LifeYou’ll Learn:How Heather evolved

Hello! Welcome to a brand new season of STC that will take us through September and October before I take an extended sabbatical of several months. Today’s session is a fascinating conversation about considering the greater purpose of our businesses beyond merely generating income. How can our businesses be a vehicle for much, much more in the world? Let’s discuss this topic with today’s guest!Our Featured GuestAriana Lloyd, LCSWAriana Lloyd is a licensed clinical social worker in Portland, Oregon. She runs eight-week live cohorts to help therapists coming into private practice set up their businesses in ways that are focused on personal growth, creativity, and social justice. In this conversation, we talk about the ways her business has been a means of personal growth and healing, along with how to offer programs with intentionality and meaningful service to clients. Ariana tells us how she exercises her creative muscles through her business, and we wrap up with ways to tackle social justice issues and advoc

Like many of you, I’m looking forward to a different 2021, but I am grateful for what we’ve learned about ourselves, our businesses, and our resilience. Today’s topic is more relevant than ever, as we all want to learn more about improving our private practice website. Join us to learn more! Our Featured GuestDaniel FavaDaniel Fava, from Private Practice Elevation, is my friend and an expert in website design. I trust his insight and advice, and I rely heavily on him for everything website-related. Daniel is here to share what is working for private practice websites post-pandemic. Much of what we think about our private practice websites has shifted greatly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and what used to serve us well may not be working now. As many of us are transitioning to full-time online counseling or at least some increased element of online therapy, Daniel’s advice is relevant and timely.WebsiteROI ReportWebsite AuditYou'll Learn:What has changed about websites and online traffic since the pandemic beg

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 GuestJennifer McGurk, RDN, CDN, CEDRD-SJennifer 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. WebsiteYou’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 membership model●     The benef

If the topic of building your personal brand on social media brings feelings of anxiety and insecurity, then today’s show is for you. As clinicians, we know it makes sense to have a digital footprint in the online world, but it’s difficult to know just how to establish yourself with authenticity and transparency. There are so many nuances to the intimidating world of social media! Today’s conversation will give you valuable insight and practical tips to help people get to know, like, and trust you. Join us to learn more. Our Featured Guest-Lisa Mustard, LMFTLisa Mustard is a personal brand coach, psychoeducator, therapist, podcaster, and self-described personal development junkie in South Carolina. This mom of two has created an awe-inspiring presence on social media around topics like fitness, health, mindset, and goals. Recording with her phone, Lisa proves that a high-quality, high-dollar studio is not a requirement for building your personal brand, and she does it in very unique and authentic ways. Lisa j

Have you ever considered writing a children’s book? I’ll admit that I’ve thought about it, and it might be a new endeavor in my future. Writing a children’s book takes creativity and planning, and much perseverance is required to navigate the publishing process. Join me as I talk to a longtime friend who has been through the process and published two children’s books.Our Featured GuestAmy JivaniAmy is a childhood friend of mine who has become a children’s book author. Her latest book, Meera’s Flowers, tells the story of a young girl celebrating an Indian holiday while living in America. She also wrote More Than Words: A Book About Body Language, a story about body language and feelings. Amy is a former first-grade teacher who is inspired by her students and her cultural background to write children’s books with ethnically diverse characters. Amy shares with us where she gets ideas for books and how the creative process works. We also discuss the concept of self-publishing compared to the traditional publishin

Today’s solo episode is the last one before we take an extended summer break for August. We will return with new episodes in September and October before I plan a sabbatical of several months. Today’s focus is on cohort-based courses, which are becoming very popular in the world of online education. It’s a very powerful model that I truly love. Join me for a closer look as I share what I’ve learned so far!5 lessons I’ve learned about CBCs:It truly gets easier the second time around, but the first time is a lot of work.There are tweaks you may have to make in real-time. Guest workshops are very high leverage. Use the “I-do, we-do, you-do” framework.Realize that a CBC is a lot of work, so beware of having multiple endeavors go on at the same time.  Check out our Online Course Guide for more information!Mentioned in this episode:Ready to create your own course? Download the FREE Online Course Guide!Learn how to create and market your own online course in Melvin's unique online course guide. D

Before I started this podcast in 2015, I had rolled the idea around in my head over and over again. The problem was that I was full of fears and apprehension, and I just wasn’t sure that I could make it work like I wanted. Since then, I’ve been fortunate to help almost 300 of my colleagues build their online businesses through podcasting, and I’ve learned what to do and what not to do. I’m sharing helpful tips today to help you transform your podcast into a money-making machine. Join me to learn more!You’ll Learn:9 Ways to Turn Your Podcast into a Money-Making MachineRecord coaching calls.This is a way to use interactions with current clients/students to drive future sales, share your expertise, and genuinely connect with someone.Introduce solo episodes. This is a powerful way to build authority on topics that highlight your expertise while promoting your product or service.Show your humanity.This is a way to show your personality and connect with others authentically.Use private podcast episodes.These a

Today’s topic is relevant to many different types of businesses and entrepreneurs, and it’s something I have pondered along my own journey. We are taking a look at owning an audience compared to “renting” an audience through social media platforms. Social media can be overwhelming with many challenges, and the number of followers is not always a reflection of the success of a business. Join us to learn strategies to help you own your audience!Our Featured GuestCraig MorrisCraig Morris works with creators to monetize their knowledge. He has worked at Google for the past seven years, and we connected through our mutual friend Kevin Shen, a previous STC guest. Craig has learned a lot about the power of social media, email lists, and more, and he’s sharing his tips and strategies with us. If you’ve debated the merits of creating an email list and wondered if it’s worthwhile, you will find today’s conversation helpful and informative. As a reminder, please note that Craig is sharing his opinions and insights and n

Today’s session is atypical and very specific, but I think it’s a relevant and timely focus. The topic of supporting incarcerated men has been something I’ve thought about for a long time because the need is great, and I have a heart for those clinicians who do this difficult work. I want to learn and understand more about this field, so I hope you’ll join me for today’s conversation. Our Featured GuestRobert Fields, LPARobert Fields is a Licensed Psychological Associate in Durham, NC. His 15-year career has included a variety of clients, including veterans, adjudicated youth in the juvenile justice system, and individuals with developmental disabilities. His current focus is on incarcerated men within the prison system. Ever active in his community with youth and adults, he works to educate and reduce the stigma by making mental health a more relatable, useful, and transparent topic. Robert and I recently connected on Twitter, and I’m excited to learn more about his work in this field. Twitter and

Today’s session is all about building a breathwork app. It’s an interesting and nuanced process that most of us don’t understand. Breathwork can be a vital part of any therapy practice, and it is a tool that we should better understand. Join us to learn more!Our Featured GuestBrian Von AnckenBrian Von Ancken is Head of Partnerships at Othership.us. Brian and I met on Twitter, which has been a great place for me to connect and engage with many amazing people. Brian’s app is one of the top products on Product Hunt, and I’m curious about why he created an app like this that focuses on health and wellness. We will also talk about the technical aspects of creating a breathwork app. WebsiteGet a discounted price on Othership by using the link:  www.sellingthecouch.com/othership. You’ll Learn:Brian’s personal journey, finding wellness after difficulties, that led him to OthershipHow Brian’s law degree benefits him in the entrepreneurial worldThe biggest mental roadblocks that were in Brian’s wayLesson

Even with seven years or so of course-building under my belt, I certainly do not claim to be an expert with all the answers. Always the student, I’m constantly learning and tweaking the process, and I’m always happy to share my tips and valuable lessons with you. There are so many tools, equipment, formats, etc.--- and it can all be very intimidating! In today’s solo session, I’m sharing tips about my favorite recording tool, Loom. Join me now!You’ll Learn:Why Loom is my favorite recording tool for online courses and the STC podcastMy tips for using Loom to record your online course videos:Alter the sharing style. You can record your screen, your voice, or both. I recommend a combination of all three for variety. Don't be afraid to show your fce on camera!Stick with one big idea per video. The “Show Recording Time” feature in Loom helps you avoid overwhelming your audience with long sessions. I try to stick to 4-7 minutes.Decide beforehand your format for each video. My advice is to start with what probl