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

The perfect recipe for burnout is to work in a caring profession, be a slave to perfectionism, and neglect your needs. As clinicians, we realize that we work in a flawed healthcare system in the US, but how do we exist in this environment to do good work and sustain ourselves from a holistic perspective that goes way beyond basic self-care? We are diving into this topic with today’s guest. Join us!Our Featured GuestDr. Jessi GoldDr. Jessi Gold is the first Chief Wellness Officer for the University of Tennessee System, which comprises five campuses and more than 60,000 students. Also serving as an associate professor of psychiatry, Dr. Gold is a speaker, media advocate, author, and mental health consultant. She recently wrote How Do You Feel? One Doctor's Search for the Humanity in Medicine.  In today’s session, Jessi shares her experience in teetering on the edge of burnout and what she learned about herself. Dr. Jessi GoldYou’ll Learn:The basics of Dr. Jessi’s role with the University of Tennessee

Here we are at the last episode of 2025, our 10th year of the podcast. For the last episode of the year, I usually try to focus on reflections about lessons learned, tough decisions, and pivots that are happening. My intent today is to be transparent and share in a “fireside chat” format. Take a pause with me, sit back, and think about your business as we approach the end of 2025.You’ll Learn:The underlying question to ask: “How do I build something that lasts without losing myself in the process?”Announcement about closing STC Elite, our mastermind that has lasted for 4 yearsClosing the mastermind, all related to my stress level, focus, and mental clarity“Sometimes, the highest ROI decision we can make in our businesses is subtraction.”Feedback about concerns over the $9K investmentHighlights of a new membership site, Haven, launching in January 2026 (A much more affordable option!) Find out more and join the interest list. The Quiet Builder Newsletter: How this movement resonates with so many peopleWha

What does it mean to have an “anti-racist practice”? With all the changes taking place regarding DEI and the current US political climate, this is a challenging endeavor for clinicians. Join us for a closer look at this important topic in today’s session. Our Featured GuestKenya CrawfordKenya Crawford is a licensed therapist and trained facilitator who works with individuals, companies, and therapists to create healing spaces for our collective liberation. In today’s conversation, Kenya provides a behind-the-scenes look at the current state of DEI programs and discusses how to balance DEI and anti-racist work with running a sustainable business. This is a practical conversation around building and designing practices and businesses with strategic intentionality. Kenya's WebsiteCultivated Healers CommunityYou’ll Learn:The current state of DEI work: It’s not dead, but it has shifted.Our companies reflect our communities.Kenya’s focus from 2020-2025, aiming for overall sustainability in her practiceKen

This session is the second part of a series called “Podcasting for Therapists.” You can check out the first part of the series on launching your podcast with this link. Today’s focus is on what happens after you launch your podcast. More specifically, how do you strategically and thoughtfully turn your podcast into a platform that leads to more income, impact, and invitations to do the work that lights you up? This is an aspect of podcasting that is often overlooked. You start a podcast to serve others, but it gradually becomes a bridge to other opportunities, like online courses, book deals, speaking gigs, retreats, and relationships you could have never imagined. If you’ve ever wondered if you can really build a business through a podcast, this episode is your roadmap!You’ll Learn:There was no grand vision or monetization plan when I began back in 2015.The #1 recurring question I’m asked: “How did you launch a podcast?”My journey into online courses—how it began and grew (To date, that first course has gene

Today’s session is about shutting down your private practice, which is an inevitable step in the journey for many therapists. The two main options are to sell their private practice or shut it down, which can be the best choice for a therapist who wants to pursue other avenues and achieve more freedom in their life. Join us to learn more!Our Featured GuestDr. Jen BlanchetteDr. Jen Blanchette is a licensed psychologist, podcaster, speaker, career coach, and business consultant. Her passion is helping therapists and other caring professionals say goodbye to burnout culture and find the support they need. In the early years of the pandemic, Dr. Jen made the decision to close the private practice she had worked hard to build; a combination of burnout and the realization that she wanted to focus on other things fueled her decision. In today’s conversation, we cover the real, emotional side of shutting down a private practice, which includes terminating relationships with clients and handling logistical challenges.

Today’s session is all about designing a therapist-friendly course that actually gets finished. This is the third in our series, The Therapist’s Path to a Successful Online Course. A lesser-known fact about online courses is that they have a notoriously low completion rate. The real challenge for course creators is to include content that is engaging yet concise, so that people stay engaged until completion. Since we've invested time and effort in creating a transformational online course experience, we want people to complete the entire course.You’ll Learn:Course building strategies that don’t overload your studentsBuilding a course for them, not meIn course creation, look for the most straightforward path from A to B.“A finished course is more powerful than a perfect one.”3 anchors for course design to improve completion rates:Design for real-life energy, not ideal circumstances.Layer-in accountability and gentle community to serve “one to many” over 1:1.Keep the path simple and straightforward. Don’t overw

This is the 400th episode of Selling the Couch! It is truly surreal to think back to 2015 and the show’s humble beginnings; reaching this milestone is beyond anything I ever dreamed of 10 years ago. I want to use this milestone to reflect on a few meaningful thoughts about staying the course to reap the quiet rewards. What does it mean to choose depth over scale and to build intentionally and slowly when the world often tells us to go fast? The truth in this concept of depth over scale is the most impactful lesson I’ve learned on this journey. In this episode, I’m focusing on 3 reflections that I hope encourage you, especially if you are in a season of slow growth. You’ll Learn:My experience: Feeling behind when everyone else seemed to be scaling faster: “Am I doing this wrong?”What clicked for me: “Speed makes noise, but depth builds roots.”3 Quiet-Builder truths for longevity and depth:Slow growth is often the healthiest growth.We often think reputation comes from a single moment, but it comes from qui

Today’s topic strikes fear into the hearts of many clinicians. We are talking about branding, not in the sales-y way that feels icky, but with authenticity, heart, and grace. Whether intentional or not, you have a brand; why not make it one to be proud of? Want to be an influential thought leader? Your personal brand should reflect your heart and core values. Join us to learn more!Our Featured GuestAdrienne WilkersonAdrienne Wilkerson is a personal friend and the CEO of Beacon Media + Marketing, a marketing agency that works closely with practices and clinicians in the mental health field. Our conversation begins with the starting point in thinking of yourself as a “brand,” clarifying and communicating who you are and what you stand for, and how clinicians can become thought leaders. Adrienne shares insights about branding principles to follow in building a platform and sharing a message that feels true and genuine. We conclude with a look at how to stay authentic in branding and content in today’s AI-dominat

Today’s solo episode is the second of a three-part series we call The Therapist’s Path to a Successful Online Course. Today’s focus is on what therapists often get wrong about selling their first online course, considering all the assumptions we make and the misconceptions we hold about online courses. I’m bringing full transparency to today’s topic as I share what I’ve learned through my years of experience with online courses. You’ll Learn:The guilt loop running in my head (“I became a therapist to help people, not to sell things.”)Mindset shift that made it all make sense to meEthical selling: a path to transformation with deep care and clarity3 sales mistakes therapists make—and what to do instead:Thinking “sales equals sleazing”Think of aligned sales as clear communication with a gentle and generous invitation.Avoiding the “ask” entirelyIf someone is clearly interested, don’t make them guess how to work with you. Give them a clear call-to-action.Not believing in the value of your courseYour confiden

Welcome to our fall season of new episodes! After a busy summer of family time and travel, I’m excited to be back with you on the podcast. Today’s conversation is an important one about mindful language in conversations touching on race and culture. Join us!Our Featured GuestDr. Nathalie EdmondDr. Nathalie Edmond is a licensed psychologist and the author of Mindful Race Talk: Building Literacy, Fluency, and Agility. She is the perfect guest to help us approach race as clinicians in the therapy room and in our advocacy work. We are covering topics such as what it means to have an “embodied” conversation about race, the importance of our language, and how we can strike a balance between honesty and accountability. Our discussion includes the elements of conversations that are truly beneficial in light of today’s racially charged climate of cancel culture and “colorblindness.” We wrap up with a look at how clinicians can build cross-racial solidarity. WebsiteYou’ll Learn:The impetus and inspiration for writ

Today’s session is a conversation about how to navigate guest appearances on podcasts. Whether you have future aspirations to launch a podcast or desire to grow your visibility by appearing on podcasts, this will be a helpful session for you! Podcasting offers possibilities for interesting connections and unimaginable opportunities. Join us to learn more!Our Featured GuestDustin RiechmannDustin Riechmann is a new friend with whom I connected on LinkedIn. From an engineering background, Dustin has become an internet marketing and copywriting whiz. His entire niche is focused on helping entrepreneurs pitch themselves to bigger and bigger podcasts, which is a huge accelerant to business growth. Podcasting appearances help you establish social proof and open the doors to partnerships you could never imagine. Dustin shares his background story of coming to this niche and what he has learned along the way. He gives practical insights into crafting pitches to podcasters and much more valuable information on this top

If you have ever considered creating an online course, or if you are already a course creator, you have probably thought a lot about marketing that course. The challenge is how to be thoughtful and creative in marketing your course, which becomes a separate income stream for your business. Starting a podcast is one of the best ways to market your course while creating a solid, compound income stream, and we are talking strategy today as I share what I’ve learned through my experience. Join us!You’ll Learn:Why starting a podcast has been one of the most rewarding personal and professional endeavors of my lifeWhy podcasts are the perfect way to produce authentic, evergreen content and establish trustHow a podcast becomes a way to avoid burnout and take self-care breaks while staying consistent with releasing and re-releasing contentHow podcasts allow dynamic ads, which are pure magic (Captivate makes it easy!) and help build your email listHow the podcasting format allows pre-roll, mid-roll, and end-roll ads to

Today’s session is about leaving psychotherapy for coaching. This transition is one that many therapist colleagues have made, and the reality is that many more are shifting from the field of therapy into coaching. Several major factors play into this decision, and my guest today gives a transparent look at his experience in this transition. Join us to learn more!Our Featured GuestDr. Corey WilksDr. Corey Wilks is a good friend and licensed psychologist who joins us for an open and honest look at his transition from therapy to coaching.  In giving a glimpse into the circumstances and perspectives that led him to make this decision and shift his career, he shares how his career goals have changed over the years, what autonomy means to him, and why it is important. We wrap up by discussing mistakes that therapists often make in this career change and the drawbacks to leaving a traditional career in mental health.Corey's Website You’ll Learn:Corey’s career goals back in grad school—and how they have cha

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

Today’s session is all about rebranding. We are taking a behind-the-scenes look at how different circumstances might affect the business you’ve established and force you to rebrand. Should you view this kind of pivot as a failure? Absolutely not! Let’s explore this topic together.Our Featured GuestKevon CheungKevon Cheung is the founder and head teacher at Small School. He was a previous guest on the podcast several years ago, and I’ve taken his Build in Public Mastery Course to help overcome my fears about posting on social media. I learned a lot of helpful information about creating effective posts on LinkedIn, YouTube, and the STC podcast. Kevon’s wisdom and practical knowledge have helped me lean into vulnerability in many areas. In light of his rebranding from Public Lab to Small School, Kevon shares the pain and difficulties in business building and rebranding, why he felt the need to rebrand, and what he teaches in his online “small courses.” He also explains where he sees course creators stumbling the

Many therapists have created online courses or have thought about creating an online course. It’s one of the best ways to increase your visibility, establish your expertise, and expand your audience and impact in the world. The course creation journey is not an easy one, and it’s full of challenges and ups and downs. Join us for a transparent look at the process from today’s guest!Our Featured GuestLinda Murphy, MEd, MA, LMHCLinda Murphy is a group practice owner in Florida, and she’s a member of the STC Online Course Mastermind group for therapists. Linda is the founder of the Banana Man Society and the Relationship and Divorce Counseling Center. She developed her idea to create a course for dealing with a difficult person because she saw that topic come up often for her clients, and she realized over time that there had to be a better way to distill and share information beyond 1:1 therapy. She created “Banana Man” as a metaphor for dealing with a difficult person–and the Banana Man Society was born. In thi

Today’s session is in response to a frequent question about optimizing your LinkedIn profile. I don’t pretend to be a LinkedIn expert, but I have learned some valuable lessons in the past two years of using this platform. As I share screens and info with you today, you may find it more helpful to watch the YouTube video rather than simply listen to the audio. So many people are curious about LinkedIn and how to use it best, so I’m happy to share some of my insights today!You’ll Learn:View your profile as a landing page, not a sales page. Tips for your banner (Canva is a great resource!), profile picture, text, and graphicsMy philosophy when trying something new: “Get going, get good, and then get smart.”Including credibility and social proof in your LI profileBeware of playing the analytics game!Taplio is a great resource for scheduling LI posts.Structure your “About” section with an emphasis on storytelling.Gauge your level of engagement with your ideal client.Be clear and simple about your call to acti

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 80-9

If you've ever thought about starting a podcast but felt overwhelmed by the idea of keeping it up long-term, this episode is for you! Whether you're still dreaming of launching or you've already started and are feeling burnout, I'm here to share the habits that have completely transformed my approach to podcasting. Podcasting can be an incredibly powerful tool to extend your reach and grow your impact beyond the therapy room, but without a sustainable strategy, it’s easy to get caught up in the chaos. In today’s episode, I'll walk you through the 7 simple yet impactful habits that have changed my relationship with podcasting and made this endeavor sustainable for the long haul. Get ready to hear how you can implement these practices into your own podcasting journey and finally create a process that works for YOU!You’ll Learn: 7 habits that have changed everything for me:Design for longevity, not growth.Learn how I structure my podcast schedule around the life I want.Capture ideas daily.I use a private Sl

How do you know if your idea for an online course is a good one? Today’s session kicks off a three-part series about online courses and how to build a sustainable online course as a therapist. The most common question I get is about ideas for online courses. If you’ve thought about launching an online course but have some hesitancy, this episode will be helpful for you. I remember going through the dilemma of choosing course ideas and wondering which ones are good. It was overwhelming, but I found a way to determine if a course idea is good, and I’m sharing what I’ve learned. You’ll Learn:The best course ideas aren’t invented but are discovered in the questions your people are already asking.Three anchors for validating a good course idea:Your audience is already dropping clues.Pay attention to how you are seen as an expert.If someone asks you the same question three times or more, that’s a signal.Validate before you build.Don’t spend time creating slides without validating your idea.Put together a poll