Business Of Therapy

I’m excited to welcome licensed mental health counselor Michelle Stiles to the podcast!
In today’s episode, we’re chatting about the reality of balancing a full-time job & starting a private practice. We also talk about the importance of niching down and learning how to market yourself with confidence.
This episode is a beautiful reminder that slow growth, brave decisions, and the right support can completely change your business (and your life)!
In this episode, we cover:
What it really looks like to balance a full-time job while slowly building a private practice
Michelle’s breaking point with burnout in community mental health
The “sink or swim” moment that led her to fully commit to private practice
Navigating the fear of quitting a “stable” job
Why Michelle chose to stop taking insurance and move fully to private pay
How niching down helped her market with more clarity & confidence
Using Instagram for both client acquisition and therapist referrals
How charging her worth led to working fewer hours + making more money
What Michelle’s life looks like now
Advice for therapists just getting started

Connect with Michelle:
Follow on Instagram @panicandanxiety
Check out her website

Connect with Kelly:
Follow on Instagram @businessoftherapy and @sitwithkelly
Check out the Business of Therapy website

Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Resources & Links:
This episode is sponsored by Alma, the financially rewarding way to go in-network
I recommend setting up an intro call scheduler within Jane - use code: KELLY2MONTH for a 2-month grace period

The new year is here, which means I’m back from maternity leave and diving into ALL things 2026 planning!
Annual planning as a private-practice therapist isn’t about being rigid. It’s not about getting every detail perfect. It’s about stepping into CLARITY. When you’re crystal clear on what matters and what you’re capable of, you will create a business and life that feels aligned!
A little bit of intentional planning now saves you from a whole lot of chaos later.
In this episode, I cover:
How to start with your “big rocks” to map out your priorities
The importance of planning life before business & allowing room for flexibility
How to honestly assess your capacity
Using the SMART framework to set goals
The power of breaking your goals into smaller milestones throughout the year

Connect with Kelly:
Follow on Instagram @businessoftherapy and @sitwithkelly
Check out the Business of Therapy website

Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Resources & Links:
This episode is sponsored by Alma, the financially rewarding way to go in-network
I recommend setting up an intro call scheduler within Jane - use code: KELLY2MONTH for a 2-month grace period
Private Practice Academy Bundle (PPA)
Reels Membership
Business Coaching Waitlist
Free training

Today, I’m taking you back in time to visit the 3 reels that COMPLETELY shifted the trajectory of my business. If you’ve ever felt embarrassed, awkward, or straight-up cringey when you first start posting on Instagram… Yep, SAME.
I didn’t even tell my friends or family about my account until I hit 500 followers! But once I pushed past the fear, things started happening. I’m talking BIG things. Reels truly changed everything for me. They can absolutely change everything for you, too!
In this episode, I cover:
How my very first reel gave me the key mindset shift I needed
My first viral reel that built credibility + momentum for me
The reel that brought in a TON of new client inquiries + truly changed my business
My biggest lesson from these 3 reels

Connect with Kelly:
Follow on Instagram @businessoftherapy and @sitwithkelly
Check out the Business of Therapy website

Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Resources & Links:
My very first reel
My first viral reel with 800k views
My first reel that brought in a LOT of new clients
This episode is sponsored by Alma, the financially rewarding way to go in-network
I recommend setting up an intro call scheduler within Jane - use code: KELLY2MONTH for a 2-month grace period
Private Practice Academy Bundle (PPA)
Reels Membership
Business Coaching Waitlist
Free training
Caption Guide

Mentioned in this episode:
FREE Training: How to Market & Grow Your Private Practice on Instagram

Ever felt like your Instagram content isn’t working the way you want it to? You’re definitely not alone, and there’s nothing wrong with you!
But the truth is, you NEED a strategy. Most therapists are posting and expecting every piece of content to magically convert into a client.
Not all content is designed to do the same thing. When you understand the purpose behind each format, Instagram suddenly becomes sooo much easier, fun, AND effective!
In today's episode, I'm talking about the Instagram content format to focus on for success as a therapist.
In this episode, I cover:
How to use reels to attract new people + increase your Instagram growth
How carousels nurture your audience & clearly position you as an authority
How stories build genuine connection & drive warm, aligned conversions
How using all 3 formats creates a simple + strategic content flow

Connect with Kelly:
Follow on Instagram @businessoftherapy and @sitwithkelly
Check out the Business of Therapy website

Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Resources & Links:
Reels Membership
This episode is sponsored by Alma, the financially rewarding way to go in-network
I recommend setting up an intro call scheduler within Jane - use code: KELLY2MONTH for a 2-month grace period
Private Practice Academy Bundle (PPA)
Business Coaching Waitlist
Free training
Caption Guide

Mentioned in this episode:
FREE Training: How to Market & Grow Your Private Practice on Instagram

I’m excited to welcome trauma therapist Lauren Auer to the podcast!
In today’s episode, we’re going BTS of 20 million views on reels and talking about the real pros and cons of going viral.
What I love about Lauren is that her entire Instagram presence is rooted in HELPING people. She’s not chasing trends or forcing growth. That intention has created an amazing ripple effect in her business.
In this episode, we cover:
Lauren’s deep trauma background + how her varied experience shaped her business
What showing up on Instagram looked like for her in the beginning
Why she now prefers speaking-style reels over lip-syncs or trends
Her IG growth journey + how one reel led to 20M views & changed everything
The real pros and cons of going viral
How Lauren navigates sharing more controversial topics online
What Substack is + how Lauren uses it to go deeper with her audience
Her thoughts on future offers + doing it in an aligned way
Marketing yourself without hustle & choosing strategies that genuinely fit YOU
Lauren’s simple, client-centered approach for content ideas & creation

Connect with Lauren:
Follow on Instagram @yourtraumatherapist_
Follow on TikTok @YourTraumaTherapist
Join her Substack
Check out her website

Connect with Kelly:
Follow on Instagram @businessoftherapy and @sitwithkelly
Check out the Business of Therapy website

Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Resources & Links:
Lauren’s viral reel
This episode is sponsored by Alma, the financially rewarding way to go in-network
I recommend setting up an intro call scheduler within Jane - use code: KELLY2MONTH for a 2-month grace period
Private Practice Academy Bundle (PPA)
Reels Membership
Business Coaching Waitlist
Free...