Selling the Couch

In this deeply honest and practical conversation, I’m joined by fellow clinician and creative coach TJ Walsh as we explore what it means to evolve your brand in real time — especially when your identity as a therapist is shifting.
TJ introduces a simple but powerful framework:
Push. Pull. Propel.
It’s a guide for navigating professional discomfort, emerging desires, and the momentum that comes from integrating both.
We talk about:
* Why branding is worked out in real time
* Letting go of perfectionism and overthinking
* The emotional cost of being “the product” in therapy work
* How to know when it’s time to pivot
* Building Quiet Builder and navigating multiple identities
* Intuitive practices for clarity and alignment
* Why slow growth is often the greatest gift
If you're in a season of change — whether it's launching a new offer, exploring a new part of yourself, or simply wondering “what’s next?” — this one is for you.
Resources:
Want to launch your online course?
Check out our new membership site! Find out more and get on the Haven Waitlist here.

In today’s episode, I’m diving into a topic many therapists and thoughtful professionals wrestle with: the pressure to be seen on social media, and what it means to opt out.
Over the past decade of building Selling the Couch, I’ve had a front-row seat to both the power and the cost of online visibility. And lately, I’ve been asking myself: What does success look like without the performance? What if we chose privacy over performance, resonance over reach?
In this episode, I share 3 core insights I’ve learned from personal experience and from conversations with fellow clinicians:
🧠 The illusion that fame heals insecurity
📉 The emotional weight of influence
🕵️ Privacy as the hidden cost of visibility
I also reflect on how slow growth gave me space to emotionally regulate, why I’m focusing more on deeper offline conversations (including my golf journey 👀), and how I’ve come to define enough in business and life.
Whether you're feeling burned out from social media, questioning your relationship to personal branding, or just wondering if there's a quieter way to grow, I hope this episode offers encouragement and clarity.
Resources:
Want to launch your online course?
Check out our new membership site! Find out more and get on the Haven Waitlist here.
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.

AI can be an incredible tool to save time, boost creativity, and streamline your content, but how do you use it without losing your authentic voice?
In this episode, I’m joined by Dan Cumberland, founder of Dan Cumberland Labs, to explore how therapists, coaches, and small business owners can use AI tools like ChatGPT or Claude without sounding robotic or generic.
We cover:
* Common therapist concerns about using AI
* How to treat AI as a collaborator (not a replacement)
* The POWER Framework: How to get better AI output
* Building a brand voice guide
* How AI frees up time for life, family, and creative work
* Using AI to repurpose podcast & YouTube content
* Dan’s tips for delegating content without losing your voice
This episode is packed with practical tips if you're looking to scale your message, free up your schedule, and still sound like you.
Resources:
Want to launch your online course?
Check out our new membership site! Find out more and get on the Haven Waitlist here.

Whether you're in grad school for psychology, counseling, social work—or mentoring someone who is—this episode is for you.
After 20+ years in the mental health field and over a decade running Selling the Couch, I'm sharing 5 things I wish I had done during grad school to set up a more sustainable, meaningful, and flexible career.
I also share one bonus tip that’s been the most important for long-term success (especially if you want to avoid burnout and build a career that supports your life, not consumes it).
This episode covers:
#1: Don’t Just Learn—Build Something
#2: Say Yes to What Scares You
#3: Learn the Language of Business
#4: Build Relationships, Not Just a Resume
#5: Don’t Burn Bridges (Ever)
And tune in to get the BONUS tip!
Resources:
Want to launch your online course?
Check out our new membership site that just opened! Find out more and join us in Haven here.
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.

What is emotional fitness, and why is it more important than ever for therapists, helpers, and quiet leaders?
In this episode of Selling the Couch, I’m joined by psychologist and author Dr. Emily Anhalt to explore how we can strengthen our emotional muscles to prevent burnout, set boundaries, and lead with compassion (without losing ourselves in the process).
We break down:
The difference between emotional intelligence and emotional fitness
The 7 traits of emotionally fit people
The early warning signs of burnout—and how to prevent it
Why boundaries are the blueprint for sustainability
How playfulness improves therapy outcomes (and leadership!)
A powerful "emotional push-up" you can try today
Whether you're in private practice, leadership, or building something new, this episode will help you stay grounded and grow with intention.
Resources:
Want to launch your online course?
Check out our new membership site that's starting in January! Find out more and join us in Haven here.
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.