Selling the Couch

Today’s encore 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 Guest Dr. Corey Wilks...

Today’s encore is at the heart of the Quiet Builder philosophy. The question is, “How do we design a business that supports our lives, not swallows it?” This becomes increasingly important as the world grows more uncertain and our responsibilities grow daily. This episode is for anyone building a business that fits into real life, and not the other way around. You’ll Learn: My story of stepping ba...

Today’s encore 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 peopl...

Today’s encore is from a live coaching call talking about the many nuances of online courses. I hope this episode will be helpful to you and bring new ideas if an online course is on your radar. Our Featured Guest-Kristen Boice, LMFT Kristen Boice is a therapist in private practice and a fellow podcaster. She has realized the need among her listeners for an online course. Her podcast, Close the Ch...

In today's encore, we're tapping into creative thinking. How are you at thinking outside the box? This episode is perfect for everyone who has thought about creating, marketing, and selling a product. What is the process like? How do you take care of all the little details? What about the marketing piece of your product? We’re diving deep into these questions and more on today’s show. My guest is...

Today's encore is on the 400th episode of Selling the Couch! It was 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 wanted 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 intent...

Are therapists focusing on the wrong kind of content in the age of AI? In this episode, Mel explores one of the biggest shifts happening online right now: why Google and AI-powered search are quietly rewarding depth-first, human-centered, experience-based content, while most social media content disappears within 24–48 hours. If you’re a therapist building: a private practice, a podcast, a course,...

What happens to your private practice if you suddenly become incapacitated… or pass away? It’s a difficult question, and one most therapists never want to think about. But in this deeply practical and important conversation, Mel sits down with Dr. Robin Miller to discuss one of the most overlooked responsibilities in private practice: creating a professional will. Dr. Miller shares the personal st...

In this deeply personal episode, Mel shares an honest update on a new chapter he’s building: one that sits at the intersection of psychology, nervous system regulation, golf, performance under pressure, and the future of clinical work in the age of AI. This is not a polished “success story.” It’s a real-time reflection on what AI is changing in mental health, why traditional private practice model...

Do therapist websites still matter in the age of AI? With platforms like ChatGPT, Claude, Google AI Search, social media, and online directories changing how people search for support, many therapists are wondering: Is it even worth investing in a website anymore? In this episode, Mel sits down with Sarah Gershon of Strong Roots Web Design to explore why therapist websites may actually matter more...

Are therapists quietly leaving social media… on purpose? In today’s episode, we explore a growing shift: not burnout, but intentional withdrawal from platforms that promise connection... but often create fragmentation. If you’ve ever felt conflicted about social media— needing it for visibility but feeling drained by it —this conversation will hit close to home. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why...

What does it actually look like to market your work… without losing your humanity? In today’s episode of Selling the Couch , I’m joined by Shayna Vance Roman to explore a powerful and often overlooked idea: human-centric marketing—and how to apply it in a way that feels grounded, ethical, and aligned. If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable with marketing… overwhelmed by social media… or unsure how to g...

Is AI actually giving us more freedom… or just more to do? In this episode, I reflect on something I’ve been noticing lately, both in my own life and in conversations with other business owners: Even though AI makes it easier to write, create, and move faster… many of us aren’t using that time to slow down. In this episode, we explore: Why AI doesn’t actually create freedom (and what it creates in...

If you’ve been told to “just start a blog” to grow your private practice and be seen online, but you’re now wondering if AI has made that advice outdated... this episode is for you. In this conversation, I sit down with Daniel Fava from Private Practice Elevation to explore what’s actually changed with blogging, SEO, and content creation, and what still works today. In this episode, we cover: Why...

After 11 years, 400+ episodes, and nearly 2 million downloads, I thought I understood what drives podcast growth. Then I saw the data, and it challenged a lot of assumptions. In this episode, I break down what actually drives podcast downloads today, based on real-world insights and my own experience growing Selling the Couch into a top 0.5% podcast. Because here’s the truth: Audience size doesn’t...

Today’s encore is covering creating and selling an E-Course. Since creating Healthcasters, I’ve definitely made many mistakes that I’m happy to share with you. Statistics show that the self-improvement industry is a $10-11 billion industry, so we know that there are a lot people who crave knowledge and want to learn. Join me for more! -- Want to launch your online course? Our new membership is ope...

If there is one thing I’ve learned as a small business owner, it’s that it takes courage to show up imperfect. We want so badly to be perfect and put together in front of our audience, but perfectionism makes us less authentic and connected. Join us to learn more about being OK with being imperfect. Samara Stone is a return guest to the podcast, and I’m thrilled to welcome her back! In addition to...

We use video for meetings, live sessions, live-streaming, and other content, so it’s important to have the best quality possible. Michael Rothermel is my videographer who filmed the welcome video for STC. We were part of the same faith community while Michael lived in the Philly area. Join us to learn his top tips to improve the quality of live videos. -- Want to launch your online course or YouTu...

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 h...

“If you build a great course, they’ll come.” I wish that were true. Over the past decade, both as a course creator (since 2015) and as a teacher helping therapists launch their own courses, I’ve seen something surprising: Great content alone is rarely enough. In this episode, we talk about why most online courses fail, even when the material inside is research-backed, thoughtful, and genuinely hel...

Most conversations about private practice are highlight reels. But what about the parts no one posts about? In today’s episode of Selling the Couch , I’m joined by my friend Dr. Justin Dodson, a group practice owner in Memphis, Tennessee, for an honest, real-world conversation about what it actually takes to run (and sustain) a small business as a therapist. Justin is heading into year 6 of privat...

Most podcasts never make a dollar. Not because the host isn’t talented. Not because their strategy is bad. But because they quit too soon, or they measure ROI the wrong way. In this episode, I break down what 11 years of podcasting (and nearly 2 million downloads) have taught me about building a podcast that actually pays off. The 3 Forms of Podcast ROI 1️⃣ Trust – Deep relational credibility that...

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 fro...

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...

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 conc...