Abundant Practice Podcast: Episode #685 - Shifting Niches

Host: Allison Puryear
Guest: Megan
Date: September 10, 2025

Episode Overview

In this candid and practical episode, Allison Puryear coaches Megan, a private practice therapist, through the complexities of shifting her clinical niche. They explore the process of identifying an ideal client profile, navigating website messaging, setting boundaries, adjusting fees and session structures, and the deeply personal questions around therapist self-disclosure. The conversation is rich with real-world examples, laughter, and gentle nudges toward sustainable practice building.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Evolving Your Niche (02:18–04:24)

• Megan describes moving from focusing on “over-controlled eating disorders” to recognizing that her true clinical passion lies in working with clients who have ADHD, often in combination with eating disorders and anxiety.
• She notes: “In working with over-controlled people, I’ve learned that’s such a bad fit for me. It has to be ADHD.” (02:28, Megan)
• Allison enthusiastically supports this shift, “ADHD and eating disorders, the combo—amazing.” (02:36, Allison)

2. Managing Workload & Financial Goals (03:38–04:06)

• Megan talks about her caseload (averaging 12–13 sessions/week) and her goal to increase to 15–16 for financial stability, especially as her child starts preschool.
• “I know it’s still kind of a lot, but kids are really expensive, so I feel like I need to kind of be at that.” (03:57, Megan)

3. Redefining Boundaries: Letting Go of Sunday Sessions (04:29–09:01)

• Megan expresses discomfort about working Sundays, typically held for high-achieving, overcommitted clients.
• Allison reframes Sunday sessions as clinically problematic: “It’s enabling for her to see you on a Sunday.” (05:07, Allison)
• They discuss the clinical value of prioritizing one’s mental health even when it conflicts with other commitments.
• Megan: “Oh my god, that’s everyone who sees me on a Sunday.” (05:19, Megan)
• Allison: “The transition for them is actually going to be much more clinically important than just, like, I don’t want to work these hours anymore.” (05:28, Allison)
• Megan feels relieved and plans to exit Sunday work: “I’m gonna get out of Sundays. Thank you.” (08:59, Megan)

4. Session Fees & Session Length Adjustments (09:11–10:38)

• Megan has recently raised her rate to $300 per session and asks about incremental annual increases.
• Allison: “I like setting a precedent of the fee going up every year… Otherwise I end up talking to people who are like, I haven’t raised my fee in seven years.” (09:35, Allison)
• Megan contemplates shortening her session length from 50 to 45 minutes instead of, or alongside, a rate increase; Allison approves: “Maybe instead of raising the rate, I’m going to shorten sessions by five minutes. So maybe that’s what you do the next time.” (10:10, Allison)

5. Niche Messaging for Website & Internalized ADHD (10:44–18:13)

• Megan struggles with messaging on her website as her understanding of her ideal client evolves.
• Allison encourages subtle language changes that speak directly to high-functioning, late-diagnosed ADHDers: “Look at the ways that ADHD shows up for them… drop, like, drizzle that through your website.” (11:30, Allison)
• Discussion of “internalized ADHD” as a less-recognized, more female-presenting subtype—high-achieving, intense, perfectionistic.
• Megan: “My hyperactivity was in my perfectionism and people pleasing.” (12:09, Megan)
• Allison reassures: “I think you’re nailing it here… you are absolutely talking about this internalized ADHDer with an eating disorder.” (17:19, Allison)
• Both acknowledge the newness of the concept:
  Allison: “This is something very new to me.” (17:42, Allison)

6. Ethics: Testimonials on Therapist Websites (15:09–16:48)

• Megan describes posting unsolicited testimonials from former clients who mailed thank-you cards post-termination.
• Allison cautions: “While it might be totally legit, what it does allow is the board to question you about it. So I think it just potentially opens a door for some drama…” (15:56, Allison)
• Consensus: best to remove testimonials to avoid board scrutiny, especially since Megan’s practice is already attracting ideal clients.

7. Therapist Self-Disclosure Dilemmas (18:17–21:33)

• Megan debates whether to mention her own ADHD diagnosis on her “About Me” page.
• Allison recommends careful, values-driven self-disclosure:
  “I always like the model somebody taught me of knowing what you’re going to disclose and why, like having it all literally written down…so that it’s not just the thing that flies out of your mouth…” (20:23, Allison)
• Megan feels disclosure may build connection: “The person who helped me the most had ADHD and I think if I didn’t know they had it, I would have felt like… I couldn’t tell them about it.” (21:02, Megan)

8. Blogging, Speaking, and SEO Strategies (24:04–26:09)

• Megan mentions inconsistent blogging; Allison assures it’s not necessary if client flow is steady.
• They discuss requesting backlinks from organizations where Megan has spoken or serves, to improve her SEO.
• Allison: “You always have the right to ask. You just don’t have the right to expect.” (26:00, Allison)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On clinical boundaries:
  “If we were looking at it like her over-commitments is her drug…” (05:10, Allison)
• On perfectionism & ADHD:
  “Maybe something about, like, your perfectionism has driven almost everything you’ve done, and it feels like it runs on a motor.” (18:26, Allison)
• On incremental change:
  “I feel the same sense of dread I did before I did all the other changes that now seem like no brainers and not a big deal.” (26:24, Megan)

Important Timestamps

• 02:18 – Megan discusses shifting her niche focus
• 03:38 – Financial goals and increasing session counts
• 04:29 – The struggle with Sunday sessions begins
• 05:28 – Allison reframes Sunday clients’ clinical needs
• 08:59 – Megan commits to dropping Sunday hours
• 09:11 – Session fee and fee-raising strategy
• 10:09 – Adjusting session length from 50 to 45 minutes
• 11:41 – Messaging “internalized ADHD” on the website
• 15:09 – Ethics and risk of client testimonials
• 18:26 – Rewording website copy for niche alignment
• 20:23 – The model for intentional self-disclosure
• 21:02 – Disclosure’s client impact
• 24:04 – Blogging frequency and relevance
• 25:55 – Backlink requests for SEO

Conclusion:

This episode serves as an honest, supportive guide for therapists navigating niche clarity, setting sustainable boundaries, and marketing authentically. Allison delivers both affirmation and actionable strategies, with practical advice on everything from website tweaks to managing one’s clinical appetite for “intensity.” Therapists considering pivots in their private practices will find encouragement, reassurance, and concrete next steps.