Podcast
Selling the Couch
Hosted by Melvin Varghese, PhD · EN
With 1.81 million+ downloads, Selling the Couch is an Apple Top Career podcast for current and future mental health private practitioners who think differently. Psychologist Melvin Varghese interviews successful therapists in private practice about how they built their businesses as well as top entrepreneurs, business/marketing, and social media experts.*
You'll learn how therapists get referrals, grow their practices, work through fears, find their enough, and stop "trading time for income." Melvin also shares the lessons as he grows his impact + income beyond the therapy room (podcasting, YouTube, writing, online courses, masterminds, investing, etc) and the tips and tools he uses to grow STC from a single-person business to the CEO of a 6-figure business.*
Featured in Psychology Today, Good Therapy, and Psych Central
****Get show notes and even more good stuff at sellingthecouch.com/stcpodcast*
37episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
ENCORE: Leaving Therapy for Coaching with Dr. Corey Wilks
1w ago00:44:49Tap to summarizeToday’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 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 changedUnderstanding autonomy, freedom, and why these are Corey’s top prioritiesCorey’s realizations about therapy, wellness, and burnoutConsiderations in making the shift to entrepreneurshipThe biggest mistake people make in turning from therapy to coachingThe difference in coaching as a much more solo-based endeavor than therapyCorey’s advice to a therapist considering becoming a coachThe distinction between the roles of therapist and coach—and how Corey navigates “the line”--Ready to launch (or grow) your online course?Haven is our membership for therapists who want to turn their expertise into sustainable online income through courses, content, and simple systems that actually work.You’ll get access to trainings, live accelerators, and a community that supports you every step of the way.Get on the waitlist: sellingthecouch.com/haven
Transcribe →ENCORE: Designing a Life-First Business In An Uncertain World
2w ago00:13:38Tap to summarizeToday’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 back and reassessing my business3 anchors for building a life-first business in an uncertain world:Design for margin, not maximum.Clarity comes from creating margin, not hustling.Designing for margin is how we stay well enough to serve others.Build products that don’t require your constant presence.Design for asymmetry, where value isn’t tied to one-to-one time.A life-first business scales impact, not just hours.Plan around what you can’t plan for.Your business should be designed to absorb disruption, not collapse under it.Strategies that work for me are “Walden months,” a hard growth ceiling on STC, and allowing maximum flexibility to travel when loved ones need extra help. To sum up today’s topic: “A resilient business doesn’t break when life happens; it bends with grace.”---Ready to launch (or grow) your online course?Haven is our membership for therapists who want to turn their expertise into sustainable online income through courses, content, and simple systems that actually work.Our next Accelerator, Building Authoritative Guides That Stand Out In The Age of AI, begins soon.Learn more here: https://melvinvarghese.kartra.com/page/july2026
Transcribe →ENCORE: What Therapists Get Wrong About Selling Their First Online Course
3w ago00:15:53Tap to summarizeToday’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 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 confidence comes from alignment. Focus on the transformation you can offer.---Ready to launch (or grow) your online course?Haven is our membership for therapists who want to turn their expertise into sustainable online income through courses, content, and simple systems that actually work.Our next Accelerator, Building Authoritative Guides That Stand Out In The Age of AI, begins soon.Learn more here: https://melvinvarghese.kartra.com/page/july2026
Transcribe →ENCORE: A Live vs. Pre-Recorded Online Course
Jun 1800:35:59Tap to summarizeToday’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, LMFTKristen 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 Chapter, is about closing the chapter on certain things in our lives so we can open ourselves up to new opportunities. In today’s coaching call, I’ll share some lessons I’ve learned along the way about online courses. We’ll talk about the rationale behind creating a live course vs. a pre-recorded one. We will wrap up with a pre-launch strategy to help get buyers for your course before you launch.Pathways To Healing Counseling Kristen BoiceYou’ll Learn● Why Kristen started her podcast about two years ago to provide another opportunity for deeper work for her clients● How an online course can help you get more information out to curious people● The options for your course and other services● Why niching down is a big challenge for therapists● How Kristen sees the epidemic of people feeling “not good enough” and being scared to speak up● How a niche can help you offer value and find your sweet spot● How the best courses take people from one place to another● Why Kristen focuses on helping with the hard conversations● How to use phraseology that appeals to people and addresses their need● Step-by-step actions to build your email list and create effective opt-ins● How to create value on the front end of your course by validating your content---Ready to launch (or grow) your online course?Haven is our membership for therapists who want to turn their expertise into sustainable online income through courses, content, and simple systems that actually work.Our next Accelerator, Building Authoritative Guides That Stand Out In The Age of AI, begins soon.Learn more here: https://melvinvarghese.kartra.com/page/july2026
Transcribe →ENCORE: The Process of Creating and Marketing Your Product Using the Feelings Wheel
Jun 1100:37:04Tap to summarizeIn 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 Rosanne Marmor, LCSW, in Portland, Oregon. She created a Feelings Wheel as a way for clients to identify their feelings both inside and outside the therapy room. Rosanne went on a journey that took almost two years of gathering data, development, and production. She was finally able to put this tool in the hands of her clients and has been overwhelmed by its success.
Transcribe →ENCORE: The Power of Depth Over Scale
Jun 400:13:13Tap to summarizeToday'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 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 quiet consistency.Depth protects your nervous system. (“There is a cost for going fast. Depth is kinder.”)A business should give you life—not drain you.Want to know more about being a Quiet Builder? Check out The Quiet Builder Newsletter to get more of my reflective thoughts.--Ready to launch (or grow) your online course?Haven is our membership for therapists who want to turn their expertise into sustainable online income through courses, content, and simple systems that actually work.You’ll get access to trainings, live accelerators, and a community that supports you every step of the way.Get on the waitlist: sellingthecouch.com/haven
Transcribe →423: Why Google Is Done With Your Reels (And What Smart Therapists Are Creating Instead)
May 2800:19:30Tap to summarizeAre 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,a coaching business,or a thought leadership platform…this conversation may completely change how you think about content creation moving forward.In this episode, we discuss:Why social media content is a perishable assetWhat Google’s new EEAT framework means for therapistsWhy AI-generated “generic content” is getting buriedHow clinicians have a unique advantage in AI searchThe difference between a blog post and an authoritative guideWhy long-form, depth-filled content is quietly winningHow therapists can create evergreen content that compounds over timeWhat AI should actually be used for in content creationWhy specificity and lived experience matter more than everHow one well-built guide can become a podcast, YouTube video, workshop, and newsletterWhy therapists should stop waiting to feel like “experts” before publishing“The guide you don’t write can’t help anyone. The one you do, it works while you sleep.”The internet is changing.And for the first time in a long time, it may actually be shifting in therapists’ favor.Because what Google increasingly rewards now is depth, specificity, real-world expertise, and trustworthy human insight.--RESOURCES 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.--Ready to launch (or grow) your online course?Haven is our membership for therapists who want to turn their expertise into sustainable online income through courses, content, and simple systems that actually work.You’ll get access to trainings, live accelerators, and a community that supports you every step of the way.Get on the waitlist: sellingthecouch.com/haven
Transcribe →422: What Happens to Your Clients If Something Happens to You?
May 2100:35:33Tap to summarizeWhat 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 story that led her to found TheraClosure after unexpectedly losing a close colleague and stepping in to manage the aftermath of her private practice, client care, records, and continuity planning.This conversation is thoughtful, grounded, and incredibly relevant for every clinician in private practice.In this episode, we discuss:What a professional will actually isWhy every therapist in private practice should have oneWhat happens to client care and medical records if a clinician dies unexpectedlyThe emotional and ethical impact on clients after sudden therapist lossHow professional wills differ for solo practitioners vs. group practicesCommon mistakes therapists make when planning for continuity of careWhy “I’ll deal with this later” can create major problems for loved ones and clientsHow retirement, incapacitation, and practice sales impact continuity planningWhat therapists should think about regarding passwords, EHR access, payroll, and two-factor authenticationWhy professional wills are about protecting clients — not just protecting businessesA powerful idea from this conversation:“We can’t prevent loss. But we can prevent traumatic loss.”Very few conversations ask: What happens if something happens to you?This episode is an invitation to think proactively, ethically, and compassionately about continuity of care — for your clients, your loved ones, and your profession.--RESOURCES 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.--Ready to launch (or grow) your online course?Haven is our membership for therapists who want to turn their expertise into sustainable online income through courses, content, and simple systems that actually work.You’ll get access to trainings, live accelerators, and a community that supports you every step of the way.Get on the waitlist: sellingthecouch.com/haven
Transcribe →421: A Quick Clinical + Life Update
May 1400:38:13Tap to summarizeIn 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 models no longer fit for some clinicians, and how to build work that feels deeply aligned with your life instead of consuming it.In this episode, Mel shares:The childhood basketball story that shaped his understanding of pressure and performanceWhy the same person can succeed under pressure one year and crumble the nextHow AI is transforming therapy, healthcare, and human workWhy the future belongs to the irreplaceable parts of human connectionThe difference between burnout from the work vs. burnout from the modelWhy he chose not to return to traditional private practiceThe vision behind a new golf-focused performance psychology retreatHow golf became a “laboratory” for understanding nervous system regulation under stressWhy experiences and human presence may become the most valuable forms of care in the AI eraThe concept of building the one model only you could buildQuestions to reflect on:What population have you spent the most time with, and what do they truly need that nobody is delivering?What life experiences or non-clinical skills could become part of the intervention itself?What would you build if you weren’t trying to make it look like what a therapist is “supposed” to offer?--RESOURCES 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.--Ready to launch (or grow) your online course?Haven is our membership for therapists who want to turn their expertise into sustainable online income through courses, content, and simple systems that actually work.You’ll get access to trainings, live accelerators, and a community that supports you every step of the way.Get on the waitlist: sellingthecouch.com/haven
Transcribe →420: How A Therapist's Website Shapes A Client's First Impression
May 700:35:51Tap to summarizeDo 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 than ever, especially in a world where AI is becoming the intermediary between clinicians and potential clients. Together, they unpack how websites shape a client’s first impression, why authenticity matters more than “marketing,” and how therapists can create websites that feel safe, human, and deeply aligned with their values. We cover:* What potential clients are really looking for in the first few seconds on a therapist website * Why websites still matter in the AI era* The difference between “rented” platforms (social media) vs. owned platforms (your website) * How to write website copy that feels authentic instead of salesy * Why therapists are uniquely positioned to create high-quality, human-centered content * Google’s evolving EEAT standards * A simple homepage audit exercise every therapist should do this month Your website isn’t just a marketing tool. It’s a place where potential clients can feel safe, understood, and begin building trust before they ever reach out. If you want to improve your website this month: ask: Would a hurting person feel safe here?--RESOURCES 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.--Ready to launch (or grow) your online course?Haven is our membership for therapists who want to turn their expertise into sustainable online income through courses, content, and simple systems that actually work.You’ll get access to trainings, live accelerators, and a community that supports you every step of the way.Get on the waitlist: sellingthecouch.com/haven
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