Therapists Rising Podcast

Picture a psychologist with 25 years in perinatal mental health — burned out from holding space for loss and trauma for decades.She needed something that was just hers. No clinical notes, no disclosure risk, no empathy fatigue. She chose floristry.And then her perinatal colleagues found out. And asked her to bring it to conferences. Then to teach it online. Now she has a waiting list of clinicians who want in.Today's guest, Carla Anderson, is a clinical psychologist who built two very different streams inside one business — perinatal mental health training for healthcare clinicians, and floristry-based therapeutic programs for clinician self-care. She didn't plan it. She followed her gut. And the market responded in ways she didn't see coming.HERE ARE THE 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS:1️⃣ Your Burnout Might Be Pointing You Somewhere — Carla needed something that shut her brain off after 25 years of perinatal loss and trauma work. Floristry did that. What started as self-preservation became the foundation of an entirely new program. Your burnout isn't a problem to solve. Sometimes it's a signpost.2️⃣ The "Weird" Idea Is Often the One That Takes Off — Carla kept reverting to her safe perinatal niche because floristry felt too new, too hard to package. Then perinatal conferences kept asking her to run the floristry sessions. Fellow Incubator members asked when they could join. The market told her what it wanted — she just had to listen long enough to believe it.3️⃣ You Don't Have to Explain Everything Upfront — People come to Carla's workshops thinking it's about flower arranging. By the end they're doing deep reflective work through metaphor. You don't need a ten-paragraph explanation. You just need to get people in the room. The experience does the convincing.YOU'LL ALSO HEAR:Why healthcare clinicians (GPs, midwives, doctors) are desperately under-resourced when it comes to psychological support skills — and how Carla fills that gapWhat therapeutic horticulture actually is and the science behind why nature-based practices workHow she structured her first beta launch (including the Valentine's Day flowers disaster that became an accidental metaphor)The internal flip-flopping between the safe niche and the exciting one — and how she finally stopped revertingWhat it looks like to let market feedback build your confidence instead of waiting for certainty firstWhy everything is figureoutable — including how to teach flower arranging onlineRESOURCES: Connect with Carla Anderson:Website: www.carlaandersoncliniciantraining.comFacebook & Instagram: @carlaandersoncliniciantrainingLinkedIn: Carla AndersonTherapists Rising Programs:Caseload to Course Bootcamp: https://therapistsrising.com/bootcampThe Incubator: therapistsrising.com/incubatorInstagram: @dr.hayleykellySUBSCRIBE & REVIEW: If this episode made you look at your "just for me" hobby differently, subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your reviews help other therapists find conversations that give them permission to build something unexpected.You don't have to abandon what you're good at to build something new. You don't have to have it all figured out before you start. And you definitely don't have to ignore the thing that lights you up just because it doesn't fit the obvious mould.What if the thing you thought was just for you is exactly what other clinicians need? What opens up when you stop treating your own joy as a liability?

Picture a corporate wellness landscape where companies are tired of boring PowerPoint workshops but also can't justify wine tastings when burnout is a WHS compliance issue.There's a gap there. A big one.And what if you could fill it?Today's guest, Dr. Mitzi Liddle, is doing exactly that. She's teaching corporations about play and pleasure - yes, you read that right - as nervous system regulation tools. Not fluff. Not entertainment. Neuroscience-backed performance enhancement.And teams are actually booking it.HERE ARE THE 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS:1️⃣ Play Isn't Childish—It's a Nervous System Tool – When Mitzi started noticing corporate teams responded better to movement, music, and laughter than traditional lecture-style workshops, she followed that thread. Play and pleasure aren't frivolous—they're pathways to regulate your nervous system out of chronic stress and burnout. They bring you into your window of tolerance where creativity, energy, and clear thinking actually live.2️⃣ There's a Gap in Corporate Wellness (And You Can Fill It) – Organizations don't want boring PowerPoint workshops. But they also don't want wine tastings that waste time. They want something engaging AND evidence-based. Something that addresses real burnout while meeting psychological safety requirements. If you can position experiential work with neuroscience backing, you've found the sweet spot.3️⃣ Diversification Doesn't Mean Starting Over – Mitzi's been a psychologist for 20+ years. She didn't abandon her expertise—she expanded it. Corporate playshops for teams. Group programs for individual women. Both use the same foundation (play, pleasure, nervous system regulation) but serve different audiences. You don't need a brand new skill set. You need strategic positioning.YOU'LL ALSO HEAR:Why "playshops" get better engagement than traditional burnout prevention workshopsHow to position play and pleasure so corporations take it seriously (and pay for it)The neuroscience behind why these "soft" concepts actually work as performance toolsWhat changes when you follow your energy instead of grinding through what you think you "should" doHow Mitzi created her beta program fast—and what supported that momentumWhy dabbling and experimenting is actually the path (not a failure to commit)The one piece of advice for therapists who want something different but feel stuckRESOURCES:Connect with Dr. Mitzi Liddle:Website: www.drmitziliddle.com.auInstagram: @drmitziliddleTherapists Rising Programs:The Incubator: therapistsrising.com/incubatorThe Collective Mastermind: therapistsrising.com/collectiveInstagram: @dr.hayleykellySUBSCRIBE & REVIEW:If this episode made you rethink what's possible for your practice, subscribe and review on Apple Podcasts. Your reviews help other therapists discover conversations that challenge the status quo and open up new possibilities.You don't have to choose between engaging work and credible work. Between joy and professionalism. Between staying small and burning out.What if the thing that lights YOU up is exactly what your ideal clients need? What opens up when you give yourself permission to follow that?

You've got the notebook. The voice memos. The Google Doc titled "possible program ideas" you haven't opened in weeks. You're not short on ideas. You're drowning in reasonable options.And somehow that feels worse than having no ideas at all.Because when you're stuck with multiple good directions and still can't get traction, it starts to feel like a you problem. Like you're overthinking it. Not ready. Not disciplined enough.Here's what you need to hear: You're not failing at this. You're misoriented. You're trying to choose before you're positioned to see clearly. And the question you're asking yourself is keeping you stuck.HERE ARE THE 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS:1️⃣ This Isn't Confusion - It's Misorientation – Your brain is doing exactly what it was trained to do: analyse before acting. But when there are multiple good options, analysis mode creates paralysis. Your nervous system reads commitment without clarity as threat, so you stay stuck in research mode. This isn't a motivation problem. It's a starting-point problem.2️⃣ You're Asking the Wrong Question – "What program should I create?" forces comparison, activates imposter syndrome, and assumes you need something novel. The better question: "What problem am I already solving repeatedly, whether I intend to or not?" This shifts you from ideation to pattern recognition, from theoretical planning to lived experience. Most therapists don't need a new idea - they need better visibility on work they're already doing.3️⃣ Depth Creates Blind Spots – If people keep bringing you the same problem without you marketing for it, that's data. But experienced therapists dismiss what feels familiar, obvious, or "too simple." The more expertise you have, the more invisible your skill becomes to you. You're not underestimating the work - you're underestimating yourself.YOU'LL ALSO HEAR:Why therapists trained to assess before acting get stuck when building programsThe nervous system response that keeps you in "gathering information" modeHow to recognize when you're dismissing your most obvious starting pointWhy confusion is often a sign of depth, not failureThe one question that creates grounded momentum instead of endless scanningWhy orientation matters more than urgency when building sustainable practicesRESOURCES:Therapists Rising Programs:The Incubator: therapistsrising.com/incubatorInstagram: @dr.hayleykellySUBSCRIBE & REVIEW:If this episode reduced the frantic energy you've been carrying, subscribe and review on Apple Podcasts. Your reviews help other therapists find conversations that actually shift how they're thinking.Clarity doesn't come from choosing the best idea. It comes from standing in the right place to see what's actually there.You're not behind. You're just facing the wrong direction. What shifts when you ask a better question?

For 12 months, I've been warning you the traditional therapy model is breaking down. Some of you have been listening. But many have been waiting for clarity.Here's what you need to hear: The last eight weeks changed everything.November 2025: Australia restricted Better Access referrals. December 2025: Fifth consecutive year of US Medicare cuts. January 30, 2026: US telehealth flexibilities expire.While those policy changes hit, something else shifted: 1 in 8 young people now use AI chatbots for mental health advice. Corporate wellness budgets hit $53 billion with contracts being signed NOW for 2026-2027.This isn't slow erosion. This is all five forces reaching tipping points simultaneously. This is the convergence.HERE ARE THE 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS:1️⃣ Three Realities Converging Right Now – The math isn't working (Medicare cuts, Better Access restrictions, client affordability crisis). Your colleagues are planning exits (52% US therapists burned out, 29% considering leaving). Future clients expect something different (70% Gen Z prefers virtual, 1 in 8 young people use AI chatbots).2️⃣ Every Disrupted Profession Made This Mistake – Accounting got automated. Physical therapy faced reimbursement cuts. Personal training went digital. Each time, practitioners said "our profession is different." They were wrong. Pattern: professions split into commodity/premium tiers, early movers capture premium positioning, late movers compete on price.3️⃣ The Window to Move From Strength is Closing – Early adopters already generate diversified income. Early majority (you) see it's real but still research. Late majority arrives when landscape is occupied. Corporate contracts signing NOW. Course markets maturing NOW. Window open now—won't stay open.YOU'LL ALSO HEAR:Why research-mode therapists experience decision paralysis under cognitive loadThe Kodak lesson: Believing current preferences = permanent demand is fatalAccountants who automated vs. those stuck "selling time"PT practices that diversified early: 200-300% revenue growth vs. 3-6x valuations for traditionalWhy "AI can't replace us" is technically true but misses the pointTechnology adoption curve: Waiting for certainty means you're lateResearch Path vs. Action Path: Which are you choosing?RESOURCES:Data Sources:Medicare cuts: BellMedEx 2025Better Access: Australian Dept of HealthAI adoption: Brown University School of Public HealthTherapists Rising:The Incubator: therapistsrising.com/incubatorInstagram: @dr.hayleykellySUBSCRIBE & REVIEW:If this episode made you uncomfortable, subscribe and review on Apple Podcasts. Your reviews help therapists find honest conversations about what's happening in our profession.Therapists thriving in five years won't be ones who waited for perfect clarity. They'll be ones who moved with 80% information while they had stability.That window is open now. What will you do with it?

Let's talk about passive income, and NO, this isn't another "make money while you sleep" pitch.This conversation with Kayla Das is the most honest, transparent take on passive income for therapists I've heard in a LONG time. Kayla's a Canadian social worker, business coach, author of The Passive Practice, and someone who's actually DONE this work. She's built multiple passive income streams and she's willing to tell you the TRUTH about what it really takes.Here it is: passive income isn't passive at the beginning. It's WORK. Consistent, upfront, sometimes-discouraging work. But once it's established? That's when you get your time back. That's when you can help more people without burning out in one-to-one sessions.If you're tired of trading hours for dollars and wondering if there's another way—this episode is for YOU.HERE ARE THE 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:1️⃣ Passive Income Is NOT Passive at the Beginning – This is NOT a get-rich-quick scheme. It's a "slow and steady wins the race" strategy. You'll put in consistent work upfront—sometimes for MONTHS—before you see revenue. Kayla didn't make a dime from her blog for six months. But she kept going. And now? It works on autopilot (mostly). Once it's built, you never start from scratch again.2️⃣ Earned Income vs. Passive Income Changes Everything – One-to-one therapy = earned income. You work X hours, you make X dollars. There's a ceiling. With passive income, you create something ONCE—a course, blog, digital product, podcast—and it generates revenue over and over. That's what creates time freedom. But you need an audience to share it with (email list, social media, organic traffic).3️⃣ It's About Pivoting, Not Quitting – Kayla's digital templates made NOTHING the first 30 days. Zero dollars. But she didn't scrap them. She pivoted—changed the marketing images, rewrote descriptions, tested things. Then it worked. The issue isn't usually your product—it's how you're presenting it. Be willing to fail, learn, and adjust.YOU'LL ALSO HEAR:Why most therapists recreate their old employment environment in private practice (and how passive income changes that)Seven types of passive income streams for therapists: blogging, podcasting, online courses, hiring therapists, digital products, books, and affiliate marketingThe three passive income success indicators that help you choose the RIGHT stream for youWhy Kayla's blog made $0 for six months—and why she kept writing anywayThe real reason most therapists don't pursue passive income (it's the upfront "no money" period)Why you NEED an audience before you launchHow to know if you're ready to start building a passive income streamRESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Kayla Das:Book: The Passive Practice: The Passive Income Roadmap for Maximizing Schedule Flexibility, Time Freedom, and Private Practice Profitability (available on Amazon)Passive Income Personality Quiz: Find out which passive income stream is the best fit for YOUR personality (6-8 quick questions!)Website: KaylaDas.comTherapists Rising:The Incubator: therapistsrising.com/incubatorInstagram: @dr.hayleykellySUBSCRIBE & REVIEW:If this episode gave you a new perspective on passive income—or if you're ready to stop trading hours for dollars and start building something that works for you—please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts!Your reviews help more therapists find these real, honest conversations about building the businesses they actually want (without the BS or the hype).Thanks for being here. See you next week.

I've been noticing this pattern with the therapists I work with. Incredibly capable people with clear ideas for what they want to build - programs, offerings, shifts in their practice. They can describe it in detail. But when I ask what's stopping them, the answer is always some version of "I'm stuck."In this episode, I'm not giving you productivity tips or telling you to just start. I'm naming the quiet problem that nobody talks about: the kind of stuck that doesn't look like stuck at all. Because this type of stuck comes with a cost that accumulates slowly, and most of us don't see it until we're years in.If you've been sitting with an idea for months (or years), if you keep researching instead of building, if you're waiting for more certainty before you commit - this episode is for you.HERE ARE THE 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:1️⃣ Staying Stuck Is Not Neutral - It Has a Real Cost – We believe taking action equals risk and staying stuck equals safety. But staying stuck erodes self-trust, creates ongoing frustration, causes decision fatigue, and leaves you feeling behind without knowing why. You're still on a trajectory - you're just not choosing it consciously.2️⃣ Research Mode Is False Movement – When your version of stuck looks like productivity (taking courses, reading case studies, studying how others did it), it's especially dangerous. It feels like you're making progress. You're not. At a certain point, researching stops being preparation and starts being avoidance. You already have enough information to start.3️⃣ You're Already Choosing Your Hard – Moving forward is hard. Staying stuck is also hard. Nothing worth doing is usually easy. The question isn't how to make it easier - it's which version of hard you want to choose. The uncertain pain of starting, or the familiar pain of staying where you are?YOU'LL ALSO HEAR:The specific Tuesday afternoon I spent three hours researching my program instead of building it (and the resignation that followed)Why high-integrity professionals get stuck in this particular patternThe difference between familiar pain and uncertain pain (and why we keep choosing familiar)How to identify which type of stuck you're experiencing (they're not all the same problem)Why compassion doesn't mean pretending there's no problemThe real cost of decision fatigue when you circle the same choice for monthsHow "not choosing" is still a choice with consequencesWhy clarity rarely arrives before commitmentRESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Therapists Rising:The Incubator: therapistsrising.com/incubatorInstagram: @dr.hayleykellySUBSCRIBE & REVIEW:If this episode helped you see the pattern you've been stuck in - or gave you permission to name what's really happening - please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts!Your reviews help more therapists find these conversations and build the businesses they actually want without staying stuck in research mode for months.Thanks for being here. See you next week.

Everyone's doing planning episodes right now. Goal-setting frameworks, vision boards, annual reviews - and those resources are great. But here's what I think most people are skipping: the single piece of clarity that actually makes planning work.I just came back from two weeks completely offline (forced digital detox courtesy of terrible cruise internet). And while I was offline, one question kept surfacing. Not "what do I need to do differently" or "what are my goals" - but something deeper that completely shifted how I'm approaching 2026.In this episode, I'm not giving you another planning framework. I'm giving you the clarity that makes planning obvious. Because without this foundation, you'll abandon your plan by February. With it, everything else falls into place.If you've ever set goals that looked good on paper but didn't stick, or found yourself circling the same idea without committing, this episode is for you.HERE ARE THE 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:1️⃣ Planning Without Clarity Is Why Your Goals Keep Falling Apart – It's not a discipline problem or a commitment problem. When you plan based on what you think you should do (instead of what actually matters), the plans don't stick. Clarity isn't a nice-to-have. It's the foundation.2️⃣ Three Questions That Surface What's Actually There – Before you plan anything, sit with these: What keeps resurfacing for me? What am I no longer willing to carry into 2026? What am I waiting for permission to do? One of these will hit harder than the others. That's your entry point.3️⃣ Identity Drives Behaviour (Not Willpower) – We don't have commitment problems, we have identity problems. When you ask "Who do I need to become?" instead of "What do I need to do?", action becomes natural. Someone who "tries to build" versus someone who "is a builder" - same activity, completely different relationship to it.YOU'LL ALSO HEAR:Why 2025 was one of my hardest years in business (and the breakthrough that came from it)The identity question that changed everything while I was offlineHow Chris Williamson's annual review process inspired this frameworkWhy therapists are especially good at waiting for permission (and how to stop)The gap between who you are now and who you need to become (and why that's information, not judgment)How clarity makes planning and decision-making obviousReal examples of applying this to launching a beta, scaling your practice, and stepping back from clinical workRESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Chris Williamson on Diary of a CEO – Annual review discussionTherapists Rising:The Incubator: therapistsrising.com/incubatorInstagram: @dr.hayleykellySUBSCRIBE & REVIEW:If this episode gave you the clarity you needed before diving into planning - or helped you see the identity shift that's been waiting - please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts!Your reviews help more therapists find these conversations and build the businesses they actually want.Thanks for being here. See you next week.

If you've ever headed into a break thinking "I'll finally catch up on everything," only to feel guilty the entire time—this episode is for you. Dr. Hayley Kelly breaks down why the pressure to be productive over holidays backfires, and gives you a practical framework to actually rest (or maintain minimal momentum) without the guilt.This is the final Therapists Rising episode before a two-week break, and it couldn't be more timely. For therapists in Australia staring down six weeks of school holidays—or anyone facing year-end break pressure—Hayley shares the exact decision-making tool that helps you choose between full rest or minimal maintenance, and actually feel good about your choice. No fluff, no "just be kind to yourself" advice. This is a teachable framework you can use immediately.HERE ARE THE KEY INSIGHTS:1️⃣ The Capacity Audit – Learn how to accurately assess what's actually available to you during a break (spoiler: it's about one-fifth of what you think). Hayley walks you through the exact questions to ask yourself about time, nervous system capacity, and competing demands—so you're working with reality, not fantasy.2️⃣ The Inertia Calculation – The framework for deciding whether to maintain minimal momentum or take full rest. You'll learn the specific criteria for each path, why there's no universal right answer, and how to make the choice that fits YOUR reality right now.3️⃣ Implementation Strategies – If you choose minimal maintenance: how to define your minimum, reality-check the time required (double your estimate!), match it to actual capacity, and set a ceiling so it doesn't creep into becoming your whole break. If you choose full rest: how to do a clean stop, set boundaries, and use the "That's for January-me" mantra.4️⃣ The Guilt Release Protocol – The missing piece that makes either choice actually work. Learn how to acknowledge guilt when it shows up (it will), return to your decision, and practice releasing pressure throughout the break—not as a one-time event, but as an ongoing practice.YOU'LL ALSO HEAR:Why breaks don't expand capacity—they change itThe chronic underestimation problem therapists have with time and tasksWhy we overestimate available time and underestimate how long things take (recipe for self-loathing)The timeline reality check: actual vs. fantasy timelines for building a businessHow pressure sneaks in quietly and compounds over the breakWhy rest is not falling behind—it's what makes everything else possibleWhat January looks like when you actually rest versus dragging guilt forwardRESOURCES MENTIONED:Therapists Rising:The Incubator: therapistsrising.com/incubatorInstagram: @dr.hayleykellySUBSCRIBE & REVIEW:If this episode gave you a framework to approach your break without pressure—or helped you give yourself permission to actually rest—please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your reviews help more therapists find these conversations.See you in the new year. Rest well.

If you've ever felt unsafe speaking up, shrunk your practice to avoid regulatory scrutiny, or wondered if the system designed to protect you is actually harming you—this conversation will validate everything you've been feeling but haven't said out loud.I'm speaking with Dr. Julie Sladden, a medical doctor, writer, and advocate who walked away from clinical practice, handed in her medical license, and became one of Australia's most vocal advocates for practitioner wellbeing and regulatory reform. You might know her from The Spectator, The Daily Declaration, and as co-founder of Australians for Science and Freedom.HERE ARE THE KEY INSIGHTS:1️⃣ The Public Protection Paradox – By silencing and harming doctors, regulatory bodies effectively harm the public. When practitioners are too afraid to speak or are strategically planning their exit from clinical work, patients lose. Workforce wellbeing isn't separate from patient care—it's the foundation of it.2️⃣ The Line in the Sand – Julie shares the moment she realized she couldn't stay silent. She had three choices: walk away quietly, continue practicing and hope she didn't get caught, or close her practice publicly and speak out. She chose the latter, despite the financial devastation (her family income halved overnight) and fear of regulatory retaliation.3️⃣ The Culture of Fear – We dive into how practitioners are shrinking their practices, deregistering entirely, and self-censoring out of fear. Julie shares why she ultimately surrendered her medical license—she realized AHPRA would likely come after her, and she didn't have capacity to fight that battle while doing advocacy work.4️⃣ Finding Your Tribe & Rebuilding Healthcare – Julie discusses the critical importance of community. After mandates were announced, she connected with 500 practitioners who were thinking the same way. She also shares her vision for a better system: grassroots health education, protecting social connections, and shifting from sick care to true preventative care.RESOURCES:* Australians for Science and Freedom: scienceandfreedom.org* The Collective Waitlist: therapistsrising.com/collective* Instagram: @dr.hayleykellyA NOTE FROM HAYLEY:This episode might be controversial. I knew that going in. But I believe we're at a point where the cost of silence is higher than the cost of speaking up. Practitioners are burnt out, shutting down, deregistering, and strategically planning their exits from clinical work. That's not a retention problem—that's a system problem.You don't have to agree with every position Julie holds. I don't either. But this conversation isn't about ideology. It's about the system we're all practicing inside, the weight it places on us, and what it costs to work within structures that often feel opaque, punitive, and misaligned with actual care.If even our most capable, thoughtful practitioners are planning their exit, something needs to change. And change starts with conversation.Thank you for listening with curiosity, compassion, and courage.SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW:If this episode showed you what's possible when you give yourself permission to build differently—or inspired you to rethink what scaling could look like in your practice—please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

If you've ever ended the year thinking, “Why didn't I get to my program?” or “How am I still drowning in clients?”, this episode is basically a loving intervention. Therapists don't miss their goals because they're unmotivated — they miss them because the system trains them to prioritise everyone else first. So their dream project becomes the “neglected child” of the business. Loved, wanted… always getting scraps.In this solo episode, I'm breaking down why traditional planning fails therapists and how to design a 2026 that actually supports your nervous system, your business, and your desire to drop clinical hours without imploding. This is therapist-safe planning — honest, grounded, and built around your real life.⭐ HERE ARE THE KEY INSIGHTS:1️⃣ Why You Didn't Hit Your GoalsWe unpack guilt, urgency culture, emotional labour, and why clinical work always wins. Plus the real reason your program keeps getting pushed to “next term… next year.”2️⃣ The 2025 Reflection RitualA three-part reflection to understand what drained you, what supported you, what made money, and who you don't want to be again next year.3️⃣ The Big Dream DumpWe explore what you actually want — dropping a clinical day, launching your program, taking real holidays, visibility, writing, creative work — without guilt or “be realistic” energy.4️⃣ Your 3–5 Pillars for 2026Not tasks — pillars. Diversification, money stability, schedule redesign, visibility, leadership, capacity. We map what this looks like for Escape, Stabilize, Expand, and Visionary stage therapists.5️⃣ Mapping Your Nervous System RhythmsSchool terms. Cycles. PMDD. ADHD. Grief dates. Low-capacity seasons. You plan for the real you, not the fantasy version.6️⃣ Putting It on the CalendarThe therapist-safe way: non-negotiables first, then pillars, then buffers, then launches. I walk through how someone in the Stabilize Stage could safely drop a clinical day by September — without collapse or chaos.⭐ RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Therapists Rising:• The Incubator: therapistsrising.com/incubator • The Collective Waitlist: therapistsrising.com/collective • Instagram: @dr.hayleykelly⭐ SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW:If this episode gave you permission to design a kinder 2026 — or helped you realise nothing was “wrong” with you this year except the way you were conditioned to plan — please subscribe and leave a review. It helps more therapists build businesses that don't require self-abandonment or burnout badges.

If you've ever thought "scaling means selling out" or "growing a team means burning out," Dr. Catherine Hart is about to prove you wrong. She's built a 35-person psychology practice across five sites with a salaried employment model that actually retains clinicians—and she did it by breaking every rule.In this episode, I'm talking with Dr. Catherine Hart, clinical psychologist, director of Succoris Psychology Group, and 2024 APS Supervisor of the Year. Catherine didn't set out to become an innovator—she started as a psychologist who felt like an outsider, too questioning, too bold. When she experienced how exploitative the contractor model can be, she made a decision: I'm building something different.You'll hear Catherine's journey from one consulting room in 2019 to building an entire ecosystem—five sites, a training academy, business partnerships, and online courses. We dive into the salaried employment model revolutionizing retention, how to scale without losing your values, building systems that support humans, and what real leadership requires when you stop playing small.HERE ARE THE KEY INSIGHTS:1️⃣ The Salaried Model Revolution – Catherine breaks down exactly what her salaried employment model looks like and why it changes everything for clinician wellbeing and retention. You'll hear the real numbers, the pushback she faced, and the ripple effect on practice culture.2️⃣ Scaling With Integrity – The real story of going from one room to five sites—the failures, pivots, and moments where she almost lost her way. How she uses innovation (AI note-taking, structured systems) to support clinicians, and her philosophy on scaling with purpose versus scaling because you can.3️⃣ Permission to Want More – Catherine talks about being the kid who always asked "why," feeling like an outsider, and giving herself permission to want more than one-to-one work. She's now building clinical care, training academy, business partnerships, and courses—stepping into leadership and building legacy work.4️⃣ The Business Education Therapists Never Got – Catherine is transparent about investing in herself, seeking business education (including The Incubator), and surrounding herself with community. Grad school taught clinical skills—not how to build sustainable, ethical businesses.YOU'LL ALSO HEAR:Her catalyst: exploitative contractor models in AustraliaBuilding team systems: onboarding, supervision, psychological safetyThe Succoris Academy and Clinical Psych Registrar pathway (launching Jan 2026)Business partnerships helping therapists build, grow, or exit ethicallyLaunching DBT Launchpad and online course creationThe Dolly Parton philosophy: business as a vessel for social impactHonest talk about leadership struggles and advice to her 2019 selfRESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Catherine Hart:Succoris Psychology: https://succoris.com.au/Instagram: @succoris_psychologyDBT Launchpad: https://succoris-psychology-site-ecc8.thinkific.com/courses/DBT-LaunchpadTherapists Rising:The Incubator: therapistsrising.com/incubatorThe Collective Waitlist: therapistsrising.com/collectiveInstagram: @dr.hayleykellySUBSCRIBE & REVIEW:If this episode showed you what's possible when you give yourself permission to build differently—or inspired you to rethink what scaling could look like in your practice—please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

If your business feels like it's draining you instead of filling you up, you're probably recreating the same patterns from therapy practice that burned you out in the first place. The endless availability, saying yes to everyone, undercharging out of guilt, and the resentment that builds when you're trying to be generous but running on empty.In this episode, I'm breaking down the 4 specific business boundaries that changed everything for my business: Energy, Systems & Containers, Money & Sustainability, and Visibility & Emotional Energy. These aren't clinical boundaries—these are business owner boundaries that protect your capacity, profitability, and sanity.You'll hear real stories from my business (including the wake-up call that made me choose sustainability over people-pleasing), learn why "service over profit" is actually destroying your business, and discover why building systems is more important than relying on willpower. If you've ever felt resentful of clients you're trying to help or found yourself responding to DMs at midnight, this episode will show you exactly where your boundaries are leaking.HERE ARE THE 4 KEY BOUNDARIES FROM THIS EPISODE:1️⃣ Energy Over Everything – If something consistently costs you more energy than it gives back, it's a no. Learn why ignoring red-flag clients always ends badly, how to be ruthless about fit, and why protecting your energy is fiduciary responsibility (not selfishness).2️⃣ Systems & Containers (Because Willpower Is Bullshit) – A boundary without a system is just a wish. I'll share my DM boundary story and show you how to build infrastructure that holds boundaries for you—so you're not white-knuckling your way through every client interaction.3️⃣ Money & Sustainability (Profit Funds Service) – When service constantly comes at the expense of profit, you're not being generous—you're being extractive toward yourself. Hear my wake-up call story about removing overdelivery, why people got upset, and how I chose sustainability anyway. Martyrdom is not a business model.4️⃣ Visibility & Emotional Energy – Not every conversation deserves your nervous system. Learn how to handle criticism, hate DMs, and projections without defending yourself or losing sleep. Your job isn't to manage other people's discomfort with your boundaries.RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Join The Incubator Waitlist: therapistsrising.com/incubator Subscribe to my Newsletter for weekly insights on therapist entrepreneurship Follow me on Instagram: @dr.hayleykellyMORE FROM MEFollow me on Instagram: @dr.hayleykelly Visit my website: therapistsrising.comSUBSCRIBE & REVIEWIf this episode helped you see where you're recreating burnout in your business—or gave you permission to want profit and boundaries without guilt—please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more therapist-entrepreneurs who need this message.

"You just need more self-care."That's what I kept hearing when I was burnt out, seeing 30+ clients a week, barely breaking even. I tried bath bombs, meditation apps, yoga breaks. None of it worked.Because the problem wasn't my self-care routine. It was the business model.In this episode, I'm dismantling the 7 lies that keep therapists overworked, underpaid, and stuck in unsustainable practices. The toxic narratives about burnout, pricing, marketing, and what it takes to build a therapy practice that doesn't destroy you.Here's what I cover:Lie #1: "If you're burned out, you're just not cut out for this work" — Why burnout is a business design problem, not a character flawLie #2: "Good therapists don't talk about money" — How pricing shame keeps therapists broke and resentfulLie #3: "You need to work at the pointy end of the spectrum to be a good therapist" — Why helping people flourish is just as valuableLie #4: "You have to be beige and invisible" — Why your personality is your competitive advantageLie #5: "Marketing is sleazy and unethical" — Reframing ethical marketing as informed consentLie #6: "If you just keep pushing through, it'll get easier" — Why waiting isn't a strategyLie #7: "Wanting more means you don't care" — Dismantling the false binary between money and integrity

For 12 months, I've been sober, and until a recent doctor's appointment, I'd completely forgotten.No countdown. No recovery story. No before-and-after moment. Just life, without alcohol.When my doctor asked, “None? Not even socially?” and looked at me like I'd just confessed a crime, something clicked. His disbelief wasn't about alcohol — it was about the quiet pressure we all feel to play along. To do the thing that makes everyone else comfortable, even when it doesn't feel good to us.That moment made me realise: sobriety isn't really about alcohol. It's about truth. It's about self-trust. It's about noticing all the ways we abandon ourselves - in business, relationships, and life - just to belong.If you've ever found yourself saying yes when you meant no, discounting your prices to avoid seeming greedy, or over-giving because you don't want to disappoint, this episode will hit home.This is a conversation about emotional and professional sobriety - and what happens when you stop performing belonging and start building it from integrity instead.Here's what I cover:Why my doctor's disbelief revealed how deeply social conditioning shapes our choicesThe invisible contracts of belonging: how family, therapy culture, and business all reward self-abandonmentThe moment I realised I was trading authenticity for acceptance — and how that changed everythingMy Uni Games story: performing belonging by being the “responsible one” in a binge-drinking cultureWhy people-pleasing isn't kindness — it's your nervous system trying to keep you safeWhat emotional sobriety looks like in business (through a real example from an Incubator student)The paradox of safety vs. control: why we keep performing even when it hurtsHow to stay with yourself when your truth disappoints othersWhat sobriety has taught me about leadership, capacity, and self-trust

In this episode, I'm tackling one of the biggest fears holding therapists back from building sustainable online practices: the terror of being "too salesy."If you've ever frozen at the end of a webinar, mumbled through your offer, or avoided pitching your program altogether because you're worried about pressuring people who've already been through so much — this episode is for you.Here's the truth: Your fear of being salesy isn't actually about sales. It's about identity, worth, and deeply ingrained beliefs about what it means to be a "good" therapist. And until you unpack those beliefs and make some critical identity shifts, no amount of perfect pitch scripts or marketing tactics will make you feel comfortable making offers.So today, we're going deep. We're talking about the mistaken beliefs sabotaging your ability to serve, the five identity shifts that transform selling from a threat into an act of service, and the practical framework for making offers that feel aligned, authentic, and effective.Whether you're a therapist launching your first online program, a coach struggling to convert webinar attendees, or a clinician who knows you need to make offers but feels gross every time you try — this conversation will meet you right where you are.Here's what we cover in this episode:The mistaken beliefs keeping you stuck — including why you think making an offer equals manipulation (spoiler: it doesn't), why you're waiting for people to chase you down instead of leading them forward, and why you think talking about your program "takes away" from the value you're giving.The four identity shifts that change everything — from Healer to Guide, Helper to Advocate, Clinician to Creator, Transactional to Transformational, and Rule-Follower to Ethical Innovator. These aren't just mindset tweaks — they're fundamental rewirings of how you see yourself and your role.What you're not seeing when you don't make offers — the real consequence of staying silent about your programs, and how your fear of being pushy is actually denying people the agency to choose their own path forward.The reframe that makes pitching feel like service — including the coaching questions that reveal whether you have a sales problem or a conviction problem, and why treating your webinar attendees differently than you'd treat your best friend is costing you (and them) transformation.The 5-step framework for making offers that convert — from getting clear on your conviction first, to setting up the pitch at the beginning, using consent at offer time, making it about them (not you), and trusting them to decide for themselves.Resources & Links Mentioned:

After losing her teenage son Ethan to T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, psychologist Kimberly Stevens faced the unthinkable — and chose to transform her grief into something that would help thousands of others.In this conversation, Kimberly shares the story behind Kids Connecting Parents, an app she created to help bereaved parents find local, peer-based connection and support when professional services fall short.⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of child loss, grief, and bereavement. Please listen when you feel ready and have support available.Her honesty cracked something open in me — and reminded me why I started Therapists Rising in the first place. Because when the system doesn't work, we have two options: collapse under it, or build something new.If you've ever questioned how to move forward after loss, burnout, or heartbreak, this episode will meet you right where you are.Here's what we coverKimberly's journey from psychologist and grieving mum to tech founder and advocateThe moment she realized traditional therapy models weren't enough for bereaved parentsHow she turned her personal loss into a mission-driven innovation that's changing livesWhat it means to blend lived experience with professional training — ethically and powerfullyThe courage it takes to build something for the community you're also healing withinThe emotional and practical realities of launching a mental-health app from scratchHow grief can be a catalyst for purpose, leadership, and systemic change3 Takeaways for TherapistsPurpose can grow from the hardest things. Your pain doesn't disqualify you — it can inform the most meaningful, ethical, and innovative work you'll ever do.The system won't always meet the need. Kimberly's story is proof that when traditional models fail, therapists can create new pathways — apps, programs, communities — that fill the gaps.Lived experience is a superpower, not a liability. When we stop hiding the human behind the professional, we create safer, braver, more connected spaces for healing.

For 230 episodes, I've referenced my "kitchen floor moment" without telling you the full story. After interviewing psychologist Kimberly Stevens about transforming her grief into purpose, I realized: if I'm asking therapists to be brave enough to step outside broken systems, I need to be brave enough to tell you why it matters so much to me.This is the story of my suicide attempt, the months after, and the moment on my kitchen floor—with my young son's hand on my shoulder—that changed everything.⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide attempt, suicidal ideation, and mental health crisis. Please listen when you feel ready and have support available.If you're a therapist who's ever felt like the system is breaking you, this episode is for you.Here's what I cover:What therapist burnout actually feels like: panic attacks before every clinic day, doom scrolling between clients, the impossible math of being a new mum with a medically complex child while maintaining a full caseloadThe resentment that builds when you're holding everyone else's pain with nowhere to put down your ownLiving with undiagnosed autism and ADHD while trying to function as a "successful" psychologistThe day I attempted suicide—and why surviving didn't immediately fix anythingThe kitchen floor moment: my son's hand on my shoulder asking if I was okay, and the realization that changed everythingThe shame of being a psychologist who couldn't keep her own mental health together, and the terror of being found "incompetent"The 18-month transition from full clinical load to zero: how I strategically reduced complexity, raised fees, and built coaching alongside clinical workWhy leaving traditional practice felt like professional suicide but staying felt like actual suicide3 Powerful Takeaways:1. Therapist burnout isn't a personal failing—it's a system failure. If you're struggling, you're not broken. The system we were trained in hasn't caught up with the demands of modern practice. The guilt, shame, and isolation you feel? You're not alone.2. Surviving a crisis isn't the same as healing. I got help after my attempt. I went to therapy. But I was still having panic attacks for months because I was still in the same impossible life. Real change required changing the system I was working in, not just managing symptoms.3. You don't need permission to build something different. Leaving traditional practice doesn't mean you're abandoning people. It means you're choosing to help people in a way that doesn't require you to be on a kitchen floor to admit something has to change.If You're Struggling Right Now:You are not alone.Crisis Support:Lifeline (Australia): 13 11 14988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US): Call or text 988

In this episode, I'm sitting down with Professor Nick Titov—a giant in digital mental health and founder of MindSpot, Australia's leading digital psychology service that has reached over 250,000 Australians.If you've ever wondered whether therapy has to look the way it's always looked, this conversation will shake up everything you thought you knew.Nick isn't just innovating patient care—he's challenging the profession to wake up and adapt. We're living through a seismic shift. Consumer behaviour is changing. The workforce is shrinking. AI is here. And if therapists don't get a seat at the table, we risk becoming irrelevant.This episode is for every therapist who's felt trapped by the traditional model, burnt out by one-to-one limitations, or curious about what the future holds.Here's what we cover:Why digital mental health isn't just for "low-level" cases—and how MindSpot serves complex clients who have nowhere else to turnThe assumptions Nick's team demolished: that therapy requires face-to-face contact, that therapists need decades of experience, that you must treat depression before anxietyHow MindSpot Academy is training the next generation in digital-first care—and why universities aren't keeping upThe threat (and opportunity) of AI—and what therapists must do now to demonstrate our valueNick's "2,815 days left" philosophy and his mission to get prevention into the cultural consciousnessWhy workforce upskilling can't wait—and how to future-proof your career3 Powerful Takeaways:1. Innovation doesn't wait for permission. Nick built the evidence, proved it worked, and created a national service helping hundreds of thousands. If you're waiting for the system to change, you'll be left behind.2. Your value proposition is up for negotiation. AI delivers psychoeducation. Apps track symptoms. What can you do that technology can't? Get clear on your value—or risk obsolescence.3. The future is blended, scalable, and prevention-focused. One-to-one therapy will always have a place—but it can't be the only model. Master multiple modalities: digital tools, teletherapy, group programs.

In this episode, I'm sitting down with the bold, brilliant, and whip-smart Laura Lee - a psychologist, sexologist, coach, and the founder of Blue Space Psychology - to dive into what it actually takes to talk about sex online as a regulated health professional.Laura's work lives at the intersection of mental health, sex, and relationships. And let's just say, that combo can light up the AHPRA risk radar faster than you can say “shadowban.” So how do you balance professional responsibility with authentic, sex-positive content creation? How do you hold ethical boundaries and your own truth?That's exactly what we unpack in this episode.Whether you're a therapist craving more freedom in your content, a sexologist juggling regulation and realness, or someone feeling stifled by the blurry lines of online expression — this conversation will meet you right where you are.Here's what we cover in this episode:What happens when “taboo” meets the algorithm — and how that impacts your message, reach, and reputation.Why your clinical training may actually get in the way when it comes to talking about sex in public forums.How to reframe risk — and navigate fear of being misunderstood, reported, or reprimanded.Boundaries vs Censorship — how to show up with clarity and care, without watering down your values.The “ick” of performative content — and how to stay grounded in your voice, not the algorithm.3 Powerful Takeaways:1. Ethics aren't the enemy of expression.You can hold professional responsibility and be a full human online. It just takes intention, reflection, and sometimes — community.2. Shame thrives in silence — especially around sex.By showing up with grounded, nuanced content, you're modelling the exact safety you want your clients to feel. Your content can be part of the healing.3. General doesn't mean generic.You don't need to share client stories or deeply personal experiences to be impactful. Speaking to themes, struggles, and questions is often more powerful — and way more sustainable.

In this episode, I'm sitting down with Alice Ayliffe and Elise Cassidy — two incredible therapists and Incubator graduates — to explore what it really looks like to move beyond the 1:1 model and create programs that change lives.If you've ever wondered, Where do I even start? Will anyone want what I create? What if I get it wrong? — this conversation is for you.Alice is an occupational therapist based in Hobart who has carved out a powerful niche supporting adults with ADHD and training other OTs to work in this space. Elise is a Melbourne-based speech pathologist with nearly 30 years of experience, who has turned her deep passion for dyslexia advocacy into online programs and resources for parents and schools.Neither of them had it “all figured out.” They both wrestled with doubts about burnout, regulation, self-belief, and fear of judgment from peers. But through the Incubator, they found clarity, community, and the confidence to build programs that not only generate income but also expand their impact far beyond the therapy room.In this episode, Alice and Elise share the barriers they had to push through, the wins they've achieved, and the advice they'd give to any therapist standing where they once stood.HERE ARE THE 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:Burnout can be a signal, not the end. Both Alice and Elise hit walls in their careers that forced them to look beyond the traditional therapy path. That pain became the nudge toward innovation.Fear of judgment is universal — but it's survivable. Whether it was Elise worrying about peers judging her for charging for her knowledge, or Alice fearing regulatory trouble, both show that self-doubt doesn't disqualify you.Programs expand your reach without diluting your expertise. Dyslexia advocacy, ADHD-affirming practice, and OT supervision are now impacting parents, schools, and other clinicians — proof that your clinical skills are needed in new spaces.RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:The Therapist Rising Incubator – For therapists ready to create their first sustainable online program with ongoing support: therapistsrising.com/incubatorConnect with Alice Ayliffe:Website: aliceayliffe.comFacebook: Alice Ayliffe ConsultingConnect with Elise Cassidy:Website: littlevoices.net.auFacebook: Little Voices Speech PathologyInstagram: @littlevoicesspeechpathologyMORE FROM DR. HAYLEY KELLYFollow me on Instagram @dr.hayleykelly for daily insights on therapist innovation and sustainable practiceSUBSCRIBE & REVIEWIf this episode gave you clarity or encouragement to believe you can create something beyond the therapy room, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more therapists who are ready to diversify their work and build sustainable businesses.Thanks for tuning in to Therapists Rising — see you next time!

In this episode, I'm sitting down with Dr. Sam Casey, founder of the Play Prescription Method, to explore one of the most common challenges therapists face: having an encyclopedia of knowledge but feeling completely stuck when it comes to packaging it into something teachable.If you've ever felt paralysed by your own expertise, this conversation is for you. Sam had a PhD, extensive research, clinical expertise as a registered play therapist, and a brilliant framework she'd developed. But when it came to creating her certification program? She was completely stuck.The breakthrough came when she realised she didn't need to include everything in version one. Sometimes the answer isn't adding more content — it's giving yourself permission to simplify and start imperfectly.In this episode, Sam shares her journey from PhD paralysis to launching a 16-week certification that students call "transformational." We dive deep into her Play Prescription Method, which makes therapeutic play accessible beyond the therapy room, and explore how she's challenging traditional gatekeeping in mental health by equipping professionals and parents with practical healing tools.HERE ARE THE 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:Your expertise can be your biggest obstacle – The more you know, the harder it becomes to decide what to include. Sam's breakthrough came from watching how I'd simplified years of knowledge in the incubator, giving her permission to do the same.Breaking cycles happens on multiple levels – Sam isn't just helping families break generational patterns through play; she's helping therapists break professional cycles of perfectionism and gatekeeping knowledge.Therapeutic play belongs beyond therapy rooms – Sam's framework equips educators, coaches, doulas, and parents with trauma-informed tools to support children's healing and growth in everyday settings, not just clinical ones.RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:If this conversation resonates and you're ready to turn your clinical expertise into a structured program, join me for the From Caseload to Course Bootcamp, running Sept 23-26, 2025.For just $37, I'll guide you through how to map, price, and structure your first ethical online program using frameworks designed specifically for therapists - just like Sam did with her Play Prescription Method.In four focused days, you'll move from feeling paralysed by your expertise to having a clear roadmap for packaging your knowledge into something people can actually use.

In this episode, I'm breaking down one of the most frustrating realities therapists face when trying to build online programs: traditional business advice simply doesn't work for us.You've probably felt it — you join a business webinar or invest in a coaching program, and halfway through you realise: this doesn't fit. The strategies feel pushy, unsafe, or completely out of alignment with your clinical values. And if you've ever thought, “Maybe I'm just not cut out for business,” you're not alone.The truth is, you're not broken. The advice you've been given wasn't designed for therapists. It ignores our ethics, our scope of practice, our insurance requirements, our time constraints, and the unique way we're trained to think and work.In this episode, I'll walk you through the five big reasons generic business advice fails therapists — from topic selection and program design, to pricing, marketing, and capacity. You'll understand why the advice feels so misaligned, what's really going on when you get stuck, and why the solution isn't to become “more business-y,” but to use frameworks that actually translate your clinical expertise into sustainable, ethical online programs.HERE ARE THE 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:The advice isn't built for therapists – You're not stuck because you don't know enough. You're stuck because you're trying to apply strategies designed for generic entrepreneurs, not registered health professionals.Clinical training creates unique challenges – Our “encyclopedia brains,” focus on thoroughness, and ethical obligations are strengths in therapy… but they can sabotage program design without therapist-specific frameworks.You already have what it takes – Your clinical skills can be translated into program frameworks, ethical pricing, and authentic marketing. But you need tools designed for therapists, not for Etsy shop owners or generic coaches.RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:If this conversation resonates, join me for the From Couch to Course Bootcamp, running September 23–26.For just $37, I'll guide you through how to map, price, and structure your first ethical online program using frameworks designed specifically for therapists.In four focused days, you'll move from feeling like business advice doesn't fit, to having a clear roadmap for building a program that honours your scope, your ethics, and your capacity.

In this episode, I'm talking about one of the most painful myths therapists buy into: the belief that your only options are to keep grinding in 1:1 sessions until you collapse, or burn your practice down and walk away completely.Maybe you've felt it too — cancelling family dinners because of client demand, fantasising about a “normal” 9–5 job, or even Googling “alternative careers for therapists” late at night. It's an awful false binary, and it's keeping too many talented therapists stuck, exhausted, and questioning their future.I'll walk you through why this binary shows up in our profession, what it actually costs when you stay stuck in it, and how to pivot in a safe, gradual way that doesn't mean torching everything you've built. You'll hear real stories from therapists in our community, plus my own 18-month pivot journey, and you'll leave with the belief that your therapy career can expand, not end.HERE ARE THE 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:1. The “grind or burn” binary is a lie – Most therapists believe their only options are to overwork in 1:1 forever or walk away entirely. In reality, there's a third path: gradual, layered pivots that create sustainability without blowing up your practice.2. Staying stuck has real costs – Burnout, chronic health issues, guilt about waitlists, identity crises, and even leaving the profession altogether. This isn't just uncomfortable — it's unsustainable for you and for the mental health system.3. Pivots can be small, safe, and successful – From pilot workshops to beta groups to my own 18-month gradual shift, the most effective pivots aren't leaps off a cliff. They're experiments that create breathing room while protecting your existing practice.RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:If today's conversation resonated and you're ready to try your own safe pivot, join me for the From Couch to Course Bootcamp, running September 23–26.For just $37, I'll guide you through how to map, price, and structure your first ethical online program using frameworks designed specifically for therapists.In four focused days, you'll move from being stuck in the binary to having a clear roadmap for building a sustainable program that works alongside — not against — your therapy career.

In this episode, I'm talking about the invisible wall that stops most therapists from turning their brilliant program ideas into actual programs. You know the one - you've got this amazing concept that could genuinely help people, but every time you sit down to build it, you just... stare at the screen.Most therapists think this gap exists because they don't know enough or aren't qualified enough. The reality? You're stuck because your therapeutic training - the thing that makes you incredible in the therapy room - is actually working against you when it comes to program design. We're trained for responsive, individualised work, but programs need to be structured and predictable.I'm walking you through why this gap feels so insurmountable, what happens to most therapists who never cross it, and the simple framework that can help you bridge from "great idea" to "something people can actually follow." You'll understand why having expertise isn't enough and what you actually need to turn that knowledge into something sustainable.HERE ARE THE 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:The gap isn't about your qualifications – You're not stuck because you don't know enough. You're stuck because you're trying to turn expert knowledge into structured learning without a framework for how that translation actually works.Your therapeutic training creates the problem – We're conditioned to be responsive and comprehensive, accounting for every possible scenario. Programs need the opposite: clear, linear progression that works whether you're there or not.Most people either quit or overcompensate – Without a bridge across this gap, therapists either abandon their program dreams entirely or create something so complicated that no one completes it. Neither serves anyone.RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:That simple exercise I mentioned - writing down your program idea in one sentence, then asking "what's the ONE main transformation someone gets?" - that's actually just the first step in a bigger framework we dive deep into in the bootcamp.Join me for the From Couch to Course Bootcamp this September 23-26. For just $37, I'll walk you through exactly how to map, price, and structure your first ethical online program using frameworks designed specifically for how therapists think.In four focused days, you'll move from staring at that blank screen to having a clear roadmap for turning your expertise into something people can actually follow and complete.Secure your spot at therapistsrising.com/bootcampMORE FROM DR. HAYLEY KELLYThe Therapist Rising Incubator – For therapists ready to create their first sustainable online program with ongoing support: https://therapistsrising.com/incubatorFollow me on Instagram @dr.hayleykellySUBSCRIBE & REVIEWIf this episode helped you see that gap differently, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more therapists who have brilliant ideas but need help turning them into reality. Thanks for tuning in to Therapists Rising! See you next week!

In this episode, I'm dismantling the biggest myth therapists believe about creating online programs — that building one will just add more hustle and burnout to your already overwhelming life.We're no longer in the early days when therapists could assume that more hours worked equals more value delivered. Today's most successful therapist-entrepreneurs are rejecting hustle culture entirely and building programs that actually give them energy instead of draining it. What's winning? Programs designed around your natural strengths and energy patterns, not cookie-cutter templates.I'm breaking down why your therapy training is sabotaging your program design, the three biggest myths keeping you stuck in overwhelm, and how to build something sustainable that you'll actually enjoy running. You'll walk away with a completely new framework for thinking about programs — one that honours your need for flow, freedom, and sustainability.HERE ARE THE 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:Your therapy conditioning is working against you – We've been trained to equate exhaustion with worth, so we unconsciously design programs that recreate the same burnout patterns we're trying to escape from private practice.Smaller, focused programs create more impact – Your students don't need everything you know. They need the right transformation delivered in a way that's sustainable for both you and them to complete successfully.Tools and pre-recording aren't shortcuts — they're smart strategy – Using AI for content creation, automation for admin tasks, and pre-recorded lessons for consistency frees up your energy for the high-value connection work you actually love.RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:You don't need to figure out your online program alone while juggling a full caseload.Join me for the From Couch to Course Bootcamp this September 23-26. For just $37, I'll walk you through exactly how to map, price, and structure your first ethical online program using evidence-based frameworks your clinical training will actually recognise.In four focused days, you'll move from "someday I'll figure this out" to having a clear, compliant roadmap — or get enough clarity to know this isn't your next step. Either way, you'll stop wondering "what if."Secure your spot at therapistsrising.com/bootcampMORE FROM DR. HAYLEY KELLYThe Therapist Rising Incubator – For therapists ready to create their first sustainable, anti-hustle online program: https://therapistsrising.com/incubatorFollow me on Instagram @dr.hayleykellySUBSCRIBE & REVIEWIf you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more therapists who are ready to build programs without the burnout. Thanks for tuning in to Therapists Rising! See you next week!

If you've been feeling burned out by back-to-back sessions, wondering if the only way to help people is to keep adding more clients to your calendar — you're not alone. This episode pulls back the curtain on what life can look like when you step beyond the traditional therapy chair.I'm sharing a real, unfiltered week in my life as a therapist-turned-entrepreneur — the fun, messy, everyday realities of running a thriving online business while still making a meaningful impact. You'll hear what it looks like to balance leadership, creativity, and connection, all while building a business that serves clients, students, and the broader community without burning out.Whether you're dreaming of more freedom in your calendar, curious about creating multiple income streams, or simply tired of the endless cycle of individual therapy sessions, this episode shows you what's possible — and why it's closer than you think.If you've ever wondered how to serve beyond 1:1 without losing the depth and meaning of your work — or how to design a business that actually supports your life rather than consumes it — this episode is for you.HERE ARE THE 5 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:Therapist life doesn't have to mean burnout — long days of notes and sessions aren't the only way to build a career.Leadership is part of the new therapist identity — stepping out of provider mode into visionary mode creates ripple effects across hundreds of lives.Creativity and teaching are just as impactful as 1:1 sessions — one program or training can support more people in months than years of private practice.Scaling doesn't mean losing intimacy — you can hold depth and connection through memberships, masterminds, and group experiences.Real life is still messy — pajama school runs, café brainstorms, and tech hiccups are part of the journey, but with breathing room, they don't derail you.MORE FROM DR. HAYLEY KELLYFuture-Ready Therapist Incubator – For therapists ready to create ethical, scalable online programs: https://therapistsrising.com/incubatorThe Collective Mastermind - For established therapist-entrepreneurs scaling their impact without sacrificing sustainability: https://therapistsrising.com/collectiveFollow me on Instagram @dr.hayleykelly for daily insights on building a sustainable, impactful business.SUBSCRIBE & REVIEWIf this episode gave you a glimpse of what's possible for therapists beyond the chair, please subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts here — your support helps more therapists discover what's possible for their future.The mental health profession is changing. Therapists don't have to wait for permission to build freedom and impact — you can create a business that serves your life and your clients.Thanks for tuning in to Therapists Rising!

If you've been feeling incredibly skilled at individual therapy but somehow underprepared for what mental health delivery actually looks like in 2025 - you're not alone. This episode addresses the growing disconnect between traditional therapy training and the evolving mental health landscape worldwide.I'm breaking down why qualified therapists globally can't meet the exploding demand for mental health support, and how unqualified voices are filling the spaces qualified therapists should occupy. You'll discover the five core competencies that Future-Ready Therapists are developing to remain relevant and impactful in the Mental Health 3.0 era.Whether you're frustrated by long waitlists, concerned about your profession's declining influence, or ready to expand your therapeutic impact beyond individual sessions - this episode provides the professional development framework you need.If you've been torn between staying in your traditional therapy lane and exploring innovative delivery models, or you're ready to lead your profession's evolution rather than react to it - this episode is for you.HERE ARE THE 5 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:Traditional training isn't keeping pace with global demand - Mental health services worldwide face unprecedented demand, with waitlists stretching months and qualified therapists unable to serve everyone who needs support.Mental Health 3.0 requires new professional competencies - Future-Ready Therapists need digital fluency, innovation design thinking, ethical navigation skills, systems leadership abilities, and professional authority development to remain impactful.Evidence-based interventions can scale beyond individual sessions - CBT principles work for hundreds of university students, trauma-informed approaches can be embedded in workplace policies, and therapeutic expertise can guide community-level programs while maintaining clinical integrity.Professional development is shifting from modalities to delivery methods - The next decade of therapist education isn't just about learning new treatments, but developing capabilities to deliver existing interventions where people are, at the scale they need.Continuing education requirements will soon include these competencies - Future-Ready Therapists are developing these skills proactively before they become mandatory, understanding that professional evolution is happening with or without their participation.MORE FROM DR. HAYLEY KELLY Future-Ready Therapist Incubator - For therapists ready to develop Mental Health 3.0 competencies through innovative program creation: https://therapistsrising.com/incubatorFollow me on Instagram: @dr.hayleykelly for daily insights on Mental Health 3.0 professional developmentSUBSCRIBE & REVIEWIf this episode helped you understand the professional competencies needed for Mental Health 3.0 practice, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts here. Your support helps us reach more therapists ready to lead their profession's evolution.The mental health profession is evolving rapidly. Future-Ready Therapists aren't waiting for permission - they're leading the transformation while maintaining the highest clinical and ethical standards.Thanks for tuning in to Therapists Rising! 

If you've been sitting on a program idea but paralyzed by the question "Am I allowed to do this?" - you're not alone. This episode tackles the fear that keeps brilliant therapists stuck on the sidelines of the online space.I'm breaking down the critical difference between scope-safe and sketchy program positioning, using real examples of ideas that started with good intentions but crossed dangerous lines. You'll discover why following generic business advice can land therapists in hot water, and more importantly, how to spot the red flags before you invest months developing something risky.Whether you're worried about board complaints, accidentally attracting people in crisis, or just want confidence that your program idea is ethically sound - this episode gives you the practical checklist you need.If you've been torn between wanting to scale your impact and staying safely within your scope of practice, or you're tired of second-guessing every program idea you have - this episode is for you.HERE ARE THE 5 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:Generic business advice is dangerous for therapists - "Teach what you're passionate about" sounds innocent, but when what you know is therapy, this advice can lead you straight into scope violations without realizing it.Language choices reveal everything - Words like "heal," "treat," "cure," "recovery," and "disorder" immediately signal clinical territory. If your marketing copy sounds therapeutic, you've probably crossed the line.Your audience type determines safety - Growth-seekers want optimization; help-seekers need intervention. Attracting people in crisis to educational programs creates ethical dilemmas and safety risks.Delivery method matters as much as content - Even scope-safe topics become problematic when delivered through inappropriate formats. Self-paced trauma content or group processing without therapeutic boundaries are recipe for disaster.Red flag spotting is reactive, not proactive - While identifying warning signs protects you from obvious mistakes, what therapists really need is a systematic way to evaluate ideas before developing them.RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Professional Registration Boards - Check your specific jurisdiction's guidelines for online program creationScope of Practice Guidelines - Review what constitutes educational vs. therapeutic delivery in your areaContinuing Education Requirements - Ensure any program delivery aligns with your professional development obligationsMORE FROM METhe Aligned Idea Accelerator - For therapists ready to find their scope-safe program concept: https://therapistsrising.com/ideaFollow me on Instagram: @dr.hayleykelly for daily insights on ethical program creationSUBSCRIBE & REVIEWIf this episode helped you feel more confident about evaluating your program ideas, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts here. Your support helps us reach more therapists who need practical guidance on creating impact while staying within professional boundaries.The online space doesn't have to be scary territory for therapists. With the right frameworks, you can create programs that transform lives while keeping your registration completely safe.Thanks for tuning in to Therapists Rising! See you next week!

If you've been feeling like our profession is under siege, you're not imagining it. This episode dives deep into the systemic challenges facing Australian therapists and why staying silent is no longer an option.I'm sitting down with Sahra O'Doherty, President of the Australian Association of Psychologists (AAPI), for a conversation that will change how you think about your role as a therapist. Sahra reveals everything from the two-tier Medicare system to the Training Pathways Review that could completely overhaul psychology training in Australia.With 30-40% of Australians now seeking support from unregulated providers, we're at a crossroads. We can either evolve and innovate, or risk becoming obsolete.If you've felt torn between wanting to innovate and fearing professional backlash, or you're tired of feeling like our profession is being left behind - this episode is for you.HERE ARE THE 5 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:The profession is self-policing to a fault - Most AHPRA complaints come from other psychologists without collegial conversation first. This lateral violence keeps us small and scared.Innovation is now mandated, not optional - New core competencies coming December 2025 explicitly require psychologists to advocate for clients and health equity. Your comfort zone is no longer compliant practice.The substantial equivalence pathway is changing everything - Hundreds of psychologists are gaining endorsements in different areas, proving the arbitrary nature of the two-tier system.Training reform is coming - Complete overhaul of psychology training pathways in the next 3-5 years, focusing on job-readiness rather than academic research.Fear is keeping us irrelevant - While we stay paralyzed by compliance anxiety, other professions step into mental health spaces and government pushes psychology assistants as first-line interventions.RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Australian Association of Psychologists (AAPI) - Learn more about membership and advocacy effortsAHPRA Core Competencies - New standards coming into effect December 2025Training Pathways Review - Government consultation on psychology education reformMORE FROM SAHRA O'DOHERTYMindscape Psychology: Sarah's private practice in Sydney's inner westMORE FROM METhe Incubator: For therapists ready to create scalable digital offeringsFollow me on Instagram: @dr.hayleykellySUBSCRIBE & REVIEWIf this episode opened your eyes to what's really happening in our profession, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts here. Your support helps us reach more therapists who need to hear these crucial conversations.The psychology profession is at a turning point. The question isn't whether change is coming - it's whether we'll lead it or be left behind.Thanks for tuning in to Therapists Rising! See you next week!

If you have 17 half-baked course ideas sitting in a Google doc but can't choose which one to build, you're not just procrastinating—you're missing out on income and impact while your expertise sits unused.You've got brilliant insights and could help so many people. But when you can't decide between stress management for healthcare workers, communication skills for couples, or that trauma-informed approach you've been mulling over for months, analysis paralysis keeps you stuck on the sidelines. Meanwhile, those potential clients? They're buying programs from therapists who made a decision and took action.In this game-changing episode, you'll discover:The Scope & Sanity Filter: Four critical tests every therapist program idea must passWhy the Flourishing Test protects your registration while ensuring program successThe Energy Test: How to avoid building a program that drains you completelyWhy people already coming to you for help is your credibility goldmineThe Market Demand reality check that prevents beautiful programs nobody buysReal client example: How one therapist chose between 8 ideas and built her signature offerThe costly mistakes therapists make when they choose wrong (therapy-in-disguise alert!)Why having "good ideas" isn't enough—you need a validation systemThe three positioning frameworks that keep you scope-safe and profitableKey Mindset Shifts:✓ Too many ideas without a filter equals zero programs ✓ The problem isn't lack of expertise—it's lack of decision-making structure ✓ Your program should energize you, not become another source of burnout ✓ Market demand isn't about passion—it's about people willing to pay for solutions ✓ Professional safety and business viability can (and must) coexistTake Action This Week:List all your program ideas (yes, even the half-baked ones)Run ONE idea through the four-test Scope & Sanity FilterAsk yourself: Does this help stable people thrive or struggling people heal?Rate your energy level (1-10) when you imagine teaching this topicShare your biggest "aha" moment from this episode on Instagram @dr.hayleykelly

The hard truth: If you're trying to help everyone with your online program, you're actually helping no one—and it's killing your business before it even starts.You've got years of training and could help SO many people. But when you try to market to "everyone," your message becomes so vanilla that nobody feels seen. Those perfect clients? They're hiring someone who spoke directly to their specific pain.In this game-changing episode, you'll discover:Why "I help people with anxiety" guarantees invisibility (with cringe-worthy examples)The Identity Trap: Why "moms" isn't a niche and demographics don't buy programsThe math proving specificity INCREASES income (one student went from $97 to $5K programs)My 3-Question Clarity Check to know if your niche is specific enoughThe Step-Down Method: How to narrow focus without panicWhy trying to serve everyone is actually UNETHICALReal before-and-after examples showing the difference between noise and clarityKey Mindset Shifts:✓ Specificity is service, not selfishness ✓ You're not abandoning people—you're becoming excellent for the RIGHT people ✓ The market rewards clarity, not capability ✓ The narrower you go, the bigger you grow

The online space keeps changing the rules the second you've figured them out. New algorithms, platform updates, economic uncertainty, and the constant pressure to keep up while holding space for clients—it's overwhelming, and it's real.But what if I told you that feeling like "everything is too much" isn't a sign you're failing? What if it's actually your business giving you crucial information about where you're at, what matters most, and where you're ready to grow?As therapists building businesses, we face a unique challenge: we're trained to create stability and hold space for others, but we're operating in a world of constant change and uncertainty. The skills that make us excellent clinicians can sometimes work against us when we need to navigate business pivots, market shifts, and the messy reality of entrepreneurship.The uncomfortable truth: Waiting for "normal" to return isn't a strategy—it's avoidance. While you're hiding in research mode or postponing decisions until things "settle down," the world keeps moving, and your people keep needing what you offer.In this essential episode, I break down:Why therapists get stuck in "caretaker mode" with their businesses (and how it's sabotaging growth)The irony of helping clients navigate uncertainty while panicking about our own business changesWhy your overwhelm is actually proof you've built something worth protectingThe fork in the road every therapist faces: hide until things stabilize, or learn to dance with uncertaintyMy three anchors for staying grounded when fear wants to take controlMicro-momentum: the power of smallest-possible-action thinking for overwhelmed entrepreneursInformation hygiene: how to stay educated without staying panickedScenario safety nets: simple "if/then" planning that calms your nervous systemWhy "action creates clarity" applies to business decisions, not just clinical workThe game-changer: You already have the skills to navigate uncertainty—you use them every day with clients. The challenge is applying that same wisdom to your own business growth instead of reverting to freeze, flight, or research-paralysis mode.Bottom Line: Your business isn't broken if it feels overwhelming right now. The world is shifting, industries are evolving, and building something meaningful has always required tolerance for the unknown. Your job isn't to figure it all out before you move—it's to take the next small, true step and trust your capacity to handle whatever comes next.

The marketing world feels gross because most of it IS gross. But what if I told you that ethical marketing isn't just possible—it's actually your secret weapon as a therapist?While other industries scramble to add "authenticity" to their marketing playbook, you've been practicing it your entire career. You already know how to influence ethically, build trust without manipulation, and create genuine transformation. You just didn't know it was marketing.The uncomfortable truth: Your humility might be beautiful, but if people can't find you, it becomes a barrier to your service. In a world where louder, less-trained voices are filling the vacuum, ethical visibility isn't just smart business—it's a public health necessity.In this essential episode, I break down:Why that "icky" feeling about marketing is actually a sign of your professional integrityThe clinical parallels you've been missing: ACT's creative hopelessness IS ethical marketingHow motivational interviewing techniques translate directly to sales conversationsThe 4 Pillars of Ethical Marketing framework (transparency, genuine value, evidence, autonomy respect)Real vs. manufactured pain points—and why neuroscience backs addressing authentic strugglesRobert Cialdini's influence principles: when they're ethical vs. manipulativeConcrete examples of what NOT to do (fake scarcity, hidden pricing, manufactured urgency)What ethical marketing actually sounds like in practiceWhy "marketing as service" changes everythingThe game-changer: You're not learning to market—you're learning to apply your existing clinical skills at scale. Your therapy training already taught you ethical influence, boundary management, and how to create safety and trust. Now it's time to use those superpowers to reach the people who need your help.Bottom Line: Ethical marketing isn't about becoming someone else—it's about becoming more you, just in public. Your clinical advantage gives you everything you need to market with integrity while others manipulate their way to sales.

You launched your program. Finally getting visible. Then it happens—colleagues start questioning your marketing, your methods, your motives.That knot in your stomach when you see posts criticising "aggressive marketing tactics" in professional groups? Wondering if they're talking about YOU?Here's what nobody tells you: when you do things differently, people don't react well. Not internet trolls—your peers, colleagues, even mentors.Colleague criticism isn't a sign you're doing something wrong—it's proof you're doing something RIGHT.This week, a Facebook post triggered hundreds of therapists by criticising marketing in our field. The irony? It used the exact tactics it condemned—creating urgency, amplifying problems, positioning the author as having the solution.What really happened: textbook human psychology. Your innovation forces others to question their choices, making your success feel like implicit criticism of their status quo.In this eye-opening episode, I break down:Why resistance to change is hardwired into helping professionsThe double standard: therapeutic vs. marketing techniquesHow ACT uses "problem amplification" as core intervention—but marketing can't?Real psychology behind colleague criticism when you innovateHow to fact-check your ethics without getting derailed by projectionsWhy stepping back to avoid criticism hurts people who need your helpDifference between acknowledging real problems vs. creating fake onesHow burnout rates and access barriers are documented realities—not marketing fabricationsWhy your courage gives other ethical innovators permission to continueStrategic frameworks for handling criticism without losing missionHow to pick battles and protect energy for what mattersThe uncomfortable truth: Mental health field desperately needs ethical innovators willing to face criticism. Your colleagues questioning your visibility aren't your ideal clients—they're not searching at 2 AM wondering if anyone understands their struggle.Bottom Line: If you're building something meaningful and facing criticism, take it as validation you're onto something important. The people who need your innovation aren't the ones criticising it—they're desperately hoping someone brave will step up.

The digital course world just got turned upside down. While course creators panic about AI making their businesses obsolete, therapists have a massive opportunity—if they act fast.The AI education market is exploding from $5.88 billion to $32 billion by 2030. Course creation now takes hours instead of months. Your future students already expect AI-powered, personalized learning experiences.What if I told you that while everyone else scrambles to compete with AI, you already have the one thing machines can't replicate—the ability to facilitate real transformation?While course creators are discovering that information doesn't create change, you've known this your entire career. You've always been a transformation guide, not an information provider. The market is finally catching up to what you've always understood.In this game-changing episode, I reveal:Why the $32 billion AI education explosion is actually GOOD news for therapistsHow CourseAI creates courses in 2 minutes—and why this helps, not hurts youThe "perfect storm" about to flood the market with generic AI contentWhy 67% of Gen Z students already expect AI-powered learning experiencesThe Pat Flynn revelation: "Information used to be valuable because it wasn't there before"How customer journeys shifted from $997 course sales to community-first modelsWhy AI can provide 24/7 support without burning you outSpecific tools transforming course creation: ChatGPT, Synthesia, Heights PlatformHow we're using AI in our Incubator to help students build programs fasterThe "hallucination" problem that could destroy your professional reputationWhy transparency about AI use is non-negotiable for mental health professionalsThe 12-18 month window to get ahead of this curveHow to compete on clinical wisdom instead of informationTwo strategic paths: premium human-centric vs. AI-enhanced scalabilityThe uncomfortable truth: Course creators built businesses on information delivery—and AI just made that obsolete. But therapists? You've always known real change happens through relationship and human connection. You're not behind—you're perfectly positioned to lead.Bottom Line: Therapists who use AI for efficiency while doubling down on human connection will lead their niches within 18 months. Those who ignore this transformation will compete against AI-generated content with outdated models.

You've built your dream practice. You're booked solid. People are telling you "You've made it!" because you have 52 people on your waitlist.But instead of feeling successful, you're drowning. You wake up at 3am thinking about all the people you can't help. You feel guilty every time you take a day off. You're starting to realize that your "success" feels suspiciously like moral injury.Maybe you think a full practice means you're doing everything right. Maybe you've been told that waitlists are proof of your value and expertise. Maybe you're starting to suspect that trying to save everyone individually is slowly killing you—and leaving the people who need help most behind.What if I told you that your waitlist isn't proof you've succeeded—it's proof the system is fundamentally broken?While we're celebrating individual capacity metrics, we're missing a profound truth: the healing model we inherited was never designed to work. We're trying to empty the ocean with a teaspoon, and then wondering why we're exhausted and people are still drowning.In this raw, unfiltered conversation, I share a call that changed everything:Why your waitlist is actually a wound in a broken system—not a badge of honourThe uncomfortable truth about who actually makes it off waitlists (and who gets left behind)How we've been conditioned to believe healing only happens in isolation—and why that's destroying usThe difference between being the healer and creating conditions for healingWhy the math of one-person-one-hour-one-room will never add up to liberationHow traditional therapy recreates the same systems we're trying to heal people fromThe moment my colleague realized she was complicit in leaving people behindWhy "I built my dream practice and now it feels like a nightmare" is the most honest thing anyone has said about modern therapyHow to shift from scarcity-based individual healing to abundance-based community transformationThe revolutionary idea that your value isn't in how many people you personally saveWhy moral injury disguised as success is keeping therapists trapped and clients waitingThe vision of what becomes possible when we stop trying to be the sole source of healingBottom Line: The system that creates waitlists—that makes healing scarce, keeps people isolated, and exhausts therapists—is counting on us being too tired to imagine anything different. But your waitlist isn't your fault. Staying stuck in a system that creates it when you know there's another way? That's a choice.Your colleague with 52 people waiting isn't failing. The system is. And maybe it's time we all chose differently.

You've built the business. Maybe you've launched your first program. People are buying. Results are happening.But instead of feeling liberated, you're staring at your toddler's naptime thinking: "I have exactly 90 minutes to move the needle on my empire... no pressure."Maybe you think successful entrepreneurship means choosing between being a present mom or a powerful business owner.Maybe you've tried the "hustle harder" approach, felt like you were failing at everything, and wondered if ambitious dreams are just incompatible with goldfish crackers and bedtime routines.What if I told you that motherhood doesn't shrink your ambition—it expands it?While we're beating ourselves up for not having the capacity we used to have, we're missing the profound transformation that's actually happening: we're learning to build sustainably, lead authentically, and create with deeper purpose than ever before.In this episode, neurologic physical therapist and "neuropreneur" Lily Jimenez reveals:Why the "terrific twos" of business mirror the terrific twos of motherhood—and how to embrace both transformationsThe game-changing mindset shift from "balancing" to "growing alongside" your dreamsHer boundary system that protects presence: why she literally hides in the bathroom to check her phoneHow to find "pocket time" that actually moves the needle (hint: it's not about finding more hours)The art of letting creativity flow instead of forcing productivity on mom scheduleWhy "doing nothing" is actually doing something for your business—and your nervous systemHow to redefine success when your season is "mostly goldfish crackers and cuddles"The power of making your children your "why" without making them your pressurePractical batching strategies that honor your capacity as a licensed professional and a momWhy comparing your chapter 1 to someone else's chapter 20 is stealing your joy (and momentum)Bottom Line: The difference between mom entrepreneurs who thrive and those who burn out isn't about having more time or energy—it's about honoring the season you're in while still moving toward the vision that lights you up.You don't have to earn your dreams by doing it all at once. You're allowed to grow small and slow. Your calling is still valid, even when your pace looks different than it used to.

You've created your goals for the year, you have everything planned out. You know when all of your items need to be completed. But you don't seem to be making any progress. You cannot reach these goals. Life throws up unexpected items to derail your plan.What if you were given permission to adapt, to adjust your plan? This afternoon, our well‑crafted episode plan took a rain check—because life and capacity have their own ideas sometimes. Today, I (Rob Kelly) am stepping in behind the mic, not as backup, but as a real‑time model of adaptability in action. No fluff. No script. Just transparency about when the plan meets reality. In this episode, I cover:Capacity breakdown: how breaking goals into tasks, estimating time, and weekly blocking reveals where we've overscheduled ourselves.The pivot moment: despite a capacity-matched plan, today we needed an adjustment—and that became a strategic move.Strategy vs. rigidity: why adaptability matters more than blindly sticking to a plan.Frozen 2 moment: “the next right thing” is more than a quote—it's a survival (and success) tool.Invitation to listeners: permission to pause, pivot, and make the next right move.Tune in to Learn what happens when vision collides with weekly reality.Your Homework:Read the Signals: Notice if tasks consistently don't get completed due to a lack of time - this is an intentional checkpoint, not a sign you're behind.Give Yourself Permission: Even capacity-aligned plans can shift—and that's strategic, not shameful.Choose the Next Right Step: When overwhelmed, clarity trumps chaos. One step is all you need to move forward.

You've been avoiding it, haven't you? That little blue LinkedIn notification sitting in your email inbox, taunting you with connection requests you never respond to.Maybe you think LinkedIn is just for corporate salespeople in suits, not compassionate healers like you.Maybe you've tried posting once or twice, felt like a fraud trying to "market yourself," and promptly retreated back to the safety of your private practice bubble.What if I told you that avoiding LinkedIn isn't protecting your authenticity—it's limiting your impact?While we stay invisible on the one platform where our ideal referral partners are actively looking for us, we're missing conversations and opportunities that could transform our practices.In this episode, LinkedIn expert Brenda Meller reveals:Why LinkedIn is actually the PERFECT platform for therapists (professional relationships, not personal oversharing)The "Social Media Pie" philosophy that reframes networking from taking to givingHer game-changing 15-minute daily strategy that even the busiest therapists can maintainThe 80/20 rule for posting that eliminates the "salesy" feeling entirelyHow to optimize your profile to attract referral partners (not just clients)Why "netgiving" beats networking every time—and how to do it authenticallyThe algorithm secrets that make your content actually get seen by the right peopleSpecific engagement techniques that build social media karma and reciprocityBottom Line: The difference between therapists who have thriving referral networks and those who struggle in isolation isn't clinical skills—it's the willingness to show up professionally and build authentic relationships.

You've felt it, haven't you? That creeping realization that the therapy world you trained for is disappearing faster than you can adapt.Maybe you've watched TikTok "healers" with zero qualifications book out $2000 programs while you're drowning in twelve-month waitlists and Medicare paperwork.Maybe you've seen colleagues burn out, leave the profession, or settle for jobs that barely pay the bills—despite having skills that could transform lives at scale.What if I told you that staying in your lane isn't protecting your career—it's limiting it?While we follow every rule and stay perfectly compliant, the world around us is shifting at lightning speed. But here's what I know: you don't have to watch from the sidelines while everything changes around you.In this episode, I reveal:Why your clinical training is actually your innovation advantage (not a business liability)The identity shift from "just a therapist" to therapeutic innovator that unlocks new possibilitiesHow one OT went from maternity leave panic to earning more than her clinic job in 6 monthsThe 20% rule that creates revenue resilience without abandoning your clinical workReal math: how a simple 4-week group program can generate $8K annually in additional incomeThe ethical visibility framework that gets you found without getting you in trouble with registration boardsThe three-sentence future bio exercise that clarifies your next-level positioningMicro-actions you can implement this week (not someday when you have more time)Bottom Line: The difference between therapists who thrive in the next decade and those who get left behind isn't clinical skills—we've all got those. It's the willingness to evolve your identity, diversify your revenue, and show up visibly in service of the people who need your help.

You've been feeling it too, haven't you? That sense that something is deeply wrong with our mental health system.Maybe you've drafted posts about impossible caseloads or regulations that harm more than they help.But every time you go to hit publish, you stop. What if this gets back to my employer? What if speaking up puts everything at risk?Two weeks ago, I stopped asking "what if" and found out exactly what happens when a therapist refuses to stay quiet. I got banned from LinkedIn. Twice. Not for being unprofessional—but for telling the truth about a system that's failing us.This episode isn't about my LinkedIn drama. It's about the choice every therapist faces: stay safe and silent, or speak up and face the consequences.In this episode, I share:The exact post that got me banned (and why 200,000 people resonated with it)What happened when I tried to appeal—and why creating a new account got me banned again within hoursThe real reason this isn't about platform policies or community guidelinesHow David Dinca's NDIS post made national news and what it reveals about systematic silencingDr. Nat Green's courageous stand on medical gaslighting and complaint systems that retraumatizeWhy my neurodivergent brain responded to being told "you can't" by getting louder, not quieterThe 45 minutes I considered making myself smaller—and what pulled me backWhat resistance with integrity looks like when the system punishes reformWhy this moment clarified rather than crushed my missionBottom Line: The mental health system will not reform itself. Permission to speak up isn't coming. The cost of waiting for someone else to fix what's broken is too high—for us and for those who need our help.

You've created an incredible program. You have valuable insights to share. You know your work could help so many people.But every time you go to hit 'publish' on that post about your offer, you freeze.What if someone reports me? What if I say the wrong thing? What if this puts my registration at risk?If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. Almost every therapist I work with struggles with visibility fear — especially when they're moving beyond traditional therapy into coaching, online programs, or digital offerings.Today, I'm sharing the exact 3-step framework I use with therapists to help them stay visible online without compromising their safety, values, or professional registration.This isn't about throwing caution to the wind. It's about building clarity and courage so you can show up authentically while staying compliant and confident.In this episode, I share:Why visibility fear is actually your nervous system trying to protect you (and why hiding doesn't serve anyone)The Visibility Safety Ladder Framework: 3 simple steps to post with confidenceHow to ground your intention before writing any contentThe hierarchy of safety in content types (stories vs. advice, experience vs. instruction)Visibility anchors: how to help your audience know which professional hat you're wearingReal examples of safe vs. risky language when promoting your work onlineWhy ambiguity breeds anxiety (for you and your readers)One simple action step to practice safer visibility this weekBottom Line: Your voice matters, your work matters, and there are people who need to hear exactly what you have to say. Don't let fear keep them from finding you.

A 19-year-old client sits on his couch staring at a wall for 8 hours a day. He's been in therapy for two years. He's planned his suicide for his 20th birthday. Traditional therapy isn't working.Three ketamine sessions later, he's dating someone, has a job, and is learning to snowboard.This isn't a miracle story. It's Tuesday for Dori Lewis.In this eye-opening conversation, I sit down with Dori Lewis — licensed professional counselor, clinical supervisor, and co-founder of Elemental Psychedelics, one of Colorado's first DORA-approved psychedelic training programs.Dori's journey began with her own psychedelic trauma — being given DMT without consent, then spending four months in Asia integrating the experience. That traumatic weekend forged her into one of the most ethically-grounded voices in psychedelic medicine.From facilitating nearly 100 ketamine sessions to training psilocybin facilitators, Dori lives at the intersection of ancient wisdom and modern therapy. She's not here to sell you on psychedelics — she's here to give you the unfiltered truth about what this work really entails.In this episode, we discuss:The client case that changed everything: 2 years of stalled therapy to breakthrough in 3 ketamine sessionsDori's trauma story: DMT without consent and the Asia integration journey that birthed her practiceWhat happens in an 8-hour psilocybin session (the real, unfiltered process)Why mushrooms "amplify everything in the unseen realm" and what that means for trainingCultural appropriation: how to honor spirituality without crossing ethical linesAustralia vs. America: $25,000 psychiatrist-only model vs. Colorado's $800-2000 sliding scaleScreening criteria: who should (and shouldn't) do psychedelic therapyThe dark side: narcissism amplification and harm from unskilled facilitatorsColorado's personal use model: grow, gift, and consume mushrooms legallyBottom Line: Psychedelic therapy isn't replacing traditional therapy — it's amplifying it. But only with proper training, ethical foundations, and deep respect for holding altered states.

You've launched your signature program. You know it works. But there's a massive gap between people saying "I'm interested" and actually pulling out their credit card for $2,000.What if there's a way to bridge that gap—not by discounting your course—but by creating "quick win offers" that actually make people MORE likely to buy your signature program?Welcome back to Tuesday Tiny Wins—where we get straight to the point with one tool you can implement TODAY.In this episode, we discuss:The trust recession: Why people need proof before investing $2,000What quick win offers actually are (and what they're NOT)The gateway strategy: Why solving their biggest problem is wrongThe 4-step sequence that turns $27 customers into $2,000 clientsReal examples showing exactly how this worksStep-by-step plan to create your offer this weekTherapist considerations: scope of practice, pricing, ethicsThe Gateway Strategy That Changes Everything:Wrong: Try to solve their biggest problem in a mini offer Right: Solve a gateway problem that reveals how much bigger their issue isThe 4-Step Sequence:Buy quick win offer (solve immediate problem)Use technique—it works (build trust)Realize: "This problem is bigger than I thought"Your signature program becomes exactly what they needYour Action Plan:Step 1: Identify Gateway Problem (20 minutes)What transformation does your big program create?What smaller problem do they need to solve FIRST?What gives them a quick win AND shows the bigger pattern?Step 2: Create Your Title (30 minutes)Formula: The [time] [method] that [solves problem] in [situation]Step 3: Outline Content (2-3 hours)Lesson 1: Why this problem happensLesson 2: Exact technique to solve itLesson 3: When to use it + bigger pictureTherapist Considerations:Scope: Keep it psychoeducational—teaching skills, not therapy Pricing: $17-$47 for first quick win offer Ethics: Clear disclaimers about educational contentYour Homework:Today: Identify your gateway problemDM me on Instagram with your gateway problem—commitment makes it real

The system you dedicated your career to was designed wrong from the beginning. Not broken — designed wrong.970 million people globally need mental health support. We have approximately 1 million mental health professionals. The math isn't just broken — it reveals a system that was never built to serve the people who need it most.In this paradigm-shifting episode, I expose the uncomfortable truth: Mental Health 1.0 was designed for social control. Mental Health 2.0 was designed for good intentions. But Mental Health 3.0 — what I'm describing today — is the first paradigm being designed for actual results.While mental health professionals burn out trying to fix unfixable systems, tech companies are building Mental Health 3.0 solutions without us. The question isn't whether this transformation will happen. It's whether you'll help build it... or watch someone else do it.In this episode, we unpack:The Design Flaw Revelation — Why Mental Health 1.0 (asylums) and 2.0 (community care) created invisible problems while solving visible onesThe Current Collapse — Real data on 100+ day wait times, provider exodus, and technology filling gaps while professionals burn outMental Health 3.0 Framework — The educational revolution training therapeutic innovators who design community solutions, not just individual therapyThe Training Gap Crisis — Why medical schools teach healthcare entrepreneurship while psychology programs still train for Mental Health 2.0The Narrow Window — Why early movers will have massive advantages in the coming transformationThe Five Mental Health 3.0 Principles:Proactive, not reactive — Identify community needs before crises emergePopulation-scale, not individual-focused — Design interventions reaching thousands simultaneouslyTechnology-enabled, not technology-resistant — Use digital tools to amplify human expertisePrevention-based, not crisis-driven — Invest in keeping people wellEconomically sustainable — Create models that scale efficientlyBottom Line: Early movers will have massive advantages. Late adopters will be following someone else's vision of the future you could have helped create.

You were trained to stay quiet. To follow rules written for a world that no longer exists. To accept that your expertise should be sanitized into beige compliance.But what if everything you've been told about "staying safe" is actually keeping you small?In this raw, unfiltered episode, I pull back the curtain on what happened after my viral LinkedIn post broke the internet — and more importantly, what it revealed about the quiet revolution already happening in mental health.When therapists get investigated for posting anxiety tips while unqualified influencers sell $2,000 "trauma healing" courses, something is deeply broken. But buried in the 1,000+ shares and hundreds of comments was proof that change isn't coming, it's already here.If you've ever felt like the system is working against you instead of for you, this episode will show you exactly how to be part of the solution.In this episode, we discuss:The 3am truth that sparked a viral movement (and what 1,000 shares really revealed)Why therapists are uniquely positioned to lead the mental health revolutionThe three types of quiet revolutionaries already changing the system from withinPattern #1: The Permission-Takers — how to stop asking "am I allowed?" and start asking "how do I do this safely?"Pattern #2: The System Hackers — reframing your expertise to work within (and around) outdated regulationsPattern #3: The Bridge-Builders — creating solutions for communities the system has forgottenThree small actions you can take TODAY to join the revolution (no committee approval required)The Three Revolutionary Actions:Ask Better Supervision Questions — Transform compliance theater into collaborative courage labsRewrite One Tiny Policy — Reclaim your authority to create policies that actually serve humansBreak the Silence — Name system failures when they harm your clients (it's not unprofessional, it's honest)Bottom Line: The revolution isn't happening in boardrooms or policy committees. It's happening with practitioners who care more about impact than approval. Who choose to be first, not perfect.

You were trained to think psychology equals therapy chair. To believe "business skills" are something other people have. To accept that your expertise stops at the consulting room door.But what if everything you've been told about your limitations is wrong?In this game-changing conversation, I sit down with Carly Fisher — registered psychologist, government executive, board director, and living proof that therapists possess the exact skills businesses pay consultants millions for.Carly went from a 190-person therapy waitlist in rural Australia to making strategic decisions for million-dollar organisations. She didn't get an MBA to "fix" her psychology background — she got it to amplify the superpowers she already had.If you've ever thought "I'm just a therapist — I don't have business skills" — this conversation will shatter every limiting belief you've been carrying.In this episode, we discuss:Why a 190-person waitlist became a strategic career pivot instead of overwhelming pressureThe MBA decision: building credibility to sit at tables where million-dollar decisions get madeThe 4 superpowers every therapist has that businesses desperately need (but don't know how to ask for)Why case formulation is strategic planning in disguiseThe ethical line between therapy and executive coachingStep-by-step pathway from therapy practice to organisational consultingThe biggest mistakes therapists make when transitioning to business workThe Four Therapist Superpowers:Analytical skills and objectivity — evidence-based decisions under pressureAdapting to change — constant pivoting and resilienceInfluencing and persuading — reading humans and adjusting in real-timeRisk assessment and control — identifying problems before they explodeBottom Line: You don't need to learn new skills. You need to learn how to translate the ones you already have.

You were trained to be ethical. To follow the rules. To keep yourself out of the spotlight and let the system guide the way.But what happens when the system itself is no longer fit for purpose?In this milestone episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on a truth I've been sitting with for a long time — and the reckoning that finally made me say, “I can't keep pretending this is working.” This isn't a celebration. It's a confession. A call to those of us who've felt the discomfort of playing small while the field we love becomes harder to recognize.You'll hear the story behind my 2016 keynote that went silent, the inner war between staying beloved and speaking what's true, and the unignorable patterns I've witnessed after mentoring hundreds of therapists trying to do business ethically — but innovatively — in a profession that resists both.If you've ever wondered:Is it just me, or is the system actually broken?Why does it feel like there's no room for nuance or newness anymore?Can I still be a therapist if I want to burn the rulebook?…this one's for you.In this episode, I discuss:The therapist identity crisis: why staying safe often means staying silentHow outdated ethical codes are strangling innovation and visibilityThe story of a therapist being investigated for a Mental Health Week post — and why it's not an outlierWhat happened after my 2016 keynote — and why I buried the leadership part of me for yearsThe psychic split between scaling a beloved brand and stepping into disruptive truthWhy the future of mental health is being built outside our profession — and why that terrifies meThe real patterns I can't unsee anymore: watered-down offers, clinician burnout, unethical wellness gurus going uncheckedA soft reveal of the Mental Health 3.0 Compass — not a product, but a new lens to see what's nextA call to those who feel “too much to be seen, but too big to stay small”If you've ever felt like you're breaking some invisible contract just by wanting more — more impact, more honesty, more space to grow — this is the episode that will name what you've been carrying.

Ever find yourself sabotaging your own success the moment things start working? Yeah, I see you there - saying no to opportunities that could expand your reach, undercharging like it's a badge of honor, or suddenly deciding your perfectly good program needs to be "better" before you can launch it.Here's the thing nobody talks about in our field: you're not afraid of failing. You're terrified of succeeding. And after working with hundreds of therapists trying to break free from the traditional one-to-one model, I can tell you this fear is keeping some of the most talented, ethical practitioners I know playing impossibly small.In this episode, I'm getting real about fear of success - the hidden saboteur that's probably running way more of your business decisions than you realize. I share my own story about watching my dad's version of "success" (spoiler: it involved never being home and a stressed-out family), and why I unconsciously decided I wanted nothing to do with that life.Whether you're stuck in pricing guilt, marketing resistance, or that voice saying "who am I to charge premium rates," this episode gives you the psychological insights and practical tools to rewrite your success story without becoming someone you hate.Today, I discuss:Why fear of success hits therapists harder than other entrepreneurs (and why our helper identity makes scaling feel like betrayal)The unconscious "success contracts" you inherited from childhood that are limiting your growth right nowHow I realized my terror of becoming my workaholic father was keeping me from building the impact-driven business I actually wantedThe real cost of staying small - and why your success fear is literally hurting the people you're meant to serveHow success anxiety shows up: endless program tweaking, "opportunity amnesia," and that mysterious tech failure right before launchesWhy attachment styles, trauma, and neurodivergence can make success feel genuinely dangerousThe difference between fear-driven success (hello, burnout culture) and purpose-driven success (sustainable impact that doesn't destroy your life)Practical reframes to shift from "I'm being salesy" to "I'm making it easier for my ideal clients to find me"Small experiments to build your success tolerance without overwhelming your nervous systemRate, Review, & Follow on Apple PodcastsLove this episode? Let me know! Your reviews help us reach more therapists who are ready to ditch the martyrdom and build sustainable, profitable practices that actually serve them.Here's how:Click here, scroll to the bottom, and tap to rate with five starsSelect "Write a Review" and tell me what hit home for you!Hit that follow button if you haven't already - I've got more myth-busting, industry-disrupting episodes coming your wayLinks mentioned in this episode:Ready to heal your relationship with success and build a practice that serves you AND your mission? Learn more about the Therapists Rising Incubator hereFollow me on Instagram @dr.hayleykelly for more real talk about building ethical, profitable therapy businessesDM me on Instagram - seriously, I want to hear what this episode stirred up and which small experiment you're brave enough to try this weekKeywords: fear of success, therapist entrepreneur, scaling therapy practice, diversifying income, pricing guilt, marketing resistance, sustainable success, therapy business growth, imposter syndrome, breaking traditional therapy models

It's 8 PM. You finished seeing clients hours ago, but you're still at your computer responding to course emails, updating social media, and planning next quarter's strategy.Every decision runs through you. Every problem lands on your desk. Your business literally cannot breathe without you.If that sounds familiar—if you've become the center of everything in your business—this isn't a sign you're doing something wrong. It's proof that what you've built actually works.This is the final episode of our From Therapist to Visionary mini-series, where we're talking about the transition every successful therapist-entrepreneur faces: moving from being the engine of your business to being the visionary who guides it.What You'll Learn:How to identify the 4 main bottleneck areas that trap therapists (admin overload, client dependency, marketing hesitancy, decision paralysis)Why your nervous system responses (fight, flight, freeze, fawn) create operational bottlenecks—and how to work with themThe 2 biggest challenges in transitioning to visionary leadership (identity shift and letting go)4 practical steps to evolve from doer to leader without losing your soulHow to audit what only you can do vs. what can be delegated or systematizedWhy creating "visionary time" blocks will transform your businessThis Episode is for You If:→ You're holding everything together but feeling overwhelmed → Your business depends entirely on your personal availability → You want to step into leadership but don't know how to let go → You're ready to move from surviving to thriving as a business ownerYour 4-Step Action Plan:Audit what only you can do - Task inventory to identify what truly requires your voice/visionShift your calendar - Add visionary time blocks, stop perpetual availabilityCreate decision pathways - Define what you own vs. what your team can leadDefine your "enough" leadership model - How much do you want to hold? How do you want to lead?Links & Resources:

You want to grow. You want to reach more people, serve more deeply, make your work financially sustainable.But not if it costs your values. Not if it fries your nervous system. Not if it costs your soul.If you've ever watched other practitioners scale their businesses and thought, "I want to grow, but not like that" - this episode is for you.This is Episode 3 of our From Therapist to Visionary mini-series, where we're tackling the biggest fear of all: scaling without selling out.What You'll Learn:The unspoken fears therapists carry around growth and why visibility feels dangerous3 ethical traps that sabotage well-meaning therapists when scalingWhat "scaling" actually means (hint: it's not just more sales)How to define your own version of "enough" before someone else doesPrograms that honor your capacity and pricing that balances access with sustainabilityThe Scaling with Soul Self-Audit to ensure your growth aligns with your valuesThis Episode is for You If:→ You want to grow but are terrified of "selling out" → You've seen other practitioners scale in ways that felt wrong → You're ready to scale on your own terms, not someone else's blueprintThe Scaling with Soul Self-Audit:What am I scaling for?What does "enough" look like for me?Do my current offers, pricing, and support match my nervous system and values?Links & Resources: