Business of Therapy®

Kelly McKenna, Therapist & Business Coach
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Are you a therapist that’s dreaming of your own 6-figure practice and all the freedom that comes with it? You’re asking yourself questions like “How do I build a business?”, “Do people really get private pay clients from Instagram” and “How can I scale beyond therapy?”  You’re in the right place.  Welcome to the Business of Therapy® Podcast. Here you’ll find honest conversations about what it truly takes to be successful as a therapist— the good, the bad, and the ugly all included.  You’ll hear actionable advice for filling your caseload, best practices for growing on Instagram, and so much more. I’m your host, Kelly McKenna. I left burnout and nonprofit work behind to start my own private practice and ended up earning $250,000 my very first year. On this podcast we’re diving deep into the strategies that have worked for me and the thousands of therapists I’ve helped. Together we’ll navigate burn out, master your money mindset and boundaries, learn how to fill your caseload with Instagram, and more!  I’m a licensed therapist with my MBA, but you don’t have to go to business school to build a successful practice. I’ve helped many of your favorite Instagram therapists, who started just like you, grow private practices they truly LOVE. I want you to be my next success story!  Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode! 

  1. 2 days ago

    99. How to Film Better B-Roll for Your Reels as a Therapist on Instagram

    Ever felt like your Reels are falling flat? It might not be your content ideas - it might be your visuals. B-roll is suuuper simple, and it’s an effective way to speak to your ideal client. It’s literally everywhere on Instagram these days! The text that goes on top is important, but that’s not the only part that matters. Your visuals are really going to impact how well your Reel does! The good news? You don't need fancy equipment, complicated editing, or tons of extra work. Small changes can make a huge difference! In today's episode, I'm talking about how to film better B-roll for your reels as a therapist on Instagram. In this episode, I cover: What makes effective B-roll on InstagramHelpful guidelines for better B-rollHow to improve your video qualityHow to make your on-screen text easy to readWhy small content upgrades can make a BIG difference Connect with Kelly: Follow on Instagram @businessoftherapy and @sitwithkellyCheck out the Business of Therapy® website Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode! Resources & Links: My favorite tools for content creationTying shoes ReelDancing w/ flashing lights ReelSpitting out coffee ReelOldest daughters ReelThis episode is sponsored by Alma, the financially rewarding way to go in-networkI recommend setting up an intro call scheduler within Jane - use code: KELLY2MONTH for a 2-month grace periodPrivate Practice Academy Bundle (PPA)Reels MembershipBusiness Coaching WaitlistFree trainingCaption Guide Mentioned in this episode: FREE Training: How to Market & Grow Your Private Practice on Instagram

    27 min

  2. 17 June

    98. How She Filled Her Caseload During the Summer Slump with Rachel Sleeper (A Pre-licensed Therapist)

    I’m excited to welcome anxiety therapist Rachel Sleeper to the podcast today! Rachel started her therapy Instagram during her last semester of grad school, after not posting anything on any social media platform for 3 years. While still in grad school, she joined Private Practice Academy. Since then, she’s graduated, and FILLED her private practice with cash-pay clients! Now? She’s scaling her business and growing a thriving practice through Instagram, networking, and a willingness to stay consistent. In today’s episode, we’re talking about how she filled her caseload during the summer slump (as a pre-licensed therapist). In this episode, we cover: Rachel’s journey of building a private practice straight out of grad schoolOvercoming the fear of launching a private practice from scratchHow her consistency on IG built confidence over timeUsing process-based goals instead of outcome-based goalsWhy the "summer slump" actually helped Rachel grow fasterThe Instagram strategy that helped fill her caseloadHow the Reels Membership simplified content creation & consistencyLeveraging local networking both online + in personImproving intro call conversions with a clear processThe unexpected referrals that came from Instagram relationshipsBuilding a supportive therapist community through networking Connect with Rachel: Follow on Instagram @anxiety.therapist.rachelCheck out her website Connect with Kelly: Follow on Instagram @businessoftherapy and @sitwithkellyCheck out the Business of Therapy® website Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode! Resources & Links: Carrie Jackson’s Brand Deals ProgramJennifer Ann’s Editing CourseThis episode is sponsored by Alma, the financially rewarding way to go in-networkI recommend setting up an intro call scheduler within Jane - use code: KELLY2MONTH for a 2-month grace periodPrivate Practice Academy Bundle (PPA)Reels MembershipBusiness Coaching WaitlistFree trainingCaption Guide Mentioned in this episode: FREE Training: How to Market & Grow Your Private Practice on Instagram

    37 min

  3. 10 June

    97. How I Pay My Son $15,860 Per Year (As an Instagram Therapist)

    This episode feels a little different than my usual content, but it’s also VERY on brand for me. I’m not one to shy away from talking about money (if you follow me online or have listened to previous episodes, you probably know that). Money, transparency, and building wealth are all super important to me! Today, I’m pulling back the curtain on exactly how and why I pay my son over $15k per year to appear in my content as an Instagram therapist. I genuinely believe this is one of THE smartest things I can do for both my business and his future! In this episode, I cover: Why I believe it’s fair to pay my son for appearing in my contentThe pros, cons, & personal boundaries of sharing kids onlineWhat counts as legitimate “work” for children in a businessHow my CPA helped me legally structure payment for modeling/content workWhy fair market value + documentation matter for IRS complianceMy exact payment breakdownHow a custodial Roth IRA can build long-term generational wealthWhy I’m also using a high-yield savings account for additional growthThe potential long-term financial impact of investing earlyWhy consulting your own CPA is non-negotiable before trying this strategy Connect with Kelly: Follow on Instagram @businessoftherapy and @sitwithkellyCheck out the Business of Therapy® website Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode! Some links referenced below are affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support! Resources & Links: Check out HeardThis episode is sponsored by Alma, the financially rewarding way to go in-networkI recommend setting up an intro call scheduler within Jane - use code: KELLY2MONTH for a 2-month grace periodPrivate Practice Academy Bundle (PPA)Reels MembershipBusiness Coaching WaitlistFree trainingCaption Guide Mentioned in this episode: FREE Training: How to Market & Grow Your Private Practice on Instagram

    17 min

  4. 3 June

    96. How the Instagram Algorithm ACTUALLY Works

    Feeling like the Instagram algorithm is working against you? If that's you, you are NOT alone. I want to break down what Instagram actually says about how content gets pushed. And no, we're not doing any fear tactics, gimmicks, or "secret sauce" that only marketing gurus know! These are facts coming STRAIGHT from Instagram itself. It's totally possible to use them to grow your reach and attract more private pay therapy clients! In today's episode, I'm diving into how the Instagram algorithm ACTUALLY works. In this episode, I cover: Why the Instagram algorithm is not out to get youCommon misconceptions about followers, views & conversionsWhat Instagram actually prioritizesWhy strong hooks matter in the first 1-3 secondsKey IG metrics to watchHow to create more likable, shareable, savable & comment-worthy contentWhy connection and trust-building MATTER for engagementHow to review your analytics & spot patterns that are already workingWhy you do NOT need every Reel to do everything wellA simple way to help you prove future content performance Connect with Kelly: Follow on Instagram @businessoftherapy and @sitwithkellyCheck out the Business of Therapy® website Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode! Resources & Links: Instagram’s new analyticsExample Reel of likable contentExample Reel of shareable contentExample Reel of savable contentExample Reel of comment-worthy contentEpisode 89: How to Optimize Your IG Bio to Attract Private Pay Therapy ClientsThis episode is sponsored by Alma, the financially rewarding way to go in-networkI recommend setting up an intro call scheduler within Jane - use code: KELLY2MONTH for a 2-month grace periodPrivate Practice Academy Bundle (PPA)Reels MembershipBusiness Coaching WaitlistFree trainingCaption Guide Mentioned in this episode: FREE Training: How to Market & Grow Your Private Practice on Instagram

    26 min

  5. 27 May

    95. The Summer Slump (+ Your Cancellation Policy)

    Does the "summer slump" in private practice stress you out? If so, today's episode is for YOU! No, you don't need to panic. Yes, cancellations can increase in the summer, and your inquiries might fluctuate a little. But none of that means your practice is doomed (I promise)! It's totally possible to keep your caseload full and continue marketing yourself during the summer months. All of this matters now, more than ever! In today's episode, I'm talking about the "summer slump" and your cancellation policy. In this episode, I cover: Why the “summer slump” doesn’t have to hurt your practiceThe importance of continuing to market yourself during slower seasonsHow to offset cancellationsThe importance of enforcing your fees + modeling boundariesMy personal 24-hour cancellation policy + grace pass approachAnother creative cancellation policy model therapists may want to tryHow to clinically address frequent cancellations with clientsBalancing flexibility w/accountability during the summer monthsGiving yourself permission to slow down if that’s what you truly want Connect with Kelly: Follow on Instagram @businessoftherapy and @sitwithkellyCheck out the Business of Therapy® website Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode! Resources & Links: This episode is sponsored by Alma, the financially rewarding way to go in-networkI recommend setting up an intro call scheduler within Jane - use code: KELLY2MONTH for a 2-month grace periodPrivate Practice Academy Bundle (PPA)Reels MembershipBusiness Coaching WaitlistFree trainingCaption Guide Mentioned in this episode: FREE Training: How to Market & Grow Your Private Practice on Instagram

    20 min

  6. 20 May

    94. How Sarah 3x Her Income in 4 Months with Therapist Sarah Bolor

    I’m honored to welcome Licensed Clinical Social Worker Sarah Bolor to the podcast! In today’s episode, we’re talking about how Sarah 3x her income in 4 months. Sarah specializes in helping anxious and overwhelmed high-achieving women build boundaries and reconnect with themselves. As a recovering people-pleaser and a perinatal-loss mom, her work is shaped by both professional training and lived experiences. If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s really possible to grow a profitable private practice while still working a full-time job, Sarah’s story is going to inspire you BIG time! In this episode, we cover: Why Sarah started her private practice as a side hustleThe limiting beliefs she had around private practice + business ownershipHow Instagram became her main source of private pay clientsThe simple Instagram ad strategy that helped grow her audienceWhy Instagram stories became a HUGE needle-mover for consult callsHow she niched down into working with anxious, high-achieving womenThe consult call process that helped her convert private pay clientsWhy raising her rate from $125 to $175 changed everythingHow she tripled her income in just 4 months after joining PPASarah’s advice for therapists wanting to start a private practice on the side Connect with Sarah: Follow on Instagram @sayitmentalhealthCheck out her website Connect with Kelly: Follow on Instagram @businessoftherapy and @sitwithkellyCheck out the Business of Therapy® website Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode! Resources & Links: This episode is sponsored by Alma, the financially rewarding way to go in-networkI recommend setting up an intro call scheduler within Jane - use code: KELLY2MONTH for a 2-month grace periodPrivate Practice Academy Bundle (PPA)Reels MembershipBusiness Coaching WaitlistFree trainingCaption Guide Mentioned in this episode: FREE Training: How to Market & Grow Your Private Practice on Instagram

    38 min

  7. 13 May

    93. The Secret to Getting 29 Clients from Instagram in 9 Months with EMDR Therapist Jaclyn Sappah

    I’m excited to welcome holistic trauma therapist Jaclyn Sappah to the podcast today! In her own work, Jaclyn integrates EMDR, yoga, and Reiki energy healing to help women heal childhood trauma, break toxic patterns, regulate their nervous systems, and reconnect with themselves. If you’ve ever felt like Instagram is “working” but not actually bringing in clients, Jaclyn’s story will definitely hit home! In today’s episode, we’re diving into the secret to getting 29 clients from Instagram in 9 months. In this episode, we cover: How Jaclyn grew from ~200 to 2k followers with zero clients at firstWhat happened when Jaclyn joined PPA in June 2025How Jaclyn generated 29 clients from Instagram over 9 monthsHow she shifted from mostly insurance to primarily private payHer experience with bringing in ~$20k from EMDR intensives aloneJaclyn’s simple ad strategy for consistent client flow + audience growthWhy her private pay clients converted faster + more consistentlyHow Jaclyn uses Instagram to fill both her own caseload + her associates’How she reduced her posting frequency while still growing with adsWhy growth ≠ conversion + strategy is everything Connect with Jaclyn: Follow on Instagram @holistictraumatherapyCheck out her website Connect with Kelly: Follow on Instagram @businessoftherapy and @sitwithkellyCheck out the Business of Therapy® website Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode! Resources & Links: This episode is sponsored by Alma, the financially rewarding way to go in-networkI recommend setting up an intro call scheduler within Jane - use code: KELLY2MONTH for a 2-month grace periodPrivate Practice Academy Bundle (PPA)Reels MembershipBusiness Coaching WaitlistFree trainingCaption Guide Mentioned in this episode: FREE Training: How to Market & Grow Your Private Practice on Instagram

    35 min

  8. 6 May

    92. How to Balance Connection vs Authority Content on Instagram (So You Actually Get Clients)

    If your Instagram isn’t bringing in clients, it’s usually not a consistency problem. It’s a balance problem! Most therapists lean too far one way - either constantly teaching OR constantly relating. But you don’t get clients from just one. Connection builds trust, and authority drives decisions. You need BOTH working together if you really want to fill your caseload! In today's episode, I'm talking about how to balance connection vs. authority content on Instagram (so you actually get clients). In this episode, I cover: Why you need BOTH connection + authority content on InstagramWhy leaning too far into one type hurts conversionsHow connection content builds trust through relatable & personality-driven postsHow authority content builds credibility through solutions, tips + actionable guidanceHow reels build connection and carousels build authorityWhy authority content may not go viral + what it CAN lead toWhy strong content = connection AND authorityExamples of balancing both connection + authority on InstagramHow to keep content ethical & general Connect with Kelly: Follow on Instagram @businessoftherapy and @sitwithkellyCheck out the Business of Therapy® website Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode! Resources & Links: SitWithKelly Connection ReelSitWithKelly Authority Post BusinessOfTherapy Connection ReelBusinessOfTherapy Authority PostThis episode is sponsored by Alma, the financially rewarding way to go in-networkI recommend setting up an intro call scheduler within Jane - use code: KELLY2MONTH for a 2-month grace periodPrivate Practice Academy Bundle (PPA)Reels MembershipBusiness Coaching WaitlistFree trainingCaption Guide Mentioned in this episode: FREE Training: How to Market & Grow Your Private Practice on Instagram

    22 min
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About

Are you a therapist that’s dreaming of your own 6-figure practice and all the freedom that comes with it? You’re asking yourself questions like “How do I build a business?”, “Do people really get private pay clients from Instagram” and “How can I scale beyond therapy?”  You’re in the right place.  Welcome to the Business of Therapy® Podcast. Here you’ll find honest conversations about what it truly takes to be successful as a therapist— the good, the bad, and the ugly all included.  You’ll hear actionable advice for filling your caseload, best practices for growing on Instagram, and so much more. I’m your host, Kelly McKenna. I left burnout and nonprofit work behind to start my own private practice and ended up earning $250,000 my very first year. On this podcast we’re diving deep into the strategies that have worked for me and the thousands of therapists I’ve helped. Together we’ll navigate burn out, master your money mindset and boundaries, learn how to fill your caseload with Instagram, and more!  I’m a licensed therapist with my MBA, but you don’t have to go to business school to build a successful practice. I’ve helped many of your favorite Instagram therapists, who started just like you, grow private practices they truly LOVE. I want you to be my next success story!  Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode! 

Information

  • Creator
    Kelly McKenna, Therapist & Business Coach
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Kelly McKenna, Therapist & Business Coach
  • Show Website
    Business of Therapy®

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