The Entrepreneurial Therapist Podcast

Danielle Swimm
  • 5.0 (92)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Are you a therapist looking for a one-stop shop for practice building and personal development? Then you're in the right place! Your host, Danielle Swimm, believes that therapists are meant to live full, abundant lives and create businesses along the way. We talk all things mindset, marketing and systems for today's entrepreneurial therapist. Danielle and her guests will share behind the scenes of mistakes they've made and lessons learned along the way. The episodes are raw and real, reminding you that even when times are hard, you can still achieve your own version of success. You will leave each episode feeling motivated and inspired each week to build the practice and life of your dreams. If you're a therapist who likes to listen to Lewis Howes, Rachel Rodgers or Rachel Hollis, you'll feel right at home here. Let's get started! Launching 23 Feb 2022

  1. 3D AGO

    EP 213: 7-Figure Series: How Dr. Leah Clionsky Built a 7-Figure Group Practice

    Building a seven-figure group practice does not have to mean burnout, chaos, or abandoning your clinical values. In this episode, I'm officially kicking off the Seven Figure Therapist Series with someone I immediately thought of when therapists kept asking me if this level of growth was even possible. Dr. Leah Clionsky joins me to pull back the curtain on how she built a thriving, private pay group practice rooted in evidence-based care, premium pricing, and sustainability. Leah never set out to chase a revenue milestone, yet by building a practice she was deeply proud of and relentlessly focused on profit, she crossed seven figures and continues to scale year after year. We talk candidly about what actually makes a group practice financially viable and emotionally sustainable. Leah shares how she structures her team, why she hires experienced clinicians, how she protects her time as an owner, and what her involvement in the practice looks like now. We also dive into the numbers most therapists avoid, the mindset shift required to invest instead of hoard, and why quality and profitability are not at odds with one another. This conversation is equal parts grounding and expansive for anyone who wants to grow without resentment or exhaustion. Topics Covered in this Episode: 4:12 - Why profit matters more than revenue when scaling a practice 8:37 - The values that make premium pricing feel aligned instead of stressful 13:05 - How Leah structured her team to support growth without micromanaging 17:22 - What a realistic weekly schedule looks like at seven figures 21:48 - The financial rhythm Leah reviews every single week 25:31 - How clinical excellence quietly becomes your best marketing strategy 28:56 - The investment mindset that keeps practices from getting stuck If this episode expands what feels possible for you, make sure you're subscribed so you don't miss the rest of the Seven Figure Therapist Series. Each conversation will highlight a different path to growth and a different way to define success. And if this resonated, share it with a colleague or leave a review so more therapists can hear what's possible when you build with intention.   Resources Mentioned: Find out more about Alma here: helloalma.com/danielle Take 50% off your first 4 months of Simple Practice + a 7 day free trial using the link: simplepractice.com/danielle Follow Leah on IG: @educatedparentpodcast Listen to Educated Parent Podcast: https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/listen Thriving Children Center: www.thrivingchildcenter.com "Worth It" episodes: https://psychologist-practice-consulting.kit.com/profile/practice-consulting  How Leah tracks Her Finances: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worth-it-practice/id1849042489?i=1000739352177

    31 min

  2. FEB 4

    How Therapists Can Talk to Clients About Using an AI Note Taker with Dr. Elisabeth Morray

    Are you using or considering using AI note takers in your therapy sessions and wondering how to introduce it ethically, confidently, and without damaging the therapeutic relationship? In today's episode, I sit down with returning guest Dr. Elisabeth Morray, VP of Clinical at Alma, to unpack what it actually looks like to have real conversations with clients about AI in the therapy room. We talk about informed consent, client autonomy, fear-based reactions to AI, and how to frame this technology as an optional, collaborative experiment rather than a forced change. Dr. Morray shares her experience as an early adopter and explains how therapists can center presence, trust, and relationship-building while still benefiting from time-saving tools. We also dive into the practical and ethical side of implementation, including when to bring it up, what language to use, how to respond when clients opt out, and why separate consent processes may be safer than burying AI language in long intake forms. You'll hear powerful insights on how AI-generated notes can sometimes become therapeutic tools themselves by supporting reflection and continuity between sessions. If you have been feeling stuck between wanting efficiency and protecting the integrity of your clinical work, this conversation will give you a grounded, thoughtful framework to move forward. Topics Covered in this Episode: 2:45 - Why informed consent with AI is different than anything we have done before 6:10 - The mindset shift that makes client conversations smoother 9:30 - What to say when clients feel hesitant or fearful about AI 13:20 - A surprising way AI notes can support the therapeutic process 16:40 - When not to bring AI back up after a client opts out 19:15 - The consent mistake that could create ethical gray areas 22:05 - What widespread AI adoption could mean for therapy in the next year Need more clients to help fill your private pay practice in 2026? Join us inside the Practice Accelerator to learn how to build a private pay practice that leaves you feeling abundant and at ease in this economy. Podcast Listeners get $100 off using code ALLIN at checkout:  https://www.theentrepreneurialtherapist.com/practice-accelerator-sales-page   Resources Mentioned: Find out more about Alma here: helloalma.com/danielle   Take 50% off your first 4 months of Simple Practice + a 7 day free trial using the link: simplepractice.com/danielle Connect with Dr. Elisabeth on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/elisabeth-morray/

    25 min

  3. JAN 28

    Retreats, Rant + this Economy for Therapists

    What if "doing well" no longer feels secure because the income that once worked no longer meets your financial needs?   In this episode, I'm sharing what I'm seeing across conversations with therapists right now and what I'm personally experiencing as well. Inflation, debt, cost of living, and long-term goals are forcing many therapists to confront a hard truth: paying the bills isn't the same as feeling financially safe. Wanting more doesn't mean you're ungrateful. It means you're awake.   We talk about why hitting a new level of financial security requires doing things differently, not just working harder, and the identity shift that comes with deciding you're done repeating the same year over and over. I also share why money conversations still feel taboo for women, how your environment shapes your growth, and why getting out of your day-to-day routine through in-person experiences can radically change how you think about your business, your income, and what's possible. That pattern disruption is exactly what inspired me to host my very first Entrepreneurial Therapist Retreat this year.   Topics Covered in This Episode: 2:00 – Why "doing well" no longer feels financially secure for many therapists 4:45 – The identity shift required to reach your next income level 7:55 – Why wanting more money still feels taboo for women 9:05 – How your environment shapes your growth and decision-making 11:32 – What in-person retreats offer that online programs cannot 16:54 – Why pattern disruption is essential for entrepreneurial therapists   If you've been feeling the pull to turn it up this year and stop doing things the way you always have, this episode is your invitation. I'm officially opening the conversation about my first-ever Entrepreneurial Therapist Retreat happening this May in Annapolis, Maryland.   Resources Mentioned:   Join the Entrepreneurial Therapist Retreat on May 27 - 30, 2026: https://theentrepreneurialtherapist.com/retreat   Find out more about Alma here: helloalma.com/danielle Take 50% off your first 4 months of Simple Practice + a 7 day free trial using the link: simplepractice.com/danielle

    23 min

  4. JAN 21

    EP 210: How to Add $5K a Month with Additional Revenue Streams

    What would it actually take to add an extra $5,000 a month to your therapy practice without burning out or stacking more one-to-one sessions? In this episode, I dive headfirst into one of my favorite topics: additional revenue streams and how therapists can strategically scale beyond the traditional one-to-one model. I walk you through why relying on a single income stream is risky, how unexpected life events can impact your business, and why building flexibility into your revenue can transform not just your income, but your health, energy, and quality of life. I break down the two most common paths therapists take: building a profitable group practice and stepping into the creator economy with offers like courses, coaching, memberships, speaking, or retreats. We talk real numbers, realistic expectations, and what it actually looks like to design offers that work in today's fast-changing market. I also share how I think about pricing, program structure, audience growth, and why 2026 is shaping up to be a powerful year for connection-based business models. If you've been thinking about scaling but feel overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure where to start, this episode will help you zoom out, think bigger, and create a strategy that fits your lifestyle and long-term vision. Topics Covered in this Episode: 3:42 - Why adding revenue streams is about freedom, not just money 7:15 - The real profit math behind hiring your next associate 11:08 - The mistake most therapists make when scaling a group practice 14:30 - How the creator economy is shifting and what still works 18:05 - The hidden numbers behind selling a $997 course 21:47 - Why in-person components may become your biggest advantage 24:12 - Choosing between high-ticket depth or high-volume scale If you're serious about adding consistent income without sacrificing your sanity or your mission, this is your invitation to take action. The Scale Up Mastermind is officially open for registration. This is a program that has sold out each time in the past 5 cohorts and focuses on helping therapists develop additional revenue streams for their practice. Apply for the Scale Up Mastermind - We start Feb 13th.   Resources Mentioned: Apply for the Scale Up Mastermind Find out more about Alma here: helloalma.com/danielle Take 50% off your first 4 months of Simple Practice + a 7 day free trial using the link: simplepractice.com/danielle

    27 min

  5. JAN 14

    EP 209: How the Mental Health Field has Changed with Allison Puryear

    Is private practice really "broken," or is the therapy industry simply evolving faster than we expected? In this episode, I sit down with Allison Puryear for a grounded, honest conversation about the major shifts happening in the therapy industry as we head deeper into 2026. We unpack what is actually behind the slowdown so many therapists are feeling, why what worked from 2020 to 2023 no longer works the same way, and how big therapy tech, virtual care, insurance dynamics, and AI are reshaping access to care. Allison brings decades of perspective to help us zoom out, calm the panic, and understand what is truly changing and what is not. We also talk about where therapists still have a massive advantage and how to build a practice that is sustainable, human-centered, and resilient in this new landscape. From relationship-based referrals and ethical networking to niche clarity, speaking opportunities, and adapting your marketing without burning out, this episode is about reclaiming agency and momentum when the noise feels overwhelming. Topics Covered in this Episode: 4:12 - Why the "easy growth" years of private practice are over 7:45 - The real impact of big therapy tech that few are talking about 10:30 - How insurance, politics, and trust are quietly shifting client behavior 14:05 - What therapists can do that large platforms cannot 17:50 - Why networking still works and how to do it authentically 20:40 - What AI will realistically change in therapy 23:15 - Creative ways to stand out without adding more hours Wanting to add additional revenue streams in this year? The Scale Up Mastermind is now open for registration for our February 13th cohort kick off! It is application only for high-level therapists looking to scale beyond 1-1. Take 4 minutes and apply here today: https://form.typeform.com/to/f3eIK2r9#source=xxxxx    Resources Mentioned: Find out more about Alma here: helloalma.com/danielle Take 50% off your first 4 months of Simple Practice + a 7 day free trial using the link: simplepractice.com/danielle   Connect with Allison: www.abundancepracticebuilding.com  Follow Allison on IG: https://www.instagram.com/abundance_practice_building/ Abundance Practice Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWFACumyV8XlBgvUfcbyt9Q

    27 min

  6. JAN 7

    EP 208: The Identity You Need to Hit Multi Six Figure This Year

    What if the reason you haven't hit multi-six figures yet has nothing to do with your strategy and everything to do with your identity? In this episode, I'm diving into one of the biggest (and most overlooked) reasons entrepreneurial therapists stay stuck: the identity ceiling they're unconsciously living under. I'm sharing why you don't need permission to evolve, why mindset (not marketing) is often the real bottleneck to growth, and how the identity you're operating from determines what feels "safe" or "possible" in your business. We'll talk about what it really takes to scale in 2026, especially when you're in the messy middle, things aren't shiny anymore, and quitting feels tempting. I also open up about my own identity shifts from solo therapist to multi–six–figure entrepreneur and the uncomfortable growth that came with it. We explore failure (and why you must be willing to fail fast), the hidden fears that keep therapists playing small, and how surrounding yourself with the right rooms and people can fundamentally change what you believe you're capable of. If you're done repeating the same year over and over and ready to step into a bigger version of yourself, this episode is for you. Topics Covered in this Episode: 4:48 - The unconscious rules you're following that may be holding you back 7:30 - What it really means to "change your identity overnight" 10:05 - The uncomfortable question every scaling therapist must answer 12:40 - Why failing fast is a non-negotiable skill in 2026 15:18 - The tradeoffs no one talks about when you decide to scale 18:55 - How your body can reveal the goals you're secretly afraid to hit As you head into this new year, I want you to ask yourself: Who do I need to become to create the results I want? If this episode resonated, take the next step and join me for my free live training in January, where I'll be breaking down three concrete strategies to scale in 2026. Sign up, grab the workbook, and come hang out with me live!   Resources Mentioned: Join my New Year Masterclass on 3 Strategies to Scaling in 2026 for Entrepreneurial Therapists: https://www.theentrepreneurialtherapist.com/webinar  Find out more about Alma here: helloalma.com/danielle Take 50% off your first 4 months of Simple Practice + a 7 day free trial using the link: simplepractice.com/danielle

    24 min

  7. 12/31/2025

    EP 207: (Replay) The Biggest Needle Movers for SEO Right Now

    Is SEO still worth your time as a therapist in a world dominated by AI and constant algorithm changes? In this replay of one of our most downloaded episodes of the year, I sit down with SEO expert Chris Morin from Moonraker to break down what actually moves the needle when it comes to getting your private practice website to rank on Google. We talk honestly about whether Google is still relevant, how AI fits into modern SEO (without turning your website into generic fluff), and why content creation is still one of the most powerful and accessible marketing strategies for therapists today. In this conversation, Chris shares a refreshingly practical approach to SEO that feels doable even if you're juggling a full caseload. We dive into how people are really searching for therapy, the biggest mistakes therapists make with service pages, and how to structure your site so Google actually understands what you do, who you help, and where you're located. If SEO has ever felt overwhelming, confusing, or like a total black hole of effort, this episode will help you see a clear path forward and remind you that you don't need to do everything to see results. Topics Covered in This Episode: 3:58 - Why Google rankings are far from "dead" (even with ChatGPT in the mix) 7:14 - The single SEO strategy that delivers the biggest ROI for therapists 9:32 - How clients actually search for therapy (and why "individual therapy" might be hurting you) 12:48 - The surprising power of modality-based pages like EMDR, CBT, and IFS 15:41 - How to use AI strategically without publishing generic, low-value content 21:44 - The hidden SEO mistake almost everyone makes inside their blog posts 24:03 - What backlinks really do and how many you actually need 29:10 - The trust signal Google cares about most (and how to build it ethically) If you're ready to stop guessing and start building a marketing strategy that actually supports your practice growth, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in, take notes, and then choose one thing you can implement this month. And if this conversation clicks for you, join us in the Practice Accelerator and get started for $100 off using our special promo code for podcast listeners, ALLIN!   Resources Mentioned: Needing more private pay clients in the New Year and wanting to dive in deeper on SEO? Join the Practice Accelerator here to get started with our podcast listeners getting $100 off using the code ALLIN! https://www.theentrepreneurialtherapist.com/practice-accelerator-sales-page  Find out more about Alma here: helloalma.com/danielle Take 50% off your first 4 months of Simple Practice + a 7 day free trial using the link: simplepractice.com/danielle

    33 min

  8. 12/24/2025

    EP 206: (Replay) The Best Marketing Tips I Can Give You

    Is the marketing you're doing right now actually creating long-term freedom or just another version of burnout in disguise?  In this replay of one of the most downloaded episodes of the year, I'm breaking down the best marketing strategies I truly believe in if you value flexibility, rest, and sustainability as much as growth. I walk you through what freedom-based marketing really means, why hustle-heavy strategies eventually backfire, and how to start thinking about your marketing decisions through the lens of your future life. I cover what works best for both practice builders and creators, from SEO and Google visibility to email lists, funnels, and the role social media should (and shouldn't) play. I share real examples from my own business, explain why some strategies quietly keep working for years, and ask you to take an honest look at whether your current marketing is aligned with the life you're trying to build for your health, your family, and your long-term well-being. Topics Covered in This Episode: 2:10 - The question I ask myself before committing to any marketing strategy 6:45 - Why some marketing creates freedom later (and some never will) 9:30 - The underrated strategy that keeps working even when you're offline 12:50 - What I believe is the most powerful asset creators can build in 2025 16:40 - Why social media feels exhausting and how I set boundaries with it 20:05 - The real role of funnels in creating long-term sustainability 24:30 - The shift that helped me work less without serving less   I want you to sit with the question I pose at the end: Is the marketing you're doing today supporting the life you want in the years ahead? If you're craving more rest, more alignment, and smarter growth (not just more noise) this conversation is for you. And if you are interested in getting more private pay clients in the New Year join us in the Practice Accelerator to get started today.   Resources Mentioned: If you are interested in getting more private pay clients in the New Year join us in the Practice Accelerator to get started today: https://www.theentrepreneurialtherapist.com/practice-accelerator-sales-page Find out more about Alma here: helloalma.com/danielle Take 50% off your first 4 months of Simple Practice + a 7 day free trial using the link: simplepractice.com/danielle

    30 min
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About

Are you a therapist looking for a one-stop shop for practice building and personal development? Then you're in the right place! Your host, Danielle Swimm, believes that therapists are meant to live full, abundant lives and create businesses along the way. We talk all things mindset, marketing and systems for today's entrepreneurial therapist. Danielle and her guests will share behind the scenes of mistakes they've made and lessons learned along the way. The episodes are raw and real, reminding you that even when times are hard, you can still achieve your own version of success. You will leave each episode feeling motivated and inspired each week to build the practice and life of your dreams. If you're a therapist who likes to listen to Lewis Howes, Rachel Rodgers or Rachel Hollis, you'll feel right at home here. Let's get started! Launching 23 Feb 2022

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