The Bad Therapist Show

Felicia Keller Boyle | Business Coach for Therapists

Ever felt like being a great therapist, having a successful practice, and living a life you love are somehow mutually exclusive? If so, you're in the right place. The Bad Therapist Show is the go-to resource for established solo therapists and group practice owners who want to grow profitable businesses, lead with confidence, and create more freedom, flexibility, and fulfillment in their lives. Hosted by Felicia Keller Boyle, aka The Bad Therapist®, LMFT, former six-figure private practice owner, therapist business coach, and creator of the Liberated Business™ method, this show challenges the belief that therapists have to choose between helping people, making money, and enjoying their lives. Through her coaching, courses, and innovative private practice fee calculator, The Magic Sheets™, Felicia has helped hundreds of therapists build more profitable practices, create additional income streams, and step into true business ownership—without sacrificing the work they love or the life they’re building. Each week, you'll hear honest conversations about private practice growth, marketing, leadership, money, boundaries, identity, and the realities of running a therapy business. Whether you're growing a solo practice, leading a group practice, or building revenue streams beyond the therapy room, you'll learn how to think like a CEO, scale sustainably, and build a business that supports your life—not the other way around. Tune in for answers to questions such as: 👉🏽How do I grow my private practice without sacrificing my personal life? 👉🏽What are the best marketing strategies for established therapists? 👉🏽How do I raise my rates with confidence? 👉🏽How do I grow my income beyond one-to-one therapy? 👉🏽What does it take to transition from therapist to CEO? 👉🏽How do I build a business that supports the life I actually want? You don't have to choose between being an exceptional therapist, a successful business owner, and a whole human. Follow the show wherever you listen to podcasts and start building a business that gives you more income, more freedom, and more of what matters most. Because bad therapists make the best therapists. --- Learn more about Business Coaching for Private Practice Therapists at www.thebadtherapist.coach.

  1. 14h ago

    Private Practice Case Study: From Corporate to 6-Figure Private Practice with Ben Sollenberger (REPLAY) [Ep 174]

    Ready for a private practice success story that’ll light a fire under you? In this episode, I’m joined by Ben Sollenberger, who left his full time corporate operations role and built a nearly full private practice, on track for six figures, in just a few months of joining Liberated Business! Ben shares the pivotal moment he stopped playing it safe, the mindset shift that helped him tune out the doubters, and the strategic moves that sped up his growth. From leveraging his corporate background to learning a new skill set, his journey is full of unexpected turns and practical takeaways. If you're on the fence about starting your own private practice or wondering if it's really possible to succeed quickly in today's market, Ben's journey might just be the nudge you need to finally make your move. More about Ben Sollenberger: Ben is a resident in counseling who specializes in counseling men in their 20s and 30s. In addition to loving counseling, Ben continues to enjoy working as a contractor in business operations, his first career. Topics covered on Private Practice Success Story: How Ben found a big gap in the mental health market and used it as a key element in his private practice's success storyThe surprising ways Ben’s corporate background helped him (and also didn't fully prepare him) for private practiceThe exact moment that convinced Ben to finally take the leap into private practice after months of hesitationBen's clever Psychology Today profile hack that helped him stand out in a saturated directoryThe strategic investments Ben made that led to his private practice filling quicklyThe dual income strategy Ben uses to feel more confident and calm while building his therapy business Resources mentioned in this episode: Liberated Business: https://www.thebadtherapist.coach/liberatedbusinessHold Space Creative Connect with Ben Sollenberger: Website: https://www.virginiatherapyservicesforyoungmen.com Connect with Felicia: Get my freebie & join the email list: The Magic SheetsInstagram: @the_bad_therapistWebsite: www.thebadtherapist.coach Related episodes Liberated Business: How to Transform Your Private Practice in Six Months [Ep 63] Quote “ It's definitely not gonna work out if you don't have that blind trust in the universe.” - Ben Sollenberger

    35 min
  2. Jul 6

    Marketing for Established Therapists: From Getting Found to Getting Known [Ep 173]

    When was the last time you stepped back and reconsidered your marketing instead of simply doing what you’ve always done? Most marketing advice for therapists is built for people chasing their first 10 clients. But if your caseload is already full, that same advice might be keeping you stuck at a ceiling you don’t even realise exists. In this episode, I explain why marketing for established therapists is a different job entirely. The goal moves from getting found to getting known. I'll walk through the shift from survival marketing to authority marketing, the 10/80/10 rule for systematising what already works, and selling your point of view rather than your services. There’s a version of your private practice where your reputation does the heavy lifting and the right people reach out without you working harder. This is what marketing for established therapists looks like. Not grinding for visibility, but building the reputation that does the heavy lifting for you. Ready to learn how? Tune in! Topics covered on Marketing For Therapists: What it means to be an established therapistThe difference between survival marketing and authority marketingHow to audit the marketing channels that are already workingThe 10/80/10 rule and how to systematise what already works so boredom does not pull you into self sabotageReal client examples of authority marketing in action Connect with Felicia: Get my freebie & join the email list: The Magic SheetsInstagram: @the_bad_therapistWebsite: www.thebadtherapist.coach Related episodes: The Five Growth Stages Every Successful Therapist Goes Through [Ep 171] Quote: "Early stage therapists market what they do, but established therapists market how they think." Felicia

    19 min
  3. Jun 29

    Is Your Therapist Brain Driving Decisions Your CEO Brain Should Be Making? [Ep 172]

    You have a clinician who's been underperforming for three months. You’ve had the conversation twice, you’ve been patient and fair, and you still haven’t made the call. Why? That’s your therapist brain in the driver's seat when your CEO brain needs to step in. The qualities that make you a great clinician—your empathy, your rescue instinct, your ability to stay client-centred and accommodating—are skills you’ve spent years developing. But being a CEO requires a completely different muscle, and most of us don't realize how big the gap between the two is until we hit a decision that feels really hard. We’re often quick to advocate for our clients and our team, but much slower to advocate for ourselves. That's where things get complicated: the difficult conversations about fees, the cancellation policy you don’t enforce, the team member who’s no longer the right fit, or the agreements that stopped working for you. In this episode, we’re exploring the difference between your therapist brain and your CEO brain, and why learning when to use each is one of the most important leadership skills you’ll develop as a practice owner. Topics covered on Therapist Brain, CEO Brain The empathy that makes you a great clinician is the same empathy keeping a team member on your payroll for too longYou can challenge a client all day, but the second you have to go to bat for yourself on fees or your cancellation policy, conflict avoidance takes overOne of my clients was paying someone more than she paid herself for the same workIntegrating therapist brain and CEO brain in a way that will make you a better leader and a better clinician at the same time Connect with Felicia: Get my freebie & join the email list: The Magic SheetsInstagram: @the_bad_therapistWebsite: www.thebadtherapist.coach Quote: “ Being a great CEO makes you a better therapist, and being a great therapist makes you a better CEO because you can bring all of those skillsets together.” - Felicia

    14 min
  4. Jun 22

    The Five Growth Stages Every Successful Therapist Goes Through [Ep 171]

    I've been coaching therapists since 2019, and I keep seeing the same trajectory play out, in my clients and even in myself. We move through five stages when we grow something, and one of them feels like proof that something has gone wrong when it's really the opposite. Most people misread it completely, pull back from the very thing that was working, and then blame the strategy. There's also a kind of discomfort that feels identical but means the total opposite, and confusing the two will keep you handing off the wrong thing at the wrong time. In this episode, I'm walking you through all five stages, how to tell which one you're in, and why all of this is really about buying back your time for the dance class you keep saying you'll get to. Topics covered in this episode: The importance of knowing the right moment to delegate in your private practiceThe 5 stages every therapist moves through when growing a business, and how to tell which one you're in right nowThe one feeling most therapists misread completely, and what it's actually trying to tell youThe mistake that makes a working strategy stop working Resources from this episode: Liberated Business: www.thebadtherapist.coach/liberatedbusinessBuy Back Your Time: Get Unstuck, Reclaim Your Freedom, and Build Your Empire by Dan MartellThe Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level by Gay Hendricks Connect with Felicia: Get my freebie & join the email list: The Magic SheetsInstagram: @the_bad_therapistWebsite: www.thebadtherapist.coach Quote: "Boredom doesn't mean something is wrong. It's a signal that you've outgrown the hands-on version of that task, and that's actually a win." - Felicia

    18 min
  5. Jun 15

    Why You Don't Have to Choose Between Being a Great Therapist, Making Money and Being a Whole Human [Ep 170]

    Three years in, I've finally rebranded The Bad Therapist Show! For so many therapists, "good therapist conditioning" tells us we have to choose. We can be ethical or profitable. Dedicated or well-rested. Great clinicians or savvy business owners. I don't believe that's true and working with 100+ therapists has proven it. In this episode, I'm sharing why I believe becoming a better business owner can make you a better therapist, why having a full life outside your practice matters, and why challenging these myths has become the mission behind everything I do. You'll hear about the studio shoot where I literally wheeled my motorcycle onto set, the five concepts we wrestled with before landing on this one and the three personas you see in the new artwork. They aren't three different people. They're all parts of the same therapist: the therapist who's genuinely great at her job and cares deeply about her clients, the confident CEO, and a real human with a full life outside of work. They're all me—and my hope is that when you see them, you see yourself too. Because I truly believe you can be an incredible therapist, build a profitable business, and create a life you genuinely love. Press play and meet the version of yourself good therapist conditioning told you to hide. Topics covered on Good Therapist Conditioning: The deeper meaning behind The Bad Therapist Show rebrandGood therapist conditioning teaches you that caring about money or having a life outside work makes you a worse therapistCaring about money can make you a stronger clinician rather than a less ethical oneYou get to be a skilled therapist, a confident business owner, and a full person all at once, instead of shrinking to fit good therapist conditioning Connect with Felicia: Get my freebie & join the email list: The Magic SheetsInstagram: @the_bad_therapistWebsite: www.thebadtherapist.coach Resources from this episode: Liberated Business: www.thebadtherapist.coach/liberatedbusinessWhat Your Therapist Thinks, the second podcast I co-host with Kristie Plantinga: https://www.youtube.com/@WhatYourTherapistThinks Quote: "You don't have to choose. You can be an incredible therapist and run a profitable business and have a life you love." Felicia

    20 min
  6. Jun 8

    Marketing for Therapists: How to Connect with Clients by Addressing Their Problems [REPLAY] (Ep 169)

    Are you a therapist struggling with your marketing? Are you wondering why your potential clients aren't booking consultations? In today's episode, I dive deep into the one puzzle piece you might be missing in your marketing: talking about your client's problems. In this replay episode, I'm sharing why pinpointing and empathizing with your clients' issues is not manipulative but essential if you want to connect with those seeking help. I'll guide you through understanding your clients' perspectives, using their language, and positioning yourself as the solution they've been searching for. Plus actionable steps and resources that could transform your marketing approach, ensuring that your message resonates with the right people. Tune in to learn how to make your private practice stand out and attract the clients who need you most. Don't let another potential client slip through the cracks - tune in now and start making a real difference with your marketing! Topics covered on this episode: Why is it crucial for therapists to talk about clients' problems in their marketingThe fears therapists have about focusing on client problems, and how these can be addressedHow understanding a potential client's specific struggles can lead to better engagementCommon mistakes therapists make in their marketing, and how can they be fixedSteps can you take to ensure your marketing resonates on an emotional level with potential clientsThe simple challenge you can undertake this week to improve your connection with potential clients through social media Connect with Felicia: Get my freebie & join the email list: The Magic SheetsInstagram: @the_bad_therapistWebsite: www.thebadtherapist.coach Resources from this episode: Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller Related episodes: How to Build a Strategic Website That Will Bring More Clients to Your Practice With Sarah Busse [Ep 30] Quote: "Talking about your client's problem isn't manipulative. It's the first moment where we convey to them that we see them, we appreciate the pain they're in as they experience it right now, and we genuinely want to help them." - Felicia

    28 min
  7. Jun 1

    5 Questions to Ask Before You Spend a Dollar on Branding If You Want to Grow Your Therapy Practice [Ep 168]

    Most therapists trying to grow their therapy practice are hiding behind brand colours, fonts, and logo tweaks instead of doing the work that actually books cash pay clients. I've watched therapists drop thousands on stunning custom websites before booking a single client, then sit there confused about why the phone still isn't ringing. I've been there too, agonising over fonts and palettes with a mentor years before I had a paying client on my books. The uncomfortable part is that picking a logo feels productive and safe in a way that raising your fees or showing up on social media never will, and it's quietly costing therapists months of momentum. In this episode, I'm diving into why messaging beats branding every time, choosing a therapist website template without getting stuck, the fees and policies conversation most therapists skip, and the exact moment branding actually starts paying off. If you're mid build of your cash pay therapy practice and you've caught yourself tinkering with your logo for the third time this month, this will help you name what you're really avoiding. Topics covered on Grow Your Therapy Practice: Branding is one of the most expensive way to avoid growing your therapy practiceThe 3 things that actually book cash pay clients (none of them are fonts)The exact stage of business where investing in branding finally pays off5 questions to ask yourself before spending a dollar on a rebrand Resources from this episode: Liberated Business: www.thebadtherapist.coach/liberatedbusinessInterested in an Obsession Audit?  Send Felicia an email with  ”Obsession Audit" in the subject line for more details!  Connect with Felicia: Get my freebie & join the email list: The Magic SheetsInstagram: @the_bad_therapistWebsite: www.thebadtherapist.coach Quote: "You can't brand your way out of a messaging problem. These are two distinct problems, and your messaging problem is actually more important to solve first." Felicia

    14 min
4.9
out of 5
61 Ratings

About

Ever felt like being a great therapist, having a successful practice, and living a life you love are somehow mutually exclusive? If so, you're in the right place. The Bad Therapist Show is the go-to resource for established solo therapists and group practice owners who want to grow profitable businesses, lead with confidence, and create more freedom, flexibility, and fulfillment in their lives. Hosted by Felicia Keller Boyle, aka The Bad Therapist®, LMFT, former six-figure private practice owner, therapist business coach, and creator of the Liberated Business™ method, this show challenges the belief that therapists have to choose between helping people, making money, and enjoying their lives. Through her coaching, courses, and innovative private practice fee calculator, The Magic Sheets™, Felicia has helped hundreds of therapists build more profitable practices, create additional income streams, and step into true business ownership—without sacrificing the work they love or the life they’re building. Each week, you'll hear honest conversations about private practice growth, marketing, leadership, money, boundaries, identity, and the realities of running a therapy business. Whether you're growing a solo practice, leading a group practice, or building revenue streams beyond the therapy room, you'll learn how to think like a CEO, scale sustainably, and build a business that supports your life—not the other way around. Tune in for answers to questions such as: 👉🏽How do I grow my private practice without sacrificing my personal life? 👉🏽What are the best marketing strategies for established therapists? 👉🏽How do I raise my rates with confidence? 👉🏽How do I grow my income beyond one-to-one therapy? 👉🏽What does it take to transition from therapist to CEO? 👉🏽How do I build a business that supports the life I actually want? You don't have to choose between being an exceptional therapist, a successful business owner, and a whole human. Follow the show wherever you listen to podcasts and start building a business that gives you more income, more freedom, and more of what matters most. Because bad therapists make the best therapists. --- Learn more about Business Coaching for Private Practice Therapists at www.thebadtherapist.coach.

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