The Bad Therapist Show

Felicia Keller Boyle | Business Coach for Therapists

Are you a private practice therapist tired of ‘good therapist conditioning’ b******t, who wants to make more money and enjoy being a therapist again? Welcome to The Bad Therapist Show! This podcast is the go-to resource for current and aspiring private practice therapists who want to attract more clients, increase their revenue and scale their practice - all without burning out or hustling 24/7. Join your host, Felicia Keller Boyle, aka The Bad Therapist®, a six-figure private practice owner turned business coach as she challenges the status quo and helps therapists in private practice earn more money, increase their impact, and expand beyond the one-to-one practice model. Using Felicia’s proven Liberated Business™ method, therapists at all stages of business have been able to grow their income while becoming even better therapists and she’s on a mission to help you do the same! Tune in each week for answers to questions such as: 👉🏽 How can I grow my private practice? 👉🏽 How can I attract more clients to my private practice? 👉🏽 How do I market myself as a private practice therapist? 👉🏽 What are the best marketing strategies for therapists? 👉🏽 How can I optimise my website to attract more clients? 👉🏽 How to create a scalable offer as a private practice therapist? 👉🏽 How can I raise my rates in private practice? 👉🏽 Do therapists need to network to grow their practice? Subscribe and follow the show wherever you listen to podcasts and start growing a practice custom-made for you so you can live the life you truly desire. Because bad therapists make the best therapists.

  1. 5D AGO

    3 Ways to Prepare Your Therapy Practice for Spring Inquiries (Marketing Ideas for Therapists) [Ep 156]

    Are you ready for the spring surge in therapy inquiries? I've noticed year after year that spring, not new years, is when people actually start taking action on their mental health. The weather shifts and people have the energy and motivation to invest in therapy. So in today's episode, I'm walking you through the three things you need to do right now to make sure your therapy practice is positioned to capture that increase in demand and book more therapy clients. We're talking about collecting reviews, doing a website check to catch those sneaky tech glitches, and taking the opportunity to upgrade your schedule so you're not just filling spots but building the business you actually want to run. Plus, I'm sharing marketing ideas for therapists that work and how to think about your therapy practice growth strategically, not frantically. By the end of this episode, you'll know exactly where to focus your energy before that spring momentum hits. Because honestly, the difference between a good year and a great year in your therapy practice often comes down to being prepared when opportunity knocks. Topics covered on marketing ideas for therapists: Why spring creates a natural surge in therapy inquiries and how this timing impacts your spring marketing effortsThe power of collecting fresh reviews and endorsements across Google My Business and Psychology Today to establish credibility for your therapy practiceConducting a complete website audit to ensure your contact forms, scheduling links, and professional information are all functioning properlyHow to strategically reassess your schedule and fill open spots with intention rather than desperation in your therapy practice 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/liberatedbusinessGoogle Workspace (Professional Email) - Discount link Quote: "The beautiful thing about running your own therapy business is that you get to create something that you love, that you are really excited to build and to exist in." - Felicia

    15 min
  2. MAR 2

    From Part-Time Nanny to a Full Caseload: How to Start a Private Therapy Practice Before You’re Licensed [Ep 155]

    What if I told you that you don't have to wait until licensure to start a private therapy practice? In today’s episode, Annie shares her remarkable story about starting a private therapy practice as an associate therapist, something nearly everyone told her was impossible. Annie went from juggling part-time nanny work and struggling to keep two or three clients, to receiving 8–9 inquiries a month and building a nearly full caseload at her highest fee…all before getting licensed. In our conversation, she reveals the exact strategies that worked: redesigning her website using StoryBrand messaging to actually speak to her ideal clients, running Google Ads successfully when "everyone" said they wouldn't work, and learning to trust herself instead of all the external doubt and noise. If you're an associate therapist feeling scared, underpaid, or convinced that starting a private therapy practice isn't realistic for you right now, this episode is proof that with the right strategy and support, it absolutely is. More about Annie Patyk: Annie Patyk is an associate marriage and family therapist based in San Francisco, CA. She specializes in helping high-achieving women break cycles of anxiety, perfectionism, and self-doubt to build lives that feel authentic and aligned. Annie is passionate about helping her clients stay connected to their ambition while cultivating self-trust and honoring their deepest desires. Topics covered on How to Start a Private Therapy Practice: How Annie went from struggling with 2-3 clients she couldn't keep to getting 8-9 inquiries a month and building a nearly full caseloadHow redesigning her website using the StoryBrand framework became the foundation for successfully running Google AdsThe biggest shift she made in her consultation callsEveryone told her she'd never make enough money as an associate, but she decided to start a private therapy practice anyway and quit her nanny job in less than a yearThe difference between fear-based noise and the quiet knowing that comes from real intuitionThe financial reality of starting a private therapy practice - what client acquisition actually costs and how quickly you recoup your investment Connect with Felicia: Get my freebie & join the email list: The Magic SheetsInstagram: @the_bad_therapistWebsite: www.thebadtherapist.coach Connect with Annie: Website: anniepatyk.comEmail: annie.patyk.therapy@gmail.com Resources from this episode: Liberated Business: www.thebadtherapist.coach/liberatedbusiness Related episodes: Handling Fee Objections: What to Say When a Therapy Client Says Your Fee Is Too Expensive [Ep 152]Therapist Consult Call: The Simple Fix to Boost Your Client Conversion Rates [Ep 89] Quote: “The main mediator between people who are successful and people who are not, is that they're able to be in that space of frustration and not knowing for long periods of time, and just keep going.” Annie Patyk

    36 min
  3. FEB 23

    My Business Grew By Over $100K and I Wanted to Shrink It All Down! Spotting Patterns in Business Before They Cost You [Ep 154]

    Do you ever catch yourself wanting to delete, shrink, or simplify something in your business that's actually working? Patterns in business can be sneaky like that! After my biggest year ever, adding 100K+ in revenue and watching my clients hit milestones like 30K months and full practices, I found myself wanting to disable pages on my website, strip things back, and get rid of what felt like "too much." It turns out, I was mislabeling complexity as messiness. That same impulse I have in my home to declutter everything? It had crept right into how I was running my business. In today's episode, I'm getting real about how I caught myself mid-sabotage and what I'm doing differently now. I'm also inviting you to look at your own stress responses because the thing you do when your business feels overwhelming might not be solving a real problem. It might just be giving your nervous system a quick hit of relief. If you're in a season of growth and things feel heavier than you expected, this episode is for you. Topics covered on Patterns In Business: Self-sabotaging patterns in business that were quietly working against meThe difference between fruitful complexity and actual disorganization in a growing therapy practiceYour nervous system can trick you into shrinking what you've built instead of learning to hold moreThe patterns in business you default to under stress often mirror what you do in your personal lifeThe important question I now ask myself before making any impulsive changes Resources from this episode: Liberated Business: www.thebadtherapist.coach/liberatedbusinessWhat Your Therapist Thinks: https://www.youtube.com/@WhatYourTherapistThinks Connect with Felicia: Get my freebie & join the email list: The Magic SheetsInstagram: @the_bad_therapistWebsite: www.thebadtherapist.coach Quote: “ There are all sorts of ways that we can sabotage our success and our growth because we're uncomfortable with the success and the growth that we are experiencing.” - Felicia

    12 min
  4. FEB 16

    SEO Blogging for Therapists: How Long It Really Takes to Get More Traffic and Inquiries [Ep 153]

    How long does it actually take before you start seeing more traffic and inquiries from SEO on your therapy website? SEO blogging for therapists can feel like a slow-burn strategy, but it’s one of the most reliable ways to step off the social media hamster wheel. Waiting months for momentum can feel painful, especially when you want clients now. But I went from basically zero traffic to 7–10K visitors a month, and I’ve watched therapists inside my signature program, Liberated Business, experience the same shift once they committed to the long game. In today's episode, I'm breaking down what really happens in the first few months, how results compound between 6–12 months, and why many therapists feel the biggest difference around the one-year mark. I’ll help you figure out whether you should DIY your SEO or hire support, and how to spot red flags so you don’t waste money on someone who overpromises. If you’re a therapist who’s curious about SEO but overwhelmed, impatient, or unsure whether it’s worth it, this episode will give you realistic expectations and a clear path forward. Topics covered on SEO Blogging for Therapists: The realistic SEO timeline from early indexing to compounding trafficWhat keyword cannibalization is and how to stop competing with your own blogsSEO blogging for therapists success stories, including my own journey from zero to 7-10K monthly visitorsThe truth about how blogs work (hint: most people don’t read the whole thing)When it makes sense to DIY and when hiring will save you timeWhy SEO brings traffic but can’t convert clients for youMy favorite SEO blogging resources for therapists 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/liberatedbusinessDevotional Sales Strategy: www.thebadtherapist.coach/shop/p/devotional-sales-practicePlace Digital (formerly Therapie SEO): https://grow.placedigital.com/the-bad-therapistWebsite templates for therapists: https://hold-space-creative-affiliates.peachs.co/a/felicia-feliciathebadtherapistcoach Related episodes: SEO For Therapists: Future-Proofing Your Therapy Practice with Kristie Platinga [Ep 38]SEO and AI Marketing for Therapists in 2026: What's Working Right Now [Ep 144] Quote: "SEO blogging is a long game. Not a quick hit, but over six to 12 months and beyond, it can become a quiet, steady engine for 'I found you on Google' inquiries." - Felicia

    25 min
  5. FEB 9

    Handling Fee Objections: What to Say When a Therapy Client Says Your Fee Is Too Expensive [Ep 152]

    Ever frozen on a consult call the moment someone said your fee was too expensive (I mean, who hasn't?) Handling fee objections is one of the most uncomfortable moments therapists face on consult calls, and if you've ever walked away from that conversation feeling guilty, confused, or tempted to slash your rates on the spot, this episode is for you! I'm breaking down what "too expensive" actually means when a potential client says it (it's not always what you think). I'll share how to tell the difference between someone who genuinely can't afford your fee and someone who's just unsure about investing in therapy. We'll talk about why being rock solid in your pricing matters and how your own money issues might be getting in the way. Plus, I'm giving you my favorite go-to response you can use word for word on your next call! This episode isn't about pressuring anyone into saying yes. It's about holding your boundary while staying warm, curious, and deeply caring. If you want to feel more grounded the next time money comes up on a consult call, tune in. Topics covered on Handling Fee Objections: Why "too expensive" is a subjective judgment and not an objective fact about your feeYour own assumptions can lead you to offer a sliding scale to clients who don't actually need itWhat I would do differently with my therapy fees if I could start overThe real reasons someone might say your fee is too expensive even when they can technically afford itMy favorite word-for-word response when handling fee objectionsGiving back in other ways helps you hold your fee without guilt Resources from this episode: Get my freebie & join the email list: The Magic SheetsLiberated Business: www.thebadtherapist.coach/liberatedbusiness Connect with Felicia: Instagram: @the_bad_therapistWebsite: www.thebadtherapist.coach Quote: "When someone says that your fee is too expensive, it's really important that we understand that this is a particular perspective. It's a judgment, it's a subjective judgment, but it is not a fact." - Felicia

    28 min
  6. FEB 2

    Should You Share Your Political Beliefs Publicly as a Private Practice Therapist - REPLAY [Ep 151]

    Are you wrestling with whether to share your political beliefs publicly as a therapist? It’s a tough dilemma many of us face: How do you stay true to your personal convictions without compromising your professional responsibility? In today’s episode, I’m addressing a question by Becky, a group practice owner, who reached out to share her struggle with wanting to be transparent about her beliefs while staying respectful and ethical. So, how do we navigate the balance between authenticity and professionalism? Tune in as I walk you through the tough questions you need to ask yourself before deciding to go public with your views. We’ll explore how this decision could impact your clients, your business, and even your employees. Plus, I’ll share strategies for communicating your values in a way that maintains professionalism without alienating those who may think differently. Let’s unpack the challenges, reflect on your ability to work with clients across the political spectrum, and discuss how to stay true to yourself while upholding the ethical standards of our profession. You don’t have to figure this out alone. Topics covered on Sharing Political Beliefs Publicly: The ethical implications of therapists sharing political beliefsHow political transparency can affect your practice and client relationshipsBalancing personal convictions with professional responsibilitiesStrategies for communicating your values respectfully and professionallyUnderstanding your capacity to work with clients across the political spectrum Resources from this episode: My email newsletter: https://ckarchive.com/b/lmuehmhn0l4wlid7kkm78c8lo4v00bgIndivisible: https://indivisible.org/ Submit your questions for the next episode Connect with Felicia: Get my freebie & join the email list: The Magic SheetsInstagram: @the_bad_therapistWebsite: www.thebadtherapist.coach Quote: "We need to be honest about our capacity to work with people across the political spectrum." - Felicia

    22 min
  7. JAN 26

    Hosting a Profitable Retreat: How Sarah Lazarewicz Added $3,000 To her Income With Her First Retreat [Ep 150]

    What if you didn’t have to feel 1000% confident before hosting a profitable retreat? In this episode, I’m chatting with Sarah Lazarewicz, a therapist, Liberated Business graduate and first-time retreat host about what it looked like to lead her very first overnight retreat. She walked away with $3,000 in profit and a whole new level of confidence. But getting there? That's the real story. Before the retreat even happened, Sarah was deep in self-doubt. Imposter syndrome told her she wasn’t qualified. Money fears made her question whether anyone would actually sign up. And more than once, she considered canceling the whole thing and walking away from her dream (again). But Sarah didn't stay stuck in fear. She leaned into community support, worked through what was underneath the doubts, and chose to move forward anyway. The result was a beautiful, heartfelt experience that transformed not just her attendees, but her own belief in what she's capable of as a leader and business owner. If you've been sitting on a big vision but fear keeps holding you back, this episode will give you permission to do it messy, do it scared, and do it anyway. More about Sarah Lazarewicz: Sarah Lazarewicz (MSW, LICSW) is a somatic therapist and trauma specialist based in Minneapolis, MN. She specializes in helping adults recovering from unhealthy childhoods find greater connection and peace in adulthood. She is also passionate about supporting therapists, and leads retreats for therapists focused on preventing burnout and creating deep community among fellow mental health providers. Topics covered on Hosting a Profitable Retreat: The experiences that sparked Sarah’s vision for creating a community care retreat for other therapistsThe fears that arose after Sarah had already booked the retreat space and set the dateHow to move forward with hosting a profitable retreat when you're starting without an established audienceThe moment Sarah's co-facilitator had to step back just four months before the retreatThe role coaching and community support in Liberated Business played in Sarah's ability to stay committed to her visionThe difference between being a good leader and trying to control every detail of the retreat experienceSarah's advice for therapists who want to take the leap in hosting a profitable retreat or pursuing any big vision while feeling stuck in fear Resources from this episode: Liberated Business program: https://www.thebadtherapist.coach/liberatedbusiness Related episodes Building Blocks of a Profitable Retreat: How to Design the Perfect Experience [Ep 65] Connect with Sarah Lazarewicz: Website: laztherapy.com Connect with Felicia: Get my freebie & join the email list: The Magic SheetsInstagram: @the_bad_therapistWebsite: www.thebadtherapist.coach Quote: "Do it messy. It's worth doing it messy. It's worth doing it afraid. You're probably never gonna get to the point where you're not afraid, but you can do something and be afraid and it can still go well." - Sarah

    41 min
  8. JAN 19

    The Anatomy of a $20K Month for Solo Therapists (It's Simpler Than You Think) [Ep 149]

    If you think a $20K month for solo therapists means working 60-hour weeks, hear this: the therapists I work with who are consistently hitting 20K months aren't running giant group practices or burning themselves out. They're solo clinicians with premium fees, clear niches, and one really effective marketing channel that actually works. In today's episode, I'm breaking down the real anatomy of a 20K month for solo therapists based on what my actual clients are doing month after month. I'm talking about the core pieces that add up to those numbers, the mindset shifts around charging what you're worth, and the specific moves you can make right now to start moving in that direction. Whether you're at 5K months or 15K months, there are probably just one or two bottlenecks in your business keeping you stuck. I'm going to help you figure out what those are and give you concrete next steps to open things up! Topics covered on 20K Month for Solo Therapists: The structure of a 20K month for solo therapists and the client loads that make it possible without working 60-hour weeksThe premium fee ranges my clients are charging and the mindset work you need to do before raising your ratesThe digital marketing channels that are actually driving consistent leadsThe specific bottlenecks in your business that are keeping you stuck at low revenue monthsThe skills you need to learn if you want to charge premium fees before your marketing is perfectThe cancellation and attendance policies that will help you hit a consistent 20K months Resources from this episode: Liberated Business: www.thebadtherapist.coach/liberatedbusinessHow Saying No to Clients Doubled Erin's Income to $14K/Month in 3 Months [Ep 148]How Dr Mikki Lee Used TikTok Marketing to Grow Her Private Practice and 4x Her Revenue [Ep 139] Related episodes My Secret to Turning 10 Min Intake Calls Into Paying Clients [Ep 7]Devotional Sales: My Sales Practice That Will Turn Consult Calls into Clients [Ep 56] Connect with Felicia: Get my freebie & join the email list: The Magic SheetsInstagram: @the_bad_therapistWebsite: www.thebadtherapist.coach Quote: “At 20K per month as a solo practitioner, that is where you can really start to see your quality of life shift.” - Felicia

    23 min

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About

Are you a private practice therapist tired of ‘good therapist conditioning’ b******t, who wants to make more money and enjoy being a therapist again? Welcome to The Bad Therapist Show! This podcast is the go-to resource for current and aspiring private practice therapists who want to attract more clients, increase their revenue and scale their practice - all without burning out or hustling 24/7. Join your host, Felicia Keller Boyle, aka The Bad Therapist®, a six-figure private practice owner turned business coach as she challenges the status quo and helps therapists in private practice earn more money, increase their impact, and expand beyond the one-to-one practice model. Using Felicia’s proven Liberated Business™ method, therapists at all stages of business have been able to grow their income while becoming even better therapists and she’s on a mission to help you do the same! Tune in each week for answers to questions such as: 👉🏽 How can I grow my private practice? 👉🏽 How can I attract more clients to my private practice? 👉🏽 How do I market myself as a private practice therapist? 👉🏽 What are the best marketing strategies for therapists? 👉🏽 How can I optimise my website to attract more clients? 👉🏽 How to create a scalable offer as a private practice therapist? 👉🏽 How can I raise my rates in private practice? 👉🏽 Do therapists need to network to grow their practice? Subscribe and follow the show wherever you listen to podcasts and start growing a practice custom-made for you so you can live the life you truly desire. Because bad therapists make the best therapists.

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