The Thriving Therapreneur: Transition from therapist to coach & build a profitable coaching business

Carly Hill

Welcome to The Thriving Therapreneur Podcast, where we empower therapists to outgrow the office and unlock their entrepreneurial potential. Hosted by Carly Hill, a licensed clinical social worker and 7 figure business mentor for therapists who are looking to achieve more freedom, flexibility, and security. Each episode delivers actionable strategies, inspiring stories, and expert insights to help you thrive as both a therapist and a coach. Join us as we dive deep into the unique challenges and opportunities therapists face in today's dynamic healthcare landscape. From mastering the art of client attraction to navigating the complexities of running a successful practice, we cover it all. Whether you're a seasoned therapist looking to expand your services or a recent graduate seeking guidance on building a sustainable career, this podcast is your go-to resource for practical tips, innovative ideas, and real-world advice. Tune in to discover proven strategies for increasing your income, reclaiming your time, and making a meaningful impact in the lives of your clients. If you're ready to break free from the limitations of traditional therapy models and embark on a journey toward greater fulfillment, abundance, and freedom, The Thriving Therapreneur Podcast is your trusted companion every step of the way. Subscribe now and join our community of thriving Therapreneurs as we revolutionize the future of mental health and clinician freedom.

  1. 6D AGO

    How to Increase Revenue with a Five Day Challenge (Plus the Activation Mechanism That Leads to High Ticket Sales)

    What if you could drive sales and create real psychological investment in just five days instead of waiting months for high ticket sales? Most businesses are not struggling with visibility, but they are missing a strategic activation mechanism. More content does not automatically mean more revenue. Without a true conversion engine, your audience consumes, nods, and moves on. No urgency, no client conversion. A properly structured five day challenge is designed to build trust, shorten the sales cycle, and create buying momentum quickly. It shifts beliefs in real time, it positions you as the authority, and it moves people from interest to decision. In this episode, you will learn: Why this model works as a strategic sales toolHow to build authority through quick wins that deepen commitmentPractical steps to shorten the sales cycle and accelerate movement toward a buying decisionHow to increase revenue and convert aligned buyers into premium offersThe structure that allows a challenge to create momentum without pressureIf you want a predictable path to client conversion without adding more content, this episode gives you the blueprint. To being heard and seen, Carly Resources from this episode: Therapreneur: A Therapist's Guide to 3x Your Therapy IncomeThe Coach IntensiveReady to Run a Challenge That Actually Converts? Join the 6-Figure Challenge Blueprint Masterclass on March 17, 2026 for just $27, and discover how to turn your next challenge into a premium client pipeline. Listener Giveaway! If you’ve been loving the podcast, this is the best way to support it and get something amazing back. Visit carlyhillcoaching.com/podcast, scroll down, fill out the 3-question form, and unlock Social Media Mastery instantly. Get 2 FREE months of TherapyNotes and streamline your notes, scheduling, and billing. Use promo code: Carly Explore More Support Carly AILooking for more support? Click here to explore different options to work with CarlyWant to start a podcast or grow your existing one? Visit https://julianabarbati.com/ and let them know I sent you!What was your biggest takeaway from this episode? Drop me a DM on Instagram - I’d love to hear from you! “If your audience didn’t respond, it’s feedback and not rejection.” - Carly Hill

    17 min
  2. FEB 25

    Ready to Master Email Marketing? How to Use Segmentation and Marketing Automations to Increase Sales (And Work Fewer Hours)

    Are you posting consistently on social media but still struggling to create a steady revenue stream? There is a better way to build a sustainable online business without relying on social media. With a clear sales strategy, you can create steady business growth while strengthening trust building with your audience. In this episode, I break down how to build an email list that becomes a valuable asset for long term success. I cover how to create an opt-in that solves problems and how to set up a welcome sequence that builds a genuine relationship from day one. You'll learn the importance of segmentation to ensure you are always sending the right message to the right person. We are diving into: • How to use email marketing to grow your owned assets and turn a simple lead magnet into long term income instead of depending on social media. • Use marketing automation to build simple systems that capture sales without constant effort. • Write nurture emails that guide people toward a purchase without feeling pushy. • Create consistent revenue in your coaching business by leading your audience through a clear client journey. I'm here to help you build a strong, profitable business that gives you more freedom. When you stay consistent and focus on what you actually control, you can grow your work as a coach in a way that feels steady and sustainable. You deserve a business that supports your life, not one that runs it. Carly Resources from this episode: Therapreneur: A Therapist's Guide to 3x Your Therapy IncomeThe Coach IntensiveListener Giveaway! If you’ve been loving the podcast, this is the best way to support it and get something amazing back. Visit carlyhillcoaching.com/podcast, scroll down, fill out the 3-question form, and unlock Social Media Mastery instantly. Get 2 FREE months of TherapyNotes and streamline your notes, scheduling, and billing. Use promo code: Carly Explore More Support Carly AILooking for more support? Click here to explore different options to work with CarlyWant to start a podcast or grow your existing one? Visit https://julianabarbati.com and let her know I sent you!What was your biggest takeaway from this episode? Drop me a DM on Instagram - I’d love to hear from you! “If your audience didn’t respond, it’s feedback and not rejection.” - Carly Hill

    15 min
  3. FEB 18

    From therapist to online coach: How to grow a profitable business without business burnout (plus 7 signs you're ready for more clients) [Ep 85]

    Does it feel like your world is about to crumble while you push for more clients? You might do everything right, yet maintaining a profitable business feels heavy instead of powerful. Often, you find yourself reaching for a new income level only to end up completely drained. When you lack a strong business foundation, smooth client fulfillment, and a steady stream of inbound lead generation, the pressure of managing your growth becomes overwhelming. This lack of structure makes it easy for an online coach to feel like the entire business will crumble if they are not personally holding every piece together. True sustainable growth requires more than just higher numbers, it depends on your internal capacity building. Business is a mirror; if there is something you need to work on, it is going to show up as you try to grow. This means you have the ability to contain the next level instead of only accessing it. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Assess business readiness through capacity, not just revenueUse nervous system regulation to handle visibility without burnoutScale smart by building systems that work without youEvolve your leadership identity to sustain a bigger businessI am walking you through the three layers of business so you can see if you are truly ready to up-level from foundation to scalable growth. We will also discuss how this expansion naturally supports your podcast growth. Stick around to find out which parts of your business might break if you grew overnight and how to fix them before they do. Resources from this episode: Therapreneur: A Therapist's Guide to 3x Your Therapy IncomeThe Coach IntensiveListener Giveaway! Enter The Podcast Giveaway for the chance to win one of Carly’s digital products: https://thethrivingtherapreneurpodcast.com/reviews Get 2 FREE months of TherapyNotes and streamline your notes, scheduling, and billing. Use promo code: Carly Explore More Support Carly AILooking for more support? Click here to explore different options to work with CarlyWant to start a podcast or grow your existing one? Visit https://julianabarbati.com/ and let them know I sent you!What was your biggest takeaway from this episode? Drop me a DM on Instagram - I’d love to hear from you! “If your audience didn’t respond, it’s feedback and not rejection.” - Carly Hill

    25 min
  4. Ready to scale your business? The ultimate 5-step guide to lead generation and reaching your revenue goals as an online coach [Ep 84]

    FEB 11

    Ready to scale your business? The ultimate 5-step guide to lead generation and reaching your revenue goals as an online coach [Ep 84]

    Do you ever feel like you should be further along by now, or wonder why things aren't clicking despite doing all the right things? It is a common myth that feeling stuck means you are failing; in reality, you have just outgrown your old ways and are on the verge of a breakthrough. Even high achievers experience this tension when they are transitioning into a new level of success. So instead of forcing your way through the frustration, we need to look at how shifting your entrepreneur mindset from busy work to making strategic decisions can support sustainable progress. In this episode, I break down exactly how to get unstuck by simplifying your business positioning and focusing on what truly moves the needle. I discuss why achieving your revenue goals requires human discernment and a clear marketing strategy that ensures your unique brand voice remains front and center. You’ll learn: How to identify if a cluttered offer suite is creating a bottleneck in your lead generation.The reason why subtraction is more effective for business scaling than constantly adding new tasks.Strategies for mastering niche marketing as an online coach to ensure your message finally anchors.How to improve your decision making under pressure to move past stagnant business growth.If you are ready to scale your business and regain your business momentum without losing your heart for the work, this conversation is for you. Tune in to master new growth strategies and discover how to overcome current business challenges while prioritizing your leadership growth. Resources from this episode: Therapreneur: A Therapist's Guide to 3x Your Therapy IncomeThe Coach IntensiveListener Giveaway! Enter The Podcast Giveaway for the chance to win one of Carly’s digital products: https://thethrivingtherapreneurpodcast.com/reviews Get 2 FREE months of TherapyNotes and streamline your notes, scheduling, and billing. Use promo code: Carly Explore More Support Carly AILooking for more support? Click here to explore different options to work with CarlyWant to start a podcast or grow your existing one? Visit https://julianabarbati.com/ and let them know I sent you!Escape the Therapy Grind in 5 Days Therapist to Coach Startup School walks you through exactly how to do it in just 5 days with clarity, structure, and support. Schedule your free consultation by February 23rd and get the Cash Infusion Playbook FREE. What was your biggest takeaway from this episode? Drop me a DM on Instagram - I’d love to hear from you! “If your audience didn’t respond, it’s feedback and not rejection.” - Carly Hill

    25 min
  5. 3 Marketing Strategies To Scale Your Business with Ethical AI (Without Losing Client Trust) [Ep 83]

    FEB 4

    3 Marketing Strategies To Scale Your Business with Ethical AI (Without Losing Client Trust) [Ep 83]

    Worried that relying on technology can undermine your client's trust? It is a common fear that using AI for coaches means sacrificing your personal touch, but the truth is that ethical AI can actually amplify your visionary leadership rather than replace it. So instead of fearing that automation will ruin your credibility, we need to look at how smart tools can support sustainable business growth without hollowing out the soul of your work. In this episode, I break down how to leverage business automation to handle the heavy lifting of your marketing strategy while ensuring your unique brand voice remains front and center. I discuss why true thought leadership requires human discernment, even when using a fractional CMO tool like Carly AI, and how to navigate the digital landscape without losing yourself. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to streamline content creation without sounding like a robot.The difference between using AI as a tool versus a replacement for your expertise.Strategies for maintaining original content while using automation to speed up your workflow.How to protect client trust by being transparent and intentional with your tools.If you are ready to scale your business and prioritize burnout prevention without losing the heart of your coaching business, this conversation is for you. Tune in to master the art of authentic marketing and discover how to produce original content that connects deeply with your audience. Resources from this episode: Therapreneur: A Therapist's Guide to 3x Your Therapy IncomeThe Coach IntensiveListener Giveaway! Enter The Podcast Giveaway for the chance to win one of Carly’s digital products: https://thethrivingtherapreneurpodcast.com/reviews Get 2 FREE months of TherapyNotes and streamline your notes, scheduling, and billing. Use promo code: Carly Explore More Support Carly AILooking for more support? Click here to explore different options to work with CarlyWant to start a podcast or grow your existing one? Visit https://julianabarbati.com/ and let them know I sent you!Escape the Therapy Grind in 5 Days Therapist to Coach Startup School walks you through exactly how to do it in just 5 days with clarity, structure, and support. Schedule your free consultation by February 23rd and get the Cash Infusion Playbook FREE. What was your biggest takeaway from this episode? Drop me a DM on Instagram - I’d love to hear from you! “If your audience didn’t respond, it’s feedback and not rejection.” - Carly Hill

    23 min
  6. Building a Powerful Niche & Scaling with Confidence (with Jessica Ponn, LCSW) [Ep 82]

    JAN 28

    Building a Powerful Niche & Scaling with Confidence (with Jessica Ponn, LCSW) [Ep 82]

    Today’s episode is a special one. I’m joined by longtime client Jessica Ponn, LCSW, who helps parents support their adult children through addiction recovery with strategy, clarity, and confidence — not panic. Her work fills a critical gap for families navigating one of the most emotionally charged and high-stakes situations imaginable. Jessica shares her honest journey from therapist to coach — including the fear, hesitation, mindset shifts, and breakthroughs that came with betting on herself. We talk about trusting the process, building a meaningful niche, navigating business dips, and what actually creates momentum when things feel stuck. If you’ve ever wondered whether pivoting is worth it, felt scared to invest in yourself, or questioned whether you’re really cut out for the next level — this episode will meet you exactly where you are. In this episode, we cover: What it really feels like to transition from therapist to coachThe fear of success vs. the fear of failureHow Jessica found a powerful, underserved nicheWhy parents play a critical role in long-term recovery outcomesWhat causes inevitable dips in business — and how to reboundHow one coaching session led to a $12,000 weekThe 80/20 rule and letting go of perfectionismWhy strategy and mindset must work togetherWhat Jessica wishes she’d known when she startedAbout Jessica Ponn, LCSW Jessica Ponn, LCSW, specializes in guiding parents to effectively help their adult children get and stay sober. She has over 15 years of experience in the addiction field, having worked as a therapist and Clinical Director at a premier South Florida dual-diagnosis treatment center while also running a successful private practice. Jessica is deeply passionate about supporting parents who often underestimate the powerful influence they have on their child’s recovery — and who are too often left without clear guidance when making critical parenting decisions. She has empowered hundreds of parents to make strategic changes that promote sustained recovery and deter relapse. Jessica now offers her support nationwide through her one-of-a-kind virtual coaching program. Resources & Links Connect with Jessica Ponn on InstagramJoin her Facebook group: Parenting That Promotes RecoveryClick here to explore different options to work with CarlyQuote from this episode: “It works if you work it — but you don’t have to do it alone.”

    31 min
  7. The Real Shift Required to Scale from Six to Seven Figures and Beyond [Ep 81]

    JAN 21

    The Real Shift Required to Scale from Six to Seven Figures and Beyond [Ep 81]

    This episode is not for beginners — and that’s intentional. If you’ve already built something real, you have paying clients, consistent revenue, momentum, and you know seven figures is possible for you, this conversation is for you. Especially if you can feel that the next level is close, but you’re not quite sure what actually needs to change to get there. In this episode, I break down what truly shifts when scaling from six to seven figures — and why this stage of growth has far less to do with doing more, and far more to do with leadership, capacity, systems, and identity. This is based on my own journey scaling from zero to six figures, six to seven, and now preparing for eight figures. If you’ve ever felt heavy, stretched thin, or quietly wondered whether your effort is becoming the bottleneck — this episode will bring clarity. In this episode, we cover: Why scaling from six to seven figures is not about hustling harderThe identity shift required at higher levels of businessHow effort becomes a bottleneck at multi–six figuresWhy burnout happens after success — not before itThe role of leadership, capacity, and restraint in sustainable growthHow money, payroll, and reinvestment reflect nervous system capacityWhy holding, releasing, and trusting money matters at scaleThe importance of systems, team, and operational clarityMoving from doer → owner → authority-level CEOWhy seven-figure businesses are coherent, not chaoticHow simplification and restraint become the real strategyWhat it means to lead without holding all the contextWhy refinement — not expansion — is the key to the next levelKey takeaway: Scaling to seven figures isn’t about being louder, faster, or more creative on demand. It’s about becoming steadier, clearer, and more precise as a leader. Work With Carly 💕 Looking for more support? Click here to explore different options to work with Carly 💕 What was your biggest takeaway from this episode? Drop me a DM on Instagram - I’d love to hear from you! Quote from this episode: “Seven-figure growth isn’t about expansion — it’s about refinement.”

    33 min
  8. What I’d Do If I Were Starting Over as a Therapist-Turned Coach in 2026 [Ep 80]

    JAN 14

    What I’d Do If I Were Starting Over as a Therapist-Turned Coach in 2026 [Ep 80]

    If I were starting from scratch today — not in 2018, not before AI, and not before the coaching space felt crowded — I would do less, but I would do it far more intentionally. In this episode, I break down exactly what I would (and wouldn’t) do if I were building a coaching business as a therapist heading into 2026. This is based on nearly six years in the online space, over $4M in revenue, real mistakes, real burnout, and the clarity that only hindsight brings. I walk you through the order of operations that actually works, so you can stop overbuilding, overthinking, and over preparing — and start creating momentum with clarity and confidence. If you know you’re capable but feel stuck, this episode will ground you fast. In this episode, we cover: What I would not do if I were starting over in 2026Why massive offer suites and low-ticket products slow early growthThe credential trap therapists fall into (and how it keeps you playing small)How to choose a profitable, in-demand niche that builds trustWhy one clear, high-ticket offer beats ten scattered onesHow to sell before everything is “perfect” — and why it worksThe simplest lead-generation strategy I’d use todayHow to use social media intentionally (not performatively)Why conversations create conversionsThe mindset shift that changes everything: readiness as a decisionWhy you’re not behind — you’re early in the process Resources from this episode: Carly AIThe Coach IntensiveEnter The Podcast Giveaway for the chance to win one of Carly’s digital products: https://thethrivingtherapreneurpodcast.com/reviews CONNECT AND WORK WITH CARLY 💕 Looking for more support? Click here to explore different options to work with Carly 💕 What was your biggest takeaway from this episode? Drop me a DM on Instagram - I’d love to hear from you!

    33 min
5
out of 5
27 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Thriving Therapreneur Podcast, where we empower therapists to outgrow the office and unlock their entrepreneurial potential. Hosted by Carly Hill, a licensed clinical social worker and 7 figure business mentor for therapists who are looking to achieve more freedom, flexibility, and security. Each episode delivers actionable strategies, inspiring stories, and expert insights to help you thrive as both a therapist and a coach. Join us as we dive deep into the unique challenges and opportunities therapists face in today's dynamic healthcare landscape. From mastering the art of client attraction to navigating the complexities of running a successful practice, we cover it all. Whether you're a seasoned therapist looking to expand your services or a recent graduate seeking guidance on building a sustainable career, this podcast is your go-to resource for practical tips, innovative ideas, and real-world advice. Tune in to discover proven strategies for increasing your income, reclaiming your time, and making a meaningful impact in the lives of your clients. If you're ready to break free from the limitations of traditional therapy models and embark on a journey toward greater fulfillment, abundance, and freedom, The Thriving Therapreneur Podcast is your trusted companion every step of the way. Subscribe now and join our community of thriving Therapreneurs as we revolutionize the future of mental health and clinician freedom.

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