Business Of Therapy

Kelly McKenna, Therapist & Business Coach
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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. 1D AGO

    81. How, When, & Why to Start a Podcast

    As of today, I’m 81 episodes into podcasting! I wanted to pull back the curtain on what this journey has actually looked like. Since launching in August 2024, the podcast has reached over 61k downloads and generated $82,500 directly tied to the show. Pretty freaking cool!! Beyond the numbers, though? It has deepened trust with my audience, sparked meaningful conversations, and supported consistent enrollment in my offers, like Reels Membership and PPA. Podcasting has been powerful, but only because it was started at the RIGHT time. In today's episode, I'm talking about how, when, & why to start a podcast. In this episode, I cover: Why I decided to start a podcast + why the timing matteredHow sponsorships factor into podcastingThe actual steps to starting a podcastThe honest pros & cons of podcasting + how it’s looked in my own life Connect with Kelly: Follow on Instagram @businessoftherapy and @sitwithkelly Check 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 Membership Business Coaching Waitlist a...

    28 min

  2. FEB 11

    80. How She Rebuilt Her Caseload and Confidence by Going Private Pay with Perinatal Therapist Caitlin Silverstein

    I’m excited to welcome Licensed Clinical Social Worker Caitlin Silverstein to the podcast! Caitlin, who specializes in women’s mental health, went from earning $45/session with an insurance-based group practice to now charging up to $250/session! She’s created a thriving 6-figure practice while only seeing 15-18 clients every week. The best part? She didn’t blow up her caseload or completely burn out to do so! In today’s episode, we’re diving into how she rebuilt her caseload and confidence by going private pay. In this episode, we cover: Caitlin’s transition from insurance-based group practice to sustainable private payWhat the early stages of building her own private practice really looked likeHow most of her clients chose to come with her + how she navigated that transitionHow joining Reels Membership and PPA gave her structure + confidenceWhat going off insurance actually requiredHow intentional Instagram marketing (not going viral) worked for CaitlinWhy niching her messaging helped Caitlin attract the right clientsWhat her practice, income, and work-life balance look like now Connect with Caitlin: Follow on Instagram @motherhoodunrockedFollow on TikTokCheck 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 perioda...

    51 min

  3. FEB 4

    79. Returning from Mat Leave as a Therapist & Business Owner (The Unspoken Reality)

    Today’s episode is my first recording as a mom. Everything before this was pre-batched while my baby, Aiden, was still in my belly! Motherhood has been incredibly beautiful. It’s also been deeply humbling and very hard. Since stepping away and coming back, I’ve gotten many questions about what maternity leave looked like for me as a therapist and business owner. The truth? It's VERY different when there’s no HR department, no paid leave, and no magical “return date” that suddenly feels right! In today's episode, I'm sharing my thoughts on returning from mat leave as a therapist & business owner (and the unspoken reality). In this episode, I cover: The major emotional & identity shifts that happen when returning to workHow I’m structuring my return to work + practical ways you can ease back inThe REAL business realities of maternity leave for therapists 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: IG post about screen timeThis 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 trainingspan class="ql-ui"...

    25 min

  4. JAN 28

    78. How to Build Strong Referral Relationships and Network with Private Pay Therapists

    Networking is one of the most underrated (and coolest) parts of being a therapist online! And no, it’s not about being salesy, awkward, or “schmoozy.” It’s about building REAL relationships with people who share your values + care deeply about their work! As an Instagram therapist, you will have people reach out who aren’t in your niche, aren’t in your licensed state, or are looking for something you don’t offer. This is where a strong referral network changes everything! When you know and trust other therapists and helping professionals, you can confidently refer clients out. They’ll do the same for you, so it’s totally a win-win for everyone involved! In today's episode, I'm talking about how to build strong referral relationships and network with private pay therapists. In this episode, I cover: How to intentionally find therapists you resonate with on InstagramOther helping professionals to include in your referral networkHow to reach out and build real relationshipsWhat to talk about on networking calls + how to lead with connection firstHow to confidently send a warm hand-off that supports both the client & therapistSimple ways to nurture referral relationships long-term 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...

    19 min

  5. JAN 21

    77. Lazy Content Creator Hacks for Instagram Therapists

    We all know creating new content is super important! But doing it every single day?? That’s a fast track to burnout. If you’ve been putting pressure on yourself to constantly reinvent the wheel, this episode is your permission slip to sloooow down. It’s time to learn how to work smarter (not harder) when it comes to your Instagram content! In today's episode, I'm sharing lazy content creator hacks for Instagram therapists. In this episode, I cover: Key points to understand about Instagram & consumersReal examples of MY repurposed posts that drove strong engagement + growthThe best types of posts to repurposeSimple ways to repurpose content without just “reposting”How creating a repurpose bank saves time + supports long-term consistency 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: How much do therapists make in a year (January 2024 IG post)How much do therapists make in a year (July 2024 IG post)Instagram Disclaimer post (August 2024)Instagram Disclaimer post (June 2025)What anxiety feels like (October 2023 IG post)What anxiety feels like (October 2024 IG post)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 perioda...

    16 min

  6. JAN 14

    76. The Reality of Balancing a Full-Time Job & Starting a Private Practice with Michelle Stiles

    I’m excited to welcome licensed mental health counselor Michelle Stiles to the podcast! In today’s episode, we’re chatting about the reality of balancing a full-time job & starting a private practice. We also talk about the importance of niching down and learning how to market yourself with confidence. This episode is a beautiful reminder that slow growth, brave decisions, and the right support can completely change your business (and your life)! In this episode, we cover: What it really looks like to balance a full-time job while slowly building a private practiceMichelle’s breaking point with burnout in community mental healthThe “sink or swim” moment that led her to fully commit to private practiceNavigating the fear of quitting a “stable” jobWhy Michelle chose to stop taking insurance and move fully to private payHow niching down helped her market with more clarity & confidenceUsing Instagram for both client acquisition and therapist referralsHow charging her worth led to working fewer hours + making more moneyWhat Michelle’s life looks like nowAdvice for therapists just getting started Connect with Michelle: Follow on Instagram @panicandanxietyCheck 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 perioda href="https://businessoftherapy.com/ppa-bundle?utm_source=bot-podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_term=show-notes&utm_content=&utm_campaign=" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    36 min

  7. JAN 7

    75. Steal My 2026 Planning Process

    The new year is here, which means I’m back from maternity leave and diving into ALL things 2026 planning! Annual planning as a private-practice therapist isn’t about being rigid. It’s not about getting every detail perfect. It’s about stepping into CLARITY. When you’re crystal clear on what matters and what you’re capable of, you will create a business and life that feels aligned! A little bit of intentional planning now saves you from a whole lot of chaos later. In this episode, I cover: How to start with your “big rocks” to map out your prioritiesThe importance of planning life before business & allowing room for flexibilityHow to honestly assess your capacityUsing the SMART framework to set goalsThe power of breaking your goals into smaller milestones throughout the year 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 traininga...

    16 min

  8. 12/31/2025

    74. The 3 Reels That Totally Changed the Trajectory of My Private Practice

    Today, I’m taking you back in time to visit the 3 reels that COMPLETELY shifted the trajectory of my business. If you’ve ever felt embarrassed, awkward, or straight-up cringey when you first start posting on Instagram… Yep, SAME. I didn’t even tell my friends or family about my account until I hit 500 followers! But once I pushed past the fear, things started happening. I’m talking BIG things. Reels truly changed everything for me. They can absolutely change everything for you, too! In this episode, I cover: How my very first reel gave me the key mindset shift I neededMy first viral reel that built credibility + momentum for meThe reel that brought in a TON of new client inquiries + truly changed my businessMy biggest lesson from these 3 reels Connect with Kelly: Follow on Instagram @businessoftherapy and @sitwithkelly Check out the Business of Therapy website Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode! Resources & Links: My very first reelMy first viral reel with 800k viewsMy first reel that brought in a LOT of new 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 Membership a href="https://businessoftherapy.com/biz-coaching?utm_source=bot-podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_term=show-notes&utm_content=&utm_campaign=" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    19 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
    82
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Kelly McKenna, Therapist & Business Coach
  • Show Website
    Business Of Therapy

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