Business of Therapy®

Kelly McKenna, Therapist & Business Coach
  • 4.9 (114)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Weekly

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. 2d ago

    117. How She Filled Her Caseload with Less than 300 Instagram Followers, with Therapist Katy Hagenbach

    I'm honored to welcome EMDR-trained therapist Katy Hagenbach to the podcast today! When Katy started her private practice, she assumed she'd need 10k Instagram followers to attract private-pay clients. But guess what? She FILLED her caseload with fewer than 50 followers! Today, 90% of her clients are private pay, and 90% come from Instagram. The best part? She's built those results while posting just TWICE a week. No massive audience. No viral Reels. Just intentional content that speaks directly to the women she wants to work with! In today’s episode, we’re talking about how she filled her caseload with less than 300 Instagram followers. In this episode, we cover: Building a successful private-pay practice w/a small Instagram followingGetting clear on your niche & speaking directly to your ideal clientsOvercoming imposter syndrome + showing up authentically onlineUsing consistent Reels & strategic Instagram ads to attract clientsWhy talking-to-camera Reels can drive more inquiries than viral contentThinking like a business owner and exploring opportunities beyond 1:1 therapy Connect with Katy: Follow on Instagram @therapywithkatyCheck out her SubstackCheck 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 periodPrivate Practice Academy Bundle (PPA)Reels MembershipBusiness Coaching WaitlistFree trainingCaption Guide Mentioned in this episode: FREE Training: How to Market & Grow Your Private Practice on Instagram

  2. Oct 21

    116. How to Network for Private Pay Clients (And the Pros + Cons)

    Networking can be an INCREDIBLE way to bring private-pay clients into your practice. But if you're relying on referrals as your entire marketing strategy? It’s time to change that! Referrals often convert really well because they come from someone your potential client already trusts. The downside? You have very little control over when those referrals actually come in. That's why I recommend networking as one piece of a larger marketing strategy (NOT the whole thing). In today's episode, I'm talking about how to network for private pay clients + the pros and cons of doing so. In this episode, I cover: The pros & cons of networking for private-pay referralsDefining your niche + identifying potential referral partnersBuilding genuine connections w/other professionalsNurturing long-term, reciprocal referral relationshipsComparing networking & Instagram as marketing strategiesCreating a balanced marketing strategy to consistently attract private-pay clients 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 trainingCaption Guide Mentioned in this episode: FREE Training: How to Market & Grow Your Private Practice on Instagram

  3. Oct 14

    115. The Good, Bad, & Ugly BTS of My $40K Launch

    You all have been LOVING my launch debrief episodes, so we're doing another one! I'm taking you behind the scenes of my latest Private Practice Academy launch. We’re talking the good, the bad, and the ugly. This time, I tested a much shorter four-day sale as part of my ongoing goal to work smarter, NOT harder. The result? 39 therapists joined PPA, bringing in $40,823 in revenue AND putting us just one sale shy of my goal! In today's episode, I'm talking about the good, bad & ugly of my $40k launch. In this episode, I cover: Testing a shorter launch without sacrificing strong resultsUsing a live webinar to build a highly engaged + warm audienceCreating fast-action bonuses that solve real audience needsUsing targeted emails to speak to different stages of the buying journeyTesting Instagram ads, Stories, Reels & carousels during a launchGiving potential buyers direct access to ask questions BEFORE purchasingWhy your marketing doesn’t have to perform perfectly to have a successful launch 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: Episode 106: BTS Launch Debrief: $21,534 in 6 DaysGet 15% off your first month + $500 set-up fee waived with Fire Us Marketing using code KELLYMy Hannah Montana IG postThis 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 trainingCaption Guide Mentioned in this episode: FREE Training: How to Market & Grow Your Private Practice on Instagram

  4. Oct 7

    114. ~$10K Months with No Website or Instagram with Therapist Halle Guidi

    I'm excited to welcome LA-based Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Halle Guidi to the podcast today! Halle is joining us in the middle of her private practice journey, which is exactly why I wanted you to hear her story! She started building her practice on the side while working 40-55 hours a week at her full-time job. Halle went completely on her own in January and recently made the leap into full-time private practice. Now? She’s approaching $10K months with a mostly private-pay caseload. Yep - ALL before officially launching her website or Instagram! In today’s episode, we’re talking about achieving ~$10k months with no website or Instagram as a therapist. In this episode, we cover: Building a private practice while working a demanding full-time jobDeveloping strong clinical skills & genuine professional connectionsKnowing when it’s finally time to make the leap into full-time private practiceUsing financial & caseload goals to guide the transitionBuilding a mostly private-pay caseload without a website or InstagramTurning authentic relationships into a strong referral networkSetting session fees that sustainably support your practiceBuilding confidence to take imperfect action + keep growing 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 trainingCaption Guide Mentioned in this episode: FREE Training: How to Market & Grow Your Private Practice on Instagram

  5. Sep 30

    113. BTS of How I Manage My Personal Finances

    I'm taking you behind the scenes of something I've never really shared before: how I manage my personal finances. Sharing my business income and expenses openly is something I've been doing for YEARS. But talking about what happens with that money after I pay myself? That feels a little more vulnerable! I’m excited to break down exactly what works for me and my family as someone with a seven-figure business. In today's episode, I'm taking you BTS of how I manage my personal finances. In this episode, I cover: Creating financial systems that reduce decision fatiguePaying yourself + automating retirement contributionsUsing high-yield savings for bills, emergencies & big expensesBuilding financial freedom through intentional saving & investingGiving back through regular charitable contributionsWorking toward long-term goalsUsing monthly money dates to track progress + make decisions together 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: Check out Collective (get 2 months off an annual plan with Collective with code KELLYMCKENNA)CIT High Yield Savings AccountEpisode 59: Part 1: How I Prepped Financially for Maternity Leave Episode 97: How I Pay My Son $15,860 Per Year (as an Instagram Therapist)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 trainingCaption Guide Mentioned in this episode: FREE Training: How to Market & Grow Your Private Practice on Instagram

  6. Sep 23

    112. What to Post When You Have Less Than 500 Followers

    If you have less than 500 followers on Instagram, I know how frustrating that can feel. You're putting in a TON of effort without seeing the results you want (yet). When I started @sitwithkelly, it took me about 90 posts and three months to reach my first 1k followers + get my first private-pay client from Instagram. But 3 months later? I had grown to 4k followers AND filled my private-pay caseload from Instagram! In today's episode, I'm talking about what to post when you have less than 500 followers. In this episode, I cover: Why your first 500-1000 followers are the hardest to growHow other therapists can become valuable referral sourcesUsing a clear niche + targeted ads to speed up growthSelling intro calls in StoriesShowing your face & using your clients’ real languageTreating Instagram as a credibility + connection builderPosting consistently during growth mode before scaling back 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: Episode 39: How to Get Clients from Instagram StoriesThis 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 trainingCaption Guide Mentioned in this episode: FREE Training: How to Market & Grow Your Private Practice on Instagram

  7. Sep 16

    111. Permission to Slow Down & Enjoy What You’re Building with Therapist Megan Kirby

    Have you ever reached a goal you’ve been working toward FOREVER, only to immediately start thinking about what’s next? That’s exactly what happened to Megan, a therapist for anxious millennial moms! After dreaming about private practice for years, Megan joined PPA, committed to marketing her business consistently, and eventually made the leap into private practice full-time. She nearly doubled her previous income AND started consistently bringing in $10K a month! But instead of slowing down to enjoy what she built, she pushed even harder. In today’s episode, we’re talking about your permission to slow down & enjoy what you’re building. In this episode, we cover: Megan’s journey to full-time private practiceUsing Instagram to consistently grow her caseloadHow she nearly doubled her income after going out on her ownRecognizing when growth starts to lead to burnoutRedefining what consistency looks like in different seasonsGiving yourself permission to slow down & enjoy your successGrowing toward private pay at a sustainable paceBuilding community + staying consistent with your long-term goals Connect with Megan: Follow on Instagram @megankirbytherapyCheck 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 periodPrivate Practice Academy Bundle (PPA)Reels MembershipBusiness Coaching WaitlistFree trainingCaption Guide Mentioned in this episode: FREE Training: How to Market & Grow Your Private Practice on Instagram

  8. Sep 9

    110. Why Great Therapists Stay Stuck Accepting Insurance

    A LOT of incredibly skilled therapists accept insurance. But being a great clinician doesn't automatically mean you know how to build a successful private-pay practice. The therapists who are able to transition off insurance panels? They aren't necessarily “better” therapists. They’ve simply learned another skill: how to market themselves. In today's episode, I'm talking about why great therapists stay stuck accepting insurance. In this episode, I cover: Why great therapists can still struggle to build private-pay practicesHow your session rate impacts income, caseload & sustainabilityMy journey from insurance to a $250 private-pay rateWorking through guilt & judgment around charging premium fees2 things keeping therapists stuckWhy private-pay practices require stronger marketingPositioning yourself as the go-to expert for your ideal clientsCreating a premium brand + client experienceBuilding a profitable practice that allows you to give back 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: Episode 43: How I Transitioned Off Insurance and Refilled My Caseload at $250/SessionThis 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 trainingCaption Guide Mentioned in this episode: FREE Training: How to Market & Grow Your Private Practice on Instagram

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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
    118
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Kelly McKenna, Therapist & Business Coach
  • Show Website
    Business of Therapy®

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