Therapists entering the field face a hidden obstacle that can derail their entire career: finding affordable, accessible clinical supervision.
Rachel Ledbetter, licensed marriage and family therapist and CEO of Motivo, joins Michael Fulwiler to share how her own struggle to get licensed in rural Georgia led her to build a company that’s now helping thousands of therapists cross the finish line to licensure.
In this candid conversation, Rachel talks about her early startup mistakes, the values that guide Motivo’s pricing model, and what it’s like to raise venture capital as a therapist in tech. She also reflects on the identity shifts that came with divorce and growing a mission-driven company.
Listen to this episode to hear how Rachel turned one of the biggest barriers to becoming a therapist into a business that’s helping others get licensed.
In the conversation, they discuss:
Connect with the guest:
Connect with Michael and Heard:
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Welcome to Heard Business School
(00:51) Meet Rachel Ledbetter
(03:00) From Bible Ministry Degree to Therapy Career
(05:00) Shifting Away from Faith-Based Counseling
(07:00) Working Skid Row and Post-Grad Supervision Struggles
(09:00) Driving Four Hours Weekly for Supervision
(11:00) Launching Motivo on Shopify with No Tech Team
(13:00) Growing Fast Through Professional Association Partnerships
(15:00) Why Motivo Switched to B2B Model
(17:00) The Supervision Crisis Blocking Licensure for Therapists
(21:00) What Most Therapists Misunderstand about Venture Capital
(24:00) Why Motivo Doesn’t Let Supervisors Set Rates
(27:00) Learning to Give Hard Feedback as a Leader
(34:00) Separating Your Identity from Your Business
(42:00) Advice for Therapists Who Want to Build Tech
(49:00) Rachel’s Favorite Founders and Lessons from Luck
This episode is to be used for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, business, or tax advice. Each person should consult their own attorney, business advisor, or tax advisor with respect to matters referenced in this episode.
What if your love for sneakers, storytelling, and sports could help shape a thriving private practice?
Liz Beecroft-Ridgway, licensed clinical social worker and founder of MENTL.SESH, joins Michael Fulwiler to share how she built a brand that bridges therapy, creative partnerships, and athlete mental health. From designing a sneaker with Nike to leading workshops with Saucony and speaking at Phillies games, Liz reveals how she’s turned her unique passions into professional impact.
She opens up about leaving the foster care system, launching her own practice, and learning how to price, pitch, and partner with major brands, all while staying true to her mission.
In the conversation, they discuss:
Connect with the guest:
Connect with Michael and Heard:
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Welcome to Heard Business School
(00:18) Meet Liz Beecroft-Ridgway
(01:31) How Philly Sports Culture Shaped Liz
(03:09) Anxiety and Pressure in Competitive Youth Sports
(05:38) How Female Athletes Process Mental Health Differently
(07:06) From Bio Major to Psych Major at NYU
(09:50) Posting Sneakers Online Led to Burnout Relief
(11:06) Designing a Nike Sneaker About Mental Health
(14:24) Working in Foster Care and the Burnout Cycle
(18:14) First Steps into Building a Private Practice
(20:21) Shifting Niche to Athletes and High Performers
(23:28) Therapists vs. Sports Psychologists
(25:26) Launching a Brand That’s Bigger Than Therapy
(28:43) Creating Mental Health Tools Through Brand Partnerships
(38:33) Pricing Custom Workshops Without Underselling Yourself
(43:27) What Therapists Should Know About Sponsored Content
This episode is to be used for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, business, or tax advice. Each person should consult their own attorney, business advisor, or tax advisor with respect to matters referenced in this episode.
Leaving community mental health to build a thriving private practice isn’t easy, especially as a young therapist navigating burnout, financial stress, and single motherhood.
Danielle Swimm, licensed clinical social worker and founder of The Entrepreneurial Therapist, joins Michael Fulwiler to share her path from driving Uber and making home visits to coaching other therapists on how to market themselves, go off insurance panels, and build sustainable businesses.
Danielle opens up about the mindset shifts that helped her stop “manic marketing,” redefine entrepreneurship on her own terms, and create time freedom while staying clinically excellent.
Listen in to learn how she went from feeling overwhelmed and underpaid to becoming a confident therapist entrepreneur with multiple income streams, and how you can, too.
In the conversation, they discuss:
Connect with the guest:
Connect with Michael and Heard:
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Welcome to Heard Business School
(00:25) Meet Danielle Swimm
(03:19) Discovering therapy at 16 and struggling through high school
(04:21) Learning leadership and business from a clinical director
(07:25) Driving for Uber and doing crisis work to make ends meet
(10:39) The realities and risks of doing unmonitored home visits
(13:04) Learning marketing through trial and error without business mentors
(18:00) Redefining what it means to be an entrepreneur as a therapist
(22:32) The long, messy road to starting a private practice
(25:05) How Danielle transitioned off insurance panels
(27:14) Manic marketing vs. focused marketing
(30:46) Embracing the mindset of a full caseload before it happens
(36:08) Behind the scenes of Danielle’s course, Mastermind, and income streams
(45:17) The best ways to get private pay clients today
(48:11) Navigating tech, AI, and therapy’s uncertain future
(53:33) Rapid-fire questions on motherhood, burnout, bad advice, and being seen
This episode is to be used for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, business, or tax advice. Each person should consult their own attorney, business advisor, or tax advisor with respect to matters referenced in this episode.
Many therapists are feeling pressured to adopt the latest tech tools, but what if embracing every new innovation isn’t always in the best interest of your practice?
Candice Thompson, a licensed marriage and family therapist based in Silicon Valley, joins host Michael Fulwiler to share why she calls herself “tech cautious” and how that stance has helped her build a thoughtful, sustainable private practice.
With 20 years of experience and a growing voice on LinkedIn, Candice offers a grounded perspective on privacy, ethics, and the dangers of moving too fast in a tech-driven therapy world.
In the conversation, they discuss:
Connect with the guest:
Connect with Michael and Heard:
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Welcome to Heard Business School
(00:29) Meet Candice Thompson
(01:49) How Therapy Inspired Candice to Change Careers
(03:33) What USC Taught Her About Ethics and Business
(04:26) Starting Out with No Financial Safety Net
(08:40) How Candice Launched Her Private Practice
(09:59) Using LinkedIn to Think Like an Entrepreneur
(11:44) When Coaching Becomes Illegal Therapy Without a License
(15:19) Why Licensing Exists and Protects Clients From Harm
(18:57) The Dangers of Data Breaches in Therapy Tech
(28:05) What Tech Founders Know About Screen Time
(31:21) Why Candice Chose Spring Health Over Others
(33:03) How Candice Went Viral on LinkedIn
(42:47) A Therapist’s Unfiltered Take on AI in Therapy
(46:41) The Eating Disorder Chatbot That Got Pulled
(50:28) Therapists Have the Power to Shape This Industry
This episode is to be used for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, business, or tax advice. Each person should consult their own attorney, business advisor, or tax advisor with respect to matters referenced in this episode.
Starting a private practice is hard enough. Doing it while honoring your values, managing student debt, and keeping therapy human? That’s something else.
Dr. Bryan Harnsberger, a clinical psychologist and co-founder of Wellesley Counseling & Wellness, joins Michael Fulwiler to share how he’s built a thriving practice rooted in authenticity, attunement, and play. From a life-changing car accident at 16 to earning his doctorate and growing a team of 30, Bryan opens up about the messy, real side of business ownership.
You’ll hear how he balances his irreverent personality with the seriousness of clinical work, what it takes to create a workplace that people love, and why taking risks even before you're ready is the only way forward.
In the conversation, they discuss:
Connect with the guest:
Connect with Michael and Heard:
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Welcome to Heard Business School
(00:14) Meet Dr. Bryan Harnsberger
(03:32) Surviving a car crash
(05:10) Losing a friend inspired his therapy career
(07:14) Why he chose a PsyD over PhD
(08:56) Getting diagnosed with ADHD after brain injury
(13:06) How Trump’s block sparked unexpected online influence
(15:17) Humor as a serious tool in therapy
(16:04) Lessons from a toxic group practice experience
(19:59) Cold email to NBA led to big break
(21:45) Building a business with his wife, Emily
(26:07) Starting a practice right before COVID hit
(27:14) Understanding finances changed how he took risks
(32:10) What it took to launch med management
(35:01) Ethical testing vs. insurance reimbursement challenges
(38:05) Leading with compassion, not just policy or process
This episode is to be used for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, business, or tax advice. Each person should consult their own attorney, business advisor, or tax advisor with respect to matters referenced in this episode.
Starting and scaling a private practice can feel overwhelming, especially in a rural region with limited resources. Brent Metcalf, a trauma therapist and group practice owner at Tri-Star Counseling, joins Michael Fulwiler to share how he built a thriving therapy business in Appalachia while staying true to his mission of expanding access to care.
Brent opens up about transitioning from social work to private practice, navigating financial uncertainty, and building a practice that reflects his values. He shares the strategies that helped him grow, from offering pro bono sessions during a natural disaster to hiring provisionally licensed therapists and negotiating with insurance companies.
Listen to hear how Brent balances business growth with community care, and why leading with heart can be a powerful strategy for therapists building something of their own.
In the conversation, they discuss:
Connect with the guest:
Connect with Michael and Heard:
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Welcome to Heard Business School
(01:36) Introducing Brent Metcalf
(03:01) Growing Up in Rural East Tennessee
(04:31) Small-Town Roots and Musket Bowl Tradition in High School
(05:06) From Ministry to Social Work
(06:11) Joining CPS and Getting Hooked on Fieldwork
(08:10) Choosing to Go Back to Graduate School
(08:52) Transitioning to Vanderbilt and Mental Health Consulting
(10:18) Starting a Therapy Practice Without Business Experience
(14:18) How a Financial Advisor Pushed Him to Go Full-Time
(17:33) Expanding from Part-Time Practice to Full-Time Mission
(18:52) The Importance of Therapy Access in Appalachia
(24:18) Building Trust in Resistant Communities
(30:35) Offering Free Therapy After a Natural Disaster
(34:02) Overcoming Fear of Hiring Employees
(37:17) Navigating Healthcare Crisis Without a Biller
(39:48) The Stress Group Owners Face Daily
(43:27) Negotiating Higher Insurance Reimbursement Rates
(48:15) Staying Connected to Your Why to Prevent Burnout
This episode is to be used for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, business, or tax advice. Each person should consult their own attorney, business advisor, or tax advisor with respect to matters referenced in this episode.
Leaving a traditional therapy model can feel risky, but for Dr. Amanda Buduris, it was the shift that transformed her business.
Amanda, a licensed psychologist and Brainspotting & EMDR therapist, joins host Michael Fulwiler to share how she went from a burned-out college counseling center employee to a thriving private practice owner charging $350 to $500 per hour.
Amanda walks through her journey into private practice, her decision to stop offering standard 50-minute sessions, and how introducing therapy intensives helped her regain control over her time and energy. She also shares how therapists can navigate the discomfort of premium pricing and shift their mindset around what their work is worth.
Whether you're early in your private practice journey or rethinking your business model, Amanda’s story offers a fresh and practical perspective on what’s possible when therapists put sustainability first.
In the conversation, they discuss:
Connect with the guest:
Connect with Michael and Heard:
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Welcome to Heard Business School
(00:25) Meet Dr. Amanda Buduris
(01:45) How Safe and Sound Protocol supports healing
(02:42) Amanda’s first-gen experience in grad school
(05:21) First therapy sessions with college students
(08:14) Burnout pushed her toward private practice
(10:50) Challenges during the pandemic
(12:12) Resources that helped her launch her practice
(14:20) Getting her first client through Reddit
(15:10) Choosing trauma and couples as her niche
(18:32) Raising rates and letting go of fear
(21:22) Why she stopped accepting insurance and EAPs
(23:30) Outsourcing bookkeeping before seeing her first client
(28:32) Coaching therapists on business and mindset
(34:34) Is charging premium therapy rates ethical?
(41:57) What intensives are and why they work
This episode is to be used for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, business, or tax advice. Each person should consult their own attorney, business advisor, or tax advisor with respect to matters referenced in this episode.
Email marketing might not be the first thing therapists think of when growing a private practice, but it’s a powerful way to build trust and drive referrals.
Avivit Fisher, founder of REdD Strategy, joins Michael Fulwiler to discuss how therapists can utilize email to attract and retain clients, establish authority, and future-proof their practices against shifting algorithms and social media burnout.
Avivit breaks down what makes a good lead magnet, why you need a welcome sequence, and how to build a list that actually delivers value. Whether you’re just getting started or want to improve your current email strategy, this episode offers simple, actionable advice.
In the conversation, they discuss:
Connect with the guest:
Connect with Michael and Heard:
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Welcome to Heard Business School
(00:22) Meet Avivit Fisher
(01:45) How Avivit Discovered the Need for Therapist-Focused Marketing
(04:27) The Right Way to Start Building Your Email List
(06:28) Choosing the Best Email Platform for Your Goals
(10:20) What Makes an Irresistible Lead Magnet in 2025
(13:30) Building a Simple Marketing Funnel That Converts
(15:28) Turning Social Media Followers into Loyal Subscribers
(18:58) How Webinars and Newsletters Can Drive Real Growth
(24:15) What Most Therapists Miss in Their Welcome Email
(29:06) How Often Should You Email Your List
(33:19) What Bad Email Marketing Looks Like (and How to Avoid It)
This episode is to be used for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, business, or tax advice. Each person should consult their own attorney, business advisor, or tax advisor with respect to matters referenced in this episode.
Building a therapy business takes persistence, creativity, and a willingness to pivot when needed.
Whitney Goodman, licensed psychotherapist and founder of Calling Home, joins Michael Fulwiler to share her journey from starting private practice while working full-time to becoming a successful content creator and membership community leader.
Whitney opens up about growing her client base through Instagram, navigating the challenges of launching a coworking space before the pandemic, and how she shifted to creating online courses and paid memberships focused on adult family relationships.
Listen to learn how Whitney balanced entrepreneurship with therapy work, embraced experimentation, and validated her ideas before investing deeply.
In the conversation, they discuss:
Connect with the guest:
Connect with Michael and Heard:
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Welcome to Heard Business School
(00:25) Meet Whitney Goodman
(03:06) Whitney’s path to becoming a therapist
(05:17) Starting private practice while working full-time
(06:29) How Whitney got her first clients
(07:33) Growing Instagram and handling early challenges
(09:09) Whitney’s niche in family relationships
(11:07) Marketing efforts after going full-time
(15:41) Launching online courses during Covid
(17:31) The viral post that changed Whitney’s career
(19:32) Handling negative comments on social media
(22:38) Creating and selling Whitney’s first course
(27:26) Reflecting on mistakes and lessons learned
(28:24) Why hired marketers often failed Whitney
(31:06) Forming calling home membership community
(34:12) Moving from toxic positivity to family relationships
(36:24) Therapists can also be your clients
(38:35) Membership pricing and commitment choices
(41:53) Challenges in social media to paid client conversion
(44:16) The worst things Whitney’s heard online, advice for listeners, and more
This episode is to be used for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, business, or tax advice. Each person should consult their own attorney, business advisor, or tax advisor with respect to matters referenced in this episode.
A phone hovering above a mattress, a foster care caseload on hold, and a pandemic looming set the unlikely scene for this week’s social work conversation.
Basiliso “Bas” Moreno, Host of the Social Work Rants Podcast, joins Michael Fulwiler to recount a journey spanning Bronx streets, foster care units, and pandemic caregiving.
Bas recalls starting foster care work at eight dollars an hour, failing the licensing exam five times, losing ten clients and his mother to COVID, and channeling the heartbreak into two hundred podcast episodes and a self-published poetry collection of reflections.
Listen for candid lessons on blending case management and caregiving, stories from pandemic fieldwork that reshaped his mission, and practical advice on protecting family wealth through the emerging practice of financial social work for overburdened parents and children.
In the conversation, they discuss:
Connect with the guest:
Connect with Michael and Heard:
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Welcome to Heard Business School
(01:00) Meet Bas Moreno
(03:13) Growing Up During Crack Epidemic
(05:02) Early Glimpse Into Case Management
(07:03) 9/11 Shifted Career Direction
(09:50) Starting Foster Work At $8
(11:50) Fordham Internship Through Networking
(15:16) Cultural Gaps In Client Sessions
(17:14) Burnout, Divorce, And Holding On
(21:54) From Rooftop Party To Marriage
(23:03) Personal Caregiving Meets Professional Skills
(25:51) Home Discharge Before Lockdowns Began
(27:42) Navigating Pandemic Visits And Grief
(30:32) Emergency Call As Mom Chokes
(33:26) Flat Affect And Hospital Return
(35:22) Turning Grief Into A Book
(38:58) Becoming A Financial Social Worker
(41:39) Growing A Podcast And Directory
(44:06) Landing First Paid Podcast Sponsor
(47:04) What Social Workers Can Build
(50:55) Advice For The Sandwich Generation
This episode is to be used for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, business, or tax advice. Each person should consult their own attorney, business advisor, or tax advisor with respect to matters referenced in this episode.
Building a thriving private practice as a therapist comes with unique challenges, from finding clients to managing finances and maintaining work-life balance.
Kelley Stevens, a licensed marriage and family therapist and founder of The Private Practice Pro, joins Michael Fulwiler to share her journey from group practice to running a successful private practice and growing a therapist-focused business.
Kelley draws on her marketing expertise and hands-on experience to offer practical advice for therapists who want to build sustainable, mission-driven practices without burning out.
Listen to the conversation to learn how Kelley navigated setting fees, getting referrals, managing maternity leave, and using social media thoughtfully to grow her business.
In the conversation, they discuss:
Connect with the guest:
Connect with Michael and Heard:
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Welcome to Heard Business School
(01:28) Meet Kelley Stevens
(02:40) Choosing Carleton College And Family History
(04:49) Early Career in Hospital And Group Therapy
(07:18) How Kelley Took on Marketing at Her Group Practice
(09:42) The Importance of Building Referral Networks in Therapy
(13:22) Transitioning From Group Practice To Private Practice
(15:05) Recognizing Unsustainable Work Habits And Burnout
(17:41) Setting Fees And Deciding Against Taking Insurance
(20:34) Launching The Private Practice Pro During The Pandemic
(22:22) Learning Social Media With Help From a Teenager
(25:15) When to Create And Launch Online Courses as a Therapist
(29:54) Top Questions Therapists Ask About Taxes
(31:58) Finding The Right Client-Getting Strategy for You
(34:35) Planning Maternity Leave as a Private Practice Owner
(37:44) How to Build Referral Relationships With Doctors
(42:29) What The Private Practice Pro Offers Beyond Instagram
(44:32) Using Substack And Diversifying Platforms
(48:22) Rapid Fire Answers on Fees, Mistakes, And Photos
This episode is to be used for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, business, or tax advice. Each person should consult their own attorney, business advisor, or tax advisor with respect to matters referenced in this episode.
Getting out of debt can feel impossible, especially when you're building a therapy practice, managing student loans, and trying to make your work sustainable for the long haul.
Jacent Wamala, a licensed marriage and family therapist, financial wellness coach, and founder of Wamala Wellness, joins Michael Fulwiler to share how she paid off nearly $100,000 in debt in just three years.
Jacent talks candidly about her journey through divorce, grief, and financial instability, and how those experiences shaped the way she supports other therapists in doing the same.
This episode is packed with practical advice and mindset shifts for therapists who want to take control of their finances without sacrificing their mission to help others.
In the conversation, they discuss:
Connect with the guest:
Connect with Michael and Heard:
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Welcome to Heard Business School
(01:20) Meet Jacent Wamala
(03:10) Why She’s Not a Financial Therapist
(03:46) Growing Up Ugandan-American And Moving to Vegas
(07:26) The Cost of Grad School Debt
(10:07) Divorce, Grief, And Her Financial Turning Point
(12:56) Calculating Net Worth Changed Everything
(15:24) What Net Worth Really Tells You
(19:28) Avoidance vs. Acceptance in Money Mindset
(21:22) Budgeting and Setting Clear Debt Goals
(23:03) Living Lean to Accelerate Debt Payoff
(25:58) Building a Money Team for Support
(28:00) It’s Mindset, Not Just Math
(31:00) Real Therapist Success Story: Alicia’s Journey
(35:23) Hesitation, Self-Sabotage, And Getting Help
(37:10) Raise Your Rates And Restructure Finances
(40:19) The Most Common Mistake: Disorganization
(44:05) Finance Strategies Must Fit Your Lifestyle
(45:58) Debt Payoff Methods Explained
(49:21) Using Profit-First To Manage Your Business
This episode is to be used for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, business, or tax advice. Each person should consult their own attorney, business advisor, or tax advisor with respect to matters referenced in this episode.
Building a private practice is great. But building one rooted in lived experience is on a whole other level.
Christopher Brown, a Marine Corps veteran and EMDR-certified therapist, joins Michael Fulwiler to share his path from combat to clinical work.
After surviving a suicide bombing and facing years of PTSD, Christopher found healing through EMDR and turned that transformation into a mission to help others do the same, may they be veterans, first responders, or trauma survivors.
He talks about launching the nonprofit Growing Veterans, the lessons he learned about money and mission, and why he started Helicon to help other EMDR providers build meaningful, sustainable practices.
In the conversation, they discuss:
Connect with the guest:
Connect with Michael and Heard:
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Welcome to Heard Business School
(00:26) Meet Christopher Brown
(06:59) Surviving a suicide bombing during deployment
(10:53) The PTSD Christopher faced after returning home
(12:28) How EMDR helped Christopher stop experiencing flashbacks
(17:43) Why he first sought therapy
(20:21) Launching Growing Veterans to support vets through farming
(24:39) The financial realities of running a nonprofit
(30:13) How Christopher transitioned to private practice
(36:34) Expanding his practice to include first responders
(41:08) How Helicon is improving EMDR access and certification
(44:56) Christopher’s take on psychedelic-assisted therapy for veterans
This episode is to be used for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, business, or tax advice. Each person should consult their own attorney, business advisor, or tax advisor with respect to matters referenced in this episode.
Running a therapy practice while staying true to your values isn’t always easy, especially in a system that often prioritizes profit over people.
Paul Fugelsang, founder and executive director of Open Path Psychotherapy Collective, joins Michael Fulwiler to talk about building a mission-driven organization that connects clients to affordable therapy without compromising clinical integrity. Paul shares his path from overwhelmed private practice therapist to nonprofit leader, and how Open Path now supports over 34,000 therapists across the country.
He reflects on the ethics of sliding scale work, the complexities of talking about money in the therapy room, and why resisting unchecked growth is one way to preserve the soul of this work.
Listen to this episode for real talk on money, values, and building a sustainable practice that serves the people who need it most.
In the conversation, they discuss:
Connect with the guest:
Paul on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-fugelsang-a970123a
Open Path on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/openpathpsychotherapy/
Visit the Open Path website: https://openpathcollective.org/
Connect with Michael and Heard:
Michael’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelfulwiler/
Newsletter: https://www.joinheard.com/newsletter
Book a free consult: joinheard.com/consult
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Welcome to Heard Business School
(01:26) Meet Paul Fugelsang
(02:14) Discovering Contemplative Psychotherapy at Naropa
(03:06) Working in Juvenile Justice After Grad School
(04:33) Launching a Private Practice in Florida
(06:17) The Idea for Open Path Is Born
(08:41) How Open Path’s Model Works
(10:34) Matching Therapists And Clients Post-Pandemic
(11:45) Paul’s Critique of VC-Backed Mental Health Platforms
(14:33) Balancing Affordability And Therapist Well-Being
(21:15) How to Talk Money With Clients
(25:06) Sliding Scale as a Confidence Crutch
(27:58) Lessons From Launching a Nonprofit
(30:25) Why Open Path Doesn’t Have a Five-Year Plan
(32:45) Will AI Change How We Do Therapy?
(39:52) Why Paul Stays Skeptical of Tech in Therapy
(43:30) Paul’s Message to Therapists Today
This episode is to be used for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, business, or tax advice. Each person should consult their own attorney, business advisor, or tax advisor with respect to matters referenced in this episode.
Starting a private practice sounds exciting…until the clients don’t show up.
In this episode, Gerald Joseph, licensed clinical social worker and founder of The Capital Therapist, joins Michael Fulwiler to share what it’s like to build a therapy business from the ground up.
Gerald opens up about their journey from fashion merchandising to mental health care, the roadblocks he hit while getting licensed, and how he’s carved out a practice that centers authenticity and community care.
He also explains how he integrated psychedelic-assisted therapy into his offerings, why it’s not a magic solution, and the importance of safe, informed use.
Listen in to hear Gerald’s candid perspective on navigating a career in therapy while staying true to who you are.
In the conversation, they discuss:
Connect with the guest:
Connect with Michael and Heard:
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Welcome To Heard Business School
(00:47) Meet Gerald Joseph And The Capital Therapist
(02:11) Embracing Authenticity
(04:04) From Fashion To Mental Health
(07:03) Why Social Work Was The Right Fit
(09:23) Failing The Licensing Exam Multiple Times
(12:41) Should We Rethink Licensure Requirements?
(15:49) Being Gender Nonconforming In Professional Spaces
(19:12) Centering Marginalized Clients In Private Practice
(25:01) What No One Tells You About Private Practice
(33:02) How Gerald Got Into Psychedelic Therapy
(43:16) What Psychedelics Can Treat And How To Stay Safe
This episode is to be used for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, business, or tax advice. Each person should consult their own attorney, business advisor, or tax advisor with respect to matters referenced in this episode.
Navigating the complexities of running a therapy practice today means balancing clinical care with growing administrative demands and emerging technology.
Ted Faneuff, a practicing therapist and Head of Clinical Operations at Upheal, joins Michael Fulwiler to explore how AI is reshaping mental health care and helping therapists reclaim time and reduce burnout.
Ted shares his personal journey, including his late ADHD diagnosis, and explains how AI-powered tools can support therapists in staying fully present with clients while easing documentation burdens.
Listen to this conversation to understand what therapists need to know about AI, data privacy, and ethical adoption (plus why therapist involvement is critical in shaping the future of mental health technology).
In the conversation, they discuss:
Connect with the guest:
Connect with Michael and Heard:
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Welcome to Heard Business School
(00:34) Meet Ted Faneuff
(01:20) Exploring How AI Can Support Therapy and Mental Health Care
(02:19) Breaking Down What Artificial Intelligence Really Means
(04:15) A Simple Explanation of Generative AI
(06:58) How Large Language Models Power Today’s AI Tools
(10:07) Addressing the Privacy Concerns That Come with AI
(11:02) What Therapists Need to Know About HIPAA and SOC 2 Security
(13:06) Why Getting Clear Consent Matters When Using AI
(14:45) The Debate on Whether AI Could Ever Replace Therapists
(17:21) Looking at AI’s Ability to Show Empathy and Build Trust
(19:38) How AI Can Lend a Hand and Ease Therapist Workloads
(27:47) Why It’s Important for Therapists to Help Guide AI Development
(35:54) What to Look for When Choosing AI Tools for Your Practice
(44:23) How AI Might Expand Access and Help Therapists Stay in the Field
This episode is to be used for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, business, or tax advice. Each person should consult their own attorney, business advisor, or tax advisor with respect to matters referenced in this episode.
Designing a career on your own terms isn’t easy, especially if it doesn’t exist out there yet. But Dr. Emily Anhalt found a way to do just that.
Dr. Emily, clinical psychologist, author, and co-founder of Coa, talks with Michael Fulwiler about building a career that works for you. From her early days in private practice to launching a mental health startup, Emily shares how she reframed mental health as emotional fitness and found ways to apply therapy skills far beyond the usual clinic.
She opens up about the risks of self-disclosure, the tension between coaching and therapy, and how therapists can carve out paths that match their strengths, even in industries like tech.
In the conversation, they discuss:
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Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Welcome to Heard Business School
(01:00) Meet Emily Anhalt
(02:16) Building an Audience on Social Media
(03:18) Consistency and Generosity on Social Media
(04:49) Journey from Grad School to Private Practice
(06:30) Working with Silicon Valley Founders and Executives
(07:19) Introducing Emotional Fitness as a Proactive Approach
(09:28) Framing Emotional Fitness as Preventative Care
(11:41) The Power of Therapist Self-Disclosure as a Patient
(13:00) Navigating Self-Disclosure
(16:48)Therapy, Coaching, and Meeting Clients Where They Are
(20:20) Starting a Speaking and Workshop Career
(21:53) Transitioning to Charging for Speaking Engagements
(32:11) Designing the Career You Want
(35:20) Co-founding Coa: A "Gym for Mental Health"
(48:57) Using the Book Flex Your Feelings and Empowering Therapists
This episode is to be used for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, business, or tax advice. Each person should consult their own attorney, business advisor, or tax advisor with respect to matters referenced in this episode.
Building a successful career in mental health often requires navigating personal challenges, shifting professional goals, and staying adaptable in the face of growing demand.
Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, Founder of Therapy for Black Girls, joins Michael Fulwiler to discuss her path from a small-town Louisiana upbringing to becoming a leading voice in Black women’s mental health.
Dr. Joy shares how her early curiosity about human behavior led her to psychology, how she built Therapy for Black Girls from a blog to a thriving platform, and the surprising journey that led to her podcast’s partnership with iHeart.
Listen to the episode for insights into the evolution of Therapy for Black Girls, how Dr. Joy balances running a business with family life, and the key moments that shaped her vision for supporting Black women’s mental health.
In the conversation, they discuss:
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Connect with Michael and Heard:
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Welcome to Heard Business School
(00:34) Meet Dr. Joy Harden Bradford
(02:11) Growing Up in a Small Town and Discovering Psychology
(03:01) Dr. Joy’s Educational Background and Research Focus
(03:54) Challenges as a Black Student in Predominantly White Institutions
(06:37) Observations About Black Students Seeking Mental Health Services
(07:38) Interest in Starting a Private Practice Part-Time
(09:07) Starting Private Practice with the Right Infrastructure
(10:05) The Idea for Therapy for Black Girls Sparked by an Awards Show
(11:02) Early Growth of the Blog and Media Interviews
(13:09) How Social Media Requests Inspired Therapist Directory
(16:29) Finding a Developer and Starting to Charge for Listings
(17:20) Organic Growth and Big Shoutouts for the Directory
(18:19) Starting the Therapy for Black Girls Podcast Independently
(20:27) Building Community: The Momentum Moment for the Podcast
(41:39) Growing Both Podcast and Directory Together
(44:06) The iHeart Podcast Partnership Opportunity
(46:33) Marketing and Growing the Podcast
(49:00) Building the Therapy for Black Girls Team
This episode is to be used for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, business, or tax advice. Each person should consult their own attorney, business advisor, or tax advisor with respect to matters referenced in this episode.
Navigating a career in social work can be incredibly challenging, especially when balancing personal struggles, family life, and the demands of private practice.
Gary “Trey” Taylor, a licensed clinical social worker, educator, and consultant, joins Michael Fulwiler to share his journey from the car customization business to advocating for mental health, particularly within the Black community.
Gary reflects on his personal experiences with burnout, how his work with Black men shaped his therapy practice, and the pivotal moment when he decided to transition away from therapy to focus on teaching and consulting.
Listen to the conversation to hear how Gary used his past struggles to build a sustainable career that addresses both his personal and professional needs while continuing to advocate for Black men’s mental health.
In the conversation, they discuss:
Connect with the guest:
Connect with Michael and Heard:
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Welcome to Heard Business School
(00:44) Meet Gary Taylor
(02:30) Trey’s First Business: Car Customization
(04:26) Journey to Social Work and Therapy
(05:56) Why Trey Didn’t Initially Want to Be a Therapist
(07:40) Friends' Reactions to Pursuing Social Work
(08:46) Why Therapy Wasn’t Initially Appealing
(11:07) Dealing with Personal Mental Health Struggles
(12:49) Finding a Therapist for the First Time
(16:30) Applying Marketing Lessons from Other Industries
(20:03) Starting Private Practice Part-Time
(23:17) Getting Initial Clients for Private Practice
(25:53) The Struggle of Setting Pricing and Rates
(38:14) The Decision to Step Away from Private Practice
(47:42) Diversifying Income with Consulting and Teaching
(56:09) Lessons Learned from Writing His Book Refresh
This episode is to be used for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, business, or tax advice. Each person should consult their own attorney, business advisor, or tax advisor with respect to matters referenced in this episode.
Building a therapy business comes with its challenges, especially when you’re navigating AuDHD and entrepreneurship.
Patrick Casale, CEO of All Things Private Practice, joins host Michael Fulwiler to talk about how embracing vulnerability and authenticity can shape a successful therapy practice.
Patrick opens up about his journey of navigating ADHD and autism while building a business, explaining how showing up as your true self can help you connect with clients in a deeper, more meaningful way.
Listen to the conversation to hear how Patrick turned his personal challenges into entrepreneurial strengths and the valuable lessons he’s learned along the way.
In the conversation, they discuss:
Connect with the guest:
Connect with Michael and Heard:
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Welcome to Heard Business School
(00:44) Meet Patrick Casale
(02:12) Embracing Neurodivergence in Life and Business
(03:51) The Double-Edged Sword of AuDHD
(06:02) Why Patrick Became a Therapist
(08:19) What Burnout Looked Like in Private Practice
(10:31) From Solo Practice to Group Practice to Entrepreneur
(13:12) Building Businesses Around Community and Identity
(15:24) Neurodivergent Strengths in Entrepreneurship
(17:41) Letting Go of What No Longer Aligns
(19:35) How Patrick Thinks About Pricing and Accessibility
(22:13) Delegating as a Way to Scale and Protect Your Energy
(24:00) Self-Care, ADHD, and Running Multiple Businesses
(26:42) Advice for Therapists With Big Ideas
(28:30) Final Reflections on Self-Trust and Going for It
This episode is to be used for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, business, or tax advice. Each person should consult their own attorney, business advisor, or tax advisor with respect to matters referenced in this episode.