The Fully Booked Therapist Podcast w/Heather Hammell. Business coaching for hands-on therapists who are done underearning.

What happens when you have policies in your practice but don’t actually follow them? I learned that lesson after ignoring my own first-time client prepayment policy and ending up in an empty treatment room with lost time and lost income. In Episode 311, I’m breaking down Standard 9 of the Fully Booked Therapist Standards: fully booked therapists have clearly defined and enforceable policies. I’ll explain why policies matter before a cancellation or no-show happens, how consistency builds trust with clients, and what your cancellation system should include. We’ll also talk about why policies should be created when you’re calm and thinking clearly, how a simple decision tree can take emotion out of the moment, and why a practice that runs with ease isn’t free from problems. It has systems that tell you what to do when those problems happen. Ready to Get Fully Booked? The Get Fully Booked Challenge is coming November 9th through the 13th, and we’re spending five days working on how you run your hands-on business. I’ll walk you through a clear path toward keeping your calendar booked, leading your clients with confidence, and making real money doing the work you love. If you’re building a practice, close to starting one, or already booked and ready to build something stronger, this challenge is for you. Block off November 9th through the 13th on your calendar and make sure you’re on my email list at https://themfrcoach.com/mailing-list  so you’ll be the first to know when it’s time to grab your seat.   **This podcast is not medical advice and is not a substitute for consultation with an appropriate medical professional. We make no representations as to any physical, emotional, or mental health benefits that may be derived from listening to our podcast. Likewise, we do not make any representations or guarantees as to any possible income, business growth, additional clients, or any other earnings or growth benefits that may be derived from our podcast. Any testimonials, examples, or other results presented are the experiences of one client. We do not represent or guarantee you will achieve the same or similar results. You understand and agree you are solely responsible for any decisions you make from the information provided.**   The Fully Booked Therapist Podcast includes affiliate links in its show notes. This means we may earn a commission if you click on or make purchases via the links in our show notes.

What happens when the person responsible for running the practice isn’t functioning at her best? I sat down with Emily Sadri, a board-certified women’s health nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife, and founder of Aurelia Health, to talk about the hormonal changes that can affect women in midlife. Emily explains why perimenopause can show up through changes in metabolism, sleep, mood, cognition, and stress tolerance even when you’re still having a regular period. We also talk about her “hormones first” approach, why she believes women need care that looks at the broader picture, and what all of this means when you’re also responsible for running a business. If you own a hands-on practice, you are the asset. This conversation is about paying attention to the person responsible for serving the clients, making the decisions, and building the business. Connect with Emily Sadri Emily Sadri is a Board Certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, Certified Nurse Midwife, and hormone expert who founded Aurelia Health, a modern concierge telehealth company that serves women navigating perimenopause and menopause. Emily's areas of expertise include metabolic health, precision hormone care, and longevity medicine. She resides in the Midwest with her husband, four children, and two dogs. Aurelia Health: aureliahealth.com Emily Sadri: emilysadri.com Instagram: @EmilySadri_NP Special Offer: Use code HAMMELL100 to save $100 off an initial visit with Aurelia Health. Ready to Get Fully Booked? The Get Fully Booked Challenge is coming November 9th through the 13th, and we’re spending five days working on how you run your hands-on business. I’ll walk you through a clear path toward keeping your calendar booked, leading your clients with confidence, and making real money doing the work you love. If you’re building a practice, close to starting one, or already booked and ready to build something stronger, this challenge is for you. Block off November 9th through the 13th on your calendar and make sure you’re on my email list at https://themfrcoach.com/mailing-list  so you’ll be the first to know when it’s time to grab your seat.   **This podcast is not medical advice and is not a substitute for consultation with an appropriate medical professional. We make no representations as to any physical, emotional, or mental health benefits that may be derived from listening to our podcast. Likewise, we do not make any representations or guarantees as to any possible income, business growth, additional clients, or any other earnings or growth benefits that may be derived from our podcast. Any testimonials, examples, or other results presented are the experiences of one client. We do not represent or guarantee you will achieve the same or similar results. You understand and agree you are solely responsible for any decisions you make from the information provided.**   The Fully Booked Therapist Podcast includes affiliate links in its show notes. This means we may earn a commission if you click on or make purchases via the links in our show notes.

Many hands-on therapists know they can help their clients, but saying “I can help you” out loud can feel surprisingly difficult. In this episode, Heather explains why knowing your client and believing you can help them are essential parts of becoming a fully booked therapist, and how that belief affects client trust, treatment plans, and rebooking. Heather shares how she changed her intake forms to get better information from clients before they ever got on her table. She also explores why therapists sometimes use uncertain language when making treatment recommendations, how fear of hearing “no” can affect client conversion, and why confidence needs to be grounded in your training, experience, and scope of practice. If you’ve ever hesitated to recommend a treatment plan, worried about overpromising, or taken a client’s decision not to rebook personally, this episode will help you separate your self-esteem from the client’s decision and lead with greater confidence. In this episode, you'll learn: Why fully booked therapists know their clients before treatment begins How better intake questions can help you understand what a client actually wants Why saying “I can help you” can strengthen client trust How uncertain language can affect treatment plans and client rebooking How to make confident offers without overpromising Why knowing when to refer out makes your confidence more trustworthy How fear of rejection can influence the way you make offers Why a client’s “no” is information you can evaluate How leading clients with clear treatment recommendations changed Heather’s practice Ready to Get Fully Booked? The Get Fully Booked Challenge is coming November 9th through the 13th, and we’re spending five days working on how you run your hands-on business. I’ll walk you through a clear path toward keeping your calendar booked, leading your clients with confidence, and making real money doing the work you love. If you’re building a practice, close to starting one, or already booked and ready to build something stronger, this challenge is for you. Block off November 9th through the 13th on your calendar and make sure you’re on my email list at https://themfrcoach.com/mailing-list  so you’ll be the first to know when it’s time to grab your seat.   **This podcast is not medical advice and is not a substitute for consultation with an appropriate medical professional. We make no representations as to any physical, emotional, or mental health benefits that may be derived from listening to our podcast. Likewise, we do not make any representations or guarantees as to any possible income, business growth, additional clients, or any other earnings or growth benefits that may be derived from our podcast. Any testimonials, examples, or other results presented are the experiences of one client. We do not represent or guarantee you will achieve the same or similar results. You understand and agree you are solely responsible for any decisions you make from the information provided.**   The Fully Booked Therapist Podcast includes affiliate links in its show notes. This means we may earn a commission if you click on or make purchases via the links in our show notes.

Why does discounting your services feel so good in the moment? In this episode, I’m talking about the temporary relief that can come from lowering your rate, giving away a session, or adding extra time when charging feels uncomfortable. I’ll explain how reactive discounting can reinforce your beliefs about what your work is worth, the difference between intentional generosity and giving from guilt, and three ways to start making decisions about your rates and discounts ahead of time. In this episode, you'll learn: Why discounting or giving services away can create an immediate feeling of relief How feeling guilty about your rate can lead to reactive pricing decisions Why repeatedly discounting can reinforce the belief that you shouldn’t charge your full rate How free sessions, heavy discounts, and unexpected extra time can affect the client experience The difference between intentional generosity and giving something away to escape discomfort Why discounts and giveaways are better decided ahead of time, when you’re calm and thinking clearly How to notice thoughts like “I feel bad charging this” without automatically acting on them Why discomfort around a new or higher rate does not require you to change the rate A simple exercise for identifying where you’re giving from relief instead of making a deliberate business decision The Get Fully Booked Challenge is coming November 9th through the 13th, and we’re spending five days working on how you run your hands-on business. I’ll walk you through a clear path toward keeping your calendar booked, leading your clients with confidence, and making real money doing the work you love. If you’re building a practice, close to starting one, or already booked and ready to build something stronger, this challenge is for you. Block off November 9th through the 13th on your calendar and make sure you’re on my email list at https://themfrcoach.com/mailing-list  so you’ll be the first to know when it’s time to grab your seat. **This podcast is not medical advice and is not a substitute for consultation with an appropriate medical professional. We make no representations as to any physical, emotional, or mental health benefits that may be derived from listening to our podcast. Likewise, we do not make any representations or guarantees as to any possible income, business growth, additional clients, or any other earnings or growth benefits that may be derived from our podcast. Any testimonials, examples, or other results presented are the experiences of one client. We do not represent or guarantee you will achieve the same or similar results. You understand and agree you are solely responsible for any decisions you make from the information provided.**   The Fully Booked Therapist Podcast includes affiliate links in its show notes. This means we may earn a commission if you click on or make purchases via the links in our show notes.

Many therapists believe one more certification is the missing piece between where they are now and a fully booked practice. In this episode, Heather shares why she spent years chasing credentials, what happened when she finally reached expert level, and why the confidence she expected never came from another certificate. Heather explores the concept of learning as a buffer and explains how continuing education can sometimes become a way to avoid uncomfortable business decisions. She discusses the difference between intentional learning and collecting credentials out of fear, comparison, or the hope of feeling more qualified. If you've ever questioned whether another training is the right investment, this episode will help you evaluate your motivation and refocus on applying the skills you already have. In this episode, you'll learn: What "learning as a buffer" means Why another certification doesn't automatically build confidence How to recognize the credential treadmill The difference between intentional learning and emotional decision-making Why applying your skills creates better client results Questions to ask before enrolling in another continuing education course How confidence grows through experience, not certificates Why building a successful business requires more than clinical expertise   **This podcast is not medical advice and is not a substitute for consultation with an appropriate medical professional. We make no representations as to any physical, emotional, or mental health benefits that may be derived from listening to our podcast. Likewise, we do not make any representations or guarantees as to any possible income, business growth, additional clients, or any other earnings or growth benefits that may be derived from our podcast. Any testimonials, examples, or other results presented are the experiences of one client. We do not represent or guarantee you will achieve the same or similar results. You understand and agree you are solely responsible for any decisions you make from the information provided.**   The Fully Booked Therapist Podcast includes affiliate links in its show notes. This means we may earn a commission if you click on or make purchases via the links in our show notes.