STP 142: Why Solving the Right Problem Brings Clients to Your Door Episode Title: Why Solving the Right Problem Brings Clients to Your Door Host: James Marland Podcast: The Scaling Therapist Podcast Keywords: therapist burnout, clarity in marketing, scalable income, private practice growth, digital products for therapists, ideal client, mom test, client journey Episode Summary In this episode, James Marland explains why understanding the real problem your clients want solved is the key to building scalable income and attracting the right people to your work. Most therapists start with the solution—courses, groups, workshops, tools—but clients don’t buy solutions. They buy results. James shares simple strategies to gain clarity on client needs, avoid polite-but-false feedback, and discover the deeper problem your offer should solve. You’ll hear stories about restaurant choices, car dealerships, burnout, “The Mom Test,” and the famous idea: people don’t want a drill; they want a hole. If you want to reduce burnout and bring clients to your door without feeling salesy, this episode delivers solid steps you can use this week. Timestamps & Episode Highlights 00:00 – Intro: A Message for Therapists Feeling Stretched Thin James introduces an upcoming cohort for therapists who want to build products that free them from their calendar. 01:15 – What Clients Really Want: The Result, Not the Process “People don't necessarily wanna go through therapy… they want the life that's on the other side of your solution.” 01:42 – The Three Pillars of Scalable Income Clarity, Connection, and Confidence — and today’s focus on clarity around the real problem. 02:11 – The Restaurant Analogy Why clients choose a provider the same way they choose a restaurant: to solve a deeper desire, not just the obvious need. 03:47 – The Classic Marketing Mistake Why starting with your solution pushes clients away and creates “polite but useless” feedback. 05:22 – James’s Early Mistake Creating Courses for Therapists Asking the wrong questions leads to the wrong product — and why tech problems weren’t the real pain. 06:46 – The Real Problems Therapists Shared Burnout, exhaustion, compassion fatigue, drowning in clients, no time for family. 08:01 – People Don’t Want a Course. They Want Their Life Back. The shift from solving “course problems” to solving life problems. 08:50 – The Car Dealership Story A powerful example showing why people hate being sold to and how therapists can avoid that dynamic. 10:32 – Your Ideal Client Doesn’t Want to Be in a Funnel Helpers want relief, not sales pressure — and how clarity helps you serve, not sell. 11:10 – The Drill vs. The Hole Why clients buy outcomes, not tools. “People don’t want the drill. They want the hole.” 12:44 – Three Methods to Get Clarity on Client Problems A simple framework to understand the right problem to solve. 13:05 – Method 1: Talk to Your Ideal Client Using The Mom Test How to ask questions they can’t lie about—and why this gives better data than “Would you buy this?” 16:53 – Method 2: Map the Before, During, and After A storytelling tool to reveal the real client journey and the problem worth solving. 19:36 – Method 3: Listen to What People Already Ask Online Using Google, AnswerThePublic, Reddit, and Facebook groups to find real problems therapists care about. 22:06 – How Clarity Changes Your Message The shift from “let’s build a course” to “let’s build income flow” and why clients respond differently. 24:02 – Action Steps You Can Take This Week Easy next steps: talk to people, map their journey, and find the problem that repeats. 25:43 – Clarity Turns Selling Into Helping How solving the right problem brings clients to your door and frees you from your calendar. 26:35 – What’s Coming Next A look ahead at the next episode on products and pricing that feel like service, not pressure. 27:00 – Invitation to Join the Free Webinar James invites therapists to the Beyond Fully Booked webinar on December 11th. Resources Mentioned Course Creation Studio Cohort:https://coursecreationstudio.com/stepgroup Book: The Mom Test by Rob Fitzpatrick How to ask questions people can’t lie about. AnswerThePublic: https://answerthepublic.com AlsoAsked: https://alsoasked.com
The holidays can be a joyful season, but for anyone dealing with grief, they can also bring stress, loneliness, and moments you don’t expect. In this episode, I talk with therapist and author Debbra Riemann, who shares her personal journey through loss and how slowing down, journaling, and connecting with others helped her heal. Debbra explains why so many people enter the holidays without a plan for grief—and why making one can bring comfort, direction, and hope. If you or your clients are navigating grief during this season, you’ll find support, practical tools, and the reminder that you don’t have to do this alone. Debbra also opens up about the hidden cost of pushing through pain, the power of community, and how grief shows up in places we least expect. Therapists will appreciate her honest look at how personal healing shaped her private practice, her published book, and her online grief community. This episode blends heartfelt wisdom with actionable steps that can help you support yourself, your family, or the people you serve. Three Truths You’ll Learn in This Episode Grief needs a plan—especially during the holidays. Journaling slows you down so you can actually feel and release what’s hurting. Community reduces isolation, even when others don’t know what to say. Highlights 00:04 – Journaling helps release holiday grief02:16 – Debbra’s story of stacked losses04:39 – Hidden impact of unprocessed grief07:53 – Marketing a grief-focused practice09:32 – “Ugly sells” for therapists online11:46 – Moving states and rebuilding practice15:10 – Creating an online grief community17:02 – Why grief feels so isolating20:12 – Holiday grief hits without warning22:57 – Making a clear holiday grief plan24:34 – Changing traditions without guilt26:05 – How to find Debbra’s resources Links And Resources Sages of Grief Recovery Website: https://www.Stages-of-Grief-Recovery.com Facebook: Stages-of-Grief-Recovery.com | Rochester Hills MI Instagram: Debbra Bronstad, Grief Coach (@stagesofgriefrecovery) • Instagram profile Hope for the Holidays Workshop free replay available at: https://stagesofgriefrecovery.mvsite.app/products/units/view/1544899 Inscribed Grief Journaling Community: https://www.InscribedGrief.com
This episode of The Scaling Therapist Podcast is for therapists and helpers who feel the weight of being “fully booked” and quietly wonder, “Is this really it?” James talks about why burnout is normal in the current system, why that doesn’t mean you’re a failure, and how one clear decision about who you are and who you serve can make every other decision easier. You’ll hear how to design a business around your life, not squeeze your life around a business model that was never built for you. In Today’s Show: You feel stuck in a fully booked schedule that looks successful on paper but doesn’t feel sustainable. You want clarity on who you’re really called to serve and how that starts with understanding yourself. You’re curious how one clear decision can simplify your offers, pricing, and long-term direction. In This Episode: Why burnout is “normal” in the current therapy system—and why that doesn’t make it okay. The difference between bucket income (sessions) and aqueduct income (income flow). The three pillars of scalable income: clarity, connection, and confidence. Why clarity starts with YOU before it moves to your ideal client or product. How to notice the sessions and situations that actually give you life, not just the ones you’re good at. A simple five-minute reflection you can do today to get clearer on the people you’re called to serve. Timestamped Highlights 01:20 – Why burnout in the mental health field is sadly “normal” and what that really means. 03:40 – The hard truth: the current system wasn’t built for your long-term wellbeing. 05:40 – Buckets vs. aqueducts: a new way to think about income streams and sustainability. 06:17 – The three pillars of scalable income: clarity, connection, and confidence. 07:21 – The GPS and dirt road story: following the “system” straight into a pile of rocks. 10:12 – When “fully booked” looks great on paper but costs you your energy, health, and relationships. 13:22 – Clarity starts with you: why you are the most important person in your business. 15:25 – The difference between what you’re good at and what is a true strength that gives you life. 17:31 – Group practice as an example of work you might be great at—but that may drain you. 19:28 – How to notice “these are my people” moments in sessions and in everyday life. 21:00 – James’s marriage ministry story and how honest, imperfect service draws the right people. 22:34 – “Resident identity”: why people say yes to the helper they see themselves in. 24:22 – How clarity about people simplifies your offers, pricing, and long-term plan. 25:29 – A five-minute reflection: “Right now I feel most called to serve people who…” 27:48 – The Confident Course Creator toolkit and tools James used to grow his own clarity. Resources & Mentions Confident Course Creator mini-course (pay-what-you-want starting at $5)→ https://www.coursecreationstudio.com/offers/EoAzZpsG Episode 64 – From Burnout to Balance: The Heart-Centered Approach to a Dream Life and Business with Joey RagonaSTP 64: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/from-burnout-to-balance-the-heart-centered-approach/id1654020972?i=1000651025300 Episode 113 – How to Make Your Course an Obvious Yes with Danny InySTP 113: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stp-113-how-to-make-your-course-an-obvious-yes-with/id1654020972?i=1000705238585 Episode 114 – Establish Your Brand with Resident Identity with Danny InySTP 1114: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stp-114-how-to-establish-your-brand-online-with-your/id1654020972?i=1000706335563 Marcus Buckingham – strengths-based work (e.g., “Now, Discover Your Strengths”) Donald Miller – “Hero on a Mission” (vision, eulogy, and future-self exercises James references) Be Clear about the People you Love to Serve If you’re wondering whether there’s more to helping people than endless sessions and creeping burnout, this episode is your gentle nudge to pause and get clear on who you are and who you’re really called to serve. Listen in, do the five-minute reflection, and start building a business around your life—not the other way around. If this conversation encouraged you, share it with a therapist friend who needs the same reminder.
How the System Breaks Therapists—and What to Build Instead This episode kicks off the Three Pillars of an Income Flow System series. If you’ve ever felt like your fully booked calendar was actually draining the life out of you, this one’s for you. I share my thoughts on how the current mental health system often leads therapists to burnout, not success, and what it really means to build a system that serves both your mission and your well-being. What You’ll Learn Why the “fully booked” mindset leads to exhaustion How to spot a system designed for burnout What to build instead (and why it matters) The difference between carrying buckets and building aqueducts How small system changes create big freedom Timestamped Highlights [00:00] Full calendar ≠ true success [01:02] Burnout signs for helping pros [01:38] Series intro: 3 income pillars [02:03] Why this system keeps you stuck [02:59] Story: desperate families denied care [04:00] Fighting a system built to say no [05:15] Learning the real insurance rules [06:00] Applying systems thinking to care [07:33] The burnout cycle of feast/famine [08:26] Running on caffeine and compassion [09:48] The problem with chasing capacity [10:22] Why working harder won’t fix it [11:18] From buckets to aqueducts [12:13] The moving truck metaphor [13:59] Systems turn effort into flow [14:44] Flow keeps working while you rest [15:13] You are the architect, not labor [16:34] Settling for stability over purpose [17:57] Someone saw my potential first [18:50] Don’t trade your future for comfort [19:59] This system wasn’t built for you [21:28] Join the Beyond Fully Booked cohort Resources & Links Beyond Fully Booked Workshop → https://www.coursecreationstudio.com/BeyondFullyBooked Closing InvitationIf this episode made you pause or breathe a little deeper, share it with someone who's building a mission-fueled practice. You weren’t meant to carry all the buckets alone.
How to Move Forward When You Don’t Have a Perfect Plan Guest: Christi Engle | Enneagram Teacher & Personal Development Coach If you’ve ever felt stuck waiting for the right time or the perfect plan before taking a next step, this episode is for you. I talk with personal development coach Christi Engle about starting small, rethinking success, and what to do when your brain wants you to stay safe and stuck. Christi shares how she went from uncertainty to clarity in her coaching path, and how you can do the same, even if the road ahead feels foggy. We cover the messy middle of building a coaching life, why mistakes are part of the process, and how to shift from autopilot to aligned action. Listen to for insights on: Hear how to build a coaching career without a clinical license Learn how to stop letting fear and overthinking stall your progress Discover the mindset shift that helps you measure success without perfection Get simple practices to stay grounded and move forward—without burning out Timestamped Highlights (Search-aware & benefit-first) [00:03:00] Christi’s story — From stay-at-home mom to coach without a license: how she took one step at a time [00:06:00] Coaching vs. Counseling — Why Christi chose coaching and what made the difference [00:10:47] Redefining Success — How to stop ruminating and start measuring what really matters: Prepared, Present, Authentic [00:14:49] Stopping the Spiral — A mindset tool to interrupt overthinking and impostor thoughts [00:16:24] Byron Katie’s method — “Is it true?” and other powerful questions to challenge old beliefs [00:18:00] Living with Intention — How to spot autopilot patterns and shift into aligned choices [00:23:26] Daily Tools that Help — Breathwork and basic rhythms to get grounded before big decisions [00:25:59] Authentic Coaching — Why your story is your strength and how to coach from your full self[00:28:13] Final encouragement — Don’t fear the messy middle—it’s where the growth happens Mentioned in the Episode Christi Engle’s website: https://perennialcoaching.com $27 Boundaries Blueprint Perennial Growth Path coaching program The Work by Byron Katie → https://thework.com
STP 137 | Your Business Should Fund Your Life, Not Feed on It This episode is for therapists and helpers who feel like their calendar is running their life. If you're constantly chasing productivity but feeling further from peace, this one’s for you. James Marland unpacks how overwork became the norm—and why your business needs to serve your life, not swallow it. Discover how to scale your wisdom, not your burnout. Who It's For: Therapists stuck in a cycle of service and stress Coaches craving more space, not more hustle Helpers who want to teach or lead without losing their joy Top 3 Reasons to Listen You’ll finally name what’s stealing your time—and what to do about it. You’ll learn how to build space into your week without sacrificing your mission. You’ll walk away with a simple mindset shift to start reclaiming your calendar. Highlights 00:03 – The cultural trap of overwork and why we mistake stress for success 02:00 – That sinking feeling: When you realize your calendar owns you 04:12 – The invisible shift: How your mission got replaced by fear 05:12 – Are you headed toward success… or resentment? 06:36 – Why a full calendar can be quiet damage 08:09 – The Fisherman story: A simple parable about chasing the wrong success 10:30 – From striving to sustainable: Why rhythm matters more than hustle 11:25 – The campfire metaphor: How your business needs space to breathe 12:09 – Ways to scale your wisdom without one-on-one burnout 13:09 – Reclaim your “why” and stop letting your business steal your joy 14:18 – “Your business should fund your life, not feed on it.” 15:34 – Protecting margin: How to calendar what really matters 16:29 – Join the waitlist for the Beyond Fully Booked workshop Resources & Mentions Beyond Fully Booked Workshop – Small steps to reclaim your business → Reserve Your Seat Email James: James@coursecreationstudio.com (use the word “next” to get workshop info) Book Mentioned: The Science of Scaling by Dr. Benjamin Hardy → Find it here Book Mentioned: 10x Is Easier Than 2x by Dr. Benjamin Hardy → Find it here Closing Invitation If this helped you breathe a little deeper, share it with someone who’s been stuck in overdrive. Your course—and your calendar—shouldn’t cost you your joy. Let’s build something sustainable, together.
STP 136 | How Small Businesses Can Thrive Against Big Business Competition Podcast: Scaling Therapisthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/scaling-therapist-podcast-more-income-more-independence/id1654020972 Produced by: Course Creation Studiohttps://www.coursecreationstudio.com/ Host: James Marland, MBAGuest: Sri Kaza, author, consultanthttps://sri-kaza.com/book Episode Summary: What do indie bookstores, therapy practices, and pumpkin patches have in common? More than you think. In this episode of Scaling Therapist Podcast, James Marland talks with Sri Kaza, former McKinsey partner and author of Unconvention: A Small Business Strategy Guide, about what it really takes for small businesses to thrive against corporate giants like BetterHelp or Amazon. Sri reveals the three “Underdog Principles” that help small, mission-driven businesses build loyalty, grow sustainably, and stand out in their market: Positioning – Be the only choice for your ideal clients Proximity – Understand what your customers actually need Purpose – Build beyond profit for long-term client connection This episode is a practical blueprint for independent therapists, group practices, and any small business owner tired of feeling like the underdog. You can compete—and win—without selling out. Why Listen? Compete with big brands like BetterHelp without giving up your local edge Learn the 3 key strategies that kept small businesses alive during COVID Understand how positioning beats “niching down” Get actionable ideas for marketing, scaling, and client loyalty Reframe your role as a business owner—and remove yourself as the bottleneck Show Highlights [00:00] – "Go double down on the things your customers love about you." – Sri starts strong with a differentiation mindset.[02:00] – From McKinsey to Main Street: Sri’s journey and the origin of Unconvention.[03:30] – Surprising data: How some businesses outperformed during the pandemic.[05:45] – Indie bookstores vs. Amazon—and what therapy practices can steal from their playbook.[07:00] – Deep dive into the 3 Underdog Principles:✔️ Positioning – Stand out by being specific✔️ Proximity – Know your people better than anyone else✔️ Purpose – Clients care when you care [10:00] – BetterHelp vs. Boutique Practices: The big-brand trap vs. deep local value[13:00] – “Niching” vs. “Positioning with Purpose”—a better way to focus your practice[15:00] – Use your client journey to power smarter marketing[17:00] – Loyalty is built on trust: why your purpose needs to shine[20:00] – The business owner bottleneck—how it’s holding back your growth[24:00] – Scale less. Focus more. Grow smarter.[25:45] – Books, tools, and where to buy Unconvention (hint: go local at Bookshop.org) Resources Mentioned 📖 Unconvention: A Small Business Strategy Guide by Sri Kazahttps://sri-kaza.com/book 🌐 Sri Kaza’s Website: https://sri-kaza.com 💼 Connect with Sri on LinkedIn: Sri Kaza on LinkedIn 🛍️ Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org 📘 The Pumpkin Plan by Mike Michalowicz 📗 Effortless by Danny Iny 📕 The Goal by Eliyahu Goldratt 🎙️ Scaling Therapist Podcast on Apple:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/scaling-therapist-podcast-more-income-more-independence/id1654020972 Subscribe + Review Love the show? Hit subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your rating helps more therapists discover how to scale their practice with purpose and strategy.
You’ve got income stream ideas—maybe too many. But instead of building momentum, you feel stuck in research, adding features, or waiting until it’s perfect. In this episode, I share a personal story about my basement remodel that spiraled out of control. More importantly, I connect that story to what happens when we try to build without a clear finish line. If you’ve been spinning your wheels or afraid to start your course or offer, this episode is a gentle nudge to stop planning and start defining. You’ll learn how to pick a “minimum viable product” version of your idea, set boundaries around it, and move forward with clarity. Progress doesn’t come from having all the ideas—it comes from choosing one and finishing it. ⏱️ Timestamps & Highlights 00:01 – Welcome & Rebrand 01:30 – Basement Story Begins 03:00 – How Ideas Expand 04:45 – The Stuck Loop 06:15 – Research vs. Action 07:00 – Define Your MVP 08:10 – Choose a Finish Line 09:30 – You’re Halfway There 10:10 – Take Imperfect Action
Guest: Susan Schramm | Author of Fast Track Your Big Idea Host: James Marland | Scaling Therapy Practice PodcastEpisode Overview Why do great ideas fail before they ever get off the ground? In this episode of Scaling Therapy Practice, James Marland talks with author and strategist Susan Schramm about the surprising root cause of stalled projects: fear of risk. But it’s not just financial or legal risks—it’s the people side of risk that’s often overlooked. If you’re a therapist, coach, or solopreneur with a course, program, or big idea sitting in a notebook or buried under client work, this conversation is for you. Susan shares how to reframe risk as a leadership tool, not a barrier—and how to use her 6-step De-Risk System to build momentum and finally launch your idea with confidence. 3 Reasons to Listen Discover what’s really stopping your launch — It’s not your idea. It’s unspoken risk. Learn the “De-Risk” system — Six clear, practical steps to help you move forward, even if you’re afraid. Hear how clarity beats confidence — When you know the “why” and “who,” your strategy becomes easier to execute. Timestamped Highlights [00:00] Not talking about risk [01:45] Launching ideas since childhood [03:30] Why good ideas stall [04:50] People side of risk [05:45] Fear vs. clarity [07:15] Group hesitation explained [08:40] Risk = uncertainty [10:15] Fight, flight, or freeze [11:50] Therapist solopreneurs & teams [13:20] Silence isn’t safety [14:15] Culture of risk conversation [16:00] 6-step De-Risk system [19:00] Why now? Why you? [21:45] Who needs to act? [23:15] How strategies adapt [24:30] Pre-mortems & planning ahead [26:30] Overplanning kills momentum [28:10] MVP mindset matters [30:00] Book & launch team info [32:00] Final thoughts on risk Mentioned Resources Susan’s website: FastTrackYourBigIdea.com Email for the De-Risk Checklist: susan.schramm@gotomarketimpact.com Book (Coming Oct 2025): Fast Track Your Big Idea: Navigate Risk, Move People to Action, and Avoid Your Strategy Going Off Course Course Creation Support: https://www.coursecreationstudio.com/
Are people leaving your webinars before you even make your offer? In this episode of Scaling Therapy Practice, host James Marlin sits down with Johnny Byrne, known as The Webinar Wizard, to talk about how to create engaging webinars that keep people watching—and buying. Whether you're a therapist, coach, or course creator, Johnny explains how to upgrade your presentation style using free tools, simple tech (like Stream Deck + OBS), and easy visual techniques that make a BIG difference. Learn why most webinars fail to convert—and what to do instead. If you run webinars, workshops, or online courses, this episode will help you turn more viewers into buyers. Highlights 00:00 – Why Most Webinars Lose Viewers Before the Offer 01:05 – Meet Johnny Byrne, the Webinar Wizard 02:40 – From Live Trainer to Online Engagement Expert 04:00 – How the Pandemic Changed Presentation Skills 05:20 – “You’re Not Too Techy”—Why Anyone Can Do This 07:00 – Free Tools: Stream Deck & OBS for Better Engagement 08:45 – No More “Can You See My Slides?” 10:10 – The Power of Pattern Interrupts 11:30 – Why Looking & Sounding Good Builds Trust 13:00 – Making Your Webinar Feel Like a Show 14:45 – Live Drawing with iPad or Paper for Real-Time Connection 16:30 – Record & Edit at the Same Time (Big Time Saver!) 18:00 – Shocking Stats: 60% Leave Before Your Sales Pitch 19:20 – You’re Losing Sales If They Don’t Stay Till the End 21:15 – How to Use Timers, Music & Visuals for Better Flow 22:30 – Deliver an Experience, Not Just an Event 24:00 – Where to Find Johnny + Free Setup Review Offer Resources & Links Mentioned: Johnny Byrne’s Website: https://johnnybeirne.com/ Free Setup Review with Johnny: https://johnnybeirne.com/ Free Live Training with Johnny: https://luma.com/webinarwizard?k=c&period=past
Scaling Therapist PodcastEpisode 132: The High Cost of Playing It Safe (Why Avoiding Risk Holds You Back)Host: James Marland Episode Summary:In this episode, I talk about how fear and imposter syndrome can stop therapists and private practice owners from growing their businesses. I share a few personal stories about times when I let hesitation hold me back, and how I learned that courage comes before confidence. If you’ve been waiting to feel “ready” before trying something new, this episode is your reminder that taking action (even small, imperfect steps) is the real way forward. What You’ll Learn: Why imposter syndrome is so common in helping professions How fear disguises itself as wisdom What hesitation has cost me (and maybe you too) Why you should act before you feel confident How to take one small step forward this week Timestamps and Topics: (00:00) A story about hiding after a small mistake in a school play(01:00) The cost of fear and hesitation in business and life(02:30) Imposter syndrome and why it shows up for therapists(04:00) The leadership role I turned down because I didn’t feel ready(06:00) Surprising statistics on imposter syndrome(08:00) How your brain makes small mistakes feel huge(10:30) Why your audience doesn’t notice what you think they do(11:30) Leading a group without confidence (courage came first)(13:00) You don’t need to wait for perfection to move forward(14:00) A new course to help you overcome self-doubt(15:30) Final encouragement and call to action Resources Mentioned Store Page: https://www.coursecreationstudio.com/store Special offer - Pay what you want for confident course creator https://www.coursecreationstudio.com/offers/EoAzZpsG
What This Episode Is About If you're a therapist, coach, or mission-minded helper who feels like you're supposed to do it all on your own—this one’s for you. I share a deeply personal story about what pretending to be “fine” cost me in marriage, and what it revealed about how I was building my business. This episode isn’t about hustle. It’s about getting honest. What if community is the thing that gets you unstuck? As a course creation coach for therapists, I’ve seen over and over again that support—not solo hustle—is the real catalyst for growth. Let’s talk about how to find it and why it matters. Top 3 Reasons to Listen You’ll hear what “fake peace” really looks like in a marriage—and a business. You’ll learn why being stuck isn’t a capacity issue—it’s often a community issue. You’ll walk away with one practical step to stop building your online offer alone. Timestamped Highlights 00:00 – I open with this truth: Support is not a crutch. It’s a catalyst. 02:10 – The story of me and my wife walking into a group while silently falling apart. 06:45 – Why we say “we’re fine” in business—and why that’s keeping us stuck. 08:40 – Naming the Solo Myth: The lie that you have to do this alone. 10:00 – Donald Miller's advice: Why coaches need community too. 11:20 – My basement remodel: a story of drywall, fear of power tools, and how 10 friends did what would’ve taken me years. 14:00 – LinkedIn accountability: how a weekly group helped me start showing up consistently. 16:45 – Fun Financial Fridays: how community made money tasks less overwhelming. 19:30 – Being authentic: why showing the cracks builds trust with your ideal client. 21:00 – A reflection: What about your real life would help your audience connect? 22:30 – Final invitation: You’re not stuck because you can’t. You’re stuck because you’re doing it alone. Resources and Mentions Book: Coach Builder by Donald Miller → https://businessmadesimple.com Want help planning your next 90 days? Book a free call with me → https://tidycal.com/360z043/custom-goal-setting-interview-m829oov Ready to grow without burnout? I'm a therapist online course business coach—learn more here → https://www.coursecreationstudio.com/ Before You Go You don’t need more grit. You need more people who believe in what you’re building. If someone came to mind while you listened, text them. Ask for 15 minutes. Swap ideas. Or reach out to me and let’s plan your next 90 days together. If this helped you see things differently, share it with a friend. We go further faster when we don’t go alone.
When you’re running a practice, change is constant, but staying focused during the hard parts is where most therapists get stuck. In this episode, James talks with Michael Dettrich-Chastain, therapist and CEO of Arc Integrated, about why we revert to old habits and what to do instead. From real-life struggles with tools like ClickUp to Michael’s 7 Influencers of Change, this episode is packed with insights for practice owners who want to grow without burning out. In this episode How to stay focused when making changes in your practice, even when things get uncomfortable A breakdown of Michael Dettrich-Chastain’s 7 Influencers of Change framework Real examples of why we revert to old habits and how to build support systems that keep you moving forward Show Highlights [00:00:01] Michael opens with the idea that success is self-defined because we are always in flux and always changing. [00:01:00] James introduces Michael and shares how they met at the Wise Practice Summit. [00:02:00] Michael shares about the flood in North Carolina and the community’s response during crisis. [00:04:15] Michael’s journey from therapist to CEO and the leap from comfort to entrepreneurship. [00:07:00] How becoming a father changed Michael’s perspective on work, travel, and balance. [00:08:00] Why change in practice often shows up as symptoms, not signs—frustration, delay, complaints. [00:10:00] Michael introduces his 7 Influencers of Change: cognition, heart, action, nourishment, guts, environment, spirit. [00:12:00] How environment keeps us stuck—and how to shift it to support change. [00:13:45] James shares his ClickUp struggle as a real example of falling back on old habits when change gets hard. [00:15:00] Michael applies his framework to James’s situation, focusing on cognition and environment. [00:17:30] Why clearly defining success is the key to staying focused when things get tough. [00:20:00] Entrepreneurship as personal development—how change forces us to grow in unexpected ways. [00:20:30] Where to find Michael’s free change management resources and tools. Links and Resources Free toolkit from Michael: arcintegrated.com/free Michael’s website: arcintegrated.com Project management tool discussed: ClickUp Book: Changes by Michael Dettrich-Chastain
Feeling maxed out with clients? Emotionally drained?In this episode, James Marland breaks down three practical steps for therapists to earn more without packing their calendar even tighter. If you’ve hit the ceiling with one-on-one therapy sessions and are wondering how to grow without burning out, this is for you. 3 Steps for Adding a Scalable Revenue Stream as a Therapist You will learn: How to find urgent problems your clients will pay to solve How to package your expertise into digital products or coaching How to share your solution with your ideal clients Why a "Minimum Viable Product" (MVP) is the key to momentum The difference between a therapist's "bucket" model vs. an "aqueduct" model James shares personal stories (including one involving a leaky pipe 🛠️) and gives you clear, actionable advice on how to take your existing skills and turn them into something scalable. 💡 You don’t need to reinvent yourself. You just need a better structure.📘 Grab the free resource: "15 Ways to Earn More: A Therapist’s Guide" at coursecreationstudio.com ⏱️ Show Highlights 00:00 – Welcome: Why therapists need to scale smarter 01:30 – Burnout warning signs: You don’t hate your job, you’re just maxed out 03:00 – Life throws curveballs: Kids, health, aging parents 04:00 – Why solving urgent problems is the path to income 05:30 – Storytime: James drills into a pipe… and finds a metaphor 08:00 – People pay for today's problems, not "someday" ones 09:00 – Step 1: Identify the problem people must solve 10:00 – Step 2: Package your expertise into a scalable structure 11:00 – What is your “aqueduct”? Build it once, let it flow 12:00 – MVP = Minimum Viable Product (Start small, solve fast) 13:30 – Don’t overwhelm clients with too many details 14:30 – Step 3: Market to someone, not everyone 15:00 – Tad Hargrave's 5-level client targeting method 16:30 – How to truly define your ideal client (go beyond demographics) 18:30 – You don’t need to build everything at once 19:30 – It’s okay to want something different. You’re not broken. 20:00 – Final encouragement + Free therapist resource 📦 Mentioned in This Episode ✅ Free guide: 15 Ways to Earn More as a Therapist 📖 Book: Coach Builder by Donald Miller 🎯 Resource: Tad Hargrave – Marketing for Hippies https://marketingforhippies.com 💬 Quote: “People don’t pay for fog. They pay for you to solve their problems.” 🔗 Resources 💻 CourseCreationStudio.com – James’s platform for therapist course coaching 📚 Coach Builder – Donald Miller 🧠 Marketing for Hippies – Ideal client targeting tools 📥 Download: “15 Ways to Earn More” therapist guide at CourseCreationStudio.com
Embracing Change: How Rewriting Your Story Can Lead to New Beginnings for Therapists In this heartfelt episode, James Marland shares a personal experience of loss and realization that he encountered while engaging in his daily journaling practice. He discusses the significance of his "Hero on a Mission" journal, the impact of losing his written goals and eulogy due to an accident, and the emotional journey of recreating his life story. The episode highlights the importance of rewriting one’s story, overcoming setbacks, and setting new goals. Marland encourages therapists and others to see such moments as opportunities to start afresh and craft a meaningful narrative for their lives. Show Highlights 00:00 Introduction and Daily Journal Routine 01:26 The Eulogy Incident 03:10 Reflecting on Loss and Limiting Beliefs 04:41 Rewriting Your Story 06:22 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Building Income Stability In Your Therapy Practice Therapists often feel trapped by the “one-hour, one-client, one-paycheck” model. Cancellations, seasonal slowdowns, and burnout can make private practice unpredictable. In this episode of Scaling Therapy Practice, host James Marland sits down with Chris McDonald, therapist, podcaster, and course creator, to discuss how to build income stability for therapists—without hustling for more clients or overloading your schedule. 3 Reasons to Listen Discover why relying only on client sessions creates financial instability for therapists. Learn how online courses for therapists provide flexibility, freedom, and extra revenue. Hear Chris’s personal journey of scaling her private practice with courses, memberships, and holistic tools. Show Highlights [00:00:03] Working less but earning more — Chris shares her goal of creating more income streams for therapists while cutting back on client hours. [00:01:11] Introducing Chris McDonald — Licensed therapist, podcaster, and creator of Yoga in the Therapy Room. [00:05:09] The pressure of private practice — Why therapists often feel forced to hustle to maintain a full caseload. [00:07:54] Why courses over other options — Chris explains why course creation for therapists made more sense than hiring staff or writing another book. [00:10:22] Self-care and yoga in therapy — How integrating yoga helps both clients and therapists manage burnout. [00:12:14] Stability through variety — How adding a course brought financial stability in private practice while reigniting Chris’s passion. [00:14:00] Breaking free from the one-to-one model — The limits of trading hours for dollars in therapy. [00:16:49] Freedom and flexibility with courses — Building a practice that supports health, family, and passion projects. [00:18:16] Behind the course design — Creating short, accessible lessons for busy therapists. [00:22:06] Building community and accountability — Chris’s plans for a therapist membership to support yoga integration. [00:24:36] Where to connect — Find Chris at YogaInTheTherapyRoom.com for her podcast, courses, and CE trainings. Links and Resources Podcasts Yoga in the Therapy Room (Chris McDonald’s podcast) → yogainthetherapyroom.com Scaling Therapy Practice (hosted by James Marland) → coursecreationstudio.com 🧰 Courses & Trainings Yoga in the Therapy Room Course (Chris’s main digital course for therapists) → yogainthetherapyroom.com Art of Breathwork (CE training, pre-recorded course) → yogainthetherapyroom.com Self-Care for Therapists (CE training, pre-recorded course) → yogainthetherapyroom.com 🏥 Private Practice Path to Hope Counseling (Chris’s practice in Raleigh, NC) → pathtohopecounseling.com
Scaling Therapy Practices: Strategic Growth and Tactical Advice with Joshua Brummel In this episode of the Scaling Therapy Practice, host James Marland engages with Joshua Brummel from Therapy Flow, discussing strategies for adding significant revenue to therapy practices within a year. They dive into common bottlenecks such as marketing, recruitment, intake, and operations, and how a new in-person conference in 2025 can help address these challenges. Joshua explains the importance of finding and tackling growth bottlenecks, marketing ethically in the healthcare space, and the detailed planning of the upcoming event aimed at practice owners looking to scale. Hear about the goal of providing both high-level strategies and actionable advice to help attendees achieve substantial growth. Show Highlights 00:00 Introduction: The Million-Dollar Question 01:16 The Trap of Being Fully Booked 02:17 Guest Introduction: Joshua Brummel from Therapy Flow 03:40 Deep Dive: Marketing and Business Growth for Therapists 05:24 Ethical Marketing and Sales in Therapy 07:49 Planning and Executing a Successful Conference 22:28 Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts 31:45 Conclusion: Putting Your Mission in Motion Links and Resources Beyond Fully Booked Learning Event - https://coursecreationstudio.com/beyondfullyboked Sold Out Group Practice Con: https://grouppracticecon.com/gpc-2025 Therapy Flow Facebook Community Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/therapyflowcommunity Therapy Flow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mytherapyflow/ Therapy Flow Newsletter: https://join.mytherapyflow.com/join-therapy-flow-newsletter
In this episode of Scaling Therapy Practice, James Marland shares a deeply relatable truth for Therapists who create courses: we love to plan, but we often resist launching. From his own repeated webinar loop to renovation projects and mindset breakthroughs in mastermind groups, James unpacks why planning feels productive but can become a form of avoidance. If you’re a therapist or coach stuck in content creation mode but hesitant to ship your work, this episode will help you shift from perfection to progress. 3 Key Takeaways: Planning feels safe, but safety can become a trap. It provides a dopamine hit, but delays transformation. Clarity doesn’t come before action—it comes because of it. You figure it out by doing, not thinking. You can rewrite your mindset, but it’s faster in a community. Supportive people can believe in your future before you do. Scaling Therapy Practice Highlights [00:00:03] Why planning is a placebo and action is the real thing. Learn how planning gives a false sense of productivity for therapists creating online courses. [00:01:27] The familiar trap: creating a brilliant course idea… and never launching it. James shares personal examples of planning outlines, building slides, and never following through. [00:04:20] Truth 1: Planning is a vaccine—it protects you from risk. Understand how planning soothes your brain’s discomfort around vulnerability and exposure. [00:06:39] Quote from The Mountain Is You: “You cannot be committed to your dream and your comfort zone at the same time.” [00:07:07] Truth 2: Planning is a placebo—action is the real medicine. Real-world examples including home renovation and driving illustrate why action leads to clarity. [00:10:43] What successful people have in common: a bias toward action. Insights from Coach Builder by Donald Miller on why achievers move forward despite fear. [00:11:25] Quote from The Alchemist: “There is only one way to learn… It’s through action. Everything you need to know, you have learned through your journey.” [00:11:25] Truth 3: You can rewrite your brain—but it works better with others: mastermind reflections and belief-flipping practices for overcoming imposter syndrome. [00:16:04] Final encouragement: Goals aren’t magical, they’re maps. Introduction to Milestone 6 from the STEP Program and why measurable goals matter. [00:17:56] Gentle challenge: Write your next step, then take it. James walks you through a micro-action approach to break the planning loop. [00:18:51] CTA: Learn more about the STEP Program and join the next cohort. Get support, take action, and put your mission in motion. Resources & Links for Therapists from Episode 125 STEP Program – Sustainable Therapist Empowerment Program: Learn how to set real goals, take focused action, and grow with a supportive cohort. Confident Course Creator – Pay-what-you-can foundational course Books Mentioned The Mountain Is You by Brianna Wiest: A powerful guide to self-sabotage, transformation, and breaking through comfort zones. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho: A modern classic about purpose, action, and learning through the journey. Coach Builder by Donald Miller: Insights on leadership, action, and what truly sets successful creators apart. Clarify Your Goals James Marland, Income Flow Coach: Schedule a short clarity call with James to define your next step
This episode is for group practice owners and mission-minded therapists who are tired of going it alone. If you’ve ever felt like the leader and the loner in your business, you’re not broken; you need better support. In this conversation, James talks with Stephanie Korpal and Christy Pennison of The Practice CoLab about how intentional networking goes beyond referrals to something much more vital: sustainability, encouragement, and shared clarity. If you’ve been craving a real connection with people who get it, this one’s for you. Top 3 Reasons to Listen You’ll hear how peer support can help you make faster, more confident decisions. You’ll learn how to form or find a group of practice owners who are in your same stage. You’ll discover why having a support network isn’t optional—it’s essential. Show Highlights 02:00 — How a Zoom side-chat led to a therapist collaboration network 03:10 — Why focused coworking weekends help therapists get more done 05:00 — Accountability and intentionality: the secret to progress for practice owners 06:27 — What group practice owners need more than another strategy 07:45 — Managing mental bandwidth: why solo work isn’t always efficient 08:30 — How therapist leaders can stay focused and avoid burnout 11:15 — What “networking with intentionality” really means for practice owners 13:00 — Feeling isolated after hiring your first team? You’re not alone 14:50 — Why leadership in private practice can feel surprisingly lonely 15:00 — Building a support network as a therapist group practice owner 16:45 — Decision support: how therapist masterminds speed up clarity 18:10 — Therapist leadership support: the power of peer feedback 19:30 — How to start a mastermind group for therapists (without overwhelm) 21:00 — Find or form a network: tips for therapist community-building 22:40 — “If I can just make it to group…” — emotional sustainability for helpers 23:55 — Experienced therapists still need support (and where to get it) 24:50 — How therapist groups normalize challenges and reduce isolation 26:00 — Where to meet like-minded practice owners online and in person 27:20 — Give-to-give networking: how therapists can create reciprocal support 29:15 — Protecting your energy: networking that fuels, not drains 31:00 — About The Practice CoLab: offerings for group practice growth Links and Resources The Practice CoLab Website https://www.thepracticecollab.com Offers include: In-person working weekends Weekly mastermind groups The Collab Lab (in-person implementation-focused conference in St. Louis, Sept. 17–19) Free “Bestie Pop-Ups” on first Fridays Pomodoro Method (mentioned as the "Tomato Method"): https://pomofocus.io/
This episode is for therapists who are ready to stop riding the fragile rollercoaster of hourly work. If you’re exhausted, underpaid, or starting to feel the burnout creep in, it’s time to look at your practice differently. We’ll explore: Why the traditional therapy model keeps you stuck How to diversify income without burning out Practical ways to earn more while protecting your energy You’ll understand how the hourly model holds you back You’ll learn how adding just two income streams can increase your revenue by 22% You’ll walk away with hope—and a link to 15 ways you can start earning differently today Highlights [00:00] – Why the traditional hourly model is fragile and risky [02:01] – The 10-year burnout window for counselors—and what it means for you [05:00] – Who’s caring for the caregiver when the system doesn’t? [06:33] – The pay gap: Master's degree vs. counselor salaries [08:38] – How therapists added two income streams and boosted earnings 22% (TherapyDen article: https://www.therapyden.com/blog/therapist-income-usa) [10:34] – Real ideas: biofeedback, CEUs, telehealth across state lines [11:10] – Emotional margin is just as vital as financial margin [13:03] – Your calling doesn’t require a pay cut—smarter systems can honor both mission and income [13:59] – Free Resource: 15 Ways to Package Your Experience – https://www.coursecreationstudio.com/offers/FQTpX3LL/checkout Resources & Mentions Counseling Today: It’s Time for a Financial Change in Counseling – https://www.counseling.org/publications/counseling-today-magazine/article-archive/article/legacy/it-s-time-for-a-financial-change-in-counseling TherapyDen: Therapist Income USA – https://www.therapyden.com/blog/therapist-income-usa Free Resource – 15 Ways to Package Your Experience – https://www.coursecreationstudio.com/offers/FQTpX3LL/checkout Take Action If you're ready to earn more—without more sessions—start with this simple guide: 15 Ways to Package Your Experience – https://www.coursecreationstudio.com/offers/FQTpX3LL/checkout You became a therapist to help. That doesn’t mean you have to stay stuck in a system that doesn’t support you. Take one small, faithful step. I’m cheering you on.