In this episode, Jeanene Wolfe chats with Michelle Risser, a therapist turned CEU provider and multi-passionate entrepreneur. Michelle shares her journey from working in HIV/AIDS social work to teaching large conferences and eventually becoming a CEU provider during COVID as a way to explore additional income streams. She discusses the paperwork and approval process, emphasizing that it shouldn't deter therapists from sharing their expertise. Using the acronym KEEP (Knowledge, Education, Experience, Passion), Michelle helps therapists identify their unique strengths and build courses on topics like sibling loss, burnout, and perinatal mental health. Michelle's practical advice, like her catchphrase "Choose one thing and start," encourages therapists to strategically expand their offerings while managing their workload effectively. 

Don’t miss this inspiring conversation packed with actionable insights on reducing burnout and building new opportunities!

“Another thing I want people to keep in mind is that a lot of times therapists who haven't done any additional income streams don't realize that when I say $20 an hour and people go, Oh, but I make 150 in my therapy practice, okay, but you're not just gonna have one person in your course, right? It's $20 an hour per person. So if it's a two hour CE for 39 bucks, you get 10 people in there, which is not a lot and not hard. You just made $390. That's more than I make for two hours in my therapy practice. I know it's not for people in different areas, but to me, it's like I'm doing something different, I'm doing something fun, and I'm making at least the same money or more, and possibly put it on demand. Like you said, you're adding people into your world and onto your list, and you're establishing your expertise, and it's just so many good things about it, and you're at least making your your therapy income, if not more.”- Michelle Risser

Let’s talk about:

***Michelle’s Journey to CEU Providing: Michelle transitioned from 1:1 work with clients to becoming a CEU provider during COVID as a way of seeking additional income streams.

***The KEEP Framework: Using the acronym KEEP (Knowledge, Education, Experience, Passion) to identify unique expertise and ensure confidence in teaching CEU courses.

***Popular CEU Topics: In-demand topics include sibling loss, infant loss, EMDR, burnout, and perinatal mental health. Appealing course titles and descriptions are critical for participant interest.

***The Role of Marketing: Effective marketing strategies, including SEO and social media, can help therapists promote their CEU courses and overcome discomfort with self-promotion.

***Balancing Multiple Income Streams: Manage additional responsibilities by setting boundaries, prioritizing tasks, and leaning on a supportive network to reduce burnout.

About the Michelle Risser:

Michelle is a therapist in private practice and a multi-passionate entrepreneur. She believes that diversified income streams are the key to more impact and less burnout for mental health professionals. Michelle is passionate about helping therapists step into their expertise as approved CEU providers so they can have more income and more impact! She's the creator of several courses as well as her group mentorship program, The Therapist Educators Academy.  Michelle lives with her family in Central Ohio, rows on a rowing team, is a cat lady with no cats, and is obsessed with knitting.

Connect with Michelle:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelle_risser

Get updates about future Fictionalized Clinical Consultation Groups: www.CollabOasis.com/FCC_live

Connect with Jeanene:

*Get your free Four Keys to Private Practice Peace of Mind workbook: https://collaboasis.com/4keysworkbook

*Learn more about clinical consultation groups: https://collaboasis.com/

*Join my free therapist Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/oasispcgt

*Connect on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jeanene-wolfe-lcsw-64042220a/