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Private Practice Elevation with Daniel Fava

Private Practice Elevation with Daniel Fava

Written by: Daniel Fava
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 Daniel Fava from Create My Therapist Website is on a quest to uncover the best website and online marketing strategies so you can grow a successful private practice and do the work you love. Discover how you can build an effective website for your therapy practice, attract the right clients through content marketing and blogging tips, develop passive streams of income and attract more of your ideal clients just by being your amazing self. Other topics for discussion include SEO (search engine optimization) for private practice, finding your niche, website design, conversion tactics, outsourcing and more to help you create an impact and grow your income with your therapy, counseling, healing or physical therapy business. Art Economics Marketing Marketing & Sales
Episodes
  • 199. Finding Success in Slow Growth: A Conversation with Melvin Varghese

    199. Finding Success in Slow Growth: A Conversation with Melvin Varghese
    Jan 19 2026
    Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the pressure to grow quickly, show up on every social platform, or chase bigger numbers just for the sake of it? If so, this episode is for you. In this episode of the Private Practice Elevation Podcast, Daniel Fava welcomes back psychologist and entrepreneur Melvin Varghese for a heartfelt and insightful conversation about building a private practice (or any type of business) at a pace that aligns with your life and values. Melvin shares how he's intentionally slowed down his business growth to protect his well-being and stay grounded in what really matters: service, sustainability, and family. You'll hear how Selling the Couch grew into a successful course and podcast platform, and why Melvin chose not to scale rapidly, even when there was financial momentum. Instead, he prioritized nervous system regulation, systems, and structure that would allow him to thrive for the long haul, not just sprint for short-term gains. Daniel and Melvin also talk candidly about how personal life seasons, like parenting, caregiving, and health challenges, impact business decisions. Their honest discussion is a reminder that success doesn't have to mean constant hustle. Sometimes, it looks like doing less, more intentionally. Whether you're building a solo practice or branching into online income, you'll come away from this episode with encouragement to define success on your own terms — and the permission to grow at your own pace. This Episode Answers: 1. What does it really mean to build a lifestyle business as a therapist? Melvin breaks down how he's designed his business to support health, family, and legacy over constant hustle. He shares insights from growing Selling the Couch to $12k/month in course income and why he chose to pause and re-evaluate instead of scaling aggressively. 2. How can therapists know which marketing channels to focus on? Rather than trying to be everywhere, Melvin recommends aligning your marketing with your long-term goals. For example, if you want to speak, podcasting or YouTube can build your skills and audience. He shares how he sticks to three core channels to maintain quality and avoid burnout. 3. What's the role of nervous system regulation in business growth? Both Daniel and Melvin reflect on the emotional toll of entrepreneurship. They discuss how rituals like prayer, reflection, golf, and quiet time in nature are essential to managing stress and sustaining a business long-term. Other Key Takeaways: Entrepreneurship is not a race. Slow growth can be strategic and soul-sustaining. Having a team and systems in place doesn't eliminate stress, but it does help with sustainability. There's a natural cap to lifestyle businesses ($250k–$300k/year), and scaling beyond that requires a mindset shift. Your personal life and business are interconnected. Seasons of life should inform business strategy. You don't need to be on every social media platform. Choose what aligns with your energy and vision. Links mentioned in this episode: Selling the Couch: https://sellingthecouch.com Quiet Builder Newsletter: https://sellingthecouch.com/quietbuilder Episode 16. The Top 5 Mistakes Therapists Make When Starting a Podcast w/ Melvin Varghese Watch The Video: This Episode Is Brought To You By: RevKey specializes in Google Ads management for therapists, expertly connecting you with your ideal clients. They focus on getting quality referrals that keep your team busy and your practice growing. Visit RevKey.com/podcasts for a free Google Ads consultation Alma is on a mission to simplify access to high-quality, affordable mental health care by giving providers the tools they need to build thriving in-network private practices. When providers join Alma, they gain access to insurance support, teletherapy software, client referrals, automated billing and scheduling tools, and a vibrant community of clinicians who come together for education, training, and events. Learn more about building a thriving private practice with Alma at helloalma.com/elevation. About Melvin Varghese Melvin Varghese, PhD is a licensed psychologist in Philadelphia, PA. In 2015, Dr. Varghese founded Selling The Couch, a podcast to help therapists move from clinical to online income. On the podcast, he interviews successful practitioners about how they've built their practices, social media/marketing experts, and shares lessons as he uses our clinical skills to create an online business powered by podcasting + online courses. The podcast is one of the top Career podcasts in Apple Podcasts, has been downloaded over 1.8 million times, and is heard in over 125 countries. Dr. Varghese also founded several resources for therapists transitioning from the therapist chair to online income, including a podcasting community for therapists that's supported over 240 therapist podcasters, an online course mastermind for therapists ...
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    51 mins
  • 198. Is Traditional SEO Dead for Therapists?

    198. Is Traditional SEO Dead for Therapists?
    Jan 5 2026
    In this episode of the Private Practice Elevation Podcast, you'll discover how the evolving world of SEO and AI is changing the way therapy practices grow online. Daniel Fava sits down with Chris Morin of Moonraker AI to explore actionable SEO strategies, the future of search, and how to prepare your private practice website for the age of AI-powered discovery. Therapists are often overwhelmed by conflicting SEO advice and unsure how to adapt to the fast-changing world of online search. Many feel stuck using outdated tactics or relying on blog content that takes too long to approve and publish. This episode demystifies what's working now in SEO and how therapists can keep their websites relevant, visible, and converting. You might think blog posts are the backbone of a strong SEO strategy. But Chris and Daniel discuss why blog content may no longer be the best place to focus your energy, and what to prioritize instead to rank higher and connect with your ideal clients. Today Daniel is talking with Chris Morin, the founder of Moonraker AI, an SEO agency that helps therapists build visibility and client trust through smart, user-focused online strategies. Chris brings years of experience, a personal connection to mental health work, and a wealth of insight into the future of search. This Episode Answers… 1. What are the most important elements of modern SEO for therapy websites? Chris breaks down the pillars of effective SEO today: fast, secure websites; clear site structure with specialty, modality, and location pages; and a focus on relevance over keyword stuffing. He explains how Google rewards clarity and penalizes outdated tactics. 2. How is AI changing the way people find therapists online? AI-generated answers and voice search are reshaping how people search for help. Chris explains how modular, conversational content (like expanded FAQs) can help your website appear in AI-generated results, even if you're not on page one of Google. 3. Should therapists still prioritize blogging for SEO? Not necessarily. Both Daniel and Chris talk about why blog posts aren't the silver bullet they used to be, and how homepage optimization, clear service pages, and press mentions can have a greater impact on SEO and conversion. Other Key Takeaways: Clear, structured content is essential: one service per page, with a focused keyword. Over-optimized pages may now hurt your rankings. Aligning your website with your Google Business Profile is more important than ever. Apple Maps and Bing Places are critical for visibility (not just Google Maps). Press releases and consistent citations build trust with search engines. AI chatbots (like Moonraker's Engage) may soon replace contact forms, boosting conversion. Therapists must embrace a conversational, user-centered tone online to connect and convert. Links mentioned in this episode: Moonraker Website Get an SEO Assessment for your website Watch The Video: This Episode Is Brought To You By: RevKey specializes in Google Ads management for therapists, expertly connecting you with your ideal clients. They focus on getting quality referrals that keep your team busy and your practice growing. Visit RevKey.com/podcasts for a free Google Ads consultation Alma is on a mission to simplify access to high-quality, affordable mental health care by giving providers the tools they need to build thriving in-network private practices. When providers join Alma, they gain access to insurance support, teletherapy software, client referrals, automated billing and scheduling tools, and a vibrant community of clinicians who come together for education, training, and events. Learn more about building a thriving private practice with Alma at helloalma.com/elevation. About Chris Moran Before marketing, I was a massage therapist for over 15 years, providing chair massage to local businesses. That work connected me to countless wellness providers and I had the opportunity to experience firsthand their deep desire to be of service in a world that desperately needs healing. I also witnessed how so many amazing practitioners struggle to connect with the clients who need their services the most. A highly intuitive group, many feel that digital marketing is overwhelming, causing them to avoid the necessary steps to establish an online presence. My goal is to help therapists and wellness providers boost their online visibility and connect with their ideal clients so they can build the practice of their dreams. About Daniel Fava Daniel Fava is the owner and founder of Private Practice Elevation, a website and SEO agency focused on helping private practice owners create websites that increase their online visibility and attract more clients. Private Practice Elevation offers web design services, SEO (search engine optimization), and WordPress support to help private practice owners grow their businesses through online marketing. Daniel ...
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    58 mins
  • 197. What Do Practice Owners Need to Know About Billing to Be Successful?

    197. What Do Practice Owners Need to Know About Billing to Be Successful?
    Dec 22 2025
    Is it possible to grow a thriving therapy practice while taking insurance? If you've ever wondered whether insurance billing is worth the headache, or how to do it right, this episode is for you. Today's guest, Jeremy Zug, co-founder of Practice Solutions, breaks down what private practice owners need to know about billing in order to be successful. With over a decade in the healthcare industry and a team that manages billing for thousands of providers, Jeremy brings clarity and strategy to a topic that overwhelms a lot of therapists. Whether you're solo and private pay or growing a group practice, you'll walk away with fresh insights, helpful mindset shifts, and even a few small changes that could dramatically improve your revenue. This episode answers... 1. Do I need to take insurance to grow my therapy practice? Not necessarily — but if you do, it needs to be intentional. Jeremy shares that some of the most successful practices limit themselves to one commercial payer and one government payer (like Medicaid or Medicare). This approach reduces administrative overwhelm and allows you to stay aligned with your clinical mission. Trying to accept every insurance plan in your area can actually slow your growth, especially as your practice scales. Instead, focus on which payers make the most sense based on your long-term goals, who you serve, and what the reimbursement rates look like in your region. Insurance can absolutely support practice growth, especially when it's chosen strategically. 2. When should I outsource my billing — and when should I bring it back in-house? Outsourcing makes the most sense when your caseload is full. That's usually around 25 to 30 active clients. At that point, billing becomes a time-consuming task that pulls you away from clinical work or team leadership. Jeremy recommends outsourcing to save time and reduce stress, which ultimately helps you grow faster. But once your practice reaches about $2.5 to $3 million in revenue, it may be time to bring billing back in-house with a full-time hire. At that stage, having someone on your team who's dedicated to billing can help you scale more efficiently. It's not a one-time decision. It's about matching your billing approach to your practice's size and complexity. 3. How can I improve my billing process and increase revenue? Even small tweaks to your billing workflow can make a big difference. Jeremy explains how simply reordering certain steps, like reviewing payment posting before resubmitting claims, can dramatically reduce denials and speed up revenue. Many practices waste time by resubmitting the same flawed claims without resolving the underlying issue. He also stresses the importance of reviewing your insurance aging report regularly, which shows you what claims are still unpaid and where you might be losing money. Billing isn't just about submitting claims; it's about building a system that supports healthy cash flow. The more visibility and control you have over your billing process, the more financially stable your practice becomes. In This Episode, You'll Also Learn: Why less is more when it comes to insurance plans How your geography and demographics should shape your billing strategy The six key steps of billing, and which one to do before submitting claims When to outsource billing (and when to take it back in-house) How to use insurance aging reports to track lost revenue Why clean billing processes can boost staff retention The right way to negotiate insurance rates using data Real examples of practices recovering thousands of dollars Links mentioned in this episode: Practice Solutions Website Insurance Rate Increase Request Watch The Video: This Episode Is Brought To You By: RevKey specializes in Google Ads management for therapists, expertly connecting you with your ideal clients. They focus on getting quality referrals that keep your team busy and your practice growing. Visit RevKey.com/podcasts for a free Google Ads consultation Alma is on a mission to simplify access to high-quality, affordable mental health care by giving providers the tools they need to build thriving in-network private practices. When providers join Alma, they gain access to insurance support, teletherapy software, client referrals, automated billing and scheduling tools, and a vibrant community of clinicians who come together for education, training, and events. Learn more about building a thriving private practice with Alma at helloalma.com/elevation. About Jeremy Zug Jeremy Zug has over a decade of experience in the healthcare industry. Jeremy is known for his expertise in insurance billing, and frequently writes and speaks on topics that support mental health professionals in achieving financial health and operational excellence. He co-founded Practice Solutions with his wife Kathryn in 2017, relying on their combined knowledge from private practices they had ...
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    38 mins
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