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Artwork for Selling the Couch

Selling the Couch

Melvin Varghese, PhD
Mental Health
Online Courses
Podcasting
Private Practice
Therapists
Therapy
Burnout
Content Creation
Entrepreneurship
Marketing Strategies
Linkedin
Online Course Creation
Marketing
Writing
Self-Care
Decluttering
Government Contracts
Book Publishing
Social Media Marketing
Social Media

With 1.81 million+ downloads, Selling the Couch is an Apple Top Career podcast for current and future mental health private practitioners who think differently. Psychologist Melvin Varghese interviews successful therapists in private practice about how they built their businesses as well as top entrepreneurs, business/marketing, and social media experts.* You'll learn how therapists get referrals,... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes302Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Mental HealthHealth & FitnessCareersBusiness

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Artwork for Selling the Couch

Latest Episodes

What does it actually look like to market your work… without losing your humanity?

In today’s episode of Selling the Couch, I’m joined by Shayna Vance Roman to explore a powerful and often overlooked idea: human-centric marketing—and how to apply it... more

Is AI actually giving us more freedom… or just more to do?

In this episode, I reflect on something I’ve been noticing lately, both in my own life and in conversations with other business owners:

Even though AI makes it easier to write, create, and ... more

If you’ve been told to “just start a blog” to grow your private practice and be seen online, but you’re now wondering if AI has made that advice outdated... this episode is for you.

In this conversation, I sit down with Daniel Fava from Private Prac... more

After 11 years, 400+ episodes, and nearly 2 million downloads, I thought I understood what drives podcast growth.

Then I saw the data, and it challenged a lot of assumptions.

In this episode, I break down what actually drives podcast downloads toda... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Podcast Host
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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Daniel Fava
From Private Practice Elevation, focuses on website design/SEO for therapists
Private Practice Elevation
Episode: 416: Is Blogging Still Worth It In The AI Age?
Samara Stone
LCSW, branding expert and founder of Be Fully Grown
Be Fully Grown
Episode: ENCORE: How to Show Up Imperfect In Your Marketing
Michael Rothermel
Videographer and filmmaker; founder of cursivefilms.com
Cursive Films
Episode: ENCORE: Pro Tips To Improve The Quality Of Live Videos
Dr. Justin Dotson
Licensed therapist and founder of Navigating Courage Counseling
Episode: 413: What They Don’t Tell Therapists About Owning a Small Business
TJ Walsh
A fellow clinician and coach based in Philadelphia
TJ Walsh Coaching
Episode: 411: Making Peace with Your Becoming: Navigating Brand Evolution as a Therapist
Dr. Emily Anhalt
Psychologist and author of the book Flex Your Feelings
dremilyanhalt.com
Episode: 407: How to Build Emotional Fitness as a Therapist and Quiet Leader
Nikki Sewell
Therapist focused on grief counseling and creator of an online course for therapists.
nickysewell.com
Episode: ENCORE: Charging Premium Prices For Your Online Course (Money Blocks + Fears)
Angela Williams
A Licensed Clinical Social Worker and coach focused on helping other therapists transition from clinical practice to coaching.
Episode: ENCORE: Mental Roadblocks Of Going From Clinician To Coach with Angela Williams, LCSW
Kieran Drew
Former dentist turned copywriter and writing coach
Episode: ENCORE: 3 Tips To Become An Awesome Storyteller Online

Host

Melvin Varghese
Host of Selling the Couch

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 384 ratings
  • Thoughtful Growth for Therapists Who Think Bigger

    Selling the Couch is such a valuable resource for therapists looking to grow beyond the traditional model. Melvin brings a thoughtful blend of business strategy, mindset, and real-world experience that makes building a sustainable, impactful practice feel achievable. I especially appreciate how openly he shares his own journey, making the path feel both relatable and inspiring.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Steph Kwong
    United Statesa month ago
  • Push pull propel with episode 411

    I get value from each episode but this one was the right one at the right time. I’m embarking on expanding my brand and leaving traditional private practice.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Angelphace
    United States3 months ago
  • Listen and learn!

    I’ve been listening to Selling The Couch for years. Melvin always has great topics and interesting guests, providing tremendous value to therapists everywhere. 10 out of 10, definitely recommend.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Uriah Guilford
    United Statesa year ago
  • Very Helpful

    Melvin, thank you for all of the great wisdom and advice that you have shared with your amazing podcast. I have learned so much since following you! I love the varied types of guests and topics and have benefited so much in my private practice with all of the knowledge that I have gained from your many interviews.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Veggie Hot Dog
    United States2 years ago
  • Approachable and Insightful

    Melvin does a masterful job of interviewing a variety of experts, and offering his own insights. I am not a mental health professional, but I still gain a lot of value from this show. I highly recommend it!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    EngagedMarriage.com
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Very positive reception of host's authenticity and interviewing style.
Listeners appreciate the mix of clinician guests and business/marketing experts.
A few negative reviews exist noting some episodes feel fluffy or heavy on talk rather than concrete steps.
Many reviews highlight actionable, real-world takeaways for growing private practices.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#243
Chile/Business/Careers

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

ENCORE: Pro Tips To Improve The Quality Of Live Videos
Q: So what is the first tip you want therapists to focus on for improving live video quality?
We start with sound quality, explaining how clean, well-balanced audio is foundational; then we move to lighting and finally composition to create a cohesive, professional look.
411: Making Peace with Your Becoming: Navigating Brand Evolution as a Therapist
Q: You've talked about how branding often gets worked out in real time. Why is this especially true for therapists and helpers when we're in seasons of growth or seasons of reinvention?
Branding should not be viewed as a static element; it's a dynamic process that evolves with personal and professional growth.
409: How to Use AI for Content Creation—Without Losing Your Voice
Q: For someone who wants to delegate part of their content workflow, how do you make sure the final product still sounds like you?
Provide clear inputs and outputs along with examples of your voice to AI, ensuring the generated content aligns with your style and messaging.
409: How to Use AI for Content Creation—Without Losing Your Voice
Q: How do you help someone get started using AI without losing their authentic voice?
Start by collaborating and brainstorming ideas, and gather feedback. Explore different points in the writing process where AI can assist without replacing the human touch.
407: How to Build Emotional Fitness as a Therapist and Quiet Leader
Q: Why is emotional fitness especially important for people in helping roles or in leadership?
Emotional fitness ensures that leaders can support others without depleting themselves, allowing them to show up sustainably for long-term work.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Selling the Couch

What is Selling the Couch about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show targets mental health professionals who want to build and scale private practices while exploring entrepreneurship, marketing, and audience growth. Across episodes the host interviews practicing therapists, clinicians turned business builders, and experts in marketing, storytelling, and online course creation. Listeners can expect concrete guidance on client referrals, pricing, branding, and using digital tools to expand reach without compromising authentic care. A notable strength is the consistent emphasis on human-centered approaches—balancing vulnerability, personal growth, and practical business strategies—making it useful for therapists seeking sustainable growth or professionals exploring side ventures in education and onlin... more

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How many listeners does Selling the Couch get?

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To see how many followers or subscribers Selling the Couch has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

How many episodes of Selling the Couch are there?

Selling the Couch launched 11 years ago and published 302 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Selling the Couch?

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What guests have appeared on Selling the Couch?

Recent guests on Selling the Couch include:

1. Daniel Fava
2. Samara Stone
3. Michael Rothermel
4. Dr. Justin Dotson
5. TJ Walsh
6. Dr. Emily Anhalt
7. Nikki Sewell
8. Angela Williams

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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