Is private practice really "broken," or is the therapy industry simply evolving faster than we expected?

In this episode, I sit down with Allison Puryear for a grounded, honest conversation about the major shifts happening in the therapy industry as we head deeper into 2026. We unpack what is actually behind the slowdown so many therapists are feeling, why what worked from 2020 to 2023 no longer works the same way, and how big therapy tech, virtual care, insurance dynamics, and AI are reshaping access to care. Allison brings decades of perspective to help us zoom out, calm the panic, and understand what is truly changing and what is not.

We also talk about where therapists still have a massive advantage and how to build a practice that is sustainable, human-centered, and resilient in this new landscape. From relationship-based referrals and ethical networking to niche clarity, speaking opportunities, and adapting your marketing without burning out, this episode is about reclaiming agency and momentum when the noise feels overwhelming.

Topics Covered in this Episode:

• 4:12 - Why the "easy growth" years of private practice are over

• 7:45 - The real impact of big therapy tech that few are talking about

• 10:30 - How insurance, politics, and trust are quietly shifting client behavior

• 14:05 - What therapists can do that large platforms cannot

• 17:50 - Why networking still works and how to do it authentically

• 20:40 - What AI will realistically change in therapy

• 23:15 - Creative ways to stand out without adding more hours

Wanting to add additional revenue streams in this year? The Scale Up Mastermind is now open for registration for our February 13th cohort kick off! It is application only for high-level therapists looking to scale beyond 1-1. Take 4 minutes and apply here today: https://form.typeform.com/to/f3eIK2r9#source=xxxxx

Resources Mentioned:

Find out more about Alma here: helloalma.com/danielle

Take 50% off your first 4 months of Simple Practice + a 7 day free trial using the link: simplepractice.com/danielle

Connect with Allison: www.abundancepracticebuilding.com

Follow Allison on IG: https://www.instagram.com/abundance_practice_building/

Abundance Practice Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWFACumyV8XlBgvUfcbyt9Q

What if the reason you haven't hit multi-six figures yet has nothing to do with your strategy and everything to do with your identity?

In this episode, I'm diving into one of the biggest (and most overlooked) reasons entrepreneurial therapists stay stuck: the identity ceiling they're unconsciously living under. I'm sharing why you don't need permission to evolve, why mindset (not marketing) is often the real bottleneck to growth, and how the identity you're operating from determines what feels "safe" or "possible" in your business. We'll talk about what it really takes to scale in 2026, especially when you're in the messy middle, things aren't shiny anymore, and quitting feels tempting.

I also open up about my own identity shifts from solo therapist to multi–six–figure entrepreneur and the uncomfortable growth that came with it. We explore failure (and why you must be willing to fail fast), the hidden fears that keep therapists playing small, and how surrounding yourself with the right rooms and people can fundamentally change what you believe you're capable of. If you're done repeating the same year over and over and ready to step into a bigger version of yourself, this episode is for you.

Topics Covered in this Episode:

• 4:48 - The unconscious rules you're following that may be holding you back

• 7:30 - What it really means to "change your identity overnight"

• 10:05 - The uncomfortable question every scaling therapist must answer

• 12:40 - Why failing fast is a non-negotiable skill in 2026

• 15:18 - The tradeoffs no one talks about when you decide to scale

• 18:55 - How your body can reveal the goals you're secretly afraid to hit

As you head into this new year, I want you to ask yourself: Who do I need to become to create the results I want? If this episode resonated, take the next step and join me for my free live training in January, where I'll be breaking down three concrete strategies to scale in 2026. Sign up, grab the workbook, and come hang out with me live!

Resources Mentioned:

Join my New Year Masterclass on 3 Strategies to Scaling in 2026 for Entrepreneurial Therapists: https://www.theentrepreneurialtherapist.com/webinar

Find out more about Alma here: helloalma.com/danielle

Take 50% off your first 4 months of Simple Practice + a 7 day free trial using the link: simplepractice.com/danielle

Is SEO still worth your time as a therapist in a world dominated by AI and constant algorithm changes? In this replay of one of our most downloaded episodes of the year, I sit down with SEO expert Chris Morin from Moonraker to break down what actually moves the needle when it comes to getting your private practice website to rank on Google. We talk honestly about whether Google is still relevant, how AI fits into modern SEO (without turning your website into generic fluff), and why content creation is still one of the most powerful and accessible marketing strategies for therapists today.

In this conversation, Chris shares a refreshingly practical approach to SEO that feels doable even if you're juggling a full caseload. We dive into how people are really searching for therapy, the biggest mistakes therapists make with service pages, and how to structure your site so Google actually understands what you do, who you help, and where you're located. If SEO has ever felt overwhelming, confusing, or like a total black hole of effort, this episode will help you see a clear path forward and remind you that you don't need to do everything to see results.

Topics Covered in This Episode:

• 3:58 - Why Google rankings are far from "dead" (even with ChatGPT in the mix)

• 7:14 - The single SEO strategy that delivers the biggest ROI for therapists

• 9:32 - How clients actually search for therapy (and why "individual therapy" might be hurting you)

• 12:48 - The surprising power of modality-based pages like EMDR, CBT, and IFS

• 15:41 - How to use AI strategically without publishing generic, low-value content

• 21:44 - The hidden SEO mistake almost everyone makes inside their blog posts

• 24:03 - What backlinks really do and how many you actually need

• 29:10 - The trust signal Google cares about most (and how to build it ethically)

If you're ready to stop guessing and start building a marketing strategy that actually supports your practice growth, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in, take notes, and then choose one thing you can implement this month. And if this conversation clicks for you, join us in the Practice Accelerator and get started for $100 off using our special promo code for podcast listeners, ALLIN!

Resources Mentioned:

Needing more private pay clients in the New Year and wanting to dive in deeper on SEO? Join the Practice Accelerator here to get started with our podcast listeners getting $100 off using the code ALLIN! https://www.theentrepreneurialtherapist.com/practice-accelerator-sales-page

Find out more about Alma here: helloalma.com/danielle

Take 50% off your first 4 months of Simple Practice + a 7 day free trial using the link: simplepractice.com/danielle