Happy, Healthy, & Wealthy Therapists
Therapists deserve more than burnout, guilt, and barely scraping by. Dr. Amanda Buduris is here to prove that you can build a business that supports your clients and your bank account, your nervous system and your biggest dreams. On Happy, Healthy, & Wealthy Therapists, Amanda blends practical marketing and SEO strategies with real, behind-the-scenes stories of growing a thriving practice, and how to scale beyond it. Whether you're building a sustainable private practice or expanding into intensives, coaching, workshops, or retreats, this podcast will help you do the work that truly lights you up, get paid well for it, and finally stop feeling bad for making good money.
Episodes
HHW Therapists 61 - How Do You Want to Make Your Money?
Most therapists set an income goal for the year without deciding where that money will come from. Amanda walks through how she plans a full year ahead, starting with the spreadsheet where she tracks money she's already secured from payment plans and sponsorships. She explains how breaking her income down by offer helps her decide what to scale and what to pull back on, and why she books a full VIP
HHW Therapists 60 - Do You Profit From Pain or From Healing?
Amanda talks with Katie, a Washington State therapist who mentors other therapists, about the emotions underneath fee increases and consult calls. Katie shares starting out at $60 to $80 a session and the reframe that changed how she sees earning money from this work. Amanda adds how she brings the same block to her therapist and her business coach, and why each conversation goes differently. Toge
HHW Therapists 59 - I'm Choosing More Call Time Over More Admin Time
Amanda shares what the last few months actually looked like behind the scenes: pausing the second cohort of her mastermind, spending close to $9,000 on ads to scale her Therapy Intensives Academy, and then deciding to bring the mastermind back. She gets into how she knew something wasn't working, what she uses as data beyond just the numbers, and why the business model that made sense six months a
HHW Therapists 58 - Building a Practice That Funds the Life You Actually Want
Sandra Killebrew is a couples therapist in Tacoma who specializes in high conflict couples, runs therapy intensives, and has been thinking about financial independence and early retirement since before she even finished grad school. In this conversation, she and Amanda get into what it actually looks like to build something worth having, including a year of posting on Instagram with almost no resu
HHW Therapists 57 - Is It Actually Easier To Sell To Other Therapists?
A question that keeps coming up in Amanda's mastermind is whether it's easier to sell to other therapists than to sell directly to consumers. The short answer is no, and this episode is about why. She gets into why it only looks easier from the outside, what the algorithm is actually showing you when you scroll through Instagram, and what really determines whether any offer succeeds regardless of
HHW Therapists 56 - How to Know If You Actually Have Proof of Concept
Proof of concept is one of those phrases that gets thrown around a lot in business spaces without a lot of clarity on what it actually means or when you actually have it. Amanda gets into why most people misread their own data, what it actually means when a launch goes quiet, and why changing your price or restructuring your offer means you're running a completely new experiment, not a continuatio
HHW Therapists 55 - Stop Charging Your Worth, Start Charging Your Needs
The advice to "charge your worth" is everywhere in therapist spaces, and Amanda has some real problems with it. Not because the intent is wrong, but because for most therapists with complex trauma and a complicated relationship with self-worth, it's not actually useful guidance. She makes the case for a different frame: charging what you need, and not just for right now. That means thinking beyond
HHW Therapists 54 - How I Plan for 2 Week Vacations While Running 2 Businesses
Amanda gets into what time off actually looks like when you run two businesses, and why it looks nothing like the social media version of passive income and unplugging for weeks at a time. She breaks down how premium fees and a smaller caseload changed what taking time off even felt like, why she still chooses to take some calls while traveling, and how she thinks through which commitments to keep
HHW Therapists 53 - Weekly Sessions or Intensives? Choose on Purpose.
At some point, if you add therapy intensives and they actually start working, you hit a decision point nobody prepares you for. Your intensive calendar is filling up, your weekly caseload is still full of people you genuinely care about, and a new consult request just landed in your inbox. What do you do? Amanda gets into the three separate decisions most therapists are trying to answer all at onc
HHW Therapists 52 - I Charge $1500 for My Intensives. You Shouldn't Copy That Number.
Amanda makes the case that comparing your intensive rate to what everyone else charges is the easy question dressed up as the hard one. The real question, the one most therapists skip right past, is what are you actually trying to buy back with that money? Time, peace, the ability to say no without panic, evenings that belong to you instead of your notes? That answer looks different for every ther
HHW Therapists 51 - Why Your Next Certification Won't Get You Fully Booked
Amanda makes an argument that might be uncomfortable to sit with: the thing most therapists think is holding them back from premium fees, whether that's a missing certification, not enough years of experience, or a niche that isn't narrow enough, is almost never actually the thing. She walks through what really happens when clients book a therapy intensive, how the modality is usually the hook but
HHW Therapists 50 - The Marketing Mistake Killing Your Private Pay Practice
Most therapists change their fee, go out of network, maybe build out a specialized offer, and then wonder why inquiries aren't converting the way they should. Amanda's argument in this episode is that the clinical work changed, the business model changed, but the marketing never got the memo. She breaks down what clients paying premium fees out of pocket are actually looking for, why warm and gene
HHW Therapists 49 - What's Actually Working for Premium Fees in 2026
Amanda makes the case that premium therapy fees in 2026 have almost nothing to do with certifications, credentials, or years of experience. What's actually driving higher rates is positioning and access, and most therapists are missing both. She walks through how therapy intensives work as a catalyst not just for adding income, but for raising your weekly rate, rebuilding confidence in your clinic
HHW Therapists 48 - How I Went from $125 to $500 Per Session
Amanda gets into her own fee history, from her very first client at $85 a session to charging $400 to $500 an hour for therapy intensives, and what actually made each increase possible. This isn't a pep talk about charging your worth. It's an honest look at the two myths keeping most therapists underpriced, how to know when you're actually ready to raise your rates, and why staying too low for too
HHW Therapists 47 - The #1 Thing That Helped Me Scale to $1.25M in 4 Years
Amanda makes the case for the one thing that has done more for her business growth than any offer, marketing strategy, or sales technique: capacity. If you're a therapist who knows your offer works and clients keep coming back, but you still feel like you're drowning, your problem probably isn't your strategy. It's that you are the entire delivery mechanism for everything in your business. Amanda
HHW Therapists 46 - The AI and Overdelivering Trap
Amanda calls out something she's been sitting with for a while: the obsession with building faster using AI, and why it's actually working against you. This isn't an anti-AI episode, but it is an honest one. She breaks down why handing your program design, landing page copy, and curriculum over to AI creates something that could belong to anyone, and in a crowded market full of therapists-turned-c
HHW Therapists 45 - She Surpassed Last Year's Revenue by July
Amanda sits down with Danielle Sampson, a licensed clinical social worker who went from seeing 28-30 insurance clients a week to building a thriving SEO business for therapists, launching a course, and starting a group practice, all within about a year. Danielle gets real about what it actually looked like to scale: the membership idea that flopped, the shoulder surgery that forced her to think di
HHW Therapists 44 - 4 Lessons from Scaling My Coaching Business
Amanda pulls back the curtain on what scaling her coaching business actually looked like, including the four lessons she wishes someone had told her way earlier. She gets into why spending big before you've proven your concept is a trap, why complexity feels like progress but usually isn't, why hustle culture is just burnout with better branding, and why following someone else's blueprint to the l
HHW Therapists 43 - What's Actually Working in Launches Right Now
Amanda wraps up the Summer Spark series by getting into what actually makes a launch work, and why most therapists unknowingly sabotage their own. She walks through the four core launch levers: bonuses, payment plans, guarantees, and urgency and scarcity, and breaks down how to use each one in a way that fits a therapist's business specifically. She also names the thing that trips most people up,
HHW Therapists 42 - What Starting a Second Business Actually Costs
Amanda Buduris tackles one of the most common fears therapists have about building a second income stream: how much is this actually going to cost? She breaks down what you genuinely need to spend money on at the starting phase, what you can skip until your business earns the right to grow, and how your investment profile should change as your revenue does. She also gets into the cost nobody talks
HHW Therapists 41 - The Real Reason Your Launches Work (Or Don't)
In this episode, Amanda Buduris discusses the importance of nurturing content over conversion content in the context of successful launches for therapists and entrepreneurs. She emphasizes that a successful launch is built long before the cart opens, primarily through long-form content that fosters relationships and trust with potential clients. Amanda explains the difference between nurture and c
HHW Therapists 40 - Should Therapists Add Coaching?
Amanda gets into one of the most common questions she hears from therapists: should you add coaching to your practice? This isn't a vague "it depends" answer. She walks through the real pros and cons, what therapists consistently get wrong when making this decision, and the four questions you need to answer before you build anything. The pros are genuine: more creative freedom, higher income ceili
HHW Therapists 39 - Why Is Making More Money Still Not Giving Me The Freedom I Wanted?
In this episode, Amanda Buduris discusses the various business models available to therapists looking to scale their practices. She emphasizes the importance of understanding what therapists are optimizing for in their careers, whether it be income, flexibility, or fulfillment. Amanda breaks down several models including the traditional weekly caseload, therapy intensives, digital products, and co
HHW Therapists 38 - Behind the Scenes of a $71k Month as a Therapist and Coach
In this episode, Amanda Buduris shares her journey to achieving a $71,000 month as a therapist and coach. She breaks down the various components that contributed to this financial success, including her revenue streams, expenses, and the mindset required to achieve such results. Amanda emphasizes the importance of balancing therapy and coaching, understanding the intricacies of running a business,
HHW Therapists 37 - From Solo to $2M (And Almost Burned It Down)
Amanda sits down with Dr. Anahita Banoo Lake-Khosravi, a Denver-based psychologist who built a group practice from scratch, scaled to nine therapists and over two million dollars in revenue, and recently sold it. In this conversation, Anahita gets real about what it actually takes to scale a group practice with intention, why so many practice owners end up wanting to burn it all down, and how the
HHW Therapists 36 - Big Tech in Mental Health: The Honest Pros and Cons
In this episode, Amanda tackles one of the most divisive topics in private practice: venture-backed mental health platforms like BetterHelp, Talkspace, Headway, Alma, and Grow Therapy. Pushing back on the all-or-nothing takes, she breaks down the legitimate criticisms (low pay rates, shifting reimbursement structures, and competitive pressure on private pay practices) while being honest about her
HHW Therapists 35 - The Problem With Scaling for the Sake of Scaling
In this episode, Amanda sits down with Steph Orosco to talk about what it really means to build a business that supports both your goals and your well-being. Together, they explore why scaling for the sake of scaling can leave therapists feeling disconnected from the very businesses they worked so hard to create, and how getting clear on what you actually want is often the first step toward sustai
HHW Therapists 34 - How One Therapist Built a $6,000 Intensive Model
In this episode, Amanda sits down with Dr. Carolyn Solo to talk about how therapy intensives helped her build a practice that better supports her life, family, and nervous system. Carolyn shares her journey from a traditional therapy model to an intensive focused practice, including how parenting a neurodivergent child influenced the way she thought about time, energy, and sustainability. Together
HHW Therapists 33 - Building a Therapy Practice That Gives You Dopamine Hits
In this episode, Amanda sits down with Tiffany Paul, LCSW, to talk about building a therapy practice that actually supports your nervous system instead of overwhelming it. Tiffany shares her journey from community mental health burnout and chronic pain to creating a thriving private pay practice centered around ketamine-assisted EMDR intensives. Together, they explore why highly sensitive therapis
HHW Therapists 31 - SEO for Therapists in the Age of AI
In this episode, Amanda sits down with Gabe Fontana from Jane App to break down what therapists actually need to know about SEO, Google Business Profiles, AI search, and building an online presence that helps the right clients find them. Gabe shares practical, beginner-friendly strategies for improving visibility online, including how to structure service pages, optimize Google Business Profiles,
HHW Therapists 32 - How to Build a Therapy Website That Actually Gets Private Pay Clients
In this episode, Amanda sits down with Shayah Reed, founder of Virtuwell Balance to talk about why so many therapists struggle to convert website traffic into actual private pay clients. Shayah breaks down the four key elements of a high-converting therapy website: building trust through design, using emotionally resonant copy, creating a friction free booking process, and optimizing for SEO and A
HHW Therapists 30 - Managing Disappointment & Perceived Rejection as an Entrepreneur (with RSD)
In this episode, Amanda unpacks the emotional realities of rejection, disappointment, and rejection sensitive dysphoria in entrepreneurship, especially for therapists who are used to being high achievers and helpers. She shares personal stories from launching her coaching business, navigating fears of failure and visibility, and the ways trauma, perfectionism, and nervous system activation can mak
HHW Therapists 29 - What No One Sees During a Launch
In this episode, Amanda shares a real-time behind-the-scenes look at her most recent launch of Therapy Intensives Academy. Across multiple days of the launch, she recorded honest reflections on what was happening internally and externally, including the excitement, fear, self-doubt, mindset work, wins, disappointments, and nervous system reactions that can come with selling online. She also talks
HHW Therapists 28 - Why Strategy Alone Won't Grow or Scale Your Practice
In this episode, Amanda sits down with Danielle Swimm to talk about the mindset shifts therapists often need before business strategy can actually work. They explore the fear, perfectionism, and identity work that can come up when therapists try to grow beyond traditional one-to-one work, increase visibility, or build something bigger. Danielle shares how entrepreneurship can trigger deeper fears
HHW Therapists 27 - The Future of Therapy Might Look More Like This
In this episode, Amanda explores what happens when therapists keep waiting to make changes in their practice, even when they know something isn't working. She shares her own experience of burnout, overworking, and feeling misaligned in the traditional therapy model, and how shifting to therapy intensives created more space, better outcomes, and a more sustainable way of working. Amanda also unpack
HHW Therapists 26 - What Therapists are Really Afraid of When Offering Intensives
In this episode, Amanda dives into one of the biggest fears therapists have about offering therapy intensives: what if clients invest a significant amount of money and nothing changes? She explores the guilt, pressure, and responsibility therapists often carry to "guarantee" outcomes, and how these beliefs are shaped by conditioning around money, ethics, and what it means to be a "good" therapist.
HHW Therapists 25 - The Easiest Way for Therapists to Scale in 2026
In this episode, Amanda breaks down the confusion therapists feel around diversifying their income and why the real issue isn't whether to diversify, but where to start. She explores the pressure to build multiple income streams, the overwhelm of trying to do everything at once, and why many therapists get stuck or burned out when they jump straight into courses, coaching, or memberships. Amanda a
HHW Therapists 24 - Why Your SEO Isn't Converting (It's Not AI…)
In this episode, Amanda breaks down one of the most common questions therapists ask when client inquiries slow down: is it a traffic problem or a conversion problem? She explores why more visibility alone doesn't guarantee more bookings, how to tell the difference between needing more website traffic versus better messaging, and why SEO is still working even in the age of AI. Amanda also dives int
HHW Therapists 23 - The "Good Therapist" Lie That's Keeping You Underpaid
In this episode, Amanda unpacks the real reasons therapists struggle with pricing and charging premium fees, and why it is often about much more than just picking a number. She explores the fear of "hurting people" by charging more, the conditioning that tells therapists they should not care about money, and how systemic and cultural factors like the patriarchy shape these beliefs. Amanda also bre
HHW Therapists 22 - Why More Trainings Won't Fix Burnout or Client Outcomes
In this episode, Amanda challenges the belief that more certifications are the key to becoming a better and more successful therapist. She breaks down why burnout, slow client progress, and feeling stuck are often not a knowledge problem, but a time and structure problem, especially within the traditional 50 minute session model. Amanda explores how limited time impacts depth, presence, and the th
HHW Therapists 21 - Time vs Money: How to Think About Investing in Your Business (Without Burning Out)
In this episode, Amanda breaks down one of the simplest (and most overlooked) truths of running a business: you only have two resources—your time and your money. She explores how every decision in your business is a trade-off between the two, and how to start making more intentional choices that actually support your growth. Amanda also dives into how to use money to collapse time, what return on
HHW Therapists 20 - Stop Building Income Streams You Don't Even Want
In this episode, Amanda sits down with Gabrielle Juliano-Villani, LCSW, to talk about what it really looks like to build beyond the therapy room—and why more income doesn't always mean more alignment. Gabrielle shares her journey from scaling a seven-figure group practice to realizing it no longer fit, and how selling it led to a more sustainable, creative way of working. Together, they unpack div
HHW Therapists 19 - Why You Still Need to Diversify in 2026
In this episode, Amanda discusses the importance of diversifying revenue streams for therapists, especially in the face of economic uncertainty. She emphasizes that diversification should be strategic and intentional, rather than reactive or chaotic. The conversation covers the significance of optimizing existing offerings, building continuity in business practices, and the need for therapists to
HHW Therapists 18 - The Digital Nomad Therapist
In this conversation, Amanda and Annie discuss the journey of becoming a traveling therapist, the challenges and rewards of running a virtual practice while exploring the world, and the importance of overcoming limiting beliefs. Annie shares her personal experiences of transitioning to a digital nomad lifestyle, the financial considerations involved, and effective marketing strategies for virtual
HHW Therapists 17 - Brand Deals for Therapists: What's Actually Possible
In this conversation, Amanda and Carrie discuss the intricacies of social media marketing for therapists, focusing on strategies for building a following, navigating brand partnerships, and maintaining authenticity. They explore the challenges of content creation, the importance of consistency, and the impact of comparison on creativity. Carrie shares her journey of starting on social media during
HHW Therapists 16 - When You're Neurodivergent and Ambitious
In this conversation, Amanda and Patrick Casale explore the themes of individuality in podcasting, the challenges of self-doubt and imposter syndrome, and the importance of authenticity in content creation. They discuss the difficulties of visibility and criticism, the necessity of setting boundaries in both personal and professional life, and the recognition of limits to avoid burnout. The conver
HHW Therapists 15 - How Group Therapy Increases Impact and Income
In this conversation, Amanda and Sara Schreiber discuss the intricacies of group therapy, including Sara's journey into the field, the financial benefits of running groups, effective marketing strategies, and the importance of training and supervision. They explore the dynamics of group therapy, the necessity of flexibility, and the value of building relationships within the therapeutic community.
HHW Therapists 14 - Why Playing It Safe Costs More
In this conversation, Amanda and Joe Sanok explore the journey of therapists transitioning into private practice. They discuss the barriers faced, including the illusion of job security, financial concerns, and the fear of marketing oneself. Joe shares insights on the importance of creativity and autonomy in private practice, as well as the value of community support and continuous learning. They
HHW Therapists 13 - Therapy From an RV: Creating a Practice That Fits Your Life
In this episode, Liz Zhou shares her journey as a therapist specializing in neurodivergent and highly sensitive individuals. She discusses the balance between her therapy practice, coaching, and website projects, emphasizing the importance of the intensive therapy model for deeper client engagement. Liz highlights the significance of accessibility in therapy, the challenges of navigating online an
HHW Therapists 12 - Instagram vs SEO: The Real Pros & Cons of Marketing as a Therapist
In this episode, Amanda discusses the essential marketing strategies for therapists, focusing on the pros and cons of Instagram marketing versus SEO and website-based marketing. She emphasizes the importance of choosing a strategy that aligns with individual preferences, capacities, and business goals, while also addressing the emotional labor involved in marketing. The conversation highlights the
HHW Therapists 11 - Is This an Investment or an Expense?
In this episode, Amanda discusses the critical distinction between investments and expenses, particularly in the context of therapy and coaching. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing when to invest in support, the cost of remaining stuck, and how coaching can help diagnose the right problems. Amanda also addresses when support can become an expense and encourages listeners to invest with c
HHW Therapists 10 - The 5 Things You Actually Need to Scale Sustainably
In this episode of "Happy, Healthy, & Wealthy Therapists," Amanda delves into the often misunderstood concept of scaling for therapists. She highlights the common misconception that scaling equates to simply doing more, which can lead to burnout and dissatisfaction. Instead, Amanda emphasizes the importance of sustainable scaling, which involves creating a business model that aligns with one's cap
HHW Therapists 9 - How to Choose the Right Coach or Program to Scale in 2026
In this episode, Amanda discusses the importance of choosing the right coach or program for therapists looking to scale their practices in 2026. She emphasizes the need for discernment, understanding capacity, and recognizing both red and green flags in coaching relationships. The conversation highlights the significance of trust, transparency, and a balanced approach to scaling, ensuring that the
HHW Therapists 8 - What "Scaling" Really Means for Therapists
In this episode, Amanda reflects on her personal journey as a multi-business owner, discussing the challenges of perfectionism and capacity. She delves into the concept of scaling in the therapy business, emphasizing that it is not merely about increasing income but about enhancing impact without overwhelming one's resources. The conversation explores various business models, including low-cost me
HHW Therapists 7 - How to Book More Individual Therapy Intensives (& not just EMDR)
Note: This episode is a replay of a popular training I've done. Feel free to check out my YouTube channel, linked here, to watch more trainings. In this conversation, Amanda discusses the concept of therapy intensives, addressing common misconceptions and exploring various modalities that can be utilized beyond EMDR and couples therapy. She emphasizes the importance of marketing strategies, creati
HHW Therapists 6 - Therapy Intensives Are the Future of Private Practice
In this episode, Amanda Buduris explores the concept of therapy intensives, explaining their flexibility, benefits, and how they can be a valuable addition to a therapist's practice. She discusses the various formats intensives can take, the client demand for deeper, more focused therapy sessions, and the potential for therapists to charge premium rates for these services. Amanda emphasizes that t
HHW Therapists 5 - How to Market as an Introverted Therapist
In this episode, Amanda Buduris discusses effective marketing strategies for introverted and neurodivergent therapists. She debunks common myths about marketing, emphasizing that traditional networking is not the only way to build a successful practice. Instead, she advocates for the use of SEO (search engine optimization) as a powerful and sustainable marketing tool that aligns with the strengths
HHW Therapists 4 - How I Made $1M in 3.5 Years as a Therapist
In this episode, Amanda Buduris shares her journey of earning over $1 million in gross revenue through her therapy practice and coaching business within three and a half years. She discusses the discomfort many therapists feel around money, the importance of sustainable business practices, and the strategies that helped her achieve this financial milestone. Amanda emphasizes the significance of th
HHW Therapists 3 - Can Private Pay Work in a Small Town?
In this conversation, Amanda Buduris interviews Danielle Sampson, a licensed clinical social worker specializing in complex trauma. Danielle shares her journey from working in a group practice to establishing her own private pay therapy practice. She discusses the challenges and misconceptions surrounding private pay therapy, the importance of marketing and SEO, and how she has successfully transi
HHW Therapists 2 - From Burnout to Multi–Six Figures
In this podcast episode, Amanda Buduris shares her journey of starting her own podcast and private practice, discussing her cultural background, financial trauma, and the challenges she faced in her career. She emphasizes the importance of vulnerability, mentorship, and innovative therapy approaches, while also highlighting her financial success and future aspirations for the podcast and her coach
HHW Therapists 1 - Welcome to Happy, Healthy, & Wealthy Therapists!
Welcome to Happy, Healthy, & Wealthy Therapists! I'm Dr. Amanda Buduris—a licensed psychologist, trauma therapist, and business coach for therapists—and in this trailer episode, I'm breaking down what these three words actually mean inside our profession. I talk about why so many therapists only feel truly happy for a sliver of their week, how we preach self-care yet struggle to live it, and why
Recommended
True Crime Classics
The Healer Revolution
Becoming: HER with Nikki Spoelstra
Booked, Blonde & Busy w/ Olivia Ponton
McKinsey on Consumer and Retail
megahired.com
Hard Knocks Podcast
Effective Weight Loss for Moms | High protein, Strength Training, Lose Weight, Meal Planning, Fat Loss, Healthy Habits
The Human-Animal Connection - Pet Life Radio Original
Infinite Health with Dr. Arasi Maran
The Daily
World News Tonight with David Muir
