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Therapists Rising Podcast
Welcome to the Therapists Rising Podcast, where we share real, raw, and behind-the-scenes stories and lessons from Therapists who are thinking outside the traditional clinical box and choosing to do things differently in their careers. I’m your host, Dr. Hayley Kelly, and I myself have made the journey from a very experienced, but burnt out and unhappy, Clinical Therapist - to a successful entrepreneur who runs a business she loves, is thriving financially, and working and living life on her own terms. Join me, and be inspired, as I speak with other Therapists who too are broadening their horizons, and experiencing more abundance, joy, and fulfilment than ever before. Together we will laugh, soak up priceless wisdom and take actionable steps, to help you transition from clinical practice to non-clinical offerings, and diversify and amplify your income - all while honouring your wellbeing and having a work-life balance. If you’re ready to be inspired and take action on your dreams, then you’re in the right place, friend. This is the Therapists Rising Podcast.
Therapists Rising Podcast
Why Everything Just Changed for Therapists: Money, Burnout, and Technology Collide
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
For 12 months, I've been warning you the traditional therapy model is breaking down. Some of you have been listening. But many have been waiting for clarity.
Here's what you need to hear: The last eight weeks changed everything.
November 2025: Australia restricted Better Access referrals. December 2025: Fifth consecutive year of US Medicare cuts. January 30, 2026: US telehealth flexibilities expire.
While those policy changes hit, something else shifted: 1 in 8 young people now use AI chatbots for mental health advice. Corporate wellness budgets hit $53 billion with contracts being signed NOW for 2026-2027.
This isn't slow erosion. This is all five forces reaching tipping points simultaneously. This is the convergence.
HERE ARE THE 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS:
1️⃣ Three Realities Converging Right Now – The math isn't working (Medicare cuts, Better Access restrictions, client affordability crisis). Your colleagues are planning exits (52% US therapists burned out, 29% considering leaving). Future clients expect something different (70% Gen Z prefers virtual, 1 in 8 young people use AI chatbots).
2️⃣ Every Disrupted Profession Made This Mistake – Accounting got automated. Physical therapy faced reimbursement cuts. Personal training went digital. Each time, practitioners said "our profession is different." They were wrong. Pattern: professions split into commodity/premium tiers, early movers capture premium positioning, late movers compete on price.
3️⃣ The Window to Move From Strength is Closing – Early adopters already generate diversified income. Early majority (you) see it's real but still research. Late majority arrives when landscape is occupied. Corporate contracts signing NOW. Course markets maturing NOW. Window open now—won't stay open.
YOU'LL ALSO HEAR:
- Why research-mode therapists experience decision paralysis under cognitive load
- The Kodak lesson: Believing current preferences = permanent demand is fatal
- Accountants who automated vs. those stuck "selling time"
- PT practices that diversified early: 200-300% revenue growth vs. 3-6x valuations for traditional
- Why "AI can't replace us" is technically true but misses the point
- Technology adoption curve: Waiting for certainty means you're late
- Research Path vs. Action Path: Which are you choosing?
RESOURCES:
Data Sources:
- Medicare cuts: BellMedEx 2025
- Better Access: Australian Dept of Health
- AI adoption: Brown University School of Public Health
Therapists Rising:
- The Incubator: therapistsrising.com/incubator
- Instagram: @dr.hayleykelly
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW:
If this episode made you uncomfortable, subscribe and review on Apple Podcasts. Your reviews help therapists find honest conversations about what's happening in our profession.
Therapists thriving in five years won't be ones who waited for perfect clarity. They'll be ones who moved with 80% information while they had stability.
That window is open now. What will you do with it?
