How She Filled Her Caseload During the Summer Slump with Rachel Sleeper (A Pre-licensed Therapist) [episode 98]
![Header graphic for How She Filled Her Caseload During the Summer Slump with Rachel Sleeper (A Pre-licensed Therapist) [episode 98]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65380a8806f21d6d1e048c01/611c1a6b-14be-418e-ae60-b61ff5302998/Kelly+Ep.+98+header_fill+caseload+during+summer+slump.png)
Listen to How She Filled Her Caseload During the Summer Slump with Rachel Sleeper (A Pre-licensed Therapist) on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Your player of choice
I’m excited to welcome Rachel Sleeper to the podcast today!
Rachel Sleeper is an anxiety therapist based in Montana. She specializes in helping people navigate people-pleasing, conflict avoidance, overthinking, and boundaries. Rachel started her therapy Instagram during her last semester of grad school, after not posting anything on any social media platform for 3 years.
While still in grad school, she joined Private Practice Academy. Since then, she’s graduated, and FILLED her private practice with cash-pay clients!
Now? She’s scaling her business and growing a thriving practice through Instagram, networking, and a willingness to stay consistent.
In today’s episode, we’re talking about how she filled her caseload during the summer slump (as a pre-licensed therapist).
Honestly, the “summer slump” doesn’t have to be the obstacle you think it is!
Rachel started before she felt “ready.” She worked through the fear of failure AND trusted the process of consistent marketing!
One of my favorite parts of Rachel's story? She didn't wait until everything was perfect.
She started showing up on Instagram while she was still in grad school. She committed to networking and focused on the actions she could control instead of obsessing over results.
Yep, that consistency paid off in a BIG way!
By September, Rachel had filled her caseload with private-pay clients. She didn’t have a huge following either (less than 3k), but she’s continuing to grow her audience!
Rachel also shares how she used Instagram ads, networking, and the Reels Membership to consistently attract new clients.
Networking with other therapists and business owners can be SUCH a game-changer on this journey!
Rachel’s story is proof that simple and repeatable strategies WORK. You don’t always *need* to be chasing the newest marketing trend.
Maybe you’ve been telling yourself that summer is a bad time to grow. Maybe you think you’re too new, or you need more followers before clients will find you.
Whatever you’re thinking, this episode is a powerful reminder that none of those things have to be true.
Keep showing up, stay consistent, and trust that you CAN fill your caseload during the summer slump (and the rest of the year)!
In this episode, How She Filled Her Caseload During the Summer Slump with Rachel Sleeper (A Pre-licensed Therapist), we cover:
Rachel’s journey of building a private practice straight out of grad school
Overcoming the fear of launching a private practice from scratch
How her consistency on IG built confidence over time
Using process-based goals instead of outcome-based goals
Why the "summer slump" actually helped Rachel grow faster
The Instagram strategy that helped fill her caseload
How the Reels Membership simplified content creation & consistency
Leveraging local networking both online + in person
Improving intro call conversions with a clear process
The unexpected referrals that came from Instagram relationships
Building a supportive therapist community through networking
Resources & Links:
⭐️ Carrie Jackson’s Brand Deals Program
⭐️ Jennifer Ann’s Editing Course
⭐️ This episode is sponsored by Jane - use code: KELLY2MONTH for a 2-month grace period
⭐️ This episode is sponsored by Alma, the financially rewarding way to go in-network
⭐️ Private Practice Academy Bundle (PPA)
⭐️ Reels Membership
⭐️ Business Coaching Waitlist
⭐️ Free training
⭐️ Caption Guide
Connect with Rachel:
Follow on Instagram @anxiety.therapist.rachel
Check out her website
Related Episodes:
More about the Business of Therapy podcast:
Are you a passionate therapist that’s burnt out and ready to transition to private pay? You’re asking yourself questions like “how do I build a business?”, “how can I effectively use Instagram to market myself” and “how can I scale a private practice?”
Welcome to the Business of Therapy podcast where we’ll answer those questions and more! Here you’ll find honest conversations about the good and the bad of being a therapist, tactical advice and best practices for marketing yourself on Instagram, and solidarity and community to find your own version of success as a therapist.
Join your host, Kelly McKenna, and her guests as they dive deeper into topics such as navigating burn out, mastering your mindset and boundaries, and tactics and strategies for marketing on Instagram, and more!
Kelly is a licensed therapist and business coach who grew her private practice on Instagram and has helped thousands of other therapists market themselves on social media, and effectively start and scale their private practice.
These episodes will leave you feeling empowered and equipped to take action towards your dream of a successful private practice.
Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!
