Melvin Varghese, PhD's Linkedin Analytics

In 2012, I became a licensed psychologist, dreaming of a career in therapy, testing, and supervision. But life threw two curve balls. In 2015, a massive blizzard slammed into the northeast. With downed power lines and icy roads, I had to cancel 21 fee-for-service therapy clients. The worst part? We were saving up for the 20% down payment on our first home. In 2018, our daughter was born 2 months early. Our little NICU warrior ended up needing another 1.5 years of grueling physical therapy to get to the level of her peers. So, I pivoted towards a more flexible career based on three goals: •Diversify income sources beyond 1:1 work. •Build a career around my loved ones, health, and hobbies. •Use clinical skills beyond "what a psychologist is supposed to do." I started the Selling The Couch podcast in 2015, steadily growing to 1.8+ million downloads with listeners in over 100 countries. Colleagues asked for podcasting advice that same year, leading me to create a course that has brought in 232+ students and $316k+ in revenue. Despite initial mistakes (and still making plenty of them!), I now run an online course mastermind for therapists who want to launch and grow their online courses. In the Summer-Fall of 2024, I'm jumping back into a small private practice primarily working with founders of color, VC-backed founders, and founder dads. 72% of founders report starting their company impacted their mental health, 37% struggle with anxiety, 36% experience burnout, and 10% have panic attacks. (Startup Snapshot) I also love helping others navigate grief/loss after learning that a loved one has cancer or a terminal illness, after the tragic death of a loved one, and with men navigating the infertility journey especially among Asian-Indian Americans. I'm licensed in PA but will soon have reciprocity to see clients in most states, including TX, Georgia, NJ, and Washington State (see here: https://psypact.org/mpage/psypactmap) Please DM me if you're interested in therapy. I share my journey as a course creator, podcaster, and entrepreneur dad here on LinkedIn. We all have a message to share and people to serve. I'm honored to hear your story. ❤️