E136: No More Fun Money: Debbie Nichols on Getting Off Insurance, Reclaiming Her Health & Owning Her Worth.

In this episode, we’re speaking with Debbie Nichols, a veteran therapist and mom who finally got honest about the limitations of her “fun money” practice. 

After years of using insurance to avoid marketing, and pushing through chronic health issues, Debbie realized something had to give—and it wasn’t going to be her well-being.

Her story is a must-listen for therapists who’ve been told their work is optional, their income is supplemental, or their time doesn’t matter.

Listen to the episode:

In this episode, Debbie will share:

Why she thought starting an online course was the solution to a broken practice (it wasn’t);

The identity shift she had to make to go from “my husband is the provider” to claiming her own power as a breadwinner;

How living with a rare blood cancer helped her stop tolerating a life that didn’t work;

Why her clinical skill skyrocketed after raising fees and getting off panels;

What it meant to finally become the therapist—and mother—she knew she could be.

More about Debbie

Deborah Nichols is a Licensed Professional Counselor serving clients virtually in Oregon and California.  She specializes in perinatal mental health with a sweet spot for anxious mamas.  She is working to rebel against the societal norm of “mom guilt”,  supporting mothers in parenting from a place of truth rather than fear while embracing the beautiful mess of raising young children.

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About the podcast

The Money Sessions podcast by Tiffany McLain, LMFT is full of deep, thoughtful, and sometimes raw conversations with real therapists who are in the midst of leaning into raising fees and making bank – all while working with the clients they are passionate about serving.

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