Meet Jessica Harris, a pioneering therapist and business coach whose work has transformed the landscape for therapists seeking to thrive independently through Empowering Therapists, LLC. After successfully establishing and selling her private pay group practice, where she had a team of six therapists and a steady stream of new clients each week, Jessica turned her focus to helping others achieve similar success. Her mission is clear: to empower therapists to take control of their financial future through practical, effective marketing strategies tailored specifically for cash-paying clients.
Jessica’s approach has resonated with hundreds of therapists, enabling them not only to fill their client rosters but also to build practices that reflect their professional aspirations and personal values. Her 12-week program, designed with simplicity and impact in mind, stands as a beacon of empowerment for those looking to enhance their careers with confidence and purpose. Known for achieving seven-figure business success in under two years while raising her family as a single mom, Jessica’s story is inspiring not only for her sharp business sense but also for her powerful journey of determination and achieving balance in life.
We had the honor of chatting with Jessica about her journey and the insights she offers to therapists worldwide. Her story is one of passion intersecting with strategy, providing inspiration and a roadmap for those seeking to craft a fulfilling, impactful, and abundantly rewarding career in the realm of therapy.
Check out our full interview with Jessica below.
Jessica Harris, Founder of Empowering Therapists, LLC
You built a 7-figure business in under two years as a single mom—what internal mindset shifts helped you navigate that level of growth without burning out?
Jessica Harris: The biggest internal mindset shift I had to make was 1. realizing I was worthy of making a lot of money and that it was okay to be wealthy, that I wasn’t a bad person for it.
And 2. that I could make a lot of money without having to continue to work so hard, and that I could, in fact, work less and make more.
However, I did experience severe burnout for the first year, so it took a while to learn this lesson.
What was the turning point that inspired you to shift from running a therapy practice to coaching other therapists full-time?
Jessica Harris: I realized I could help many more therapists at once in my program, as it was a group model, compared to just helping one at a time as a therapist. It would allow me to have such a bigger impact.
Also, I was able to make way more as a coach compared to a therapist. And most importantly, I just enjoy it so much, so that’s when I decided I needed to make the shift.
Many of our readers struggle with imposter syndrome—did you face that early in your business journey, and how did you overcome it?
Jessica Harris: Yes, and I still face imposter syndrome to this day. I think we all do to some degree; it just gets easier. It honestly helped me to learn that everyone experiences it to some degree and that it’s normal. And then just reminding myself I do know a lot and will continue to shift and learn so that I can help therapists the best I can.
Your program helps therapists get full-fee, cash-pay clients without relying on insurance. What’s one misconception you often hear about private pay practices—and how do you debunk it?
Jessica Harris: The biggest misconception that we get is that people aren’t willing to pay private pay in “this economy” or that it’s too hard to grow a private pay practice now, in the past it was easier, but now it’s too hard. And that is so not true!!
Therapists, a few years ago, used to get away with much less marketing and could fill up, and now just more marketing is required, but there are so many people willing to pay out of pocket for a good therapist.
Can you walk us through one of the most effective marketing strategies you teach in your 12-week program? What makes it so powerful?
Jessica Harris: Getting found on Google! It’s so powerful because that’s where most clients are looking. So, when you go where people are most likely to look, you are way more likely to get found. I help therapists get their Google Business Profile, their website, and their therapist directories found.
How do you approach visibility and personal branding on platforms like Instagram and TikTok without it feeling performative or draining?
Jessica Harris: This depends on whether you’re referring to me or my clients. If you are trying to grow a therapy practice, Instagram and TikTok are not required, as social media is not necessary for practice growth.
For myself, and for other coaches out there, I believe that being your genuine and authentic self is key to growing your coaching business. Don’t copy others; instead, be true to yourself, and this will make your approach feel authentic and connect better with your audience. And I primarily just post rather than scroll too much, since that’s where the draining part comes in.
How do you personally balance building a business with motherhood, wellness, and rest—and what boundaries help make that possible?
Jessica Harris: Woo, this was a hard one for me for a while. I cut out a lot of things in my life that drained me more than energized me. A lot less time on social media and less time wasted on things. And I schedule in energizing and fun things in my schedule that I actually enjoy.
And I have no problem saying no when I need to. 🙂
What daily rituals or non-negotiables keep you grounded while running a fast-paced business?
Jessica Harris: Daily movement, exercise, sunshine, grounding, time outside, and turning off my notifications on my phone.
What advice would you give a therapist, or any service-based entrepreneur, who’s afraid to “sell themselves” in marketing their business?
Jessica Harris: Marketing and sales is simply just sharing what you have to offer and making it known to people who otherwise wouldn’t know about you. Marketing and sales doesn’t need to have the bad rap it usually does. It’s the only way for people to know you. It’s the way you help people.
So change the narrative, and it becomes a lot easier to put yourself out there.
If you could go back to year one of entrepreneurship, what would you do differently and why?
Jessica Harris: I would set better boundaries for myself, turn off notifications on my phone earlier, and realize I could still flourish with working less, not feel the need to respond to people right away.
Looking ahead, what legacy are you building—not just in your business, but in your life as a mother and leader?
Jessica Harris: I am creating the legacy that anyone can create anything they want in their lives. You can literally create your dream life, I know I have. I want my daughter and family to know this. I want all my friends to know this. And I want all the therapists who go through my program to know this. I want everyone everywhere to know that you are capable of creating anything you want in life. You just need to stop setting limits on yourself and, truly, deeply, in your core, realize that you are the one in control of your life.
Lastly, is there a specific mantra, quote, or affirmation that you hold close to your heart?
Jessica Harris: You are worthy of being rich as fu*ck 🙂 And you get to create your dream life.
Emily Sprinkle, also known as Emma Loggins, is a designer, marketer, blogger, and speaker. She is the Editor-In-Chief for Women's Business Daily where she pulls from her experience as the CEO and Director of Strategy for Excite Creative Studios, where she specializes in web development, UI/UX design, social media marketing, and overall strategy for her clients.
Emily has also written for CNN, Autotrader, The Guardian, and is also the Editor-In-Chief for the geek lifestyle site FanBolt.com
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