What do you do when you have two completely different niches that you're equally passionate about? KelliWheatley is a first-year therapist in North Vancouver who loves working with both chronic pain/mind-bodyconnection AND walk-and-talk nature therapy. On the surface, they seem unrelated—but Cecilia coaches herthrough discovering the powerful connection that makes both niches work under one cohesive brand umbrella.

What You'll Learn:

+ Why two different niches can work together when YOU are the umbrella

+ How to position yourself as the brand instead of fragmenting into separate identities

+ The biggest mistake therapists make when entering private practice (expecting to be fully bookedimmediately)

+ Why niche clarity is burnout prevention and creates practice longevity

+ How to write blog content at a conversational level (the 13-year-old test)

+ The mindset shift from "content creator" to "service provider" (one-to-many education)

+ Why marketing as a therapist feels gross (and how to reframe it as getting in front of people you cansupport)

+ How to connect two seemingly different specialties through the common thread

Key Topics Discussed:

+ Kelli's background: competitive ballet, body image struggles, chronic illness journey, mind-bodyconnection

+ The "COVID bubble" myth: why the "everyone has a wait list" messaging set up new therapists fordisappointment

+ First-year reality check: the expectation vs. reality of building a private practice

+ Niche confusion: chronic pain/mind-body work AND walk-and-talk nature therapy—how do theyconnect?

+ The umbrella concept: YOU are the brand that holds everything together

+ Blog writing strategy: conversational tone, accessible language, service-focused content

+ Content as service: educating one-to-many instead of performative social media

+ The competitive mindset from dance that translates to business

+ Making language accessible (masters-level educated people need to simplify)

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kelli Wheatley - First-year therapist, North Vancouver, UBC graduate

Kelli's Website - https://www.kelliwheatleycounselling.com

Walk-and-Talk Therapy - Nature-based counselling approach

Mind-Body Connection - Chronic pain, HPA axis, Gabor Maté's work

The 13-Year-Old Test - Would a 13-year-old understand your content?

Psychology Today - Where Kelli expected immediate results

AI Tools - Mentioned as helpful for content creation

Live Coaching Breakthroughs:

The Problem: Two niches (chronic pain + walk-and-talk) felt disconnected and confusing

The Reframe: YOU are the umbrella—both niches are tethered to your brand identity

The Connection: Both niches are about embodiment and being present in your body

The Solution: Position yourself as the intervention, not the modalities

The Relief: "I don't have to dance on TikTok"—content can be written, educational service

The Permission: You can pivot and evolve your niches over time; you're not married to them forever

Key Coaching Moments:

"You're not two separate entities floating around. They're both tethered to you. YOU are the umbrella."

"Would a 13-year-old understand this? That's the filter. It's not about dumbing down—it's about making language accessible."

"You are here on this podcast because of content that I produced. Content creation IS service."

"You are the intervention. Your clients need to know who they're going to get—and that's who they're going toget."

"This allows you to pivot at any point. You're not married to your niche forever. Your career evolves."

Practical Action Steps:

+ Position yourself as the brand umbrella that holds both niches

+ Write blog content at a conversational level (13-year-old test)

+ Reframe content creation as one-to-many service, not performance

+ Identify the common thread connecting your different specialties

+ Talk to people you know who might benefit from your services

+ Use the soapbox test: can you talk about this topic for an hour without prep?

+ Remember: marketing is just getting in front of people you can support

Relatable Struggles:

+ Entering practice with unrealistic expectations based on COVID-era messaging

+ Feeling like you have to choose between two passions

+ Resistance to being a "content creator" or doing TikTok dances

+ Writing at too academic/elevated a level instead of conversationally

+ Struggling with marketing feeling "gross" as a therapist

+ Being the "fly high brain" person who needs to simplify

+ Wanting to support people but not knowing how to get visible

The Competitive Mindset Connection:

Cecilia points out that Kelli's competitive ballet background actually translates well to business—competitiveness isn't just about hustle, it's about strategic thinking, discipline, and performance under pressure.Those skills from dance are assets in entrepreneurship.

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ABOUT YOUR HOST:

Cecilia Mannella is a leadership coach for therapists and wellness practice owners with 25 years as a mentalhealth practitioner and 17+ years building her group practice from solo therapist to seven-figure success. Shespecializes in helping therapists find niche clarity and visibility strategies that feel aligned, not gross.

Connect with Cecilia:

Website: https://www.ceciliamannella.com/

This Episode: https://www.ceciliamannella.com/purpose-and-profit-podcast

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Kelli Wheatley, M.Ed., RCC, CCC is a clinical counsellor passionate about supporting clients with mind-bodywellness. She takes clients outside onto the trails of North Vancouver for walk-and-talk therapy, and sees clientsvirtually across Canada who are struggling with body image, chronic pain, and illness. She believes everyonehas the capacity to heal and build a full, joyful life; and she takes immense pride in walking alongside folksthroughout their journeys.

Connect with Kelli:

Website: https://www.kelliwheatleycounselling.com

LOVED THIS EPISODE?

⭐ Share it with a therapist who's struggling to connect their multiple passions into one cohesive practice

⭐ Leave a review if you've ever felt confused about your niche positioning

⭐ Apply the 13-year-old test to your own website content and see what happens

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