Episode Details

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In this solo episode, I dive into what I’ve started calling the “referral recession” – the noticeable dip in testing referrals many practices have seen since 2024. I unpack national data from the APA and NASP, explain why these shifts are happening, and share both short- and long-term strategies for navigating slower seasons. From economic trends and insurance challenges to AI-driven search changes, I walk through what’s really going on beneath the surface – and how to respond without panic.

Main Topics

• 00:00–02:20 Overview of the referral slowdown and APA data showing a 14% average decline in inquiries

• 02:21–04:48 National data on testing-specific declines (18–20%) and Google search trends
• 04:49–07:10 Five contributing factors: economic compression, school stabilization, market saturation, referral fatigue, and AI-driven search changes
• 07:11–09:38 What not to do: panic discounting, bad ads, or over-diversifying services
• 09:39–14:28 Short-term tactics: re-engage referral sources, simplify intake, optimize Google profile, use downtime strategically
• 14:29–19:00 Long-term strategies: relationship marketing, content creation, list-building, leveraging past clients, and SEO foundations
• 19:01–21:24 Building a sustainable marketing engine through consistent visibility and credibility
• 21:25–23:23 Mindset shift: using slower seasons to strengthen systems, automate workflows, and prepare for future growth
• 23:24–End Referrals are cyclical—consistency, connection, and clarity will outlast the slowdown

Cool Things Mentioned

• The Testing Psychologist mastermind groups and business consulting
• Reverb: the premier AI-powered report-writing platform for testing psychologists
• APA Practice Organization (2024 Survey): www.apa.org/practice
• Federal Reserve Report on Household Spending (2024): www.federalreserve.gov/publications
• National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) 2024 Data: www.nasponline.org
• HubSpot Conversion Research (2024): www.hubspot.com
• Therapy for Your Money Podcast w/ Julie Herres: www.greenoakaccounting.com/podcast
• Google Business Profile Optimization Guide: www.support.google.com/business
• ConvertKit Email Marketing Platform: www.convertkit.com
• MailChimp Email Marketing Platform: www.mailchimp.com
• Kajabi All-in-One Platform: www.kajabi.com

Featured Resources

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