Episode 204: From Therapy to Coaching: New Impact and Identity [featuring Priyanka Rao]

In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Priyanka Rao talk about her journey from clinical work into the world of coaching, viral social media growth, and the permission to let your path evolve—especially as a late-diagnosed ADHDer.

Her authenticity, humor, and vulnerability about pivoting careers offers valuable insight for clinicians, entrepreneurs, and anyone feeling pressure to “stick to the plan.”

Here are 3 key takeaways:

1. Prioritize Authenticity Over Perfection: Showing up as your real self is what builds trust and genuine connection—whether you’re creating content, leading a group, or sitting one-on-one with a client.
2. Embrace the Pivot (without shame): It’s okay—and healthy—to follow what excites you, even if it means leaving behind something you once worked hard for. Letting go of “shoulds” and honoring your energy isn’t a failure; it’s necessary growth.
3. Impact Can Look Different: Transitioning to new modalities or scaling back can create a ripple effect—from helping more people at once to empowering others through your story. Your reach and impact aren’t limited to direct client hours.

Whether you’re managing a private practice, exploring entrepreneurship, or redefining your role entirely, give yourself the grace to evolve. Your journey doesn’t need to be linear or “by the book”—especially if leaning into your strengths and interests allows you to thrive and serve others more fully.

More about Priyanka:

Dr. Priyanka Rao—also known as Pri—is a Licensed Psychologist, executive coach, and founder of Asha Mental Health and Asha Coaching & Consulting. She specializes in adult ADHD and autism assessments and supports late-diagnosed professionals and entrepreneurs in building lives that work with their brains, not against them. A late-diagnosed ADHDer herself, she brings both clinical expertise and lived experience to everything she does.

• Instagram: instagram.com/ashacoach
• TikTok: tiktok.com/@ashacoach
• Website: asha-coaching.com/divergenttable

Use code ATPP20 for 20% off of your first 3 months of the "Divergent Table" membership

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Thanks to Our Sponsors: The Receptionist for iPad, Alma, & All Things Private Practice — 2025 & 2026 Retreats!

✨ The Receptionist for iPad

Thanks to The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode.

The Receptionist offers an iPad list check-in option where clients can scan a QR code to check in, which negates the need for you to buy an iPad and stand. Go to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice and sign up for a free 14-day trial. When you do, you'll get your first month free. And don't forget to ask about our iPad list check-in option.

✨ Alma

Thanks to Alma for sponsoring this episode.

Building and managing the practice you want can be challenging. That’s why Alma offers tools and resources to help you build not just any practice, but your private practice. They’ll help you navigate insurance, access referrals who are the right fit for you, and efficiently manage administrative tasks — so you can spend less time on the details and more time delivering great care. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Visit helloalma.com/ATPP to learn more.

✨ All Things Private Practice — 2025 & 2026 Retreats

All Things Private Practice has some amazing retreat experiences coming up in 2025 and 2026.

We have two retreats in Queenstown, New Zealand. The first is for Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs from March 1st to 8th, and the second retreat, Beyond Private Practice, focuses on moving beyond one-on-one therapy and creating alternative income streams from March 15th to 22nd.

Spaces are limited, so check the links to sign up today. Doubt yourself, do it anyway!

• Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs in Queenstown, New Zealand: allthingspractice.com/new-zealand-neurodivergent
• Beyond Private Practice in Queenstown, New Zealand: allthingspractice.com/new-zealand-income-streams

Mentioned in this episode:

The Receptionist for iPad

I want to thank The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode. From new patients faced with an empty lobby and no idea where to find their therapist to clinicians with a session running over time and the doorbell ringing, some of the most anxiety-ridden moments of a therapy appointment happen before a session even starts. The Receptionist for iPad, helps you tackle some of that pre-appointment apprehension and anxiety. The Receptionist for iPad is an easy-to-use digital client check-in system that helps your visitors check in securely to their appointments and notify their practitioners of their arrival via SMS, email, or your preferred channel. No more confusion, and less lobby checking or having clients sign in on paper logbooks. It can even help you upgrade and update your demographic information for your clients as well and even validate parking. Start a 14-day free trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link and you'll also get your first month free if you decide to sign up.

All Things Private Practice — 2025 & 2026 Retreats

All Things Private Practice has some amazing retreat experiences coming up in 2025 and 2026. Join us in Edinburgh, Scotland for the second Doubt Yourself, Do It Anyway Summit from July 14th to 17th, 2025! We have an incredible lineup of 12 speakers and offer 12 MBCCEs. If you're a leader or aspiring to start a group practice, join our Leadership Retreat in Chania, Crete, from September 6th to 11th. In 2026, we have two retreats in Queenstown, New Zealand. The first is for Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs from March 1st to 8th, and the second retreat, Beyond Private Practice, focuses on moving beyond one-on-one therapy and creating alternative income streams from March 15th to 22nd. Spaces are limited, so check the links to sign up today. Doubt yourself, do it anyway! Doubt Yourself, Do It Anyway Summit in Scotland: https://www.empoweredescapes.com/scotland-july-2025-summit Leadership Retreat in Chania, Crete: https://www.empoweredescapes.com/greece-retreat-2025 Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs in Queenstown, New Zealand: https://www.allthingspractice.com/new-zealand-neurodivergent Beyond Private Practice in Queenstown, New Zealand: https://www.allthingspractice.com/new-zealand-income-streams

Alma

I want to thank Alma for sponsoring this episode. Building and managing the practice you want can be challenging. That’s why Alma offers tools and resources to help you build not just any practice, but your private practice. They’ll help you navigate insurance, access referrals who are the right fit for you, and efficiently manage administrative tasks — so you can spend less time on the details, and more time delivering great care. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Visit helloalma.com/ATPP to learn more.