Why Most Online Programs Need a Community - And How to Create One That Doesn’t Drain You

You’ve built your course.
 Your modules are mapped, your portal’s prepped, your curriculum is solid.

And then someone asks:
 “So… where’s the community space?”

Cue the existential spiral.

Because as a therapist, “community” doesn’t just mean “extra feature.”
 It means emotional responsibility. Boundary navigation.
 And the very real possibility that you’ll end up holding space you never consented to.

But here’s the truth most business coaches skip:

When done well, a community component can dramatically improve your program’s completion rates, referrals, and student transformation—without draining you.

In this episode, we’re unpacking the therapist-specific risks of community spaces, the must-have boundaries most course creators miss, and the systems that make a group feel alive without requiring you to be on call 24/7.

This isn’t just about connection.
 It’s about creating containers that hold your students—and hold you, too.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1.  Why adding a community component often improves completion, retention, and referrals (And how connection helps your students regulate and actually finish the program.) 
2.  The therapist-specific risks no one warns you about
    (Scope creep, overgiving, and “holding the group” without consent.)
3. What platform options work best—and which ones to avoid
    (Yes, Facebook is easy. But is it actually right for your people?)
4. How to set up your community without it taking over your life
    (Batching, rituals, alumni leaders, and clear boundaries.)
5. The #1 mistake most course creators make with community spaces
    (And how to fix it with one simple shift.)

This episode is for you if:

→ You’re building an online program and wondering if you “need” a Facebook group
 → You’ve already got a group, but it’s become… complicated
 → You want your students to feel supported—but not at your expense
 → You’re looking for sustainable, ethical ways to boost engagement
 → You’re ready to create a space that works for everyone involved—including you

Links & Resources Mentioned:

•  Want to build a high-impact online course as a therapist—with or without a community component? Check out the Therapists Rising Incubator—your go-to for building ethical, profitable programs that actually get results.
• Come debrief this episode with me on Instagram: @dr.hayleykelly

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Let’s build course communities that actually feel like community—not like another thing to survive.