Do you really need a website to start attracting therapy clients?

In this episode of Good Enough Counsellors, I’m joined by Vicky Jackson, website designer and founder of TukTuk Creative. Vicky shares a refreshing perspective that many therapists will find reassuring: you don’t necessarily need a website straight away.

We explore what actually helps potential clients find and choose you, from the power of networking and word of mouth referrals to the importance of building trust through your authentic voice. Vicky also brings her personal experience of searching for a therapist, offering valuable insight into how clients make their decisions.

If you’ve been feeling pressured to have everything in place before putting yourself out there, this conversation is a gentle reminder that getting found is often about simple foundations rather than perfection.

Takeaways:

• You don’t have to do everything at once. Simple steps like networking and referrals can be powerful starting points.
• A website is most effective when strong foundations are already in place, such as clarity about who you'd most like to work with.
• Authenticity builds trust. Clients are more likely to reach out when they feel they have a sense of who you are.
• Word of mouth remains one of the most effective ways to attract new clients.
• Progress over perfection is often the key to building a sustainable private practice.

Connect with Vicky on her website HERE or via LinkedIn HERE

You can find details of Therapy Growth Group HERE

Have you ever found yourself comparing what you do to someone else… and felt your confidence dip?

In this episode, I share a recent moment where I came across an offer that looked similar to mine but at a much lower price - and how it knocked my confidence more than I expected.

More importantly, I talk about what helped me move through that comparison and come back to a more grounded, fair way of looking at myself and my work.

If you’ve ever questioned your fees, your value, or whether you’re “good enough” compared to other therapists, this episode will really resonate.

• How comparison knocks your confidence
• Why we often compare things that aren’t actually the same
• The difference between low-cost offers and higher-support spaces
• Why private practice isn’t a zero-sum game
• How comparison shows up in pricing, niching, and visibility
• Why talking about your work isn’t “selling”
• How to be fairer and kinder to yourself

Therapy Growth Group

If you’re looking for support to grow your private practice, Therapy Growth Group offers:

• Regular live calls and Ask Me Anything sessions
• Support with profiles, blogs, and social media
• A small, committed community of therapists
• Ongoing guidance tailored to your situation

You can read more about it HERE

Setting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERE

Need ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HERE

You can also find me here:

The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook Group

Josephine Hughes on Facebook

Josephine Hughes on YouTube

My website: josephinehughes.com

Keywords: overcoming comparison, private practice success, pricing therapy services, therapist marketing strategies, confidence in counselling, undervaluing yourself, support for therapists, growing a therapy business, therapy growth group, managing self-doubt, finding your niche as a therapist, unique selling points for counsellors, building client relationships, therapist visibility

This gorgeous episode with Laura has helped so many people that I've decided to share it again.

It's natural to be anxious when setting up and running a private practice - it's both a sign of being passionate about helping people and a reflection of the roller coaster ride of self-employment. In this episode, I'm joined by Laura Knight of See Clear Anxiety Counselling, who shares how she's learned to manage and move beyond anxiety, and how that experience now shapes the way she runs her successful practice.

Laura talks about letting go of perfectionism, staying grounded in uncertain times, and how she has built a business that works for her - all while supporting clients with anxiety too.

Whether you're in the early stages of private practice, or facing a wobble, this episode is full of calm, practical encouragement.

Takeaways:

• How to transition from a part-time to a full-time practice
• Staying steady when client numbers dip
• The value of focusing on what's within your control
• Using live videos to build trust and visibility
• How to move from anxiety to confidence as a therapist
• Financial planning to ride out the quieter sessions

Fee Calculator: access the Fee Calculator mentioned in the episode HERE

Connect with Laura Knight:

🌐 Website: https://www.seeclearcounselling.co.uk

📘 Facebook: See Clear Counselling – Anxiety Specialist

📸 Instagram: @seeclearcounselling

📧 Email: [email protected]

👥 Dorset Counsellors Network: Facebook Group or email Laura to join

Setting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERE

Need ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HERE

You can also find me here:

The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook Group

Josephine Hughes on Facebook

Josephine Hughes on YouTube

My website: josephinehughes.com

Keywords

private practice, growing private practice, counselling directory, marketing for therapists, private practice tips, online counselling, video marketing for therapists, self-care for therapists, counselling business strategies, overcoming anxiety in business, financial management for therapists, establishing a counselling practice, networking for therapists, private practice success

What happens when you go to a conference and focus on having conversations rather than “networking”?

In this episode, I’m sharing a few of the chats I had throughout the day - from books therapists are reading, to a research resource I didn’t realise I already had access to, through to creative ways of working (including Minecraft in therapy).

It’s a mix of ideas, reflections and practical insights that might give you something new to think about in your own practice.

Here are a few things that stood out to me:

• You may already have access to research resources without realising
• Networking can be as simple as having some interesting conversations
• Books are reflecting a shift towards lived experience and identity in therapy
• Creative tools like Minecraft can open up new ways of working, especially with neurodivergent clients
• Working with children often asks something a bit different of us
• Having the right systems in place can free up more time for the work you actually want to be doing
• Practice management systems take data security very seriously

Speaker Information

PCCS Books 🌐 pccs-books.co.uk

Kel O'Neill 🌐 counsellingandtraining.co.uk

Place2Be 📧 [email protected]

Ellie Finch 🌐 playmodeacademy.org

WriteUpp 🌐 writeupp.com

You can also find me here:

The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook Group

Josephine Hughes on Facebook

Josephine Hughes on YouTube

My website: josephinehughes.com

Setting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERE

Need ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HERE

Keywords: private practice tips, networking for counsellors, continuing professional development, BACP membership benefits, accessing psychology journals, therapy resources, counselling and social media, eating disorders awareness, working with children and young people, creative therapy tools, Minecraft in therapy, neurodiversity and counselling, body image issues in youth, trauma-informed therapy, practice management systems, research in psychotherapy, digital resources for counsellors, building a counselling practice

The information contained in Good Enough Counsellors is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this podcast are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this podcast.

Josephine Hughes disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this podcast.

In this episode, I'm joined by counsellor Julie Wales who has become known for her work with neurodiverse couples. You don’t need to have everything figured out from the beginning and Julie’s story is a reminder that your niche can develop over time, often by following what you care about and noticing the people who are already coming to you for help.

We talk about the role of blogging, networking and community and how small, consistent steps can help you grow a practice that feels aligned with who you are - even if you are terrified when you first start.

This is a really encouraging episode if you’ve ever wondered how to:

• find your niche
• grow your confidence over time
• attract clients without feeling salesy
• or become more visible in a way that feels natural

Takeaways:

• How blogging can help clients find you
• The impact of updating your website and speaking clearly to your niche
• Building a private practice through networking and relationships
• The value of community and support when building a practice
• Why you don't have to feel like an expert to become recognised for your niche

You can find Julie and her work here: https://juliewalescounselling.co.uk

Julie shares blogs, resources and information about her work with individuals, couples and families, including her support group for women.

You can also find me here:

The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook Group

Josephine Hughes on Facebook

Josephine Hughes on YouTube

My website: josephinehughes.com

Setting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERE

Need ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HERE

Keywords: counselling niche, therapist niche, private practice counselling, how to find your niche as a therapist, neurodiverse couples therapy, how to get counselling clients, therapist marketing

The information contained in Good Enough Counsellors is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this podcast are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this podcast.

Josephine Hughes disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this podcast.

In this final episode of my mini series on why clients don't follow you on social media, I discuss the importance of being clearer about who you're trying to reach and what you want to be known for.

When you consistently talk about a specific area of work, people begin to recognise you for it. That recognition builds trust, helps clients find you, and can even lead to speaking opportunities, referrals, and wider reach.

• If your followers are mainly therapists, it may be because your content and conversations are happening in therapist spaces.
• Authority isn’t about being the expert in someone’s life. It simply means being recognised for a particular area of work.
• Being specific helps people remember you and makes it easier for the right clients to find you.
• Repeating the themes you want to be known for builds recognition over time.

In the episode I also suggest a few themes you could explore this month:

Stress and overload – April is Stress Awareness Month, a good opportunity to talk about burnout and workplace stress.

Identity and visibility – With Autism Acceptance Day and Lesbian Visibility Week, you might explore masking, identity, and inclusive therapy spaces.

Connection and companionship – April is also National Pet Month, which opens conversations about loneliness, comfort, and grief for pets.

You can listen to Liezl talk about her work in Episode 76 and access her website HERE

If you’d like support identifying your niche and communicating clearly to the clients you want to work with, you can find out more about Therapy Growth Group in the link below.

You can also find me here:

The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook Group

Josephine Hughes on Facebook

Josephine Hughes on YouTube

My website: josephinehughes.com

Setting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERE

Need ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HERE

Keywords: private practice marketing, social media for therapists, overcoming imposter syndrome in therapy, therapist referral networks, marketing for mental health professionals, branding for therapists, themes for therapy content creation

The information contained in Good Enough Counsellors is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this podcast are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this podcast.

Josephine Hughes disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this podcast.

f you’re replying to emails late at night, chasing invoices between sessions, or taking your laptop on holiday “just in case”, it might feel like admin is taking over your life.

For private practice therapists, enquiries, invoicing, cancellations, GDPR, practice management systems, and Making Tax Digital can eat into the time that you'd much rather be using for seeing clients.

In this episode, I’m joined by Anna Bunch of Psych VA to explore how virtual assistants for therapists can help lighten that admin load.

We talk about:

• What a virtual assistant actually does in a therapy practice
• Managing client enquiries and follow ups
• Support with invoicing and insurance companies
• Getting set up with practice management systems such as WriteUpp
• Making Tax Digital and accounting software like Xero
• Confidentiality and GDPR when outsourcing admin
• How to know when it might be time to get help

If admin is creeping into your evenings and weekends, this conversation will help you decide what support could look like for you.

About Anna: Anna Bunch is the founder of Psych VA, a UK based virtual assistant agency supporting therapists and psychologists in private practice. Her team helps with admin, inbox and diary management, invoicing, insurance work, and practice management systems, helping clinics run smoothly and sustainably. You can find Anna HERE at her website, where you can book an appointment or contact her for her time tracker tool.

Setting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERE

Need ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HERE

You can also find me here:

The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook Group

Josephine Hughes on Facebook

Josephine Hughes on YouTube

My website: josephinehughes.com

Keywords: private practice support, virtual assistant for therapists, therapist work-life balance, outsourcing therapy tasks, efficient client management, therapy growth strategies, practice management systems, therapist burnout prevention, administrative support for therapists

The information contained in Good Enough Counsellors is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this podcast are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this podcast.

Josephine Hughes disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this podcast.

The BACP No More Stiff Upper Lip campaign has generated significant national coverage - and strong reactions within the therapy profession.

Rather than asking whether the campaign was “good” or “bad”, I’m exploring something slightly different:

• What was the campaign trying to do?
• Whether it "worked" - and what that even means
• And what can we learn from it as therapists building private practices

Takeaways:

• Niching inevitably includes some people and excludes others
• Securing media attention and professional approval are not always the same thing
• Standing out may invite a critical reaction
• Think about how it might land with clients
• A critical reaction does not automatically mean failure

This episode discusses the BACP No More Stiff Upper Lip campaign, therapy marketing, and niching in private practice.

You can also find me here:

The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook Group

Josephine Hughes on Facebook

Josephine Hughes on YouTube

My website: josephinehughes.com

Setting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERE

Need ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HERE

Keywords

private practice, women over 50, mental wellbeing, BACP campaign, No More Stiff Upper Lip, mental health awareness, therapy for women, public conversation about therapy, media coverage for therapy, counselling for women

How do you move from being found online to actually being booked by the right clients?

In this episode, website and marketing specialist Kat Love breaks down the three stages of marketing for therapists, from visibility and awareness, to consideration, to making it easy for clients to take the next step.

We talk about why marketing for therapists often feels overwhelming, how to reduce friction on your website so enquiries come more easily, how to avoid “psychobabble” that pushes potential clients away, and how to build ethical social proof without compromising your values.

By the end of the episode, you'll understand which stage of your marketing needs attention and how to move from being found to being booked in a way that feels grounded and realistic.

• Marketing moves through three stages: being found, being considered, and being booked.
• Visibility is often uncomfortable. Choose activities in your marketing window of tolerance
• Clients move at different speeds. Not everyone books straight away
• Make the next step clear and reassuring on your website
• Avoid psychobabble. Use the words your clients would use.
• Social proof can be ethical and does not have to rely on testimonials

You can find Kat at their website: https://katlove.com

If the psychobabble section has you rethinking your website or directory profile, you can find support in Therapy Growth Group where we regularly work on profiles, niching and clear messaging so that potential clients understand exactly how you help.

Setting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERE

Need ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HERE

You can also find me here:

The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook Group

Josephine Hughes on Facebook

Josephine Hughes on YouTube

My website: josephinehughes.com

Keywords: marketing for therapists, private practice growth, therapist websites, referral networks, content marketing for therapists, SEO for therapy practices, ethical marketing, client testimonials, psychobabble in therapy, visibility in marketing, awareness stage marketing, consideration stage marketing, building a client base

The information contained in Good Enough Counsellors is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this podcast are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this podcast.

Josephine Hughes disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this podcast.

This episode continues last month’s discussion on why clients don’t always follow therapists on social media. In Part 1, I talked about how professional language can unintentionally create distance between therapists and potential clients. In this episode, I zoom out a little. Because it’s not just about the words we use - it’s about how people experience our content emotionally.

Clients don’t follow therapists because they’re impressed. They follow when they feel understood.

1. Why social media can feel exposing and discouraging for therapists
2. How fear of judgement can make our posts sound careful or stilted
3. Why tone matters just as much as language
4. How small moments of appropriate self-disclosure can build connection
5. Why clients often follow for a while before making contact
6. How consistency over time helps people decide whether they feel safe with you

I also share examples from my own experience, including how story-based posts help people relate to you rather than feeling talked at.

At the end of the episode, I also share four simple themes you could use for March, based on upcoming awareness days:

1. Safety, harm, and being believed
2. Identity, visibility, and inclusion
3. Rest, regulation, and wellbeing
4. Care, connection, and unseen roles

And a reminder that in Therapy Growth Group, we're about to embark on Find Your Focus, including the Make Your Profile Work intensive week. This will help you shape your social media and blog posts to speak to the people you most want to reach.

Setting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERE

Need ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HERE

You can also find me here:

The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook Group

Josephine Hughes on Facebook

Josephine Hughes on YouTube

My website: josephinehughes.com

Keywords: social media, therapists, client engagement, authenticity, emotional connection, content ideas, March themes, overcoming challenges, building trust, managing responses

The information contained in Good Enough Counsellors is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this podcast are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this podcast.

Josephine Hughes disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this podcast.