In this month’s Good Enough Counsellors podcast, I’m taking my own advice - yes, really! With a busy week supporting therapists in the Therapy Growth Group, I didn’t have time to prep a brand new episode, so I’ve reused some golden content from a previous episode on social media planning.

This episode is perfect for you if you're a therapist who struggles with planning content or posting consistently. Whether you're a meticulous scheduler or more of a "post as the mood takes you" type, there's something here for you.

Plus, I’ll share:

• Ideas for social media posts for May 2025
• How to use Mental Health Awareness Week (13–19 May, theme: community) in your content
• Ways to tailor posts to your niche - whether that’s trauma, anxiety, bereavement, neurodivergence, addiction, or maternal mental health
• A few lighter post ideas to mix things up (yes, Talk Like Yoda Day makes an appearance...)

Takeaways:

• Why it’s okay to reuse your posts (and your podcast content!)
• Different approaches to social media planning—and how to find one that works for you
• How to use awareness days like Mental Health Awareness Week and Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week to connect with your audience
• How to create post themes that make your content easier to write and more consistent
• A little reminder that social media can be fun too

Links referenced in this episode:

• mentalhealth.org.uk
• 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

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 marketing for therapists, mental health awareness week, social media planning tips, content ideas for therapists, promoting therapy on social media

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 of The Good Enough Counsellors Podcast, I’m joined by the incredible Suzanne Wagg, an integrative therapist with a fascinating journey into private practice. From 12 years in the military to working in education and the NHS, Suzanne’s story is one of resilience, growth, and learning to trust her instincts.

After receiving life-changing therapy following a brain tumour diagnosis, Suzanne knew she wanted to help others. She later became a staff counsellor at the very hospital that saved her life before transitioning into private practice, where she now works flexibly from her beautiful garden office in Lichfield.

We chat about:

• The life events that shaped her as a therapist
• The challenges (and surprising advantages) of moving 26 times before settling down
• How she found confidence in marketing herself (with some help from her cat, Greybear!)
• The power of flexibility and trusting your gut in private practice
• Why being real, human, and a little bit sweary makes all the difference in therapy

Suzanne also shares her philosophy on hope, self-trust, and not getting caught up in comparison traps. If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt in your practice, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!

Have you ever had a client just… disappear? No explanation, no cancellation - just silence? Being ghosted as a therapist can be frustrating, confusing, and even a little painful. It’s easy to start wondering: did I do something wrong?

In this episode, I share my own experience of being ghosted by a client - and why I assumed the worst instead of considering other possibilities. We’ll explore why therapy clients ghost, how self-doubt and imposter syndrome can creep in, and why it’s especially hard for neurodivergent therapists with Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD).

We’ll also discuss how to handle client no-shows in private practice, whether you should follow up, and ways to reframe ghosting so it doesn’t shake your confidence.

If you’ve ever been left wondering what happened when a client stopped coming to therapy, this episode will help you feel less alone and more equipped to move forward.

Takeaways:

• Why therapy clients ghost - and why it’s not always about you
• How ghosting can trigger self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and embarrassment
• The impact of Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) on neurodivergent therapists
• Should you follow up? How to handle client no-shows professionally
• How to reframe ghosting so it doesn’t undermine your confidence

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

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.

therapy ghosting, being ghosted by clients, private practice challenges, therapist self-care, emotional impact of ghosting, self-compassion for therapists, managing client dropouts, reasons clients stop therapy, effective cancellation policy, overcoming self-doubt as a therapist, peer support for therapists, navigating client relationships, therapy growth group

Have you ever wondered how horses can play a role in therapy? In this fascinating episode, Josephine Hughes is joined by Alex Gulland, an equine therapist who works with clients alongside horses to support emotional healing and personal growth. Alex shares how equine therapy works, who it’s best suited for, and why the presence of horses can help people in ways that traditional therapy might not. Whether you're a therapist curious about equine-assisted work or someone interested in alternative approaches to healing, this episode will give you insights into the unique connection between humans and horses.

Takeaways:

• What is equine assisted therapy and how it works
• Why horses are so attuned to human emotions
• The types of clients who benefit from equine therapy
• Real-life stories of transformation through therapy with horses
• How therapists can train in equine-assisted therapy

Find out more about Alex 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

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.

Keywords:

Equine therapy, therapy with horses, equine assisted therapy

Are you holding back from posting on social media because of self-doubt?

Do you ever wonder, Who do I think I am to be posting this? You’re not alone. Many therapists struggle with the fear of seeming self-promotional, not knowing enough, or being judged. In this episode of The Good Enough Counsellors Podcast, I’ll help you reframe your approach to social media so it feels less about you and more about helping others. I’ll also walk you through practical strategies to shift your mindset, overcome perfectionism, and start posting with confidence.

In the second half of the episode, I’ll help you plan your April social media content with ideas for Stress Awareness Month. I’ll break it down into weekly themes and share engagement questions, educational topics, and post ideas for different therapy niches.

Takeaways:

• Why therapists often struggle with social media self-doubt
• How to reframe social media as service, not self-promotion
• The three biggest fears that stop you from posting—and how to overcome them
• A simple shift that makes writing posts easier
• How to reach your ideal clients without feeling like you’re ‘selling’

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

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.

self doubt in marketing, overcoming self doubt, how to promote yourself as a therapist, social media for therapists, mental health marketing strategies, Stress Awareness Month 2025, promoting your practice online, addressing fear of judgment, marketing for counsellors

In this episode of Good Enough Counsellors, Josephine Hughes talks with therapist Elizabeth Turp about the realities of running a private practice while managing a chronic illness. Elizabeth shares her personal journey, the unique challenges therapists with energy-limiting conditions face, and how she’s adapted her practice to prioritise well-being. We discuss the importance of boundaries, pricing, pacing, and self-care - without the guilt. This episode will also help those therapists who have caring responsibilities alongside their private practice - and contains insights into well-being and handling world news.

Takeaways:

• The challenges of private practice with a chronic illness
• Setting boundaries to avoid burnout
• Pricing and sustainability for therapists with limited capacity
• How pacing and planning can help maintain stability
• Finding support and supervision that truly understands

Elizabeth Turp MBACP (Accred.) is a writer, podcaster and artist. A counsellor since 1998, her lived experience makes her passionate about helping people with disabling chronic illnesses navigate life and work and improve their physical and emotional wellbeing. She specialises in helping people with chronic invisible illness, including consultation for counsellors living with energy-limiting chronic conditions. Please connect on LinkedIn.

Visit her website here for articles and her book: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Me: Support for Family and Friends

Find The How We Care podcast 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

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.

chronic fatigue syndrome, invisible disability, therapist self-care, working with chronic illness, private practice challenges, coping strategies for chronic fatigue, boundaries in therapy, burnout prevention for therapists, chronic illness support, pricing for therapy services, chronic illness in the workplace

Many therapists think of networking as formal business events, awkward small talk, and the pressure to "sell" themselves. But in reality, networking is already happening - often in ways therapists don’t even recognise.

In this episode of The Good Enough Counsellors Podcast, Josephine Hughes explores how therapists can use word-of-mouth referrals to grow their private practice, without feeling uncomfortable or inauthentic.

Takeaways:

• Why networking isn’t just about business meetings and professional groups
• How therapists are already part of networks they can tap into
• The power of professional connections (including online spaces like Facebook groups)
• How to talk about therapy services naturally, without feeling salesy
• Real-life examples of therapists who have successfully built their practice through referrals

Word-of-mouth referrals remain one of the most effective ways for therapists to attract new clients. This episode offers practical insights into how to make the most of existing networks and build new connections with confidence.

Listen now to discover how networking can work for you!

networking for therapists, private practice referrals, word of mouth marketing, networking tips for introverts, marketing for therapists, social media networking for therapists, therapist marketing techniques

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

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.

Katrina Johnson candidly shares her journey into private practice and how she overcame her fears to set up and promote her practice. She and Josephine talk about how important it is to embrace vulnerability and take those first steps, even when moving into private practice feels uncertain and a bit scary. As Katrina shares how she built her client base through social media and word-of-mouth, we get a real look at what works when it comes to attracting clients in a way that feels natural. This episode is a reminder that perseverance and self-belief can make all the difference, even when doubts creep in - encouraging other therapists to take the leap into private practice with confidence.

Takeaways:

• Fear of not being good enough held Katrina back but she discovered those fears were unfounded
• Katrina has been consistent on social media and successfully attracted clients.
• A significant aspect of her success has been the willingness to share personal experiences, including her journey through pregnancy loss, which resonated with clients and fostered a sense of connection.
• Katrina emphasised the importance of setting boundaries in her practice, particularly as the Mum of young children. This allows her to maintain a balance between work and family life, which is crucial for her well-being.
• Finally, Katrina reflects on how overcoming fear and embracing opportunities, stepping outside her comfort zones, has helped her professional growth.

Keywords:

private practice, starting private practice, social media for therapists, therapist branding, marketing for therapists, self-care for therapists, therapist supervision, pregnancy loss support

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

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 of the Good Enough Counsellors Podcast, Josephine Hughes discusses how therapists can use social media to attract more clients and grow their practice. Social media can be a powerful tool, but it’s easy to feel stuck when you’re unsure what to post. Josephine provides a simple framework to help therapists create content to connect with their audience, build trust, and drives potential clients to their practice.

If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a blank screen, unsure of what to post next, this episode is for you! Josephine covers how to plan your content using themes, the importance of consistency, and how awareness dates can inspire your social media calendar. By the end of this episode, you’ll have practical tips that will help make posting on social media easier and more effective.

Whether you're a therapist just starting out on social media or you're looking for ways to refresh your strategy, you’ll walk away with actionable insights to help you attract more clients.

Takeaways:

• Social media is an invaluable tool for therapists seeking to connect with potential clients and attract referrals.
• Establishing a content framework not only alleviates the pressure of content creation but also fosters consistency in engagement with your audience.
• Incorporating awareness dates into your content strategy can provide inspiration and relevance, enhancing the emotional connection with your followers.
• By categorising posts into education, encouragement, engagement, and empowerment, therapists can effectively reach different sectors of their audience.
• Consistent posting helps build trust and familiarity, ultimately making your audience anticipate your content and rely upon your insights.
• Planning ahead by utilising awareness dates makes it easier to post and enhances your social media presence.

social media for therapists, content ideas for therapists, how to attract clients on social media, Mother's Day content ideas, social media content planning, tips for therapists on social media, therapist social media tips, private practice marketing strategies

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

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.

Suzie Jamieson, a seasoned therapist, tells Josephine Hughes about her experience following a professional complaint that shook her confidence and career. On March 25, 2021, she received an email from the BACP informing her of a complaint, thrusting her into a world of fear and shame. Despite having a flourishing practice, the complaint triggered a profound personal crisis leading to a two-year ordeal filled with emotional turmoil. Susie candidly discusses the psychological impact of the experience, detailing how the stress of the complaint permeated her life, affecting her mental health and financial stability. She discusses the vulnerability therapists face in their practices and the stigma surrounding complaints. Susie emphasises the necessity for support systems for therapists who encounter such challenges, highlighting her commitment to fostering a safe space for fellow practitioners to navigate their own crises. Her resilience shines through as she illustrates her journey toward recovery, ultimately transforming her experience into a source of empowerment and advocacy for others in the field.

Takeaways:

• Susie Jamieson's journey reveals the profound emotional impact of receiving a client complaint.
• The lengthy complaints process can leave therapists feeling isolated and questioning their professional worth.
• Creating a supportive environment for therapists who have faced complaints is crucial for healing.
• The importance of maintaining thorough documentation cannot be overstated when faced with complaints.
• Susie's experiences highlighted the need for systemic changes within professional membership bodies

therapist support, complaints process for therapists, handling client complaints, therapist burnout, therapist self-care, ethical complaints in counselling

You can find Susie at her website or on Instagram and Facebook

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

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.