If you want to attract more clients to your private practice, your therapist profile needs to show people that they’ll be safe with you.

In this episode, we’re talking about how a simple inclusion statement can make the difference between someone reaching out — or quietly clicking away. I share a personal story about almost contacting a therapist, and why I didn’t, and explore what therapists can do to show they’re truly inclusive.

I’ll walk you through why these statements matter, what often holds us back from writing them, and what you can include — even if you’re still learning.

If you’ve ever wondered how to make your practice more welcoming and visible to people from marginalised communities, this one’s for you.

Takeaways:

• Why inclusion statements help the right clients feel safe enough to reach out
• What silence on your profile might be saying (without you realising)
• Common fears therapists have about getting it wrong — and why it’s okay to start small
• Simple ideas for what to include in a statement that feels genuine
• Real-life examples of inclusive therapist websites that work

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

Links referenced in this episode:

• jennifersnowcounselling.co.uk
• psychodynamictherapybirmingham.co.uk

Keywords:

inclusive therapy practices, diversity in counselling, creating an inclusive therapist profile, client safety in therapy, understanding LGBTQ+ clients, therapy growth strategies, anti-racist therapy practices, writing an inclusion statement, addressing privilege in therapy, promoting equality in therapy, therapist-client relationship dynamics, best practices for inclusive therapy

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.

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

Feeling disheartened by low engagement on your posts? Wondering if it’s even worth using social media when no one seems to be watching?

In this first episode of a 3 part series, we’re digging into the content side of social media for therapists in private practice — what to post, how to make it meaningful, and why even quiet followers might be paying more attention than you think.

You’ll learn:

• Why visibility isn’t the same as validation
• The 50/30/20 rule for balancing engaging, informative, and promotional content
• How stories, hashtags, emojis, and reels can gently boost your reach
• What your page insights can teach you (even if they feel discouraging)

And if you're looking for ideas about what to post over the summer months, this episode also includes campaign ideas using awareness events, such as:

• Bereaved Parents Month
• National Picnic Month
• World Listening Day
• International Self-Care Day
• Non Binary People's Awareness Week

This episode is full of practical tips — and a whole lot of reassurance.

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 for therapists, content creation tips, engaging social media posts, growing private practice, therapy marketing strategies, social media engagement, building an online presence, mental health content ideas, posting on social media, therapist social media tips, summer campaign ideas, therapy growth group

In this episode of Good Enough Counsellors, I’m joined by the brilliant Jeanine Connor -psychodynamic psychotherapist, author, and editor of the BACP Children, Young People and Families Journal. Jeanine describes the realities of working with adolescents, exploring how the Netflix series Adolescence and media stories fuel fear about young people. Having worked with transgender young people for over 20 years, Jeanine also offers her insights into working with this client group. We also chat about how to hold space for young people in therapy, laugh about memorable moments with teens, and reflect on why this work is so vital.

Takeaways:

• Where the Netflix TV series Adolescence went wrong
• Why banning smartphones misses the point
• What the discussion on boys and the Manosphere forgets
• How Gen Z’s views on gender and sexuality challenge old assumptions
• Supporting young people’s mental health in a world of constant change
• Why trans youth need respect and affirmation, not fear and bans

You can find Jeanine via her website: jeanineconnor.com or on LinkedIn.

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:

transgender issues, LGBTQ youth, Gen Z perspectives, adolescent mental health, manosphere, psychotherapy for young people, Adolescence, gender identity exploration, supporting transgender youth, parental guidance for LGBTQ issues, youth and technology, therapy for teenagers, understanding modern adolescence

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 Good Enough Counsellors, we'll explore how to craft a therapist directory profile that truly resonates with clients.

Takeaways:

• Why most profiles get skimmed - and how to fix yours
• The key mistakes therapists make (and how to avoid them)
• How to show clients that you "get" them
• Using clients' language to connect instantly
• A simple framework to identify your niche without stress
• How to write with empathy and attract the clients you love working with

By the end, you'll feel more confident and ready to write a profile that really attracts the people you're here to help.

If you're ready to attract the clients you'd love to work with, join the "Make Your Profile Work" training this June inside Therapy Growth Group. We'll walk through what to include and write your profile together with feedback. Sign up 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:

counselling profile writing, private practice growth, therapist marketing strategies, how to attract clients, effective therapy profiles, therapy marketing tips, private practice marketing, therapist profile mistakes, writing for therapists, niching 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.

Has your therapy profile been gathering dust? In this episode of Good Enough Counsellors, Josephine Hughes shares why writing your directory profile once and forgetting about it means you may be missing out — especially if you want to attract more of the right clients.

From updating your photo to adding a short video, Josephine offers practical encouragement and simple tweaks to help your profile feel more relevant, more accurate, and more effective. You’ll also learn how to use feedback from real enquiries to refine your message — and why refreshing your profile regularly can boost your visibility on directories.

Takeaways:

• Why updated profiles are favoured in search results
• How an old photo (or Covid era profile) could affect client trust
• The value of introductory videos
• How client feedback can enhance your profile
• A realistic way to keep your profile up to date without the overwhelm

Resources mentioned:

Access the Therapist Profile Toolkit HERE

Episode 28: Recording a Video for Directory Profiles

Episode 22: Directory Profiles: Photo Tips to Get Noticed

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 Good Enough Counsellors, I’m joined by Sharon May, founder of Kingsclere Counselling Service.

Sharon shares her inspiring journey from working alone in a single upstairs room on her family farm to building a thriving group practice of 14 therapists. We talk about the moment she took the leap to expand (far earlier than she expected), and how she weathered the pandemic just as her practice had begun to grow.

But this episode is about more than business. Sharon opens up about imposter syndrome, trusting her gut, and how her values help her navigate big decisions. She also talks about doing a Masters in psychotherapy — and the research that followed into the mental health of farm wives, which led to her being awarded a prestigious Nuffield scholarship to study the topic around the world.

Takeaways:

• That having courage means experiencing fear, too
• What Sharon learned from running a team
• The importance of being value-led to grow a counselling service that’s rooted in community
• What Sharon's research reveals about the hidden emotional burden carried by women in agriculture
• Why imposter syndrome often means you’re doing better than you think

Whether you’re building a private practice, exploring a niche, or just wondering what your next step might be, this conversation is packed with honesty, insight and encouragement for all those people who secretly think they're not good enough.

Connect with Sharon via her website HERE. She'd love to hear from you if you're interested in rural mental health issues or have farming experience.

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:

courage, mental health, counselling, private practice, therapy, overcoming fear, farmer mental health, group practice, professional development, imposter syndrome, vulnerability, agricultural mental health, therapist collaboration, personal growth, work-life balance

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 Social Media Monthly episode of Good Enough Counsellors, Josephine explores how therapists can use AI (like ChatGPT) to make content creation easier, faster, and more authentic. She shares her personal experience of using artificial intelligence for idea generation, writing help, hooks, post repurposing, alt text, and even image creation. Josephine also shares cautions about how to use AI without losing your authentic voice. Finally, she gives practical examples of how to use AI tools for upcoming June social media dates, including Loneliness Awareness Week.

Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by social media or just curious about how AI can lighten your workload, this episode is packed with encouragement and realistic practical tips to help busy therapists.

Takeaways:

• How Josephine uses AI tools like ChatGPT in her own content process and how you can do so too
• Why AI is brilliant for ideas but bad for fact-checking
• How to prompt AI to suit your tone (and how NOT to make it sycophantic!)
• Cautions about common “AI giveaways” in social media posts
• How to repurpose posts across Facebook, Instagram, blogs, and podcasts
• Tips for using AI to generate alt text and create engaging visuals
• June 2025 social media awareness dates, including a deep dive into Loneliness Awareness Week posts across 4 therapy niches

Links referenced in this episode:

• OpenAI.com
• lonelinessawarenessweek.org
• 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:

AI social media strategies, using ChatGPT for content creation, social media content ideas, social media marketing tips, AI tools for content generation, social media engagement techniques, best AI tools for therapists, AI for blog post ideas, creating engaging social media posts, social media calendar for therapists, AI for therapy growth.

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 powerful and eye opening episode, I’m joined by Cat Chappell and Jo Reader - together known as The Fat Counsellors - to talk about fat phobia in therapy and why it’s essential for therapists to explore their own internalised biases.

We discuss how anti-fat attitudes are embedded in society, how these messages seep into the therapy room, and what it takes to create fat-positive, compassionate spaces for all clients. From myth busting around BMI and health to examining the roots of body based discrimination, this conversation is both personal and deeply informative.

Whether you’re new to this work or already on the journey, this episode will challenge your thinking and offer practical ways to show up better for your clients - and yourself.

Takeaways

• How fat phobia shows up in therapy rooms
• The impact of internalised diet culture on therapists and clients
• Why BMI is not a reliable health measure
• The historical roots of anti-fat bias
• Understanding thin privilege and body shame
• Creating truly inclusive spaces for clients of all sizes
• What therapists can do today to start unpacking their own body image beliefs

Feeling completely overwhelmed by private practice? Whether you’re just getting started or stuck with marketing your existing therapy practice, this episode is your gentle nudge to take action - one tiny step at a time.

Josephine shares her own story of paralysis when starting out, and how the idea of a minimum viable product helped her move forward without needing everything to be perfect. You'll learn how to break down daunting tasks, how to get motivated with small wins, and why starting scrappy is better than not starting at all.

Takeaways:

• Why overwhelm happens and what to do about it
• The myth of needing a “perfect” website, logo, or strategy
• The concept of minimum viable product and how it applies to private practice
• How to break down big tasks like updating your directory profile
• The power of 15-minute timers and the Pomodoro method
• Real-life examples of starting small - from directory entries to social media posts
• Why progress, not perfection, is the key to growth

If private practice feels too big or too much, you’re not alone - and it doesn’t have to stay that way.

Want help writing your directory profile? I’ve written a range of blogs to guide you - head to josephinehughes.com/blog

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

private practice tips, starting private practice, marketing for therapists, motivation for therapists, setting up a therapy practice, private practice marketing strategies, mental health business tips, productivity for therapists, therapy practice management, getting clients in private 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.