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.

In this episode of Good Enough Counsellors, Josephine Hughes is joined by Heather Dale - an experienced therapist, supervisor, and writer - to explore the often misunderstood world of counselling ethics. With over 40 years of practice and a BACP Fellowship under her belt, Heather brings warmth, clarity, and a touch of humour to topics that many find daunting.

Together, Josephine and Heather unravel what truly makes an ethical dilemma, why ethics might just be sexier than you think, and how to navigate common challenges - like supervision issues, gifting clients, confidentiality after death, and encountering clients in small communities.

They also explore the risks of being a therapist, how to make ethical decisions with confidence, and the tricky line between compassion and boundaries. This episode is a must-listen for trainees and experienced counsellors alike.

Takeaways

• What really makes something an ethical dilemma
• The six core principles of the BACP framework
• Why you can’t claim to follow the BACP code if you're not a member
• Ethics in action: gifts, notes, and stand-up comedy
• Confidentiality after death and how to handle court requests
• Internal vs. external supervision and the ethics of disagreement
• What to do if you spot unethical practice in a colleague

Resources Mentioned:

• BACP’s Good Practice in Action Guides
• Heather Dale’s article Can Ethics Be Sexy?
• The BACP Ethical Framework

You can find Heather 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:

ethical dilemmas in counselling, BACP ethical framework, Heather Dale BACP, counselling ethics, therapy ethics, therapy supervision ethics, real life ethical dilemmas

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 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.