The Grow Your Private Practice Show

Walking into the gym after a long break can feel so hard.

You look around and everyone seems to know what they’re doing - toned, confident, striding on machines that look more like torture devices than exercise equipment.

Meanwhile, you’re tugging at your leggings, feeling out of place, and wondering if it would be easier to give up and buy a big box of Maltesers on the way home.

That’s exactly how marketing your private practice can feel.

You see other counsellors with slick websites, polished blogs, or big social followings and you think, “I don’t belong here.”

But remember, just like in the gym, every single one of them had to start somewhere.

In this episode, I’ll show you why blogging is the treadmill of marketing: reliable, adaptable, and the perfect first step to get you moving.

Just like the treadmill builds stamina, strength, and confidence for everything else in the gym, blogging gives you the solid foundation you need for the rest of your marketing.

You’ll learn:

• Why blogging is a safe, steady starting point, whether you’re brand new or experienced.
• How consistency builds confidence (like going from 2 minutes on the cross trainer to 30).
• Why you don’t need the “flashy machines” of marketing before you’ve got a solid base.
• How blogging supports everything else: social media, directories, networking, even workshops.

So if you’ve been standing at the edge of your marketing 'gym', comparing yourself to everyone who looks like they’ve got it together, this episode is your nudge to step onto the treadmill and just get started.

👉 And if blogging feels overwhelming, that’s exactly why I created Grow Your Blog. It’s designed to help you start, stay consistent, and build your confidence, whether you’ve written zero blogs or fifty. Find out more here

And for more of my free and paid resources CLICK HERE

Over the years I’ve had messages from therapists saying the podcast has been their companion on dog walks, in the car, or when they’re feeling stuck and need a nudge. If the show has been that for you and you’d like to support it, you can now Buy Me a Coffee.

It helps keep the lights on and the episodes flowing, one brew at a time.

👉 Buy Me a Coffee

Procrastination doesn’t mean you’re lazy; it means your energy is stuck.

In this episode, I share why getting stuck feels so frustrating (especially when you compare yourself to other counsellors who seem to be doing it all), and how you can see it in a completely different way.

You’ll discover:

• Why procrastination isn’t a sign of failure or laziness (phew!)
• The real reasons you put off tasks in your private practice
• Simple, doable steps to release that stuck energy and get moving again

If you’ve ever found yourself tidying your desk, scrolling social media, or avoiding that important task, this episode will help you move forward with more ease and confidence.

Come and join us inside The Grow Your Private Practice membership. A safe, supportive space where you’ll find practical tools, step-by-step guidance, and a community that gets it.

And if you’d like to explore more free and paid resources to help you along the way, you can start right here: janetravis.co.uk/start-here

You’ve probably been told:

“You need a niche before you can start blogging.”

It sounds responsible. It feels strategic.

But for many counsellors? It becomes a fancy-sounding form of procrastination.

In this episode, we’re busting one of the most persistent blogging myths out there, the idea that you can’t start sharing your voice until your niche is perfectly figured out.

If you’ve been staring at a blinking cursor, endlessly tweaking your website or bio instead of actually writing… this one’s for you.

We’ll cover:

✅ Why “niche first” can quietly keep you stuck

✅ What to do if you don’t feel 100% clear on your niche yet

✅ How blogging can actually help you discover who you’re meant to serve

✅ And the mindset shift that can finally get you writing again

NOTE: This episode was created using the DragonSlayer Framework from Framework First, my monthly, low cost blog support membership where we bust unhelpful marketing myths and make blogging doable (and way less daunting) for counsellors.

So if you’ve been waiting for clarity before you start… maybe this is your sign to stop waiting and start writing.

🎧 Listen now — and let’s get you unstuck.

Framework First Blogging Method - A low-cost, step-by-step method for blogging once a month with ease

→ Blogging for Counsellors | Monthly Writing System to Attract Clients

Other blogs and podcast episodes:

• Episode 99: How having a niche has impacted my practice, with Elsie Owen
• Episode 194: Blogging for Therapists: 4 Myths Holding You Back
• Episode 175: Why You Don’t Need All the Answers in Your Blog

And for more of my free and paid resources CLICK HERE

What if your next big breakthrough in private practice isn’t a brand-new strategy, but simply making the most of what you’ve already got?

In this episode, I’m sharing 10 small-but-mighty areas to check in on. The kind of practical tweaks that can bring more ease, more focus, and yes… even more client enquiries.

Most counsellors skip this kind of business reset. They keep pushing forward, adding more to their plate and end up stuck.

But you don’t have to. With a little reflection (and some cushion-and-throw-style updates), you can refresh your practice without starting from scratch.

We’ll explore:

• How to spot when your clients, systems, or boundaries need a reset
• Why less social media can actually bring you better results
• The hidden marketing assets you already have but aren’t using
• How to check whether your goals still match the life you want now

This isn’t about doing everything. It’s about making a few focused changes that move your practice forward.

🎧 Listen in and give yourself the reset you’ve been waiting for.

If you find yourself opening just one more tab before writing a blog post, this episode is for you.

Many counsellors fall into the research trap, thinking more information will make blogging easier. But what if that habit is actually slowing you down and watering down your voice?

In this episode, I’m sharing how counsellors should approach blog research in a simpler, more sustainable way so you can stop second-guessing and start writing with more ease and confidence.

🎧 Hit play to learn a more effective way to blog and find out if this is the writing habit that’s quietly draining you.

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Framework First Blogging Method - A low-cost, step-by-step method for blogging once a month with ease

→ Blogging for Counsellors | Monthly Writing System to Attract Clients

And for more of my free and paid resources CLICK HERE

If you’ve ever avoided hitting publish because your blog felt “too short,” you’re not alone. Many counsellors get stuck on word count, but focusing on blog length too soon can actually stop you from getting found by clients.

In this episode, I share:

• The reality about blog post length for counsellors
• Why word count isn’t the most important thing when you’re starting out
• 5 practical ways to make blogging quicker, easier, and far less overwhelming

Whether you’re new to blogging or ready to improve your private practice marketing, you’ll leave this episode with the confidence to publish without worrying about “perfect” length.

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Framework First Blogging Method - A low-cost, step-by-step method for blogging once a month with ease

→ Blogging for Counsellors | Monthly Writing System to Attract Clients

And for more of my free and paid resources CLICK HERE

What does giving up ironing have to do with counsellor marketing? More than you’d think!

In this episode, I talk about the invisible “shoulds” we carry, especially around marketing and how they quietly eat up your time, energy, and confidence.

We’ll look at some of the most common ones counsellors follow (often without realising), and I’ll share how to replace them with something that actually works for you.

• Why “being professional” doesn’t mean being bland
• What consistency can really look like for counsellors (no daily posts needed)
• The link between personal disclosure and building trust
• What to do if you don’t have a niche yet
• Why swearing might just be your secret marketing weapon (thank you, Beccy Upton)
• How to save time and still show up without the burnout

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Framework First Blogging Method

A low-cost, step-by-step method for blogging once a month with ease

→ Blogging for Counsellors | Monthly Writing System to Attract Clients

Listen to Becca Upton’s Episode

Authentic marketing for counsellors who’d rather be themselves

→ Authentic Marketing for Therapists Who’d Rather Be Themselves, with Becca Upton - Grow Your Private Practice, with Jane Travis

Further Reading on Personal Disclosure & Storytelling:

• Personal Disclosure in Marketing – Part 1
• Personal Disclosure in Marketing – Part 2
• The Power of Storytelling in Your Blog

Want to blog with less pressure?

Check out my two-part blog series on redefining consistency for counsellors.

• The reality of consistency, with Sarah Dosanjh
• Unlocking YouTube’s Potential for Therapists, with Sarah Dosanjh - Grow Your Private Practice, with Jane Travis

And for more of my free and paid resources CLICK HERE

You sit down to write a blog with a helpful idea in mind…

But suddenly you’re deep-cleaning the fridge, questioning your niche, and wondering if you should just start a podcast instead.

Why is it so hard to actually start writing?

In this episode of the Grow Your Private Practice Show, we’re talking about how to get into a state of writing flow – where the words come easier, your inner critic quiets down, and blogging doesn’t feel like such a slog.

You’ll hear:

• Why writing feels so hard (and no, it’s not because you’re bad at it)
• The real reasons therapists get stuck or spiral
• How to set up your writing environment to support your brain
• The mindset shift that makes a massive difference
• What a “shitty first draft” is and why you need one
• A simple tool (coming soon!) to help you start faster and write with more ease

Whether blogging’s been sitting on your to-do list for weeks or you’re stuck overthinking every word, this episode will help you finally find your rhythm.

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🌱 Want help making blogging easier?

Introducing Framework First Blogging Method

This is a low-cost (£9/month), offer designed for therapists and counsellors who want to write faster and get found by more of the right clients.

Or come join us inside the Grow Your Private Practice membership, where we write together in real-time and ditch the perfectionism for good.

For more of my free and paid resources CLICK HERE

You sit down to write a blog post with a warm, helpful idea in your heart… and suddenly it sounds like a CPD presentation.

Formal. Polished. Slightly robotic.

Why does “Professional Mode” take over the second you start typing?

In this episode of the Grow Your Private Practice Show, we’re talking about why so many counsellors struggle to sound like themselves when they write, and how to change that.

You’ll hear:

• Why “lecture mode” happens (and why it’s not your fault)
• How formal writing accidentally creates distance and disconnect
• Simple ways to make your blog sound more human, not like a handout
• The tiny tweaks that help clients feel seen, not scolded
• 5 quick fixes for turning down your Therapist Voice

Whether you’re just starting your blog or feel stuck in formal-speak, this episode will help you write with more warmth, more trust, and more you.

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Want help sounding more like you in your content?

Check out The Framework First Blogging Method. Your low cost (£9/month), low-pressure mini-membership for counsellors who want to publish one meaningful, client-connecting blog post each month without the writer's block or drama.

Join us inside the Grow Your Private Practice membership.

Or check out my free and paid resources

If marketing makes you want to hide under a blanket, this episode is for you.

In this refreshingly honest chat, I break down why marketing isn’t just a “nice to have” in private practice, it’s essential. But don’t worry, there’s no jargon or pushy tactics here. Just real talk about why visibility matters, how to make marketing a regular part of your week (without burning out), and the mindset shift that changes everything.

You’ll discover:

• Why “if I build it, they will come” doesn’t work for therapy practices
• The surprising non-sleazy truth about ethical marketing
• A practical approach to finding your marketing rhythm
• The biggest mindset mistake that keeps therapists stuck and invisible
• How one therapist filled her diary without being everywhere online

Plus, I share the small-but-mighty move you can make this week to attract more of the right clients with way less faff.

Ready to treat marketing like the lifeblood of your business (in a way that feels good)? Let’s get into it.

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Resources mentioned in this episode:

'How to attract clients by helping, not selling' – Free inside The Vault

'How To Avoid the Feast And Famine Cycle in Your Private Practice'

'Why your private practice should NOT be on every social media platform'

'How to Get Found by Your Ideal Therapy Clients'

👉 Want help with your therapy directory listing?

Check out The Directory Revival - my 1:1 service to help you attract more of the right clients, with less stress.