The Grow Your Private Practice Show

If you think LinkedIn is a bit of a starchy, corporate place or not much more than an online CV then you could be missing out on a fabulous opportunity. Because LinkedIn is an amazing social media platform to focus on, especially if you are new to private practice and don’t have a website yet. In this episode, I share with you 6 compelling reasons why LinkedIn is great for therapistsIn this episode we explore:Why it’s a brilliant choice for counsellors new to private practiceHow it’s more simple to grow a followingYou don’t have to post every dayYou can share Articles to demonstrate your authority (Articles are basically blogs)You don’t always need imagesLinks to follow:Episode 8: What is social media engagement, and why you need to knowEpisode 4: 7 Steps to sharing great quotes on social mediaEpisode 9: How to save time and improve results on social mediaEpisode 17: 10 Reasons why blogging will attract more counselling clients

Do you ever doubt yourself and think you can’t write because you have nothing new to say, or worry that your spelling or grammar is too bad?Well, you’re not alone. In fact, when I spoke with Zoe a few years ago and suggested she tried blogging to attract clients, she didn’t believe she could write. Now, she’s just published her book.So today I chat with Zoe Clements about niches, personal disclosure, her Canva addiction and why you should give writing a go, even if you don’t think you can write.In this episode we explore:How having a niche helped her go from genetic counsellor to writing a bookHow she developed her unique voiceHow she uses stories to help readers connectHow Paddy her dog helps her bring ideas to lifeWhy she decided to invest her time, money and energy into writing a bookAbout ZoeZoe Clements is a qualified integrative counsellor who specialises in helping others soothe their overthinking brain and ease their anxiety from her private practice in London. In 2021, Zoe published her first book, 'But I Should Be Fine: How to gain relief from anxiety, overthinking and self-doubt'. Here she brings together her 16 years of professional experience and her personal struggles to deliver a warm, practical, psychobabble-free guide to overcoming anxiety. As a recovered overthinker, she is passionate about raising awareness of anxiety through professional speaking events, blogging and social media. When she is not working she can be found travelling or in South East London, where she lives with her wife, Lucinda, and their dog, Paddy.Find out more about Zoe and her services at www.zoeclements.co.uk Find her at:Instagram: @zoeclementscounsellorLinkedIn: Zoe ClementsBook available through:Amazon: In paperback and Kindle hereApple Books: EBook Coming to bookshops in April 2021Links to followEpisode 26: The truth about consistency (it might not be what you think!)Episode 18: 7 Ways for therapists to find blog post ideasEpisode 16: How to silence your inner criticEpisode 6: Do you need to be an expert to attract counselling clients?

Starting your own private practice can be an exciting time, but there’s a lot to think about. Even before you get started you have to consider what you’re going to call yourself. So in this episode, I’m going to share some things to consider when naming your therapy business. In this episode we explore:How SEO has changed and how it affects choosing a nameThe pros and cons of choosing a name to do with your nicheHow clear beats cleverSocial media namesWhat to do if your name isn't available. Links:Episode 29: Slow down to speed up: How to increase both your skills and confidenceEpisode 28: How to get and stay motivatedEpisode 1: Action is the antidote to fear

I’ve been known to play the comparison game in my life before, but it’s never actually helped me because comparisons just leave us feeling either superior or inferior and there’s no benefit to either of those. So in this episode, I explore the impact of making comparisons, and how destructive it can be to your confidence, self-esteem and self-belief. In this episode we explore:Why comparisons aren’t good for youWhy comparisons aren’t based on factsWays you can step away from itThe power of staying in your own lane. So if you’ve ever been caught up by comparisonitis - and I bet you have at some point! - consider the impact and do something more positive instead. Links:Episode 7: Using introvert superpowers to attract more clients, with Fifi MasonEpisode 12: Your business, your rulesEpisode 13: A deep dive into online directoriesEpisode 16: How to silence your inner criticThe Grow Your Private Practice ClubThe Grow Your Private Practice Book

In this podcast, The Binge Eating Therapist Sarah Dosanjh talks about how her niche has informed her business growth, enabled her to diversify and now, she’s never been busier.In this podcast we discuss:The journey to her binge eating niche (and how she’s never been busier)How having a niche has helpedThe importance of knowing what clients wantHow social media can effectively screen clientsThe benefits of therapy groupsHelping therapists work with relationships with foodAbout SarahSarah Dosanjh is a TA psychotherapist and author of the book I Can't Stop Eating. She is passionate about helping those struggling with binge eating/body image to find peace and freedom around food.She runs CPD events for therapists who want to learn about working with binge eating as well as offering training and a free support community for therapists who want to set up groups in private practice.Connect with her on Instagram And find all her other details HERE Links to follow:Episode 6: Do you need to be an expert to attract counselling clients?Episode 28: How to get and stay motivatedEpisode 35: Can you help your clients - and do they know it?To take Sarah's workshop in the GYPP Club, join here Grow Your Private Practice

They say ‘we teach what we need to learn’ and I think it’s true. I used to have an online business all about self-help for people-pleasers, and yup, I’m a recovering people-pleaser. I’m a whole lot better than I used to be, but I suspect that a lot of counsellors are people pleasers or recovering people-pleasers too. And being a people pleaser can have a real impact on your private practice. It can impact how you run your business and even what income you make. It can also lead to resentment and burnout. So if you’re a counsellor, how can you handle people-pleasing?In this episode, we look at:5 ways being a people pleaser can impact you in private practice5 solutions to helpHow it’s not all about the clients’ needs - and that’s okI don’t think people pleasing just goes away, I think it’s always going to be there lurking. It’s for us to be aware of it and keep doing the work. And the more work we do, the better we feel. Saying no feels very uncomfortable sometimes, but the more you do it, the easier it gets. And it’s totally worth it. Counselling is a valuable service - you are providing a valuable service. It’s ok for people to pay for that service and it’s ok to value yourself and what you do. It’s not all about the client - and that doesn’t make you selfish. And it’s okay for you to build your business into something that suits you and improves the quality of your life. Links to followEpisode 24: Managing your diary with time blocking Episode 32: 5 Easy ways to give back to charity (without reducing your fees or working for free) with Sophia GiblinEpisode 28: How to get and stay motivatedIf you need more help with your business, get the Grow Your Private Practice book, available now on Amazon or CLICK HERE

Letting a client know that you can help them is a fundamental part of growing your private practice. After all, why would they embark on expensive counselling if it won’t help? However, this can feel awkward because ultimately we can’t absolutely guarantee that they will get those results - and as such, shouldn’t make such claims. So this week, I explore this conundrum in order to help you feel confident within your marketing while remaining completely ethical. Take a listen and you’ll see what I mean. In this episode, you’ll discover how:It’s important to understand the difference between saying you can help and taking responsibility for the clients’ outcomesPeople are looking for a solution to their problemsYou need to help people make the decision to choose you, just by helping and sharing your warmthYou can't advertise promising results, of course you can't. You cannot and should not be promising things you have no control over.However, expressing to clients how you can help them is a fundamental part of marketing, so take some time to really get into the head of your potential clients. Then share your findings to let people know that coming for counselling with you is one of the ways they can start to make a positive change in their life. Links to follow:Episode 2: The clients journey into therapy Episode 6: Do you need to be an expert to start attracting therapy clients?And if you need more help with this, take The Foundations Course in the Grow Your Private Practice Club, and let your potential clients feel assured that you can help. For more details and to join, CLICK HERE

For years I’ve said - and heard people say - ‘done is better than perfect’, but something about this doesn’t sit right for me. Because when marketing our private practice, we want something that’s not just ok but something that’s really good, don’t we? We want everything we do to be professional, warm, welcoming and reassuring to attract more clients. Is ‘done’ just an exercise in ticking an item off a list? Because if you want results, you want to put your best foot forward. So in episode 34, I explore why we should change ‘Done is better than perfect’ to ‘Done well is better than perfect. Take a listen and see what I mean. In this episode we look at:Why being perfect isn’t the goalHow action brings resultsThings you can change to make a real differenceThe impact on you and your confidenceDone is better than perfect is true, but it could be harming your business. I think it’s better to get something out there in front of your audience than be paralysed with fear and doubt. And it’s better to get what you’ve written out there rather than to constantly tweak and fiddle without publishing.Get it done, get it out there and grow your practice. Perfection isn’t necessary. Because we are looking for progress not perfection. The Social Media Made Simple course, and Blogging With Confidence are available now in the Grow Your Private Practice Club, along with courses, workshops, resources and a supportive community all aimed at helping you attract more clients, more easily. To find out more about it, CLICK HERE now

It’s happened to us all: You got a call and a client booked in. They come for their first session and it all seems to have gone well as they book in for session two. But they don’t turn up. This can feel awful at any time, but especially if you’re new to private practice as it feels like a slap in the face.  So what can you do if this happens to you - and it will at some point.Here’s what you’ll learn in this episodeWhy you should give yourself a pat on the back Why this happensWhy you’ll never be sure about why it’s happenedHow to review your first sessionTips on how to manage those first session nervesPractice practice practiceThis happens to us all from time to time and the most important thing is to not beat yourself up about it. Literally, nothing good can come from that. So if it's happened to you - big deep breaths. And then calmly decide what to do next. Good luck! 

One of the frustrating things about being a therapist in private practice is not being able to help everyone that needs it, including those that can’t afford to pay.But thankfully there are other ways to give back without having to volunteer your time and energy as a counsellor, as this can really hold you back when you want to attract paying clients of your own.In this episode I have expert Sophia Giblin from Fundraising For Good join me to discuss different ways you can give back depending on the time and energy you have available. There are hundreds of thousands of charities out there who are always looking for support, and as trained counsellors, we are in a unique position to help in a few different ways that could even lead to you getting paid work.We’ve started with the easiest things to do and moved up from there.In this episode we look at:The disadvantages of offering unpaid work as a counsellorSuggestions to give back depending on the time and energy you have available to youHow you are ideally placed to offer practical help and adviceHow this can increase your visibility and grow your practice. There you go, some great tips about how you can both give back and raise your visibility as a private practitioner.And if you’re wondering how you can actually make these happen, then I have some fabulous news for you.To go with this podcast Sophia and I have made a helpsheet to help you decide what is right for you. Just go to janetravis.co.uk/32 to get it. But also, Sophia has generously offered listeners of The Grow Your Private Practice Show 50% off her Power Hour.So book a Power Hour with Sophia to discuss ways in which you can support and collaborate with charities to help more people and get more visible. Full details and the coupon code are in the download, so grab it now. And you can check out Sophia’s Fundraising for Good course here www.fundraisingforgood.co.ukAbout SophiaSophia Giblin is the Award Winning Founder of Clear Sky Children's Charity, a Play & Creative Arts Therapy charity for children in the Thames Valley. Sophia set up the charity at the age of 23 with a minimal amount of experience and a big vision for change she wanted to see in the world!As well as having a Masters in Play Therapy, Sophia also has a BA in Business Administration and combines her business acumen with her passion and experience in charity to help heart centred entrepreneurs deliver projects that make a difference in the world.Sophia has been successfully fundraising for charitable causes for over 10 years now, raising over half a million pounds for charities that have a big impact on people’s lives.Connect with Sophia on LinkedIn