The Grow Your Private Practice Show

It’s my anniversary! Yes, I’ve been working with counsellors and therapists to help grow their practice for 4 years (ok, a bit longer than that, but what’s a few months between friends?). And I’ve come a long way and learned a lot in that time - and am still learning. But there are 4 main things I’ve learned about counsellors in that time and I talk about them in this episode. So take a listen, I’m sure it will take something from thisIn this episode we explore:My journey from then to nowSome unrealistic expectations that are holding you backHow taking these on board will help you prevent burnoutHow to start to value yourselfLinks to followMy OE workshopTherapy rebrand workshopThe Grow Your Private Practice bookEpisode 042: Why your private practice should NOT be on every social media platformEpisode 038: How to stop comparing yourself to other therapists

In today’s episode, I interviewed Lisa Murphy, a counsellor that grew her private practice using LinkedIn. Her niche is working with men to help deal with stress and anger, and she incorporates a mixture of therapies including counselling, hypnotherapy, EFT, and NLP. And she used LinkedIn to form connections and grow her private practice In this episode we explore:Why she chooses to work with stressed men with anger issuesHow she connects with her niche clients via social mediaWhy she chose to concentrate on LinkedIn How she’s increased her engagementHow her confidence has grown over timeHow she comes up with masses of relatable post ideasAbout Lisa MurphyLisa Murphy is a therapist who specializes in helping men deal with stress and anger.  Lisa incorporates a mixture of therapies including counselling, hypnotherapy, EFT, and NLP to offer unique solutions for a high-pressured lifestyle.Lisa runs her private online practice from her base in North WalesConnect with Lisa on LinkedIn HERELinks to follow:Episode 41: ‘6 compelling reasons why LinkedIn is great for therapists’Episode 42: ‘Why your private practice should NOT be on every social media platform’

Every industry, topic and niche has its fair share of jargon. Take counselling for example, we have things like humanistic, person-centred, integrative etc And marketing is no different. There’s already so much to juggle as a private practitioner, so the last thing you want to do is decipher the lingo.So to make it easier for you, I’ve rounded up 10 key terms and phrases you need to know if you run a private practice.Hope this helps! Links to followSEO NibblesEpisode 42: Why your private practice should NOT be on every social media platformEpisode 8: What is social media engagement and why you need to knowEpisode 35: Can you help your clients - and do they know it The Grow Your Private Practice Book

Social media can be a really effective way to get your business seen and attract more clients, leading to more visibility, more clients, more opportunities, and ultimately, more money. It’s how I’ve grown all my businesses. With a little practice, you can plan a month’s social media in advance and then take 5-10 mins, twice a day to pop in to grow your following and respond to comments. And what’s the easiest way to save time on social media? Just use one platform. You don’t need a presence on all the platforms to get results. Ok, so what usually happens now is people start to doubt me. They think if they are on 3 platforms, they will get 3 x the results. And sometimes they say ‘well, it doesn’t take me long to just copy/paste it to another platform.’But that just isn’t the case. Why? Well, in this weeks’ podcast I explore this and share 4 reasons why it’s better to only have one social media account - and a handy free guide to help you decide which to choose.In this episode we explore:Why being on more than one platform is a false economyHow it can negatively affect your engagement rateWhy it’s not as simple as copy/pasting your postsWhy it’s important to increase your followersHow being on more than one platform can impact the know, like, and trust factorWhat to do if you’re on more than one platformIf you’re new to social media then there is a lot to learn, so just take your time, keep an open mind and enjoy the process.  It’s a new skill and as with any new skill, it will take some time and practice. And if you’re not sure which platform to be on, grab the FREE guide ‘Social media platformAnd if any of this sounds a bit daunting, in the Grow Your Private Practice Club we have lots of help ready and waiting for you so come and see how we can help you.Links to followEpisode 8: What is social media engagement, and why you need to knowEpisode 41: 6 compelling reasons why LinkedIn is great for therapistsAnd if you’re a member of GYPP, you have access to Social Media Made Simple, LinkedIn and LOVING it, and LinkedIn for the lazy

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