The Grow Your Private Practice Show

If you're a therapist in private practice, your website is an important tool to help attract the right clients to you.So if you are ready for your first website, or you already have a website and now realise it's not quite what you need, this is for you. In this episode, I chat with website and digital marketing consultant Theo Ruby about building and developing your therapy website.We discuss, amongst other things:The importance of owning your own websiteDealing with web designersThe necessity for regular updatesKeeping it simpleThe importance of content marketing for therapists (blogs, videos and podcasts)Mobile responsivenessChanging web platformsDropping the perfectionismThe importance of SEOWhat if I break my website!?How much will it cost?Google AnalyticsWhat pages do you need on your website?Links to followYou'll find Theo Ruby HERETheo’s Digital Marketing GlossaryMy podcast ‘Demystifying Marketing Terms’‘From I can’t write to published author’ with Zoe Clements6 reasons you must have a website with Sarah Gershone5 commonly held website myths that could be holding you back, with Sarah GershoneAnd 4 mistakes that make your website copy ineffective, with Kat Love  Your Website Blueprint is part of the Grow Your Private Practice membership

Starting in private practice can feel hugely exciting. After all, you've probably been working up to this point for many years. All that training, learning, reading and soul searching has led to this point. And now here you are, ready to take action.But somehow the excitement has transformed and now you feel overwhelmed, intimidated and apprehensive. That tingle of excitement has morphed into more of a 'did I accidentally sit on a bed of stinging nettles' sensation. This isn't what you ordered! So if any of that sounds familiar, here is my open letter to new counsellors and therapists...LinksAdvice from counsellors for therapists starting in private practice

Tell me, how do you feel when a potential new client contacts you?Do you feel in control and confident?OR maybe you lack confidence and don’t really know how to handle it?Well if you identify more with the second scenario, this episode if for you, because today we’re going to talk about taking initial phone calls from potential clients to increase the chance that they make an appointment and become your client.So here are 7 steps to turning an enquiry into a booking so you know EXACTLY what to say. Links:Voicemail For Therapists: 6 ways to improve your message and hang on to that clientWatch the Therapy Rebrand webinar8 Ways to Make the Most of Your Time and Get More DoneWhy smooth on boarding helps the therapy process, with Kim SimmonsGrow Your Private Practice membership

If you’ve ever considered podcasting to attract more clients but don’t really know where to start, then this episode is for you, because I have the fabulous Philip Brett King with me to discuss the benefits of podcasting and whether it is right for you. Because podcasting is massive.And since the pandemic, 40% more people listen - so that’s around 19.1 million in the UK, and globally a massive 464.7 million. That’s mindblowing! I started my own podcast on 8th July 2020 and this is episode 137 - with the majority being weekly until January this year when unfortunately my dad became ill and died, so I've reduced it to fortnightly for a while.And I’ve seen how it’s benefited my business in many ways. Not only that, it’s fun to do! I’ve interviewed some amazing guests, including todays guest Phil from My Podcast Assistant, who is my podcast editor. So if you’ve ever considered starting a podcast and like the thought of helping people whilst also growing your business - and increasing your income, then this is your lucky day. We chat about:The benefits of podcastingHow to choose your topicWhat format to useA brief talk about tech So if you’ve been toying with the idea, you’re going to love thisAbout Philip Brett KingPhil says:“My goal is to help people sound amazing online!25 years ago I was singing and fronting a Rock band, playing gigs in some of London's best live venues. But eventually wound up marketing for associated newspapers and having to hang up my bass guitar and microphone... and trying to fit into society.However, life threw me a curveball in 2016 and I found the crazy underworld of voiceover and started growing a side hustle as a Voice Actor.Two years later an ultimatum from my job pushed me to hand in my resignation and go headfirst into becoming a full-time freelance voice actor; recording my voice for top brands around the world..and I haven't looked back!But it didn't stop there. 2019 brought the pandemic and podcasting really started to take off. Also, everyone started working online using Zoom, but they didn't sound too good.So I started my brand My Podcast Assistant utilising my years of experience as a musician and voice actor to help others create great-sounding podcasts and to sound amazing online.”Check Phil out at My Podcast Assistant   Say Hi on Instagram HERE Grab his free resources and take the ‘Podcast Equipment Quiz’ HERE And grab one of my own freebies HERE

How do you feel about charging your therapy clients, raising fees or even enforcing boundaries about payment for missed sessions?I think for many therapists, dealing with the money side of having clients can feel tricky - and I know it was for me. So if that sounds familiar to you, listen up because in this episode I’m going to share a ridiculously simple change that transformed how I feel about charging clients.Check out my FREE resources HEREIf you found this episode helpful, remember to subscribe and leave a review. A cheeky 5 stars would be amazing, thank you

Is the cost of living crisis making you feel insecure in your private practice? Maybe you worry no one will be able to afford therapy? Or clients are asking to come less frequently?Perhaps you need to increase your fee in order to manage your own rising expenses, but worry about putting people off?If so, you are not alone. However, today I have the amazing Miranda Palmer with me talking about thriving, not just surviving: navigating the cost of living crisis in private practice. We discuss:The importance of fully recognising and valuing what you doLooking at the bigger picture within your practice so you grow and maintain a business to meet your needsManaging feelings of guiltKeeping yourself emotionally well to avoid burnoutThe benefits for you personally and professionally of self-development workAnd a reminder that after the last few years, the reality is that there are more people today that need mental healthcare than ever before.About Miranda PalmerMiranda Palmer, LMFT, loves helping therapists bridge the gap between what it takes to be a great therapist who gets great clinical outcomes and what it takes to run a successful therapy practice. She has helped thousands of therapists from around the world make the mindset shifts that allow a more effortless application of marketing strategies that grow a private practice that is not just financially sustainable, but that gets great clinical outcomes.Miranda and her business partner Kelly Higdon, also a licenced therapist founded ZynnyMe, to empower private practice owners to serve at their highest and best, improve clinical outcomes through business planning, and to break the statistic that mental health clinicians are the worst paid Masters’ degree.  Kelly and Miranda provide coaching and training through their Private Practice Community, the Business School Bootcamp for Therapists, and educational webinars, and have helped thousands of clinicians from around the world. LINKS TO FOLLOWLearn more about Business School for Therapists: news.zynnyme.com/business-school/Website: zynnyme.comBlog: zynnyme.com/blogFacebook: facebook.com/kellyandmirandaInstagram: instagram.com/zynnyme/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/2456942/Check out more episodes of the Starting a Counseling Practice Success Stories podcast on these platforms:Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsSpotifyBook: Therapist Burnout: Your Guide to Recovery and a Joyful, Sustainable Private Practice

Do you know what your clients want from therapy?Maybe that sounds like a strange question, but it's important to consider because if you don’t truly understand what their needs are, how will you know what to say in your marketing to attract them?So let's explore this fundamental marketing principle of features vs benefits and discover what's the difference, and why you need to know.And if you need help understanding what to say on your website and other marketing, come and join the Grow Your Private Practice membership, and remove the guesswork. www.growyourprivatepractice.co.uk

In last week's episode, I talked about why my word of the year for the Grow Your Private Practice membership is EASE If you haven't had a chance to listen, basically, I invited you to explore how you can enjoy your marketing, and make the process easier for you. But I realised there's something in my own business that goes against this, so I’ve decided to make a change. So what changes have I made and why?And how can you simplify your own businesses too?LinksThe membership Grow Your Private PracticePodcast episodes mentioned:Episode 58 'Directories, the good, the bad and the ugly'Episode 5 '6 steps to turning an enquiry into a booking'Episode 22 'Demystifying the fear of success and 7 ways to stop getting in your own way'Episode 112 'Why your mindset is vital if you want a successful practice'Episode 116 'What content can therapists create to attract more clients,' with the authors of Content Fortress Martin and Lyndsay Episode 89 '6 reasons why you MUST have a website', with Sarah Gershone Episode 42 'Why your private practice shouldn't be on every social media platform' My editor Phil, from My Podcast Assistant

Does marketing your private practice feel like a chore you keep putting off? Like it's something you are forced to do to attract clients, but you wish you didn't have to?Maybe you HATE the thought of having to ‘sell’ yourself, or the thought of being visible brings you out in a rash?Well if that sounds familiar, this episode is for you because it doesn’t have to be that way. Forcing yourself to do something you hate is NOT the way to do something well. It's possible to enjoy your marketing, and when you enjoy your marketing, you do it more, get better at it and as a result, it’s more effective. Which means more clients, better outcomes and increased income. So you not only enjoy your marketing but naturally get the results you want.  Don’t believe me - then listen up, and I'll show you how. LinksJoin the Grow Your Private Practice membership growyourprivatepractice.co.ukNot sure who your dream clients are and how to attract them? Check out this 3 part mini-series 'How to attract your dream clients' 2 podcasts with Fifi Mason about marketing as an introvert Visibility: Shifting the focus and Using introvert superpowers to attract more clientsFREE Guide: Attract more clients by helping instead of sellingCheck out my resources to help therapists to attract more clients HERE

What happens when you hit a crisis in your business? Well, I've just experienced this personally and today I want to share what I've learned.We are going to look at this from the perspective of both having a client in crisis and you having a personal situation. And there's a trigger warning as I’ll talk briefly about bereavement today. Before I start, I want to let you know I’m not coming at this subject from the point of view of a supervisor offering advice, more from the human perspective.______________If you’ve been thinking about joining the membership but didn't know about the price increase so missed out, I have some good news for you…I'm delaying the price increase for the membership.Join before 8pm UK time on 31st January 2023, you can join at the previous low monthly fee of £35. The price will increase again on 1st February to £45 a month - which still represents great value, but if you want to grow your practice this year, it makes sense to join now. And you can save even more by taking an annual membership as you will get 2 months free. So why join the membership? Because you will get focus, direction and support. I will help you cut through the noise so you can focus on the things that will really make a difference so you attract more clients more easily.The membership will reduce the confusion and overwhelm so you can take the steps needed to move your practice forward.So if you want to grow your practice but are unsure what exactly to do, come and join us. And remember, if you join and realise it’s not right for you within 14 days, just let me know and I will refund you, no problem. So theres no risk. Check it out and join at Grow Your Private Practice