Updated on August 25, 2024
Starting a new therapy practice can be daunting. However, with the right marketing techniques, you can establish and grow your practice effectively.
Build a Website
Your therapy practice’s website often serves as the first impression for prospective clients. It’s essential that it is user-friendly, professional, and optimized for search engines.
Best Practices for a Therapy Practice Website
- Services and Specialty Pages: Dedicate separate pages to each of your specialties or services. Explain why you chose each specialty, your approach, and what clients can expect. For instance, if you specialize in couples therapy, create a detailed page about it. Discuss the importance of couples counseling and how you help couples overcome challenges.
- Strong Therapist Bios: Highlight each therapist‘s qualifications, expertise, and passions. Recognize potential clients’ struggles and offer reassurance. A brief, casual introduction video (60-90 seconds) can add a personal touch.
- Clear Contact Information: Include a contact form, email, and phone number to make it easy for clients to reach you.
- Request Testimonials: Encourage therapists to ask for testimonials from clients, colleagues, or mentors. Display these testimonials prominently on your site to build trust and credibility.
- Mobile-Friendly Design: Ensure your website is responsive and functions well on mobile devices.
Improving your website’s visibility through SEO is crucial. Whether you learn SEO principles yourself or work with an expert, it’s essential to regularly update your content to align with your audience’s needs. This naturally enhances your search engine rankings.
Define Your Ideal Clients
Clearly defining your ideal clients simplifies your marketing and branding efforts. Consider the preferences of the therapists in your practice: do they focus on individuals, couples, or specific demographics? Initially, you might work with a broad range of clients to grow your practice, but over time, you can focus on attracting your ideal clientele.
Sign Up for Online Directories
Listing your therapists in online directories like Psychology Today or Google My Business can significantly increase your practice’s visibility and attract new clients. These directories often rank well on search engines, driving traffic to your profiles and helping potential clients find and book with your practice.
SEO for your website will take time to yield results, but directories provide an immediate boost. Perform a Google search for ”therapist in [your city]” to identify which directories rank on the first page and consider listing your practice there. The investment typically pays off over time.
Encourage Referrals
Referrals remain one of the most effective ways to attract new clients. Encourage satisfied clients to refer others to your practice. Additionally, offering a free consultation to new clients can be an enticing incentive.
Start a Blog: Go Deep Instead of Wide
A blog can be a powerful tool to attract clients and improve your SEO. Focus on a few key topics related to mental health and therapy, and explore them in depth. This approach helps you build topical authority with search engines and potential clients. Going deep on select topics is more effective than covering a wide range superficially.
Integrate with Social Media
Leverage social media to promote your blog content and reach a broader audience. Sharing posts on platforms like Facebook and Instagram not only drives traffic to your website but also establishes your practice as an authority in your field. Blogging combined with social media can significantly enhance your online presence and engage potential clients.
Engage with Your Community
Active community engagement can expand your professional reach and build trust. Encourage your therapists to offer mini-sessions or give talks at local health centers, increasing your practice’s visibility and credibility.
Community Engagement Ideas
- Volunteer: Have your therapists lead support groups, such as those for families of individuals with dementia or for people in recovery.
- Join Local Organizations: Become a member of local chambers of commerce or professional groups to network and establish connections.
- Attend Community Events: Participate in local events to meet potential clients and referral sources.
- Collaborate with Local Businesses: Partner with other local businesses for services or community events, enhancing your practice’s visibility.
Set a Marketing Budget
While marketing requires investment, it’s crucial for growing your practice. Your marketing budget should be designed to deliver a measurable return over time. Costs will vary depending on your website needs, the number of therapists in your practice, and your specific goals.
Sample Marketing Budget
| Expense Category | Solo Practice | Multi-Person Practice |
| Website Design & Build | $2,000 to $4,000 | $6,000 to $20,000 |
| SEO Services | $300 to $600 per month | $1,000 to $10,000 per month |
| Online Directories | $500 per year | $1,000 to $10,000 per month |
| Community Events | $50/month | $150/month |
Marketing costs will vary based on the size of your practice and the competitiveness of your market. Stay involved with your marketing plan and be ready to adjust your approach as needed.
For assistance with building your website, optimizing for SEO, or managing Google Ads, contact Garrett Digital.
