Updated on November 25, 2025
You spent years learning to help people. You earned your license and built your practice. Now you’re staring at a blank page, trying to write about yourself.
It feels uncomfortable. You’re used to listening, not talking about your credentials. Your bio isn’t about you, though. It’s about helping someone who’s nervous, overwhelmed, or scared decide that you might be the person who can help them.
Most therapist bios list credentials and clinical terms. They skip what potential clients actually want to know. Will I feel comfortable with this person?
This guide will show you how to write a bio that connects and gets people to book.
Why Your Bio Matters
Before someone calls or fills out your contact form, they read your bio. Research shows patients prioritize three things when choosing a therapist: feeling understood, trusting your competence, and making a personal connection.
Your bio needs to accomplish all three in about 30 seconds of reading time.
When someone lands on your page, they’re scanning for proof that you understand their struggle. They want to know you have the expertise to help. And they’re looking for something human, some signal that you’re a real person they could talk to.
If your bio reads like everyone else’s, you’ll lose them. This isn’t about appealing to everyone. It’s about speaking to your ideal clients and creating the kind of connection that makes someone think, “This person might understand me.”
A Structure That Works
Build your bio in sections that answer specific questions your potential clients may have.
Section 1: Your Greeting
This is where many bios lose people. Skip the phrases everyone uses.
What can fall flat:
- “I’ve always been passionate about helping people” (everyone says this)
- “Welcome to my practice” (too formal)
- “Are you struggling with anxiety?” (feels presumptive)
What creates connection: Acknowledge something true about seeking therapy. Show you understand what brought them to your page.
Examples:
- “I’m glad you’re here. Looking for a therapist takes courage, and I want you to know you’ve found someone who understands that.”
- “Finding the right therapist can feel overwhelming. I’ve worked with hundreds of people who felt exactly what you’re feeling right now.”
- “You’ve probably looked at several therapist profiles today. Let me tell you what makes my approach different.”
- Sounds like a real person greeting someone at your office, not like you’re writing a cover letter.
Write how you’d greet someone walking into your office for the first time. Use that as your opening.
Section 2: Your Approach
Answer the question: What will therapy with you be like?
People don’t care about modalities yet. They care about what it feels like to sit across from you. Save the CBT and EMDR mentions for later. Right now, describe your philosophy and style.
New to practice? Think about clients you’ve enjoyed working with during training. What did those sessions feel like? What helped? Your approach will evolve, but you can describe how you work now.
Questions to answer:
- How do you view the therapeutic relationship?
- What’s your communication style?
- What do you believe about people’s capacity to change?
- How do you structure sessions?
Examples:
“I believe healing happens when you feel truly heard. My approach is collaborative. We work together to identify issues and determine what needs to change. I’m direct when it helps, gentle when you need it, and I won’t make you talk about anything before you’re ready.”
“I tend to be structured in sessions because clear goals help people feel less overwhelmed. That said, I’m flexible when life happens, and you need to talk about something else.”
“I work from an attachment perspective, which means I pay attention to how past relationships shape current ones. For many clients, understanding these patterns opens up new ways of connecting.”
This is where you share your philosophy, not textbook theory.
Complete these sentences in your own words:
- I believe people change when…
- In sessions, I tend to be…
- What makes my approach different is…
Use your answers to write 3-4 sentences about your therapeutic approach.
Section 3: What to Expect
Someone reading your bio might have never been to therapy. They might have had a bad experience in the past. They’re nervous about that first appointment.
Walk them through it.
What to include:
- What happens in the first session
- The tone you create
- What comes after the initial appointment
- Timeline expectations (if relevant)
Examples:
“In our first session, we’ll spend time getting to know each other. I’ll ask questions, but this isn’t an interrogation. It’s a conversation. By the end, we’ll have a sense of whether we’re a good fit. Most people tell me they feel relieved after that first appointment.”
“I know first sessions can feel intimidating. I’ll start by explaining how I work, answer your questions, and then we’ll talk about what’s been going on. You’re in control of what you share and how quickly we move.”
Write 3-4 sentences describing what someone can expect in their first session with you. Be specific and honest.
Section 4: Your Style
Show personality here. Some therapists are warm and nurturing. Others are direct and structured. Neither approach is wrong, but people need to know what to expect.
One effective way to convey this is to use descriptive words.
Choose 3-5 words that describe your therapeutic style. Ask colleagues, supervisors, or friends which words fit you best.
- Approach: Direct, Gentle, Structured, Flexible, Collaborative, Intuitive, Analytical, Creative, Solution-focused, Exploratory, Goal-oriented, Process-oriented
- Interpersonal: Warm, Compassionate, Empathetic, Supportive, Challenging, Encouraging, Calm, Energetic, Reflective, Engaging, Patient, Humorous
- Philosophy: Affirming, Non-judgmental, Client-centered, Strengths-based, Trauma-informed, Open-minded, Holistic, Integrative, Evidence-informed, Culturally-responsive, LGBTQ+ affirming, Neurodiversity-affirming
Pick words that describe you, not words you think you should use. If you’re naturally more structured than warm, own that. The right clients for you will appreciate your honesty.
Once you’ve chosen your words, write 1-2 sentences that expand on them.
Example:
“My style is direct and collaborative. I’ll give you honest feedback when it’s helpful, and I expect you to let me know when something isn’t working. We’re partners in this process.”
Section 5: More About Me
Now you get to the logistics. Format this as a clear, scannable list.
What to include:
Insurance accepted: List what you take. Many people filter their search by insurance coverage.
Credentials: Your licenses, degrees, and certifications. If you’re working under supervision (LMSW, LAMFT), mention your supervisor’s name and license type.
Pronouns: Including your pronouns (she/her, he/him, they/them) signals that you’re thoughtful about identity.
Who you work with: Age groups, relationship types, populations. Be specific.
What you treat: Specific issues. Instead of listing 15 things, focus on what you have the most experience with.
How you treat it: Modalities (EMDR, CBT, narrative therapy, attachment-based therapy)
Languages spoken: If you’re fluent or conversational in languages other than English, list them.
Session format: Virtual, in-person, or both.
Personal context: Are you a parent? That matters to parents seeking help with parenting challenges. Are you a member of a marginalized community? For many clients, working with someone who shares aspects of their identity improves trust and outcomes.
Professional affiliations: Member of state counseling associations, trauma specialty groups, or other professional organizations.
Additional resources: If you’ve written blog posts, appeared on podcasts, or created an intro video, link to them.
Be Specific About What You Treat
“I work with anxiety, depression, trauma, relationships, life transitions, and stress” tells people you work with humans.
Better: “I specialize in helping adults with panic disorder and social anxiety. I also work with couples rebuilding trust after infidelity and parents managing conflict with teenagers.”
If you’re new to practice and haven’t developed clear specializations, focus on the populations you want to work with and the issues you’re trained to address. Your niche will evolve over time.
Creating a Sense of Safety
Skip “I provide a safe space.” Everyone says it. Be specific about what that means.
Examples:
“I create a welcoming environment for people who’ve never been to therapy before and aren’t sure what to expect.”
“My practice is a safe space for transgender and non-binary individuals navigating identity, relationships, and the challenges that come with living authentically.”
“I’m experienced in working with BIPOC clients and understand the unique stressors that come with navigating predominantly white spaces.”
Address Identity When Relevant
Some clients look for therapists who share aspects of their identity, whether that’s race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, or cultural background. If you want to include this information, do it in your “More About Me” section.
Research suggests that cultural alignment between therapists and clients can strengthen therapeutic relationships and enhance outcomes for clients from marginalized communities. If you have lived experience or specialized training working with specific populations, mention it.
Section 6: The Call to Action
End with a clear next step. Tell people exactly how to contact you.
Instead of “I look forward to hearing from you,” try “Ready to get started? Call me at (512) 555-1234 or book a free consultation online.”
Make it simple and specific. If you offer a free 15-minute phone consultation, mention it. If they should email you directly, provide your email. If they can book online, include the link.
Other Considerations
Update Your Insurance List Regularly
Someone might choose you specifically because you take their insurance. Set a calendar reminder every three months to verify your insurance list is current.
Make Contact Easy
Place your phone number or booking link at the top and bottom of your bio page. Make it easy for people to take action when they feel a connection.
Things That May Reduce Connection
Starting with credentials: Your degree matters, but it doesn’t make someone feel comfortable. Lead with connection, put credentials in your “More About Me” section.
Using jargon without explanation: Not everyone knows what CBT, EMDR, or “attachment-based” means. Either skip the acronyms or add a brief explanation.
Being too humble: If you have 15 years of experience treating trauma, say that. If you’re newer but have strong training in a specific area, share that.
Writing in third person: “Dr. Jones specializes in…” sounds like someone else wrote your bio. Use “I” and “my.”
Forgetting about mobile: Most people will read your bio on their phone. Short paragraphs and clear headers matter.
Not proofreading: Typos undermine trust. Have someone else read your bio before you publish it.
The Final Check
Before you publish your bio, do these three things:
1. Read it out loud. Does it sound like you? Would you say these things to someone in your office? If it sounds stiff or formal, rewrite.
2. Ask yourself if this would help you choose a therapist. If you were looking for help, would this bio give you enough information to make a decision?
3. Get feedback. Show your bio to a trusted colleague, supervisor, or friend. Ask them if it sounds like you and whether they’d feel comfortable reaching out based on what they read.
Using AI to Write Your First Draft
If you’re stuck staring at a blank page, use AI to create a first draft. You’ll still need to edit it heavily to sound like you, but it’s easier than starting from scratch.
Copy this prompt and fill in the brackets with your information:
Write a therapist bio for my practice website. Use a warm, conversational tone that sounds like a real person, not corporate marketing language.
About me:
- License: [your license type and state]
- Years of experience: [number]
- Populations I work with: [age groups, types of clients]
- Issues I specialize in: [3-5 specific issues]
- My therapeutic approach: [brief description of your philosophy]
- My style: [3-5 words like "direct," "collaborative," "structured"]
- Modalities I use: [CBT, EMDR, etc.]
- Session format: [in-person, virtual, or both]
- Insurance: [list insurance you accept or "private pay only"]
- Languages: [languages you speak]
- Something personal that's relevant: [optional - example: "I'm a parent," "I'm bilingual," "I'm a member of the LGBTQ+ community"]
Structure the bio in these sections:
1. Opening greeting that acknowledges what it's like to look for a therapist
2. My therapeutic approach (philosophy and style, not just modalities)
3. What to expect in the first session
4. My style (expand on those 3-5 words)
5. More About Me section (formatted as a scannable list)
6. Clear call to action with contact information
Keep paragraphs short. Use "I" and "my" throughout. Be specific about what I treat instead of listing everything. Make it 400-500 words.
After AI generates your draft, read it out loud. Rewrite anything that doesn’t sound like you. Add specific examples. Remove jargon or explain it. Get feedback from a colleague.
Putting It All Together
You don’t need to write your bio in one sitting. Start with one section. Write your greeting. Sleep on it. Come back and write about your approach.
The therapists who have the most successful bios didn’t write them quickly. They spent time thinking about how they work, what makes them different, and what potential clients need to know.
Your bio is working around the clock to bring people into your practice. It’s worth getting right.
Need Help Building Your Online Presence?
Garrett Digital specializes in helping therapy practices create websites that connect with clients and convert visitors into appointments. Contact us for more info.
