Good Enough Counsellors

Attracting therapy clients isn't just about having a great profile. Before someone books with you, they go through a series of decisions, and understanding that journey can completely change how you try to attract clients.
In this episode, I'm joined by website and marketing specialist Kat Love to explore the three stages every prospective client goes through:
Finding you through visibility and awareness
Choosing you by deciding whether you're the right therapist for them
Booking by feeling confident enough to take the next step

Together, we explore why so many therapists spend time polishing the later stages while avoiding the visibility work that helps people discover them in the first place. We also discuss how to make your website and profile work harder, reduce barriers to getting in touch, and use language that speaks to clients rather than other therapists.
This episode was originally released as From Being Found to Being Booked, and I've chosen to share it again because this discussion is such an important foundation for finding clients .
In this episode we discuss:
Why therapists often focus on the wrong stage of marketing
The three stages clients go through before they book therapy
Why visibility feels uncomfortable and how to find your own "window of marketing tolerance"
How your therapist profile helps clients decide you're the right fit
Why psychobabble can stop clients connecting with your message
Simple ways to make it easier for people to contact you
Ethical approaches to testimonials and social proof

Resources mentioned
Kat Love: https://katlove.com
Empathy Sites: https://empathysites.com

If you'd like practical support with your therapist profile, identifying your strengths, improving your marketing and attracting more of the clients you most want to help, you'll find details of Therapy Growth Group HERE
Listen now: if you'd like to understand how clients move from discovering you to choosing you and finally booking that first appointment, this episode will give you a practical framework you can start using straight away.
Setting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERE
Need ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HERE
You can also find me here:
The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook Group
Josephine Hughes on Facebook
Josephine Hughes on YouTube
My website: josephinehughes.com
Keywords: how clients choose a therapist, therapy marketing, marketing for therapists, therapist profile, therapist website, therapist visibility, attract therapy clients, therapy enquiries, therapist profile writing, private practice marketing, counselling private practice, therapist website copy, Good Enough Counsellors
The information contained in Good Enough Counsellors is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this podcast are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this podcast.
Josephine Hughes disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this podcast.

Have you ever caught yourself saying, "I'm probably just overthinking it"?
That's exactly what I said in a recent supervision session. My supervisor responded with a simple question:
"Are you overthinking - or are you diminishing your feelings?"
That question stayed with me.
As therapists, we're often deeply compassionate people. We want to be kind, fair and understanding. But sometimes our kindness towards other people comes at the expense of ourselves.
In this episode, I reflect on how easy it is to ignore our own needs because we're worried about disappointing someone else. Whether it's charging a cancellation fee, ending a session on time, saying no to a new client or making a difficult professional decision, our fear of disapproval can sometimes become louder than our own values.
I also explore why consistency matters, how resentment can grow when we don't honour our own boundaries, and why listening to ourselves is an important part of ethical, sustainable practice.
In this episode, we explore:
Why "overthinking" isn't always what we're doing
The difference between kindness and self-neglect
How people pleasing can influence our professional decisions
Why your values are a better guide than someone else's approval
How healthy boundaries protect both you and your clients
The importance of looking after yourself as well as those you support

If you've ever struggled with saying no, worried about getting things wrong or found yourself putting everyone else's needs before your own, I hope this episode reminds you that your wellbeing matters too.
If you'd like support from a community of therapists who understand these challenges, Therapy Growth Group offers weekly live calls, practical marketing support and a welcoming place to think things through with others in private practice.
Setting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERE
Need ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HERE
You can also find me here:
The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook Group
Josephine Hughes on Facebook
Josephine Hughes on YouTube
My website: josephinehughes.com
Keywords: therapists, counsellors, psychotherapy, private practice, therapist boundaries, people pleasing, self care, burnout prevention, compassion fatigue, professional boundaries, supervision, therapist wellbeing, values, cancellation policy, counselling podcast
The information contained in Good Enough Counsellors is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this podcast are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this podcast.
Josephine Hughes disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this podcast.

As a therapist, have you ever sat down to write a social media post and wondered what on earth to say? Or even, not started a social media page because you don't know what to do?
It's easy to get caught up in the mechanics of posting, in the same way as when we're training we get caught up in the mechanics of counselling techniques.
However, if you stand back from social media for a moment and focus on what people need, you often find it much easier to turn up as yourself.
So rather than seeing social media as somewhere you have to perform, you can start to see it as somewhere you can help.
If you're a therapist who struggles with the idea of using social media to reach prospective clients, this episode can help.
In this episode:
How to create content that helps people feel understood
How to establish trust long before someone contacts you
Why trying to sound like someone else gets in the way of attracting clients
Why being real matters far more than polished content

I also include ideas for social media posts for September 2026 with themes around courage, connection, creativity and balance. There's ideas for simple engagement prompts together with more educational content.
The following awareness days are mentioned:
Live Fearless Day – 2 September
Fight Procrastination Day – 6 September
Feel the Love Day – 7 September
Swap Ideas Day – 10 September
Day of Encouragement – 12 September
Live Creative Day – 14 September
Online Learning Day – 15 September
World Gratitude Day - 21 September
World Podcast Day - 30 September

If you're interested in finding out more about your niche, please check out my courses on my website, josephinehughes.com and you can find information about longer term support through my Therapy Growth Group HERE
Setting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERE
Need ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HERE
You can also find me here:
The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook Group
Josephine Hughes on Facebook
Josephine Hughes on YouTube
My website: josephinehughes.com
Keywords: social media for therapists, therapist marketing, counselling private practice, private practice marketing, social media for counsellors, counselling marketing, therapist social media, attract therapy clients, how to get therapy clients, marketing for counsellors, therapist private practice, counselling business, therapist branding, social media content ideas, content ideas for therapists, private practice growth, Josephine Hughes, Good Enough Counsellors
The information contained in Good Enough Counsellors is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this podcast are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this podcast.
Josephine Hughes disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this podcast.

Starting private practice can feel daunting, especially if you're wondering whether you're experienced enough, whether clients will ever find you, or whether you're making the right decision.
In this episode, I talk to counsellor Katrina Johnson, who had been a therapist for 20 years before finally taking the leap into private practice. Despite her experience, she admits she was frightened to get started and worried she wasn't good enough.
Today, Katrina has a thriving private practice, a waiting list and works as a supervisor. In our conversation, she shares what helped her move beyond fear, how she gradually built her client base, and why taking small, consistent steps made all the difference.
Whether you're newly qualified, struggling to find agency work or simply wondering if now is the right time to start your own practice, Katrina's story is full of reassurance and practical encouragement.
In this episode we discuss:
Why fear and self-doubt are normal when starting private practice
How Katrina took her first small steps instead of waiting until she felt ready
Building confidence after taking action rather than before
Growing a private practice gradually alongside employed work
Using social media in a way that feels natural and authentic
Why clients often choose the therapist they feel they know and trust
Setting boundaries around what you share online
Why consistency matters more than perfection
How Therapy Growth Group supported Katrina as she built her practice

Katrina's story encourages us that you don't have to feel confident before you begin to build your private practice.
Episode originally appeared in February 2025
You can visit Katrina's website at kjcounselling.co.uk and her Facebook page is KJCounselling
And if you're interested in Therapy Growth Group, you can read more about it at josephinehughes.com
You can also find me here:
The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook Group
Josephine Hughes on Facebook
Josephine Hughes on YouTube
My website: josephinehughes.com
Setting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERE
Need ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HERE
Keywords: private practice for counsellors, starting private practice, counsellor private practice, therapist private practice, counselling private practice, how to start private practice, how to get counselling clients, attract therapy clients, therapist marketing, counsellor marketing, therapist social media, counsellor social media, imposter syndrome counsellor, self doubt therapist, fear of private practice, therapist confidence, confidence in private practice, newly qualified counsellor, counselling career, Therapy Growth Group, Josephine Hughes, Katrina Johnson, Good Enough Counsellors, counselling business, UK counsellor
The information contained in Good Enough Counsellors is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this podcast are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this podcast.
Josephine Hughes disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this podcast.

When you're trying to grow your counselling private practice, it's tempting to think you have to be the best to be successful. But maybe that belief is holding you back.
In this episode, I explore an online trend of defining your service by comparing it with others. Is this a true sign of confidence or does it reveal a deeper sense of scarcity and self-doubt?
And if you believe that you have to compete and be the best, what impact does this have on your confidence, your marketing and even your nervous system regulation?
Perhaps the real key to attracting clients isn't trying to be better than everyone else. It's trusting that who you are is already enough to connect with the people you're most able to help.
Takeaways:
Why believing you have to be the best is part of a scarcity mindset
How comparison can undermine your confidence and marketing
The difference between the "best" therapist and the "best-fit" therapist
How being more yourself, rather than trying to impress everyone, can help you attract the clients who resonate with you
Why your uniqueness is one of your greatest strengths in private practice

Reflection:
Do you believe there are enough people out there who will choose you - simply because you're you?
Spend a few moments noticing your answer. If it's "I'm not sure", my resources on niching and marketing for therapists, together with Therapy Growth Group, may help you build your private practice in a way that feels authentic.
If you're looking for practical marketing advice for therapists, private practic etips and support to attract more counselling clients, you'll find links to all the resources mentioned below.
To find out more about my short workshops, click HERE, and for Therapy Growth Group, click HERE
Setting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERE
Need ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HERE
You can also find me here:
The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook Group
Josephine Hughes on Facebook
Josephine Hughes on YouTube
My website: josephinehughes.com
Keywords: therapist marketing, marketing for therapists, private practice marketing, counselling private practice, private practice therapist, how to get therapy clients, attract therapy clients, counselling business, therapist confidence, imposter syndrome therapist, therapist mindset, comparison trap, scarcity mindset, confidence in private practice, Therapy Growth Group
The information contained in Good Enough Counsellors is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this podcast are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this podcast.
Josephine Hughes disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this podcast.