Good Enough Counsellors

• Why your website isn't getting found - and what to do about it

  In this episode, Josephine talks with website designer and SEO specialist John Garewal about how clients actually find a therapist online. John shares what he discovered when he searched for a therapist himself, why websites still matter, and simple steps therapists can take to make their site easier to find - without getting technical.When was the last time you tried to find a therapist?If you’ve done it recently for a friend, a family member, or even out of curiosity, you’ll know how confusing it can feel - so many names, so little guidance about who to choose.In this conversation, I'm joined by John Garewal, website designer and founder of Verum Design. John specialises in building therapist websites that don’t just look polished… they actually get found.John shares:What happened when he tried to find a therapist himself (and why it took months)Why a well-designed website can make contacting you feel emotionally safer for clientsWhether every therapist really needs a websiteWhat SEO actually means — explained without jargonWhat Google looks for when someone searches “anxiety therapist in Portsmouth”Why Google Business Profile matters more than most therapists realiseSmall changes that make a big difference to getting found locallyThe biggest website mistakes therapists make (especially on mobile)How to make your website easier to read, easier to use, and easier to act onWhy Schema, load speed and structure matter — in simple termsHow to help clients feel confident enough to make contactThe three small steps John recommends to boost visibility this monthIf you'd like to go deeper into SEO and therapist websites, John has shared a detailed training session inside Therapy Growth Group, including live examples, practical steps and Q&A.To contact John, please visit Verum DesignYou can also find me here:The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook GroupJosephine Hughes on FacebookJosephine Hughes on YouTubeMy website: josephinehughes.comSetting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERENeed ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HEREKeywords:therapy, website design, SEO, mental health, online presence, client engagement, digital marketing, therapist marketingThe 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.

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• Is AI Replacing Therapy Directories?

  More and more people are turning to AI tools like ChatGPT or asking their phones for answers instead of typing into Google. And clients are no different. Some are already saying things like, “I found you via ChatGPT.”So what does this mean for therapists who rely on directories, Google My Business or their websites to be found?In this episode, I look at how AI is changing the way people search - and what you can do to stay visible as things evolve.We explore:why clients may not be clicking into directories as oftenhow AI pulls answers from websites, blogs and social mediawhat “Answer Engine Optimisation” (AEO) actually meanssimple steps therapists can take to make their content more findablequick wins for your website, from image compression to structurewhy blogging and fresh content help both SEO and AI discoverabilityhow small actions now can keep you visible even as search keeps shiftingAnd if you’d like help creating content that works for both clients and search engines, I’ve got support for you inside Therapy Growth Group. There’s training on blogging, ideas to help you get started, and regular guidance to help you build a practice that people can actually find. At the time of recording, the Black Friday offer is still available.Setting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERENeed ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HEREYou can also find me here:The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook GroupJosephine Hughes on FacebookJosephine Hughes on YouTubeMy website: josephinehughes.comKeywords:content creation, frequently asked questions, conversational search, AI interaction, natural language processing, therapy directoriesThe 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.

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• Navigating Harm in Therapy: Insights from Erin Stevens

  Therapy is meant to be a place of healing - but what happens when it causes harm instead?In this powerful episode, I’m joined by therapist, supervisor and trainer Erin Stevens, who specialises in working with people who have experienced harm in previous therapy. Together we explore how harm in therapy can happen - even when we have good intentions - and what we can do as therapists to reduce the risk, respond to rupture, and create safer therapeutic spaces.We talk about the role of power and boundaries, why cultural misattunement often goes unacknowledged, and how shame can block honest reflection in supervision. Erin also shares their own story of being harmed in therapy and what helped them come back to the profession with compassion and clarity.Whether you’ve ever worried you might be getting it wrong - or just want to understand this issue more deeply - this conversation is for you.Takeaways:What “harm in therapy” really means - and why it’s so often missedHow boundary confusion and power imbalances can erode trustThe emotional labour of marginalised clientsWhy naming harm doesn’t make you a bad therapistHow to use supervision as a place of growth, not shamePractical steps for making your practice safer and more accountableErin Stevens (she/they) is a therapist, supervisor, writer and trainer based in West Yorkshire. Erin specialises in working with people who have been harmed in previous therapy and is passionate about raising awareness of the increased risk of harm for clients with marginalised identities. They offer therapy, consultation and training and you can visit their website HERESetting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERENeed ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HEREYou can also find me here:The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook GroupJosephine Hughes on FacebookJosephine Hughes on YouTubeMy website: josephinehughes.comKeywords:therapy, harm, mental health, boundaries, cultural misattunement, supervision, client experience, therapist experience, power dynamics, preventionThe 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.

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• Has your Practice Gone Quiet? Let's Talk about Why

  Have your enquiries been slowing down? In this episode Josephine explores the question of whether AI is taking over from directories and what therapists can do about it. She shares a practical, human-first answer - why visibility still matters, how to show up without shouting, and simple December content ideas you can use right away.You’ll learnWhy AI can’t replace human connection in therapy—or your marketingWhat to do when directory profiles aren’t bringing steady enquiriesThree ways social media helps therapists (without being “an influencer”)How to show up in a way that feels safe and authentic (not oversharing)Simple December post ideas you can reuse or adapt when you’re busyHow reframing the purpose of your social media account can help make it easier for you to produce postsMentioned in this episode:Ep 24: Social Media ToolkitEp 75: Grow Your Therapy Practice by Nurturing Connection with Becky WilloughbyEp 86: Safe Self-Disclosure on Social MediaEp 89: Is Email Counselling Real Therapy with Chloe FosterYou can also find me here:The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook GroupJosephine Hughes on FacebookJosephine Hughes on YouTubeMy website: josephinehughes.comSetting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERENeed ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HEREKeywords: AI, therapy, marketing, social media, visibility, trust, engagement, December content, therapist practices, client connectionThe 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.

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• Feel the fear (but ask for help) with Gemma Anderson

  When counsellor Gemma Anderson started her training, she never imagined it would lead to a thriving private practice. A teenage mum who once worked as a cleaner, Gemma shares how she built a successful practice without a website or social media - just through her counselling directory profiles and a down-to-earth approach. Her advice? Feel the fear and do it anyway – but ask for help.About this episodeIn this honest and encouraging conversation, Gemma talks about:What first drew her into counselling - and the self-doubt she had to overcome.How life experience shaped the kind of therapist she’s become.Why she offers a half-price first session and focuses on being approachable and relatable.How she maintains a steady income by combining counselling with part-time work.Her practical routine for keeping her directory profiles visible and bringing in new clients.The importance of asking for help rather than trying to do everything alone.Gemma’s story is a reminder that there isn’t just one way to build a counselling practice. You don’t need a slick website or constant social media posts - just a clear, authentic presence and the courage to keep going.You can read Gemma's profile HERESetting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERENeed ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HEREYou can also find me here:The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook GroupJosephine Hughes on FacebookJosephine Hughes on YouTubeMy website: josephinehughes.comThe 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.

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