Good Enough Counsellors

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.

Many therapists have been telling me that enquiries have slowed down. Some wonder whether it's the cost of living, while others are worried that AI has changed the way clients search for a therapist online.
In this episode, I'm joined once again by Daragh MacLoughlin from WebHealer to explore what's really happening.
Drawing on insights from thousands of therapy websites, Daragh shares what he's seeing as Google search changes. He explains why some websites are attracting more enquiries than ever, and why simply chasing SEO isn't the answer.
Instead, we talk about something much more important: creating a website that is genuinely helpful to the people you most want to work with.
If you've been wondering whether AI is making it harder for clients to find you, I hope this conversation will leave you feeling reassured and give you some practical ideas to strengthen your website.
Takeaways:
Why therapists may be seeing fewer enquiries and why AI isn't necessarily the whole story.
How Google search is changing and what that means for therapy websites.
Why creating a genuinely useful website is becoming more important than ever.
The connection between knowing your niche and writing a website that attracts the right clients.
Why helping people get to know you is still one of the most powerful ways to build trust online.
Practical ways to improve your website without becoming an SEO expert.

For information on my workshops to help you get clearer on who you most want to help, please visit my website, josephinehughes.com
If you're interested in building a website with WebHealer, receive a £50 discount when you use my affiliate link: GEC999. This same code will also give you a free install of Policy Diary, worth £9.99
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: therapy website, therapist website, counselling website, AI and therapy websites, Google search for therapists, therapy website SEO, therapist marketing, private practice marketing, therapy enquiries, how clients find therapists, therapist niche, counsellor website, therapy website visibility, AI search.
We are an affiliate of WebHealer and Policy Diary and may be paid commission if you buy through our link. As we are an affiliate and WebHealer and Policy Diary were created by a third party, we shall have no liability whatsoever in any circumstances to you in relation to the WebHealer and Policy Diary (including in relation to any consequential loss of any type whatsoever) other than in relation to matters for which we are not lawfully able to limit or exclude our liability
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.

Your therapy website is one of the most important tools for attracting clients to your private practice. In this episode, website specialist Daragh MacLoughlin from WebHealer explains why GDPR, privacy policies and cookie notices aren't just about legal compliance. They can also help build trust with potential clients and, in Daragh's view, may even play a part in how search engines assess your website.
Many therapists put GDPR to the bottom of the to do list because it feels complicated, technical and overwhelming. Daragh explains the recent changes in plain English, shares the most common mistakes therapists make, and introduces a simple way to keep your website policies up to date without becoming an expert yourself.
Takeaways
Why every therapist in private practice needs up to date website privacy policies.
The recent changes to UK GDPR that affect therapy websites.
What cookie policies are and why they matter.
Why handling client data well is about more than legal compliance.
How good website policies can help build trust with potential clients.
Why Daragh believes having the right website foundations may also help your visibility in Google search.
Simple ways to make sure your therapy website stays up to date as regulations change.

Daragh MacLoughlin is Managing Director of WebHealer, one of the UK's best-known website providers for counsellors and psychotherapists. WebHealer has been helping therapists create professional websites that attract clients for more than twenty years.
He is also the creator of Policy Diary, a service designed specifically for therapists to help them generate and maintain GDPR-compliant privacy policies, cookie policies and complaints procedures as regulations change.
Special offer
If you'd like to use Policy Diary or build your website with WebHealer, Daragh has kindly arranged an exclusive discount code for people in my community.
Use GEC999 to receive:
Free installation of Policy Diary (worth £9.99).
£50 off a new WebHealer website.

We are an affiliate of WebHealer and Policy Diary and may be paid commission if you buy through our link. As we are an affiliate and WebHealer and Policy Diary were created by a third party, we shall have no liability whatsoever in any circumstances to you in relation to the WebHealer and Policy Diary (including in relation to any consequential loss of any type whatsoever) other than in relation to matters for which we are not lawfully able to limit or exclude our liability
Coming next week:
Daragh returns to the podcast to talk about one of the biggest questions therapists are asking right now: Is AI changing the way clients find us online? We explore what's happening with Google search, what makes a therapy website useful, and why helping the right people is still the best long-term strategy for attracting clients.
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: therapy website, GDPR for therapists, therapy website GDPR, privacy policies for therapists, cookie policies, therapy website SEO, Google search for therapists, attracting therapy clients, therapy website design, counsellor website, private practice website, data protection for therapists, therapist marketing, getting therapy clients, therapist online presence, private practice growth, WebHealer, Policy Diary
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.