Good Enough Counsellors

For the final episode of the year, I’m doing something a little different. Instead of talking about marketing, confidence, or growing your private practice, I’m giving you a break - and introducing you to some of the wonderful podcasters I met at the Podcast Awards this autumn.If you’re heading out for a winter walk, hiding in the kitchen while basting the turkey, or simply wanting something fresh to listen to over the holidays, this episode brings you a handful of surprising, creative and thought-provoking podcasts to explore.These conversations touch on inclusivity, identity, nostalgia, storytelling and creativity - all themes that matter to us as therapists. And a few of them might simply entertain you, which is just as welcome at this time of year.In this Christmas Special, you’ll hear short interviews with creators of podcasts including:Pause and Rewind - powerful origin stories from changemakers working towards a more inclusive worldRainbow Mums and Dads - life stories from people coming out later in life while navigating family, identity and changeMag Hags - a funny and fascinating dive into women’s magazines from the 70s, 80s and 90sPast Master - a creative, AI-guided, choose-your-own-adventure history gameSpooky Storytime - bedtime ghost stories for adults (yes, really!)Sonic Field - a richly told journey through the history and culture of British music festivalsIt’s a celebration of stories, voices and perspectives we often don’t get to hear - and a lovely way to end Series 3 of Good Enough Counsellors.A little festive treat for youAs mentioned in the episode, you can download your free Twixmas Treats email mini-course: five tiny tasks to help you grow your private practice. You can use it between Christmas and New Year - or save it for January if that feels kinder. Download it HEREThank you for listeningThank you so much for tuning in throughout 2025. Your messages, reviews and kind words mean more than you know. I’ll be back in the New Year with more conversations, guidance and encouragement to help you build a thriving, sustainable private practice.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: humanity, storytelling, counseling, LGBTQ+, feminism, music festivals, podcasting, empathy, inclusivity, personal narrativesThe 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

Many therapists feel uncomfortable with marketing because it can seem like “selling yourself.” In this episode, I share how to reframe your marketing mindset and explore how to move away from the fear that your visibility is narcissistic. I'll help you gain a clearer sense of purpose in your private practice with some reflective prompts. And you’ll hear how reconnecting with what truly matters to you makes it easier to show up online, write content, and talk about your work without feeling pushy or self-focused.To round off the episode, you’ll get some January content ideas based on common themes clients are thinking about at the start of the year, including New Year reflections, self-love, relationships, and supporting parents.In this episode you’ll learn:• Why marketing often feels uncomfortable for therapists• How to shift from “selling” to “helping”• Three reflective prompts to guide your message• How your purpose can shape your January contentTo sign up for my Christmas gift of short, client-gaining strategies, click HEREYou 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 HEREKeywordsprivate practice, mindset shift, core purpose, social media, therapy, client connection, values, marketing, January content, self-reflectionThe 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.

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.

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.

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.