How to Write a Good Psychology Today Profile

Psychology Today profiles are deceptively difficult to write. You are limited to a certain number of characters per paragraph. And you only get three short paragraphs to hook someone to want to work with you.

I’ve written my fair share of Psychology Today profiles. It can be difficult to make yourself stand out from the crowd. Trust me, once you’ve written at least 20 it’s hard to make them all sound different. But there are a few ways to write a therapist profile that highlights the wonderful work you do.

Hopefully, you’ll walk away from this piece with an understanding of how to get more referrals from Psychology Today. It’s a platform that, although it can be problematic, is a useful marketing tool for therapists. I want to help you learn how to write a Psychology Today profile that attracts potential clients and turns them into actual clients.

Creating a Click-Worthy Therapist Profile

The key to writing a good therapist profile is to make sure it’s not all about you. Try to avoid using words like “I,” “my,” “mine,” and “me.” You also don’t want to use third-person language. Speak directly to your audience. Use “you” as often as possible. You should also throw a few “we”s in there as well so that your potential clients feel as if you’re already in it together.

First up, you want to choose a good-quality profile picture. Many people make short videos introducing themselves, which gives potential clients a sneak peek into who you are. When it comes to checking off the areas you treat, please don’t check them all. Take stock of who you want to work with, who your ideal client is, and what your areas of specialty are.

Next, you want to make sure you connect your website to the profile. You’ll drive more traffic to your site, which will help make you more visible online. It will also show potential clients that you’re legit. If you have a well-written and well-designed website, your potential clients will be impressed and think that you are a true professional that they could see themselves working with. 

Finally, you need to make sure you know how to write a Psychology Today profile. The words are very important, especially since you have so few. Psychology Today therapist profiles are usually around 200 words tops. So you don’t want to waste a single character

How to Write a Psychology Today Profile That Converts

Therapist profiles are tricky because you want to both show the readers that you know what you’re talking about while also conveying your therapeutic style and demonstrating that you understand them in 1,360 characters. That’s not a lot at all!

Make the profile all about the potential client. Hook them right away with an attention-grabbing first sentence. Use the word “you” or if you work with children “your child.”

When learning how to write a Psychology Today profile that converts, it’s important to really think about who your ideal client is. Make an ideal client avatar (ICA). Get specific. Think about their age, gender, geographical location, socioeconomic status, interests, hobbies, etc. Know exactly who you’re talking to when you write your therapist profile. If you’re talking to everyone, you’re talking to no one, so make sure you’re specific.

Some therapists are afraid to niche down because they think they won’t get enough clients. When in fact, it’s usually the opposite. If you work with millennials with anxiety and depression, don’t advertise yourself as someone who works with children or older adults with personality disorders. Stay true to your specialty and your expertise.

Identify and speak directly to your potential client’s pain points. Figure out what makes them tick. Do they want to be more successful in relationships? Do they want their child to stop throwing tantrums unexpectedly in public? What does your ICA need that you can give them?

How to Get More Referrals From Psychology Today

I’ve already said this but it’s so important that I’m going to say it again – speak directly to your ideal client’s pain points. Do this at the very beginning of your therapist profile. Once they feel as if you understand them, you need to make sure they know how you can help them. Include the theoretical frameworks that influence your therapeutic style. When I write a Psychology Today profile for a therapist, I usually include the therapeutic style in the second paragraph. This is also a great place to talk about how you’ll work together.

It’s important to know your values when you’re trying to figure out how to get more referrals from Psychology Today. You can even include a few of them if they seem relevant. You need to be as clear about your therapeutic style and who you are as a therapist as you are about your ICA.

When someone comes across your Psychology Today profile you want them to say “Oh, they get me! Let me go check out their website and learn more.” Or “Wow, this person really seems to understand what I’m going through and I think they could really help me. I’m going to schedule a call with them.”

Don’t waste space telling your readers where your office is and how they can reach you. You also want to stay away from stating every diagnosis or presenting problem that you work with within the profile because there’s a section on the side where you can check off those things. Just make sure you don’t check everything off. Remember, niching down isn’t a bad thing and it will ultimately bring you more and the right clients.
Knowing how to write a Psychology Today profile isn’t something you learned in grad school. No one taught you how to market yourself in a therapist profile, and that’s ok. Sometimes you need to outsource. I’ve written upwards of 20 Psychology Today profiles and I know how to get more referrals from Psychology Today for you. Book a free 30-minute consultation with me to discuss

Why Your Private Practice Deserves a Great Website

private practice therapy website

You’ve poured your blood, sweat, money, and tears into your private practice. Whether you’re just starting out and need a brand new private practice therapy website or you’re ready to redo the site you created just to get yourself started, you deserve a website that shows the world how awesome you are!

Private practice websites are special and not like every other type of website out there. You’re selling your brand but you’re also selling yourself. Because so many people are Googling therapists these days, you want to make sure that when someone finds your website it speaks to them. It should make them say “wow, they’ll really get me.”

Therapist website copy isn’t like a lot of other website copy out there. You’re not an e-commerce store, you’re not an academic institution. You’re a human being offering a service to other human beings that need to be able to connect with you on an intimate and sensitive level. The copy on your website needs to reflect that.

When I create a website for therapists I take all of that into consideration. What is your voice? Who is your target audience? What does your private practice stand for? What are your core beliefs? All of this is important when creating your website if you want it to be well-written.

What Makes a Good Private Practice Website?

First of all, you need to know who your target audience is. Identify your ideal client. Don’t be afraid to niche down. The more specific you are, the easier it’s going to be to market your services. It also means you’ll be able to reach more people if you get really specific. I know it sounds counterintuitive, but if you try to reach too many people, you’ll have a hard time getting people in the door. Find your specialty. Show that you’re truly an expert at what you do.

Although as a copywriter I mostly concern myself with the words, having a clean design with colors that portray your brand is key. You should use a clear logo and not have too many pictures or other graphics on the page.

You also want copy that’s easily digestible. It should be SEO optimized both in the copy itself and on the backend, which an SEO copywriter will know how to do. They can help you do it yourself so you know how the basics work if you need to change anything.

Your website should be easy to navigate, with a clear navigation bar at the top and buttons that take your audience exactly where you want them to go. Your private practice website needs a strong call to action (CTA) on each page, which is where the buttons come in handy. Say you want someone to book a call with you – you can have a button at the top, middle, and bottom of the page that takes the reader directly to the contact page to book that consultation.

Ideally, you should have the following pages:

  • Homepage
  • About page
  • Services page
  • FAQ page
  • Contact page

It’s also beneficial to have a blog, both for SEO reasons and to provide additional resources to your readers. Your blog should also be SEO optimized with a clear CTA.

How Can a Website Help Your Private Practice?

If your private practice therapy website is SEO-optimized, it will bring in organic traffic. People who are Googling therapists will find you if you’re using the right keywords. Most people either find therapists on Psychology Today (which links to your website) or by Googling therapists.

If you have a strong website, people will want to spend more time learning about you and your services. If you have a blog you can provide additional resources to potential and current clients and establish yourself as an authority figure in the field.

Also, other therapists can visit your website and see you as someone they may want to connect with, and eventually, you can get referrals from them. This is also a good opportunity to trade backlinks with other therapists. Backlinks are links to someone else’s page. If you cultivate a relationship with them, they can give you a backlink too! Blogs are great opportunities to earn backlinks.

How is a Private Practice Therapy Website Different From Other Websites?

Most therapists in private practice aren’t selling products unless you’ve written a book. Private practice therapy websites sell the services you provide, which is basically selling yourself and your brand.

You don’t necessarily need a lot of bells and whistles because you’re not trying to sell products, you’re trying to get people to trust you and want to work with you. Your private practice therapy website should be warm and inviting and not too “sales-y.” Therapist website copy should speak directly to the reader in a way that says “I see you, I get you, and I’ll hear and listen to you. You’ll be safe with me.”

Therapist Website Copy is Important for Your Private Practice

While the design is important because you want to be aesthetically pleasing to the reader’s eye, the words on your site are what will hook people. Having good copy is incredibly important for engaging new audience members.

Therapist website copy that is SEO-optimized is crucial to your site’s success and therefore to your private practice’s success. Your website represents you and your brand, which is your practice and you, the therapist. 

If your copy doesn’t reflect you as a person and a therapist, then your audience either won’t connect with you via your website. Or, they’ll be surprised when they talk to you in person that you don’t sound the way you did on your site.

How Do You Successfully Write a Website for Therapists?

SEO optimization is the key to successfully writing a website for therapists. As a copywriter, I need to write in the therapist’s voice. I need to write in your voice.

My process is a collaborative one, in which I do the bulk of the writing based on a conversation I’ve had with the therapist. Then they get to edit the pages until it sounds like them 100%. I’m also working on the optimization part, which includes keyword research and writing meta descriptions that use the keywords we want the therapist to rank for.

Writing a website for therapists takes time, which is why hiring a copywriter to write your website is an investment that is worth doing. Once it’s written and optimized for SEO, it’s out there in the world for Google to find and for readers to see in their searches. SEO is the gift that keeps on giving. Once the site is written well and optimized for SEO, the rest is up to Google to crawl and find and rank the private practice therapy website.

If you’re ready to hire an SEO copywriter who knows how to market private practices by writing great websites, contact me today to set up a call and talk about how I can help!

How Can an SEO Copywriter Help Your Private Practice?

Google shows up for SEO copywriter

SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is crucial to being found in a Google search. And let’s face it, everyone uses Google to find just about anything these days. Most people I know use Google searches when searching for a therapist. The competition is stiff, and it can be hard to get found in a search. So how do you make sure you’re a step ahead of the competition?

An SEO copywriter is the right answer when it comes to getting your practice visible online. If you’re just starting out, don’t worry if you don’t make it to page one right away – it can take Google between 3-6 months to recognize a new page. But even though it can take a while, it’s worth the investment because once Google recognizes your page and starts ranking you, you’ll see a surge in people inquiring about your services.

Well-optimized website copy will rank you higher in a Google search. There are plenty of ways to boost your SEO, which I’ll get to in a minute, but it’s necessary to realize just how important getting to page one of a Google search is. Think about your own searches – do you ever click past page one or two? Probably not.

That’s why writing for SEO is crucial when it comes to your website and blogs. Your private practice’s website is an incredibly important part of your business. You should be investing the time and money it takes to create a well-optimized website because the return on investment will be worth it.

What Is SEO Copywriting?

First off, we should define what copywriting is, in case you’re not sure. Copywriting is a form of marketing and is any kind of writing that gets readers to do something with a call to action (CTA). Writing SEO content is something that not all copywriters learn to do, so it’s important when choosing your copywriter for your private practice that they understand SEO.

Writing for SEO means that you’re always writing with Google in mind. No one really knows how Google works, even the experts because Google’s always changing the algorithm. They even keep it a secret from their employees!

But there are ways to write SEO content that will rank your private practice on page one of Google searches. SEO copywriters use keywords to match what people are typing into Google. There are plenty of Chrome plugins and tools that copywriters use to determine keywords that are being searched enough to use them to get you found but not too much that you’ll get buried by all the competition.

What Does an SEO Copywriter Do?

Writing for SEO is more complicated than just putting words on a page and hoping that Google finds it. SEO copywriters don’t just use keywords, they also pay attention to things behind the scenes. This includes meta descriptions, the length of your URL and whether it includes a keyword or not, the alt text on any images you use which should include a keyword, and many other things. If these words sound foreign to you, that’s ok, because your copywriter, if they’re writing for SEO, will know what to do.

Writing SEO content requires the copywriter to think about 3 audiences: skimmers, diggers, and Google. All the writing is done with SEO in mind, so that means that you’re trying to organically use keywords in the text, not just stick them in there and hope Google finds them. Yes, you’re writing for Google, but you still want your writing to flow and appeal to people who will both skim your website and read every word.

Most SEO copy is either going to be blogs or websites, so for the purposes of this blog, we’ll focus on those.

Websites

Each page on a website needs to have a different focus keyword. Keywords should be slightly different variations on each page so that you’re not competing with yourself for SEO. Headers and subheaders should include keywords with the H1 using the focus keyword and the H2s using longtail keywords that show up throughout the page.

Blogs

Each blog is going to use a different set of keywords for the same reason that each website page uses different keywords. By using different keywords you boost your chances of being found in a Google search

Blogs follow the same rules as websites – keywords in H1s and H2s, not too many keywords (keyword stuffing), organically used keywords in the text, and focus keywords in the first and last 100 words.

Blogs are important for SEO because regularly written blogs tell Google that you’re consistently updating your website, which Google likes. But blogs need to be relevant and written in an SEO-optimized way in order for this to work. They also need to be posted 2-4 times a month in order for Google to recognize them. So when you’re hiring an SEO copywriter to write blogs and they tell you that one blog a month isn’t going to do anything for your SEO, they’re right.

How Does Writing SEO Content Work?

First, your SEO copywriter will do keyword research. Once they’ve determined which keywords will rank you highly in a Google search they’ll plan out the site or blog using those keywords.

Everyone’s process is different, so I’ll share mine. Fire, I do keyword research, as I mentioned before. Then I’ll research titles and headers. This sometimes comes last if I’m stuck or not entirely sure how the piece, particularly a blog, is going to turn out.

Next, I’ll create an outline using H2s that include the keywords I’ve chosen. I highlight as I write the keywords I’m using so I can check for keyword density later. You don’t want to keyword stuff because Google will pick up on that and not rank you well. Finding the right balance of keywords is tricky, and takes time.

After I’ve done the outline and given myself some time away from it I’ll write the crappy first draft and walk away again. Then I’ll go back the next day and edit the first draft. I’ll format the piece and make sure I have one H1 that includes my focus keyword and then H2s that also include longtail keywords.

Because SEO content is always written with Google in mind, I write your blog or website in a way that will get Google’s attention, mostly by using keywords but also by writing relevant copy. 

Ready to Hire an SEO Copywriter?

If you want to boost your SEO and get found in Google searches, hire a copywriter who is proficient in SEO, like me!

I’ve optimized my website in a way that uses the keywords I want to rank for, which is maybe how you found my website and this blog.

If you’re ready to take the leap and hire an SEO copywriter, contact me to set up a free 30-minute consultation to talk about your SEO needs. I look forward to helping you build your ranking in Google searches and get your practice found on page one!

How a Copywriter Can Help Your Private Practice

how a copywriter can help your private practice desk and chair

If you’re in private practice or thinking about going into private practice, it’s important that you understand how to market yourself. Marketing may seem like a dirty word, but it doesn’t have to be. Hiring a mental health copywriter could be one of the best things you do for yourself. 

A copywriter can help your private practice in a number of different ways. Copywriting for private practice is different than in any other niche. It’s important when copywriting for therapists to write in a trauma-informed way because of the subject matter. 

Most copywriters rely on humor, puns, stories, and making sales. Mental health copywriters focus more on using the therapist’s voice to let the audience know that they understand them and will be able to help them. There’s still a call to action (CTA) in copywriting for therapists, but instead of selling a product you’re selling your services, and the copy should reflect that.

What Does Copywriting for Therapists Look Like?

There are lots of different types of copy out there. It’s important that you know what kind of copy you need to market your private practice. Copywriting is a great way for you to market yourself in a way that feels true to you and your brand.

That’s where investing in a mental health copywriter becomes so important. A copywriter can help your private practice by writing different types of copy that will not only get people to come to your website or click on your Psychology Today profile, but they’ll also help you convert readers into clients!

Copywriting for therapists can look different for every person, but generally, it’s important to have a copywriter who knows search engine optimization (SEO). This is what gets you found in Google searches, which is one of the most common ways people search for therapists.

An SEO copywriter, particularly an SEO mental health copywriter, can boost your ranking in Google searches and help people find you and your awesome services. Once they’ve found you, your copywriter can help your private practice by writing your website in a way that gets people to want to know more about you. We get people to sign up for your services!

Your website is one of the most important aspects of your online marketing. Think about every website you’ve ever been to. What made a good impression? What made you want to stick around and learn more? What made you want to buy the product or the service? 

When it comes to copywriting for private practice therapists, your website is incredibly important. Your first impression is, to a lot of people, your website. It needs to reflect who you are as a therapist and what your practice is like.

What Kinds of Copywriting Can Help Your Private Practice?

There are lots of different types of copywriting that can help your private practice. The most common types of copy that therapists use are:

  • SEO-optimized websites
  • SEO-optimized blogs
  • Psychology Today profiles
  • Ebook “freebies” for an email opt-in
  • Automated email welcome sequences
  • Regular emails and newsletters

When I’m copywriting for a therapist in private practice, I’m always thinking about what’s going to be the best marketing tool for their practice. I’m partial to websites and Psychology Today profiles because they’ll help bring in more clients. But email lists and freebie opt-ins, as well as social media posts, can help too.

Blogs are important because they can really boost your SEO. Blogs are also a great way to provide resources to clients and potential clients. Additionally, they can help establish you as an authority in the field.

How is Copywriting for Private Practice Unique?

As I said before, therapists need to market themselves. But you don’t want to be too “sales-y” Mental health copywriters take your voice and let it come through in your copy in a way that demonstrates your psychology background while also bringing across your personality.

Copywriting for therapists isn’t easy. Many of you work with people who have experienced trauma. This means that the content on your website and in your blogs is sensitive. It needs to be written in a trauma-informed way that still gets people to want to do something (most likely sign up for your services).

Copywriting for private practice is also unique because, unless you’re selling courses or products online, your copywriter isn’t selling things, they’re selling you.

How Can a Mental Health Copywriter Help Your Private Practice?

If you’re a therapist in private practice and you’re going to hire a copywriter, hire someone who is well-versed in SEO and the world of mental health. Mental health copywriters write specifically for therapists and other professionals in the mental health space, so they understand the language and overall tone needed. Copywriters who know SEO know how to rank you higher in competitive Google searches. By writing SEO-optimized copy, your copywriter can help you get found in Google searches.

A copywriter can help your private practice by getting to know you and your voice. I always spend a few hours, depending on the project, doing content strategy sessions with my clients. It not only makes sure I get all the information I need to write, but it also informs me of who you are as a person and how you talk. All of this is crucial when I write for you in order for you to come across as your authentic self. Also, the better I know the person I’m writing for the better I’m able to capture their voice.

How Can This Mental Health Copywriter Help Your Private Practice?

Although I was never in private practice, I was a therapist for five years before I became a copywriter. As a former therapist, I understand that you want to sound professional, authentic, and approachable. You want your copy to show how empathetic you are. I get that. As a copywriter for therapists, I understand how to get you to page one of a Google search without sounding sleazy.

If you’re reading to hire a copywriter for your private practice, contact me to set up a free 30-minute consultation to see if we’re a good fit. I look forward to helping you market your private practice!

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome- You Are Your Own Worst Enemy

woman in a dark room overcoming imposter syndrome

Everyone experiences imposter syndrome at some point in their lives. You can’t let it get in your way, though. Sometimes, no matter how much training you went through, you don’t feel good enough. You don’t feel like you know what you’re talking about. I’m sure you can relate to that. It’s common to lose sight of who you are as a therapist.

Imposter syndrome can happen to anyone. I experienced it as a therapist and I experience it now as a copywriter. But there are ways not to let it hold you back from being the kickass therapist that you are!

The first is just to remember that you do know what you’re doing. It can feel like you’re not worth the fees that you’re charging. Or you might feel like you’re never going to succeed. If you’re going into private practice, imposter syndrome can rear its ugly head and make you feel as if you’ll never be good enough. Don’t let the imposter monster get you.

Therapist Imposter Syndrome

Therapist imposter syndrome is real and needs to be talked about. It’s ok to experience imposter syndrome. What we don’t want is for it to ruin your ability to practice your work.

In order to be fully present with your clients, therapist imposter syndrome needs to know how to show itself out the door. But first, you have to train it to. It won’t go away on its own – you need to show that imposter monster who’s the boss. 

One way to nip imposter syndrome in the bud is to remind yourself of your “why.” Why do you do what you do? Why did you choose your clients? What made you want to be a therapist in the first place?

Overcoming imposter syndrome occurs when you remember your “why.” I keep a post-it note above my desk with my “why” written on it. This helps me remember why I do what I do and why I love it.

The other thing I do to overcome imposter syndrome is to return to positive feedback. I save emails and put them in my “smile file.” I also post testimonials behind my computer as reminders that I’m an imposter after all. This helps me remember that I am good at my job and I do get results for my clients.

What Does Overcoming Imposter Syndrome Have to Do With Copywriting?

We’ve already established that as a copywriter, I experience imposter syndrome regularly. That’s why I understand what you’re going through when you experience therapist imposter syndrome. They’re really not that different.

But the reason therapist imposter syndrome is related to copywriting isn’t just because copywriters experience imposter syndrome. It’s because, if you feel like a fraud, you’re going to have a hard time marketing yourself. 

As a copywriter for therapists, I strive to help my clients nail down who their ideal client is. I work with a lot of therapists in private practice. For those just starting out, it can be difficult to narrow down who they work with. The important question to ask yourself is “who is your ideal client?” You need an ideal client avatar – a made-up person that represents exactly who you want to work with.

You might be tempted to go the more general route to reach more people. This is a mistake. If you’re speaking to everyone, you’re speaking to no one. That’s the hardest part about marketing yourself and your private practice – niching down to a specialty.

What does having your ideal client have to do with imposter syndrome? Well, for starters, if you work with a certain group of people, you become more of an expert in that area of the field. For example, you might work with women of color suffering from depression. That might sound really specific, but if you are a woman of color who deals with depression, you’ll probably choose the therapist who specializes in that particular area over someone who’s more of a generalist.

If you can pinpoint your target audience, your copywriter can help you get more clients. If you have a copywriter who understands your voice, you’ll actually be able to hear yourself coming off the screen. You’ll have a better understanding of what your clients see and hear when they talk to you if you see what you sound like on your website or in your blogs.

Copywriting can actually help boost your confidence as a therapist and kick imposter syndrome to the curb. This especially can happen when people engage with your writing. If you find out someone chose you based on the way your Psychology Today profile was written or the way your website made them feel, it’s more likely that you’ll feel confident to work with them because you know why they want to work with you. Copywriting can help you overcome imposter syndrome!

Get Out of Your Own Way and Hire a Mental Health Copywriter

It’s time to take the next step towards overcoming therapist imposter syndrome once and for all. Work with a mental health copywriter who gets you. Find someone who takes the time to get to know you and your voice. Hire a copywriter who specifically writes for therapists because they know the territory. Even better, hire a copywriter who used to be a therapist. I guarantee you that person will know the territory. You won’t have to spend so much time explaining to them what you do. They already get it.

Trust me, as a former therapist, I understand therapist imposter syndrome. Now as a mental health copywriter, I experience imposter syndrome from a different perspective, but I still experience it. That’s how you know I’ll get you – I’ve been in your shoes. I’m haunted by that imposter monster also.

We can beat your therapist imposter syndrome by working together to craft a message that represents you and your work. We’ll target your ideal client and speak directly to them in a way that instills confidence in them. They’ll know they made the right choice when they choose you as their therapist. And you’ll know you made the right choice when you choose me as your copywriter. 

If you’re ready to overcome imposter syndrome by hiring a copywriter, contact me to set up a call to see if we’re a good fit. Let’s get rid of that imposter monster once and for all!

How a Blog Can Boost Your SEO

sign of Google and how a blog can boost your SEO

As I write this I realize the irony of this post. I’m going to tell you all about how important it is to write a blog consistently to boost your SEO, and yet this is the first blog I’ve posted in three weeks.

Word to the wise – don’t do as I say, not as I do.

But most of the time, do as I do. 

This is a very rare occurrence for me to not blog weekly,  but as you’ll understand, life got in the way. I know, excuses excuses. But I’m here now, and we’re going to go through this topic together because it’s a valuable lesson for you and for me.

 I’m going to tell you how to write an SEO-optimized blog that works for your business and gets your practice seen in Google searches. I’ll show you how a blog can help your business.

A Blog Can Boost Your SEO

As I’m sure you’re by now aware, SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. It’s how you get found in a Google search. Google rewards consistency. Do what I did until this month – blog every week, if possible. If you want to maximize your time, outsource blogging to a copywriter to take it off your plate. Copywriters are always blogging for SEO success and know how to get you the results you need.

By blogging weekly, Google crawls your site more regularly. A blog can boost your SEO by moving you up in the Google ranking faster than if you didn’t have one.

It’s not just enough to have a blog. It needs to be SEO-optimized. You need to use keywords, meta-descriptions that are the proper length and include keywords, URLs that aren’t too long, and title tags that match your topic and are the proper length. Basically, you need a copywriter who knows their stuff to help you make the most out of an SEO-optimized blog.

How a Blog Can Help Your Business

Blogs provide resources to your clients and potential clients. They establish you as an authority in your field. They also drive more traffic to your website.

A good blog always has a call to action (CTA) that gets people to do something. This could be signing up for your email list, buying a course, or booking a consultation.

According to the Search Engine Journal, blogs increase people’s interest in your services. They engage current and potential clients as well as bring in new clients. Blogs showcase your services and the areas of therapy you care about. They allow people to know you better as a clinician.

How To Write an SEO-Optimized Blog

There’s a lot that goes into writing a well-optimized blog for SEO. Some of these I talked about before, but they’re worth mentioning again:

  • Keywords
  • Meta descriptions
  • URLs that aren’t too long
  • Title tags that aren’t too long or too short
  • Blogs that are at least 1000 words

It’s not enough to pick some keywords to focus on. You have to research what people are Googling and then incorporate the keywords organically into your writing.

It’s also important to pick topics that are relevant to your audience. You also need to make sure you’re consistent with your content.

If you’re writing regular blogs, don’t duplicate keywords. It’ll help your SEO if you rank for different keywords every time you write a blog, so use brand new keywords in each blog.

This may sound counter-intuitive but write at a middle school grade level for readability. There’s a great website called HemingwayApp that allows you to copy and paste your text into it and it’ll rate your writing at whatever grade level it’s written. If you’re in America, you want to aim for grades 6-8 at the highest. That’s about 12-14 years old to those of you outside the States.

You also want to make sure you write titles and subheaders that are catchy. Get the attention of your readers quickly. Write for skimmability. Most people don’t read every word you write, so use bold and italic fonts to make things stand out and format your blogs correctly for headers and subheaders.

It’s also important that your blogs are long enough for Google to find and recognize. Anything under 1000 words is too short for Google to crawl. And honestly, it’s too short to get across the information you want to share. It’s not enough to just put some words on a page, you need to be thoughtful about what those words are, how many there are, and if they’re written organically for SEO. 

Blogging For SEO Success

Blogs help your practice succeed by bringing more clients to your site. If you have a copywriter who knows how to optimize your blogs for SEO, they’re setting you up for SEO success.

Blogging can boost your SEO on your website just from the different amounts of keywords it uses. This means you’re more likely to be found in a Google search. The more keywords you rank for, the more visible your website will be.

Your blogs must be SEO-optimized, so they should be written by someone who understands SEO – preferably a mental health copywriter. Copywriters who write for therapists understand what you do as well as how to market you using SEO.

Set yourself up for SEO success by doing your research on what makes a blog well-optimized for SEO. The more you understand SEO, the easier it will be to communicate with your copywriter. You’ll have a better understanding of what they’re doing and the relationship will only be stronger because of it. Just like how your copywriter will be better for you the more they understand the world of mental health.


If you’re ready to hire a copywriter who truly knows the world of mental health, contact me to set up a call to discuss your blogging needs. I used to be a therapist, I write for therapists, and I know the world of SEO. I know it well enough to know I need to be blogging more, and so do you.

Why It’s Important To Use Empathy In Copywriting

woman typing using empathy in copywriting

As a therapist, you ooze empathy. Empathy is your middle name. You make your living on empathy. But what does empathy have to do with copywriting?

Turns out, everything

Empathy in copywriting is used to reach your target audience’s pain points. You want your writing to reflect what your potential clients are going through. Show them the benefits of working with you, not just the features of what you do. Essentially, don’t just tell them what you do, show them how your services will help them.

Copywriting is more than just marketing and SEO. The way you provide good marketing with SEO-optimized content is by hiring a copywriter who uses empathy in their copywriting. Which means, hire a good mental health copywriter.

Why Is Empathy Important In Copywriting?

It’s important to use empathy in copywriting because if you want to reach people on an emotional level, you have to think about how you want them to feel

Use your powers of empathy to think about your target audience. What’s their background? How old are they? Why are they coming to see you? Once you’ve identified your target audience, then you need to know how to reach them.

Empathetic copywriting demonstrates that you are an empathetic person and therapist. Using your powers of empathy helps you understand your target audience and their pain points. If you speak to your ideal clients directly and the benefits of working with you, you’ll hit them right in the emotional gut. And that’s what we want – for you to reach people on an emotional level to the point where they feel like you understand them. That’s what gets people signing up for your services!

Using empathy in copywriting can convey who you are as a therapist. Demonstrate how you can help the person through your words. Your website is a great place to start. When someone lands on your website they should know immediately from your homepage whether you’re the right person for them or not. This is because you use empathetic copywriting to show your understanding and knowledge of the person’s situation. You show that you understand why someone would come to you. Speak directly to those pain points in a tone that demonstrates warmth, compassion, authenticity, and of course, empathy.

What Is Empathetic Copywriting?

All copywriting should be empathetic copywriting, but not all copy is created equal. To stand out from the crowd, hire a good mental health copywriter who writes for therapists and knows your pain points. 

Empathetic copywriting demonstrates that you understand the pain points of your target audience. It shows that you want to help and that your services actually can help the person. Empathetic copywriting shows that you really care about the person through the words you put on your website or in your blogs or emails.

Use words and phrases that reach your target audience in a way that makes them feel seen and understood. Show that you’re an empathetic human who also happens to be a therapist. You want to show that you’re non-judgmental and are a safe person for your ideal client to explore their mental health challenges with.

How To Use Empathy In Copywriting

I’ve already mentioned pain points, but I’m going to say it again – speak directly to your target audience’s pain points. Empathy in copywriting is demonstrated through word choice and tone. If you want to convey that you are welcoming, honest, trustworthy, safe, qualified, accepting, and compassionate, you need to use words and a tone that gets those qualities across.

Think about what your target audience needs. How can you provide them with services that meet their needs? Once you’ve identified who you help and how it’ll be a lot easier for your copywriter to convey that on the page.

Choose your words carefully to demonstrate that you understand how your target audience is feeling without pushing them away. Don’t just point out the problem that someone is trying to solve. Demonstrate that you understand your target audience’s pain points and how you can help through phrases like “I used to feel like you” or “I’ve been where you are.” 

For some therapists, this is true. Other therapists don’t identify with the lived experience of their ideal client. That’s ok. Obviously, you don’t need to have a mood disorder to work with someone with bipolar disorder. The important thing is that you demonstrate through empathetic copywriting that you’ll be understanding and accepting of the person. They need to know you’ll take care of them.

Hiring An Empathetic Copywriter

The best copywriters use empathy in everything they write. Mental health copywriters are a unique breed because they write solely for people who are professional empaths. Copywriters are professional empaths too, we just use our empathy in a different way. 

If you really want to up your game by finding a copywriter who uses empathy, hire a mental health copywriter. Even better, hire a mental health copywriter who used to be a therapist.

The benefit of hiring a former therapist who is an empathetic copywriter is that your copywriter will understand what you go through in your job. They’ll understand what it’s like to be on your side of the couch and what kinds of challenges your clients may face. A former therapist who is now a copywriter for therapists understands how difficult your job is. I understand your challenges because I was you. 
If you’re ready to take the next step and hire a mental health copywriter who is a former therapist and uses empathy in her copywriting, contact me to set up a free 30-minute consultation to see if we’re a good fit. I look forward to seeing how I can help you project your empathy and compassion onto the page!

3 Reasons Why Copywriters Are a Good Investment

copywriters are a good investment

Yes, it’s true that copywriters are expensive. But it’s important to invest in a copywriter. Good copywriters are a good investment, not an expense. They do the work you don’t want to or can’t do on your own. 

It’s difficult to know how to find a good copywriter if you’ve never hired one before. The best way to find copywriters is through Google searches, LinkedIn, and other forms of social media. We’re out there, marketing ourselves, the same way we’ll market you.

One of the benefits of hiring a copywriter is that you don’t have to do the work yourself. Copywriters know how to write in your voice copy that converts and gets you more clients and engagement. This is just an example of why copywriters are a good investment.

There are plenty of reasons to invest in a copywriter, but here are three to get you started:

1. Copywriters Write and Market So You Don’t Have To

Maybe you hate writing. Perhaps you stare at a blank screen for what feels like hours and don’t get any words on the page. I get it, I’ve been there. But I also know how to break past writer’s block and get the work done. 

Copywriters are a good investment because we do the marketing you don’t want to do for you. We know all the little tips and tricks to Search Engine Optimization (SEO), which ranks you in a Google search and makes you more visible so potential clients can find you faster. 

Good copywriters know how to handle your marketing in a way that isn’t too “sales-y” but also gets readers to convert to clients. Hiring a mental health copywriter is a bonus because they know your world. Especially if you invest in a mental health copywriter who used to be a therapist, like me!

2. Copywriters Make You More Visible

I mentioned SEO, and this couldn’t be more important to your marketing. It’s why copywriters are a good investment because we understand SEO. We know how to rank you higher in a Google search. We get your website in front of more eyeballs that are connected to brains who will want your services!

I can’t speak for every mental health copywriter, but I also write Psychology Today profiles. This is another form of marketing for therapists. So many people search for therapists on Psychology Today. Having a good profile is key if you want to stand out and connect with more people.

If you’re having trouble knowing how to find a good copywriter, do a Google search. The good ones will rank on the first page. If you google “Copywriter for therapists” or “Mental health copywriter,” for example, you’ll find me at the top of page one. If I can do it for myself, I can do it for you too!

Yes, you pay a lot for a copywriter, but their work is constantly working for you, like with SEO. Blogs and websites continue to do their magic if they’re SEO optimized 24/7, so you don’t have to worry about it. Copywriters can write ads, but with a good SEO copywriter, you won’t need ads. Here’s another reason to invest in a copywriter.

3. Copywriters Give You Your Time Back

Your time is valuable, and as a therapist, you don’t have a lot of it. Your days are so busy meeting with clients, doing assessments, taking calls, and writing notes. Where are you going to find the time to write copy for your website? How can you possibly keep up with weekly blogs? Who has time for social media posts and email sequences?

Copywriters are like little fairy godmothers or godfathers – we give you time in the day! If you invest in a copywriter you have someone writing for you who knows what they’re doing. You don’t have to worry about the writing and you have someone to outsource your marketing to.

If you find a good copywriter you won’t have to worry about much, just a shared editing process and time to talk with them for content strategy. Editing and content strategy meetings, which take a couple of hours total, are far less time than you’ll spend trying to write it yourself.

Why Copywriters Are a Good Investment

Copywriters are an investment, not an expense. Sure, they can be expensive, but that’s because you get so much worth from them, not to mention saved time. Copywriters can market your practice to a whole new level, getting you on page one of Google so people can find you.

If you hire a copywriter you don’t have to worry about paying someone a salary or benefits. Hire a freelance copywriter to do the work for you and you’re only paying for their services. 

As a therapist, it’s really important to invest in a copywriter who specializes in mental health. It’s a bonus if that person is also a mental health professional. The benefits of hiring a copywriter outweigh the negatives. 
If you’re wondering how to find a good copywriter, look no further. Contact me if you’re ready to invest in a copywriter with your best interest in mind, who understands the world of mental health and who writes specifically for therapists. Let’s see if we’re a good fit!

Copywriting For Therapists – Why It’s Best To Hire a Former Therapist

copywriting for therapists and a neon sign

Copywriting for therapists is a very specific form of copywriting. While all copywriting shares similar traits, mental health copywriters follow a different path at times than copywriters in other niches. There are lots of things that make a copywriter great – one of them is empathy. Who has better empathy than a therapist?

As a former therapist and an extreme empath, I know I have more empathy than most. I use my natural empathy, my background in therapy, and my knowledge of copywriting to write the best copy for therapists that I can.

I’m a great example of a therapist who became a copywriter and now writes for other therapists. My clients appreciate that I have a background in therapy. It helps them feel understood. I understand their jargon, I know what their days are like, and I know what it’s like to provide therapy to people struggling with mental health challenges. So if you’re a therapist or mental health professional of any kind, it behooves you greatly to hire a copywriter with a background in mental health.

What Is Mental Health Copywriting?

Let’s first break down what copywriting, mental health copywriting, and copywriting for therapists are. 

Copywriting

Copywriting is writing that gets people to do something. There is always a call to action (CTA) in a piece of copy. That could be getting someone to buy something to signing up for an email list to booking a call with you for your services.

There are many forms of copywriting. Some types of copy are:

  • Websites
  • Blogs
  • Emails
  • Newsletters
  • Ebooks
  • Sales pages
  • Landing pages
  • Social media posts
  • Social media ads

This is not an exhaustive list, but it gives you an idea of the types of things copywriters do.

Copywriters also use Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to rank their clients higher in a Google search. We use things like keywords and longtail keywords, which are the words people are typing into Google, to help make you more visible. There are lots of little backend tips and tricks that we copywriters know, but it’s important to understand that there’s a lot more that goes into writing a piece of copy than just putting words on a page.

Mental Health Copywriting

Mental health copywriting is literally copywriting that is specific to the field of mental health. CTAs will be things like signing up for email lists, workshops, courses, or calls to book services.

Mental health copywriting doesn’t just have to be for therapists in private practice. It can be for companies that sell products related to mental health like sensory objects or weighted blankets or essential oils.

I also write for larger clinics where I work with the marketing team, not the therapists directly. I prefer to have a combination of types of clients, but most of my clients tend to be in private practice. Often they don’t have the time or SEO knowledge to write the type of copy they need.

Copywriting For Therapists

Copywriting for therapists is even more specific than simply saying “mental health copywriting.” When writing copy for therapists it’s important not to feel “salesy” but still get the reader to act. You are, after all, selling your services through the different types of copy.

Some examples of copy that I write specifically for therapists are:

  • Websites
  • Blogs
  • Emails
  • Newsletters
  • Psychology Today profiles
  • Ebook freebies

A copywriter for therapists works with the therapist to craft the message and the voice. I always have a 1:1 conversation with the therapist I’m writing for. I call it a content strategy meeting. They are crucial when learning the therapist’s voice. 

What Does a Copywriter For Therapists Do?

As I mentioned, there’s a lot of different forms of copy out there. Therapists need to market themselves, the same as every company and brand out there, but it might look a little different. Psychology Today profiles are a great place to start. Their sole purpose is to market your service to potential clients. Psychology Today profiles are difficult to write because you get about 200 words to convince someone you’re the right therapist for them.

Websites and blogs are also important marketing tools, particularly SEO-optimized websites and blogs. If you’re a trauma therapist in Philadelphia who does EMDR, you want to make sure those keywords are on your website and in your blogs. 

A copywriter for therapists works directly with the therapist to write the copy that the therapist needs. My process starts with the content strategy meeting and always includes 1-2 rounds of edits, depending on the project. That way you get a say in your copy and get to make sure I captured your voice.

How Is Copywriting For Therapists Different Than Other Forms of Copywriting?

Therapists want to sound less “salesy” than people selling other services or products, so copywriting for therapists is different in tone and approach. For me, it’s about finding the balance between selling the services and being informative and providing potential clients with resources.

Therapists also can establish themselves as thought leaders in the field through their websites and blogs. It’s not just potential clients that might read your blogs. Other mental health professionals may be reading what you have to say. Your copy is a great way to communicate your thoughts and ideas about the world of therapy and mental health.

Establishing yourself as a thought leader is also a great way to get potential clients to want to work with you. If they see you as an expert in the field, they’ll be more likely to sign up for your services.

Why Should You Hire a Former Therapist-Turned Copywriter?

As a former therapist, I know the world of mental health very well. I understand the jargon and am able to translate it into user-friendly language.

I’ve been in your shoes and know what your days are like. I understand the struggles that you and your clients face. I’ve seen and worked with people with trauma, depression, anxiety, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, autism, suicidal ideation, self-harm behaviors, substance use disorders, personality disorders, and more. So I know what you’re dealing with when you work with people with these types of mental health challenges.

I don’t want to see you burn out because you’re trying to do too much – I’ve been there. I have a passion for mental health and an understanding of what goes into working with people dealing with mental health challenges. I can help you craft your message, whether it’s a blog or an email or your website, that speaks directly to their pain points

If you’re ready to outsource your copywriting to a mental health copywriter, I encourage you to find a former therapist who is now a copywriter. I understand your world and speak your language. Contact me to set up a call to discuss how we could work together and whether we’d be a good fit.

The Most Important Page of Your Website – What You Need To Know

the most important page of your website

When creating a stellar website, you need to make sure you understand what the most important page of your website is. This is where you should put the most time, energy, and focus. 

Of course, your whole website is important, but there are some specific essential pages for a website that need to be included. It’s important to know what should be on the first page of your website. Your homepage is the make-or-break page of your website, and it needs to be the star of the show.

Essential Pages For a Website

There are many directions you could go with your website, but there are five essential pages for a website that you need to have. They are:

  • Home
  • About 
  • Services
  • FAQ 
  • Contact

Let’s break down these essential pages for a website that are must-haves.

Homepage

The homepage is the most important page of your website. It’s the first thing people see when they land on your site. It needs to speak to your potential client’s pain points. You need to think about what they typed into a Google search to find you and speak to the reason they might be looking for help.

It’s important to tell your readers who you are, who you work with, and what you do right away. Let them know what they can expect when they work with you. Use your empathy to really hook them right away so they’ll want to read more.

About Page

The about page is probably the second most important page of your website. The tricky thing with about pages is that they’re not actually about you. Your about page shouldn’t read like a resume or a CV. Yes, you can include training, background, and certifications, but I always recommend putting these in a list below your main text.

The about page is actually about the reader. You need to include enough information about you that potential clients feel like they know you. However, the information should relate to the readers.

I talked about hitting your reader’s pain points on the homepage. The about page is another opportunity to do this through your story. What is it about your story that will connect with potential clients and make them feel like you’ll get them?

Services Page

This essential page of a website is pretty self-explanatory from the title. It should break down the services you offer so that readers know exactly what they can come to you for.

For example, if you offer individual and couples therapy, you should write about each of those services as they relate to your practice.

It’s also beneficial for the reader if you explain the different areas of mental health that you treat. By the time your readers reach your services page, they already have an idea of what you offer. This is your opportunity to give them all the information about how you can help them. 

If you’d like you can include small sections about each area you treat, but don’t get too hung up on explaining anxiety and depression. If people are searching for a therapist who treats anxiety and depression, they already know what that is.

FAQ Page

An FAQ page is another essential page of a website that often gets overlooked. FAQ pages are great places to not only answer common questions but also to use keywords so that Google can rank your website. 

This page gives readers the opportunity to learn more about your practice, your fees and insurance policies, your late and cancellation policies, and what types of things to expect in the therapy you practice.

If you practice specific types of therapy like EMDR or DBT that people may not be super familiar with, you can use your FAQ page to succinctly answer questions people may have. FAQ pages are another opportunity to connect with your readers and answer their questions before you start.

Contact Page

Contact pages are pretty straightforward. They can be short and don’t require that much text, but they are another essential page of a website. 

Your contact page must have clear ways to contact you. This includes an office address and phone number (if those apply) and an email where you can be reached. You can also include a contact form.

What Is the Most Important Page of Your Website?

The most important page of your website is your homepage. It’s where you make your first impression. You only have a few seconds to grab the reader’s attention before they leave. You want to get them to stay on your website and look around. In order to do this, you need copy that connects with the reader and has a strong and clear call to action (CTA).

What should be on the first page of your website, you may ask? Well, it’s crucial that the reader knows your name and what type of therapy your practice. Your CTA, whatever it is, needs to be clear and singular. You don’t want multiple CTAs or your readers won’t know what to do next. A homepage CTA can be to sign up for a call or book a session. 

Your homepage is the make-or-break page that determines whether or not someone sticks around to read the rest of your site. You don’t want them to find you, skim, and bounce because you didn’t connect or they didn’t know what to do next. If you want a low bounce rate, you need to get people to click on other pages of your site.

What Should Be On the First Page of Your Website?

There are some obvious and maybe not-so-obvious things that should on the first page of a website. The name of your practice and your name need to be there so that people know who you are.

You also want a welcome paragraph that’s warm and inviting. Next, you need to clearly identify your ideal client and how you help them. Set up what they can expect from working with you right away. They can read more about your services and have questions answered on your Services and FAQ pages, but the homepage should give a general idea of what to expect. 

As I mentioned before, you want to hit their pain points. Think about why your readers are coming to your website. What do you want them to know about how you can help them? 

Make sure you’re using keywords to attract people to your website. If you provide EMDR therapy for veterans who have PTSD, use those words in your keywords and pepper them throughout your site. Remember, you need to think about what people would be typing into a Google search to look for help and incorporate those words into your copy.

Getting Help With Your Website

Figuring out things like what should be on the first page of your website or the essential pages of your website can be overwhelming. It can also be time-consuming, and time is not something most therapists have to spare. 

This is why you should outsource and hire a mental health copywriter. I’m a former therapist who writes for therapists, and I understand how to craft a website that reflects who you are as a therapist. Contact me to set up a call and see if we’re a good fit. Let’s get that website written and focus on the most important pages of your site!