NEWS: I'm restarting the podcast on 5th Septrember 2024, so be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode.

I’ve talked a lot about the importance of consistency AND the power of taking breaks when you run a private practice

And  I’ve also talked about the importance of self care and the need to change, grow and develop. 

So today I’m sharing why, after 168 consistent weekly episodes, I’ve decided to hit pause on the podcast.

FREE and paid resources

Post-Christmas, everything feels a bit... off, doesn't it? The excitement of the festive season is behind us, and we're left with cold weather and what feels like an eternity until spring

And there's this gnawing anxiety about whether your therapy practice will weather the storm of the cost of living crisis. Fun times, right? 

But before we decide to hibernate until spring, I've been toying with an idea. Let's call it the 'work diet.' It's about doing a Marie Kondo on our professional lives, keeping only what truly 'sparks joy'—or, you know, actually benefits our practice—and ditching the rest. Because maybe, just maybe, simplifying is the secret to not just surviving but thriving right now.

So in this episode I share 5 simple ways to conserve your valuable energy for both you and your practice.

If you are a counsellor or therapist, how long will it take to grow your practice?

Answering a question from Neil, we I explore how complex this question is, and share some tips.

Links:

Podcast episodes mentioned:

Ep 154 Counsellor or Clone: Breaking Through the Monotony of Online Directories

Ep 156: How to stop comparing yourself with other therapists

And some podcasts to help with time management:

Ep 24 Managing Your Diary With Time Blocking

Ep 56 How to achieve more in less time 

Ep 114 How to Make the Most of your Time and Get Things Done

And for more on how I can help you grow your practice janetravis.co.uk/starthere

One of the first things a new therapist does is sign up to an online directory, but is this enough? And what should you do if you don’t get the results you were hoping for?

In this episode we look at:

• Why directories can be a great choice
• Some of the downsides
• How being on a directory fits into your marketing strategy
• What to do if your is currently not working for you

Links to follow:

Episode 5: 6 Steps to turning an enquiry into a booking

Episode 13: A deep dive into online directories

Episode 32: 5 Easy ways to give back to charity (without reducing your fees or working for free) with Sophia Giblin

You know that posting on social media is both a free and effective way to let people know who you are and who you help.

But why does it feel so hard?

Well, there are many reasons and it could be different things for different people. 

So today I’m going to explore 8 reasons why you’re struggling to get results on social media.

Links to follow:

Episode 8: What is social media engagement, and why you need to know

Episode 26: The truth about consistency (it might not be what you think!)

Episode 42: Why your private practice should NOT be on every social media platform

Did you ever feel a bit awkward about charging your clients to come to therapy? Maybe you give too many concessions or haven’t increased your prices in years? 

Or maybe ultimately you feel guilty for changing people that need help. 

Well if any of those sound familiar, this is the episode for you as we’re taking a deep dive into how you feel about charging and I’ll offer you some practical solutions to move forward. 

In this episode we explore:

• The reasons we struggle with charging
• How it might show up
• The consequences for you
• The truth about taking payments
• What to do if you feel this way

Money mindset really is a totally fascinating yet massive subject so I encourage you to do some personal development around this. It will help you personally, yes, but if you feel guilty about charging, it can be transformational for your business. 

And can you imagine if you didn't feel guilty about charging so everyone paid your going rate? What difference would that make to your life?

I really hope you enjoyed this and you start receiving a good income for the valuable, transformational and professional work you do. 

Links to follow:

Episode 32: 5 Easy ways to give back to charity (without reducing your fees or working for free) with Sophia Giblin

Episode 58: Compassion fatigue and burnout: What therapists need to know, with Howard Baumgarten

Episode 55: The hidden impact of money issues in private practice, with Cathy Towers

Episode 2: The clients journey into therapy

It stands to reason that the more people feel comfortable about going to therapy, the more people will access therapy. Which leads to more transformations for clients, and more clients (and more income) for you.

It’s a win/win situation. 

So in this episode, I talk about making therapy more accessible to people. 

And to be clear, I’m not referring to reducing your fees, offering concessions or working for free. I have always believed that therapists work extremely hard and deserve to be paid well. 

No, I mean there is a change in perception of what counselling is, and what counselling does. 

To give counselling a modern makeover. Because I think therapy needs a rebrand. 

Today I’m going to introduce to you the Therapy Rebrand movement. What it is and who it’s for.

• Why do some people have a negative perception of therapy
• How offhand comments can impact your confidence and success
• Counselling and mental health
• The mixed messages we receive and therapists 
• How therapy is portrayed in the media 
• Working together to help the profession as a whole

Watch the Therapy Rebrand webinar for free at janetravis.co.uk/webinar

Find the Grow Your Private Practice book on Amazon

Grab your free copy of ‘Attract More Therapy Clients by Helping Not Selling at janetravis.co.uk/helpingnotselling

In this episode, we look a little closer at what I actually mean when I say personal disclosure, because it may not be what you think. 

So before you dismiss personal disclosure as something that is bad, take a listen and see how it can help both you and your potential clients while remaining within your ethical boundaries

And I share a simple tip you can use to work out if something is appropriate to share. 

This episode is part 2 of a 2 part mini-series where I help you explore personal disclosure within marketing. You can listen to part 1 ‘Personal disclosure in marketing: what therapists need to know (part 1)’ HERE

In this episode we explore:

• What exactly do I mean by ‘personal disclosure’
• Why we have anxieties around posting on social media and blogging etc
• A simple tip to test if something is appropriate
• How sharing can be beneficial for your niche
• Questions to help you explore your boundaries your boundaries

Links to follow

Episode 63: Personal Disclosure in Marketing: What Therapists Need To Know (Part 1)

For therapists, the thought of personal disclosure when marketing their private practice is enough to put them in a tailspin.  

Why? Well, therapist training drums into you that you should only ever share anything about yourself very sparingly and only in order to help the client. 

Well, guess what? It’s exactly the same when it comes to marketing. However there is more flexibility for you because you aren’t directly working with clients.

So in this 2 part mini-series, I am going to explore with you personal disclosure and help you work out where your boundaries lie. 

• A little history of private practice marketing
• How the world wide web has changed everything
• The difference between advertising and content marketing
• Why personal disclosure worries us so much. 
• The benefits of being relatable. 

And grab your free guide to attracting more clients by helping not selling here -> www.janetravis.co.uk/attract-more-therapy-clients/

And listen to episode 64, where I’ll give you some practical examples and ideas to help you discover your own boundaries. 

Today I’m sharing the last of the Highlights Reel episodes with you and I just know that you’re going to love this episode. 

So just to remind you,  the highlights reel is all about re-sharing some of the most popular episodes that there has been on the GYPP show podcast

I’ve been producing weekly shows now for over a year and the show has become a great resource for therapists, with a wide variety of subjects being discussed, 

There have been episodes on so many things, from mindset, social media, organisation, websites, blogging, directories, niching and self-care. 

And some truly amazing guests too sharing their knowledge and expertise so it’s worth taking a look over past episodes to see if there’s anything there that will help you.

And this is one of the most popular episodes we had, so I’m sharing it again in case you missed it. 

In this episode, Kat Love shares the top 4 mistakes that make your therapist website copy ineffective

And just in case you’re not sure what copy is - copy means the words on your website, so what you’ve written. 

• How to stop sounding like everyone else
• How to encourage visitors to take the next step
• How to stop being Wikipedia for mental health issues 
• How to write with clarity and warmth

Kat also shares some great tips about really making connections with potential clients on your website via the copy. And we also discuss how important it is for your client that they get a sense of you in order to choose the right counsellor for them. 

How you handle that first contact over the phone is important and is the difference between having a new client appointment in your diary or not. 

So in this episode, I share some really effective but simple tips to be sure that if you are a good fit for them, they make that appointment.  

• The reality of phone enquiries
• The importance of mindset
• How to increase your confidence
• How to take gentle control of the call
• Setting expectations
• Booking at days/times that are convenient for you
• How to refer the client on without them feeling rejected

And if you want to feel more confident on these calls, grab the FREE cheatsheet to have by your side

What do clients need when they land on a therapist's website? 

Well in this Highlights Reel I interview the fabulous Sarah Gershone from strong roots web design and we talk all about this.

Sarah Gershone works specifically with counsellors to make beautiful, functional websites. 

And in this episode, we’ll be busting 5 myths about websites that could be holding you back, namely.

1. People will read my site
2. If you build it they will come
3. A free site will be just fine
4. The most important thing is to look good
5. My website is finished

Strong Roots Design

Discover the secrets to a successful website, free video minicourse

Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn 

The Grow Your Private Practice Show has been going now for over a year which means it has become a great resource for counsellors and therapists.

There have been episodes on so many things, from mindset, social media, organisation, websites, blogging, directories, niching and self-care.

And some truly amazing guests too, sharing their knowledge and expertise so it’s worth taking a look over past episodes to see if there’s anything there that will help you.

Here’s one of the most popular episodes we had, so I’m sharing it again in case you missed it.

In this episode, Fifi Mason, who works with introverted entrepreneurs to be more visible in their business, came to share lots of tips and ideas on how to make the most of your skills as an introvert.

We looked at

• What is the definition of an introvert?
• The difference between shyness and introversion, and why it’s important to know
• What business challenges do introverts face?
• How Fifi manages her energy
• The challenges of authenticity
• Tips for introverted business owners
• How to reduce overwhelm
• How can we overcome these challenges
• Introvert superpowers
• Why Fifi has blue hair

Ever heard of the term "post and ghost"?

If you're scratching your head or even if you're guilty of doing it (we've all been there 😉), my latest podcast episode is a MUST-LISTEN!

I sat down with Instagram expert Sally Birks @socialbysally who shed light on the implications of hitting 'post' and then disappearing. We explored:

1️⃣ Why consistent engagement is KEY to growing your practice.

2️⃣ What happens when you don’t respond to comments.

3️⃣ How to get started, and what to post

4️⃣ Simple strategies to stay present and connect authentically.

If you're serious about making the most of your online presence but are unsure how to get started, this episode is golden.

Every day I’ll share a simple, effective task which will not only help you grow, it’ll start a social media habit, so you never 'post and ghost' again.

In this challenge, I share with you exactly what to do on your social media for 10 days. This will save you a ton of time AND get you the results you’re looking for.

Each day there will be a simple task for you to complete, and if you complete the tasks, you will be entered into a draw to win a 30-minute coaching session with me, worth £75.

You not only learn how to:

• Make posting a whole lot more simple
• Save time
• Improve results 
• Build your confidence

But you’ll also leave with LOADS of ideas you can use going forward, so you can make this a habit.

How does that sound?

Well if you’re interested in joining me, this challenge is available as part of the Grow Your Private Practice membership, and runs from 16th October 2023 - 27th October 2023.

So if you’ve been struggling to attract more clients and you’ve been thinking of joining, now is the perfect time. 

Because not only will you have access to everything in the membership, you can join in the challenge and get those results. 

And remember, if you only want to join for a month to do the challenge, you can do that, stay for as long - or short as is right for you. 

Will I see you there?

Join The Grow Your Private Practice Membership HERE

How are you? I hope you are doing well and looking after yourself, because looking after yourself is often something that we talk about and encourage clients to do - but we’re not so good at doing it ourselves. 

If that sounds familiar, then you’re going to love this episode as I have a very special guest with me.  

Howard Baumgarten is a Counselor with his own practice in Lakewood, Colorado who has vast experience of helping counsellors both grow their practice and take better care of themselves. 

He’s an author - he wrote Private Practice Essentials 

A podcaster - check out Psych Biz where he produces shows with friend of the show Sarah Gershone who makes websites for therapists. 

And he’s a public speaker and wellness trainer too, Covering topics such as Compassion Fatigue, Burnout Prevention, Resilience, Stress Management, and Conflict Resolution.

So he wears a lot of different hats. 

And today we look at stress, compassion fatigue and burnout - what they are, what’s the difference, how to tell if you’re suffering and what you can do to help yourself. 

And this is such an important topic for everyone, but especially those in the helping professions. 

I think you’re going to like this

• What is the difference between compassion fatigue and burnout
• Your relationship with stress
• What are the signs to watch out for
• What you can do to protect yourself

Episode 36: How being a people pleaser can affect your private practice - and what to do about it

Episode 32: 5 Easy ways to give back to charity (without reducing your fees or working for free) with Sophia Giblin

Episode 22: It's time to take your own advice

Episode 10: 5 commonly held website myths that could be holding you back with Sarah Gershone

Howard Baumgarten is a Licensed Professional Counsellor, author, consultant, speaker, wellness and small business-training expert, and owner of a mental health private practice in Lakewood, Colorado.

He is the founder of Smart Practice Central, a healthcare business-building platform that values intelligent, ethical, and clinically minded practice development, and provides clinical practice business consultation and training to private practices and healthcare agencies. 

Howard has lectured throughout the US on the integration of mental health, wellness and business, focusing on practice development, working within managed care systems, the impacts of the Affordable Care Act on mental health care, and work/life balance. 

He is the author of Private Practice Essentials published in 2017. 

In 2003, he developed and implemented the first practice building business curriculum in a graduate level-counseling program in the country at the University of Colorado, where he...

Did you ever have someone refer to counselling as a ‘chat over a cup of tea’, or ‘just listening to people moaning on’, or even suggesting that you just say ‘how does that make you feel’ over and over’. 

Frustrating, isn’t it. But the problem is, these messages discount the training and skills required to be a therapist and if we keep hearing them, they can have an effect. 

So how can you rise above these dismissive comments? Take a listen and I’ll share 3 things you can do to make a change.

• The mixed messages we receive
• The importance of self-care
• 3 things to try to make change
• The importance of peer support

If you hate wasting time - and I bet you do! - then you’re going to love this podcast as I share the most simple yet highly effective way to achieve more in less time.  

Because you’re busy, I totally get that. However, if you want to attract more therapy clients, you have to do some marketing activities. 

But look, it doesn’t have to take hours and hours. In fact, I see many counsellors taking far too long, possibly overthinking and then getting disillusioned by the whole thing. 

So in this episode, I share with you one of the most simple yet highly effective productivity hacks I know that will help you do far more in less time. I literally use it all the time.

Sounds too good to be true? All I can say is give it a go and let me know how you get on. 

In this episode I share:

• What is Parkinson’s law and how it affects you
• Why counsellors tend to overthink
• How clear goals will save you time
• Why the simple act of setting time boundaries work like magic

So I hope you enjoy my magical way to get more done in less time. 

If you’re a counsellor in private practice, chances are you’ve wrangled with some money issues in your time. And the truth is, this isn’t something you can work on and get rid of because they keep appearing in different ways and under different circumstances.

There is no denying it, issues around money mindset issues can hold you back - in more ways than may first appear. 

So in this episode, I have the fabulous Cathy Towers here for a chat. 

Cathy is a counsellor and psychotherapist, a speaker and workshop facilitator, a DJ and improv leader - so she wears many hats, 

But the hat she’s wearing today is that of a money mentor because Cathy has been working with counsellors on this topic for years. 

So take a listen as we explore the deeper and more complex impact money issues can have both on ourselves, our clients, and our business. 

• The traps we can fall into around money and charging clients
• The importance of valuing ourselves
• The impact of free on the counselling relationship
• The hidden costs of being in private practice

About Cathy Towers

Cathy has been running workshops on Your Relationship with Money and Charging for Time for ten years.  She speaks at the BACP regularly and offers consultation on money issues.

She also jointly runs workshops on Business Therapy, dealing with the challenges, struggles, and sticky issues for private practice creatively by "putting your relationship with your business on the couch".  

After many years of hiding her light, she is now a fierce voice for confidence and communication, with a radio show on Phonic FM called Speaking Out.

Connect with Cathy on LinkedIn - just search Cathy Towers

Cathy's resources:

Blog 'That debate about free sessions'

Calculator for therapists

Jane's blog ‘Should you offer counselling clients a free first session?'

Links to follow

Episode 36: How being a people pleaser can affect your private practice - and what to do about it

Episode 33: What to do if your client didn’t show up for their second therapy session

Episode 32: 5 Easy ways to give back to charity (without reducing your fees or working for free) with Sophia Giblin

Episode 31: Increasing prices the pain-free way

Episode 23: How to avoid the feast and famine cycle in your private practice

If you want to greatly increase your chances of success in private practice then this podcast episode is the one for you.

Because  I share with you my top 10 keys that will lay the foundations for a successful business that works for you and your clients. 

In this podcast episode we explore the importance of:

1. Starting before you're ready
2. Why action is the antidote to fear
3. Managing failure 
4. Understanding your self sabotage
5. Money mindset
6. How there's always going to be something new to learn
7. The benefits of having a niche
8. Networking
9. How you are absolutely good enough
10. Your business, your rules

So, if you're waiting for everything to be perfect or feeling scared about telling a group of people what it is you do then sit back and take note.  This podcast will show you that you have it within you to grow a successful business on your terms.

Links to follow

Episode 53: Why having a niche is essential in 2021

Episode 7: Using introvert superpowers to attract more clients, with Fifi Mason

Having a niche is important when you are a counsellor or therapist because it has a positive impact on you, your income and your clients outcomes - including whether they even contact a counsellor in the first place.  

It’s a topic I have a lot of experience in and I’ve seen just how beneficial it can be.  and something that affects not just us as business owners, but also our clients.

But I know and understand the reasons why we might be fearful of niching down, namely:

• You worry you will push potential clients away, or 
• End up doing the same type of work over and over again

If you feel like that, well you certainly aren’t alone. 

But those fears are unfounded and in this episode, I explain why the absolute opposite is true.

Come and join me in this podcast episode as we explore:

• Why in the modern age, niching is essential to get noticed
• How to stop the scattergun effect of trying to attract everyone
• Why a targeted approach will attract more potential clients
• How having a niche won’t limit the issues that you work with
• How niching helps potential clients take that step into getting the help they need

Links to follow

Refresh Challenge

Starting in private practice can be expensive, but it really doesn’t have to be. In fact, the good news is there are many, many ways to start your private practice branding on a budget. 

I ‘bootstrapped’ my business, and so did Laura Pearman, todays guest expert. And in this podcast we look at how to get started without spending a fortune.

Laura is a brand strategist and international photographer and she knows a thing or two about how to stand out in the crowd in a busy market, and she shares some absolute gems that I know you’re going to love. 

AND Laura has offered listeners a very special opportunity to work with her at a 50% reduction, so to take advantage of that very generous offer, the link is below

In this episode we explore:

• Why you shouldn’t spend a lot on when you’re starting out
• How to make the most professionals services when the time is right
• Starting with a MVP (Minimum Viable Product)
• The importance of a good headshot
• Top tips for taking a stand out selfie
• How to share personal photos on instagram if you don’t like being on camera
• How to choose the right photographer for you

And as an extra special treat, Laura has exclusively offered you a great opportunity that might interest you.  

Laura is a brand strategist and international photographer. She lives in Tyne & Wear with The Viking and Suki the Cat, and lives her life as a modern-day vintage pinup.

She helps ambitious business owners turn up the volume on their businesses with

brand strategy, creative direction and brand photography.

And she is also a passionate feminist.

She is the host of #MwahTV on YouTube

And you can watch her episode ‘How Much Money Should You Spend on Your Brand? Why You Should NEVER Spend Big on Your First Brand’ HERE

Connect with her on Instagram

Check out her website at  www.laurapearman.com

To apply & find out more about her special Branding Offer of 50% off, click here

Do you ever feel that you need a certificate for every counselling subject that comes up and that if you don't, you are somehow failing as a counsellor or letting your clients down?

If so, take a listen because in this podcast I explore the continuous pull for CPD training.

I'll be looking at:

• How the drive to continuously take CPD has been affected during lockdown
• Why it could be problematic
• How it can impact on Imposter Syndrome
• What you can do instead

So if you’re spending every waking minute learning, and are starting to feel confused and overwhelmed then take a listen. 

(And remember, in the Grow Your Private Practice membership, all the training includes a CPD certificate))

Links to follow:

Episode 16: How to silence your inner critic

Episode 19: How to use CPD for personal, professional and business growth, with guest John Wilson

Blog: Shall I get another qualification before starting in private practice?

Can you get therapy clients from social media? It’s a great question and one I see a lot.

So today I’m taking a deep dive into this to talk about how social media helps you attract more counselling clients. 

I’ll be looking at:

• The clients journey into therapy
• The role social media plays
• How you can increase the chances of standing out and connecting with the reader

If you struggle with using social media to attract more clients, then I’ve got your back. In the Grow Your Private Practice membership, you’ll find the Social Media Made Simple course to walk you through the whole thing, as well as lots of resources to make the whole process more straightforward.

Just click the button below to find out more and join. 

Links to follow:

The Refresh 5-Day Challenge

Episode 2: The clients journey into therapy

Episode 8: What is social media engagement, and why you need to know

This week's podcast comes from a question that one of my listeners sent to me:

“Being a younger, newer therapist in private practice, I often worry how my clients will perceive my age and expertise. I have had a few clients switch to older counsellors, though some genuinely like having a younger counsellor who can relate.”

It raises the question of what’s the most important thing to consider when working with a client.  For me it’s all about connection, having a solid therapeutic relationship.

But what if you are very different from your client, how can you make that connection so as not to alienate them? 

Is it important to be similar in some shape or form as your client, perhaps in age, sex, background, and does it matter?

Should you consider your niche to take advantage of your personal attributes, interests and qualities?

There could be a simple answer and it could be waiting for inside this podcast.   

In this episode we explore:

• The importance of having a strong therapeutic relationship with clients 
• Why someone might not connect with you
• How to use anything about you to your advantage in private practice to help your clients

Links to follow

Episode 3: Drop the psychobabble, get more clients

It's human nature to compare ourselves with others. But this can have a detrimental effect on you, your confidence and your self-esteem.

And as a practice owner, this can also impact the success of your business. 

So what can you do if comparisons are knocking your confidence? How can you stop comparing yourself to other therapists?

In this podcast I share:

• Why most comparisons aren't helpful
• A situation when they are
• And a practical exercise for you to boost your self-esteem

So take a look at why it's not usually helpful, and how to stop comparing yourself to other therapists 

Check out my free and paid resources here janetravis.co.uk/starthere

In this week's podcast episode I had the pleasure of talking to Yasmin Shaheen Zaffar, from Redkite Therapy.  Yasmin has a unique approach when it comes to using her creative skills and business mind to help her clients and promote her business brand. 

Learn how Yasmin actively seeks out different channels to raise awareness around the therapy she offers and her business as she strives to take therapy and therapy language and make it more consumer-friendly.

In this episode we explore:

• Overcoming adversity
• The Angry Tent
• Creativity
• Let’s Shop Shouting day 6th November 2021
• How to get into the press
• Crowdfunding

Yasmin is a super hard-working woman who will no doubt inspire you during this podcast.  A valuable listen that will give you new ideas to try in your own business.

Yasmin is an integrative counsellor in private practice. She is the regional Leeds ambassador for The Creative Counsellors Club and is passionate about creative counselling.

She has developed a number of therapy tools including The Angry Tent, The Anxiety Tent, The R.U.D Process, The Empty Chair Cards and online programs including Lets Stop Shouting and SHED Stress. 

She is also the founder of Lets Stop Shouting Awareness day which happens on Saturday November 6th 2021.

She has a free Facebook group called ‘My CC Toolkit’ and shares tips on working safely online and weekly online creative interventions.

To join Yasmins Facebook group, download free resources and find online games please go to the following link https://watotoplay.com/janetravis/

Follow #journorequests for PR opportunities

Support National Let’s Stop Shouting Day using #letsstopshouting21

Do you ever have those days when one minute, you feel like you can take on the world and accomplish almost anything and then the next, you have about as much energy and enthusiasm as a grumpy teenager? 

These changes in our mood and energy directly impact our productivity at home, at work, and in life in general and usually result in us rating our day as good or bad.

But what if I suggested that you change that language and instead of labelling your day’s productivity as good or bad that you refer to it as ebb and flow?

A GYPP member kindly contacted me to suggest the topic of this week’s podcast, How to Stay Productive, Even on Low Energy Days.  She commented, “you once sent me a blog about ebb and flow energy, and it’s been invaluable to me at times when my motivation has been low and my imposter syndrome high”.

Naomi Dunford wrote this particular blog from ittybiz in 2017, and in it, she takes a behind-the-scenes look at why bad days happen.  She highlights the importance of recognising your energy levels so that you can achieve realistic tasks during both these cycles to make the most of your day.

In this podcast, I share practical tips that I have found beneficial to make the most of my ebb and flow that I hope will be invaluable to you too.

We can’t meet every day with the same amount of energy, but trust that you will get things done and do what works for you.

Links to follow:

Naomi’s original blog ‘How To Stay Amazingly Productive On Low Energy Days’

Episode 12: Your business, your rules.

It’s my 4th anniversary, and this week I reflect on my business journey and the many lessons I’ve learned.  And - spoiler alert - they are probably things you’ve struggled with too. So take a listen and learn from my mistakes.

• The benefits of bootstrapping
• Making good business investments
• Embracing change
• Boundaries, burnout and letting go of responsibility
• Being bullied by imposter syndrome

Episode 39: What should I name my therapy business?

Episode 12: Your business, your rules

Episode 24: Managing your diary with time blocking

Therapy Rebrand

It’s my anniversary! Yes, I’ve been working with counsellors and therapists to help grow their practice for 4 years (ok, a bit longer than that, but what’s a few months between friends?). And I’ve come a long way and learned a lot in that time - and am still learning. 

But there are 4 main things I’ve learned about counsellors in that time and I talk about them in this episode. 

So take a listen, I’m sure it will take something from this

• My journey from then to now
• Some unrealistic expectations that are holding you back
• How taking these on board will help you prevent burnout
• How to start to value yourself

My OE workshop

Therapy rebrand workshop

The Grow Your Private Practice book

Episode 042: Why your private practice should NOT be on every social media platform

Episode 038: How to stop comparing yourself to other therapists

In today’s episode, I interviewed Lisa Murphy, a counsellor that grew her private practice using LinkedIn. 

Her niche is working with men to help deal with stress and anger, and she incorporates a mixture of therapies including counselling, hypnotherapy, EFT, and NLP. 

And she used LinkedIn to form connections and grow her private practice 

In this episode we explore:

• Why she chooses to work with stressed men with anger issues
• How she connects with her niche clients via social media
• Why she chose to concentrate on LinkedIn 
• How she’s increased her engagement
• How her confidence has grown over time
• How she comes up with masses of relatable post ideas

About Lisa Murphy

Lisa Murphy is a therapist who specializes in helping men deal with stress and anger.  Lisa incorporates a mixture of therapies including counselling, hypnotherapy, EFT, and NLP to offer unique solutions for a high-pressured lifestyle.

Lisa runs her private online practice from her base in North Wales

Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn HERE

Links to follow:

Episode 41: ‘6 compelling reasons why LinkedIn is great for therapists’

Episode 42: ‘Why your private practice should NOT be on every social media platform’

Every industry, topic and niche has its fair share of jargon. Take counselling for example, we have things like humanistic, person-centred, integrative etc 

And marketing is no different. 

There’s already so much to juggle as a private practitioner, so the last thing you want to do is decipher the lingo.

So to make it easier for you, I’ve rounded up 10 key terms and phrases you need to know if you run a private practice.

Hope this helps! 

Links to follow

SEO Nibbles

Episode 42: Why your private practice should NOT be on every social media platform

Episode 8: What is social media engagement and why you need to know

Episode 35: Can you help your clients - and do they know it 

The Grow Your Private Practice Book

Social media can be a really effective way to get your business seen and attract more clients, leading to more visibility, more clients, more opportunities, and ultimately, more money. It’s how I’ve grown all my businesses. 

With a little practice, you can plan a month’s social media in advance and then take 5-10 mins, twice a day to pop in to grow your following and respond to comments. 

And what’s the easiest way to save time on social media? Just use one platform. You don’t need a presence on all the platforms to get results. 

Ok, so what usually happens now is people start to doubt me. They think if they are on 3 platforms, they will get 3 x the results. 

And sometimes they say ‘well, it doesn’t take me long to just copy/paste it to another platform.’

But that just isn’t the case. 

Why? Well, in this weeks’ podcast I explore this and share 4 reasons why it’s better to only have one social media account - and a handy free guide to help you decide which to choose.

• Why being on more than one platform is a false economy
• How it can negatively affect your engagement rate
• Why it’s not as simple as copy/pasting your posts
• Why it’s important to increase your followers
• How being on more than one platform can impact the know, like, and trust factor
• What to do if you’re on more than one platform

If you’re new to social media then there is a lot to learn, so just take your time, keep an open mind and enjoy the process.  It’s a new skill and as with any new skill, it will take some time and practice. 

And if you’re not sure which platform to be on, grab the FREE guide ‘Social media platform

And if any of this sounds a bit daunting, in the Grow Your Private Practice Club we have lots of help ready and waiting for you so come and see how we can help you.

Episode 8: What is social media engagement, and why you need to know

Episode 41: 6 compelling reasons why LinkedIn is great for therapists

And if you’re a member of GYPP, you have access to Social Media Made Simple, LinkedIn and LOVING it, and LinkedIn for the lazy

If you think LinkedIn is a bit of a starchy, corporate place or not much more than an online CV then you could be missing out on a fabulous opportunity. 

Because LinkedIn is an amazing social media platform to focus on, especially if you are new to private practice and don’t have a website yet. 

In this episode, I share with you 6 compelling reasons why LinkedIn is great for therapists

In this episode we explore:

• Why it’s a brilliant choice for counsellors new to private practice
• How it’s more simple to grow a following
• You don’t have to post every day
• You can share Articles to demonstrate your authority (Articles are basically blogs)
• You don’t always need images

Episode 8: What is social media engagement, and why you need to know

Episode 4: 7 Steps to sharing great quotes on social media

Episode 9: How to save time and improve results on social media

Episode 17: 10 Reasons why blogging will attract more counselling clients

Do you ever doubt yourself and think you can’t write because you have nothing new to say, or worry that your spelling or grammar is too bad?

Well, you’re not alone. In fact, when I spoke with Zoe a few years ago and suggested she tried blogging to attract clients, she didn’t believe she could write. Now, she’s just published her book.

So today I chat with Zoe Clements about niches, personal disclosure, her Canva addiction and why you should give writing a go, even if you don’t think you can write.

In this episode we explore:

• How having a niche helped her go from genetic counsellor to writing a book
• How she developed her unique voice
• How she uses stories to help readers connect
• How Paddy her dog helps her bring ideas to life
• Why she decided to invest her time, money and energy into writing a book

About Zoe

Zoe Clements is a qualified integrative counsellor who specialises in helping others soothe their overthinking brain and ease their anxiety from her private practice in London.

 In 2021, Zoe published her first book, 'But I Should Be Fine: How to gain relief from anxiety, overthinking and self-doubt'. Here she brings together her 16 years of professional experience and her personal struggles to deliver a warm, practical, psychobabble-free guide to overcoming anxiety. 

As a recovered overthinker, she is passionate about raising awareness of anxiety through professional speaking events, blogging and social media. When she is not working she can be found travelling or in South East London, where she lives with her wife, Lucinda, and their dog, Paddy.

Find out more about Zoe and her services at www.zoeclements.co.uk

Find her at:

Instagram: @zoeclementscounsellor

LinkedIn: Zoe Clements

Book available through:

Amazon: In paperback and Kindle here

Apple Books: EBook 

Coming to bookshops in April 2021

Links to follow

Episode 26: The truth about consistency (it might not be what you think!)

Episode 18: 7 Ways for therapists to find blog post ideas

Episode 16: How to silence your inner critic

Episode 6: Do you need to be an expert to attract counselling clients?

Starting your own private practice can be an exciting time, but there’s a lot to think about. Even before you get started you have to consider what you’re going to call yourself. 

So in this episode, I’m going to share some things to consider when naming your therapy business. 

In this episode we explore:

• How SEO has changed and how it affects choosing a name
• The pros and cons of choosing a name to do with your niche
• How clear beats clever
• Social media names
• What to do if your name isn't available.

Links:

Episode 29: Slow down to speed up: How to increase both your skills and confidence

Episode 28: How to get and stay motivated

Episode 1: Action is the antidote to fear

Question - do you follow a system when you receive an email enquiry from someone that you can't work with for some reason?

Maybe you're at capacity, or their issue is outside your competence, or something else.

To be honest, I think probably most people don't, but you could be missing a trick. By having a system, it reduces stress, saves time and serves that client better.

So today, I explore what to do when you can't say yes to enquiries so you can make the process easier for you, and more professional and helpful for the client.

To access my free and paid resources, CLICK HERE

I’ve been known to play the comparison game in my life before, but it’s never actually helped me because comparisons just leave us feeling either superior or inferior and there’s no benefit to either of those. 

So in this episode, I explore the impact of making comparisons, and how destructive it can be to your confidence, self-esteem and self-belief. 

In this episode we explore:

• Why comparisons aren’t good for you
• Why comparisons aren’t based on facts
• Ways you can step away from it
• The power of staying in your own lane. 

So if you’ve ever been caught up by comparisonitis - and I bet you have at some point! - consider the impact and do something more positive instead.

Links:

Episode 7: Using introvert superpowers to attract more clients, with Fifi Mason

Episode 12: Your business, your rules

Episode 13: A deep dive into online directories

Episode 16: How to silence your inner critic

The Grow Your Private Practice Club

The Grow Your Private Practice Book

In this podcast, The Binge Eating Therapist Sarah Dosanjh talks about how her niche has informed her business growth, enabled her to diversify and now, she’s never been busier.

In this podcast we discuss:

• The journey to her binge eating niche (and how she’s never been busier)
• How having a niche has helped
• The importance of knowing what clients want
• How social media can effectively screen clients
• The benefits of therapy groups
• Helping therapists work with relationships with food

Sarah Dosanjh is a TA psychotherapist and author of the book I Can't Stop Eating. She is passionate about helping those struggling with binge eating/body image to find peace and freedom around food.

She runs CPD events for therapists who want to learn about working with binge eating as well as offering training and a free support community for therapists who want to set up groups in private practice.

Connect with her on Instagram

And find all her other details HERE

Links to follow:

Episode 6: Do you need to be an expert to attract counselling clients?

Episode 28: How to get and stay motivated

Episode 35: Can you help your clients - and do they know it?

To take Sarah's workshop in the GYPP Club, join here Grow Your Private Practice

They say ‘we teach what we need to learn’ and I think it’s true. I used to have an online business all about self-help for people-pleasers, and yup, I’m a recovering people-pleaser. 

I’m a whole lot better than I used to be, but I suspect that a lot of counsellors are people pleasers or recovering people-pleasers too. 

And being a people pleaser can have a real impact on your private practice. It can impact how you run your business and even what income you make. It can also lead to resentment and burnout. 

So if you’re a counsellor, how can you handle people-pleasing?

In this episode, we look at:

• 5 ways being a people pleaser can impact you in private practice
• 5 solutions to help
• How it’s not all about the clients’ needs - and that’s ok

I don’t think people pleasing just goes away, I think it’s always going to be there lurking. It’s for us to be aware of it and keep doing the work. And the more work we do, the better we feel. 

Saying no feels very uncomfortable sometimes, but the more you do it, the easier it gets. And it’s totally worth it. 

Counselling is a valuable service - you are providing a valuable service. It’s ok for people to pay for that service and it’s ok to value yourself and what you do. 

It’s not all about the client - and that doesn’t make you selfish. And it’s okay for you to build your business into something that suits you and improves the quality of your life. 

Links to follow

Episode 24: Managing your diary with time blocking

Episode 32: 5 Easy ways to give back to charity (without reducing your fees or working for free) with Sophia Giblin

Episode 28: How to get and stay motivated

If you need more help with your business, get the Grow Your Private Practice book, available now on Amazon or CLICK HERE

Letting a client know that you can help them is a fundamental part of growing your private practice. After all, why would they embark on expensive counselling if it won’t help? 

However, this can feel awkward because ultimately we can’t absolutely guarantee that they will get those results - and as such, shouldn’t make such claims. 

So this week, I explore this conundrum in order to help you feel confident within your marketing while remaining completely ethical. 

Take a listen and you’ll see what I mean. 

In this episode, you’ll discover how:

• It’s important to understand the difference between saying you can help and taking responsibility for the clients’ outcomes
• People are looking for a solution to their problems
• You need to help people make the decision to choose you, just by helping and sharing your warmth

You can't advertise promising results, of course you can't. You cannot and should not be promising things you have no control over.

However, expressing to clients how you can help them is a fundamental part of marketing, so take some time to really get into the head of your potential clients. 

Then share your findings to let people know that coming for counselling with you is one of the ways they can start to make a positive change in their life. 

Links to follow:

Episode 2: The clients journey into therapy

Episode 6: Do you need to be an expert to start attracting therapy clients?

And if you need more help with this, take The Foundations Course in the Grow Your Private Practice Club, and let your potential clients feel assured that you can help. For more details and to join, CLICK HERE

For years I’ve said - and heard people say - ‘done is better than perfect’, but something about this doesn’t sit right for me. 

Because when marketing our private practice, we want something that’s not just ok but something that’s really good, don’t we? We want everything we do to be professional, warm, welcoming and reassuring to attract more clients. 

Is ‘done’ just an exercise in ticking an item off a list? Because if you want results, you want to put your best foot forward. 

So in episode 34, I explore why we should change ‘Done is better than perfect’ to ‘Done well is better than perfect. Take a listen and see what I mean. 

In this episode we look at:

• Why being perfect isn’t the goal
• How action brings results
• Things you can change to make a real difference
• The impact on you and your confidence

Done is better than perfect is true, but it could be harming your business. I think it’s better to get something out there in front of your audience than be paralysed with fear and doubt. And it’s better to get what you’ve written out there rather than to constantly tweak and fiddle without publishing.

Get it done, get it out there and grow your practice. Perfection isn’t necessary. 

Because we are looking for progress not perfection. 

The Social Media Made Simple course, and Blogging With Confidence are available now in the Grow Your Private Practice Club, along with courses, workshops, resources and a supportive community all aimed at helping you attract more clients, more easily. 

To find out more about it, CLICK HERE now

It’s happened to us all: You got a call and a client booked in. They come for their first session and it all seems to have gone well as they book in for session two. 

But they don’t turn up. 

This can feel awful at any time, but especially if you’re new to private practice as it feels like a slap in the face.  

So what can you do if this happens to you - and it will at some point.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode

• Why you should give yourself a pat on the back 
• Why this happens
• Why you’ll never be sure about why it’s happened
• How to review your first session
• Tips on how to manage those first session nerves
• Practice practice practice

This happens to us all from time to time and the most important thing is to not beat yourself up about it. Literally, nothing good can come from that. 

So if it's happened to you - big deep breaths. And then calmly decide what to do next. 

Good luck! 

One of the frustrating things about being a therapist in private practice is not being able to help everyone that needs it, including those that can’t afford to pay.

But thankfully there are other ways to give back without having to volunteer your time and energy as a counsellor, as this can really hold you back when you want to attract paying clients of your own.

In this episode I have expert Sophia Giblin from Fundraising For Good join me to discuss different ways you can give back depending on the time and energy you have available. 

There are hundreds of thousands of charities out there who are always looking for support, and as trained counsellors, we are in a unique position to help in a few different ways that could even lead to you getting paid work.

We’ve started with the easiest things to do and moved up from there.

In this episode we look at:

• The disadvantages of offering unpaid work as a counsellor
• Suggestions to give back depending on the time and energy you have available to you
• How you are ideally placed to offer practical help and advice
• How this can increase your visibility and grow your practice. 

There you go, some great tips about how you can both give back and raise your visibility as a private practitioner.

And if you’re wondering how you can actually make these happen, then I have some fabulous news for you.

To go with this podcast Sophia and I have made a helpsheet to help you decide what is right for you. Just go to janetravis.co.uk/32 to get it.

But also, Sophia has generously offered listeners of The Grow Your Private Practice Show 50% off her Power Hour.

So book a Power Hour with Sophia to discuss ways in which you can support and collaborate with charities to help more people and get more visible. 

Full details and the coupon code are in the download, so grab it now. 

And you can check out Sophia’s Fundraising for Good course here www.fundraisingforgood.co.uk

About Sophia

Sophia Giblin is the Award Winning Founder of Clear Sky Children's Charity, a Play & Creative Arts Therapy charity for children in the Thames Valley. 

Sophia set up the charity at the age of 23 with a minimal amount of experience and a big vision for change she wanted to see in the world!

As well as having a Masters in Play Therapy, Sophia also has a BA in Business Administration and combines her business acumen with her passion and experience in charity to help heart centred entrepreneurs deliver projects that make a difference in the world.

Sophia has been successfully fundraising for charitable causes for over 10 years now, raising over half a million pounds for charities that have a big impact on people’s lives.

Connect with Sophia on LinkedIn

When was the last time you increased your prices?

Probably it’s been quite a while, so if you haven’t increased your price in over a year, then take a listen. 

In this episode, we looked at:

• The impact of not feeling valued
• Why we wait too long to increase prices
• How being paid affects the therapeutic relationship positively
• A pain-free way to increase prices

So if you haven’t increased your prices for over a year, it’s time for a review. 

And remember ‘I serve, I deserve’

Have you ever noticed how the more you learn, the more you realise you don’t know? 

For example, remember when you decided to become a counsellor? That excitement as you embarked on the fascinating training. 

And there comes a point when you start to realise that you have a lot to learn, more than you’d realised. And it all starts to feel a bit overwhelming.  

It happens to us all, so before you start MORE new training, take a listen.  

• Moving away from the perpetual learning trap
• The benefits of slowing down
• The importance of assimilating knowledge
• 2 Simple tips to help you acknowledge your learning 
• The announcement to make to yourself and the world
• How you know far more than you give yourself credit for. 

So if you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed, exhausted and on a hamster wheel of never-ending learning, stop. Breathe. You know more than you think you do.

Episode 6: Do you need to be an expert to attract counselling clients?

Episode 29: Slow down to speed up: How to increase both your skills and confidence

You know that feeling when you’re so excited and fired up, about to learn something new - but then it all falls flat? Yup, that’s what we’re looking at today.

This episode is a real game-changer because I’m going to share with you a simple mindset change that will increase both your skills and confidence.

• The reason why we give up
• The learning process 
• The uncomfortable truth about learning new skills
• The impact on your confidence
• The benefits of focus and goal setting

On 15th January 2021 in the Grow Your Private Practice Club it’s the Get Focussed, Achieve More’ workshop where we’ll be doing just this - getting focussed in order to learn, grow and come out with new skills and increased confidence. 

If you’d like to join us, check out www.growyourprivatepractice.co.uk

So the truth is, it’s important to stick with it, keep going when learning a new skill and allow yourself to be willing to be uncomfortable because that’s when the breakthrough happens. I guess like in counselling, we have to trust the process. 

So as I record this it’s the beginning of a new year, 2021 is standing ahead of us. I wonder how many new things you’ll learn by this time next year. 

All you have to do is do the work, trust the process and keep going.

Online directories can be a great way of attracting more therapy clients, but how can you stand out among all the other counsellors on there?

In this episode, I share some ideas about how to inject your personality into your bio, so it's easier for your dream clients to reach you.

All without any worries about personal disclosure

Grow Your Private Practice membership

Free resources

You know you need to crack on with your marketing, you know all about the benefits but just can’t seem to find the motivation.  

If that sounds familiar, then this podcast is for you because I’m talking all about motivation. 

So let’s take a look at how to get - and stay! - motivated. 

If you want a successful practice, you have to do the work to attract clients. But not only do that, but do it regularly and consistently (and if you struggle with consistency, check out episode 26 ‘The truth about consistency (it might not be what you think)) 

But we all have days when we feel demotivated and struggle to get started. So here is:

• The fundamental question to ask yourself
• How your answer to this will keep you focused. 
• ...and a little about money

In private practice, knowing this will drive you every single day - when you wake up, this gets you out of bed, and when you hit a rough patch as we are all prone to do, it will mean you’ll find it within yourself to carry on and not just call it a day. 

If you need help with how to get more clients in this coming year, then come and join us in the Grow Your Private Practice Club.

There’s never a better time because on 7th January the price of the GYPP Club goes up, so if you join now you’ll be locked in at the current low price for as long as you are a member. 

In 2021 the word of the year in the club is action, because

• Action is the antidote to fear - you only get rid of your fear by doing - check out podcast episode 1
• Action is what moves your practice forward and
• Action is what brings you success. 

So in January if you join you can attend the new member call, where I’ll show you how to make the most of the club and get your questions answered, 

Then we have the ‘Get focussed, achieve more’ workshop, 

Also the members Q&A at the end of the month

So you can get started in the Foundations course, take action and see results. 

You also have access to the private practice success roadmap, the comprehensive library of courses and workshops, regular monthly workshops and guest workshops, member offers and a friendly supportive group of peers. 

So is it time to get off the fence and take action? Just check us out at Grow Your Private Practice.co.uk - you will be very welcome.

Aah 2020, what a year you’ve been! But as 2020 limps to a close, I’d like to invite you to take a closer look and reflect on some of the lessons it’s taught us. I for one have learned a lot - about myself, my business, life…

… And to dismiss all we have experienced without reflection is such a waste. 

So let’s reflect on some positives from 2020 so you can get more of the good stuff in your life, let go of some things that no longer serve you and see how you can protect yourself going forward. 

In this episode we look at:

• 5 Questions for reflection
• Other questions to consider

Take what you can from this year and use it to help you going forward. 

And if you need help getting off to a good start in 2021 come join us in the Grow Your Private Practice Club

And join before 8 pm UK time on 7th January 2021 to get locked into the current price and beat the price rise. 

Today's podcast is my 26th so that means I have recorded a podcast every week consistently for 6 months. So I wanted to talk a little about consistency, and it might not be what you think.

Consistency is what we want, but you can get to consistency via different routes, and it’s about working out the right way for you. 

• Why consistency is so important
• Why we struggle with it
• Creativity and waiting for inspiration
• The impact of energy levels and making it work for you
• The power of deadlines and accountability
• Using rewards 
• What to do when you’ve lost that consistency
• One important thing NOT to do

If you recognise yourself in this, then don’t struggle alone, come join the Grow Your Private Practice Club. GYPP is all about removing overwhelm, tackling those fears and taking action to move your practice forward and attract more clients and make more money. 

• Consistency is best - make a commitment and stick to it wherever possible
• Quality over quantity - don’t post just anything because you haven’t posted for a while.
• Things happen, just get back on the horse and learn what you can - 
• Protect yourself by prep in advance, comment on others posts if you don’t do your own
• Take into account your personality 

So there you go, a few thoughts about consistency. Yes, there are many many benefits to being consistent. But sometimes life happens and things don’t go as planned. 

The important thing is to do what you can to prepare in advance so you have something to post when you need it. 

Work out what works best for YOU and take advantage of your own way of working.

And if you lost consistency, just get started again as soon as you can and don’t beat yourself up about it, just learn what you can to protect yourself going forward. 

Episode 8: What is social media engagement, and why you need to know

Episode 17: 10 Reasons why blogging will attract more counselling clients

Episode 23: How to avoid the feast and famine cycle in your private practice

Episode 24: Managing your diary with time blocking

Episode 12: Your Business, Your Rules: Making it work FOR YOU