The Grow Your Private Practice Show

Do you ever wonder whether your blog actually helps anyone? That doubt is common and it makes sense. Blogging is often talked about as “marketing”, but there’s something more important happening underneath. In this episode, we look at how your blog can quietly support someone who’s struggling, and help them take the first step towards counselling even before they feel ready to reach out. You’ll he...

If marketing feels harder than it used to (especially on social media), you’re not imagining it. So what is currently working? In this episode, I’m talking about the quieter, more sustainable strategies that are actually helping counsellors stay visible and build trust in 2026. After nearly 20 years of doing this, I’ve seen trends rise and fall. And I’ve also seen what holds steady, what keeps wor...

If social media leaves you feeling drained, confused, or just not like yourself, you're not alone. In this episode, I’m sharing a simple, free, and often-overlooked way for counsellors to get found by more of the right clients without needing a website or being all over social media. You'll learn: What Google Business Profile is and why it works How to set it up quickly and easily What kind of pos...

Do you need a perfectly planned-out content strategy to stay consistent? Or can you just show up, speak from the heart, and see what sticks? In this episode, I'm joined by my brilliant friend and fellow therapist Sarah (aka The Binge Eating Therapist ) as we get honest about how we each approach content creation — and how different those approaches are. We’ve both been creating weekly content for...

If marketing your counselling practice feels like a wobbly, messy, “what-the-heck-am-I-doing” kind of experience… this episode is for you. Because today, we’re not talking strategy or content plans. We’re talking about you - the human behind the posts. The one quietly trying to make it work while wondering if you're getting it all wrong. In this open letter, I’m sharing a personal message to the p...

Ever feel like you’re doing all the right things … yet nothing seems to be moving fast enough? In this episode, we’re peeling back the curtain on the slow, quiet build that nobody talks about but every thriving private practice is built on. If you’ve ever wondered why other counsellors seem to be racing ahead while you’re still trying to find your rhythm, you’re not alone. And no, you’re not doing...

Have you ever worried you’re too boring, too ordinary, or not “expert enough” for clients to pick you? You’re not alone and you’re not seeing what clients actually look for. Because when someone is scrolling through counsellor profiles, they’re asking one quiet question: “Would I feel safe with you?” That’s The Armchair Test and it matters far more than perfect blogs, fancy qualifications or polis...

When someone searches for a therapist, they’re not scanning for qualifications, they’re searching for a feeling: “Will I feel okay with you?” “Can I tell you something hard and not feel judged?” That’s what I call The Armchair Test , and once you understand how it works, you’ll never look at blogging (or marketing) the same way again. In this episode, we explore: The real reason blogging builds cl...

You’re doing all the right things, more CPD, new qualifications, more training, but your counselling practice is still quiet. So what’s going on? In this episode, we’re exploring the hidden trap many counsellors fall into — using learning as a way to feel productive when marketing feels uncomfortable. If you’ve ever thought, “Once I’ve done this next training, then I’ll work on my marketing…” this...

Ever feel like everything you could possibly say about self-care, stress, or slowing down has already been said? As a counsellor, you want to share ideas that genuinely help people but when every blog and social post seems to repeat the same advice, it’s easy to worry that your writing won’t stand out. In this episode, we’re talking about how to make your counselling blogs feel fresh , human , and...

You close the laptop after your final session. The house is quiet. And even though you’ve spent all day talking , you haven’t actually connected with anyone. That quiet ache you sometimes feel? That’s loneliness. And it’s more common than counsellors admit. In this heartfelt episode, we’re talking honestly about what it’s like to work alone in private practice - the isolation, the silence, and the...

Overthinking doesn’t always feel like fear, sometimes it looks like planning, researching, or endlessly tweaking things instead of actually starting. In this episode, we’re exploring what overthinking really looks like for counsellors and coaches, how it shows up in sneaky ways, and what to do when you feel completely stuck. I’m also sharing a personal story about getting stuck in naming my own pr...

You hold space for everyone else - clients, family, friends. From the outside, it looks like you’re coping. But inside? You’re tired in a way that rest doesn’t touch. In this episode, I share my own story of counsellor burnout, the subtle signs you might be missing, and a few gentle ways to support yourself when you’re running on empty.  Because burnout doesn’t always look like collapse. Some...

Many counsellors feel awkward about charging, or even apologetic when talking about their fees. In this episode, I share my own experiences from being told off by an electrician friend for undervaluing myself, to walking up Lincoln’s Steep Hill every week to pay for counselling when my self-esteem was at rock bottom. We’ll explore: Why so many counsellors feel guilty about money The hidden cost of...

Walking into the gym after a long break can feel so hard. You look around and everyone seems to know what they’re doing - toned, confident, striding on machines that look more like torture devices than exercise equipment. Meanwhile, you’re tugging at your leggings, feeling out of place, and wondering if it would be easier to give up and buy a big box of Maltesers on the way home. That’s exactly ho...

Procrastination doesn’t mean you’re lazy; it means your energy is stuck. In this episode, I share why getting stuck feels so frustrating (especially when you compare yourself to other counsellors who seem to be doing it all), and how you can see it in a completely different way. You’ll discover: Why procrastination isn’t a sign of failure or laziness (phew!) The real reasons you put off tasks in y...

You’ve probably been told: “You need a niche before you can start blogging.” It sounds responsible. It feels strategic. But for many counsellors? It becomes a fancy-sounding form of procrastination. In this episode, we’re busting one of the most persistent blogging myths out there, the idea that you can’t start sharing your voice until your niche is perfectly figured out. If you’ve been staring at...

What if your next big breakthrough in private practice isn’t a brand-new strategy, but simply making the most of what you’ve already got? In this episode, I’m sharing 10 small-but-mighty areas to check in on. The kind of practical tweaks that can bring more ease, more focus, and yes… even more client enquiries. Most counsellors skip this kind of business reset. They keep pushing forward, adding mo...

If you find yourself opening just one more tab before writing a blog post, this episode is for you. Many counsellors fall into the research trap, thinking more information will make blogging easier. But what if that habit is actually slowing you down and watering down your voice? In this episode, I’m sharing how counsellors should approach blog research in a simpler, more sustainable way so you ca...

If you’ve ever avoided hitting publish because your blog felt “too short,” you’re not alone. Many counsellors get stuck on word count, but focusing on blog length too soon can actually stop you from getting found by clients. In this episode, I share: The reality about blog post length for counsellors Why word count isn’t the most important thing when you’re starting out 5 practical ways to make bl...

What does giving up ironing have to do with counsellor marketing? More than you’d think! In this episode, I talk about the invisible “shoulds” we carry, especially around marketing and how they quietly eat up your time, energy, and confidence. We’ll look at some of the most common ones counsellors follow (often without realising), and I’ll share how to replace them with something that actually wor...

You sit down to write a blog with a helpful idea in mind… But suddenly you’re deep-cleaning the fridge, questioning your niche, and wondering if you should just start a podcast instead. Why is it so hard to actually start writing? In this episode of the Grow Your Private Practice Show, we’re talking about how to get into a state of writing flow – where the words come easier, your inner critic quie...

You sit down to write a blog post with a warm, helpful idea in your heart… and suddenly it sounds like a CPD presentation. Formal. Polished. Slightly robotic. Why does “Professional Mode” take over the second you start typing? In this episode of the Grow Your Private Practice Show, we’re talking about why so many counsellors struggle to sound like themselves when they write, and how to change that...

If marketing makes you want to hide under a blanket, this episode is for you. In this refreshingly honest chat, I break down why marketing isn’t just a “nice to have” in private practice, it’s essential. But don’t worry, there’s no jargon or pushy tactics here. Just real talk about why visibility matters, how to make marketing a regular part of your week (without burning out), and the mindset shif...

You became a counsellor to help people, but what happens when someone says they can’t afford your full fee ? Do you offer a concession? A sliding scale? Say yes and quietly resent it – or say no and feel guilty? In this episode of the Grow Your Private Practice Show, I dive into one of the most emotionally loaded decisions counsellors face: whether or not to offer concessions in private practice....