Good Enough Counsellors

What happens when you realise a client has an eating disorder, but you're not an eating disorder specialist?

As therapists, we're taught not to work beyond our competence. But specialist eating disorder services are stretched, waiting lists can be long and sometimes there isn't anywhere else for a client to go.

So does referring on always have to be the answer?

In this episode of the Good Enough Counsellors podcast, I'm joined by counsellor, trainer and researcher Kel O'Neill to talk about why eating disorders aren't only an issue for specialist therapists.

Have you ever decided not to tell someone about your private practice because you've assumed they won't be interested?

Or perhaps hesitated because you think people won't be able to afford your fees?

As therapists we can often tell ourselves that people won't want to hear about our practice and will think we're being pushy or we're too expensive. But are those assumptions really about other people - or about protecting us from anticipated rejection and disappointment?

If we never tell people how we can help, we're taking away their opportunity to decide...

Attracting therapy clients isn't just about having a great profile. Before someone books with you, they go through a series of decisions, and understanding that journey can completely change how you try to attract clients.

In this episode, I'm joined by website and marketing specialist Kat Love to explore the three stages every prospective client goes through:

Together, we explore why so many therapists spend time polishing the later...

Have you ever caught yourself saying, "I'm probably just overthinking it"?

That's exactly what I said in a recent supervision session. My supervisor responded with a simple question:

"Are you overthinking - or are you diminishing your feelings?"

That question stayed with me.

As therapists, we're often deeply compassionate people. We want to be kind, fair and understanding. But sometimes our kindness towards other people comes at the expense of ourselves.

In this episode, I reflect on how easy it is to ignore our own needs because we're worried...

As a therapist, have you ever sat down to write a social media post and wondered what on earth to say? Or even, not started a social media page because you don't know what to do?

It's easy to get caught up in the mechanics of posting, in the same way as when we're training we get caught up in the mechanics of counselling techniques.

However, if you stand back from social media for a moment and focus on what people need, you often find it much easier to turn up as yourself.

...

Starting private practice can feel daunting, especially if you're wondering whether you're experienced enough, whether clients will ever find you, or whether you're making the right decision.

In this episode, I talk to counsellor Katrina Johnson, who had been a therapist for 20 years before finally taking the leap into private practice. Despite her experience, she admits she was frightened to get started and worried she wasn't good enough.

Today, Katrina has a thriving private practice, a waiting list and works as a supervisor. In our conversation, she shares what helped her move beyond fear, how...

When you're trying to grow your counselling private practice, it's tempting to think you have to be the best to be successful. But maybe that belief is holding you back.

In this episode, I explore an online trend of defining your service by comparing it with others. Is this a true sign of confidence or does it reveal a deeper sense of scarcity and self-doubt?

And if you believe that you have to compete and be the best, what impact does this have on your confidence, your marketing and even your nervous system regulation?

Many therapists have been telling me that enquiries have slowed down. Some wonder whether it's the cost of living, while others are worried that AI has changed the way clients search for a therapist online.

In this episode, I'm joined once again by Daragh MacLoughlin from WebHealer to explore what's really happening.

Drawing on insights from thousands of therapy websites, Daragh shares what he's seeing as Google search changes. He explains why some websites are attracting more enquiries than ever, and why simply chasing SEO isn't the answer.

Instead, we talk about something...

Your therapy website is one of the most important tools for attracting clients to your private practice. In this episode, website specialist Daragh MacLoughlin from WebHealer explains why GDPR, privacy policies and cookie notices aren't just about legal compliance. They can also help build trust with potential clients and, in Daragh's view, may even play a part in how search engines assess your website.

Many therapists put GDPR to the bottom of the to do list because it feels complicated, technical and overwhelming. Daragh explains the recent changes in plain English, shares the most common mistakes therapists...

Do you worry that potential clients will forget about you if you stop posting on social media?

Summer holidays can often bring an added layer of pressure. Should you schedule posts while you're away? Is it OK to disappear for a couple of weeks? And do therapists really need to post everyday?

In this episode, I explore what a healthy relationship with social media could look like, why consistency matters more than frequency, and why taking time to rest may actually be one of the best things you can do for yourself and your private...

What does a neuro-affirming practice look like in the therapy room?

As awareness of neurodivergence grows, many therapists want to work in ways that better support their neurodivergent clients. But moving beyond theory and knowing how to apply neuro-affirming practice in real life can feel challenging.

In this episode of Good Enough Counsellors, I'm delighted to welcome back Louise Lucas who described how she'd discovered her own autism and ADHD in episode 7, and how this had transformed her personal life and practice.

Since then she's continued to develop her Neurodivergent Wellbeing Model and...

You spend years working towards a qualification. But after the structure of assignments and placements - and the company of tutors and fellow students - comes to an end, it can leave you wondering what comes next.

Should you look for employment, start a private practice or something else?

In this episode, I share my own experience of finishing counselling training, share why this stage can feel unsettling - and most importantly, how you can move forward without needing to have everything worked out in advance.

Takeaways:

Many therapists are concerned about the rise of AI and whether it will replace therapy altogether.

In this episode of Good Enough Counsellors, I'm joined by Ken Kelly, author of Ethical AI Practice. Ken believes that while AI has an important role to play in private practice, it can never replace the human connection at the heart of therapy.

We explore the ethical boundaries, how therapists can use AI safely and the ways it can help us with tasks such as content creation, research and policy writing.

Takeaways:

Social media can be a great way to connect with potential clients but it can also be a place that is filled with hostility. This stops many therapists from either setting up a page or from posting on it.

Some of the worries I've heard about from therapists include saying "the wrong thing", being publicly corrected, receiving criticism and being subject to a "pile on". So in this first of a series of episodes around social media boundaries, I explore how you can make your therapy page feel safer for you to use.

Drawing on...

What happens when someone receives a genetic diagnosis? In this episode of Good Enough Counsellors, I'm joined by Uruj Anjum of Saina Therapy.

Before training as a psychotherapist, Uruj spent nine years working within NHS genetics services, supporting individuals and families navigating conditions such as Huntington's disease and other complex inherited disorders. She now specialises in working with clients affected by genetic diagnoses, reproductive decision-making, grief, loss and family dynamics.

We talk about what therapists need to know when supporting clients living with genetic uncertainty, and how genetics may be lying behind presenting issues such...

It’s tempting to look at other therapists, coaches or creators and think:

“It’s easier for them because they’re bigger.”

But what we often forget is that every established business once started small.

In this solo episode, I reflect on the early days of my own private practice and Therapy Growth Group as we approach its sixth birthday. I talk about fear, comparison, visibility and the courage it takes to keep showing up when you’re still finding your feet.

Because behind every “overnight success” are usually years of small steps, awk...

In this episode, I'm joined by Annie Jones from Rayleigh Marketing to talk about why Facebook is a useful tool to promote your private practice.

We explore how local Facebook groups, recommendations, consistency, and good quality content can help therapists become more visible without needing to post every day or share your entire personal life online.

In this episode:

What if you don't have to be “good at art” to work creatively as a therapist?

In this week’s episode of the Good Enough Counsellors podcast, I’m joined by counsellor, developer and all-round creative thinker Yasmin Shaheen-Zaffar to talk about using creativity in therapy sessions, both online and face to face.

Yasmin is one of those people who is always creating ideas, tools and resources, and we explore how her neurodivergence, technical background and passion for emotional regulation have shaped the way she works with clients.

We talk about:

Why isn’t your therapy profile getting enquiries?

If you’ve listed yourself on directories such as Psychology Today, Counselling Directory or BACP Find a Therapist and you’re hearing very little back, this episode will help you think about what your clients need to hear in order to feel able to choose you.

In today's episode:

As a therapist, you may be asking yourself: "Am I competent to work with trans clients?". In this interview with Josiah Twiselton of Offbeat Therapy, we explore what it really means to offer a welcoming space to transgender people.

Key Takeaways:

If you’ve ever posted on social media and felt like you were talking into the void, this episode is for you.

So many therapists tell me they feel discouraged when their posts don’t get likes or comments, or when they see others getting much more engagement. It can make you question whether it’s worth continuing at all.

In this episode, I’m not suggesting you stop using social media. Instead, I’m sharing a different way to think about it.

Because what if your posts are working - but just not in the...

Do you really need a website to start attracting therapy clients?

In this episode of Good Enough Counsellors, I’m joined by Vicky Jackson, website designer and founder of TukTuk Creative. Vicky shares a refreshing perspective that many therapists will find reassuring: you don’t necessarily need a website straight away.

We explore what actually helps potential clients find and choose you, from the power of networking and word of mouth referrals to the importance of building trust through your authentic voice. Vicky also brings her personal experience of searching for a therapist, offering valuable insi...

Have you ever found yourself comparing what you do to someone else… and felt your confidence dip?

In this episode, I share a recent moment where I came across an offer that looked similar to mine but at a much lower price - and how it knocked my confidence more than I expected.

More importantly, I talk about what helped me move through that comparison and come back to a more grounded, fair way of looking at myself and my work.

If you’ve ever questioned your fees, your value, or whether you’re “go...

This gorgeous episode with Laura has helped so many people that I've decided to share it again.

It's natural to be anxious when setting up and running a private practice - it's both a sign of being passionate about helping people and a reflection of the roller coaster ride of self-employment. In this episode, I'm joined by Laura Knight of See Clear Anxiety Counselling, who shares how she's learned to manage and move beyond anxiety, and how that experience now shapes the way she runs her successful practice.

Laura talks about letting go of perfectionism...

What happens when you go to a conference and focus on having conversations rather than “networking”?

In this episode, I’m sharing a few of the chats I had throughout the day - from books therapists are reading, to a research resource I didn’t realise I already had access to, through to creative ways of working (including Minecraft in therapy).

It’s a mix of ideas, reflections and practical insights that might give you something new to think about in your own practice.

Takeaways

Here are a few things that stood out...

In this episode, I'm joined by counsellor Julie Wales who has become known for her work with neurodiverse couples. You don’t need to have everything figured out from the beginning and Julie’s story is a reminder that your niche can develop over time, often by following what you care about and noticing the people who are already coming to you for help.

We talk about the role of blogging, networking and community and how small, consistent steps can help you grow a practice that feels aligned with who you are - even if you are terr...

In this final episode of my mini series on why clients don't follow you on social media, I discuss the importance of being clearer about who you're trying to reach and what you want to be known for.

When you consistently talk about a specific area of work, people begin to recognise you for it. That recognition builds trust, helps clients find you, and can even lead to speaking opportunities, referrals, and wider reach.

Takeaways

f you’re replying to emails late at night, chasing invoices between sessions, or taking your laptop on holiday “just in case”, it might feel like admin is taking over your life.

For private practice therapists, enquiries, invoicing, cancellations, GDPR, practice management systems, and Making Tax Digital can eat into the time that you'd much rather be using for seeing clients.

In this episode, I’m joined by Anna Bunch of Psych VA to explore how virtual assistants for therapists can help lighten that admin load.

We talk about:

The BACP No More Stiff Upper Lip campaign has generated significant national coverage - and strong reactions within the therapy profession.

Rather than asking whether the campaign was “good” or “bad”, I’m exploring something slightly different:

Takeaways:

How do you move from being found online to actually being booked by the right clients?

In this episode, website and marketing specialist Kat Love breaks down the three stages of marketing for therapists, from visibility and awareness, to consideration, to making it easy for clients to take the next step.

We talk about why marketing for therapists often feels overwhelming, how to reduce friction on your website so enquiries come more easily, how to avoid “psychobabble” that pushes potential clients away, and how to build ethical social proof without compromising your values.

By t...

This episode continues last month’s discussion on why clients don’t always follow therapists on social media. In Part 1, I talked about how professional language can unintentionally create distance between therapists and potential clients. In this episode, I zoom out a little. Because it’s not just about the words we use - it’s about how people experience our content emotionally.

Clients don’t follow therapists because they’re impressed. They follow when they feel understood.

Takeaways

In this episode, I’m joined by Claire Hendrickson, a neurodivergent therapist who has built her private practice in a way that truly works for her.

Rather than rushing, pushing, or following someone else’s formula, Claire has grown her practice at her own pace, listening to her nervous system and respecting her capacity. Over time, her steady and compassionate approach has led to a busy, sustainable practice.

We talk openly about what it means to do private practice differently, especially if you’re neurodivergent, carry complex identity experiences, or feel pressure to be further ahead...

This 100th episode is a pause to reflect on what happens when you keep going, even when you don’t feel ready.

In conversation with Natasha, who has edited the podcast from the very beginning, I look back over how The Good Enough Counsellors podcast grew from small, tentative steps into something that now reaches therapists around the world. But more importantly, we talk about what this journey can teach us about private practice, confidence, visibility, and the legacy we leave through our work.

This episode is about the power of ordinary stories, trusting that sm...

Have you ever looked at your social media and felt disappointed because it seems that you're mainly followed by therapists?

In this month's social media episode, I'm exploring the question of why clients don't always follow us, even when we're sharing thoughtful, reflective content. Is it really the problem we think it is, and what can we do about it?

We look at how fear of visibility, professional language, and wanting to get things “right” can influence how you post and the impact that has on making connections with clients. I also explore what clients are...

January can bring a lot of pressure for counsellors and therapists, with worries about enquiries, a sense of falling behind, and rising self-criticism. This can feel even more intense for neurodivergent counsellors and those who are highly sensitive to pressure.

In this episode of Good Enough Counsellors, I’m joined by Eve Menezes Cunningham to explore a kinder way of moving through January, especially for counsellors in private practice.

Eve draws on therapy, yoga therapy, coaching and writing to offer a deeply compassionate, embodied approach to wellbeing. We talk about self-compassion, nervous system care, and ho...

Accreditation is something many counsellors quietly wonder about, often alongside self-doubt, comparison, and pressure about where they think they should be in their career.

With changes linked to the SCoPEd framework and the end of the transition period approaching, more counsellors are asking whether accreditation is worth the time, effort, and emotional energy it requires.

In this episode, I take an honest and grounded look at accreditation. I talk about what accreditation actually means, why some counsellors choose to go for it, what the process involves, and how to decide whether it’s the right st...

For the final episode of the year, I’m doing something a little different. Instead of talking about marketing, confidence, or growing your private practice, I’m giving you a break - and introducing you to some of the wonderful podcasters I met at the Podcast Awards this autumn.

If you’re heading out for a winter walk, hiding in the kitchen while basting the turkey, or simply wanting something fresh to listen to over the holidays, this episode brings you a handful of surprising, creative and thought-provoking podcasts to explore.

These conversations touch on inclus...

Many therapists feel uncomfortable with marketing because it can seem like “selling yourself.” In this episode, I share how to reframe your marketing mindset and explore how to move away from the fear that your visibility is narcissistic.

I'll help you gain a clearer sense of purpose in your private practice with some reflective prompts. And you’ll hear how reconnecting with what truly matters to you makes it easier to show up online, write content, and talk about your work without feeling pushy or self-focused.

To round off the episode, you’ll get some January...

In this episode, Josephine talks with website designer and SEO specialist John Garewal about how clients actually find a therapist online. John shares what he discovered when he searched for a therapist himself, why websites still matter, and simple steps therapists can take to make their site easier to find - without getting technical.

When was the last time you tried to find a therapist?

If you’ve done it recently for a friend, a family member, or even out of curiosity, you’ll know how confusing it can feel - so many names, so litt...

More and more people are turning to AI tools like ChatGPT or asking their phones for answers instead of typing into Google. And clients are no different. Some are already saying things like, “I found you via ChatGPT.”

So what does this mean for therapists who rely on directories, Google My Business or their websites to be found?

In this episode, I look at how AI is changing the way people search - and what you can do to stay visible as things evolve.

We explore: