Dare to Dream: Navigating Uncharted Territory to Find Your Calling
Calling all aspiring therapists and seasoned practitioners alike! Don’t miss this inspiring episode where host Kelley Stevens uncovers the serendipitous private practice journey of Internal Family Systems therapist, Justin Martin. Justin hadn’t always planned on becoming a therapist. In fact, he obtained his undergraduate degree in business. However, after a series of personal life events ignited a passion for mental health, he switched gears. Get the full scoop on his path to success, complete with candid accounts of his decisions and mindset along the way. Justin’s story is a powerful reminder that there is no one “right” way to build a thriving career in private practice.
Can I let you in on a little secret? The approach to becoming a therapist is not one-size-fits-all.
Join me in this latest episode of The Private Practice Pro as we delve into the inspiring journey of Justin Martin, a trauma therapist who works with couples and individuals using Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy. As someone who first completed business school, Justin had not always planned to become a therapist; and his story reminds us that success can come from unexpected twists and turns.
With refreshing honesty, Justin shares the pivotal moments that ignited his passion for mental health, leading him on an unconventional path to starting a private practice. From working in hospital settings and eating disorder recovery centers to finding his calling by starting his own private practice, you’ll see how his courage and passion guided him every step of the way. Justin also shares valuable tips on reassessing your marketing strategy, organically expanding your network, and striking a balance between connection and structure as a therapist.
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insights from Justin’s transformative journey. His anecdotes and candid revelations serve as a poignant reminder that limitless possibilities await those who dare to dream and persevere.
Justin Martin is a trauma therapist that works with couples and individuals using Internal Family Systems Therapy. He enjoys. writing poetry, playing sports, going to the gym and reading a good book. “I try not to take myself too seriously and love the playfulness life has to offer me.”
Website: www.partsofmetherapy.com
Instagram: @partsofmetherapy
Email: justinmartin@partsofmetherapy.com
How to Build and Market a Thriving Private Therapy Practice: A Guide for Therapists
Starting a private therapy practice is both exciting and overwhelming. Whether you're launching a solo therapy practice, building a group therapy practice, or transitioning to a cash-pay therapy practice, it’s essential to master the art of visibility, connection, and communication. This blog explores actionable strategies for therapists to grow a private therapy practice using tools like professional directories, intentional messaging, and authentic branding, all while emphasizing the human connection that defines mental health care.
Starting Your Private Practice with Confidence
Launching your own private practice begins with clarity. As a therapist, you may be tempted to serve "everyone", clients aged 8 to 88, with every possible issue. But building a private practice successfully requires focus. Defining your niche, whether it's success in teen therapy, out-of-network therapy practice, or private pay therapy, is crucial.
According to Ryan Schwartz of Mental Health Match, “The worst-performing profiles are generalists. Clients don’t see themselves in broad statements.” Instead, tailor your practice to specific populations or needs. You don’t have to limit yourself forever, but creating a niche gives your profile (and your referrals) laser focus.
Directories and the Power of Fit
Online directories remain one of the most powerful private practice tools for therapists. But not all directories are created equal. Platforms like Mental Health Match are revolutionizing how therapists connect with ideal clients. Rather than prioritizing trick algorithms, Mental Health Match uses a matching system based on client needs and therapist specialties.
So what makes a profile on a therapist directory successful? According to Schwartz, it comes down to three key things:
Words of Hope: Instead of focusing on problems like “depression” or “anxiety,” emphasize transformation, “healing,” “improvement,” “relief.” These marketing ideas for therapists create an emotional bridge.
Words of Connection: Use inclusive language like “we” and “together.” Avoid overly clinical or isolating phrasing such as, “Are you addicted to sex?”
Everyday Language: Avoid jargon. Terms like “psychodynamic” or “person-centered” might be meaningful to clinicians, but not to clients. Use simple, approachable language to describe your work.
Headshots and First Impressions Matter
Many therapists dread taking headshots, but it’s one of the most critical tools in your therapy office marketing toolkit. A strong headshot helps create an instant connection, with eye contact being the most important factor.
Profiles with clear, engaging headshots outperform those with artistic or indirect shots. Avoid distractions, shadows, or dramatic angles. Look straight into the lens, as though you're speaking to your future client. This subtle gesture can increase trust and lead to better engagement, especially important for those building a solo therapy practice or starting a private therapy practice from scratch.
Videos: The Secret to Standing Out
Thinking of adding a video to your profile or website? Do it thoughtfully. Videos often lead to direct contact from clients without them even visiting your website. That’s a powerful tool for marketing therapy private practice.
If done well, video allows clients to connect with your voice, manner, and energy. But poorly made videos, disorganized, distracting, or unclear can have the opposite effect. Whether you're marketing to teens, parents, or executives, tailor your tone and appearance to the audience you're hoping to attract.
Pro Tip:
Use your smartphone and a script. Keep it casual but structured. Avoid rambling. Focus on warmth, connection, and clarity. This low-cost, high-impact tactic is therapist-approved.
Write Better Profiles: Skip the Blocks of Text
One common mistake in online marketing for therapists is overwhelming visitors with dense paragraphs. Your therapy practice profile should be skimmable and mobile-friendly. Break content into short paragraphs with clear line breaks. Remember, over 60% of therapy-seeking clients are browsing on mobile devices.
Use SEO-friendly keywords (like “couples therapy,” “sliding scale therapy fees,” “mental health,” “private practice therapists,” etc.) naturally within your copy. Sprinkle in activity-based terms like “communication issues,” “career stress,” or “parenting support.”
Make every word count and make it feel human.
Data-Driven Marketing: Know What Converts
Many therapists wonder which marketing strategies actually work. That’s where data comes in. Mental Health Match, for example, provides monthly reports to help therapists see what kinds of clients are viewing (and converting from) their profiles.
If 80% of visitors are seeking trauma support, but your conversion rate is low, you might need to update your copy. Maybe your current language is too clinical or too vague. The solution? Test. Play. Rewrite. Marketing is a living process.
Whether you're using an online marketing for therapists strategy or relying on word-of-mouth, you need regular feedback loops. Don’t “set and forget” your profile or website.
Use the Right Tools for Private Practice
From SOAP notes to billing systems, every practice needs the right backend support. Private practice tools for therapists like SimplePractice, TherapyNotes, or JaneApp can help streamline admin work, freeing up more time for client care.
Choosing tools that support your HIPAA compliance, scheduling, and documentation ensures you're not bogged down by paperwork and gives you more time to grow your therapy practice.
Embrace the Human Side of Therapy Marketing
Marketing often feels at odds with therapy. But therapist-approved marketing strategies are not about sales gimmicks. They’re about communication, clarity, and trust. Focus on the client experience. Avoid scare tactics or emotional triggers.
Clients are not looking for the most polished expert; they're looking for a human being who can sit with their pain, understand their struggle, and walk alongside them toward healing.
Whether you’re starting a private therapy practice, offering sliding-scale therapy fees, or building a cash-pay therapy practice, the core remains the same: connection.
Final Thoughts: Dare to Dream, One Step at a Time
Starting your own private practice is a bold leap, and it can feel scary. But remember, marketing your therapy practice doesn't have to mean abandoning your authenticity. Speak in your real voice. Share your real passion. Let clients see the human behind the credentials.
Use tools like Mental Health Match, smart directory profiles, clear headshots, short videos, and therapist guides to present yourself confidently and clearly.
From holiday in private practice time to managing therapy fees, being your own boss means setting the rules. You get to build a practice that works for you and one that deeply serves your clients.
So if you're dreaming of a successful private practice, take the first step today.