Mastering Marketing: Bringing Your Vision to Life with Jenga Creative
In the dynamic world of therapy and mental health, a robust online presence is pivotal. That’s where Jenga Creative steps in. Based in California, this dedicated team of marketers and developers is passionate about turning therapists’ visions into reality.
In this episode of The Private Practice Pro, we explore the inspiring journey of Jenn and Amanda, the dynamic duo behind Jenga Creative. These two close friends with diverse professional backgrounds have joined forces to bridge the gap in marketing education for therapists. Their insights are invaluable, highlighting the significance of authentic content creation, niche specialization, and strategic outsourcing—essential tools for anyone starting a private practice or looking to grow their therapy practice.
From launching podcasts to designing websites and crafting content, Jenga Creative offers tailored solutions, enabling therapists to focus on what truly matters: helping their clients. Their approach aligns with today’s demands for online marketing for therapists, offering practical support and tools for success in a solo therapy practice or even a group therapy practice. But it’s more than just business for them. Amanda and Jenn’s mission extends beyond financial growth; by instilling a sense of self-worth and urging therapists to believe in the value of their expertise, they are revolutionizing the narrative around mental health services.
Are you ready to take your business to the next level? Tune in to uncover the secrets to success in the digital age.
Jenn Pyle and Amanda Smith first crossed paths at their sons’ little league field, where they quickly realized they had a shared passion for helping small businesses thrive.
As entrepreneurs, creators, wives, and mothers, we know exactly how difficult the juggle can be! Our complementary skill sets make us a dream team for therapists, coaches, doctors, and other wellness professionals who are ready to take the next step in taking their business to the next level. Jenn is our strategic mastermind, with 20 years of coding experience and a love of graphic design. Our Jane-of-all-trades, Jenn keeps us grounded while finding efficient solutions for any and all tech needs. Amanda has her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy (launching her own private practice soon!) as well as being an entrepreneur. Her background as a therapist helps her guide our clients’ success with care and intuition. We’ve spent years building our incredible team of world-class professionals. As a full-service consulting, marketing, and web design agency, we’ve got your back no matter what your needs are.
Website: jengacreative.com
Instagram: @jenga_creative
Email: hello@jengacreative.com
Building a Thriving Private Therapy Practice: A Marketing Roadmap for Therapists
Starting a private therapy practice is an exciting yet overwhelming journey. From finding the right therapy office to setting up billing systems and establishing your brand online, the process is full of critical decisions. Fortunately, expert guidance exists to help therapists thrive—not just survive—in private practice.
One powerful example is Jenga Creative, a marketing and development team led by therapist Amanda Smith and marketer Jen Pile. Their work focuses specifically on helping therapists grow their therapy practice using smart, therapist-approved marketing strategies. Their story, shared in an episode of The Private Practice Pro podcast, is a goldmine for clinicians seeking to build or grow their private therapy practice.
Below, we’ll explore key takeaways from their conversation, especially for therapists interested in starting a private practice, growing a group therapy practice, or exploring multiple income streams.
Why Most Therapists Struggle with Marketing
Graduate programs prepare therapists to provide ethical, effective care—but rarely teach skills for building private practice. Marketing for therapists is often treated as an afterthought, if it’s addressed at all.
Amanda, a practicing therapist herself, shared that even her program offered just a two-hour optional workshop on starting a private practice. Most therapists enter the field passionate about helping others but feel lost when it comes to tasks like online marketing, brand identity, or launching a private pay therapy model.
That’s where Jenga Creative steps in: by offering a roadmap and tools for therapists ready to succeed in private practice.
The First Step: Niche Down and Clarify Your Goals
Whether you’re launching a solo therapy practice or expanding into a group therapy practice, clarity is key. According to Amanda and Jen, therapists often want to "help everyone"—but in trying to serve everyone, they may serve no one.
Niching down not only clarifies your messaging but also accelerates growth. Therapists who identify a clear specialty—whether it’s success in teen therapy, out-of-network therapy practice, or sliding scale therapy fees—fill their caseloads faster than generalists.
If you’re starting a therapy practice, begin with a few simple steps:
Decide on your ideal client.
Clarify your services and therapy fees.
Choose whether you’ll be a cash-pay therapy practice or accept insurance (or both).
Write your practice mission in authentic language.
These foundational decisions form the backbone of your private practice roadmap.
Content is Queen: Share Your Voice
Whether you're offering sliding scale therapy or transitioning into out-of-network therapy, authentic content is your greatest asset. Jen emphasizes that good marketing for therapists starts with showing up as your true self—your passions, values, and voice.
Creating consistent, valuable content is essential to growing your private therapy practice. Here are content ideas that work:
Blogs that address your ideal clients' struggles.
Podcast episodes that establish you as an expert.
Short-form videos or reels for social media.
Email newsletters sharing insights, resources, or event invites.
Amanda urges therapists to record ideas wherever they come—whether that’s voice memos in your car or scribbled notes between sessions. You are the product, and your message needs to come from you.
Marketing Ideas for Therapists That Actually Work
You don’t need a viral TikTok video to succeed in marketing therapy private practice. Jenga Creative’s approach focuses on therapist-approved strategies that are ethical, professional, and personalized.
Here are proven tactics:
Build a strong website. This is your digital therapy office. Incorporate SEO so potential clients can find you. Keep it clear, warm, and professional.
Start blogging. Blogging boosts visibility and helps potential clients get to know you. Cover topics you’re passionate about and that serve your niche.
Launch an online course or ebook. Many therapists want to generate passive income—but as Amanda reminds us, “there’s no such thing as truly passive income.” Courses, webinars, and ebooks require upfront time and marketing—but they can reach clients who can’t afford 1:1 therapy.
Offer a podcast or YouTube series. For niche practices or clinicians growing a group therapy practice, video and audio content can build trust and establish authority in your field.
Marketing for therapist practices doesn’t mean being everywhere—it means being strategic and consistent in the places that matter most.
Tools for Therapists Building Their Practice
Technology can streamline your practice while keeping it HIPAA-compliant. Amanda recommends Simple Practice, a platform that simplifies everything from scheduling to billing. It’s a smart choice for therapists managing a cash-pay therapy practice or accepting out-of-network clients.
Other tools for therapists may include:
Email marketing platforms like Mailchimp or ConvertKit
Course hosting platforms like Teachable or Thinkific
Web design systems like Squarespace or WordPress
Project management tools like Trello or Notion
Secure cloud systems for storing SOAP notes
The key is to choose tools that align with your goals. A solo therapy practice may not need the same setup as a therapist scaling a group or launching a large online platform.
Coaching: The Missing Piece for Many Therapists
Jenga Creative offers more than just websites and podcasts. Increasingly, they offer business coaching for therapists, especially those exploring out-of-network therapy or private pay therapy models.
Many therapists struggle with impostor syndrome when expanding beyond clinical work. Whether you’re dreaming of starting a therapy podcast or writing an ebook, coaching helps clarify your message, overcome fears, and stay ethically sound.
This guidance is especially valuable for therapists unsure how to combine clinical expertise with coaching, advocacy, or public education roles.
Success Isn’t Just About Income—It’s About Impact
While generating income is crucial—especially in states where reimbursement is low—Amanda and Jen emphasize that growth is also about impact. Mental health is not a luxury. Therapists offering webinars, sliding scale therapy, or courses provide essential care to people who might otherwise go without.
Whether you’re launching a private pay therapy model or donating a portion of your services, building a sustainable practice allows you to serve more people—without burning out.
Final Thoughts: Therapists Deserve More
Jenga Creative's biggest hope for their clients is that therapists start valuing themselves and the work they do. Therapy is life-changing. Therapists deserve to be compensated fairly—whether through their solo therapy practice, group therapy practice, or additional income streams like coaching, courses, or ebooks.
If you're ready to start your private therapy practice or grow your therapy business, the best time to act is now. Gather your content. Get clear on your niche. Explore the many tools for therapists now available. And remember: your authentic voice is your greatest marketing asset.
Need Help Getting Started?
Check out the Private Practice Roadmap course for step-by-step guidance on how to start a private therapy practice. Or visit JengaCreative.com to learn more about coaching, websites, podcast production, and therapist-specific marketing solutions.
You don’t have to build this alone—get the support you need to grow your private practice with confidence, strategy, and integrity.