Slaying the Gram: Expert Insights into Leveraging Social Media for Success as a Therapist
Can we interest you in some free insider tips on maximizing your social media presence as a private practice therapist?
In this episode of the Private Practice Pro Podcast, host Kelley Stevens talks strategy with Feminist Therapist and Women’s Wellness Coach, Nastassia “Stassi” Betcher. Stassi reveals her tactics for growing her Instagram audience through various types of content and discusses the challenges of managing a social media presence across multiple platforms. The episode also features insights on effectively serving your audience, creating and managing content, and selling products or services via social media. Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look into how Stassi uses social media to boost her thriving career.
Get ready to dive into the world of successful Feminist Therapist and Women’s Wellness Coach, Nastassia “Stassi” Betcher, in this latest episode of The Private Practice Pro Podcast. Stassi was the guest of our very first podcast episode, and she is back to share updates and insights about her journey using social media to boost her thriving career.
Learn how Stassi serves her audience in a sustainable way by creating content and offering services tailored to their specific needs and desires. Spoiler alert – there’s no elaborate scheme. Instead, it’s all about building genuine connections and delivering what her followers truly want.
Stassi also spills the beans on her plans and goals for keeping her momentum and growth going on social media. We have an open conversation about her specific strategy, giving you insight into how to create an action plan in real time. We also discuss different approaches and tools for creating, managing and scheduling content, including knowing when and how to outsource certain tasks. A tip many private practice therapists can benefit from as they juggle clinical work with running a business.
Don’t miss this episode packed with personalized tips, real-life experiences, and the secrets behind Stassi’s successful social media journey as a professional in the therapy field. Get inspired and start maximizing your own online presence today!
Stassi is a Feminist Therapist and Women’s Wellness Coach based out of Portland, OR. Stassi is passionate about bringing awareness to the ambitious, “rushing woman’s” functioning and disentangle her self-worth from her achievements. Stassi’s dream is to shine a light on over-functioning so women can freely access ease and joy in everyday life.
Website: www.EvergreenWellnessTherapy.com
Instagram: @BossyStassi
Email: betcher@evergreenwellnesstherapy.com
Slaying the Gram: A Therapist’s Guide to Building a Purpose-Driven Private Practice on Instagram
In today’s digital world, therapists are discovering how social media can support their private therapy practice. Instagram is no longer just for influencers and lifestyle brands. It has become a vital tool for therapists who want to grow their solo practice, attract clients, and build a meaningful online presence. But how do you turn a few posts into a genuine connection with your ideal clients?
Let’s explore how one therapist used Instagram to connect with others, grow a community, and market her services while staying true to her mission.
Start Your Private Practice with Purpose
Starting a private practice is more than just choosing a name and setting up an office. It means figuring out your message, your audience, and how to reach them. For many therapists, especially those in a solo therapy practice, social media feels intimidating. But with the right mindset, Instagram can become a powerful tool in your private practice marketing toolkit.
One therapist shared how she went from having just a few hundred Instagram followers to gaining over 500 new ones in just five weeks. This growth was not driven by flashy ads or viral gimmicks. It came from being authentic, showing up consistently, and connecting with her audience.
Marketing for Therapists in a Real, Honest Way
Marketing for therapists doesn’t have to feel salesy or uncomfortable. In fact, the most effective marketing strategies often come from a place of service. When you approach social media with the mindset of helping others, you naturally attract people who value your message.
This therapist started sharing short videos, personal reflections, and relatable moments from her life as a mom and professional. One of her most successful Instagram reels showed her rocking her baby while offering encouragement to overwhelmed moms. It wasn’t scripted or perfect, but it was real. That reel gained over 10,000 views.
The Power of Reels and Relatable Content
Reels are currently one of the best tools for growing your therapy practice on Instagram. They’re short, engaging, and easy for people to share. You don’t need fancy equipment or a production team to make them work. What you do need is clarity, intention, and consistency.
The therapist shared that her content strategy focused on balancing two types of posts. First, her feed was designed to attract new people. Second, her Instagram Stories were used to nurture the followers she already had. This two-part strategy helped her stay connected to both new and returning visitors.
Building Private Practice Success with Collaboration
One key turning point in her growth came when she tagged another content creator, a postpartum nurse, in a Story. The creator shared her post with her 550,000 followers, which brought a wave of new people to her page. This wasn’t luck. It was strategic and came from engaging genuinely with someone she admired.
Therapist-approved marketing strategies like collaboration, storytelling, and audience engagement are some of the most powerful ways to grow your private practice. Instead of relying only on paid ads or referral networks, Instagram lets you show up as yourself and connect with others who share your values.
Therapy Practice Marketing Tools That Work
This therapist didn’t do it alone. She worked with a video editor and content support person named Hannah. Together, they met weekly to brainstorm reels, story ideas, and educational posts. Hannah helped organize topics, write notes, and even asked thoughtful questions that sparked deeper content.
This setup is a great example of using private practice tools for therapists effectively. Whether you’re using free tools like Facebook Business Suite or paid ones like SocialBee or Splice, the right systems can save time and reduce burnout.
Keep Your Therapy Office Visible Online
If you’re running a cash-pay therapy practice or focusing on out-of-network therapy, being visible online is even more important. Social media allows you to reach people directly, without relying on insurance panels or traditional referrals.
Consistency matters. This therapist found that posting three to four times a week and showing up in her Stories daily helped her stay top of mind. She didn’t post just to post. Instead, she shared content that reflected her values, her clinical work, and the issues her clients cared about.
Grow Your Private Practice Without Losing Yourself
Marketing doesn’t have to mean selling. You can grow your therapy practice by focusing on service, clarity, and connection. This therapist shared how she reframed her entire Instagram presence as a passion project. She wasn’t there to push a product. She wanted to help women, especially moms, get access to important mental health information.
That shift in perspective made it easier to show up consistently. She created a series called “Two Things Can Be True at the Same Time,” which spoke to her therapy clients and her followers. The content felt authentic and aligned with her values.
Group Therapy Practice or Solo Practice? Instagram Supports Both
Whether you’re building a group therapy practice or managing a solo caseload, your Instagram strategy can be adjusted to fit your goals. The key is to stay clear on who you’re speaking to and why.
For example, if your goal is to grow your therapy office’s reach in your community, your posts might focus on local topics, mental health tips, and your approach to care. If you’re aiming to build passive income or promote a course, your content might include more educational posts or behind-the-scenes glimpses into your process.
Either way, staying consistent and organized is key.
Tools and Tips for Staying Consistent
Burnout is real. Especially when you’re managing a therapy practice, parenting, and trying to create content. That’s why it helps to schedule content in advance, batch-create reels, and use automation tools when possible.
Here are a few tools therapists are using successfully:
SocialBee for post recycling and scheduling
Splice for editing reels and adding clean captions
Facebook Business Suite for managing comments and DMs across platforms
Grammarly app for writing captions with voice-to-text
Keeping your content organized and stored in folders, either in your phone or cloud storage, helps you reuse it later when things get busy. That way, you can keep growing without constantly being “on.”
From Holiday Breaks to Scaling Your Reach
Even during a holiday in private practice, having a few posts scheduled ahead can keep your account active. Whether you're taking a week off for family or planning a longer maternity leave, the beauty of social media is that your content can continue working for you even when you're offline.
Scaling a private practice doesn’t always mean adding more clients. Sometimes, it means creating a supportive community, launching a digital course, or offering group therapy sessions. With clear messaging and a solid content plan, therapists can use social media to diversify income streams and increase their impact.
Your Roadmap to Instagram Success as a Therapist
Social media isn’t just about likes and followers. For therapists, it’s about connection, visibility, and service. Whether you’re just starting a private practice or looking to grow your therapy office, platforms like Instagram offer a therapist-approved way to market with purpose.
If you focus on showing up authentically, planning ahead, and nurturing your audience, you’ll begin to see growth in the right direction. Start small. Choose one platform. Use your voice. And remember, your story, your services, and your message are worth sharing.