Why Every Therapist and Counselor Needs a Website

5 reasons a web presence empower you to reach the clients you would most like to help

As someone who runs a coworking space for therapists, I’m constantly amazed by the number of counselors who do not have a website (or really any visible digital footprint, such as listings on Portland Therapy Center, TherapyDen or PsychologyToday). Now more than ever, I would argue, it's important for therapists and counselors to have a strong online presence.

This is a Wix template for therapists. If you have the technical skills to use Microsoft Word, you can build a website with Wix.com.

Credible sources suggest that as many as 1 in 5 people in 2024 planned to seek out therapy to improve their mental health. With so many people searching for mental health services online, a website is critical for attracting new clients and building a professional image.

Yes, you could say, the insurance companies on which I’m paneled will offer a seemingly endless supply of clients. To that argument I would counter with two questions – 1.) Are insurance companies really matching you with the right types of clients? and 2.) Don’t you still want to give these clients a chance to know more about you and your approaches, guiding philosophies as a therapist, values, modalities, and theories before they decide to engage with you?

I could go on with more points, such as:

• Don’t you want your prospective clients to know whether you work exclusively remotely or offer in-person sessions, too?

• Don’t you want to explicitly state your availability and details about your services so that people who are clearly a bad fit for you don’t engage with you in the first place?

• Since our profession is grounded in trust, wouldn’t you want the chance to create a feeling of safety and stability for prospective clients to eliminate any modicum of doubt about whether you are in fact in business or not?

• Don’t you want clients who are not referred by insurance companies (yet might be a better fit) a chance to find you?

(That last one might sound like Question #1 from above (Are insurance companies really matching you with the right types of clients?), but there’s a subtle distinction – you may answer “yes” and say, “Insurance companies are sending me great clients,” but it still may be the case that there are other really great clients who might want to hire you but can’t find you online.)

And, yes, in case you haven’t guessed, I was that annoying kid who asked too many questions. If I’ve at least piqued your curiosity, below are the key reasons why I believe it is critical for therapists to have a website (or at a minimum a listing a website like Portland Therapy Center.

1. Increased visibility and accessibility for your counseling practice.

A website maximizes your ability to showcase your services, expertise, and therapeutic style to a wider audience. Potential clients can easily find you online and learn about your background, values, specialties, and approach to therapy. They also can get a sense of your personality and see if you might be a good fit. A website also makes it easier for people to contact you, either through a contact form, a link to your email, or a phone number and to offer them a free consultation.

2. You will exhibit a (much) higher level of professionalism and credibility.

A website demonstrates that you are a professional therapist who is committed to your practice and dedicated to helping people. It helps you build credibility by allowing you to provide information about your qualifications, education, and experience. Clients are more likely to trust a therapist who has a polished and well-designed website than one who doesn't have an online presence at all. If you like to write, you can start a blog to further augment your authority and clout.

3. Sharing resources and managing your schedule will be easier.

A website lets you to offer information and resources to clients without having to be physically present. You can post articles, videos, and other materials that clients can access at any time. This is especially helpful for those who are shy or have trouble reaching out for help in person. A website also makes it easier for you to manage your schedule and communicate with clients, whether you're in the office or working remotely.

4. Marketing and promotion will be more powerful.

If you have musings of creating an e-course, writing a book, or starting a blog or a podcast, a website is a potent marketing tool for promoting side projects. It can not only help you reach new clients to promote your services but expand your geographic reach beyond the region you currently serve. A good example of this is Mac Prichard of Mac’s List, a job board founded by Mac Prichard that is based in Portland and serves the Pacific Northwest. Prichard has been able to expand his reach through his Find Your Dream Job podcast to a national audience of mission-driven people who tune in for tools on how to navigate tough career challenges. Though Prichard is not a therapist, his example illustrates how a person’s influence can magnify exponentially beyond their local community.

5. You’ll easily crush SEO (Search Engine Optimization).

A basic understanding of SEO (search engine optimization) also makes it possible to optimize your website for search engines (like Google) to drive traffic to your site. If you’re just a little bit active on social media as a counselor/business owner, SEO is even easier to crush (though still something you’ll have to learn how to master). You can also use your website to offer special promotions and discounts, or to announce upcoming events or workshops.

While you can still run a successful practice without one, therapists and counselors who want to build a reputation and a truly thriving, recession-proof practice need a website. It makes you easier to find, matches you with the clients you really want to work with, makes a more lasting impression, and puts you in an enviable position to create a robust platform for marketing and promoting other services and products. If you haven't already, consider creating a website for your therapy practice today. In a future blog post, I’ll share some tips for getting your website started.