Strategic Web Marketing
for Therapists
Convey your unique, special qualities as a Therapist.
Getting Started
So you think the time has come for you to have a website for your therapy practice, but you have no idea how to begin?
We understand!
Creating a website is an organic process, a journey of discovery. And as you'll see, it is also great fun! Here are the steps to getting a great website that will help you grow your practice.
Step 1: Educate yourself.
Begin by reading all of the educational material on this site so that you will know the difference between a good site and a bad one.
Be sure to see the Top Ten Keys to a Successful Website, and don't miss the Top Three Mistakes Therapists Make With Their Websites.
Then look at a lot of therapist websites and notice how ineffective most of them are. You can find some at sites like http://www.networktherapy.com and http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/prof_search.php
These two sites may even be good places for you to advertise yourself.
Step 2: Find your authentic voice.
After completing Step 1 you will understand how important it is to come across as authentic, friendly, passionate and caring. When you feel ready, write down a short Summary Statement that captures the juicy essence of your therapeutic vision in a way that comes from the heart.
Step 3: Evoke your symbols and metaphors.
Using any evocative therapy technique that works for you (dreamwork, sensory stimili, meditation, a walk in nature, free association, etc.), visualize the colors and metaphors that feel harmonious with your therapeutic vision (e.g., cool, soothing blues or hot oranges and reds; a butterfly, a spiral, a flame, etc.). Write these down.
Later we will use these Symbols and Metaphors to choose or create a graphic design for your website that will intrigue and attract your ideal client! For now, just write down what came to you.
Step 4: Write your website text
Using whatever word processor you have, write one page of whatever length feels right to convey to your prospective client the unique and special essence of each Specialty Area you are focusing on. Three to six Specialty Areas (3-6 pages) will be ideal.
Then write a page "About Me" and finally, an overall intro and summary for your Home page.
Let your personality come through and speak from your heart, your enthusiasm and your passion in a way that is completely authentic.
Step 5: Rethink your belief that you'll save money by building your website yourself.
All of the do-it-yourself websites we've seen look like a 4th grader built them. They are cheap, yes, and they LOOK cheap. They send the message "I am not a successful therapist." Most of them will actually cost you more in the long run because of the high monthly hosting charges!
Most of the templates these do-it-yourself sites come with are quite unsuitable for therapists. They are usually designed to appeal to a young, hip audience and get them excited about buying something... the very opposite of the peace, joy and wholeness your services are all about.
Step 6: Contact us.
You're ready now to partner with us to create a brilliant website. Use our Contact form to send us your Summary Statement (from Step 2 above), your budget preferences and contact info. Once we see what you've written we will know how to help you to create the ideal website to bring you exactly the kinds of clients you want to work with.
