It’s tempting to look at other therapists, coaches or creators and think:

“It’s easier for them because they’re bigger.”

But what we often forget is that every established business once started small.

In this solo episode, I reflect on the early days of my own private practice and Therapy Growth Group as we approach its sixth birthday. I talk about fear, comparison, visibility and the courage it takes to keep showing up when you’re still finding your feet.

Because behind every “overnight success” are usually years of small steps, awkward beginnings and learning as you go.

I also explore why helping just one person still matters, why growth can actually be easier to manage when it happens gradually, and how success often looks very different from what we imagine.

Whether you’re just starting out in private practice or feeling discouraged because your audience, client list or confidence still feels small, I hope this episode encourages you to keep going.

In this episode:

• Why comparing yourself to more established therapists can stop you taking action
• What people don’t see behind business growth
• The importance of courage over confidence
• Why helping one person still counts
• How consistency builds confidence over time
• Why starting small can actually help you grow sustainably
• The ripple effects that can happen when you keep going

I also share:

• The story behind starting Therapy Growth Group
• What six years in business has taught me
• Why I still feel fear even now

Training mentioned in this episode:

• Five Ways to Attract New Clients
• Exploring Your Niche
• Ask Me Anything

You can find details of all current training here:

https://josephinehughes.as.me/training

If this episode encouraged you, I’d love it if you shared it with another therapist who needs reminding that starting small still counts.

Setting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERE

Need ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HERE

You can also find me here:

The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook Group

Josephine Hughes on Facebook

Josephine Hughes on YouTube

My website: josephinehughes.com

Keywords: private practice growth, starting a counselling business, success in therapy practice, building confidence as a therapist, therapy marketing strategies, finding your niche in therapy, private practice challenges, therapist training and development, encouraging small businesses, client attraction strategies, therapy visibility, successful counselling practices

The information contained in Good Enough Counsellors is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this podcast are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this podcast.

Josephine Hughes disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this podcast.

In this episode, I'm joined by Annie Jones from Rayleigh Marketing to talk about why Facebook is a useful tool to promote your private practice.

We explore how local Facebook groups, recommendations, consistency, and good quality content can help therapists become more visible without needing to post every day or share your entire personal life online.

In this episode:

• why Facebook still works for local businesses
• the importance of recommendations and local groups
• how often you really need to post
• planning content without burning out
• why consistency matters more than quantity
• ideas for therapists who dislike having their photo taken
• simple ways to make posts more engaging
• mistakes small businesses often make on social media
• Facebook ads, hashtags, keywords, and location tags
• how to stay visible without becoming overwhelmed

You can connect with Annie on Facebook HERE, Instagram HERE and find out more about her club HERE

For more information about Josephine's training courses, please click here: https://josephinehughes.as.me/training

Social Media Ideas for June 2026:

Pride Month and Stillbirth & Neonatal Death Awareness Month

7th: Tourettes Awareness

8th: Carers Week

15th Loneliness Awareness Week (listen to ep 64 on using AI for social media for a deep dive into ideas)

18th: Autistic Pride

27th: PTSD Awareness

Setting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERE

Need ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HERE

You can also find me here:

The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook Group

Josephine Hughes on Facebook

Josephine Hughes on YouTube

My website: josephinehughes.com

Keywords: Facebook for small businesses, recommendations on Facebook, social media tips for therapists, local Facebook groups, social media visibility, social media content planning, engagement on Facebook, client recommendations, Facebook advertising for therapists, marketing for private practice, Facebook engagement techniques

The information contained in Good Enough Counsellors is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this podcast are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this podcast.

Josephine Hughes disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this podcast.

What if you don't have to be “good at art” to work creatively as a therapist?

In this week’s episode of the Good Enough Counsellors podcast, I’m joined by counsellor, developer and all-round creative thinker Yasmin Shaheen-Zaffar to talk about using creativity in therapy sessions, both online and face to face.

Yasmin is one of those people who is always creating ideas, tools and resources, and we explore how her neurodivergence, technical background and passion for emotional regulation have shaped the way she works with clients.

We talk about:

• why many therapists don’t think of themselves as creative
• how creative approaches can help clients express themselves differently
• using creative tools in online sessions without it feeling clunky or awkward
• emotional regulation, rejection sensitivity and neurodivergence
• the fear therapists often have around visibility and being judged
• how creativity can make psycho-education feel more accessible and engaging
• why playful doesn’t have to mean childish
• and why some ideas need time to develop and “simmer”

Yasmin also shares some of the interactive resources she’s developed for therapists and clients, including her “Sandwich of Capacity” tool inspired by the Window of Tolerance.

You can find out more about Yasmin and use her resources HERE

And if you’d like support growing your own private practice, you can find out more about my webinars and training HERE

Setting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERE

Need ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HERE

You can also find me here:

The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook Group

Josephine Hughes on Facebook

Josephine Hughes on YouTube

My website: josephinehughes.com

Keywords: creativity in therapy, neurodivergent counselling techniques, creative tools for therapists, online therapy resources, therapy techniques for neurodivergent clients, integrating creativity in sessions, therapist visibility and marketing, building a creative practice, resources for therapists, psychological tools for emotional regulation, playful therapy activities, using art in counseling, overcoming therapist self-doubt

The information contained in Good Enough Counsellors is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this podcast are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this podcast.

Josephine Hughes disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this podcast.

Why isn’t your therapy profile getting enquiries?

If you’ve listed yourself on directories such as Psychology Today, Counselling Directory or BACP Find a Therapist and you’re hearing very little back, this episode will help you think about what your clients need to hear in order to feel able to choose you.

In today's episode:

• the power of a good profile and how it helps your private practice
• why talking about your modality doesn't help
• the importance of taking reading age into consideration
• avoiding technical language and industry jargon
• what frightens clients away
• qualifications versus connection and relatability
• understanding client search behaviour

Already listed on a directory and it’s not bringing enquiries? Come along to my webinar on what might be missing and how to make what you're already doing more effective. Click HERE to learn more

Click HERE to learn more about Therapy Growth Group. The next Make Your Profile Work challenge takes place in June 2026.

This is a re-issue of Episode 14: Ditch the Jargon

Setting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERE

Need ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HERE

You can also find me here:

The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook Group

Josephine Hughes on Facebook

Josephine Hughes on YouTube

My website: josephinehughes.com

Keywords: counsellor, psychotherapist, private practice marketing, therapy directory, psychology today, counselling directory, therapy profile

The information contained in Good Enough Counsellors is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this podcast are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this podcast.

Josephine Hughes disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this podcast.

As a therapist, you may be asking yourself: "Am I competent to work with trans clients?". In this interview with Josiah Twiselton of Offbeat Therapy, we explore what it really means to offer a welcoming space to transgender people.

Key Takeaways:

• Allyship is more than the absence of hostility towards cients
• How therapists can unintentionally centre themselves while trying to help
• The small and often unnoticed ways therapy can feel inaccessible
• What therapists can do if they're not sure they are "ready" to work with trans clients
• How to think honestly about competence with this client group
• Why older transgender clients may lack social support
• The challenges faced by drag performers
• Why lived experience and community matter when working with trans clients
• How recognising trans joy is as important as recognising struggles
• The current situation for transgender people in the UK

Josiah Twiselton is the founder of Offbeat Therapy where he specialises in working with older transgender people, drag performers and queer creatives. His video-based course "Trans Allyship for Counsellors" is available for purchase from his website HERE. Use the code GEC2026 to receive a 10% discount.

If you're a cis (non trans) woman who would like to show your support for inclusion, please sign the Not In Our Name women's open letter HERE. It calls attention to the real cause of violence against women and girls and enables you to say that you, as a woman, value trans inclusion.

Setting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERE

Need ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HERE

You can also find me here:

The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook Group

Josephine Hughes on Facebook

Josephine Hughes on YouTube

My website: josephinehughes.com

KEYWORDS: trans therapy, LGBTQ+ therapy, inclusive counseling, trans joy, barriers to therapy, older trans people, trans therapist training, allyship in therapy, trans mental health, queer therapy, access to counselling, diversity in therapy, community support for trans people, mental health for trans individuals, supporting drag performers, therapy for marginalized communities

The information contained in Good Enough Counsellors is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this podcast are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this podcast.

Josephine Hughes disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this podcast.

If you’ve ever posted on social media and felt like you were talking into the void, this episode is for you.

So many therapists tell me they feel discouraged when their posts don’t get likes or comments, or when they see others getting much more engagement. It can make you question whether it’s worth continuing at all.

In this episode, I’m not suggesting you stop using social media. Instead, I’m sharing a different way to think about it.

Because what if your posts are working - but just not in the way you expect?

I talk about:

• Why low engagement doesn’t mean your content isn’t helping
• The “silent followers” who may be reading without interacting
• How clients can find you through search, not just likes
• Why niching can reduce likes but increase relevance
• How to stay consistent when it feels like nothing is happening
• A simple shift that helped me move from comparison back to purpose

Looking for simple content ideas this month?

Key dates to consider:

• Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week (4th–10th May)
• Mental Health Awareness Week (11th–17th May) – this year’s theme is Action
• Black Inclusion Week and Trans+ History Week
• Dementia Awareness Week and World MS Day

For lighter, engaging posts:

• World Laughter Day (3rd May)
• International Tea Day (21st May)
• International Hug a Cat Day (30th May)

You don’t need to cover everything. Choose what fits your work and your clients, and use these as simple ways to stay visible and connect.

In this episode, I mention a previous episode with Becky Willoughby of Willow Therapy Tring. It's episode 75: Grow Your Therapy Practice by Nurturing Connection

For more information about Therapy Growth Group, please click HERE

Setting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERE

Need ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HERE

You can also find me here:

The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook Group

Josephine Hughes on Facebook

Josephine Hughes on YouTube

My website: josephinehughes.com

Keywords: social media engagement, private practice marketing, therapist social media tips, social media algorithms, online presence for therapists, social media consistency, overcoming social media comparison, connecting with clients online, content creation for therapists, measuring social media success, mental health content ideas, social media for therapists

The information contained in Good Enough Counsellors is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this podcast are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this podcast.

Josephine Hughes disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this podcast.

Do you really need a website to start attracting therapy clients?

In this episode of Good Enough Counsellors, I’m joined by Vicky Jackson, website designer and founder of TukTuk Creative. Vicky shares a refreshing perspective that many therapists will find reassuring: you don’t necessarily need a website straight away.

We explore what actually helps potential clients find and choose you, from the power of networking and word of mouth referrals to the importance of building trust through your authentic voice. Vicky also brings her personal experience of searching for a therapist, offering valuable insight into how clients make their decisions.

If you’ve been feeling pressured to have everything in place before putting yourself out there, this conversation is a gentle reminder that getting found is often about simple foundations rather than perfection.

Takeaways:

• You don’t have to do everything at once. Simple steps like networking and referrals can be powerful starting points.
• A website is most effective when strong foundations are already in place, such as clarity about who you'd most like to work with.
• Authenticity builds trust. Clients are more likely to reach out when they feel they have a sense of who you are.
• Word of mouth remains one of the most effective ways to attract new clients.
• Progress over perfection is often the key to building a sustainable private practice.

Connect with Vicky on her website HERE or via LinkedIn HERE

You can find details of Therapy Growth Group HERE

Have you ever found yourself comparing what you do to someone else… and felt your confidence dip?

In this episode, I share a recent moment where I came across an offer that looked similar to mine but at a much lower price - and how it knocked my confidence more than I expected.

More importantly, I talk about what helped me move through that comparison and come back to a more grounded, fair way of looking at myself and my work.

If you’ve ever questioned your fees, your value, or whether you’re “good enough” compared to other therapists, this episode will really resonate.

• How comparison knocks your confidence
• Why we often compare things that aren’t actually the same
• The difference between low-cost offers and higher-support spaces
• Why private practice isn’t a zero-sum game
• How comparison shows up in pricing, niching, and visibility
• Why talking about your work isn’t “selling”
• How to be fairer and kinder to yourself

Therapy Growth Group

If you’re looking for support to grow your private practice, Therapy Growth Group offers:

• Regular live calls and Ask Me Anything sessions
• Support with profiles, blogs, and social media
• A small, committed community of therapists
• Ongoing guidance tailored to your situation

You can read more about it HERE

Setting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERE

Need ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HERE

You can also find me here:

The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook Group

Josephine Hughes on Facebook

Josephine Hughes on YouTube

My website: josephinehughes.com

Keywords: overcoming comparison, private practice success, pricing therapy services, therapist marketing strategies, confidence in counselling, undervaluing yourself, support for therapists, growing a therapy business, therapy growth group, managing self-doubt, finding your niche as a therapist, unique selling points for counsellors, building client relationships, therapist visibility