Good Enough Counsellors
- Folgen
- 141
- Erscheint
- wöchentlich
- Letzte Folge
- 12. Nov. 2026
Über den Podcast
Do you feel overwhelmed when you look around and see what other counsellors and psychotherapists are doing in private practice? Does it leave you wondering whether you’ll ever be able to build a sustainable counselling practice of your own? The truth is, while there are lots of marketing strategies out there for therapists (which I’ll talk about), the most important thing is getting started and staying visible in your private practice. And that can feel incredibly hard when you’re faced with an empty diary, too many options, and the pressure of comparing yourself to glossy, confident-looking therapists online. The Good Enough Counsellors podcast is for UK counsellors and psychotherapists in private practice who want to get clients, grow their confidence, and build a practice that feels ethical, realistic, and sustainable — without the pressure to be perfect. I’m Josephine Hughes, a BACP Accredited Counsellor, and I help counsellors in private practice with marketing, visibility, and confidence so they can grow their practice in a way that feels like them.
Folgen 141
Getting therapy clients through insurance companies with Louise Hiles
Have you considered working with therapy clients where their counselling is paid for by insurance companies? In today's episode I speak with Louise Hiles, psychotherapist, supervisor and coach, who has a …
Shownotes
Have you considered working with therapy clients where their counselling is paid for by insurance companies? In today's episode I speak with Louise Hiles, psychotherapist, supervisor and coach, who has a private practice where approximately 25% of her income is from insurance work.
Louise explains what is involved when working with insurance companies like Bupa, Aviva and AXA, and what you need to consider before getting started.
In this episode:
- How insurance work differs from EAP work
- Accreditation and registration requirements for working with insurance companies
- How clients find you and why you still need to market your practice
- Fees, payment times, invoices and policy excesses
- Session allowances and requesting extensions
- Deciding whether or not this work is for you.
Resources:
Download Louise's free "Worth it or Not" guide
As a thank you for listening to Good Enough Counsellors, you can save 15% on Louise's course From Overwhelmed to Insurance Ready Use the code JOSEPHINE at checkout.
You can find out more about Louise at her website: louisehiles.com
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: getting therapy clients, insurance work for therapists, working with insurance companies, counselling private practice, how to get counselling clients, Bupa therapist, Aviva therapist, AXA therapist, insurance funded therapy, private health insurance counselling, accredited counsellors, therapist accreditation, building a private practice, Louise Hiles, Josephine Hughes, Good Enough Counsellors
We are an affiliate of Louise Hiles and may be paid commission if you buy through our link. As we are an affiliate and From Overwhelmed to Insurance Ready was created by a third party, we shall have no liability whatsoever in any circumstances to you in relation to the course From Overwhelmed to Insurance Ready (including in relation to any consequential loss of any type whatsoever) other than in relation to matters for which we are not lawfully able to limit or exclude our liability
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.
AI and the BACP Ethical Framework: Where Do You Start?
The BACP Ethical Framework 2026 includes a section on the ethical use of AI in therapeutic settings. However, many therapists don't know where to start with AI and indeed, may not want to use it at all in their …
Shownotes
The BACP Ethical Framework 2026 includes a section on the ethical use of AI in therapeutic settings. However, many therapists don't know where to start with AI and indeed, may not want to use it at all in their practice. In this episode, we examine where you may be using AI without realising and what you need to consider in order to keep you and your clients safe.
In this episode:
- Do you feel like you don't know enough? This isn't you, it's a reflection of how fast AI is changing our interactions with technology
- Could you already be using AI without realising and why it is worth checking your practice management tools
- What does the BACP Ethical Framework say about AI? Understanding risk, transparency and informed consent
- What happens to client information? What to ask and a tip on using AI to help
- What about insurance and supervision?
- Further sources of support
Resources:
Ethical AI Practice: For Counsellors & Psychotherapists in the UK by Ken Kelly
The BACP Ethics Checklist mentioned in the episode was removed from the website when the new Ethical Framework came into effect. Currently the website is hosting a video conversation Ethics and the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and an updated checklist will be issued in the next few weeks.
This episode is part of a series created about the new Ethical Framework. Catch up with the others as follows:
Episode 138: Facebook and the New BACP Ethical Framework
Episode 139: Ethical Framework 2026: A conversation with BACP
And over on Patreon, Good Enough Counsellors Backstage: Worried about getting the BACP Ethical Framework wrong?
If you enjoy the podcast and it's helped you in your practice, please consider supporting Josephine's work over on Patreon. You'll receive extra resources, a shout out on the podcast and you'll be paying it forward for other therapists in the future.
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: AI and counselling, BACP Ethical Framework 2026, ethical AI use, AI in private practice, counsellors and AI, client confidentiality, informed consent, client data protection, digital tools for therapists, professional judgement, AI risk assessment, counselling supervision, Ken Kelly, Ethical AI Practice, Good Enough Counsellors
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.
Ethical Framework 2026: A conversation with the BACP
Has the new BACP Ethical Framework 2026 left you wondering what you’re supposed to do?In this episode, I’m joined by Nicola Blunden, BACP’s Deputy Head of Professional Standards, and Marita Morahan, who led the …
Shownotes
Has the new BACP Ethical Framework 2026 left you wondering what you’re supposed to do?
In this episode, I’m joined by Nicola Blunden, BACP’s Deputy Head of Professional Standards, and Marita Morahan, who led the review of the Ethical Framework, to explore what it means for our everyday practice.
We talk about why there isn’t always one answer that fits everyone, and how the framework’s decision-making questions can help us work out what is appropriate for our clients and our circumstances.
We also discuss:
- Why relationship and context matter when making ethical decisions
- What collaborative working with clients can look like
- Record keeping, clinical wills and concerns about notes after death
- Recognising our power and responding when we get something wrong
- Competence, training and supervision
- Social media, personal beliefs and the potential impact on clients
- Why we must retain responsibility for our decisions when using AI
I found the conversation helpful in understanding how to use the framework, and I hope it helps you feel more confident about approaching it too.
The Ethical Framework 2026 takes effect on 3 November 2026. This conversation explores general principles and considerations rather than providing advice for individual ethical situations.
You can also find me here:
The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook Group
Josephine Hughes on Facebook
Josephine Hughes on YouTube
My website: josephinehughes.com
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
BACP Ethical Framework 2026, BACP ethics, counselling ethics, ethical decision-making, clinical wills for counsellors, counselling record keeping, client notes after death, confidentiality, collaborative working, anti-oppressive practice, counselling supervision, therapist competence, social media boundaries, AI in counselling, counsellors in private practice, Nicola Blunden, Marita Morahan, Good Enough Counsellors
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.
Kapitel (7)
Facebook and the New BACP Ethical Framework
The new BACP Ethical Framework 2026 contains requirements regarding clear separation between personal and professional social media. But how practical is this for Facebook when many groups bar Facebook pages …
Shownotes
The new BACP Ethical Framework 2026 contains requirements regarding clear separation between personal and professional social media. But how practical is this for Facebook when many groups bar Facebook pages from participating? Additionally, how freely can a therapist speak in their personal capacity when much is publicly available online? These questions, together with how to protect client confidentiality on social media, are explored in today's podcast.
The episode also includes post ideas for November 2026.
In this episode:
- The limitations of professional accounts on Facebook
- Why setting up an additional personal account may be problematic
- An alternative way to ensure boundaries are in place
- The care that therapists need to take when speaking in a personal capacity on social media
- Honesty about your service
- Protecting client confidentiality when using social media
- Ideas for posts for November 2026
This week's Good Enough Counsellors: Backstage bonus episode describes an alternative approach to using Facebook which utilises a personal account while limiting the personal information visible to the public. For practical guidance on putting these boundaries in place, please access the podcast via the Good Enough Counsellors patreon feed, which you can subscribe to here: https://patreon.com/goodenoughcounsellors
(please note, use a web browser to access the standard fees, if you use the Apple Patreon app, you will be charged more)
November 2026 Social Media Post Ideas for Counsellors:
Throughout November: Men’s Health Awareness Month / Movember.
2–8 November: Pressures of life, linked to Talk Money Week (from 2 November) and Stress Awareness Day (5 November).
9–15 November: Kindness and remembrance, linked to Remembrance Sunday (8 November) and World Kindness Day (13 November).
16–22 November: Feeling safe to be yourself, linked to Anti-Bullying Week and Disability History Month (from 16 November), International Men’s Day (19 November) and Transgender Day of Remembrance (20 November).
23–30 November: Spending pressures and boundaries, linked to Black Friday (27 November) and Personal Space Day (30 November).
You can also find me here:
The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook Group
Josephine Hughes on Facebook
Josephine Hughes on YouTube
My website: josephinehughes.com
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
Keywords: BACP Ethical Framework 2026, counsellors on Facebook, social media ethics, counselling boundaries, client confidentiality, ethical marketing for therapists, personal and professional boundaries, counselling private practice, Good Enough Counsellors
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.
Kapitel (5)
Why Are Private Practice Therapists Vulnerable to Burnout? - with Dr Claire Plumbly
Why are private practice therapists vulnerable to burnout, what are the signs they need to look out for - and how can they avoid it happening? In this interview, clinical psychologist and author, Dr Claire …
Shownotes
Why are private practice therapists vulnerable to burnout, what are the signs they need to look out for - and how can they avoid it happening? In this interview, clinical psychologist and author, Dr Claire Plumbly, defines burnout and describes the warning signs that may appear in the therapeutic relationship. We discuss the factors that make therapists particularly vulnerable to burnout and what not to say to help them.
Takeaways:
- What's the official definition of burnout?
- How to recognise burnout
- How factors such as perfectionism, high standards and the desire to help add to workplace pressure on therapists
- Why private practice can make burnout more likely
- How to make private practice more sustainable
- What to do when burnout begins to appear
Dr Claire Plumbly is a clinical psychologist in private practice and the author of Burnout: How to Manage Your Nervous System Before It Manages You.
You can download Claire's free burnout formulation tool here: https://burnout-blueprint.subscribepage.io/(normally retails at £6)
For Claire's website including details of her book, speaking and burnout resources go to https://drclaireplumbly.com or for her therapy practice: https://plum-psychology.co.uk
To access Good Enough Counsellors: Backstage and Claire's description of the 5 P's model for preventing burnout in therapy practice, please go to: https://patreon.com/goodenoughcounsellors
You can also find me here:
The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook Group
Josephine Hughes on Facebook
Josephine Hughes on YouTube
My website: josephinehughes.com
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
Keywords: therapist burnout, burnout in private practice, counsellor burnout, preventing therapist burnout, signs of burnout, Dr Claire Plumbly, Good Enough Counsellors, Josephine Hughes, therapist wellbeing, counsellor wellbeing, burnout prevention, compassion fatigue, therapist self-care, setting boundaries in private practice, perfectionism in therapists, therapist imposter syndrome, financial anxiety in private practice, sustainable private practice, running a counselling practice, private practice therapists, mental health professionals, nervous system and burnout, work life balance for therapists, therapist exhaustion
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.
Kapitel
Kapitel werden geladen …
Why is it so hard to ask for help?
Why is it so hard to ask for help when we're quite happy to offer it?In this rather vulnerable episode of the Good Enough Counsellors podcast, I'm sharing something I've been thinking about for a long time and …
Shownotes
Why is it so hard to ask for help when we're quite happy to offer it?
In this rather vulnerable episode of the Good Enough Counsellors podcast, I'm sharing something I've been thinking about for a long time and have finally plucked up the courage to do.
It has been difficult to get to this point as it's brought up all sorts of feelings for me. These include whether I should be able to manage by myself, being willing to receive and to admit I need help.
But what if people want to help and how, by valuing independence, am I denying people the gift of support?
I'm also sharing a taster of something new I've been creating - a behind the scenes podcast. In it I take you behind the scenes of exhibiting at the BACP Private Practice Conference. I share something that can hold me back. "Perfectionism Paralysis" and how I get over it.
What if you don't need to feel completely ready before you do the thing that scares you?
In this episode:
- Why asking for help can feel so vulnerable
- Something my daughter said that changed how I thought about receiving support
- My latest, rather scary, business adventure
- A taster of my new private podcast
- How perfectionism nearly stopped me exhibiting at the BACP conference
- Why "good enough" can sometimes get us further than trying to get everything right
Find out more about my Patreon 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
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
Keywords: therapist self-doubt, therapist imposter syndrome, perfectionism, private practice confidence, therapist confidence, counsellor confidence, starting before you feel ready, good enough counsellors, therapist private practice, BACP Private Practice Conference, Patreon 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.
Kapitel
Kapitel werden geladen …
Can You Afford Your Private Practice? With Claire Ratcliffe
Have you ever sat down and worked out how much your private practice is costing you? Sometimes it's more than you realise and this can have an impact on whether it's a business that actually supports you.Your …
Shownotes
Have you ever sat down and worked out how much your private practice is costing you? Sometimes it's more than you realise and this can have an impact on whether it's a business that actually supports you.
Your session fees need to not only cover day to day costs such as supervision, but also allow for holidays, sickness and retirement.
In this second episode with psychotherapist and supervisor, Claire Ratcliffe, we discuss how to build a sustainable practice including how to attract clients.
In this episode:
- How Claire started TikTok, despite her discomfort with visibility, and how she makes it work alongside running a busy practice and being a single parent
- The impact of her TikTok channel on her enquiries
- Why she thinks it is important to let people know who you are and what you offer rather than relying on a single place to find clients
- The hidden costs of running a private practice
- The beliefs therapists can have about being greedy or selfish and the impact on their fees
- Accessibility and why higher fees can make it easier to offer concessions
- How our personal history with money can affect the fees we are comfortable to charge
- Why comparing your fees with another therapist can be misleading due to different financial circumstances
The main message Claire would like you to take away is not "Charge what you're worth" but to remember your worth isn't determined by what you charge. It doesn't change if you charge £50 or £500. Instead, base your fees on what your practice, your health and your wellbeing need so that you can continue to keep doing the work.
And if Claire’s comments about letting people know who you are and what you have to offer have got you thinking about your own practice, this is exactly what we’ll be working on next in Therapy Growth Group.
From the week beginning 12th October, we’ll be spending four weeks looking at your niche: who you most want to help, what makes you unique and how you can communicate that so the right clients can find you.
If you’d like some support to work through this alongside other therapists, you can find out more about Therapy Growth Group HERE
If you'd like to find out more about Claire and her new supervision group aimed at relationship therapists, please visit her website 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: private practice counselling, therapist private practice, sustainable private practice, counselling fees, therapist fees, how much should therapists charge, setting counselling fees, raising counselling fees, money mindset for therapists, cost of private practice, private practice expenses, therapist burnout, attracting therapy clients, how to get counselling clients, marketing for therapists, therapist visibility, social media for therapists, TikTok for therapists, counselling marketing, building a therapy practice, growing a private practice, private practice income, counsellor private practice UK, psychotherapist private practice, Claire Ratcliffe, Josephine Hughes, Good Enough Counsellors
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.
How to Feel More Confident Working with Couples - with Claire Ratcliffe
Working with couples can feel very different from working with individual clients. There are two people in the room, two different perspectives and the added challenge of managing what happens between them.In …
Shownotes
Working with couples can feel very different from working with individual clients. There are two people in the room, two different perspectives and the added challenge of managing what happens between them.
In this episode of the Good Enough Counsellors podcast, I talk to integrative psychotherapist, couples therapist and clinical supervisor Claire Ratcliffe about how therapists can feel more confident working with couples.
Claire shares that she didn't always enjoy couples work. Despite completing couples therapy training, she initially felt out of her depth and eventually removed couples counselling from her profile altogether. It was only when she found an approach that suited her, alongside specialist training and supervision, that her experience began to change.
Today, couples work is something she loves.
We talk about what makes couples counselling so rewarding, as well as some of the challenges therapists can face when working with more than one client in the room and how to handle them.
Towards the end of our conversation, we return to something that made a huge difference to both Claire's experience and my own reflections on working with couples: supervision. Claire explains why specialist couples supervision matters and how learning alongside other therapists can help you develop your skills and feel less alone when the work feels challenging.
Claire is also developing a group supervision membership for couples and relationship therapists, with opportunities to learn through case discussion and shared experience. You can find out more about Claire and her supervision offer through the links below.
In this episode, we discuss:- Why Claire initially stopped offering couples counselling
- The difference the right training and specialist supervision can make
- What Claire now loves about working with couples
- How childhood experiences and trauma can play out within relationships
- Helping partners listen without immediately reacting or making it about themselves
- Why slowing things down can be so important in couples therapy
- Sex, shame and differences in desire within relationships
- Resentment, contempt and what can happen when couples seek help very late
- Why couples therapists can benefit from learning together in supervision
- What to do if you want to work with couples but don't yet feel confident
If you've ever received an enquiry from a couple and wondered whether you're really equipped to help them, I hope this conversation reassures you that feeling out of your depth doesn't necessarily mean couples work isn't for you. Sometimes it means you need more training, more support and the opportunity to learn alongside people who understand the particular challenges of the work.
About Claire Ratcliffe
Claire Ratcliffe is an integrative psychotherapist, couples therapist and clinical supervisor. She works extensively with relationships, trauma and psychosexual issues and is passionate about helping other therapists develop their confidence in couples work.
Claire also hosts the Healing Relationships: With Ourselves, Others & The World podcast and shares relationship education on TikTok.
You can find out more about Claire and her supervision on her website, HERE
Therapy Growth Group
If this episode has got you thinking about the support you'd like with your own private practice, you can also find details of Therapy Growth Group below.
From the week beginning 12 October, we'll be spending four weeks exploring your niche: who you most want to help, how you uniquely help them, why clients might choose you and how you can communicate that clearly to prospective clients.
Therapy Growth Group includes regular live calls where you can ask questions, get feedback and connect with other therapists building their private practices.
Find out more on Josephine's website, https://josephinehughes.com
You can also find me here:
The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook Group
Josephine Hughes on Facebook
Josephine Hughes on YouTube
My website: josephinehughes.com
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
Keywords: couples counselling, couples therapy, working with couples, couples counsellor, relationship therapy, relationship counselling, therapist confidence, couples therapy training, couples therapy supervision, relationship therapist, clinical supervision, counselling supervision, private practice therapist, couples therapy skills, trauma and relationships, childhood trauma and relationships, psychosexual therapy, sex and relationships, relationship conflict, working with relationship issues, counsellor private practice, psychotherapist private practice, Good Enough Counsellors, Claire Ratcliffe, Josephine Hughes
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.
How Social Media Works Even When No One's Reading
It can be easy to wonder if there is any point posting on social media if hardly anyone likes it or no one comments.But what if your social media is doing more work than you realise?In this episode of the Good …
Shownotes
It can be easy to wonder if there is any point posting on social media if hardly anyone likes it or no one comments.
But what if your social media is doing more work than you realise?
In this episode of the Good Enough Counsellors podcast, I share how having a presence on social media can help potential clients find you - even if they never actually read your posts.
I share my own experience of learning just how much Meta AI knew about me from my online presence: and why this is welcome from a marketing viewpoint. We're no longer only writing for humans because AI is increasingly using information from across the internet to understand who we are, what we do and who we're able to help.
You'll learn some simple ways to make it easier for AI to recommend you to clients and as this is my monthly social media episode, I also give you ideas for October.
In this episode:
- Why low engagement doesn't necessarily mean your social media isn't working
- How AI is changing the way people may find and choose therapists
- Why being clear about who you help matters
- How repeating your areas of interest can strengthen your online presence
- Using real questions people ask as inspiration for posts
- October content ideas around lived experience, identity, change and failure
- Why lighter engagement posts still have a place on your social media
Links & Resources mentioned in this episode:
I'm running an Onlinevents workshop, Private Practice: Who Do You Most Want to Help?, on 26 September, exploring niching and becoming clearer about the people you most want to work with. You can book more HERE
I'm also working on a new resource about how therapists can improve their digital presence so they're more likely to be found and recommended through AI search. Click HERE if you'd like to hear more when it's ready.
Nicola Blunden's episode Trusting What Clients Know appeared in September 2025 and explores epistemic justice.
And coming up on the podcast next week, Claire Ratcliffe joins me to talk about couples counselling, followed by a second episode looking at fees and creating a financially sustainable private practice.
October Social Media Ideas
This year's World Mental Health Day theme of listening to lived experience gives us a starting point for thinking about what we've learnt from the people we work with and whose voices we might want to amplify. I also look at some of October's awareness dates around neurodivergence, menopause, Black History Month and LGBTQ+ experiences.
There are ideas around change and transition as autumn arrives, failure and perfectionism, and some lighter opportunities for posts that simply help people get to know you.
October dates listed in this episode:
- October, all month: ADHD Awareness Month
- October, all month: Menopause Awareness Month
- October, all month: Black History Month UK
- 1 October: International Coffee Day
- 8 October: International Lesbian Day & World Dyslexia Awareness Day
- 10 October: World Mental Health Day
- 11 October: Coming Out Day
- 13 October: Day for Failure
- 14 October: Face Your Fears Day
- 16 October: Global Cat Day
- 15 October: International Pronouns Day
- 25 October: Daylight Saving Time ends / clocks go back
- 27 October: Black Cat Day
- 31 October: Halloween
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 for therapists, therapist marketing, counselling private practice, getting counselling clients, AI search for therapists, social media marketing, therapist visibility, private practice marketing, social media content ideas, October social media ideas
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.
Kapitel
Kapitel werden geladen …
Working with Eating Disorders When You're Not a Specialist - with Kel O'Neill
What happens when you realise a client has an eating disorder, but you're not an eating disorder specialist?As therapists, we're taught not to work beyond our competence. But specialist eating disorder services …
Shownotes
What happens when you realise a client has an eating disorder, but you're not an eating disorder specialist?
As therapists, we're taught not to work beyond our competence. But specialist eating disorder services are stretched, waiting lists can be long and sometimes there isn't anywhere else for a client to go.
So does referring on always have to be the answer?
In this episode of the Good Enough Counsellors podcast, I'm joined by counsellor, trainer and researcher Kel O'Neill to talk about why eating disorders aren't only an issue for specialist therapists.
Kel explains why eating disorders can be easy to miss, particularly when they aren't the reason someone originally comes to therapy. We talk about the influence of diet culture and weight loss medications, and why someone's weight doesn't necessarily tell us how unwell they are.
We also explore the difficult question of competence. How do you know whether you have enough knowledge to help? What role do supervision, training and multidisciplinary working play? And how can therapists think about risk without becoming so frightened of getting something wrong that they feel unable to help at all?
Kel also talks very movingly about her own lived experience and why a counsellor being willing to work with her made such an important difference to her life.
We discuss:
- why all therapists need some awareness of eating disorders
- how eating disorders can be hidden behind other presenting issues
- shame and the stereotypes that can prevent people seeking help
- diet culture, body image and weight loss medications
- why you can't judge the seriousness of an eating disorder by someone's size
- competence and knowing when you need additional support
- multidisciplinary working in private practice
- managing risk and the fear of getting things wrong
- how training and specialist supervision can help
- what therapists can offer even when they're not eating disorder specialists
- VOXED and the importance of learning from lived experience
About Kel O'NeillKel O'Neill is a counsellor, trainer and researcher specialising in eating disorders. Alongside her private practice, she provides training and supervision for therapists and is the founder of VOXED, Voices of Experience in Eating Disorders, which brings together lived experience, clinical practice and different perspectives on eating disorder work.
Find out more about Kel via her website HERE and connect with her on Instagram HERE
Private Practice: Who Do You Most Want to Help?One of the things therapists often worry about is feeling they need to know everything about every possible client presentation.
Becoming clearer about the people you most want to help gives you the opportunity to develop your confidence and expertise in the areas that particularly interest you.
On Saturday 26 September, I'm running a live Onlinevents workshop, Private Practice: Who Do You Most Want to Help?
We'll be exploring how to identify your niche and become clearer about the work you most want to do.
The workshop is pay what you can, and you can book directly through Onlinevents 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: eating disorders, eating disorders counselling, eating disorder therapy, therapists and eating disorders, counsellors and eating disorders, working with eating disorders, eating disorder competence, therapist competence, eating disorder risk, eating disorder awareness, eating disorder training, private practice counselling, diet culture, body image, weight loss medications, GLP-1, therapist supervision, Good Enough Counsellors, Kel O'Neill
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.
Kapitel
Kapitel werden geladen …
Are Your Assumptions Stopping You from Attracting Clients?
Have you ever decided not to tell someone about your private practice because you've assumed they won't be interested?Or perhaps hesitated because you think people won't be able to afford your fees?As …
Shownotes
Have you ever decided not to tell someone about your private practice because you've assumed they won't be interested?
Or perhaps hesitated because you think people won't be able to afford your fees?
As therapists we can often tell ourselves that people won't want to hear about our practice and will think we're being pushy or we're too expensive. But are those assumptions really about other people - or about protecting us from anticipated rejection and disappointment?
If we never tell people how we can help, we're taking away their opportunity to decide for themselves.
In this short episode, we explore:
- The fear of rejection that can stop us talking about our private practice
- How we let our assumptions about what others will think stop us in our tracks
- The importance of allowing potential clients to make their own decisions
Ready to take the next step?
If you'd like some practical support to become more visible and attract more of the clients you most want to help, I'd love to welcome you into Therapy Growth Group.
Our 12 Action Steps programme is beginning again soon, guiding you through three months of manageable, practical actions to help you grow your private practice with confidence and without becoming someone you're not.
You'll find all the details 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: therapist marketing, private practice, attracting therapy clients, counselling private practice, therapist confidence, therapy business, private practice marketing, counsellor marketing, therapist visibility, therapy clients
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.
Kapitel
Kapitel werden geladen …
How Clients Find, Choose and Book a Therapist
Attracting therapy clients isn't just about having a great profile. Before someone books with you, they go through a series of decisions, and understanding that journey can completely change how you try to …
Shownotes
Attracting therapy clients isn't just about having a great profile. Before someone books with you, they go through a series of decisions, and understanding that journey can completely change how you try to attract clients.
In this episode, I'm joined by website and marketing specialist Kat Love to explore the three stages every prospective client goes through:
- Finding you through visibility and awareness
- Choosing you by deciding whether you're the right therapist for them
- Booking by feeling confident enough to take the next step
Together, we explore why so many therapists spend time polishing the later stages while avoiding the visibility work that helps people discover them in the first place. We also discuss how to make your website and profile work harder, reduce barriers to getting in touch, and use language that speaks to clients rather than other therapists.
This episode was originally released as From Being Found to Being Booked, and I've chosen to share it again because this discussion is such an important foundation for finding clients .
In this episode we discuss:
- Why therapists often focus on the wrong stage of marketing
- The three stages clients go through before they book therapy
- Why visibility feels uncomfortable and how to find your own "window of marketing tolerance"
- How your therapist profile helps clients decide you're the right fit
- Why psychobabble can stop clients connecting with your message
- Simple ways to make it easier for people to contact you
- Ethical approaches to testimonials and social proof
Resources mentioned
- Kat Love: https://katlove.com
- Empathy Sites: https://empathysites.com
If you'd like practical support with your therapist profile, identifying your strengths, improving your marketing and attracting more of the clients you most want to help, you'll find details of Therapy Growth Group HERE
Listen now: if you'd like to understand how clients move from discovering you to choosing you and finally booking that first appointment, this episode will give you a practical framework you can start using straight away.
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: how clients choose a therapist, therapy marketing, marketing for therapists, therapist profile, therapist website, therapist visibility, attract therapy clients, therapy enquiries, therapist profile writing, private practice marketing, counselling private practice, therapist website copy, Good Enough Counsellors
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.
When Kindness Comes At Your Own Expense
Have you ever caught yourself saying, "I'm probably just overthinking it"?That's exactly what I said in a recent supervision session. My supervisor responded with a simple question:"Are you overthinking - or …
Shownotes
Have you ever caught yourself saying, "I'm probably just overthinking it"?
That's exactly what I said in a recent supervision session. My supervisor responded with a simple question:
"Are you overthinking - or are you diminishing your feelings?"
That question stayed with me.
As therapists, we're often deeply compassionate people. We want to be kind, fair and understanding. But sometimes our kindness towards other people comes at the expense of ourselves.
In this episode, I reflect on how easy it is to ignore our own needs because we're worried about disappointing someone else. Whether it's charging a cancellation fee, ending a session on time, saying no to a new client or making a difficult professional decision, our fear of disapproval can sometimes become louder than our own values.
I also explore why consistency matters, how resentment can grow when we don't honour our own boundaries, and why listening to ourselves is an important part of ethical, sustainable practice.
In this episode, we explore:
- Why "overthinking" isn't always what we're doing
- The difference between kindness and self-neglect
- How people pleasing can influence our professional decisions
- Why your values are a better guide than someone else's approval
- How healthy boundaries protect both you and your clients
- The importance of looking after yourself as well as those you support
If you've ever struggled with saying no, worried about getting things wrong or found yourself putting everyone else's needs before your own, I hope this episode reminds you that your wellbeing matters too.
If you'd like support from a community of therapists who understand these challenges, Therapy Growth Group offers weekly live calls, practical marketing support and a welcoming place to think things through with others in private practice.
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: therapists, counsellors, psychotherapy, private practice, therapist boundaries, people pleasing, self care, burnout prevention, compassion fatigue, professional boundaries, supervision, therapist wellbeing, values, cancellation policy, counselling podcast
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.
Social Media isn't About Posting. It's About Helping
As a therapist, have you ever sat down to write a social media post and wondered what on earth to say? Or even, not started a social media page because you don't know what to do?It's easy to get caught up in …
Shownotes
As a therapist, have you ever sat down to write a social media post and wondered what on earth to say? Or even, not started a social media page because you don't know what to do?
It's easy to get caught up in the mechanics of posting, in the same way as when we're training we get caught up in the mechanics of counselling techniques.
However, if you stand back from social media for a moment and focus on what people need, you often find it much easier to turn up as yourself.
So rather than seeing social media as somewhere you have to perform, you can start to see it as somewhere you can help.
If you're a therapist who struggles with the idea of using social media to reach prospective clients, this episode can help.
In this episode:
- How to create content that helps people feel understood
- How to establish trust long before someone contacts you
- Why trying to sound like someone else gets in the way of attracting clients
- Why being real matters far more than polished content
I also include ideas for social media posts for September 2026 with themes around courage, connection, creativity and balance. There's ideas for simple engagement prompts together with more educational content.
The following awareness days are mentioned:
- Live Fearless Day – 2 September
- Fight Procrastination Day – 6 September
- Feel the Love Day – 7 September
- Swap Ideas Day – 10 September
- Day of Encouragement – 12 September
- Live Creative Day – 14 September
- Online Learning Day – 15 September
- World Gratitude Day - 21 September
- World Podcast Day - 30 September
If you're interested in finding out more about your niche, please check out my courses on my website, josephinehughes.com and you can find information about longer term support through my Therapy Growth Group 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 for therapists, therapist marketing, counselling private practice, private practice marketing, social media for counsellors, counselling marketing, therapist social media, attract therapy clients, how to get therapy clients, marketing for counsellors, therapist private practice, counselling business, therapist branding, social media content ideas, content ideas for therapists, private practice growth, Josephine Hughes, Good Enough Counsellors
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.
Kapitel
Kapitel werden geladen …
Afraid to Start Private Practice? With Katrina Johnson
Starting private practice can feel daunting, especially if you're wondering whether you're experienced enough, whether clients will ever find you, or whether you're making the right decision.In this episode, I …
Shownotes
Starting private practice can feel daunting, especially if you're wondering whether you're experienced enough, whether clients will ever find you, or whether you're making the right decision.
In this episode, I talk to counsellor Katrina Johnson, who had been a therapist for 20 years before finally taking the leap into private practice. Despite her experience, she admits she was frightened to get started and worried she wasn't good enough.
Today, Katrina has a thriving private practice, a waiting list and works as a supervisor. In our conversation, she shares what helped her move beyond fear, how she gradually built her client base, and why taking small, consistent steps made all the difference.
Whether you're newly qualified, struggling to find agency work or simply wondering if now is the right time to start your own practice, Katrina's story is full of reassurance and practical encouragement.
In this episode we discuss:- Why fear and self-doubt are normal when starting private practice
- How Katrina took her first small steps instead of waiting until she felt ready
- Building confidence after taking action rather than before
- Growing a private practice gradually alongside employed work
- Using social media in a way that feels natural and authentic
- Why clients often choose the therapist they feel they know and trust
- Setting boundaries around what you share online
- Why consistency matters more than perfection
- How Therapy Growth Group supported Katrina as she built her practice
Katrina's story encourages us that you don't have to feel confident before you begin to build your private practice.
Episode originally appeared in February 2025
You can visit Katrina's website at kjcounselling.co.uk and her Facebook page is KJCounselling
And if you're interested in Therapy Growth Group, you can read more about it at josephinehughes.com
You can also find me here:
The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook Group
Josephine Hughes on Facebook
Josephine Hughes on YouTube
My website: josephinehughes.com
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
Keywords: private practice for counsellors, starting private practice, counsellor private practice, therapist private practice, counselling private practice, how to start private practice, how to get counselling clients, attract therapy clients, therapist marketing, counsellor marketing, therapist social media, counsellor social media, imposter syndrome counsellor, self doubt therapist, fear of private practice, therapist confidence, confidence in private practice, newly qualified counsellor, counselling career, Therapy Growth Group, Josephine Hughes, Katrina Johnson, Good Enough Counsellors, counselling business, UK counsellor
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.
Kapitel
Kapitel werden geladen …
Do You Have to Be the Best to be Successful?
When you're trying to grow your counselling private practice, it's tempting to think you have to be the best to be successful. But maybe that belief is holding you back.In this episode, I explore an online …
Shownotes
When you're trying to grow your counselling private practice, it's tempting to think you have to be the best to be successful. But maybe that belief is holding you back.
In this episode, I explore an online trend of defining your service by comparing it with others. Is this a true sign of confidence or does it reveal a deeper sense of scarcity and self-doubt?
And if you believe that you have to compete and be the best, what impact does this have on your confidence, your marketing and even your nervous system regulation?
Perhaps the real key to attracting clients isn't trying to be better than everyone else. It's trusting that who you are is already enough to connect with the people you're most able to help.
Takeaways:
- Why believing you have to be the best is part of a scarcity mindset
- How comparison can undermine your confidence and marketing
- The difference between the "best" therapist and the "best-fit" therapist
- How being more yourself, rather than trying to impress everyone, can help you attract the clients who resonate with you
- Why your uniqueness is one of your greatest strengths in private practice
Reflection:
Do you believe there are enough people out there who will choose you - simply because you're you?
Spend a few moments noticing your answer. If it's "I'm not sure", my resources on niching and marketing for therapists, together with Therapy Growth Group, may help you build your private practice in a way that feels authentic.
If you're looking for practical marketing advice for therapists, private practic etips and support to attract more counselling clients, you'll find links to all the resources mentioned below.
To find out more about my short workshops, click HERE, and for Therapy Growth Group, 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: therapist marketing, marketing for therapists, private practice marketing, counselling private practice, private practice therapist, how to get therapy clients, attract therapy clients, counselling business, therapist confidence, imposter syndrome therapist, therapist mindset, comparison trap, scarcity mindset, confidence in private practice, Therapy Growth Group
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.
Has AI Changed How Clients Find Therapists?
Many therapists have been telling me that enquiries have slowed down. Some wonder whether it's the cost of living, while others are worried that AI has changed the way clients search for a therapist online.In …
Shownotes
Many therapists have been telling me that enquiries have slowed down. Some wonder whether it's the cost of living, while others are worried that AI has changed the way clients search for a therapist online.
In this episode, I'm joined once again by Daragh MacLoughlin from WebHealer to explore what's really happening.
Drawing on insights from thousands of therapy websites, Daragh shares what he's seeing as Google search changes. He explains why some websites are attracting more enquiries than ever, and why simply chasing SEO isn't the answer.
Instead, we talk about something much more important: creating a website that is genuinely helpful to the people you most want to work with.
If you've been wondering whether AI is making it harder for clients to find you, I hope this conversation will leave you feeling reassured and give you some practical ideas to strengthen your website.
Takeaways:
- Why therapists may be seeing fewer enquiries and why AI isn't necessarily the whole story.
- How Google search is changing and what that means for therapy websites.
- Why creating a genuinely useful website is becoming more important than ever.
- The connection between knowing your niche and writing a website that attracts the right clients.
- Why helping people get to know you is still one of the most powerful ways to build trust online.
- Practical ways to improve your website without becoming an SEO expert.
For information on my workshops to help you get clearer on who you most want to help, please visit my website, josephinehughes.com
If you're interested in building a website with WebHealer, receive a £50 discount when you use my affiliate link: GEC999. This same code will also give you a free install of Policy Diary, worth £9.99
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: therapy website, therapist website, counselling website, AI and therapy websites, Google search for therapists, therapy website SEO, therapist marketing, private practice marketing, therapy enquiries, how clients find therapists, therapist niche, counsellor website, therapy website visibility, AI search.
We are an affiliate of WebHealer and Policy Diary and may be paid commission if you buy through our link. As we are an affiliate and WebHealer and Policy Diary were created by a third party, we shall have no liability whatsoever in any circumstances to you in relation to the WebHealer and Policy Diary (including in relation to any consequential loss of any type whatsoever) other than in relation to matters for which we are not lawfully able to limit or exclude our liability
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.
Kapitel
Kapitel werden geladen …
Could GDPR Help You Get More Therapy Clients? Why Your Therapy Website Matters
Your therapy website is one of the most important tools for attracting clients to your private practice. In this episode, website specialist Daragh MacLoughlin from WebHealer explains why GDPR, privacy policies …
Shownotes
Your therapy website is one of the most important tools for attracting clients to your private practice. In this episode, website specialist Daragh MacLoughlin from WebHealer explains why GDPR, privacy policies and cookie notices aren't just about legal compliance. They can also help build trust with potential clients and, in Daragh's view, may even play a part in how search engines assess your website.
Many therapists put GDPR to the bottom of the to do list because it feels complicated, technical and overwhelming. Daragh explains the recent changes in plain English, shares the most common mistakes therapists make, and introduces a simple way to keep your website policies up to date without becoming an expert yourself.
Takeaways- Why every therapist in private practice needs up to date website privacy policies.
- The recent changes to UK GDPR that affect therapy websites.
- What cookie policies are and why they matter.
- Why handling client data well is about more than legal compliance.
- How good website policies can help build trust with potential clients.
- Why Daragh believes having the right website foundations may also help your visibility in Google search.
- Simple ways to make sure your therapy website stays up to date as regulations change.
Daragh MacLoughlin is Managing Director of WebHealer, one of the UK's best-known website providers for counsellors and psychotherapists. WebHealer has been helping therapists create professional websites that attract clients for more than twenty years.
He is also the creator of Policy Diary, a service designed specifically for therapists to help them generate and maintain GDPR-compliant privacy policies, cookie policies and complaints procedures as regulations change.
Special offer
If you'd like to use Policy Diary or build your website with WebHealer, Daragh has kindly arranged an exclusive discount code for people in my community.
Use GEC999 to receive:
- Free installation of Policy Diary (worth £9.99).
- £50 off a new WebHealer website.
We are an affiliate of WebHealer and Policy Diary and may be paid commission if you buy through our link. As we are an affiliate and WebHealer and Policy Diary were created by a third party, we shall have no liability whatsoever in any circumstances to you in relation to the WebHealer and Policy Diary (including in relation to any consequential loss of any type whatsoever) other than in relation to matters for which we are not lawfully able to limit or exclude our liability
Coming next week:
Daragh returns to the podcast to talk about one of the biggest questions therapists are asking right now: Is AI changing the way clients find us online? We explore what's happening with Google search, what makes a therapy website useful, and why helping the right people is still the best long-term strategy for attracting clients.
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: therapy website, GDPR for therapists, therapy website GDPR, privacy policies for therapists, cookie policies, therapy website SEO, Google search for therapists, attracting therapy clients, therapy website design, counsellor website, private practice website, data protection for therapists, therapist marketing, getting therapy clients, therapist online presence, private practice growth, WebHealer, Policy Diary
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.
Kapitel
Kapitel werden geladen …
Permission to Take a Break
Do you worry that potential clients will forget about you if you stop posting on social media?Summer holidays can often bring an added layer of pressure. Should you schedule posts while you're away? Is it OK to …
Shownotes
Do you worry that potential clients will forget about you if you stop posting on social media?
Summer holidays can often bring an added layer of pressure. Should you schedule posts while you're away? Is it OK to disappear for a couple of weeks? And do therapists really need to post everyday?
In this episode, I explore what a healthy relationship with social media could look like, why consistency matters more than frequency, and why taking time to rest may actually be one of the best things you can do for yourself and your private practice.
I also share some August awareness days that could inspire your social media content for the month.
Takeaways:
- Why consistency matters more than frequency
- What to do with your social media while you're on holiday
- Whether people notice if you stop posting
- Creating healthier boundaries with social media
- The importance of authenticity in your marketing
- Why rest isn't something you have to earn
August Content Ideas:
8 August – Happiness Happens Day. A chance to encourage clients to notice small moments of joy and connection.
15 August – Relaxation Day. An opportunity to discuss rest, burnout and nervous system regulation.
16 August – Authenticity Day. Perfect for exploring authenticity, masking, people pleasing and finding your own voice.
21 August – Internet Self-Care Day. A useful prompt to discuss comparison, healthy digital boundaries and creating a more positive relationship with social media.
Who Do You Want To Help? Exploring Niching is next taking place on Tuesday 14th July at 7.30pm. Other dates will also be available. Check out my website to book: josephinehughes.com
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
FAQs
Do therapists need to post on social media every day?
No. Consistency is usually more important than frequency. A thoughtful post once a week is often more effective than posting every day without a clear purpose.
Should therapists post on social media while they're on holiday?
Only if they want to. Some therapists schedule posts in advance, while others prefer to take a complete break. The important thing is choosing an approach that supports your wellbeing.
Will people forget about me if I stop posting?
Most people are far more focused on their own lives than on whether you've posted this week. A short break from social media is unlikely to have a significant impact on your private practice.
Keywords:
social media boundaries, managing social media on holiday, social media tips for therapists, out of office notice, social media scheduling, authenticity in social media, Internet Self Care Day, social media comparison, private practice growth, social media for therapists, taking breaks from social media, intentional social media posting, client relationships and social media, social media habits, mental health and social media, social media engagement strategies, planning social media content, self-care 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.
Kapitel
Kapitel werden geladen …
Neuro-Affirming Practice with Louise Lucas
What does a neuro-affirming practice look like in the therapy room?As awareness of neurodivergence grows, many therapists want to work in ways that better support their neurodivergent clients. But moving beyond …
Shownotes
What does a neuro-affirming practice look like in the therapy room?
As awareness of neurodivergence grows, many therapists want to work in ways that better support their neurodivergent clients. But moving beyond theory and knowing how to apply neuro-affirming practice in real life can feel challenging.
In this episode of Good Enough Counsellors, I'm delighted to welcome back Louise Lucas who described how she'd discovered her own autism and ADHD in episode 7, and how this had transformed her personal life and practice.
Since then she's continued to develop her Neurodivergent Wellbeing Model and has written a book: A Therapeutic Workbook for Supporting the Wellbeing of Neurodivergent Clients.
In this conversation, Louise explains how her own experiences shaped her work and why neuro-affirming practice is about far more than understanding a diagnosis. We explore how therapists can help clients move from shame and self-criticism towards self-understanding, compassion and a sustainable wellbeing.
Takeaways:
- What neuro-affirming practice means in everyday therapy
- The Neurodivergent Wellbeing Model and the Two Spirals
- Why knowledge, understanding and acceptance all matter
- Understanding "spiky profiles"
- Why context is essential when working with neurodivergent clients
- Helping clients move from shame to self-compassion
- Supporting regulation through basic needs and sustainable self-care
- What every therapist should understand about working with neurodivergent clients
About Louise LucasLouise Lucas is a therapist, supervisor and trainer specialising in neurodivergent wellbeing and neuro-affirming practice. She developed the Neurodivergent Wellbeing Model to help therapists and clients better understand regulation, self-compassion and sustainable wellbeing.
Her new book, A Therapeutic Workbook for Supporting the Wellbeing of Neurodivergent Clients, is published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers in September 2026.
You can find out more at Louise's website curiosityspot.co.uk
Links:Find out about Therapy Growth Group or join to participate in the Make Your Profile Work Sprint 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
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.
Kapitel
Kapitel werden geladen …
Feeling Lost After Counselling Training?
You spend years working towards a qualification. But after the structure of assignments and placements - and the company of tutors and fellow students - comes to an end, it can leave you wondering what comes …
Shownotes
You spend years working towards a qualification. But after the structure of assignments and placements - and the company of tutors and fellow students - comes to an end, it can leave you wondering what comes next.
Should you look for employment, start a private practice or something else?
In this episode, I share my own experience of finishing counselling training, share why this stage can feel unsettling - and most importantly, how you can move forward without needing to have everything worked out in advance.
Takeaways:
- The loss of structure that newly qualified counsellors experience and how that impacts them
- How self-doubt can show up after qualification
- Why you don't need the whole plan before you begin
- The importance of support, supervision and community
- Taking the next step towards setting up in private practice
Remember: you don't need to have everything worked out in advance. You don't need the full plan. You just need the next step.
Training: to help you get started in finding clients, I have some short training webinars coming up. You can find out more about them 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
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.
Will AI Replace Therapists? With Ken Kelly
Many therapists are concerned about the rise of AI and whether it will replace therapy altogether.In this episode of Good Enough Counsellors, I'm joined by Ken Kelly, author of Ethical AI Practice. Ken believes …
Shownotes
Many therapists are concerned about the rise of AI and whether it will replace therapy altogether.
In this episode of Good Enough Counsellors, I'm joined by Ken Kelly, author of Ethical AI Practice. Ken believes that while AI has an important role to play in private practice, it can never replace the human connection at the heart of therapy.
We explore the ethical boundaries, how therapists can use AI safely and the ways it can help us with tasks such as content creation, research and policy writing.
Takeaways:
- How to protect client information when using AI
- How to assess different AI tools from an ethical perspective
- How AI can support therapists in private practice
- Using AI to create blogs and posts while still using your own voice
- The "reverse interview" exercise for writing your website copy and profiles
- The ways that clients are already using AI
- The future of counselling in an AI world
Resources:
- perplexity.ai
- wisprflow.ai
- Ethical AI Practice by Ken Kelly, available here: ethicalaipractice.com
Want help finding your professional voice?
Many therapists know they're different but struggle to explain what makes them distinctive to potential clients.
Inside Therapy Growth Group, I help counsellors and psychotherapists identify their niche, communicate their strengths, write profiles and websites that sound like them, and market their practice without feeling pushy or salesy.
Find out more 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: counselling, AI in therapy, ethical AI practice, mental health technology, private practice tips, client confidentiality, AI for therapists, digital mental health, AI and mental health, counselling ethics, AI in psychotherapy, content generation 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.
Kapitel
Kapitel werden geladen …
Scared to Post Online?
Social media can be a great way to connect with potential clients but it can also be a place that is filled with hostility. This stops many therapists from either setting up a page or from posting on it.Some of …
Shownotes
Social media can be a great way to connect with potential clients but it can also be a place that is filled with hostility. This stops many therapists from either setting up a page or from posting on it.
Some of the worries I've heard about from therapists include saying "the wrong thing", being publicly corrected, receiving criticism and being subject to a "pile on". So in this first of a series of episodes around social media boundaries, I explore how you can make your therapy page feel safer for you to use.
Drawing on my own experience of managing online communities and navigating difficult interactions, I share how you can protect your wellbeing and those of your followers - so that you can feel more confident to reach people via your page.
Takeaways
- Why social media platforms thrive on outrage
- What to do when a comment or interaction leaves you feeling shamed and upset
- Why it's important to regulate before responding
- Creating boundaries around comments, messages and engagement
- Deciding on what atmosphere you want for your page
- Why some interactions don't deserve a response
- Choosing spaces that are the right fit for you
- How boundaries can help you feel more comfortable and confident online
I also share some ideas for social media posts for July 2026, including themes around body image, friendship, loneliness, grief and summer family life.
For information about my training courses, please click HERE and you can find out more information about Therapy Growth Group 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
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.
Genetics, Grief and Therapy with Uruj Anjum
What happens when someone receives a genetic diagnosis? In this episode of Good Enough Counsellors, I'm joined by Uruj Anjum of Saina Therapy.Before training as a psychotherapist, Uruj spent nine years working …
Shownotes
What happens when someone receives a genetic diagnosis? In this episode of Good Enough Counsellors, I'm joined by Uruj Anjum of Saina Therapy.
Before training as a psychotherapist, Uruj spent nine years working within NHS genetics services, supporting individuals and families navigating conditions such as Huntington's disease and other complex inherited disorders. She now specialises in working with clients affected by genetic diagnoses, reproductive decision-making, grief, loss and family dynamics.
We talk about what therapists need to know when supporting clients living with genetic uncertainty, and how genetics may be lying behind presenting issues such as anxiety, grief, relationship difficulties and identity struggles.
Takeaways:- The emotional impact of genetic diagnosis on individuals, couples and families
- Anticipatory grief and living with uncertainty
- Carrier guilt and the complex emotions that can follow a diagnosis
- How attachment patterns can influence the way people respond to genetic testing and diagnosis
- The impact of inherited conditions on relationships and family dynamics
- Reproductive decision-making and termination for medical reasons
- Supporting clients affected by genetic conditions in the therapy room
- How therapists can work confidently with clients affected by genetic diagnoses without needing specialist medical expertise
You can connect with Uruj via her website saiynatherapy.co.uk and on instagram @saiynatherapy
Looking for Support with Your Private Practice?If listening to Uruj's story has got you thinking about your own niche, your marketing or how to attract more of the right clients, I'd love to help.
I run workshops, training and coaching for counsellors in private practice, helping you communicate clearly with potential clients and build a practice that works for you.
Find out more here: josephinehughes.com
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: genetic counselling, therapy for genetic conditions, mental health and genetics, emotional impact of genetic diagnoses, family dynamics in genetic counselling, genetic testing and therapy, attachment theory and genetics, anticipatory grief in genetic conditions, supporting clients with genetic diagnoses, carrier guilt in genetics, navigating genetic testing decisions, anxiety and genetic diagnoses, therapeutic approaches to genetic issues, stigma around genetic conditions, building confidence in genetic counselling.
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.
Kapitel
Kapitel werden geladen …
Starting Small Still Counts
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 …
Shownotes
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.
Kapitel
Kapitel werden geladen …
Using Facebook to Promote Your Private Practice with Annie Jones
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 …
Shownotes
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.
Kapitel
Kapitel werden geladen …
Working Creatively with Therapy Clients with Yasmin Shaheen-Zaffar
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 …
Shownotes
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.
Kapitel
Kapitel werden geladen …
Why Your Therapy Profile Isn't Getting Enquiries
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 …
Shownotes
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.
Are You Ready to Work With Trans Clients? With Josiah Twiselton
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 …
Shownotes
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.
Kapitel
Kapitel werden geladen …
Social Media Not Working? What to do instead
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 …
Shownotes
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
May Social Media Ideas for TherapistsLooking 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.
Kapitel
Kapitel werden geladen …
Hier stehen die neuesten 40 von 141 Folgen. Ältere Folgen findest du im Feed des Podcasts.
Ähnliche Podcasts
Mehr Gesundheit und Fitness-Podcasts
Ist das dein Podcast?
Bestätige es mit einem Eintrag in deinem Feed: Du bekommst hier einen Code, trägst ihn als podcast:txt in den Kanal deines Feeds ein, und wir prüfen ihn. Danach steht dein Podcast als „verifiziert“ bei SoundNode.