Good Enough Counsellors

Josephine Hughes
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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.

  1. 6d ago

    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 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 disordershow eating disorders can be hidden behind other presenting issuesshame and the stereotypes that can prevent people seeking helpdiet culture, body image and weight loss medicationswhy you can't judge the seriousness of an eating disorder by someone's sizecompetence and knowing when you need additional supportmultidisciplinary working in private practicemanaging risk and the fear of getting things wronghow training and specialist supervision can helpwhat therapists can offer even when they're not eating disorder specialistsVOXED 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.

  2. Sep 2

    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 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 practiceHow we let our assumptions about what others will think stop us in our tracksThe 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.

  3. Aug 26

    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 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 awarenessChoosing you by deciding whether you're the right therapist for themBooking 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 marketingThe three stages clients go through before they book therapyWhy visibility feels uncomfortable and how to find your own "window of marketing tolerance"How your therapist profile helps clients decide you're the right fitWhy psychobabble can stop clients connecting with your messageSimple ways to make it easier for people to contact youEthical approaches to testimonials and social proof Resources mentioned Kat Love: https://katlove.comEmpathy 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.

  4. Aug 19

    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 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 doingThe difference between kindness and self-neglectHow people pleasing can influence our professional decisionsWhy your values are a better guide than someone else's approvalHow healthy boundaries protect both you and your clientsThe 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.

  5. Aug 12

    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 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 understoodHow to establish trust long before someone contacts youWhy trying to sound like someone else gets in the way of attracting clientsWhy 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 SeptemberFight Procrastination Day – 6 SeptemberFeel the Love Day – 7 SeptemberSwap Ideas Day – 10 SeptemberDay of Encouragement – 12 SeptemberLive Creative Day – 14 SeptemberOnline Learning Day – 15 SeptemberWorld Gratitude Day - 21 SeptemberWorld 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.

  6. Aug 5

    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 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 practiceHow Katrina took her first small steps instead of waiting until she felt readyBuilding confidence after taking action rather than beforeGrowing a private practice gradually alongside employed workUsing social media in a way that feels natural and authenticWhy clients often choose the therapist they feel they know and trustSetting boundaries around what you share onlineWhy consistency matters more than perfectionHow 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.

  7. Jul 29

    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 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 mindsetHow comparison can undermine your confidence and marketingThe difference between the "best" therapist and the "best-fit" therapistHow being more yourself, rather than trying to impress everyone, can help you attract the clients who resonate with youWhy 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.

  8. Jul 22

    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 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.

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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Josephine Hughes
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    132
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Josephine Hughes
  • Show Website
    Good Enough Counsellors

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