Prosper in Private Practice

Claire Feldman

Welcome to the podcast for counsellors and therapists who want to grow a thriving private practice—without selling their soul, pretending to be a TikTok influencer, or using tactics that make their stomach turn. Hosted by Claire, a straight-talking business and marketing mentor for therapists, this show is your permission slip to build a practice your way—calmly, ethically, and with a CEO mindset that actually feels good. Whether you're just starting out or scaling up, you'll find: Honest conversations about what it really takes to grow a private practiceEthical marketing tips that won’t make you want to hide under a blanketMindset reframes to quiet the inner critic and ditch the "I'm not business-minded" storyPractical strategies for content, visibility, niching, and staying bookedAnd the occasional pep talk when you're wondering if you should just become a florist insteadIf you’re done with gimmicks, hacks, and “one-size-fits-all” formulas—and you’d rather build a sustainable, values-led practice that honours your brain, your energy, and your integrity—you’re in the right place. Pull up a chair. Let’s build a private practice that fits you.

  1. 6D AGO

    Private Practice Marketing in 2026: How Therapists Can Be Found Without Burning Out on Social Media

    The private practice landscape has changed. Quietly, steadily, and in ways that many therapists are feeling but haven’t quite named yet. In this episode, I talk through what marketing a therapy practice realistically looks like in 2026, and why so many of the strategies that worked ten or even five years ago no longer hold in the same way. Drawing on insights from a recent Open House event, I explore how client search behaviour has shifted, what clients are actually doing when they look for a therapist now, and why so many therapists feel exhausted trying to keep up with social media expectations that were never designed for them in the first place. We look at: How online therapy changed the competitive landscape, and why clients now search far beyond their local areaWhy directories alone are rarely enough anymore, even though they still have a placeWhat clients are really responding to when they land on a therapist’s websiteWhy clear, human, client-centred language matters more than professional polish or long lists of credentialsHow Google search still drives most therapy enquiries, and what that means for your websiteWhy SEO blogs work when they answer real client questions, not professional interestsHow tools like ChatGPT are beginning to influence how people look for therapists, and what helps you show up in those recommendationsThe role of FAQs, niche clarity, and simple site structure in future-proof visibilityWhy social media is better treated as a secondary trust-building tool rather than your main marketing strategyWhat sustainable marketing looks like if you only need a small, steady caseloadThis is a grounded conversation about marketing that prioritises capacity, clarity, and long-term visibility over trends, performance, or constant output. Especially relevant if you work online, want to attract self-funding clients, and are tired of feeling like you “should” be doing more on Instagram. If you want structured, ongoing support with your website, messaging, SEO, and future-proof visibility, you can explore the Prosper in Private Practice Hub here: https://www.prosperinprivatepractice.com/prosper-in-private-practice-hub It’s designed for therapists who want calm, sustainable growth, without turning themselves into content machines.

    27 min
  2. JAN 9

    Starting 2026 in Private Practice: Why Pausing First Creates Clearer Direction (The Private Practice Compass)

    January often comes with pressure to be “back”, focused, and already making progress. In private practice, that pressure can push therapists into action before there’s any real clarity about direction. In this episode, I’m talking about why pausing first is not indulgent or avoidant, but a strategic and grounding step when building a sustainable private practice in 2026. I share why I deliberately take time at the start of the year to review my business, reflect on what’s working, and get clear on what I actually want from the year ahead. From there, I introduce the Private Practice Compass a simple framework I use with therapists to help them orient themselves before making decisions about marketing, visibility, or growth. We explore: Why rushing into action without direction often leads to overwhelm and comparisonHow values, capacity, and season of life should shape your business decisionsThe importance of holding a longer-term vision, especially in a changing therapy landscapeWhy strategy only makes sense once you’re clear on who you’re building your practice forHow your ideal client’s age, needs, and habits influence where your marketing energy is best spentThis episode is an invitation to slow down, step back, and think intentionally about your private practice before defaulting to what everyone else seems to be doing. If you’re feeling a bit rudderless, pressured by January energy, or unsure where to focus in 2026, this is a good place to start. You can find full details of my therapist membership community here:  https://www.prosperinprivatepractice.com/prosper-in-private-practice-hub Inside the membership, therapists get ongoing support with clarity, marketing direction, sustainable growth, and practical tools including AI support that’s ethical, grounded, and actually useful. Link to the Private Practice Compass: https://drive.google.com/file/d/12C5kxwcU7sd_OCTGmUKMImGiVDAe68ty/view?usp=sharing

    30 min
  3. 10/24/2025

    Getting Found in the Age of AI: How Therapists Can Stay Visible When Clients Use ChatGPT to Search

    In today’s episode, we’re talking about how clients are starting to use tools like ChatGPT to look for therapists. Not instead of Google, but alongside it. And that changes how we think about visibility, websites, and how we talk about our work online. This is not about becoming “techy” or learning a new platform from scratch. It’s about something much simpler: making sure the way you describe your work online is clear, recognisable, and easy for both humans and AI search tools to understand. We explore: Why some therapists are already being recommended by ChatGPTHow AI-based searching is different from traditional Google searchWhat information AI tools are pulling from (it’s not just your website)The surprising importance of using client-friendly language, not clinical jargonHow directory profiles, Google Business listings, and service pages work together to support visibilityA gentle way to start making updates without burning out or re-doing your whole websiteI also share a few quick reflection prompts you can use right away: What would a client in your niche actually type if they were asking ChatGPT for help?Does your online presence reflect the way real clients describe their struggles?If someone searched your name in ChatGPT today, what might come up?The aim of this conversation is not to pressure you into marketing harder. It’s to give you clarity and confidence in how you show up online, so that the clients who need you can find you more easily. Even as search habits evolve. A calm, steady approach works here. No rushing. No “rebranding”. Just gentle clarity. https://www.prosperinprivatepractice.com/

    25 min
  4. 10/02/2025

    Email Counselling: How Therapists Can Work Creatively and Sustainably with Chloe Foster

    Email counselling might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about therapy—but as today’s guest Chloe Foster explains, it’s a powerful, flexible way of working that’s meeting the needs of many modern clients. Chloe is a counsellor, trainer, and founder of the Email Counselling Academy. In this episode, she shares her journey into online and email therapy, how the pandemic accelerated change in the profession, and why email counselling isn’t just “writing things down”—it’s a deeply therapeutic option for clients who need flexibility, privacy, or more time to process. We explore: Chloe’s journey from face-to-face work in Brighton to building a fully online practice in ScotlandWhy she was once sceptical of email counselling (and what changed her mind)The types of clients who benefit most from email therapy—Gen Z, shift workers, carers, first-time clients, and moreHow to manage the practicalities of contracting, security, and boundaries in email counsellingWhy proper training is essential (and how Chloe supports therapists through her specialist course)The business side: how Chloe diversified her income streams, moved beyond 1:1 sessions, and built a thriving CPD offerMoney mindset shifts that helped her raise fees and create space for training alongside client workWhether you’re curious about adding email counselling to your practice, or you’re simply interested in creative ways therapists are adapting post-pandemic, this conversation will give you plenty to reflect on. Resources & Links 👉 Take Chloe’s free quiz: Is Email Counselling Right for You? www.emailcounsellingacademy.com 👉 Connect with Chloe: LinkedIn Facebook 👉 Buy Chloe’s book: Buy my book on Email Counselling

    38 min
  5. 08/28/2025

    Why Your Therapy Website Is Your Most Valuable Asset (and the Mistakes to Avoid)

    Your website isn’t just another box to tick off in private practice—it’s the most valuable marketing asset you own. Yet so many therapists are either neglecting their sites, DIY-ing clunky designs, or rushing to launch without clarity on who they want to work with. The result? Websites that repel clients instead of attracting them. In this episode, I break down the most common mistakes therapists make with their websites—from generic content and messy design to ignoring SEO—and explain why your site should be the hub of your marketing. You’ll also hear how investing time, energy, and strategy into your website pays off in client inquiries, freedom from directories, and long-term practice growth. And if this is striking a chord? I created Open House Week (starting 15th September) to help you fix these exact problems. It’s a free, practical week of training, feedback, and tools to make your website work for you—plus annual members will get access to a done-for-you Squarespace template. 👉 Register free here: www.prosperinprivatepractice.com/open-house-week What you’ll learn in this episode: Why your website is more valuable than Instagram or directoriesThe #1 mistake therapists make when rushing to launch a siteCommon DIY design pitfalls that drive clients awayWhy generic, jargon-heavy content doesn’t resonate with clientsHow neglecting SEO and updates makes your site invisibleHow Open House Week helps you turn things around

    21 min

About

Welcome to the podcast for counsellors and therapists who want to grow a thriving private practice—without selling their soul, pretending to be a TikTok influencer, or using tactics that make their stomach turn. Hosted by Claire, a straight-talking business and marketing mentor for therapists, this show is your permission slip to build a practice your way—calmly, ethically, and with a CEO mindset that actually feels good. Whether you're just starting out or scaling up, you'll find: Honest conversations about what it really takes to grow a private practiceEthical marketing tips that won’t make you want to hide under a blanketMindset reframes to quiet the inner critic and ditch the "I'm not business-minded" storyPractical strategies for content, visibility, niching, and staying bookedAnd the occasional pep talk when you're wondering if you should just become a florist insteadIf you’re done with gimmicks, hacks, and “one-size-fits-all” formulas—and you’d rather build a sustainable, values-led practice that honours your brain, your energy, and your integrity—you’re in the right place. Pull up a chair. Let’s build a private practice that fits you.