Tips & Expectations

How Many Clients Should I Expect?

This is a commonly asked question, without a single answer. We want to be as transparent as possible about what to expect with your listing, as well as provide tips on how to improve your results if needed. Please read below to get a little more insight into how all of this works.

How many clients do most therapists hear from?

While the site is highly visited, therapists listed with us often have very different experiences. Some therapists get flooded with requests (some having reported as many as 10 inquiries/week), some have inquires trickle in more slowly (2-3/month), and sometimes there are those receive no inquiries at all. We cannot make any guarantees on what to expect due this large variance, but we are happy to share the trends we have noticed.

Why do some hear from more than others?

There are MANY factors to consider. Below you’ll read about some things we’ve noticed that differentiate a successful profile from a not-so-successful one. If you are finding things slow, you can use this information to make adjustments and hopefully improve your results!

1. The Number of Checkboxes You Select

Clients often use the checkboxes to get very specific in their search for the right therapist. Therapists who have selected more checkboxes come up more often in searches and are therefore found more often by clients.

Does this mean you should check off more boxes? It depends.

Checking off more boxes (especially if they aren’t your niche) can result in added stress and lost time by having consultations that don’t end up working out, having to find referrals for clients that aren’t a fit, or needing lots of extra supervision/support.

Checking off boxes that you are comfortable with will increase the chances that the clients who do reach out will be a good fit.

With that being said, if you are comfortable working with a wide range of clientele and issues, feel free to check off as many boxes as you’d like!

2. Your Photo- Your Photo Matters A Lot!

Say that a search has been narrowed down to 15 therapists – what factors would invite the client to click on your photo over others?

Here are some things to consider:

Is Your Photo Friendly And Welcoming?

Photos that present the therapist as friendly and welcoming tend to work best – this is a trend we have noticed alot.

Is Your Photo Well Framed And Clear?

We have found that professional photos aren’t always necessary however clarity (high resolution), good framing, and a having a nice background can go a long way. If you are using a cell phone, outdoor lighting can really improve the photo quality.

What Messages Do The General Aesthetics Of Your Photo Convey?

Pay attention to what’s in the background of your photo, what you are wearing, your expression, etc. This all speaks volumes to potential clients.

3. Your Bio

A client has landed on your page. What factors might influence their decision to reach out to you or to instead move on to the next therapist? Here are some things that can make a difference:

Easy To Read Formatting

Break your bio up into short, digestible paragraphs. A long, single paragraph often loses the readers attention.

Relatable & Relational

Clients often prioritize therapists they can relate to and feel comfortable with over their credentials and professional experience. Pay attention to your language, tone, and choice of words to make sure your profile feels accessible and welcoming.

Specialties And Niche

If you have any specialties, make sure they are highlighted. Many therapists are generalists, but clients often want to work with someone who specializes in what they are looking for. If you specialize in something, make sure that it’s crystal clear in your bio.

Who Are Your Ideal Clients?

When people “see themselves” in profiles, they gain confidence that you are a person who can help them specifically. Ask yourself what kind of clients you serve best and why – and then make that clear in you bio. Perhaps this is a demographic, a particular personality type, or common struggle/issue that you feel particularly well suited to work with.

Who Are You As A Therapist?

What do you believe contributes most to healing and growth?

How would you describe your style as a therapist?

What led you to become a therapist?

What are your values (anti-oppressive, feminist, niche client group/population)?

Sharing a little about your philosophy and approach to therapy will help clients know if you are the right therapist for them.

Keep It Short And Sweet

It can be tempting to write a lot to show clients what you have to offer, but people usually know by the third paragraph whether they are interested or not. 200-300 words is usually best (a little longer if you don’t have a website).

We always suggest that you run your profile by trusted peers and colleagues. This kind of feedback can make a big difference!

What other factors are there?

Some other contributing factors and trends that we have found:

Many folks who use our site have complex needs and seek therapists with specific experience/modalities
Clients tend to seek therapists who share values similar to their own
Our main demographic (folks in their 20’s-30’s) often prefer to work with someone near their own age group
Clients often seek therapists who they imagine share similar life experiences

I hope this information has helped you figure out what advertising approach makes the most sense for you 🙂

-Katie

Affordable Therapy
Network

A Community of therapists offering low cost & sliding scale therapy across canada