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.

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 some receive very few, or 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 are some things we’ve noticed that differentiate a successful profile from a not-so-successful one. If you are finding things slow, use this information to make adjustments and hopefully improve your results!

New – First Paragraph

We recently added an additional way to view the therapist listing page. Clients can now switch to “list view” where they will be able to read the first part of your bio to get a sense of who you are and what you offer. Make sure the first few sentences in your bio highlight what you want people to know 🙂

The Checkboxes You Select

We encourage therapists to select checkboxes based on their competency, training, experience, and the supervision they receive around any given issue, modality, or community.

It’s worth understanding that the number of boxes selected has a significant impact on the visibility of your profile. Therapists with more boxes selected show up more often in searches and are therefore found more easily/often by clients (such is the nature of any listing directory).

Please ensure that you have checked off all boxes that apply to your training and expertise. As well, be sure to update your checkboxes as you gain experience and complete new trainings – this will help clients find you!

Your Photo

Say that a search has been narrowed down to 20 therapists – what factors would invite the client to click on your photo over others? Here are some things to consider:

Does Your Photo “Pop”?

Use colors and contrast to your advantage! Take a look at our listing page and ask yourself which people (based on their photos) you are drawn to and why – then apply those principles to your own photo.

This will definitely be subjective, but what speaks to you is likely what will speak to your ideal clients.

Does Your Photo Speak To Your Personality?

Therapists are as different as the clients that seek them out. While you might think that using a more generic photo will help you appeal to a broader clientele, we actually think it’s more effective to show off your uniqueness!

Not only will this help you stand out in the crowd, but those who resonate with your “vibe” will feel a stronger connection and be more inclined to reach out (one “yes!” is better than ten “maybes”).

Is Your Photo Well Framed And Clear?

We have found that professional photos aren’t always necessary, but clarity (high resolution), good framing, and a having an appealing background can vastly improve how you are perceived by clients.

If you are using a cell phone, outdoor lighting can really improve the photo quality (try moving in circles to find where the light hits you best!). The outdoors also provides you with lots of interesting backgrounds to experiment with.

What Messages Do The Aesthetics Of Your Photo Convey?

This is your clients first impression of you and, as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. Pay attention to what’s in the background, what you are wearing, your expression, etc. This speaks volumes to potential clients.

Your Bio

A client has landed on your page. What factors might influence them 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 credentials and professional experience. Pay attention to your language, tone, and choice of words to make sure your profile feels accessible and welcoming.

Authenticity

Be authentic (whatever that means to you). This can go a long way in helping clients to feel a sense of connection and trust. Generic profiles often get bypassed, but a genuine, heartfelt, and authentic profile can really add that “yes!” factor.

Specialties And Niche

If you have any specialties, make sure they are mentioned. 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 (this is also good for our “keyword” search).

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 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 is invaluable.

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 🙂

Affordable Therapy Network

A Directory of Therapists offering Low Cost & Sliding Scale Counselling Across Canada