The Grow Your Private Practice Show

Hosted by Jane Travis

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Episodes

200

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

I’m Jane Travis and I’m an ex counsellor that now works with other therapists to grow their private practice, hence the name of the show. I’m the author of the Grow Your Private Practice book and also run the Grow Your Private Practice membership, where counsellors can get together and learn all about marketing, with a special love of all things blogging. Okay, that’s the official stuffy 'about me' bit out of the way, because honestly, it’s so much more than that. The truth is, the thing that really drives me, is helping counsellors - counsellors like you - to get more freedom and choice into your life so can work when you want to, how you want to and with the issues that you’re passionate about. And importantly, to get paid properly to do so. Because you have the freedom and choice to run a thriving private practice whilst also creating a fulfilling life for both yourself and your family. If you want that too, please click subscribe. I hope you enjoy listening.

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60 recent

September 10, 202621 min

You Wanted to Be a Counsellor. What Else Were You Hoping For?

You wanted to be a counsellor. You did the training, the placements, the supervision, the nerve-racking first client... and then somehow you ended up worrying about websites, directories, SEO, marketing and whether you're doing enough to get clients. But what did you actually want all this for? In this episode, we're looking beyond ‘I need more clients’ and thinking about the working life you were hoping counselling would give you — and whether the things taking up your attention now are actually moving you towards it. I talk about: Why ‘I need more clients’ can become a much bigger problem than you realise The question I think is far more useful than ‘What should I be doing?’ Why those empty spaces in your diary might be stopping you from seeing something important What I discovered about work after years of thinking people who loved their jobs were frankly a bit odd Why somebody else's idea of a successful private practice could send you in completely the wrong direction And the difference between the thing you're trying to fix and the thing you're actually trying to build If you've been doing lots of things to make your private practice work but still have that nagging feeling that you're not really getting anywhere, this episode might give you a rather different question to ask yourself. LINKS & RESOURCES Find Your Focus waiting list https://www.janetravis.co.uk/find-your-focus/ Episode 209: Marketing Might Not Be Your Favourite Bit — But It Is the Important Bit https://www.janetravis.co.uk/marketing-for-therapists/ Start Here — all my free and paid resources https://www.janetravis.co.uk/start-here/ Enjoying the podcast? Buy me a coffee ☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/janetravis

September 3, 202618 min

How much time are you wasting trying to save time?

How much time are you wasting trying to save time? How many times have you decided that THIS is the week you’re finally going to get organised? Maybe you’ve bought a new notebook, downloaded an app or spent hours setting up a system that is definitely going to make everything easier. I’ve been doing exactly that while getting ready to launch Find Your Focus. And after several attempts, one impressive system created by a friend and four or five hours trying to make something work, I realised I might have been going about this completely the wrong way. In this episode, I’m talking about why getting organised can sometimes make running your private practice feel even more complicated, the mistake I made when I tried to organise myself like somebody else, and my new Ordinary Tuesday Test . If you genuinely want to be more organised but nothing you try ever seems to stick, this one’s for you. Also mentioned: Find Your Focus If you’re doing lots of things to grow your private practice but aren’t sure where your time and energy would be best spent, Find Your Focus is my new 90-minute 1:1 session. Join the Find Your Focus waiting list → HERE Further resources Check out the podcast I did with Fifi Using introvert superpowers to attract more clients Take the FIND assessment, and grab other free resources for counsellors HERE And find all my free and paid resources HERE

August 27, 202628 min

Should Counsellors Use Testimonials and Google Reviews?

Should Counsellors Use Testimonials and Google Reviews? Testimonials are brilliant for marketing. They build trust, offer reassurance and give someone an insight into what it might be like to work with you. So surely asking a happy client for one is a no-brainer? Well... when you're a counsellor, it's a little more complicated than that. I've noticed the question of testimonials and Google reviews coming up again recently, although it's a debate that's been rumbling around in counselling circles for as long as I can remember. So in this episode, I'm taking a closer look at it. Should you use testimonials? Is there a difference between someone offering you one and you asking for one? And are there things we already understand perfectly well in the therapy room that can sometimes get forgotten when we put our marketing hats on? I'm not going to give you a simple yes or no answer (annoying, I know). But I am going to give you some things to think about so you can make a decision that feels right for you, your clients and your private practice. Have a listen and see where you land. Mentioned in this episode: BACP Therapy Today – ‘ Can we ask clients for testimonials? ’ And if you enjoy the podcast, please follow The Grow Your Private Practice Show wherever you listen. It takes seconds, costs precisely nothing, and really does help more counsellors discover the show. Want some help with your own marketing? If all this talk about building trust has got you wondering how well your own marketing is doing its job, come and have a rummage around The Vault . It's packed with free resources I've created specifically for counsellors and psychotherapists who want to get found by more of the right clients – without feeling as though marketing has become another full-time job. And you'll also find the FIND Assessment in there. It will help you take a proper look at your marketing, see what's already working and spot where it might be worth focusing your attention next. Get free access to The Vault → The Vault

August 20, 202638 min

What If Getting Clients Isn’t the Best Reason to Create Content?

You’d think that after creating hundreds of blogs, podcasts and YouTube videos between us, my friend and counsellor Sarah Dosanjh and I would have this content creation thing pretty much sorted by now. You’d be wrong. Recently, we’ve both missed some of our usual publishing dates, which got us talking about consistency, what keeps us creating after all these years and, more importantly, why we’re still doing it . Because yes, creating useful content can help people find you and ultimately bring you clients. We are running businesses, after all. But what if that isn’t actually the best reason to keep doing it? In this episode, Sarah and I chat about what we’ve both learned after years of creating content, why finding something you actually enjoy matters, and the surprising things you can get back from the content you put out into the world. We also get into what happens when you miss a week (apparently my brain goes to ‘IS THIS THE BEGINNING OF THE END?’ while Sarah worries about being punished by the YouTube algorithm), why Thursday mornings are officially a ‘no Jane’ zone and the important role £1.49 unlimited Wetherspoons coffee can play in getting things done. It’s basically two friends who’ve been doing this for years comparing notes on what actually keeps us coming back. And I think you might look at creating content a little differently after listening. A huge thank you to Sarah for coming on and having this conversation with me. I always love talking to her, and I think there’s something reassuring about admitting that even after years of creating content, neither of us has got it all perfectly sorted. And actually, I’m not sure that’s even the aim. And, seeing as Buy Me a Coffee actually came up in our conversation, it would be slightly ridiculous of me not to mention it now, wouldn’t it? So yes, if you enjoy the podcast and you fancy buying me a coffee as a little thank you, you absolutely can right HERE . And I promise to spend it responsibly. By which I obviously mean on coffee. About Sarah Dosanjh Sarah Dosanjh is a psychotherapist and author of the bestselling book I Can’t Stop Eating , which is now also available on Audible. After her own recovery from binge eating disorder she has gone on to specialise in helping others do the same. And she's a busy women! She has recently trained to be an ADHD coach, and will receive her accreditation soon. She's appeared on various media outlets such as BBC Breakfast, Sky’s Roundtable and BBC Radio One, and has amassed over 3 million views on YouTube. AND she has an online course starting soon: Sarah has a new six-week live online course starting on 9th September called Wired to Binge? , which explores the connection between ADHD and binge eating or feeling out of control around food. So if that sounds relevant to you, or perhaps to someone you know, you can find out more on Sarah’s website, thebingeeatingtherapist.co.uk . Connect with Sarah: YouTube Instagram Facebook Life After Diets Podcast

August 6, 202616 min

Why People Stop Going to Counselling – And Never Come Back

Why People Stop Going to Counselling – And Never Come Back Have you ever found yourself wondering why a client came to one or two sessions… and then never booked again? It's one of the hardest parts of being a counsellor. Your mind starts trying to fill in the blanks. You replay conversations, question yourself and wonder whether there was something you missed. But what if you've been asking the wrong question? In this episode, we're looking at a different way of thinking about clients who don't continue with counselling. One that could change how you view those experiences, reduce some of the self-doubt that so many counsellors carry, and even influence the way you talk about yourself on your website. If you've ever questioned yourself after a client didn't return, I think this episode might give you a fresh perspective. Links mentioned 🌱 Write Your Homepage If you'd like a homepage that helps the right people recognise they've found someone they can imagine talking to, you can find out more here: https://www.janetravis.co.uk/write-your-homepage/ ☕ Buy Me a Coffee If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support it, you can buy me a coffee here. ➡️ Buy Me a Coffee And check out all my free and paid resources HERE

July 23, 202616 min

Have You Lost Your Mojo? Why Counsellors Lose Motivation

Have You Lost Your Mojo? Have you ever found yourself thinking, 'I just can't be bothered anymore' ? Perhaps you're putting things off, struggling to get motivated or wondering whether you've simply fallen out of love with private practice. Maybe you've even caught yourself thinking, 'Shall I just pack it all in and go and get a 'proper' job?' If so, you're definitely not the only one. In this episode, I'm talking about those times when your motivation seems to disappear and everything suddenly feels like hard work. More importantly, I'm sharing the one question that's helped me look at those moments in a completely different way. It might just change the way you think about your own 'lost mojo' too. Mentioned in this episode 🌱 The Complete Support Package Three months of personalised support to help you build strong foundations, get found by more of the right clients, and grow your private practice with confidence. ➡️ Find out more: The Complete Support Package ☕ Buy Me a Coffee If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support it, you can buy me a coffee here. ➡️ Buy Me a Coffee And check out all my free and paid resources HERE

July 16, 202619 min

Could Your Website Be Creating Uncertainty for Potential Clients?

Have you ever wondered whether your website makes as much sense to your future clients as it does to you? One of the things I've noticed after reviewing hundreds of counselling websites is that it's surprisingly easy to forget what it's like not to know what we know. We naturally write using the language we've spent years learning, often without realising that some of those words can leave potential clients feeling uncertain or out of their depth. In this episode, I'm sharing a simple way to look at your website through your future client's eyes. It's a small shift, but it can make it much easier for people to understand what you do, what your qualifications actually mean and whether you're the right counsellor for them. In this episode, we cover: Why websites that seem perfectly clear to us can feel very different to potential clients. The question I ask whenever I write about qualifications or counselling approaches. How to describe your counselling approach in language your future clients will understand. Why reducing uncertainty makes it easier for people to take that first step. A simple change that could make your website work much harder for you. Mentioned in this episode Start Here : Explore my free and paid resources, services and membership: Write Your Homepage Grow Your Private Practice Membership ☕ If these episodes have helped you and you'd like to say thank you, you can buy me a coffee here: Buy Me A Coffee

July 9, 202626 min

Why Good Counselling Websites Still Don’t Get Enquiries

You've spent time creating a professional website. It looks good, you've explained what you do, and you're proud of how it represents your practice. So why aren't more people getting in touch? In this episode, I'm exploring one of the biggest misconceptions about counselling websites. It isn't always the design, your qualifications or even your SEO that's stopping people from contacting you. Instead, we'll look at what might really be happening when someone lands on your website and leaves without taking the next step. If you've ever wondered why your website isn't bringing the enquiries you hoped for, this episode is for you. In this episode we'll explore: Why a "good" website isn't always enough. The hidden reason visitors leave without contacting you. The questions prospective clients are asking themselves. Small changes that can make a big difference. Whether you're creating a new website or improving the one you already have, this episode will give uou a few things to change to keep them around 🌱 Read the accompanying blog: Why Good Counselling Websites Still Don't Get Enquiries Write Your Homepage (1:1) If you'd like my help creating a homepage that helps the right clients feel confident enough to get in touch, you can find out more here: https://www.janetravis.co.uk/write-your-homepage ☕ Enjoyed this episode? If you'd like to support the podcast, you can buy me a coffee here: https://buymeacoffee.com/janetravis

July 2, 202617 min

The Unexpected Personal Growth That Comes with Private Practice

Running a private practice teaches us all sorts of practical things. We learn about websites, marketing, SEO, blogging, Google Business Profiles... the list goes on. But what if some of the biggest lessons have nothing to do with marketing at all? This week, I share something that happened during the recent UK heatwave that completely caught me by surprise. After missing a podcast episode for the first time in 255 weeks, I found myself asking why taking a break felt so uncomfortable - and the answer wasn't what I expected. It led me to think about the way our businesses can reveal old beliefs, habits and patterns we've been carrying around for years without even realising it. If you've ever struggled with guilt, boundaries, people-pleasing, procrastination, or simply feeling as though you should always be doing more, I think you'll find something to relate to in this episode. In this episode, we explore: What a heatwave unexpectedly revealed about me. Why taking time off felt much harder than I thought it would. The little voice in my head that I'd somehow never questioned. What running a private practice can teach us about ourselves. One simple shift that can change the way we respond to the challenges in our business. Why this matters It's easy to think our biggest challenges in private practice are about marketing, confidence or finding more clients. Sometimes they are. But sometimes they're pointing us towards something much deeper. The more we understand ourselves, the easier it becomes to build a business that feels sustainable, authentic and genuinely works for us. Links and resources 🌱 Read the accompanying blog: The Unexpected Personal Growth That Comes with Private Practice 🌱 Explore The Vault – my free library of resources for counsellors: https://www.janetravis.co.uk/vault/ 🌱 Find out more about how we can work together https://www.janetravis.co.uk/start-here

June 18, 202623 min

Your Contact Page: The Most Overlooked Page on Your Website (And How to Improve It)

Have you ever spent ages thinking about your homepage, your blogs or your directory profile... and then completely forgotten about your contact page? You're not alone. Most counsellors put a lot of effort into getting people to visit their website. But when someone finally decides they might want to get in touch, what happens next? In this week's episode, I'm talking about one of the most overlooked pages on a counselling website - your contact page. In this episode We explore why your contact page matters far more than many people realise, and some simple ways to make it feel more welcoming, reassuring and helpful for potential clients. You'll discover: Why your contact page isn't just an admin page What nervous potential clients are often thinking before they make contact Small changes that can make a big difference Practical elements that help people feel more confident about reaching out How to make your contact page feel more human You may discover that one of the easiest ways to improve your website isn't getting more visitors at all - it's helping the visitors you already have feel ready to take the next step. Links Read the accompanying blog: https://www.janetravis.co.uk/your-contact-page-the-most-overlooked-page-on-your-website-and-how-to-improve-it/ Join the Grow Your Private Practice membership: https://www.growyourprivatepractice.co.uk Start here: https://www.janetravis.co.uk/start-here/