The Grow Your Private Practice Show

Hosted by Jane Travis

Business Entrepreneurship Health Fitness

Website RSS feed

Episodes

200

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

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.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 11, 202617 min

Why Experienced Counsellors Forget How Much They Know

Have you ever had that experience where you attend a training course, read a book or listen to a podcast and realise you already know most of it?That's what sparked this week's episode.It's easy to assume that if something feels obvious to us, it must be obvious to everyone else too. But what if that's not true? What if some of the things you've stopped noticing are actually some of the most valuable things you know?In this episode, I'm exploring why experienced counsellors often underestimate their own knowledge, how familiarity can disguise expertise, and why the insights that feel most ordinary to you may be exactly what somebody else needs to hear.In this episode we talk about:Why expertise rarely arrives with a fanfareThe marketing training that made me realise how much I'd learnedThe lightbulb moments that stayed with me from TA trainingWhy clients often remember things that counsellors take for grantedHow familiarity can hide the value of what you knowA question I'd love you to spend some time thinking aboutLinks☕ Support the podcast (and the occasional cappuccino): Buy Me a Coffee🌱 Grow Your Private Practice membership🌐 Jane TravisFor all my free and paid resources, Start Here

June 4, 202619 min

Who Decided You Were Behind? (And Why So Many Counsellors Feel That Way)

Do you ever get the feeling that everyone else has somehow worked it all out?That they're more confident, more organised, more successful, and somehow managing to keep up with all the things you're convinced you should be doing?Perhaps you've found yourself thinking:'I should have sorted my website by now.''I should be posting more.''I should know what I'm doing by now.'If any of that sounds familiar, you're not alone.In this episode, I'm exploring a word that fascinated me when I worked as a counsellor, and one that I still hear all the time in conversations about private practice and marketing.It's a tiny word, but it often carries far more weight than we realise.We'll look at what might be hiding underneath those thoughts about websites, blogs, visibility and confidence, and why so many capable counsellors end up feeling as though they're falling short.And somewhere along the way, I'd like to ask a question that might change how you think about your private practice:Who decided you were behind in the first place?In this episodeThe counselling question I used to ask whenever I heard a client use a particular wordWhy private practice can become a breeding ground for unrealistic expectationsThe hidden comparison sitting underneath many marketing worriesA simple idea that might help you see your progress more clearlyLinks and Resources📖 Related blog:From Self-Doubt to Self-Confidence: 8 Strategies for Therapists to Overcome Imposter Syndrome📚 The Vault - Free resources for counsellorsFor all my free and paid resources, Start Here☕ Enjoying the podcast?If you'd like to support the show, you can buy me a coffee using the link below. Every contribution helps me keep creating free blogs, podcast episodes and resources for counsellors in private practice.Buy Me A Coffee

May 28, 202619 min

Why So Many Counsellor Websites Sound The Same

If you've ever looked at another counsellor's website and thought:"That sounds really professional. Maybe I should say something like that."… you're not alone.Most counsellors learn how to be counsellors before they learn how to market themselves, so it's only natural that we look around at other websites and directory profiles for clues about what we're "supposed" to say.The trouble is that when everybody uses the same language, potential clients can struggle to work out who they're looking at and whether that counsellor is the right fit for them.In this episode, I'm exploring why phrases like safe, confidential and non-judgemental aren't the problem in themselves, but why they may not be enough to help potential clients understand what makes you different.We talk about:Why so many counsellors end up using similar website wordingWhat potential clients are really looking for when choosing a counsellorWhy a safe, non-judgemental space is the starting point, not the outcomeThe difference between describing a problem and demonstrating understandingWhy recognition matters so much in counselling marketingHow to communicate what you know without making unrealistic promisesMentioned in this episodeWrite Your HomepageIf you're struggling to turn what you know into website copy that helps potential clients recognise themselves and get in touch, you'll find details of my Write Your Homepage session here: Write Your HomepageBuy Me a CoffeeA huge thank you to Kate for recently buying me a coffee (and cake!).If you've found the podcast helpful and would like to support the time that goes into creating these episodes and blog posts, you can buy me a coffee here: Buy Me A CoffeeRelated readingCan You Help Your Clients... And Do They Know It?

May 22, 202646 min

You Don’t Need To Become An Extrovert To Grow Your Practice, with Melitta Campbell

What if the reason marketing feels so hard… is because you’ve been trying to do it in a way that doesn’t actually fit you?Because so many counsellors believe they need to be:LouderMore visibleMore confident onlineOr constantly “performing” in order to grow their practiceAnd this conversation goes in a very different direction.This week, I’m joined by the fabulous Melitta Campbell, award-winning business coach, TEDx speaker, and author of Value Whispering.We talk about the kind of marketing that feels more human, more relationship-driven, and far more sustainable for people who don’t want to spend their lives trying to be the loudest person online.There’s also a really interesting part of the conversation where we accidentally drift into talking about sales… and why counsellors may already be far better at those conversations than they realise.This episode is for you if:Marketing leaves you drainedYou’ve ever thought ‘I’m just bad at visibility’Social media feels performativeYou worry about sounding salesyOr you’ve been trying to force yourself into strategies that simply don’t feel like you.Links & ResourcesMelitta’s free chapter of Value WhisperingThe Art of Value Whispering podcastMelitta Campbell websiteConnect on LinkedIn

May 14, 202617 min

The open letter I nearly didn’t publish (and why this kind of blog works so well)

There are some blogs you sit down and plan, and then there are the ones that keep coming back when you’re trying to switch off.This episode is about one of those.It started with something I kept noticing about counsellors, and the more I saw it, the harder it became to ignore. Not just what people were struggling with, but what they were making it mean about themselves… and how much weight that was carrying.I didn’t set out to write a blog about it. I just found myself wanting to say something to those people.This is about what happened next, and why I nearly didn’t share it.🔗 The open letters I mentionedIf you want to see the kind of blogs I’m talking about, these are the ones that came from moments like that:An open letter to therapists with mental health issuesAn open letter to new counsellors and therapistsAn open letter to the counsellor who’s finding marketing hardDear Santa🌱 Want to try writing one?This month’s Framework First walks you through exactly how to write this kind of blog, step by step: Framework First Blogging Method👋 New here?If this is the first time you’ve come across my work, this is the best place to start: Start Here

May 7, 202626 min

E-E-A-T for Counsellors: What It Actually Means, with Theo Ruby

If you’ve come across terms like E-E-A-T or YMYL recently and thought…“I feel like I should know what that means…”You’re definitely not alone.In this episode, I’m joined by Theo Ruby - someone I’ve worked with for years and regularly refer people to when they need help with the tech and SEO side of their website.We’re talking about what’s actually changing when it comes to Google… and why, for once, it’s actually good news for counsellors.What we cover in this episodeWe talk about:What E-E-A-T actually means (in plain English)What YMYL is and why counselling websites are treated differentlyWhy this isn’t about learning a whole new strategyHow to make small changes that can make a big differenceWhy your experience matters more than everHow to use AI without losing your voiceWhat Google is really looking for (and what it’s starting to ignore)Why this mattersThis isn’t about trying to “keep up with SEO.”It’s about something much simpler.👉 helping the right people find you👉 helping them recognise themselves in what you write👉 and making it easier for them to feel confident reaching outAnd actually…Most counsellors are already doing parts of this.It’s just about being a bit more intentional with it.A simple example we talk aboutInstead of writing:“Anxiety can be managed using…”You might say:“In my work with clients, I’ve found…”Same idea but now you’re showing:Your experienceYour understandingHow you actually workAnd that’s exactly the kind of thing Google is starting to prioritise.One key takeawayThis is the bit I really want you to take away:You don’t need to:Write moreSound more “professional”Or become an SEO expertYou just need to:👉 show more of what you already bring to your workHelpful linksTheo’s guide to E-E-A-T: EEAT for Therapists: A Practical Guide to E-E-A-T and YMYLJoin our FREE live workshop with myself and Theo on 14th May : Make Your Private Practice Website Stand Out OnlineAbout Theo RubyTheo Ruby has spent 8 years working exclusively with private practice owners across the UK. He helps therapists, counsellors, and hypnotherapists attract the right clients through SEO, website design, and digital marketing.Theo knows the mental health sector well. He understands why generic marketing advice rarely fits a private practice, and he builds his work around the specific needs of each practitioner. Having supported hundreds of practice owners, he brings grounded, practical experience to every project. His approach is clear, straightforward, and focused on results that matter. Find out more at theoruby.com.

April 30, 202613 min

The Website Mistakes That Are Costing You Clients as a Counsellor

There are a few things I see on counselling websites all the time.They’re not big, obvious mistakes. In fact, they’re usually things you’ve added because you’re trying to do things properly - be clear, professional, and helpful.But the way they show up can quietly change how your website feels to someone who’s already unsure about reaching out.And that small shift?It can be enough to make someone hesitate… or leave.In this episode, I’m talking through three of the most common things I see - the kind that don’t look like a problem on the surface, but can make your website feel heavier, more formal, or just a bit harder to connect with.If your counselling website isn’t bringing in as many enquiries as you’d expect, there’s a good chance one of these is sitting there.What we touch on:The kind of wording that can make your website feel more “official” than you intendedWhy timing matters just as much as what you sayA small shift that can change how safe your website feels to a potential clientMentioned in this episode:I’ve been exploring this idea a bit more here - how trying to say too much on your counselling website can actually get in the way:👉 Why your counselling website might be trying to do too muchIf this has you thinking about your own website…If it feels like something’s not quite landing , like you’re saying all the “right” things but it’s still not connecting - this is exactly what we work through inside Write Your Homepage.We take everything that’s currently a bit muddled and turn it into something clear. Clear enough that the right person lands on your page and thinks, ‘that’s me’.With love,Jane xx

April 23, 202613 min

Why I Don't Talk About Niching Any More (And What I Say Instead)

How do you feel when you hear the word 'niche'?Because for a lot of counsellors, that’s the moment things start to feel… harder.What sounds simple on the surface can quickly turn into overthinking, second-guessing, and feeling like you need to get it 'right'.And that can be where everything stalls.So ithis episode, I’m sharing something I’ve noticed over the years, and why I’ve stopped using the word 'niche' altogether.Because the problem isn’t always what we think it is.Inside this episode:Why this one word can stop people in their tracksWhat’s really going on underneath the hesitationThe shift that changes how your marketing starts to landA different way to think about who you want to work withIf this sounds familiar…If you’ve ever found yourself going round in circles trying to 'figure out your niche', this episode might give you a different way of looking at it.✍️ Want help putting this into words?If you’d like support getting clear on who you love working with and turning that into something that actually connects with clients, check out Write Your Homepage🔗 Links:Read the blog versionExplore more resourcesStay connected:Follow the podcast so you don’t miss the next episode.Links & next stepsIf this episode has you thinking, “oh… this feels different… this feels possible”… then this is exactly the work we do together.My Write Your Homepage session is where we take all those thoughts swirling around your head and shape them into something clear, honest, and recognisable to the right clients.Because you don’t need to become someone else to make your marketing work.You just need help putting into words what you already know (even if it doesn’t feel like it yet).👉 Take a look and see if it feels like the right next stepAnd if you’re not quite ready for that, that’s completely okay.Start here instead

April 16, 202639 min

‘A Mum on a Mission’: Rainbow Tomes on Personal Disclosure, Grief and Visibility

There’s something that doesn’t quite add up in counselling...We’re trained to be a blank slate…and yet we’re also trying to build connection, trust, and a sense that someone feels understood before they even reach out.So where’s the line?In this episode, I’m joined by Rainbow Tomes, a counsellor, coach and trainer who describes themselves as a ‘mum on a mission’.Their work is shaped by lived experience, a strong sense of purpose, and a drive to challenge the systems that don’t always support people in the way they should.This is a really honest conversation about personal disclosure, visibility, and what it means to be ‘human’ in this work… without losing sight of boundaries.So if you’ve ever found yourself wondering how much of yourself to share, this one will give you plenty to think about.What we touch onThe tension between being a ‘blank slate’ and building real connectionWhat personal disclosure actually looks like in practiceThe difference between what you share in a session and in your marketingWhy the therapeutic relationship can’t be one-sidedStepping into visibility (even when it feels uncomfortable)Systemic harm, grief, and why naming things matters🔗 Links & ResourcesRainbow specialises in disenfranchised grief and loss, supporting experiences that are often unseen, unacknowledged, and too often not talked about.She is the host of the Talking Grief podcast, where she explores these types of conversations in more depthShe is also the founder of The Mental Health People Ltd.She trains and coaches leaders in more relational, human-centred approaches to mental health and performance. Her work is grounded in a humanistic, integrative approach, incorporating Internal Family Systems (IFS).Alongside this, she runs a private practice, Rise with Rainbow.Connect with her on LinkedInStart here - my free and paid resources (free resources)

April 9, 202614 min

When Your Counselling Website Is Trying to Say Too Much (And What to Do Instead)

There’s nothing wrong with most counselling websites.They’re thoughtful. Careful. Full of good intentions.And yet… people still leave.In this episode, I’m talking about something I see all the time, websites that are trying to say too much. Not because you’ve got it wrong, but because you care, and you want to get it right.I share what’s really going on when someone lands on your homepage, why adding more can actually make it harder for someone to choose you, and what to shift so the right clients can actually recognise themselves.If you’ve ever looked at your website and thought, ‘this sounds fine… but something’s not quite working’, this will help you see why.OverviewWe’re getting into:Why ‘more helpful’ can quietly turn into confusingWhat potential clients are actually looking for when they land on your websiteThe subtle ways self-doubt shows up in your wordingWhy people leave, even when you are the right counsellor for themThe small shift that helps someone think, ‘this sounds like me’Links & next stepsIf this episode has you looking at your homepage a bit differently, this is exactly what I help with in my Write Your Homepage sessions.It’s a focused 90-minute session where we take what you’ve already written and shape it so the right people can actually see themselves in it, and feel ready to reach out.There’s currently an introductory price available until 11th April.👉 Take a look and see if it feels like the right next stepIf you’re not quite ready for that, you can explore more free support here:👉 Start Here