Struggling to fill your caseload can feel overwhelming. You know you’re an excellent therapist, but connecting with the right clients online often feels like a mystery.
Are you just wasting your $30/month? Is Psychology Today not worth it anymore?
With over 70,000 visitors annually searching for the right mental health support, surely there must be something you can do to get more clients, right?
We’re here to tell you that with the right approach, your Psychology Today profile can be the key to getting a steady flow of new clients.
At Private Practice SEO, we’ve helped dozens of therapists optimize their online presence, including creating standout profiles on Psychology Today. Our experience means we know exactly what works to attract the clients you want in search engines like Google and Psychology Today.
To write this blog post, we analyzed over 100 Psychology Today profiles. Here are our top findings based on our observations and experiences.
How to Write a Psychology Today Profile That Converts
Psychology Today profile is often the first impression potential clients have of you. So it’s important you write a profile that acts as your elevator pitch. Here are some tips to make sure you get it right:
Use Client-Centered Language to Build Connection
Oftentimes, therapists fall into the same pattern of writing about themselves. But to be successful you have to think backwards from your ideal client.
You see, your potential clients are searching for someone who truly understands them.
So speaking directly to their pain points and goals is essential for making that connection. Instead of focusing solely on what makes you so awesome, craft your profile in a way that makes your ideal client say “Finally, someone who gets me!”.
This approach sparks a connection, which is the first step to generating interest.
Highlight Your Unique Expertise and Services
Psychology Today profiles are often scanned quickly, starting with your profile picture.
Think about the unique services you offer or the specific issues you’re most passionate about addressing. Use clear, client-friendly keywords that reflect your specialties, such as “trauma therapy,” “couples counseling,” or “CBT for anxiety.”
Including these targeted phrases helps your profile appear in search results when potential clients are looking for someone with your expertise. Plus, it reassures them that you’re the right fit for their needs.
Include a Clear Call to Action
Even the most beautifully written profile can fall short without a clear next step. Don’t leave clients wondering what to do—guide them with a specific call to action.
For example, you might write, “If you’re ready to take the first step toward healing, reach out today to schedule a free 15-minute consultation.” Or, “Contact me now to see if we’re a good fit and start your journey to wellness.” These direct, encouraging prompts can make the difference between someone browsing and someone booking.
By using client-centered language, emphasizing your unique expertise, and including a compelling call to action, you can transform your Psychology Today profile into a powerful tool for growing your practice.
Extra Copywriting Tips for Psychologist Bios
As a therapist, it may feel icky to appeal to people’s emotions, but remember you’re trying to reach the right people who are aligned with your mission.
A therapist bio is the best chance to get people to want to get to know you. Follow these tips for better online success for Psychology Today or your website.
Open With a Hook
Starting with a strong hook grabs attention and makes your profile stand out, increasing the likelihood that a potential client will keep reading.
- Appeal to your ideal client’s emotions by addressing their struggles.
- Use a question to show you understand what they’re going through.
- Examples:
- “Are you stuck in negative patterns you can’t seem to break?”
- “Are you going through a breakup that feels impossible to move past?”
This is your first and best chance to make a connection and pull your reader in.
Explain How You Help
Clearly explaining how you help boosts your chances of connecting with the right clients. When potential clients see that your approach aligns with their needs, they’re more likely to reach out.
- Highlight your therapeutic philosophy or modalities (e.g., CBT, EMDR).
- Connect how your approach meets your clients’ needs.
- Be clear and relatable in describing your methods.
Specify Who You Help
Defining who you help ensures your profile attracts the right audience, making it more likely to convert views into inquiries.
- Clearly define your target audience (e.g., teens with low self-esteem, empty nesters seeking meaning).
- Use direct, empathetic language to show you understand their struggles.
Proofread Your Bio
A polished bio improves your professionalism and credibility, increasing trust and engagement.
- Review your bio for clarity and tone.
- Ask a trusted colleague or friend for feedback.
- Ensure it reflects your core values and practice goals.
How to Rank Higher in Psychology Today Searches
So now you’ve written your awesome bio that sparks connection – congrats!
Unfortunately, even the best profiles won’t do much good if searchers can’t find it.
Below are some tips on making sure that your profile ranks #1 when people search for specific types of therapists in Psychology Today’s search engine.
But first, how does the Psychology Today search engine work?
How the Psychology Today Search Engine Works
Psychology Today uses a randomized rotation system. This means profiles are rotated to give everyone a chance to appear in search results.
However, profiles that are complete, active, and strategically optimized tend to perform better in searches.
The platform also prioritizes profiles based on relevance. Factors like location, specializations, and keywords play a role in matching your profile with client searches.
While you can’t fully control the rotation, you can optimize for relevance to appear in more searches.
Follow these tips to get your listing serviced near the top:
Incorporate Keywords for SEO
Strategic keyword usage is a powerful way to ensure your Psychology Today profile appears in more client searches. When potential clients search for therapists, they often use specific terms related to their concerns, desired services, or location.
Pro tips: Focus on your niche combined with the city and state you’re in. This is called a long-tail keyword and will help your ideal client find you more easily.
Example: EMDR Therapist in San Diego can be used in your description.
Choose Strategic Zip Codes
Your profile ranking is tied to zip codes. Clients often search for therapists based on proximity, so it’s crucial to choose zip codes that align with your target audience.
If your practice is in an area with fewer searches, consider adding nearby zip codes where your ideal clients might live or work.
For instance, if you’re in a small suburb, include the zip code of a larger city nearby to increase your visibility.
Stay Active on the Platform
Activity on Psychology Today can also influence visibility. Update your profile regularly to signal to the platform that you’re active, which increases the odds of you being boosted in the platform.
This can include things like
- Editing your bio,
- Adding new certifications,
- Updating your availability.
By understanding and optimizing for the Psychology Today search engine, you can increase your visibility and attract more clients.
Fill Out Your Profile Completely
You want to ensure every section of your profile is filled out.
This includes the following in each section of your profile:
Basic Information:
- Name and credentials
- Professional title/role
- Office location(s) and contact information
- Profile photo
- License number and state
Practice Details:
- Types of therapy offered
- Treatment approaches and orientations
- Issues/conditions treated
- Client focus (age groups, specific populations)
- Session formats (in-person, online, phone)
- Languages spoken
- Session fees and payment methods
- Insurance plans accepted
About Me Section:
- Professional statement/biography
- Education and training background
- Years in practice
- Additional certifications
Specialties and Expertise:
- Primary areas of focus
- Specific conditions treated
- Special population groups served
Psychology Today Profile Examples to Inspire You
Successful psychologist bios tell a story (and are sometimes oddly specific). Ultimately, they are an impactful expression of you and your practice. They also use proper formatting to make the content easy to skim, such as short paragraphs, bullet points, and headings.
Disclaimer: Please note we hid the identity of all examples for confidential reasons. We do not know these therapists and use them for demonstrative purposes only.
Awesome Psychology Profile 1:
While some may say that including politics in your profile is not a good thing, it works in this particular case.
Why?
1. The polarizing hook will detract “bad-fit” clients.
2. She’s specific with who she helps by calling them out directly
3. She digs into the emotions of her ideal client causing them to want to learn more – she has a good “hook”.
Awesome Psychology Profile 2:
This opener works really well (minus the typo) because it asks an open-ended question that’s also specific enough to the psychologist’s ideal client.
Here are things working in this bio:
1) It places the therapist directly in the conversation of his ideal client “What do we do about so-and-so?
2) It reassures the client that they are not alone and there’s hope
3) He teases out his solution – or “fire” as being quick and effective
Awesome Psychology Profile 2:
This profile works for a few reasons:
- The opening question is relatable to many who may be feeling stuck in life
- She offers a pathway forward that is “helping break free from habitual ways of relating to yourself”
- I have an idea of what working with her will look like: “Finding parts of myself that are at odds with other parts of myself”
This last bio is by far the most broad, but it still works because it’s highly relatable, warm, and inviting.
Additional Tips for Attracting Clients on Psychology Today
There are so many factors that influence how your profile gets serviced. Here are some other essential tips we’ve noticed after analyzing 100+ profiles.
Importance of Mobile-Friendly Profiles
There’s only so much you can tell about a person from reading a bio or seeing a picture. Instead, create an engaging video introducing yourself to your ideal client. This will help them decide if they feel like you’re someone they feel comfortable opening up to.
Importance of Mobile-Friendly Profiles
People often search for therapists on their phones during a lunch break, while commuting, or when relaxing after an honest day’s work.
If your profile isn’t optimized for mobile viewing, you could lose out on connecting with these potential clients.
Here are some tips to make your profile mobile-friendly:
- Use shorter sentences (no walls of text)
- Compress images so they load fast
- Ensure most important info appears near the top
Check the Analytics Dashboard Often
Psychology Today provides therapists with valuable dashboard insights to help track how their profile is performing.
Here are the topic metrics to monitor:
- Total number of profile views
- Geographic location of viewers
- Email inquiries received
- Form submission statistics
- Types of issues/concerns being searched for
With this information, you can keep updating your profile and making it better.
Making your Profile Accessible
Many people seeking therapy juggle demanding work schedules, family responsibilities, or live in areas with limited in-person options.
By emphasizing accessibility in your Psychology Today profile, you can position yourself as the ideal choice for clients who need flexibility.
Create a Profile Maintenance Schedule
Psychology Today rewards profiles that are regularly updated.
Add a new specialization, update your introduction, or refresh your photo every few months to stay relevant and rank higher.
Even if it is just optimizing your bio to create a better story that resonates with your ideal client, the psychology today algorithm will pick up on it and promote your profile.
Lead With Your Inclusivity
Therapy is deeply personal, and clients often seek out professionals who understand their unique cultural, social, and personal experiences.
By showcasing your expertise in working with diverse populations, including the LGBTQ+ community – you can make your profile more inclusive and appealing to clients who value cultural competence.
Leave a Link to Your Website
Last but not least, your profile should act as a gateway to your practice.
Include a link to your website so potential clients can learn more about you, read blog posts, or book a session directly.
This will also help drive traffic to your site, improving its search engine rankings.
Bump Your Private Practice to the Top of Search Results Today
Optimizing your Psychology Today profile is one of the most effective ways to attract your ideal clients and grow your practice.
But it’s only part of the story. Improving your online visibility entails so much more—link building, on-page search engine optimization (SEO), technical SEO, and whatnot.
That’s where I come in. I help busy therapists like you dominate search engine results without putting in the time and energy. You focus on satisfying clients, while I ensure you have a steady stream of bookings.
Want to learn more about how I can help? Book a free session with me today—I’ll analyze your website and create a report on how to bump it to the top of search results.
FAQs About Psychology Today Profiles
Can I Really Get Clients Through Psychology Today?
Yes! Many of my clients have built thriving practices through Psychology Today. With the right profile, you can connect with clients who are actively seeking your services.
How Much Does a Profile Cost?
A Psychology Today profile costs $29.95 per month, which is a small investment compared to the potential ROI of gaining new clients.
What Are the Most Important Parts of My Profile?
The most crucial sections of your profile are your headline, photo, and bio. These are the first things potential clients see, so make them professional, compelling, and client-focused.
Author
Hi, I’m Zack, SEO consultant and owner of Private Practice SEO. I’m on a mission to help practice owners launch and scale their practice with everything I’ve learned the past 6 years in the fast-evolving world of online marketing.