Do Therapists Really Need a Psychology Today profile?

Is a Psych Today profile really worth it?

Most people use the internet to find services, yes, that includes medical. So, one of your top strategies will be to increase your presence online.

There are a lot of ways you can promote yourself as a therapist online. One of the most popular ways is to create a Psychology Today profile. 

PsychToday is one of the biggest online directories for mental health practitioners. Being featured here will ensure that you’re visible to potential clients who may be looking for you.

So, do therapists need a Psychology Today profile? 

We’ll discuss what a stand out profile can do for your business, and how I used it when I started out as a psychotherapist. I'll also include other strategies that you can tap into to expand your online presence.

Why Do Therapists Need a Psychology Today Profile?

Psychology Today is a leading psychology-focused magazine. It's also known for its expansive and easily-browsable online directory of therapists. Due to its popularity, many mental health practitioners advertise their services with them. This allows therapists to get new clients and establish their authority in the field.

There are some other perks to creating a profile on Psychology Today. The fee to join covers some complimentary benefits. These alone can make this online directory a great choice for many of you. 

By advertising on Psychology Today’s directory, you will also get a subscription to their magazine. Their magazine can keep you updated on developments in the industry. You'll also have access to an exclusive forum for mental health practitioners.

It’s not enough to just have a therapist online profile. Here’s how to connect and engage with your ideal clients. 

There are thousands of mental health professionals listed on Psychology Today. Some or many of them may also serve the same area as you. This means that if your profile isn’t competitive, you could be losing out on some potential clients.

So, how can you ensure that your profile will stand out to your target audience?

Take a look at our tips on writing a Psychology Today profile that makes a memorable impression:

Include Your Specialty Information

Make your Psychology Today profile more appealing to potential clients. You can start by adding all your relevant information. This includes your degrees, licenses, specialties, and more. 

Including all your relevant information is especially important on this platform. Psychology Today allows searchers to filter their search results by many criteria. For example, the client is looking for an ADHD specialist. If you forgot to list that you specialize in ADHD counseling, you won’t appear in their search results.

When clients do manage to locate your profile, they'll want to see a comprehensive profile. If they see that its lacking key information they need, they might move onto someone else.

Provide All of Your Contact Methods

Don’t make it challenging for clients to get in touch.

Give your potential clients all of your contact methods. Don’t just limit them to contacting you via phone. Other methods you can include are your business email and social media accounts. This is especially important for therapists. Many anxiety patients struggle with making phone calls and like to do some of their own research. Don’t forget to link your professional website, too. 

Make Your Profile Trustworthy

Potential clients are looking for the services that they think can help them the best. That’s why it’s important that your profile reflects the professional that you are. Show them that you are capable and qualified!

Potential clients should get the impression that they can trust you, and that you’re the person for the job.

One way to do this is by uploading a clear, professional photo on your profile. This allows you to stand out from profiles that lack photos. Images also give potential clients a sense of your personality. You should also focus on the quality of the content of your profile. Make sure that it is well-written, without mistakes in grammar or spelling. It should also come across in a way that builds trust and connection with potential clients.
 

Update Regularly to See Benefits from a Psychology Today Profile

To ensure that your profile can perform well, make sure to update and optimize your profile on a regular basis. Revisit to see what you can improve on, and. If you make changes to your practice, add the recent developments onto your profile. This will make you seem trustworthy. If you attended a high-profile seminar or won an award, you can add that to your Psychology Today profile.

Is Marketing with a Psychology Today Profile Worth it?

Advertising on Psychology Today is not free. Therapists pay a flat monthly fee to advertise their services on their directory. Some therapists are hesitant to create a profile because of this fee. 

Yet, about 9 in 10 therapists said that creating a Psychology Today profile is a good investment. Other survey respondents said that “it depends.” Take note though, not a single therapist said that their PsychToday profile isn't worth it. 

If you're not sure a Psychology Today profile is right for you, you have options. There are several other online directories. Some of these include Therapy Den, Good Therapy, Theravive, TherapyTribe, and Network Therapy. However, take note that most of these directories also charge monthly or annual fees. Weigh in the pros and cons of each platform before you decide which directory to advertise on. If you have the budget to advertise on more than one, you can do so to reach as many clients as possible.

Is Creating a Professional Therapist Website Necessary?

A Psychology Today profile will help your therapy practice, but you'll need more than that. PsychToday alone won't establish a solid online presence for you. You'll also need a professional website to boost your digital presence. 

Some therapists find creating a professional website is a lot of complicated work. Or, they don't want to hire a professional web designer. To combat this, there are now web design services you can easily use to create your own website. Services like Squarespace or Wix come with design templates and tutorials. You can create professional-looking websites on your own.

Here are the reasons why a stellar therapist website is your most important marketing resource: 

• Your website is the first thing most potential clients will look at to learn about your services. Without a professional website, your business may not seem credible. Potential clients will also not be able to find out more information about you.
• A website improves your online visibility. With search engine optimization, your website could be one of the first few search results on Google. This is a great way to reach potential clients that aren't already aware of your practice.
• A professional website will help you stay ahead of the competition. As mentioned, your website adds credibility and authority to your business. Other therapists in your area likely. have their own website. You'll want to have one too, so that you remain competitive.

Online Visibility and Marketing with a Psychology Today Profile

Almost everyone is using the internet these days. Without an online presence, you could be missing out on opportunities for your private practice. 81% of the world’s population searches online before making decisions regarding purchases. This includes paying for therapy. So, it's in your best interest to maintain a Psychology Today profile. 

You can create a Psychology Today profile or your own professional website. The most important part is that you handle your marketing strategies effectively. This way, potential clients on your website or profile will be easier to convert into paying clients.