Stop Doing These 5 Things That Are Hurting Your Practice Growth

Running a therapy practice today is about more than great clinical work — it’s also about building a clear, trustworthy online presence. After working with a lot of therapists, I’ve noticed a handful of common mistakes that quietly hold back growth. Let’s look at what they are and how to fix them.

1. Linking to Directories Instead of Your Website

Many therapists include Psychology Today or Headway links in their bios or ads. While these directories make it easy for clients to find you, they also make it easy for them to find your competition.

Think of it like this: would you rather send someone to your own flagship store or to a crowded mall full of competitors?

👉 Always link directly to your website.

2. Confusing or Weak Calls to Action (CTA)

Your website should make it crystal clear what you want visitors to do next. Whether it’s “Book a Free Call” or “Schedule a Consultation,” the call to action should stand out and be clear.

If you give people too many options — or bury your CTA under text — they’ll hesitate. Keep it simple: one or two clear ways to take the next step.

3. Photos That Don’t Match Your Practice

Beautiful photography is great — but it needs to match what you do. Inconsistent visuals can subtly confuse potential clients. Confusion sends people away.

For example:

• A Manhattan-based practice using photos of forests

• An anxiety specialist with no images of calm or relief

• A therapist for adults featuring only families

Your photos should reflect your clients’ world and the outcomes they’re hoping for.

4. Too Much Friction to Get in Touch

If someone wants to schedule with you, make it easy. Embedding a free booking calendar directly on your site removes friction and increases conversions.

Think of it like making a dinner reservation: would you rather email back and forth or click “Reserve a Table Now”?

Even if your schedule changes, most modern tools let you set availability windows and sync with your clinical and personal calendars. Clients should never have to wait to find a time.

5. No FAQ (or Pricing) Page

A strong FAQ page saves you — and your clients — time. Without it, you’ll end up with consultations that aren’t a good fit.

Use this space to answer common questions and qualify leads:

• Do you take insurance?

• What are your fees and hours?

• Are sessions virtual or in-person?

• Which state(s) are you licensed in?

Look back at consultations that didn’t work out and address those points directly in your FAQ.

💡 Bonus: No System for Following Up With Leads

Even with online booking, some clients will still email or call. If you’re not following up quickly, you’re losing opportunities.

In today’s world, waiting until the end of the day isn’t fast enough. Automations built into a good CRM can send personalized texts and emails within seconds — making sure you stay top of mind.

When clients are searching for help, they’re often contacting multiple therapists. Be the one who responds first.

Final Thoughts

These small tweaks can make a huge difference in how effectively your practice grows.

If you’d like support implementing these systems — from optimizing your website to building automated follow-ups — my team and I can help. We offer bespoke marketing (including CRM setup) for therapists.

Reach out to book a free consultation to see if it’s a good fit.