SEO for Therapists & Counselors

Feeling Invisible to Potential Clients?

Despite the vital services you offer as a counselor, you might find that your practice’s visibility on search engines leaves something to be desired. This can be a significant barrier to connecting with potential clients in need.

Understanding SEO isn’t why you got into private practice, yet it’s essential for reaching potential clients today.

With search engine algorithms constantly evolving, AI entering the mainstream, and competition intensifying, the task of improving your online presence can feel overwhelming.

While an effective website is a crucial first step for any practice, a website alone isn’t enough if you’re invisible to those looking for you.

Take the next step

Therapist SEO is Local SEO

Whether you operate using an in-person, hybrid, or virtual private practice model, you likely serve a specific geographic area.

Today, over half of online searches for a specialist or health concern end with “near me.”

If your website and other online properties aren’t sending the right signals to Google and your target audience that you operate in their area, you have a slim chance of showing up in those searches.

The use of Google Maps to find care has increased 1.25x YoY. 

Crucially, these local searches are much more likely to convert. Over three-fourths of people who conduct a local search on their smartphone visit a physical place within 24 hours, and over a quarter of those searches result in a purchase.

Keys to Effective Local SEO for Therapists

  • Optimize your Google My Business Profile
    Create and verify a Google My Business (GMB) profile. This free listing allows your practice to show up in local search results and Google Maps. At a minimum, include your practice name, address, phone number, and hours of operation.
  • Local Keywords Optimization
    Ensure your website mentions your location in key areas like the homepage, contact page, and footer. Use local keywords throughout your site that potential clients might use to find therapists in your area, such as “therapy services in [City Name]” or “[Your Specialty] in [City Name].”
  • Local Directories
    List your practice in local business directories and online healthcare directories. Consistency is key, so ensure your business name, address, and phone number are the same across all listings.
  • Local Content
    Create content relevant to your local community. This could include blog posts about local mental health resources, participation in local events, or advice on dealing with issues that affect your community.
  • Mobile Optimization
    Most local searches happen on mobile devices, so it’s important that your website is optimized for those devices. A site that loads in seconds and is easy to navigate on a smartphone can improve your search rankings and user experience.
Grow your local presence

SEO Services at New Leaf Digital

Strategy Roadmap

We identify growth opportunities and set clear, actionable steps to enhance online visibility and attract more clients. It’s a comprehensive approach designed to meet your specific needs.

Keyword Research

Keyword research guides you to find your true north. We find the words and phrases people use when looking for your services to ensure your website speaks to the needs of your potential clients.

Technical SEO

Technical SEO is your website’s backbone. It makes sure your website is easy for search engines to understand and index. We provide a well-optimized foundation to improve search rankings and user experience and attract organic traffic.

Content Writing

Effective content provides helpful insights to build trust with your visitors and signal to Google that you’re a credible source of information. We offer detailed templates to spark inspiration and Done-For-You writing services when you need them.

On-Page SEO

We optimize all key pages on your site using the right keywords in your content, structuring your posts with headings, and optimizing your images. Effective on-page SEO is like a magnet for search engine crawlers and potential clients.

Local SEO

Showing up in Google’s “map pack” can be a huge win for your practice. We can optimize and update your Google My Business profile to ensure it consistently appears for local searchers.

Off-Page SEO

Off-page SEO involves activities outside your website that improve your reputation and authority, including backlinks from reputable sites and online reviews. We can provide strategy and best practices to jumpstart your outreach.

Monthly SEO

We can consistently update and refine your SEO strategy in response to outside changes and your own website’s performance. Think of it as a regular health check-up to ensure your website continues to perform well and attract more clients over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Focus on creating high-quality, relevant content that addresses your ideal clients’ concerns and questions. Use targeted keywords throughout your site, including titles, headings, and meta descriptions, and be sure that they match the intent of the search. Ensure your website is mobile-friendly, has fast loading times, and is secured with HTTPS. Also, build a strong backlink profile by getting listed in relevant directories and gaining links from reputable sites relevant to your practice.

Start by brainstorming topics relevant to your services, such as specific types of therapy you offer or common issues you treat. A simple and free way to find terms your potential clients are searching for is to enter search terms into Google and analyze the autocomplete results. Generally, these results indicate interest and relevance for those terms and phrases. Also, consider geographical keywords if you serve a local area.

Content creation is crucial because it allows you to target specific keywords and topics your potential clients are searching for. Regularly publishing informative and engaging articles, blog posts, or videos can establish authority in your niche, encourage shares and backlinks, and improve your site’s visibility and ranking on search engines. It also provides value to your visitors, helping to convert them into clients.

Analytics tools such as Google Analytics can track your website’s traffic, engagement metrics, and conversion rates. Monitor your traffic sources to see how much is coming from organic search. Setting specific goals, like increased contact form submissions or phone calls, can also help measure the effectiveness of your SEO efforts.

SEO should be viewed as a long-term investment, particularly when you’re launching a new website or have never optimized your site. Generally speaking, results can begin materializing within 3-6 months of well-executed optimizations. Those results can disappear as quickly as they arrive if you don’t continually monitor and optimize your SEO strategy, so it’s important to stay committed.

Get started today