Author: William Clark

How to Market Your Services as a Therapist

Posted on by William Clark

You’re a therapist, not a marketing director, and you probably didn’t learn how to get clients in school, at least not as part of your degree path. But now you are running a practice you surely could use more business, help more people, and, of course, make more money.

But how do you do that? Well, that’s just what this article is designed to help you with. Whether you are just starting your practice or have been up and running for years, buckling down on your marketing efforts can help you build the business you have always dreamed of.

Your Practice is a Business

At the core of your practice, you are running a business and providing a service, an important one. In my experience, a lot of therapists are uncomfortable marketing themselves because they feel that it goes against their purpose in pursuing their path as a mental health professional, to begin with.

However, let me present to you an alternative view. The better your marketing, the more people you are able to help. Not only that, but when the marketing is done right, the potential clients will be able to see if you fit their needs or if another therapist is a better fit. This means they get help faster and you don’t lose clients that were never a good fit in the first place.

So, how can you market ethically and effectively? The first step is to identify your ideal client.

You want to help people, but to do that you need to know who you want to help. This partly depends on your competition and partly on your career path. You will have to look at yourself and your practice and research the market to determine the best path for growth.

Who are the clients that you want to target? A lot of therapists focus on a certain age group, gender, income range, and other factors. While you may not want to limit yourself to one of these, especially toward the beginning of your career, deciding who to market to will help you narrow your efforts and reap the rewards of doing so.

What is your market like? Look at the market you aim to enter or continue to grow within. Are you wanting to stay local or utilize online platforms and services as well as other telehealth options? When it comes to your competition, you want to see if there is saturation in certain specialization areas and mental health services as well. You do want to stand out after all.

What is your ideal client looking for? To reach your preferred clientele, you have to let them know that you provide the thing they are looking for. Regardless of what methods you choose for marketing, you want to answer your target audience’s questions and concerns or provide the information that they are seeking.

How does your practice help them find what they seek? You need to not only know who you are trying to reach but how you can help them. If they see no benefit in the services you are offering, then they are unlikely to pursue a session. You should nail down the problems they are facing and how you can help them solve those problems.

Methods to Reach Your Ideal Client

There are a lot of ways to reach possible clients and they may not all be for you. That’s okay. Depending on your goals, you may just want to start slowing with one or two so that you can see how it goes. You also don’t want to overcomplicate things or distract yourself from your current clients and their needs, as well as your own. Let’s check out some of the options you have, how they work, and how you may be able to get started.

Networking

Networking is one of the best things you can do for your practice. Not only can it help you obtain more clients, but it can also provide continuous learning so that you can help them in new ways. There are tons of ways to network depending on your personality and goals.

Meeting other therapists, especially when you have a specific specialty, can help you get referrals. While you probably don’t want to ask for referrals immediately, you can get to know people and they may think of you first when someone tells them they are looking for a therapist to help them with a particular problem that you are experienced in treating.

You can join a group online or in-person, as long as you are building connections it will work. This method will inevitably take some time, but can be an essential part of your long-term marketing strategy.

You can also get involved in your local community. Volunteer for causes you care about, speak publicly about certain issues and get to know the people that are around you. Not only could they refer someone to you, but everyone is a possible client.

Having a business card and an elevator pitch can be helpful because it gives you an easy way to pass on your contact information and tell them what you do. Make sure that you are specific and short-winded so that they know you and what services you provide without sounding salesy or pushy.

Finally, if you have a new practice you may want to consider taking insurance. While some therapists like to avoid this, a lot of people will look at their insured provider lists without even considering any mental health professionals not listed.

Website

Having a professional website can be highly beneficial and it can be an affordable way to get more clients, help more people, and grow your practice in your community. You want the website to mirror the services you offer and appear on Google when people in your area look for mental health professionals, particularly with issues that you specialize in.  You can also have an “About Me” page and other resources that can help potential clients decide if you are someone they can talk to comfortably.

It is easy to find reasonably priced domains and hosting services to start building your website and for many of them, you don’t need any technical knowledge to make it presentable. There are even hosting companies that cater directly toward therapists like Brighter Vision and TherapySites. However, if you don’t feel like taking the time to do it yourself, you can also hire a Web Developer.

To get traffic to your website, you will have to make sure that it ranks on Google, at least for your local area. This requires Search Engine Optimization (SEO) knowledge, but not necessarily much. Knowing the things that people will search for that may be interested in your services is the first step.

This may be directly related to your services. For example, they may search for “Family Therapy in San Antonio, TX.” However, it may be more indirect, like someone searching for “How to help my teenager with anger.” Some of this is easier than others and it can help to keep a blog on the website to help with appearing to potential clients, which is the next method on this list.

Blog

Having a blog can help others who have questions about their mental health concerns or therapy. It will also help you rank on search engines for your local area, or if you are searching for clients from anywhere you can reach them too. This is often a preferred marketing method because it is not salesy, and you can get more clients while also providing people with valuable information.

You can create articles based on your specialties and answer common issues that you encounter often. A parent may be worried about a child’s nightmares, a teen’s excessive phone use, or about their own insomnia. There are endless opportunities for helpful articles that show your expertise and help people who need it.

Building a blog works best when you post regularly. This not only helps your website appear professional and up to date, but it also helps you show up on search engines. Writing blog content that provides value and engages your reader is not easy for everyone, but it is worth a shot. You can also check out my article, “Why Should a Therapist Hire a Writer?”

Social media can work in a similar way as a blog. You can create a Facebook or Instagram page for your business and post content relevant to your services. This can be great for long content, just like a blog, as well as shorter content or copy that allows people to see who you are and what you do.

Paid Advertising

The last method on this list involves paid advertising. This can be a great way to expand your reach in your community or around the country. There are ad opportunities on social media, Google, flyers, newspapers (yes, they still exist), magazines, and more. However, you don’t want to spend too much on ads unless you are really confident that the method will actually work. You can try a couple of small advertisements to see if there is a good response before going all in. It can also help to hire a copywriter with experience in these types of ads that will convert people who see them.

Final Thoughts on Marketing for Therapists

As you can see, there are plenty of strategies that you can choose from to market your services once you determine who your target client is and what benefits you provide for them. The method that works best for you will depend on your personality and goals, but many of them can be successful when implemented correctly. Good luck!

Why Should a Therapist Hire a Writer?

Posted on by William Clark

These days, every business needs an online presence and a mental health private practice is, at the most basic, a type of business. Gone are the days where word of mouth was good enough to create an ever flowing stream of clientele. Nowadays, potential clients will check out your reviews, your competitors, and your website. If you have a blog that provides valuable insight into your services and tips for the reader’s mental health and wellbeing, then that person will remember.

However, you may be thinking that you want to write your own blog. You have the knowledge, you are a good writer, and you want to ensure that your content uses your voice. While these are all good things, there are other aspects to consider as well. Since you may not know why a therapist should hire a writer, let’s look at some of the reasons that it can be beneficial. 

Continue reading “Why Should a Therapist Hire a Writer?” →

Psychedelics and Mental Health

Posted on by William Clark

With new laws and media coverage, there is an increase in interest about the benefits of psychedelic substances for mental health. Psychedelic therapy is a therapeutic method that utilizes hallucinogenic and psychedelic substances.

Psychedelic substances include the recreational drugs LSD and psilocybin, found in hallucinogenic mushrooms. While these substances are still illegal in the U.S. and much of the world, there is interest in their use for the treatment of some mental health conditions. I mean, who knew that those tabs you ate at a music festival during your freshman year could actually have made you resilient to the stress of the upcoming semester!

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How Does Psychedelic Therapy Work?

While there is no standardized method of psychedelic treatment, there are studies that show techniques that may have contributed to the reduction of mental health symptoms. Psychedelic therapy involves low to moderate doses of a psychedelic substance with the supervision of a mental health professional (as well as other researchers or medical professionals in some of the studies).

During a psychedelic therapy session, it is important for the therapist to establish positive set and setting. The term “Set,” refers to “mindset.” This means that clear expectations should be established, and the mood should be positive. Setting is the environment and situation where the therapeutic session will occur. This means that the room should be comfortable, and the therapist and the client or study participant should be comfortable with one another.

After the initial psychedelic experience and session, the next process is integration. This session or sessions will help the participant find meaning and growth resulting from the psychedelic experience and therapy.

What Psychedelic Therapy May Treat

While there is still some disagreement on the nature of the benefits of psychedelic therapy, there are some areas where it could potentially be useful.

One study found that psychedelics, specifically psilocybin, could help to reduce anxiety and depression. The study focused on those who were in the middle of treatment for cancer. There is also evidence that LSD could be helpful for some individuals suffering from substance use disorders including alcoholism. Studies also show that MDMA, also known as ecstasy or molly, may be useful in the treatment of PTSD.

Benefits of Psychedelic Therapy

The benefits of psychedelic therapy are likely at least partially brought forth by the impact that psychedelics have on serotonin, which influences mood among other aspects of mental health. Psychedelic substances can cause feelings of relaxation and euphoria. They can also help with social interaction, self-examination, and offer meaningful or spiritual experiences. Furthermore, many of the benefits could last even after the substance has completely worn off.

Downsides to Psychedelic Therapy

While psychedelic therapy offers a lot of potential and may be effective for many mental health disorders, there are also some things to keep in mind that could be downsides depending on the situation.

These types of substances can alter perception and lead to hallucinations that could be disturbing. They can make it difficult to distinguish reality, time, and emotions. When these types of psychedelics are used in a therapeutic setting, the professional may be able to help the participant understand and rationalize those feelings and experiences.

There is also a risk of negative experiences and some concern over changes in personality after consuming psychedelics. Also, with the rise in media coverage of psychedelic use in therapy, there may also be a rise in self-treatment.

It is also important to note that there may be a connection between psychedelic use and the onset of mental illness. While some experts believe that this is only because the use of psychedelic substances and the onset of mental illnesses generally occur around the same age, others believe that these types of substances contribute to mental illness.

Finally, since the effects of psychedelics can mimic schizophrenia or psychosis, there is some concern about the onset of these disorders or the use of psychedelics by those who have experienced psychosis or symptoms associated with schizophrenia.

What Substances May Be Beneficial for Psychedelic Therapy?

There are a few different substances that could be useful in the treatment of mental health conditions. While each one offers its own unique set of effects, more studies need to be completed on many of them in order to determine whether the benefits outweigh any possible risks.

Psilocybin is the hallucinogenic compound that is in psychedelic or “magic” mushrooms. It offers some potential in the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders. There is also some evidence that is could be beneficial for obsessive-compulsive disorder and addiction.

LSD is another option that is longer-lasting than psilocybin. LSD may help with addiction and anxiety. It is also often considered the standard to base other substances on when comparing different studies or treatments.

Another one is ketamine, which is the most-studied psychedelic substance when it comes to mental health and therapy. Low doses of ketamine may be helpful in the treatment of depression and those benefits could be long-lasting.

Finally, MDMA may be beneficial in treating PTSD and the benefits could last up to 4 years after the psychedelic therapy sessions. Research shows that the benefits could be profound and MDMA reduced symptoms in well over half of the participant in a phase three trial.

Conclusion

While more studies are needed and there are still legal issues surrounding psychedelic therapy, the potential benefits and completed studies show some promising effects. Psychedelics may help to foster social connections, improve empathy, and offer introspective though processes that could help in the treatment of many mental health disorders including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance use disorder.

Writing Can Improve Your Mental Health!

Posted on by William Clark

As a mental health writer, I feel passionate about the ways that writing is good for my well-being. Writing allows me to get my feelings out on paper (well…onto a screen). I also feel that it could help you! Writing is used in therapy because it can help to identify thinking patterns, but you do not necessarily need a therapist for to attain positive results. 

Writing in a journal can help you express yourself. Your thoughts, your feelings, your needs, your desires. I  write songs, essays, blog articles, and more. But it’s journaling that really allows me to put my deepest thoughts in front of me. This also allows me to gain perspective on the things that bother me or cause me excessive worry and anxiety. Writing for mental health is highly beneficial for me.

Writing is a Mindfulness Technique

Just writing for a little bit each day can help you be mindful. I also like to meditate, but I have found that I get the same benefit from writing if I am just writing something that I do not have to think about too much. By focusing on the present, you can leave your worries and troubles behind, even if it is only for a half hour or so. 

I like to try to use the time spent writing in a journal to keep track of my progress with my mental health (or lack of progress in some instances). I can write down triggers for anxiety, emotions (both negative and positive), and behaviors that are related to my mental state.

When you write, I suggest you remain completely honest to yourself if you want to learn new things about your thought and behavior patterns. If you are trying to be mindful, try to write without constriction and allow your thoughts to flow out. For mindful writing, I find it better to write with a pen on paper because when I mess up on a computer I immediately and subconsciously hit the backspace to correct. I do not do that when I am writing on paper.  

Writing Can Improve Your Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is our ability to understand and manage our own emotions in a healthy way. Sometimes it is difficult for me to manage my emotions when I am having anxiety. When I have anxious thoughts running through my head like a locomotive, it is hard to even attempt to keep my emotions in tact. 

Writing helps gain perspective on my thoughts and emotions. I can allow myself to be angry or upset while writing. Then, when I go back to interacting with people, I can manage my emotions better. I have also found that I can learn how to replace my negative emotions with positive ones by writing them out. This improved my ability to cope with negative feelings. 

Writing Can Help Your Organize Your Thoughts

When I have anxiety, my thoughts run in every direction and many seem unrelated. 

Writing helps me keep track of different tracks of thinking. I can put them down on paper so that I do not have to worry about my anxiety taking my behavior away from where it should remain. I am able to properly prioritize. This helps me lower my stress and anxiety levels. It also allows me to accept the negative thought patterns that affect me. Over time, I am able to let these negative thoughts go and watch them disappear into nothingness.

How to Start Writing in a Journal

If you haven’t written since you were in college, or even high school, then you may not know how to begin. First, remember that any amount of writing can be beneficial. Even starting with 5 minutes each day can help you get used to it and get your thoughts out of your mind and onto paper. 

You also do not have to write about any certain thing. I know what you are thinking. You don’t want to write about what you did that day. I don’t blame ya. Instead, write what you want whether it is poetry, stories, philosophy, or periodic ramblings of a mad man. 

Another tip is to always remember that your thoughts are private. Nobody will read your writing unless you actually want them to. This idea should help you avoid the dreaded writers block. Sticking to a routine can also help. Whether you like to write each morning, evening, during lunch, or in the middle of the night, sticking with it can help your mind adjust. 

Let me know if writing for mental health is something that benefits you in the comment below!

Does L-Theanine Work?

Posted on by William Clark

Does L-Theanine Work?

L-Theanine is a common nootropic or smart pill that many consumers wonder about. Should you take it? Are there side effects? Does it work? Hopefully, this article will answer all your questions…and more!

What is L-Theanine?

Green tea is known to have health benefits ranging from weight loss to lower risk of diseases. L-Theanine is found in tea, especially green tea, and is a water-soluble amino acid. It is not produced by the human body, so the only way we can utilize it is to ingest it.

L-Theanine is thought to work by impacting certain chemicals in the brain including serotonin and dopamine. These neurotransmitters regulate tons of functions in our body and assist with sleep, memory, and mood.

What are the Benefits of L-Theanine?

Studies show that L-theanine may have a beneficial impact on mental health including mood, sleep, and concentration. More studies need to be done, but evidence points to some positive effects.

  • Anxiety

Some studies show that ingestion of L-theanine contributes to a reduction in stress response. It is potentially a relaxing agent for both the physiological and psychological systems. Experts believe that it can be a highly effective anxiolytic and can help consumers respond adequately to stressful stimuli.

It may be a natural alternative to habit forming anxiolytics like benzodiazepines. In addition, it doesn’t cause sedation and impairment like many prescription anti-anxiety medications.

  • Mental Focus

Various studies show a positive correlation between l-theanine and concentration. Some of the research includes caffeine in addition to l-theanine because they are consumed together in tea. L-theanine can ease the uncomfortable side effects caused by caffeine and the combination is thought to benefit productivity.  

L-theanine has also been shown to have a positive effect on memory. One study shows that is could even be useful in treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s.

  • Immune System Support

There are several studies that indicate l-theanine may support a healthy immune system. There is even evidence to suggest that l-theanine can even help to prevent the flu. Staying healthy is on our collective minds a lot these days since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, so this may be an important benefit to you.

  • Anti-Inflammatory

Researchers have shown that l-theanine has anti-inflammatory properties. This could even make it a supplemental pain killer for pain caused by inflammation. More studies need to be done to see what types of inflammation l-theanine can reduce.

  • Improved Sleep

L-theanine could help you sleep because of its relaxing and anxiolytic properties. There is evidence to suggest it helps people fall asleep faster than they would without the supplement. Not only that, but they seem to have better quality sleep as well.

There have been positive indications that l-theanine may help improve sleep quality in children with ADHD. Not only that, but there is no evidence that it is habit forming like other sleep inducing substances. 

 

Does L-Theanine Cause Side Effects?

First, make sure you speak with your doctor before taking l-theanine, especially if you take prescription medications. Never take l-theanine while you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Studies have pinpointed the following side effects:

  • Lower Blood Pressure
  • Headaches
  • Difficulty Sleeping
  • Digestive Problems

In addition, l-theanine may have interactions if you are taking:

  • Hypertension medications
  • Any supplements or medications that lower blood pressure
  • Stimulants, including synthetic or concentrated caffeine

Dosage

Different dosages are good for different beneficial effects, but it is important that you always start low and work your way up to avoid side effects.

A single dose of 100mg is a good place to start and then you can work your way up to 200mg a day.

Let me know what you use l-theanine for in the comments section below.

 

The Loss of Three Songwriting Legends in 2020

Posted on by William Clark

The Loss of Three Songwriting Legends in 2020

Each year we lose music legends due to old age or tragedy, but 2020 has been a year of great loss when it comes to legendary songwriters. Hopefully, this article can be complete without any additions. The music created by those mentioned in this article is sure to live in the hearts and souls of their fans forever.

Continue reading “The Loss of Three Songwriting Legends in 2020” →

How to Prevent Overeating When Working from Home

Posted on by William Clark

Prevent Overeating While Working From Home

The pandemic has caused countless changes to our daily lives. More than ever before, people are working from home. This alters the way we eat and can cause us to eat too much or snack on unhealthy foods.  

At home we always have access to food. You’re sitting at your desk and get up to go to the bathroom. On your way back, you pass the fridge and can’t help but pop it open to take a look at what it has to offer. What’s inside is typically unhealthy. This is a problem…

It is important to have a healthy routine in place so that our bodies and minds expect us to continue to eat healthy foods. However, there are other things that we can do to limit the amount of sugar, calories, and fat we take in.

Continue reading “How to Prevent Overeating When Working from Home” →

5 Benefits of CBD Oil

Posted on by William Clark

5 Benefits of CBD Oil

CBD Bottle and Dropper Near Teacup

CBD has become increasingly popular, but that doesn’t mean you know what it can do for you. There are many benefits touted by companies in the CBD industry, but where is the proof? I am here to tell you about 5 benefits of using CBD that are backed up by evidence (However, do not take CBD oil without the advice of a medical professional)  Continue reading “5 Benefits of CBD Oil” →

The Mass Shooting Epidemic and Pandemic Psyche

Posted on by William Clark

Some hoped that the coronavirus pandemic would slow the mass shooting epidemic in the United States due to lockdowns and fear of large gatherings. However, 2020 is on pace to be the deadliest year for mass shootings on record according to Gun Violence Archive. The reasons behind this are convoluted, but among them are fear and anxiety caused by the havoc the virus has wreaked on the world.  Continue reading “The Mass Shooting Epidemic and Pandemic Psyche” →

How to Deal with Regret

Posted on by William Clark


There are plenty of things I regret… in fact, more than I would like to admit. These things often cause me a great deal of anxiety because I feel like I have missed out on an opportunity or wish things could have gone differently. For example, not telling my mother how much I cared for her as often as I should have. Or not living in the moment more often. Or taking things for granted. This is why I think it is important to talk about how we can deal with regret in a positive way.

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