Simple SEO Tips to Help New Clients Find Your Practice
If the idea of "doing SEO" makes you want to hide under a weighted blanket, you're not alone. Most therapists didn’t go into practice dreaming of meta descriptions and keywords—but the reality is, your future clients are out there searching for someone like you. And if your website isn’t showing up when they do? That connection never gets made.
The good news: you don’t need to become an expert to make a big impact. A few simple tweaks can help your website show up in local searches and get seen by the people who need your care most.
Here are five simple, therapist-friendly SEO tips to help you get started:
1. Include Your Location—Even If You're Virtual
Search engines like Google use location data to match users with nearby services. Even if you offer virtual sessions only, clients often search with location-based phrases like "anxiety therapist in Chicago" or "telehealth therapist Illinois."
What to do:
Mention your city, neighborhood, and state a few times across your site—especially on your homepage, about page, and footer. If you serve multiple areas or are licensed in multiple states, list those clearly on a "Who I Work With" or FAQ page.
2. Use Keywords Your Clients Would Actually Type
Your ideal client probably isn’t searching for “polyvagal-informed psychotherapist with a trauma-focused approach.” They're more likely typing things like “help for panic attacks,” “grief therapist near me,” or “how to stop overthinking everything.”
What to do:
Make a short list of phrases your clients might search when they’re in pain or looking for help. Use those exact words—naturally—in your page titles, subheadings, and body text.
3. Give Every Page a Unique, Clear Title
Search engines (and people!) love clarity. Page titles are one of the first things Google looks at—and one of the few things clients see before they click.
What to do:
Instead of “Home | Soul Healing Counseling,” try something like:
“Trauma-Informed Therapy for Women in Portland, Oregon | Soul Healing Counseling.”
Make sure every page on your site has its own distinct title and description. Most website builders (like Squarespace or Wix) let you edit these in the page settings.
4. Add Alt Text to Your Images
Alt text is a brief description of an image that helps with accessibility—and SEO. Google uses it to better understand what’s on your page.
What to do:
Write clear, simple descriptions of each image that reflect what’s shown. (Example: “Calm therapy office with light wood furniture and soft lighting.”) Bonus: it makes your site more accessible to clients using screen readers, too.
5. Start a Blog (Yes, Really)
Blogging might sound overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. A short post once a month can help Google see your site as active and relevant. It’s also a great way to share your voice, answer common client questions, and build trust.
What to do:
Start with FAQs you get in consultation calls—like “How long does therapy take?” or “What can I expect in my first session?” You’re not trying to go viral. You’re just showing up with care.
SEO Doesn’t Have to Be Overwhelming
Think of these tips as a conversation starter between you and someone who’s quietly Googling at 11pm, hoping for relief. SEO isn’t about chasing algorithms—it’s about making sure the people who need you can find you.
And if you want your website to work even harder for your practice? That’s where I come in. I design thoughtful, SEO-informed therapy websites that help you get found—and feel more like you.
