PODCAST · business
Good Enough Counsellors
by Josephine Hughes
Do you feel overwhelmed when you look around and see what other counsellors and psychotherapists are doing in private practice? Does it leave you wondering whether you’ll ever be able to build a sustainable counselling practice of your own?The truth is, while there are lots of marketing strategies out there for therapists (which I’ll talk about), the most important thing is getting started and staying visible in your private practice. And that can feel incredibly hard when you’re faced with an empty diary, too many options, and the pressure of comparing yourself to glossy, confident-looking therapists online.The Good Enough Counsellors podcast is for UK counsellors and psychotherapists in private practice who want to get clients, grow their confidence, and build a practice that feels ethical, realistic, and sustainable — without the pressure to be perfect.I’m Josephine Hughes, a BACP Accredited Counsellor, and I help counsellors in private practice with marketing, visibility, and co
Episodes
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Why Are Private Practice Therapists Vulnerable to Burnout? - with Dr Claire Plumbly
Why are private practice therapists vulnerable to burnout, what are the signs they need to look out for - and how can they avoid it happening? In this interview, clinical psychologist and author, Dr Claire Plumbly, defines burnout and describes the warning signs that may appear in the therapeutic...
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Why is it so hard to ask for help?
Why is it so hard to ask for help when we're quite happy to offer it? In this rather vulnerable episode of the Good Enough Counsellors podcast, I'm sharing something I've been thinking about for a long time and have finally plucked up the courage to do. It has been difficult to get to this point…
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Can You Afford Your Private Practice? With Claire Ratcliffe
Have you ever sat down and worked out how much your private practice is costing you? Sometimes it's more than you realise and this can have an impact on whether it's a business that actually supports you. Your session fees need to not only cover day to day costs such as supervision, but also…
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How to Feel More Confident Working with Couples - with Claire Ratcliffe
Working with couples can feel very different from working with individual clients. There are two people in the room, two different perspectives and the added challenge of managing what happens between them. In this episode of the Good Enough Counsellors podcast, I talk to integrative...
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How Social Media Works Even When No One's Reading
It can be easy to wonder if there is any point posting on social media if hardly anyone likes it or no one comments. But what if your social media is doing more work than you realise? In this episode of the Good Enough Counsellors podcast, I share how having a presence on social media can help...
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Working with Eating Disorders When You're Not a Specialist - with Kel O'Neill
What happens when you realise a client has an eating disorder, but you're not an eating disorder specialist? As therapists, we're taught not to work beyond our competence. But specialist eating disorder services are stretched, waiting lists can be long and sometimes there isn't anywhere else for…
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Are Your Assumptions Stopping You from Attracting Clients?
Have you ever decided not to tell someone about your private practice because you've assumed they won't be interested? Or perhaps hesitated because you think people won't be able to afford your fees? As therapists we can often tell ourselves that people won't want to hear about our practice and...
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How Clients Find, Choose and Book a Therapist
Attracting therapy clients isn't just about having a great profile. Before someone books with you, they go through a series of decisions, and understanding that journey can completely change how you try to attract clients. In this episode, I'm joined by website and marketing specialist Kat Love…
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When Kindness Comes At Your Own Expense
Have you ever caught yourself saying, "I'm probably just overthinking it"? That's exactly what I said in a recent supervision session. My supervisor responded with a simple question: "Are you overthinking - or are you diminishing your feelings?" That question stayed with me. As therapists, we're...
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Social Media isn't About Posting. It's About Helping
As a therapist, have you ever sat down to write a social media post and wondered what on earth to say? Or even, not started a social media page because you don't know what to do? It's easy to get caught up in the mechanics of posting, in the same way as when we're training we get caught up in the...
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Afraid to Start Private Practice? With Katrina Johnson
Starting private practice can feel daunting, especially if you're wondering whether you're experienced enough, whether clients will ever find you, or whether you're making the right decision. In this episode, I talk to counsellor Katrina Johnson, who had been a therapist for 20 years before…
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Do You Have to Be the Best to be Successful?
When you're trying to grow your counselling private practice, it's tempting to think you have to be the best to be successful. But maybe that belief is holding you back. In this episode, I explore an online trend of defining your service by comparing it with others. Is this a true sign of...
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Has AI Changed How Clients Find Therapists?
Many therapists have been telling me that enquiries have slowed down. Some wonder whether it's the cost of living, while others are worried that AI has changed the way clients search for a therapist online. In this episode, I'm joined once again by Daragh MacLoughlin from WebHealer to explore...
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Could GDPR Help You Get More Therapy Clients? Why Your Therapy Website Matters
Your therapy website is one of the most important tools for attracting clients to your private practice. In this episode, website specialist Daragh MacLoughlin from WebHealer explains why GDPR, privacy policies and cookie notices aren't just about legal compliance. They can also help build trust...
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Permission to Take a Break
Do you worry that potential clients will forget about you if you stop posting on social media? Summer holidays can often bring an added layer of pressure. Should you schedule posts while you're away? Is it OK to disappear for a couple of weeks? And do therapists really need to post everyday? In...
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Neuro-Affirming Practice with Louise Lucas
What does a neuro-affirming practice look like in the therapy room? As awareness of neurodivergence grows, many therapists want to work in ways that better support their neurodivergent clients. But moving beyond theory and knowing how to apply neuro-affirming practice in real life can feel...
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Feeling Lost After Counselling Training?
You spend years working towards a qualification. But after the structure of assignments and placements - and the company of tutors and fellow students - comes to an end, it can leave you wondering what comes next. Should you look for employment, start a private practice or something else? In this...
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Will AI Replace Therapists? With Ken Kelly
Many therapists are concerned about the rise of AI and whether it will replace therapy altogether. In this episode of Good Enough Counsellors, I'm joined by Ken Kelly, author of Ethical AI Practice. Ken believes that while AI has an important role to play in private practice, it can never replace...
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Scared to Post Online?
Social media can be a great way to connect with potential clients but it can also be a place that is filled with hostility. This stops many therapists from either setting up a page or from posting on it. Some of the worries I've heard about from therapists include saying "the wrong thing", being...
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Genetics, Grief and Therapy with Uruj Anjum
What happens when someone receives a genetic diagnosis? In this episode of Good Enough Counsellors, I'm joined by Uruj Anjum of Saina Therapy. Before training as a psychotherapist, Uruj spent nine years working within NHS genetics services, supporting individuals and families navigating…
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Starting Small Still Counts
It’s tempting to look at other therapists, coaches or creators and think: “It’s easier for them because they’re bigger.” But what we often forget is that every established business once started small. In this solo episode, I reflect on the early days of my own private practice and Therapy Growth...
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Using Facebook to Promote Your Private Practice with Annie Jones
In this episode, I'm joined by Annie Jones from Rayleigh Marketing to talk about why Facebook is a useful tool to promote your private practice. We explore how local Facebook groups, recommendations, consistency, and good quality content can help therapists become more visible without needing to...
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Working Creatively with Therapy Clients with Yasmin Shaheen-Zaffar
What if you don't have to be “good at art” to work creatively as a therapist? In this week’s episode of the Good Enough Counsellors podcast, I’m joined by counsellor, developer and all-round creative thinker Yasmin Shaheen-Zaffar to talk about using creativity in therapy sessions, both online and...
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Why Your Therapy Profile Isn't Getting Enquiries
Why isn’t your therapy profile getting enquiries? If you’ve listed yourself on directories such as Psychology Today, Counselling Directory or BACP Find a Therapist and you’re hearing very little back, this episode will help you think about what your clients need to hear in order to feel able to...
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Are You Ready to Work With Trans Clients? With Josiah Twiselton
As a therapist, you may be asking yourself: "Am I competent to work with trans clients?". In this interview with Josiah Twiselton of Offbeat Therapy, we explore what it really means to offer a welcoming space to transgender people. Key Takeaways: Allyship is more than the absence of hostility...
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Social Media Not Working? What to do instead
If you’ve ever posted on social media and felt like you were talking into the void, this episode is for you. So many therapists tell me they feel discouraged when their posts don’t get likes or comments, or when they see others getting much more engagement. It can make you question whether it’s...
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Getting Found without the Perfect Website - with Vicky Jackson
Do you really need a website to start attracting therapy clients? In this episode of Good Enough Counsellors, I’m joined by Vicky Jackson, website designer and founder of TukTuk Creative. Vicky shares a refreshing perspective that many therapists will find reassuring: you don’t necessarily need a...
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When Comparison Knocks Your Confidence
Have you ever found yourself comparing what you do to someone else… and felt your confidence dip? In this episode, I share a recent moment where I came across an offer that looked similar to mine but at a much lower price - and how it knocked my confidence more than I expected. More importantly…
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Managing Anxiety in Private Practice with Laura Knight
This gorgeous episode with Laura has helped so many people that I've decided to share it again. It's natural to be anxious when setting up and running a private practice - it's both a sign of being passionate about helping people and a reflection of the roller coaster ride of self-employment. In...
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Therapists, Books, Minecraft and More
What happens when you go to a conference and focus on having conversations rather than “networking”? In this episode, I’m sharing a few of the chats I had throughout the day - from books therapists are reading, to a research resource I didn’t realise I already had access to, through to creative...
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Becoming Recognised for Your Niche with Julie Wales
In this episode, I'm joined by counsellor Julie Wales who has become known for her work with neurodiverse couples. You don’t need to have everything figured out from the beginning and Julie’s story is a reminder that your niche can develop over time, often by following what you care about and...
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Social Media for Private Practice (3): Why Clients Don't Follow You
In this final episode of my mini series on why clients don't follow you on social media, I discuss the importance of being clearer about who you're trying to reach and what you want to be known for. When you consistently talk about a specific area of work, people begin to recognise you for it.…
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Drowning in Admin?
f you’re replying to emails late at night, chasing invoices between sessions, or taking your laptop on holiday “just in case”, it might feel like admin is taking over your life. For private practice therapists, enquiries, invoicing, cancellations, GDPR, practice management systems, and Making Tax...
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When Therapy Ads Get Uncomfortable
The BACP No More Stiff Upper Lip campaign has generated significant national coverage - and strong reactions within the therapy profession. Rather than asking whether the campaign was “good” or “bad”, I’m exploring something slightly different: What was the campaign trying to do? Whether it...
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From Being Found to Being Booked with Kat Love
How do you move from being found online to actually being booked by the right clients? In this episode, website and marketing specialist Kat Love breaks down the three stages of marketing for therapists, from visibility and awareness, to consideration, to making it easy for clients to take the…
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Social Media for Private Practice (2): Why Clients Don't Follow You
This episode continues last month’s discussion on why clients don’t always follow therapists on social media. In Part 1, I talked about how professional language can unintentionally create distance between therapists and potential clients. In this episode, I zoom out a little. Because it’s not…
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You're Not Behind
In this episode, I’m joined by Claire Hendrickson, a neurodivergent therapist who has built her private practice in a way that truly works for her. Rather than rushing, pushing, or following someone else’s formula, Claire has grown her practice at her own pace, listening to her nervous system and...
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100 Episodes of Good Enough
This 100th episode is a pause to reflect on what happens when you keep going, even when you don’t feel ready. In conversation with Natasha, who has edited the podcast from the very beginning, I look back over how The Good Enough Counsellors podcast grew from small, tentative steps into something...
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Social Media for Private Practice (1): Why Clients Don't Follow You
Have you ever looked at your social media and felt disappointed because it seems that you're mainly followed by therapists? In this month's social media episode, I'm exploring the question of why clients don't always follow us, even when we're sharing thoughtful, reflective content. Is it really...
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A Kinder January for Counsellors with Eve Menezes Cunningham
January can bring a lot of pressure for counsellors and therapists, with worries about enquiries, a sense of falling behind, and rising self-criticism. This can feel even more intense for neurodivergent counsellors and those who are highly sensitive to pressure. In this episode of Good Enough...
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Is Accreditation Worth It for Counsellors?
Accreditation is something many counsellors quietly wonder about, often alongside self-doubt, comparison, and pressure about where they think they should be in their career. With changes linked to the SCoPEd framework and the end of the transition period approaching, more counsellors are asking...
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Christmas Special 2025
For the final episode of the year, I’m doing something a little different. Instead of talking about marketing, confidence, or growing your private practice, I’m giving you a break - and introducing you to some of the wonderful podcasters I met at the Podcast Awards this autumn. If you’re heading...
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Selling - or Helping? How to think about therapist marketing
Many therapists feel uncomfortable with marketing because it can seem like “selling yourself.” In this episode, I share how to reframe your marketing mindset and explore how to move away from the fear that your visibility is narcissistic. I'll help you gain a clearer sense of purpose in your...
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Why your website isn't getting found - and what to do about it
In this episode, Josephine talks with website designer and SEO specialist John Garewal about how clients actually find a therapist online. John shares what he discovered when he searched for a therapist himself, why websites still matter, and simple steps therapists can take to make their site...
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Is AI Replacing Therapy Directories?
More and more people are turning to AI tools like ChatGPT or asking their phones for answers instead of typing into Google. And clients are no different. Some are already saying things like, “I found you via ChatGPT.” So what does this mean for therapists who rely on directories, Google My…
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Navigating Harm in Therapy: Insights from Erin Stevens
Therapy is meant to be a place of healing - but what happens when it causes harm instead? In this powerful episode, I’m joined by therapist, supervisor and trainer Erin Stevens, who specialises in working with people who have experienced harm in previous therapy. Together we explore how harm in...
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Has your Practice Gone Quiet? Let's Talk about Why
Have your enquiries been slowing down? In this episode Josephine explores the question of whether AI is taking over from directories and what therapists can do about it. She shares a practical, human-first answer - why visibility still matters, how to show up without shouting, and simple December...
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Feel the fear (but ask for help) with Gemma Anderson
When counsellor Gemma Anderson started her training, she never imagined it would lead to a thriving private practice. A teenage mum who once worked as a cleaner, Gemma shares how she built a successful practice without a website or social media - just through her counselling directory profiles…
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Is Email Counselling Real Therapy? With Chloe Foster
Email counselling is often misunderstood - some therapists worry it lacks depth, feels impersonal, or that clients simply won’t want it. In this episode of Good Enough Counsellors, I’m joined by Chloe Foster, humanistic counsellor, trainer, and founder of Email Counselling Academy, to explore…
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The Roller Coaster of Private Practice - and how to cope with it
Do you ever feel like running your private practice is a bit of a roller coaster? One week you’re full with enquiries and new bookings - and the next, it’s all cancellations and endings. In this episode of Good Enough Counsellors, Josephine explores the emotional and practical ups and downs of...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Do you feel overwhelmed when you look around and see what other counsellors and psychotherapists are doing in private practice? Does it leave you wondering whether you’ll ever be able to build a sustainable counselling practice of your own?The truth is, while there are lots of marketing strategies out there for therapists (which I’ll talk about), the most important thing is getting started and staying visible in your private practice. And that can feel incredibly hard when you’re faced with an empty diary, too many options, and the pressure of comparing yourself to glossy, confident-looking therapists online.The Good Enough Counsellors podcast is for UK counsellors and psychotherapists in private practice who want to get clients, grow their confidence, and build a practice that feels ethical, realistic, and sustainable — without the pressure to be perfect.I’m Josephine Hughes, a BACP Accredited Counsellor, and I help counsellors in private practice with marketing, visibility, and co
HOSTED BY
Josephine Hughes
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Good Enough Counsellors have?
Good Enough Counsellors currently has 137 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Good Enough Counsellors about?
Do you feel overwhelmed when you look around and see what other counsellors and psychotherapists are doing in private practice? Does it leave you wondering whether you’ll ever be able to build a sustainable counselling practice of your own?The truth is, while there are lots of marketing strategies...
How often does Good Enough Counsellors release new episodes?
Good Enough Counsellors publishes regularly with 137 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Good Enough Counsellors?
You can listen to Good Enough Counsellors on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Good Enough Counsellors?
Good Enough Counsellors is created and hosted by Josephine Hughes.
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