Where to Start With Marketing Your Therapy Practice
One of the biggest questions therapists have after launching a website is: “Okay… so now where do I share it?”
And honestly, it’s a great question. Marketing can feel overwhelming because it’s presented as this giant, scattered list of shoulds: You should be on Instagram. You should network weekly. You should write blog posts, record videos, start a podcast, hand out business cards, partner with doctors, join the chamber of commerce…
It’s too much. And it’s too loud.
Most therapists don’t thrive when they’re forcing themselves into strategies that don’t feel aligned with who they are — or how their nervous system works.The truth is, you only need one or two starting points. And the best ones are usually places you already feel comfortable, connected, or naturally yourself.
Let’s walk through how to choose them.
First: You Get to Build This Around You - Start Where You Already Feel Like Yourself
Marketing isn’t about becoming someone you’re not. It’s about noticing the threads of who you already are and letting people discover you there.
Are you introspective and private, or energized by conversation? Do you love writing, teaching, or content creation? Hate social media? Feel most at home in nature, a café, or a community space?
These preferences matter — because the goal isn’t to be everywhere. It’s to build confidence in one or two places that feel natural, sustainable, and even enjoyable.
When you show up in spaces where you already feel grounded, it’s easier to be authentic, relaxed, and present. That authenticity tends to attract clients who not only need your expertise but also resonate with your approach, values, and personality — the people you’re most likely to enjoy working with.
Therapy is deeply personal and relational, and much of your work relies on building trust and connection from the very first interaction. That means whether it’s a social justice group, a church community, a local gym, or a café you love, showing up in environments where you feel confident can naturally connect you with clients who are a strong fit for both you and them.
Reflection Prompts to Find Your Starting Point
You don’t need to do everything at once — even one or two channels is enough to start. Journaling or voice-noting your answers to questions like these can help guide your first steps:
What environments bring out the most authentic, grounded version of me?
Where do I already spend time — online or in person — that my ideal clients might also be?
What types of communication feel easiest or most genuine for me (writing, speaking, one-on-one, educating, listening)?
What feels low-pressure and doable right now, even if it’s small?
When have I felt “in flow” talking about my work? Where was I?
If I could only pick one place or method to share my work, which one feels the lightest?
Who in my community (online or local) feels aligned to collaborate or connect with?
What’s one place I would show up even if it didn’t feel like “marketing”?
Let your answers guide the next step. Start small, focus on what feels aligned, and build from there. When marketing feels like a natural extension of who you are, it becomes easier, more sustainable, and even enjoyable.
Examples Based on Personality & Lifestyle
Here are a few real examples based on things I’ve heard therapist mention in the past:
If you’re a quiet introvert who likes writing or slower connection…
Write short, supportive blog posts
Join local Facebook groups for therapists or something related to your ideal client or niche
Share psychoeducational posts on Instagram
Guest write for another website or orgaization like Psychology Today
Write a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly newsletter with educational conetnt or something more narrative and personal
Network or consult 1:1 with a few providers you genuinely admire
Leave resource flyers at libraries or community centers
If you love connection and conversation…
Attend local meetups, professional gatherings, or mixers
Co-host workshops with dietitians, coaches, or yoga instructors
Present at wellness events or community talks
Join a networking group for therapists in your niche
Visit doctor’s offices, chiropractors, or midwifery clinics to introduce yourself
Post relevant reels or stories on Instagram that show your face
If you’re outdoorsy or highly active…
Connect with CrossFit gyms, yoga studios, rock climbing gyms, martial arts studios
Offer mini workshops on stress, injury recovery, or mental health for athletes
Partner with local hiking groups or nature retreats
Leave cards at outdoor gear shops or co-ops
If you’re a coffee shop person…
Work from local cafés where your clients hang out
Put up flyers on community boards
Introduce yourself to owners and baristas — many love supporting local therapists
Host “mental health office hours” or informal drop-in Q&As
If you’re engaged in political or social justice advocacy…
Connect with local grassroots organizations, mutual aid groups, or nonprofits
Offer educational workshops or conversations on mental health, trauma, identity, or community care
Partner with organizers, activists, or advocacy leaders
Share resources in the spaces where you’re already volunteering or speaking
(Clients who are passionate about these issues often gravitate toward therapists who understand and care about the same causes.)
If you love the college environment and working with young adults…
Connect with campus counseling centers
Provide psychoeducational workshops for clubs or dorm groups
Share your website with academic advisors or career centers
Leave materials in student hubs, cafes, or coworking spaces
If you’re passionate about women’s health…
Network with OB/GYNs, midwives, doulas, lactation consultants
Offer support groups for new moms or birthing parents
Partner with pelvic floor therapists, chiropractors, or fertility clinics
Provide short educational talks or handouts
Maybe faith or spirituality is an important part of your life…
Connect with pastors, ministry leaders, or small-group coordinators
Share mental health resources with your church community
Partner with faith-based wellness groups, parent circles, or spiritual organizations
Leave materials with religious communities you’re already part of
These environments often feel deeply safe and familiar — and that familiarity can make a huge difference.
Just remember to start small. You do not need five marketing strategies. You just need one or two that feel doable and sustainable to get started. Then, get comfortable. Let it feel like a normal part of your rhythm. Once it feels easier — once it’s almost autopilot — then you can add something else if you want to. Not because you “should,” but because you genuinely feel ready for growth.
Your nervous system will thank you. Your consistency will improve. And your marketing will feel like you, not a performance.
You Don’t Have to Be Everywhere — You Just Have to Be Somewhere
At the end of the day, marketing is simply connection. It’s showing up in a way that feels true to who you are. It’s letting people notice you, trust you, and feel safer reaching out.
Your website is your home base. These small, intentional steps are just invitations that guide people toward it. Start with one place where you already feel like yourself. Grow slowly. And let your practice build from a place of alignment instead of pressure.
You’re allowed to make this feel easy. You’re allowed to make this feel fun. You’re allowed to make this feel human.
If you’d like a little guidance — just to get clear on where to start, how to show up authentically, or which first steps might feel the most natural — I’m happy to support you. No pressure, no expectations — just a gentle conversation to help you feel more confident and grounded as you begin sharing your work.
