Therapy Finder is designed to help therapy seekers discover your practice, understand your specialties, and determine if your approach feels like a good fit. A complete profile builds trust and makes it easier for prospective clients to reach out.
To optimize the directory experience for both therapy seekers and therapists, Therapy Finder uses an ever-evolving algorithm to ensure fairness in how therapist profiles appear. The algorithm accounts for several factors, including profile completeness, therapist availability, and location, as well as randomization so that similar profiles are weighted and displayed equally.
In this guide, we’ll cover a few tips to help improve the quality and ranking of your Therapy Finder profile:
- Adding a professional profile photo
- Writing an effective biography to market your practice
- Listing your specialties and services
- Managing client communications and payments
- Related resources
Note: You can update the information displayed on your Therapy Finder profile at Marketing > Profile. To learn more about the directory and how to update your profile information, see Getting started with Therapy Finder and Customizing your profile for the Directory and Professional Website.
Adding a professional profile photo
A professional, high-quality profile photo helps therapy seekers feel more comfortable reaching out to you. It adds a personal touch and builds trust by putting a face to your name.
To upload a profile photo:
- Navigate to Marketing > Profile
- Click Edit next to the profile photo
- Click Choose image or drag and drop an image into the Profile Image box
- Click Save
While investing in professional headshots can be helpful, you can take a great headshot of your own with a smartphone. If you choose to take your own headshot, here are best practices to consider:
- If you take your picture inside, we recommend using natural light that comes from a window
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If you take your picture outside:
- Find a shady area with a simple background
- Opt for days that are bright and sunny, instead of overcast
- The best times are 2-3 hours before sunset or 1-2 hours after sunrise
- Choose a background that’s simple and distraction free
- Your face should take up the most of the frame, revealing a genuine expression and welcoming smile
- Your eyes should be in clear view, with no harsh shadows or lighting across your face
- Choose professional clothing
Tip: Since Therapy Finder profile pictures are circular, we recommend cropping your photo to the shape of a square before uploading it to Marketing > Profile. For more information on uploading a profile picture, see Profile Information.
Writing an effective biography to market your practice
Your biography is one of the first things therapy seekers see when they visit your profile. A clear and authentic bio helps therapy seekers understand your approach to care, your specialties, and what they can expect from working with you.
To add your biography:
- Navigate to Marketing > Profile
- Click Edit in the Your Introduction section
- Enter your bio in the Your Public Bio field
- Click Save & Continue
Here are some tips for writing a compelling biography:
- Use a warm, conversational tone that reflects your therapeutic style
- Highlight your areas of expertise, experience, and any unique approaches you bring to your work
- Help therapy seekers feel comfortable by sharing what a first session might look like
- Keep your language simple and accessible, and avoid jargon
A strong bio can help you attract clients who are the right fit for your services. Consider what sets you apart and what you’d like therapy seekers to know about you. When writing your bio, ask yourself:
- What type of clients do I want to work with?
- What can my clients expect from me?
- How can I help them?
- Is my bio focused on myself or focused on those I help?
The key here is to sound comforting, confident, and hopeful. Don’t shy away from highlighting your success in treating clients.
To learn more about adding a bio to your Therapy Finder profile, see Basic Information.
Listing your specialties and services
Your profile is your first chance to connect with prospective clients. By including an accurate list of your specialties and services, you can provide transparency into your unique offerings.
To add your specialties and services:
- Navigate to Marketing > Profile
- Click Edit in the Focus Areas section
- Enter a focus area in the search field and select it from the dropdown menu
Note: If a focus area isn’t populating in the dropdown menu, select Create a new entry? to add it to your list.
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Click the 6 dots next to a focus area and drag it to change the order it appears in
- The first 5 focus areas on your list will be labeled as your Specialties on Therapy Finder and will be searchable by therapy seekers
- Click Save & Continue
Managing client communications and payments
Your Therapy Finder profile includes features that make it easier for therapy seekers to connect with you.
Online appointment requests
Online appointment requests allow prospective clients to book with you. Many therapists offer initial consultations that therapy seekers can request through Therapy Finder instead of a full appointment.
Maintaining up-to-date availability and responding to online appointment requests in a timely manner can help make sure that therapy seekers are able to access care when they need it.
To learn how to enable and customize your online appointment request settings, see Enabling online appointment requests.
Secure Messaging
Secure Messaging is a safe, HIPAA compliant way for you to securely communicate with clients. With Secure Messaging enabled, you’ll let therapy seekers know you’re open and committed to being of service to them.
For more information on using Secure Messaging with your clients, see Getting started with Secure Messaging.
Online payments
With our integrated online payments feature, you can process card payments directly within SimplePractice. Profiles with online payments stand out to therapy seekers looking for convenience when scheduling with a therapist. Accepting credit cards also reduces no-show rates.
To learn how to set up your online payments account, see Getting started with online payments.
Related resources
Below, you can find related posts on our blog, Pollen: