Why Therapists, Psychologists, and Psychiatrists should have websites
March 20th, 2012You’re a therapist, or a psychologist, or a psychiatrist, or a counselor – but wait you say, can’t I simply have an entry on Psychology Today, isn’t that enough? No, it’s not enough.
I tend to do lots of websites for therapists because of my degree in Clinical Psychology (long story). Today, after doing some website maintenance for a therapist he said:
“By the way, the website continues to be extremely helpful to my practice. I’ve had a steady flow of people contacting me because they found my site and were interested in pursuing treatment with me. So thanks.”
This is from a client whose website was started in 2009 and finished in 2010. So it’s about two years old now, and this little comment demonstrates two things I want to point out to all the mental health folks out there who don’t have their own websites.
First, all small businesses – especially therapists, need websites. It is not enough to have a generic listing in a directory. A simple website that has information about you and your practice gives prospective clients so much more information than is available on directory websites. And you can set the style and tone to match YOUR style of doing therapy. You can even have the website do some work for you, like allowing clients to download forms to fill out and bring to their first visits. If you like to write, we an add a blog.
Secondly, make sure you hire a web developer who will be with you for the long term and doesn’t disappear once the website is done. My client’s website was done in 2010 and here is it 2012 and he needed some changes made. There are many developers who don’t support their sites after they’re done, because, well frankly, all the money is made up front. But part of my philosophy is to develop a long term relationship with my clients (just like therapists prefer to do with their clients) – and so when this client needed small changes, I was here to get them done. And receive some nice feedback in the process.
So if you’re a therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, or counselor – and you don’t have a website – what are you waiting for? Really, it won’t hurt at all. Contact me for an estimate.
🙂
Jill--------------
J. Olkoski
Aldebaran Web Design, Seattle
Jill Olkoski has a BS in Engineering, a BS in Computer Science and an MA in Clinical Psychology. She delights in using her advanced technical and psychological skills to help small business owners develop cost-effective and successful websites.
March 20th, 2012 at 5:08 pm
Good information, I noticed as well most doctors in my area don’t really have a website or its really outdated.
March 21st, 2012 at 12:58 pm
So true, Jill- your website has done wonders for promoting my practice has a generated a steady stream of referrals- Great Post!
March 21st, 2012 at 3:35 pm
I would add that it makes for a happier practice, since I get clients who’ve chosen me because they can see that my style and methods are what they want.
The “matchmaking” is better, our alliance is better and it’s reasonable to suppose that, therefore, the therapy outcomes are be better.
To the degree that I’ve used any listing/directory sites like Psychology Today, I try to keep the blurb very brief and catchy, and ask the reader to click over to my own site.