Pause Before Posting About Work On Personal Social Media Pages (part 1)

We all need to vent about a hard day at work, but clinicians should think twice before posting on personal social network pages.

Guest post by Kimberly Sandstrom, MFTI

Have you ever have a long day at the office and wanted to vent your frustration to someone? Me too! We are containers of all sorts of confidential information and sometimes our containers get full, or we get triggered by something that happened during the day. It’s hard to hold it all in at times—especially when it touches or triggers some reaction in us. Yet, we are called to an oath of confidentiality, and sensitivity to our client’s information. For most, venting to a trusted colleague or a relaxation activity can be enough. Yet, some therapists use their personal social media accounts to release stress about their clients. Can’t believe clinicians do this? Read on.

5 Social Media Marketing Lessons From My Top Traffic Sources

Do you know where your website visitors come from? If not, it probably a good idea to start. I use Google Analytics to find out which sites are the top referrers to my private practice website WasatchFamilyTherapy.com.

The following statistics reinforce what I’ve already known. They illustrate that:

A website is crucial for private practice growth.
Google is king. Most people find my website through Google searches.
Creating valuable content that can be shared on Facebook is definitely worth the investment.
Guest blogging on larger sites does increase website traffic.
It’s worth a monthly fee price to get listed in online directories.

Take a look at my year-to-date website traffic stats.

5 Elements Of An Effective Practice Website

An effective website is key to building a thriving private practice in the digital age.

According to Pew Research, 80% of internet users look online for health information, making it the third most popular online pursuit following email and using a search engine. Additionally, 44% of internet users look online for information about doctors or other health professionals.

Since the majority of people are looking for your services online, your website is the heart of your professional web presence. All other online efforts should focus primarily on directing potential clients to your website where they will get to know who you are and how you can help them. Your website is your first impression, your “billboard”, and your best chance to build trust with potential clients. I suggest these 5 C’s when building your private practice website.

4 Reasons To Start Creating Content Online

Creating consistent online content can help grow your practice faster than almost any other marketing or networking activity

According to PCMag.com digital content creation is “The development of newsworthy, educational and entertainment material for distribution over the Internet or other electronic media.” It falls under the umbrella of content marketing which is a narrative form of sharing information that speaks to a potential client’s need while sharing who you are and the benefits of what you do. Content creation is a way of building trust online and with potential clients by being a valuable resource without asking for anything in return.

Consistently creating compelling and relevant content is the primary reason my private practice has continued to grow in spite of the economic downturn of recent years. Not only has my clinic grown, but since I started regularly blogging, writing, producing videos, and doing media interviews amazing opportunities have come my way. Publishing offers, national media interviews, conference invitations, consulting business, and over 25,000 social followers across multiple social networks are just a few of the incredible doors that have opened to me since I started focusing on content creation.

Let me show you how to build strong online presence to grow your private practice!

If you’re not a social worker, you can stop reading now. I know social workers are supposed to be inclusive, but this is one small exception. This webinar is only open to social workers. If you are a social worker AND a member of National Association of Social Workers (NASW) then I hope you’ll join me for my first national webinar “Building Your Private Practice In A Digital World: Creating A Strong Online Presence For Your Practice” on Nov. 8.

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3 Things Google Analytics Can Teach You About Your Private Practice

Guest post by Liz Lockard, a self-confessed Google Analytics geek who loves helping small businesses get more out of their marketing data.

Do you have a website for your private practice? If so, you can’t pass up the best free marketing insights tool for your business – Google Analytics.

If you don’t already have it installed, go do that first (check out my mini Google Analytics setup tutorial for that).

Sure Google Analytics can tell me about my website, you say, but what can it tell me about my practice?

Got Links? Who’s Linking To Your Website?

Incoming links to your site can help boost search engine rankings and act as a “vote of confidence” which increases traffic and brings in new clients to your therapy practice.

Here’s quick way to find out which sites are linking to your website:

Go to Alexa.com
Type in your private practice website domain
Look at the number next to “sites linking in”
Click on the actual number to find out which sites link to your website

Who’s Afraid Of Online Counseling?

Eleven years ago I ventured briefly into the world of providing online counseling services. It was short-lived because there was not enough interest from potential clients in online counseling. At the time, there was a sense that online interventions would revolutionize counseling, and that it might even become a preferred method of treatment for many.

While online counseling, also known as telemental health, and e-therapy, hasn’t “taken over” the field of therapy in the past decade, electronic delivery methods have steadily grown.

Would You See A Virtual Therapist? Psychology Meets Technology SXSW

I had a great time in Austin last weekend presenting on a South By Southwest Interactive panel about the uses of technology, (Read a summary of tweets on Storify) with Dr. John Grohol, Audrey Jung, and Sarah White. Since the presentation I’ve done a couple of interviews on the topic of how technology can help provide support and education to those struggling with mental health problems.

Here are some highlights from interview this week on the benefits of technology, online therapy, and social media for mental health patients, and some words of caution…

Online Therapy…Naked? Heading To 2012 SXSW Fully Clothed

South By Southwest Festival is legendary in the music, film, and technology worlds. I’ve always wanted to go, but this year I’m actually going to make the trek to Austin, TX to present on an interactive health panel! PsychCentral’s CEO and founder Dr. John Grohol, a pioneer in online counseling, invited me to participate on a panel called “Online Therapy…Naked?”

Yes, you read that right…n a k e d. An unlicensed NY woman (with a BS in Psychology) and founder of “Naked Therapy” who claims to be providing “therapy” online to “patients” while getting naked (and aroused) will be on the panel. Also, weighing in on the discussion will be LICENSED professional counselor Audrey Jung, LPC who provides legitimate online counseling services.

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