Good Enough Counsellors

Whether you're an experienced therapist or just embarking on your journey, this podcast offers valuable insights into overcoming the challenges of building a successful private practice.In today's episode:The Allure of Looking Professional: Discover how striving for a professional image can protect you from criticism but may also hinder your progress by fuelling perfectionism.Branding vs. Action: Learn why spending excessive time on branding might delay reaching out to clients and how it could be a form of self-protection against feelings of vulnerability.Embracing Imperfection: Hear about real-life examples demonstrating that sometimes, letting go of rigid preparations allows for more natural and effective client interactions.Equipment as Metaphor: Find out why accumulating 'equipment' (e.g., qualifications, tools) can prevent you from actually 'starting the walk,' paralleling the fear many have when beginning their practices.Planning Your Route: Gain insights into setting realistic goals and milestones for your practice while avoiding comparisons with others who may seem ahead in their journeys.Enjoying The Journey: Be reminded that despite aiming for success, it's important to appreciate the process, connect with what you love about your work, and recognise how far you've come already.Setting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERENeed ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HEREYou can also find me here:The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook GroupJosephine Hughes on FacebookJosephine Hughes on YouTubeMy website: josephinehughes.comThe information contained in Good Enough Counsellors is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this podcast are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this podcast.Josephine Hughes disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this podcast.

A common question for counsellors thinking about promoting themselves on social media is how much time will it take - and is it worth doing it in terms of client enquiries?So listen to today's episode to find out:how to save time by having a social media posts planned in advance how to efficiently run your social media if you're not a planner by naturetime management tipscontent creation strategieshow to maximise engagement with your contentLearn how to use the following social media datesJune's Themed Posts:Pride Month Autistic Pride Day (June 18th)Stonewall Day (June 28th)Juneteenth (June 19th)Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Awareness MonthHealth Awareness Days in June:International Panic Day (June 18th)PTSD Awareness Day (June 27th)Tourette’s awareness (June 7th)Setting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERENeed ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HEREYou can also find me here:The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook GroupJosephine Hughes on FacebookJosephine Hughes on YouTubeMy website: josephinehughes.comThe information contained in Good Enough Counsellors is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this podcast are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this podcast.Josephine Hughes disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this podcast.

How do you find the courage to get started in private practice? In this inspiring episode, Fi Hewkin shares her personal story of overcoming self-doubt to finding the confidence to be herself and attract clients.In today's episode:Fi describes some of the adversities she faced in life and how she defied expectations to become a fully qualified counsellorFi reflects on how past challenges, like domestic abuse, have shaped her approach as an empathetic therapist who doesn't shy away from swearing when it helps clients feel at ease and understoodHow Fi got set up in private practiceHow Fi established and runs a low cost community counselling service, including how she obtained funding to pay therapistsThe methods Fi uses to attract clients to her practice, including how she uses social media, directories and blogging.Takeaways:Fi's story is one of resilience—her ability to turn 'I can't' into 'I did' serves as motivation for anyone questioning their ability to succeed in private practice. Her emphasis on staying genuine has not only attracted clients but also allowed her to grow both professionally and personally. Whether you're just starting out or looking for private practice strategies, there's much to learn from Fi about building connections through authenticity and shared humanity rather than polished facades.Find Fi here via her website or her Facebook pageSetting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERENeed ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HEREYou can also find me here:The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook GroupJosephine Hughes on FacebookJosephine Hughes on YouTubeMy website: josephinehughes.comThe information contained in Good Enough Counsellors is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this podcast are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this podcast.Josephine Hughes disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this podcast.

How can you earn an extra £10k in your private practice? And is it even ethical to want to earn money from counselling? When you're thinking about fee setting and earning money in private practice, "making a profit from people's pain" is something that is frowned upon and so it's important you're clear about why you charge for your services. In today's episode:Debunking the myth that financial gain conflicts with providing an ethical and compassionate counselling serviceExploring the expectations around working in the caring professions, especially if you're female, and how that affects your feelings about charging feesThe benefits of a profitable private practice for you, your clients, and wider societyReal life examples of successful therapists How to actually attract clients so you can earn that extra moneyInformation about the Fee Calculator tool for therapists on Josephine's website.Setting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERENeed ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HEREYou can also find me here:The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook GroupJosephine Hughes on FacebookJosephine Hughes on YouTubeMy website: josephinehughes.comThe information contained in Good Enough Counsellors is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this podcast are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this podcast.Josephine Hughes disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this podcast.

How does the inner critic affect you if you're a counsellor who's new to private practice? And what can you do about it?In this episode:the role of the inner critic in self-sabotagehow it shows up when you're doing something newhow to recognise your inner critichow to show yourself self-compassion at difficult timessomatic ways to help yourselfSetting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERENeed ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HEREYou can also find me here:The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook GroupJosephine Hughes on FacebookJosephine Hughes on YouTubeMy website: josephinehughes.comThe information contained in Good Enough Counsellors is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this podcast are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this podcast.Josephine Hughes disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this podcast.

Stuck on what to post on social media? Listen to this episode for some practical and creative ideas to revitalise your social media pages and make them topical for your followers.Learn how to increase engagement on your page.Plan your campaigns for the month of May and get ideas for how you can use:Teen Self-Esteem MonthMaternal Mental Health MonthMental Health WeekWorld Laughter DayEgo Awareness DayLGBTQ visibility daysRemember, social media is all about creating connections with people so that they make referrals to your counselling practice.Setting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERENeed ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HEREYou can also find me here:The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook GroupJosephine Hughes on FacebookJosephine Hughes on YouTubeMy website: josephinehughes.comThe information contained in Good Enough Counsellors is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this podcast are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this podcast.Josephine Hughes disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this podcast.

What's it like to be neurodivergent and in private practice? Louise Brown shares fascinating insights from her own journey of embracing her true self and integrating her neurodivergence with her private practice.In today's episode:How recognising her neurodivergence allowed Louise to reshape her approach as a therapistThe impact of late diagnosis on self-perception and client relationshipsHow openly embracing her identity attracts clients with similar experiencesThe challenges faced during unmasking and integrating newly discovered aspects of herself into professional lifeThe role language plays in shaping our understanding and expression of our identitiesDealing with stigma around self-disclosure within therapeutic practicesSupporting clients through the grief associated with late realisation or diagnosisLouise is a queer, multiply neurodivergent Therapist, Supervisor and Trainer working in private practice. Louise has previously worked for many years as a disability practitioner before training as a therapist and coming to know her neurodivergent identity. She now works predominantly with neurodivergent clients and therapists, exploring their own neurodivergent identities and figuring out how to curate a life that works for them.You can find out more about her here: http://www.curiosityspot.co.uk/For details of the next course visit: https://www.curiosityspot.co.uk/upcomingtrainingSign up for her newsletter here: https://www.curiosityspot.co.uk/upcomingtraining Setting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERENeed ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HEREYou can also find me here:The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook GroupJosephine Hughes on FacebookJosephine Hughes on YouTubeMy website: josephinehughes.comThe information contained in Good Enough Counsellors is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this podcast are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this podcast.Josephine Hughes disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this podcast.

Do you ever struggle with boundaries? As a therapist, your care and empathy can lead you to burnout unless you have some strategies to support your self-care.In today's episode:Don't do this. A cautionary tale from the early days of my private practiceWhy it's hard to set boundaries in private practiceHow to reframe your thoughts so you can say noStrategies to explain your boundaries to clientsIdeas for reinforcing boundariesRemember: you can be a kind person and still say no!Setting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERENeed ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HEREYou can also find me here:The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook GroupJosephine Hughes on FacebookJosephine Hughes on YouTubeMy website: josephinehughes.comThe information contained in Good Enough Counsellors is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this podcast are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this podcast.Josephine Hughes disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this podcast.

What is it that is holding you back from marketing your private practice?Is it about marketing skill - or confidence?This episode is full of ideas about how you can feel more confident to share your practice and attract the clients who need your help.In today's episode:How to believe in your ability that you're someone who can help othersWhat Brené Brown has to say about feeling good enough and imposter syndromeReframing how you see yourself and your service to help you charge your worthSetting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERENeed ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HEREYou can also find me here:The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook GroupJosephine Hughes on FacebookJosephine Hughes on YouTubeMy website: josephinehughes.comThe information contained in Good Enough Counsellors is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this podcast are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this podcast.Josephine Hughes disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this podcast.

Stuck on what to post on social media? Listen to this episode for some practical and creative ideas to revitalise your social media pages and make them topical for your followers.Learn how you can increase engagement with your page.Plan your campaigns for the month of April and get ideas for how you can use: the Easter breakStress Awareness MonthWorld Autism Acceptance WeekLGBTQ+ days such as Asexuality Day, Non-Binary Parents Day, and Lesbian Visibility DayRemember that increasing visibility can lead not only direct client engagements but also indirect referrals through friends and family networks.Setting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERENeed ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HEREYou can also find me here:The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook GroupJosephine Hughes on FacebookJosephine Hughes on YouTubeMy website: josephinehughes.comThe information contained in Good Enough Counsellors is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this podcast are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this podcast.Josephine Hughes disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this podcast.

How do you stand out from the crowd on directories? Today's episode is all about how to help clients find a good match for their needs - and how you can show them why you might be the right choice.In today's episode:Which therapy directory is best?The difficulty clients face in finding a therapist due to lack of differentiationHow niching in therapy can help - and why counsellors worry about itThe importance of profile pictures but what information is also necessary to help clients make an informed choiceHow client emotions can influence their choiceAdvice that clients may read about how to find a therapistSetting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERENeed ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HEREYou can also find me here:The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook GroupJosephine Hughes on FacebookJosephine Hughes on YouTubeMy website: josephinehughes.comThe information contained in Good Enough Counsellors is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this podcast are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this podcast.Josephine Hughes disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this podcast.

How do you make that leap from full time employment to full time private practice? In this episode, psychotherapist Tracey Carlisle shares how she found the courage to leave the comfort of her job behind so that she could fulfil her dream of working as a therapist.Tracey shares practical tips about getting started, how to get clients, and most of all - how to escape the 9-5!In Today's Episode:Tracey's Beginnings: Starting with just a few evening clients while working another job, Tracey shares her initial steps towards building her private practice during lockdown.Transition Challenges: Tracey shares what it was like to balance two jobs and move towards full-time self-employment.The Leap of Faith: How encouragement from family prompted Tracy to hand in her notice sooner than planned, despite fears about giving up a stable income.Finding Clients: Strategies that worked for Tracy included word-of-mouth through friends and family, directory listings like Counselling Directory, Google My Business, and leaving business cards at local businesses.Importance of Boundaries & Mindset: Establishing clear boundaries with clients was crucial for success. Equally important was adopting the right mindset—realising it wasn't necessary to have everything perfectly in place before starting out.You can find Tracey here via her website Setting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERENeed ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HEREYou can also find me here:The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook GroupJosephine Hughes on FacebookJosephine Hughes on YouTubeMy website: josephinehughes.comThe information contained in Good Enough Counsellors is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this podcast are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this podcast.Josephine Hughes disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this podcast.

In my work with counsellors, I find time and again that people struggle with getting started - especially with their counselling private practice. It's all very well in theory saying you're going to do something - but actually doing it can be much more difficult. Today's episode is all about facing down the fears that might stop you from making that first step - and how to stay focused so that you can begin.In Today's Episode:The difficulty in receiving praise: how uncomfortable it can be to accept positive feedback that contradicts ingrained self-beliefs.Embracing uniqueness: A central theme is recognising your unique life experiences and perspectives as strengths. I encourage you to appreciate your individual journey and see past hardships not just as obstacles but also as valuable tools for growth.The power of personal experience in counselling: Personal struggles often foster deep empathy and understanding, making counsellors more effective in supporting clients. Examples include neurodivergent counsellors who can offer unique insights into client challenges.Confronting cognitive dissonance: I discuss how you can fear your own potential more than any perceived inadequacy. This segment addresses the fear of rejection that holds you back from exploring your capabilities.Encouragement for action-taking: I share my journey from feeling inadequate to stepping out of my comfort zone — highlighting the fun you can find in exploring your potential despite fear of criticism.You can also find me here:The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook GroupJosephine Hughes on FacebookJosephine Hughes on YouTubeMy website: josephinehughes.comSetting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERENeed ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HEREThe information contained in Good Enough Counsellors is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this podcast are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this podcast.Josephine Hughes disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this podcast.

Welcome to the Good Enough Counsellors Podcast!In her new series, Josephine explores personal growth, professional development, and the art of building a private practice. Join her each week for marketing insights, interviews with established therapists, and dedicated mindset episodes.Find her first episodes, "Getting Started", and "From Employment to Full Time Practice" on all platforms on Thursday 29th February. Connect with JosephineWebsiteFacebook: Good Enough Counsellors groupFacebook: Josephine HughesYoutube