Create a Strong Online Profile and Attract the Right Clients 

You have gone through years of training at a university or training institute. You have learned about the human psyche, biology, anatomy, and physiology. Additionally, you have studied a range of theories and research on the how and why of these topics. 

You are in this field to help others. You may also be here because you have had your own wounds that you continue to heal. Most certainly, you are curious about what makes people think, feel, and behave the way they do. And, you want to know how you could help them change, if they want to change, of course. 

You have learned to assess and evaluate different facets of human existence. During your studies, you have read research and written a myriad of papers. You have taken exams and been supervised and assessed yourself. Hopefully, you have done your own fair share of growing, changing and self-reflecting through therapy. 

Now, finally, you are practising. Or perhaps you are an established practitioner who has recently relocated and is building a new caseload. Maybe you have realized that clients are much more informed, much pickier than they used to be, and competition is plenty. 

If you are licensed in the UAE, then you are most likely already affiliated with a center, a clinic, a hospital or a private practice. You are probably receiving some referrals through the institution you are working with. You have your word-of-mouth referrals, but perhaps you're also hoping to build an online presence and diversify your client base. It becomes problematic when you are contacted by your client's child, cousin, and mother! Maybe a few new clients outside your own clients' friends and family network wouldn't hurt. 

So, you are creating a Hoopfull profile and joining a directory of other therapists working in the region. Or maybe you have already joined but are not getting much interest from visitors on Hoopfull. Every single day at least one therapist is contacted via the contact forms. Many other clients have obtained the therapist's details from Hoopfull and contacted the centre directly to book. So why has your profile not been among them?

Here could be a few reasons why your profile is not getting enough interest and what to do about it:

1. Your profile picture is not professional or of good quality. Your profile picture is the first image that prospective clients see when they review profiles. If you used a casual picture dating back to 20 years you're doing yourself a disservice. So get a professional photo taken and update your profile picture. 
2. Your Bio/About Me page needs polishing. Maybe you copied/pasted your bio from your LinkedIn page, which you wrote five years ago when you were still an intern.  Or, you just took your profile from your organization's website. These bios are often impersonal, use scientific jargon and refer to you in the third person. Of course your bio should be professional and does not need to include information about your hobbies. But, clients want to know if you can help them. They want to know who you are. They want to know if you are the person who can help them with their journey. Ensure your profile accurately reflects your approach as a therapist and the ways you can help. 
3. Your areas of specialization are not specific enough and your list of clinical interest looks more like a menu at an all inclusive buffet. If your list of specializations is too long, it can be overwhelming for the prospective client. When your profile lists too many clinical areas from pregnancy to gambling to oppositional defiant disorder, it could reflect a lack of focus in your real areas of competency and training. The therapists with the highest referrals tend to have narrow areas of specialization and the areas are related to each other. For example relationship issues, codependency, anxiety and self-esteem are all related. 
4. Take the time to elaborate on your approach, and take the time to answer the following questions on your Hoopfull profile:
   1. How I can help you
   2. What I say to people who are nervous or have concerns about therapy/assessment
   3. What measures I use in assessment  
5. Prospective clients want to know that they can trust you with their deepest vulnerabilities without you being preoccupied with your next social media post. They need help and want an empathetic, grounded therapist who has relevant experience with whatever they are going through. They want to know how you would work with them. Write your answers in easy-to-understand language so anyone who does not have a clinical background could understand you.
6. While many clients prefer a therapist with many years of experience, this does not mean you can't attract clients. You may need to offer some sliding scale options for those who cannot afford therapy. This will help you gain more experience. You can also specify that you are working in close consultation with someone more experienced than you. Many clients appreciate a therapist who is engaged in supervision and who is serious about their training and professional development. You could even specify who your supervisor is and explicitly state that you engage in regular case consultation. And finally, ask your mentors to review your profile for you and to give you feedback. 

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