Abundant Practice Podcast Episode #656 Summary: "Does It Take More Work To Get Clients Now"

Release Date: June 7, 2025
Host: Allison Puryear

Introduction

In Episode #656 of the Abundant Practice Podcast, titled "Does It Take More Work To Get Clients Now," host Allison Puryear addresses a pressing concern among therapists: the increasing effort required to attract and retain clients in today's competitive landscape. This episode delves into effective marketing strategies tailored for private practice, emphasizing quality over quantity and intentionality over sheer volume.

The Evolving Therapeutic Market

Allison begins by contextualizing the current state of the therapeutic market. With the rise of telehealth and the influx of therapy tech companies since 2019, therapists now face a saturated market with clients having "thousands more options for therapists" compared to a few years ago. This surge has made client acquisition more challenging, necessitating a strategic approach to marketing.

Allison (05:30): "Clients have literally thousands more options for therapists now than they did back in 2019, before telehealth was so popular and before big therapy tech wooed so many therapists onto their payroll."

The Necessity of Focused Marketing Over Increased Effort

Contrary to the intuition that more efforts equate to more clients, Allison argues that "you shouldn't offer more to get more clients." Instead, she emphasizes the importance of focused marketing—targeting specific niches and refining existing marketing strategies rather than diluting efforts across multiple services.

Allison (07:45): "Having to market multiple services really waters down what you do. It takes away more energy and it can really confuse people. And a confused mind says no."

She further explains that while some therapists might need to initiate marketing efforts if they hadn't previously, those already engaged in marketing should aim to enhance the quality and consistency of their strategies rather than increasing the quantity.

Allison (10:15): "If you were already marketing before, you don't need to do more marketing, you just need to do it better."

Five Key Marketing Strategies for Therapists

Allison outlines five essential marketing strategies designed to attract the ideal client without overwhelming the therapist with excessive work:

1. Niche-Specific Website

   • Description: Develop a website that exclusively discusses your niche, addressing problems as clients would articulate them during initial interactions.
   • Purpose: Clear messaging attracts clients seeking specialized services.
   • Quote:

     Allison (14:20): "Of those five strategies, one needs to be a very clear niched website. You only talk about your niche on your website."

2. Weekly Networking

   • Description: Engage in networking activities at least once a week to build relationships and gain referrals.
   • Adaptability: Extroverted therapists or those aiming for rapid growth may increase this frequency.
   • Quote:

     Allison (16:05): "Another of those five strategies needs to be weekly networking. You can do it more than weekly if you're extroverted or you need to build quicker."

3. Additional Strategies Tailored to Strengths

   • Options Include:
     • SEO Optimization: Enhance your online presence to improve search engine rankings.
     • Public Speaking: Offer talks and workshops to establish authority.
     • Optimized Online Listings: Refine profiles on platforms like Psychology Today to reflect your niche.
   • Purpose: Leveraging personal strengths ensures consistency and effectiveness.
   • Quote:

     Allison (18:50): "If you love tech, that could be SEO. If you love public speaking, that could be giving talks."

4. Consistent and Intentional Marketing

   • Focus: Maintain regularity in marketing efforts to build momentum and visibility.
   • Quote:

     Allison (22:15): "You have to be really clear on your ideal client. You have to take the time to think about perspective before they call you and use their language, not your conceptualized psychobabble."

5. Clear Communication of Value

   • Description: Ensure all marketing communications clearly convey your ability to serve your specific ideal client.
   • Outcome: Attracts clients who resonate with your services, leading to a higher conversion rate.
   • Quote:

     Allison (25:40): "If in all five marketing strategies you communicate that you really get your specific ideal client, then you're going to get calls."

The Importance of Consistency and Grit

Allison stresses that while the time to see results may extend compared to previous years, "consistent action leads to consistent, though delayed results." She acknowledges the challenges therapists face in maintaining their marketing efforts, especially when immediate results aren't evident. However, she encourages resilience and persistence, highlighting that sustained effort will ultimately lead to a thriving practice.

Allison (29:10): "It may take more time than it would have a few years ago, but you're going to get full if you keep using marketing best practices because people are getting slower results."

She advises therapists to confront tough days by choosing to invest in necessary marketing activities rather than dealing with the long-term consequences of insufficient client acquisition.

Allison (31:05): "On tough days, ask yourself which problem you want to have. You want to put in the effort for the marketing activity that isn't the most fun thing to do? Is that the problem you want to have, or do you want to have to continue to worry about not having clients months from now?"

Conclusion and Resources

Allison wraps up the episode by reiterating that success in client acquisition doesn't stem from doing more or offering a broader range of services, but from focused and strategic marketing. She invites listeners to access a free worksheet titled "Common Marketing Strategies for Therapists" and offers additional support through her membership program, Abundance Party.

For further assistance, therapists are encouraged to visit www.abundancepracticebuilding.com to access resources such as checklists and worksheets or to join the Abundance Party for more in-depth guidance.

Key Takeaways:

• Quality Over Quantity: Focused marketing on a specific niche is more effective than offering multiple services.
• Five Essential Strategies: Implement a niched website, engage in weekly networking, and choose three additional strategies aligned with personal strengths.
• Consistency is Crucial: Regular and intentional marketing efforts lead to sustained client acquisition.
• Adapt to Market Changes: With increasing options for clients, therapists must refine their marketing approaches to stand out.

By adhering to these principles, therapists can navigate the evolving market landscape, ensuring a thriving and fulfilling private practice.