Abundant Practice Podcast Episode #683: "Why Authentic Websites Work Better"

Host: Allison Puryear
Guest: Ellie Miller, founder of Ellie Miller Design Company
Date: September 3, 2025

Episode Overview

In this engaging episode, Allison Puryear interviews therapist-turned-website-designer Ellie Miller about the importance of authenticity in therapist websites. The conversation dives deep into why authentic websites attract better-fit clients, how therapists can identify and incorporate their true voice into website copy, and step-by-step exercises for building a site that actually works. Both speakers highlight relatable experiences, practical strategies, and the internal barriers therapists face when "showing up" online.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Authentic Websites Matter

• First Website Experiences:
  Ellie shares her origin story of designing websites out of creative passion and necessity.

  "I started to have other therapist friends, like, ask me to help them with their website. So I'm like, okay, maybe that makes more sense..." (03:12, Ellie)

• Therapists’ Default Website Style:
  Most therapists' first attempt at website copy is overly stiff and academic, which is unappealing for clients.

  "[There’s] a trying to prove yourself that... is like distancing ultimately, because nobody wants your five dollar words." (04:07, Allison)

• Realness Attracts Real Clients:
  Authenticity helps therapists attract clients they truly work well with and gently repels those who aren’t the right fit.

  "You just get to be yourself and wear less masks throughout." (04:23, Ellie)
  "Those probably aren't your people. Like, they're the people you would feel so awkward with in session." (05:23, Allison)

2. Exercises to Find Your Authentic Voice

Ellie guides listeners through actionable steps:

• a) Feedback from Friends or Family
  Email 3-5 people close to you and ask questions like:

  • What adjectives describe the way I communicate?
  • Any phrases or words "that make you think of me"?
  • How do I leave people feeling after we communicate?

  "It's always nice to have that because a lot of private practice building is comfort zone pushing." (06:52, Ellie)

• b) Analyzing Casual Communications
  Examine texts, DMs, emails, or social posts for true “you-isms”—unique salutations, phrases, or writing quirks.

  "You'll find things that you say that are like, oh, I do do that a lot with my words. And those are fun things to sprinkle into your copy..." (08:37, Ellie)

• c) Studying Writing Style
  Look for habitual use of things like capitalization, bolding, emojis, exclamation points, and stylistic quirks.

  "So I think that can be helpful. Some of those pieces of that styling can come into your website copy as well." (09:02, Ellie)

• d) Voice Recording Exercise
  Record yourself answering common client questions as if in session, then transcribe and review for natural language and tone.

  "With that one, I would recommend, like, doing it a few times, because I think at first, when we're recording ourselves, we still have some of that filter..." (10:37, Ellie)

3. From Theory to Practice: Crafting Website Copy

• The Final Filter:
  Check if your copy “sounds like you” by reading it out loud.

  "If it feels wrong in my mouth or it sounds dumb or creepy or, like, stilted in my ears, then I'm like, okay, this isn't... this missed the mark." (12:06, Allison)

• The ‘Authentic Voice Cheat Sheet’:
  Ellie recommends creating a personal brand voice guide containing:

  • Top 3 adjectives describing your tone
  • Your signature words/phrases
  • Notes about your writing style (bold, caps, emojis, etc)
  • A “conversion table” translating standard phrases into your language

  "...translating that into your language. Like, how, how do you say that? Do you say most people don't say hello. Like you're gonna say something like hi with five eyes..." (17:02, Ellie)

4. AI & Templates: Pitfalls and Possibilities

• Caution about Over-reliance on Templates or AI Writing
  Both speakers urge that generic AI output is rarely suitable without heavy editing.

  "It's so generic and it's so cheesy. I don't know why the default of ChatGPT is cheesy, but it is." (18:38, Allison)

• Use AI as a Drafting Assistant, Not a Replacement
  Personal stories and nuances of client connection can't be faked by tech.

  "We as individuals... get results because of our relationships with them. All the data says it." (14:43, Allison)

5. Barriers to Authenticity and How to Move Past Them

• Fear of Being “Too Much” or Breaching Boundaries
  Therapists worry about over-disclosure, being vulnerable, or violating clinical norms (especially those with psychoanalytic training).

  "There is a different level of boundaries for psychoanalysts than there are for... an ACT therapist." (21:04, Allison)

• Gradual Process of Showing Up
  Authenticity is built in small steps—website evolution is iterative, not all-or-nothing.

  "You can put out a little, see if that feels okay, and then come back in a month and maybe show a little more of yourself. It can be gradual." (26:03, Ellie)

6. Video as the Ultimate Authenticity Tool

• Video Humanizes and Builds Trust

  "I tell everybody to do a video because that's just like authenticity who you are in 3D, you know?" (24:19, Ellie)

• It Gets Easier with Practice:
  Both share encouragement and nerves about on-camera work.

  "Expect that you're gonna suck at video... and practice, practice." (24:28, Allison)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Nobody wants your five dollar words... your five dollar words make people feel stupid." (04:12, Allison)
• "The more you show up like you, there's people that are really going to connect with that... We need all kinds and people." (05:04, Ellie)
• "You just get to be yourself and wear less masks throughout." (04:23, Ellie)
• "When therapists sit down to write website copy... they kind of come from this more academic place as if they're writing their dissertation." (10:00, Allison)
• "I also give myself permission to mess up." (13:49, Allison)
• "Our websites are going to be so much more compelling than you have space for in your little blurb on one of those big therapy tech sites." (15:34, Allison)
• "You're going to do a training for the Abundance Party." (26:26, Allison)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Origin story & importance of authenticity: 02:25–05:46
• Actionable exercises for discovering your voice: 05:55–11:35
• Translating authenticity into website copy: 11:35–14:18
• AI’s role & authenticity in content creation: 17:02–19:45
• Barriers to “putting yourself out there”: 20:29–23:23
• Video as authenticity booster & overcoming awkwardness: 24:19–26:03
• Closing thoughts on gradual authenticity and growth: 26:03–26:36

Closing Thoughts

This episode offers a refreshing, practical take on how therapists can use their websites as a vehicle for authentic connection—making the marketing process both more effective and more joyful. Allison and Ellie demystify the technicalities and psychological blocks of website writing while offering real-world steps and abundant empathy for the therapist experience.

Highly recommended for any therapist wanting a website that actually works for them—not against them.