​

THIS ISSUE IS SPONSORED BY REDD STRATEGY

Get Found in Local Search & Maps. Attract clients who are searching for therapy near them. See GBP Optimization Details​

NOTES FROM THE EDITOR

Let's make it easy on Google

This week I spent hours digging into my clients' Google Business Profiles. What I found there was a treasure trove of information that explains why so many therapy practices get so few online leads.

Today, I'll share a few of my insights with you.

Why Google can't see your practice

I've seen my share of frustrated therapists who've spent thousands on their websites without getting a return on their investments. And it's not because the websites are badly built, or hosted on the wrong platforms.

The reason they get no leads from their nice websites is because there are no established paths to find them.

Imagine you build a beautiful house somewhere in the wilderness without any roads or signs leading to it. Would you get mail or visitors there? Probably not.

That's what's happening to your website without any concrete signs to find it. It may be a beautiful and well-functioning website when people are on it, but first they need to find it.

The easiest way to find your website

So how do you build those roads?

This brings me back to Google Business Profiles (GBP). Google is the most popular search engine with a 90% market share as of now. That's why having your practice listed in Google's directory, GBP, is crucial if you want to be found in online searches.

But claiming your Google Business Profile is not enough to show up in local searches. You need to make sure that your profile is doing an excellent job of describing your practice and explaining who you work with and how you can help.

And here is the missing piece. Most profiles are way too generic and underdeveloped for Google to clearly understand why it should show it to potential clients.

So my job this week has been analyzing why each profile is underperforming and how it can be improved.

My insights

• Most descriptions are written in a "clinical" way, not the google-friendly way. They lack specific keywords that make it easy for Google to understand the practice.
• Most profiles have no reviews. That matters, especially in the context of local searches like "therapist near me". In case of ethical concerns, reviews can be easily generated from referral partners and colleagues that know your work.
• Many profiles offer minimal information about the practice; no specific categories or services described. Not enough information means no paths to your website.

These are just a few glaring things that I've discovered. In addition, there are more technical aspects to optimizing your GBP, but the above insights are still a good starting point.

If you want to take it one step further, you can book a Strategic Marketing Review session with me, and we'll put together a plan to improve your GBP.

For now, I'm going back to my local SEO rabbit hole...

And now to the news!

AD BREAK

NOTEWORTHY

Advent Calendar for Therapists

Quill Therapy Solutions released a free “Therapist Advent Calendar,” offering 24 days of games, activities, and distractions for mental health professionals.

Why it matters: Because it's fun!

BUSINESS AND PRIVATE PRACTICE

Heard Launches Private Practice Grant Program

Heard announced a new grant program offering cash and business tools to support licensed mental-health professionals preparing to open private practices in early 2026.

Why it matters: Financial support lowers barriers for new practice owners and signals growing infrastructure for launching independent practices.

​

INDUSTRY NEWS

CA Tightens Oversight on Health Investments

Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, California will implement new rules restricting non-clinical investors from influencing clinical decisions in healthcare transactions.

Why it matters: Increased oversight may shift consolidation trends in behavioral health, making it relevant for owners considering partnerships or long-term growth strategies.

FINAL THOUGHTS

After spending a week inside therapists’ GBP profiles, one thing is clear:

A few small changes can make a big difference in how often you’re found online.

See you next week,

Avivit