First impressions are everything. One of the first things that a client sees when they’re looking for a provider is the provider’s profile. Is the profile interesting? Does it give relevant information about licensure, experience, and background? Does it tell the client enough about the provider so the client can make a decision about whether the provider is a good fit for them?
A well-developed profile and bio are key to attracting new clients. Here’s what a client will usually see in your profile:
Your bio provides clients an opportunity to see if you’re a good fit for their needs and how you can help them. That's why it’s important to write a bio that informs potential clients on your therapeutic philosophy, background, and specialties to ensure that you are a good match for the client. You can find do's and don'ts and recommended structural guidelines and examples below for your bio and profile.
Do: Use your bio to engage prospective new clients. Address what clients want to know most — how their experience with you will look, your treatment approach, and how you can help them.
Do: Upload a high-quality photo to best represent yourself to clients. Make sure your whole face is captured in the image and the photo is high-resolution, unfiltered, recent, and professional. Your profile photo is the face of your independent practice, and your first opportunity to build trust with clients. Put your best impression forward.
Do: Make sure you highlight your top specialties. Your specialties demonstrate where your expertise and passions lie and help give clients an idea of who you are.
Do: Include your licensure and education. This establishes your credibility as a licensed mental health professional.
Don’t: Use your personal social accounts as they don’t have the features that your practice needs. Neither do creator accounts. Your provider profile is your professional face. So choose a business account that allows you to best promote yourself and your practice online.
Here are a few examples of bios that you can use to create your own.
Mini bio: An opening sentence that will draw a new client to the rest of your profile and answers the client question, "how can you help me?".
Ex: I focus on adults, using cognitive therapy to help my clients think about the issues they’re facing from a different lens.
Full bio: Use the structure outlined below to guide you through writing your full bio.
One-third philosophy: This is your approach to providing mental health care.
One-third background: Include your education, credentials, length of mental health care working experience, etc.
One-third specialties: Indicate the types of clients you primarily work with or mention if you work with all types.
Example bio:
"Life can be extremely difficult to navigate at times, especially when going through major life transitions. These things can greatly impact our well-being, especially if we do not have the proper tools to work through them. It can seem impossible to deal with these life stressors and escape from the overwhelming feelings that accompany them. I can help guide your mental health journey and together we can learn how to manage the challenges life throws at you.
In 2010, I graduated from the University of Denver with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology. Now, as a licensed professional counselor (LPC), I have been working in individual practice for five years. I primarily work with clients experiencing depression, eating disorders, and PTSD. Prior to individual practice, I worked for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs helping many veterans work through their PTSD, in addition to a behavioral health center for both men and women struggling with eating disorders.
I focus on adults, using cognitive therapy to help my clients think about the issues they’re facing from a different lens. By changing the way you think, you can feel empowered to enact great change in your life. I will always vow to work towards developing a trusting relationship in which you feel heard. Together, we can break down the seemingly insurmountable barriers you feel in your life."
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