How are your services currently listed on your website? Do you have a list of your different specialties? Maybe a paragraph about the different therapy services you offer? Or, perhaps you actually have separate pages for each of your services, but only a couple hundred words on each of them.

You Need Service Pages to Rank for Therapy Keywords

My biggest suggestion for therapists and helping professionals who want to improve their SEO is to create individual service pages for all of the services they want to rank for. And if they already have service pages, I almost always suggest that they bulk up their content! Often the response I get is, “I feel like I’ve said all there is to say.” Or, “I want to keep it simple.”

Photo of a man putting the word keyword together with lettered blocks. This photo represents the importance of using SEO keywords for therapists to rank higher on Google

Here’s the thing. If you want to rank high on Google (and be easily found by clients) for the different services you offer, Google has to know that you offer that service. If you only mention the word “anxiety therapy” or “EMDR” on your website a couple of times, Google isn’t going to rank you well for it. And honestly, the clients coming to your website probably aren’t going to be compelled to reach out if they don’t know much about you.

So in this blog post, I’m going to share my tips for deciding what service pages you should create and what you should add to those service pages to rank higher on Google and get noticed by potential clients!

What Sort of Services Need Their Own Page?

Therapy Service Pages

I mentioned that if you want to rank high on Google for a keyword, you should probably have a service page for it. Now, you may be wondering what sort of things need their own service page. For example, do you need a “trauma therapy” AND a “trauma therapy for children” page if you offer both of those services?

The short answer is, maybe! It really depends on who your ideal client is, how much of a “niche” you have, and what your SEO goals are.

If you have a group practice and you have a clinician that specializes in trauma therapy for adults and a clinician that specializes in trauma therapy for children, then it would be a good idea to have two separate pages! However, if you are a solo therapist that specializes in trauma therapy and happens to sometimes offer trauma therapy to children, then you probably don’t need a separate page for it.

So, I would suggest starting with the services that you specialize in and that you are excited to offer. For some, this might be postpartum therapy, coaching for parents, and anxiety therapy. OR if postpartum therapy is your niche, then you should have separate pages for postpartum anxiety and postpartum depression. This is going to be very dependent on your practice and what you really want to rank for.

Service Pages for Age Groups

Besides service pages for the different mental health concerns you want to rank for, you can also have service pages for the different age ranges you work with. If you work with children, teens, adults, and seniors, then you can make a “therapy for ____” service page for each of those age groups.

However, it’s not essential to create service pages for different age groups. This is only important if you want to rank for “teen therapist” or “therapy for children” for example.

Online Therapy Service Page

If you offer online therapy, especially if you are an online-only practice, you really want to have an online therapy page as well. If you offer online therapy in multiple states, you’re going to want to have an online therapy page for each state if you want to rank for terms like “online therapist in North Carolina” or “online therapy in Los Angeles”.

However, if online therapy is a service you offer simply to accommodate clients and not something you really want inquiries about, then you don’t need an online therapy page. Again, it’s all about what you want to rank for.

Additional Service Pages

Beyond the specific service pages I’ve mentioned, there may be others that are applicable to your practice. You can also have service pages for the different treatment models you use such as EMDR, the Gottman Method, or DBT. If you are bilingual and offer therapy in more than language, you can have a service page dedicated to your therapy services in Spanish for example. Or, if you cater to clients of a particular faith or culture you can have a service page focused on that as well.

Think about the terms that clients are searching for. If a service of yours is something that is commonly searched for online, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to have a service page for it. You can use tools like KW Finder to learn what keywords are actually being searched for widely in your area.

What Content Should be Included on a Service Page?Photo of a man sitting on a couch using a computer. This photo represents how therapists can add mental health SEO keywords to their website through service pages and blogs.

Now that you know what service pages you may want to add to your website, you should start thinking about what needs to be on those service pages.

In order to have enough content to show Google that you’re an expert on the services you offer, we suggest that you have a minimum of 500 words on each of your service pages. If you have more, that’s great! However you shouldn’t have much less than 500 words.

If you’re thinking that you won’t have enough to write about to get to 500 words, then you may not be considering all of the information that you should include on the page.

What is Your Ideal Client Struggling With?

First, you want to start with what we call “pain points”. Pain points are the things that your clients are struggling with. Think about the clients who you’ve worked with or people who’ve reached out for help. What were their main concerns? Maybe their social anxiety was making it challenging to make friends. Or their troubles in their marriage were starting to affect their children. Perhaps their addiction was causing financial problems.

You may even mention the common symptoms of PTSD or anxiety. Or, you can list the common reasons that people seek therapy for the specific service you’re offering. For example, the common reasons that teens come to therapy or that couples seek support.

By mentioning these pain points you are showing prospective clients that you actually understand what they’re going through. You’re also showing that you’ve worked with enough clients to really understand the challenges that they’re dealing with. It also gives you an opportunity to explain the specific ways that therapy can help them.

How Can Therapy Help Them?

In addition to mentioning the challenges that they may be experiencing, it’s important that you also describe the ways that therapy can help. You want to give prospective clients hope by telling them how they can expect their life to be different after therapy.

Will they be able to manage their anxiety? Will they feel less trapped by their traumatic memories? If you’re having trouble, think about your clients that have made changes in their life. What was different for them?

You can also describe why therapy for their specific mental health concern is effective. This may mean giving a brief description of the CBT triangle and how therapy can help break the cycle of anxious thoughts. Let them know how therapy can actually help them manage or overcome their specific concern.

How Can You or Your Therapy Practice Help?

Beyond giving a description of how therapy can help, you need to explain how you or the therapists at your practice can help them. What makes you unique?

Photo of toy figures staring at the words "what makes you unique" through a magnifying glass. This photo represents how adding your unique approach to therapy can help you when using your website to market to a counseling niche.Is it your approach to therapy for that specific service? Or maybe it’s that you’re trained in a specific evidence based prevention like EMDR. Maybe you specialize in culturally sensitive services or take an intersectional approach to therapy. This is where you get specific about why clients should want to work with you.

Don’t forget to wrap up this section with a “call to action” where you direct them to contact you or your team if they’re interested in beginning therapy. Make it easy for them to take the first step.

The Next Steps: Optimizing Your Service Pages and Creating Blog Posts

Creating service pages with valuable content is only one piece of the puzzle. It’s a great way to start showing Google that you’re an expert on the services you offer. And it’s incredibly valuable for potential clients who want to learn more about you and your services. However when it comes to SEO, content only goes so far.

Optimizing Your Therapy Website

In order to rank well for the keywords those service pages are targeting, you really need to optimize them. The basics of optimization include adding keywords, location indicators, and other elements like internal and external links to the pages of your website. However there is a bit more that goes into it, so I’m going to direct you to this comprehensive guide on optimizing a private practice website for more information.

Writing Blog Posts

Once you’ve written and optimized your service pages, the next step is to start writing and optimizing blog posts related to those service pages. See, you can only pack so many SEO elements into your service pages in a way that feels natural. At a certain point it’ll look repetitive, awkward, and it won’t appeal to clients.

That’s where blog posts come in! Blog posts allow you to create more relevant content that is valuable to potential clients AND that continues to show Google that you’re an expert on the services you offer. Blogs also allow you to pack in more of those SEO elements.

We recommend starting with at least 3 blogs per service page to start. However a consistent blogging strategy (such as posting 2-4 optimized blogs per month) is a great way to really improve and then maintain your rankings.

It may sound a bit overwhelming right now, but if you take it step by step you can slowly and steadily start improving your SEO and creating a website that is packed with great information for prospective clients.

However, if this all is sounding like a bit too much for you to take on, you can reach out to us for help!

Our Mental Health SEO Specialists Can Optimize Your Website For You!

As a busy therapist you might not have time to learn SEO and optimize your own website. That’s where we come in! Our team is entirely focused on helping therapists and helping professionals rank higher on Google. The Mental Health SEO Specialists on our team can optimize your service pages and blog posts to help you rank higher on Google and reach more clients! If you’re interested in learning more about our SEO services, you can follow these simple steps:

  1. Schedule a free 30-minute video consultation with one of our team members
  2. Learn how our SEO services can help you reach more of your ideal clients
  3. Watch your online rankings improve and get back to focusing on your practice

We are so excited to be a part of your SEO journey!

Other SEO Services Offered by Simplified SEO Consulting

At Simplified SEO Consulting we offer a wide range of SEO services to help therapists at different phases in their practice! For therapists who are too busy to optimize their website and want to outsource their SEO, we offer Done-For-You SEO services.

We also offer training options for those who want to learn how to optimize their own website with the help of our team members. Our 12-Week SEO Intensive program is great for those who want to learn SEO one-on-one. Our Small Group SEO Intensives  are perfect for therapists and helping professionals who want to learn SEO in a group of other professionals. You can also purchase our DIY Online SEO Courses to learn SEO on your own, at your own pace.

If you aren’t sure what option is best for you, then you can book a free consultation with a member of our team for our suggestions!

About the Author

Headshot of Kaite, Virtual Administrative Assistant and Mental Health SEO Copywriter at Simplified SEO Consulting for therapist websites in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and beyond.Kaite Ritchie is our Administrative Assistant, Alumni Specialist, and a Mental Health SEO Copywriter at Simplified SEO Consulting. For years Kaite worked as an Intake Coordinator for our founder, Jessica Tappana, at her private practice. During that time she helped clients get set up with the right therapist for them. And she learned how a well optimized website can help clients find the therapist they’re looking for. She now uses that knowledge to help therapists create service pages and blog posts that will speak to their ideal client! You can schedule a free consultation with Kaite to learn more about our SEO services and how we can help you.

In the world of Search Engine Optimization, there are so many terms that are thrown around. 

There is a lot of lingo surrounding search engine optimization. In fact, there is so much that it can sound like a different language without having prior knowledge. So today, we are going to discuss common SEO terms and their place in the grand scheme of things.

The word keywords is surrounded by the terms concept, web, sem, content, words, and seo. Learn how we can offer SEO help for therapists at Simplified SEO Consulting. We offer support for counselor SEO and more.

What Are Long-Tail and Short-Tail Keywords?

Keywords are the terms that we chose to focus on and include in content to better show up for those terms. When it comes to short-tail keywords, these are phrases such as “anxiety treatment” that only have one to two words that make up the keyword. Long-tail keywords however can have four or more. 

Short-tail keywords often overlook long-tail when it comes to search volume. Since these keywords are shorter and more general, they are often searched for by a larger number of people. On the other hand, long-tail keywords are usually more specific due to the longer nature of the phrase. Thus, making them easier to rank for while helping focus in on a specific niche or topic. There are pros and cons of using each, which is why it’s important to use each when optimizing for specific search terms you’d like to rank for.

What Does HTML Mean?

HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language. This is a basic markup language for documents used by web pages across the internet. HTML is used to tell web browsers what elements are present on a given page and make up the backbone of what you will see on a webpage. Every element is represented somewhere in the HTML of the page. While you may not be able to see it without a bit of technical knowledge, it still serves an invaluable purpose in SEO and web design as a whole.

What Does SERP Stand For?

This stands for search engine result page. When you search for something on Google, this is the page you see with all the possible search results related to your inquiry. The factors that determine where pages fall in a SERP can be difficult to understand, especially with the ever-evolving nature of Google’s search algorithm. But, understanding the major updates that may occur can help improve your SEO efforts in a variety of ways. 

What Is a Meta Description?

A meta description is a short paragraph that appears on SERPs and summarizes what the page is about. Normally Google will automatically create these based on the content of the page. But, these are rarely as effective as if you were to manually create your own. Writing your own meta descriptions for each of your web pages will allow you to also work in crucial keywords you are hoping to improve rankings for, thus helping google better understand the focus of the page and what you are hoping to rank for. 

A hand writes on a chalkboard with the word SEO circled. We offer support for therapist SEO and more.What Is the Difference Between Crawling, Indexing, Rendering, and Ranking?

Crawling refers to when robots (crawlers) for a search engine discover new pages on your site, and the links they have to other existing pages, which is why internal links are so important. After a robot crawls a site, it can index the crawled pages. Indexing is when these pages are recorded by the search engine, analyzed, and sorted based on the content of the page.

Rendering occurs when search engines take the HTML of your page, and use it to understand the structure of the page. It is the process of compiling the code of your site in order to better understand what an actual person will see when they visit the page. Finally, ranking is what private practice owners work to improve through SEO! Your ranking is where your site falls in the SERP, and this constantly changes due to other competitors working to climb to the top of the search results.

What Is a Sitemap?

A sitemap acts as, well, a map of your site! This helps search engines organize the pages on your site to crawl and index the content of your website. Without submitting your sitemap to something like Google My Business, SERPs may have a harder time understanding the type of content on your site, whether that be a video, image, or article. Plus, sitemaps also provide crawlers with another way to discover each page of your site. As a result, you don’t have to worry as much about isolated pages being looked over due to a lack of links. Your sitemap will take notice of them even if they’re not linked to any other page. 

What Are Alt Text and Alt Titles?

These are unseen additions to photos and other graphic elements on a page that help improves accessibility and provide content for search engines. The text and titles added to photos help search engines index pages correctly. These often include descriptions that explain the content of the photo and can provide a great chance to also rank for your focus keywords. These alt attributes can be added to the HTML of your site in different ways. Including them also helps toward improving how well you rank on Google. 

What Are Internal Links, External Links, and Backlinks?

Internal links are the embedded links on your website that connect each page to one another. External links are similar, but they link to external sites independent of your site. Backlinks is a type of external link in which another site creates a link that returns back to your site. Internal linking is an essential part of your site structure. External and backlinks are invaluable as well. They can help to improve the authoritativeness of your site. But, be careful, not all sites may be as reputable as others, meaning the wrong link can actually hurt the credibility of your site. 

What Is Black Hat & White Hat SEO

These are the methods in which you try to rank better on SERPs like Google. Black hat SEO tactics are those that can help you improve your rankings, but are often unethical and go against SERP guidelines in the process. In short, you want to avoid black hat SEO practices. Instead, white hat SEO practices are ethical methods to help improve your search engine rankings. 

A hand holds a magnifying glass looking at the letters SEO. We offer support for counselor SEO and more.

What Is a Featured Snippet?

These are becoming more important as Google continues to make finding the right answers more convenient for those searching for them. These are the small bits of text that often appear at the top of Google’s search results that are meant to offer quick answers to an inquiry. These make it easier for searchers to find answers without having to sift through an entire page. They also help capture attention and can improve the chances people will visit your site for more useful answers to their questions.

Begin Improving Counselor SEO With Simplified SEO Consulting

Our team of SEO specialists is experienced in offering support to improve the SEO of therapists nationwide. We offer a number of services that can help you improve your practice, and find your ideal client. If you are ready to start your SEO journey with Simplified SEO Consulting, please follow these simple steps: 

  1. Apply to start improving your SEO
  2. Meet with a member of our team of SEO Specialists
  3. Start ranking higher on Google and meeting with your ideal client

Other Services Offered With Simplified SEO Consulting

Our team of mental health SEO specialists is happy to offer a number of services to support your SEO efforts. We offer Done For You SEO packages as well as online courses, SEO training, Done With You 12-week intensive, and strategy sessions. We would be happy to start working with you by scheduling a free 30-minute consultation. Learn more by visiting our blog or visit our services page today.

About the Author

Photo of Sterling, an SEO Specialist at Simplified SEO Consulting that specializes in all things technical SEO!Sterling Humburg-Cage graduated from the University of Missouri with a BA in Psychology in 2020. He integrates what he learned in school into his work as an SEO Specialist with Simplified SEO Consulting. Sterling prides himself on helping current clients & alumni problems solve difficult SEO issues.  He’s great at giving clients multiple options about how to approach a situation and responding quickly to client concerns.  Since he started, Sterling has met frequently with our alumni and provided them extra problem-solving support. He often goes the extra mile to do outside research and make sure private practice owners have everything they need to rank well on search engines long term for the keywords their ideal clients are using!

Meta descriptions can be a valuable asset for your blog posts. Why? Because they are one of the first things people see when they do a search engine results page (SERP) search. A well-written meta description can entice people to click on your post, which can result in more website traffic and better SEO. In this blog post, we will discuss how to write effective meta descriptions for your blog posts. We will also provide some helpful tips and examples.

As a therapist, you likely have a wealth of knowledge and experience that you can share with others. Blogging is a great way to share that information. And I’ve often talked about the benefits of blogging regularly both for your SEO as well as for your clients. Therefore, I often talk about blogging when I’m teaching mental health providers to manage their own SEO. And I often talk about meta descriptions when I talk about SEO. However, someone recently pointed out that most of the examples I share are related to service pages so I thought we’d chat a bit about meta descriptions for mental health related blog posts.

Photo of a cartoon character typing on a computer. This photo represents the importance of writing counseling services pages and blogs to boost SEO for therapists.

What is a meta description?

A meta description is a brief summary of a web page or document that appears on the SERP below the title. Meta descriptions are typically between 150-155 characters long. The main purpose of a meta description is to briefly explain what the page is about and help people decide if they want to click on your result or not.

How do I write a meta description?

The first step is to identify the main keyword or phrase for the blog post that you want to target. Once you have your keyword, you’ll want to include it in your meta description. In addition to your keyword, you’ll also want to make sure that your meta description is clear, concise, and interesting. You want people to know what they’ll be reading about if they click on your blog post, and you also want to entice them to do so!

Here are some tips for writing effective meta descriptions:

– Use your keyword(s) early on in the meta description

– Keep it under 155 characters

– Write in complete sentences

– Make it interesting and compelling!

You can read more that I’ve written about why (here) & how to specify a meta description (here).

Why isn’t Google using the meta description I wrote in SERP results?

There are a few reasons why your meta description may not be appearing in SERP results. One reason could be that your meta description is too long- remember to keep it under 155 characters.

Another reason is simply that the exact keyword the person is searching for wasn’t in the meta description you wrote, but you did use that exact phrase somewhere else on the page. In this case, you can expect Google to pull a random sentence from somewhere on the page that happens to use that exact phrase.

A final reason could be that Google didn’t think your meta description was as relevant or interesting as some of the other results on the SERP, so they chose to display a different result above yours. This is why it’s important to not only use your keyword(s) in your meta description, but also to make sure that the meta description is interesting and relevant!

It’s frustrating when you take time to write what you believe to be the PERFECT meta description (includes keywords, accurately summarizes the page & is interesting) but know that it’s common. And while we can influence what Google shows, we can’t ultimately can’t control Google.

Does a meta description directly impact SEO?

Essentially, Google has said the meta description does not directly impact your SEO. However, it is still an important part of your on-page optimization and you should still use keywords you think your ideal clients are searching for. Google does see what you’ve written, and not using keywords in your meta descriptions could result in Google using a random sentence in the middle of the page when your blog post shows up in search results.

In short, yes, you should still be writing meta descriptions for your blog posts!

A well written meta description improves your “click through rate.”

The click-through rate (CTR) is the percentage of searchers who click on your result in the SERP. A higher CTR means more traffic to your website, and a lower CTR could mean that your result wasn’t as relevant or interesting as the other results on the page.

So, having a well written meta description greatly improves the chances Google will show what you’ve written in search results which will result in more clicks to your website.

While we can’t control everything that Google does, we can influence it. And one way to do that is by writing interesting & relevant meta descriptions for our blog posts.

Examples of Meta Descriptions for Mental Health Websites

Now, for the part of the blog you’ve probably been waiting for. The examples! I’ve provided a few different examples of meta descriptions for mental health blog posts below.

Everything You’ve Ever Wanted to Know About Trichotillomania | Chino  Anxiety Specialists

Meta Description: From its causes and symptoms, to treatment options and all the questions in between, this post tackles every aspect of trichotillomania.

A Simple Guide to Common Antidepressants | Blue Skies Psychiatry

Meta Description: A psychiatrist from Billings, MT explains commonly used antidepressants. This is a must read for everyone taking an antidepressant.

Busting Myths About PTSD: Thoughts From a Trauma Therapist in New York City

Meta Description: While trauma & PTSD are often discussed, everything you hear may not be true. Get your PTSD questions answered from a NYC trauma therapist.

How Alcoholism Impacts the Entire Family | Miami Family Therapy

Meta Description: Alcoholism affects every member of the family. A therapist discusses exactly how alcoholism impacts the entire family in this helpful guide.

Setting Your Marriage Up for Success: Lessons from a Marriage Counselor | Woodlands Christian Relationship Center

Meta Description: Curious how premarital counseling can help set your marriage up for success? Learn how this Texas, Christian counselor helps & lessons taught

Bipolar Disorder: All Your Common Questions Answered | Charleston Comprehensive Mental Health Care

Meta Description: This blog post dives into the most common questions our psychiatrists, therapists & case managers are asked about bipolar disorder.

Support For Optimizing Your Mental Health Website

If you need help optimizing your website for mental health SEO, Simplified SEO Consulting is a SEO business exclusively serving psychiatrists, counselors and other helpers. We offer a range of services including SEO training, DIY courses & “done for you” services. Our training program includes ongoing small group intensives and an in depth, customized 1:1 SEO training program. Right now, we’re most excited about the Fall cohort of our small group intensive starting and an upcoming kind of unique thing we are doing which is our blogging for SEO mastermind and cruise retreat that will take place this winter.

Upcoming Unique Opportunity Related to Blogging & SEO

In December, our group will meet weekly (except for the week of Christmas) to support one another as we write blog posts that will help improve SEO and serve our ideal clients. Then, January 6-9, 2023 we’ll be going on a 3 day cruise in the Bahamas. In addition to having fun, we’ll be spending time talking about SEO strategy and optimizing our blog posts. You’ll have personalized, in person support from our founder as well as our director of SEO as you write meta descriptions for your blogs, optimize your subheadings, do additional keyword research, write sections to highlight your expertise for Google and so much more!

However, we do want to keep this group small so we can really get to know one another and give everyone lots of individualized support! So, reach out to us ASAP. You can do so by emailing me (Jessica) directly at jessica@simplifiedseoconsulting.com if you want more information or are ready to join!

 

The Truth is Short Term Solutions Just Don’t Work When Doing SEO for Counselors. 

We know that when it comes to your practice whether you’re just building it or you’re scaling up, that patience can be challenging. You’re ready to make a bigger impact and have added security to your business. However, we are open and honest from the start that SEO takes at least 6 months to get you a ranking so you can begin to establish credibility and maintain it. Sometimes businesses need more time if they are an online-only practice, if they are coming back from a bad reputation, or if they are in a bigger more populated area.

Additionally, SEO has gotten more competitive over the years. We know that our strategies work and have strategies and approaches that line up with this. However, we want you to be an informed consumer, so you can get the most out of your investment. Here are a few reasons why we don’t sell short-term solutions and why hanging in there with us will benefit your practice long term.

SEO for Counselors Takes TimeYellow and black clock on table with black coffee cups. If you need support, but feel like you're running out of time, read this blog on SEO for counselors and why short term solutions don't work. We offer SEO for therapists, psychologists, and more!

The simple fact is that SEO is about building up your domain trust over time. That means having a strong keyword strategy, being intentional in how we incorporate SEO factors, building high-quality backlinks, and impactful content that your ideal clients need. Six months sounds like a long time when you just want to add new clinicians or you just don’t have the funds to invest in this huge business expense, but in the long term taking time with SEO will benefit you.

Nothing Good Comes from Cutting Corners in Business

One thing we don’t want to encourage with SEO is putting up a bunch of content all at once or keyword stuffing. These are considered black hat SEO strategies. Additionally, buying backlinks is a big no. These tactics can tank your SEO and leave you struggling to build up any credibility. It is honestly better to invest in SEO within the guidelines and parameters of what Google has set forth for consumers. Really Google wants you to find your ideal clients, but just like with a client, when mistrust is established, it is harder to regain. So we recommend and recognize the need to do SEO at a slower pace ( 3-4 pages at a time), in order to have that long-term payout.

We Want to Help You Get Your Ideal Clients and Maintain Referrals

SEO cannot be done in the short term because you need to get to the first page. If you don’t have service pages or quality blogs that your ideal clients will connect with, then you are not going to have the greatest outcome with SEO. Even if you have good referrals know, they will catch up to you. So it’s best to follow a strategy where we do intensive optimization on services pages, create quality cornerstone blogs, and over time watch the data to see what is and is not resonating with your ideal clients. Through our process, we have steps we expect to follow that tell us whether SEO is or is not working.

For example, are you getting a big boost in rankings? We expect to see this month 1-3. Are you starting to get a few referrals? Not an overwhelming amount, but a few inquiries, that came from Google and are good fits? Great! That is what we want to see in months 3 and 4. If we get to that month 4 and we see that we are not getting what we hope, we restrategize early on. So we may modify some meta’s or write a blog post. Another point I expand on below is that the timeline for more competitive areas is a bit different and we expect that. In months 5 and 6, we want to know if you are getting more consistent referrals to your site. This is the time you should be blogging and getting backlinks.

Certain Locations Are More Competitive Than Others and We Want To Set You Up For Success

As mentioned before, we have some consistent trends in what we hope to see for your site, but what if you’re doing SEO in New York, Denver, Colorado, or Orange County, California? What Then? Well, the truth is that we may see in certain areas that the return on investment happens at a slower pace. I mean how many therapists are doing similar things to you in New York, Florida, or California? What matters here is that you are clear on your niche and how you help and support your, clients. Our goal is to help you stand out from the rest of the crowd. You have a unique voice that will bring in your ideal people.

One thing to note is that this is where blogging can help make that process easy. Don’t just write a blog on “Benefits of Online Therapy in New York”, write one about Why Online Therapy in New York is perfect for the person who thinks their problems are not big enough for therapy. What is this person telling themselves, how are they negating their experiences, what beliefs and internal dialogues are they giving into, and how can you help them deal with the feelings that have yet to give voice to. This will help you stand out in a competitive world of counseling and SEO.

Each Niche, Geographical Location, and Website Requires a Specialized StrategyWoman strategizing on SEO for counselors. If you're in need of support with SEO for counselors or SEO for therapists. Know that short term solutions are not the best. About here is why and how we provide the best seo for therapists.

We don’t sell short-term solutions because each area has its own timeline for when SEO will begin to work, the more specific you are the better the SEO outcome, and different platforms are better for SEO. If you expect to get a ranking on a Wix website in New York within 6 months, to be honest, that’s not a realistic goal, that is why we recommend moving to Squarespace or WordPress. If you are on WordPress in Texas and specialize in pre and postnatal care, getting a ranking may be a faster process. We tailor our strategy to your needs, and that may mean needing a few extra months to break through the wall of the Google search engine for others, this process may be quicker.

We Always Paying Attention to The Data and Shifts in the Algorithm 

As SEO specialists, we know that you trust us to be the experts. With that being said, we also know that Google’s algorithm can change at the drop of a hat. We are always monitoring these changes, so we can modify your SEO strategy accordingly. Much of the time, even when Google updates, we may see a month or two of fluctuating data, but then it settles down and we see the payoff from the work we have done.

It takes time to undo the adverse effects of Black Hat SEO and Bad Reviews

Lastly, if you are looking to scale up your practice, but you are dealing with the negative impacts of Black Hat SEO or bad reviews, we are here to support you through the process of undoing these issues. Plus, we can help you build back up your reputation. However, when these things happen, it can be a process. We have helped many individuals combat these issues, knowing that the process may take up to a year to reach the intended outcome. We don’t say this to discourage you, but to set you up for realistic results. If you do need support in this realm we have a great team of individuals who can help you navigate his process whether that means a strong Google my business strategy or helping you reestablish trust with Google.

The Take-Home Message When Doing SEO for Counselors and Therapists

Our team loves helping individuals reach their business goals and visions. Everyone’s strategy looks different, but for good reason. There is no one size fits all approach to therapy and we also believe that with SEO for counselors and therapists. We all follow some basic tenants, knowing that each client we work with has a slightly different approach. If there is some way we can support you, please reach out. Our consultation team would love to work with you and give you some insight and recommendations.

Begin SEO for Counselors and Therapists From A Team Who Truly Cares!Woman on laptop working on site. SEO for counselors, SEO for therapists, and SEO for psychologists takes time. Learn why and how we provide good SEO for therapists.

SEO is a process, but one worth taking. We have helped many private practice owners and groups scale up their practice. Our wonderful team of mental health SEO specialists at Simplified SEO Consulting would love to talk strategy with you and help you get connected with the best service for you. To get started with our service follow these simple steps:

  1. Schedule a consult with our Consultation Team
  2. Learn more about our talented team of mental health SEO Specialists
  3. Start scaling up your practice and filling your clinicians

Other Services offered by Simplified SEO Consulting

Simplified SEO consulting offers a wide range of services that can help you begin working with your people. We offer Done for You SEO Service packagesonline courses, and SEO training opportunities. Our most popular course includes our “Top of Google” online course, and we have 12 weeks of intensive SEO for those who want to learn with a guide. For those looking for a more specialized package, we also offer an SEO strategy package. To get started, schedule a consultation with our Client Success Specialist today!

About the Author:Jasmine, client success specialist, mental health seo specialist, blog. Ready for some help! Schedule a consult to see if you're ready to invest in SEO. Talk with a mental health seo specialist and get SEO help for therapists here!

Jasmine is a Mental Health SEO Specialist and our Client Success Specialist at Simplified SEO Consulting. It can be challenging to know where to start with SEO, luckily Jasmine is here to help. If you want insight, recommendations, or to talk about the next steps with SEO, contact us for a free 30- minute consultation.

Jasmine Jaquess is currently working towards her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern University. She has been doing SEO with Simplified for the last few months. Currently, she serves as the Client Success Specialist in new client consultation with Simplified SEO Consulting and is an SEO specialist. She specializes in platforms such as Squarespace and Wix but has learned to love WordPress sites as well. Jasmine really enjoys hearing the clients’ goals for their businesses and helping them achieve them. She works with coaches, eating disorder specialists, trauma therapists, and more.

As a speech therapist, you have a unique and important skill set that can truly make a difference in the lives of your clients. But running a successful private practice is more than just providing excellent services. It’s also about making sure your practice is easily found by potential clients online.

You already know the importance of search engine optimization (SEO) for your private practice website, but maybe you’re not sure where to start or how to improve your website’s SEO. In this blog post, we’ll provide you with some tips and tricks for optimizing your website’s meta descriptions – a small but crucial aspect of SEO. We’ll also provide you with some sample meta descriptions to help get you started.

We’ve written before about what a meta description is and shared lots of tips for optimizing your meta descriptions on your websites. But over the years we’ve had many, many requests for more examples of meta descriptions. And now that we’re expanding to work with more speech therapists in private practice, we wanted to make sure to offer some examples specific to your field as well.

What is a Meta Description?Picture of a page title and meta description for a counseling website.

A meta description is a short summary of a webpage that appears underneath the page’s title in search engine results. It is typically 150-155 characters long and gives a brief overview of what the page is about. Meta descriptions can impact click-through rates and are an important element of on-page SEO.

Is it worth taking the time to write a meta description for each page of my site?

Absolutely! Writing a unique meta description for each page of your site helps people know what to expect when they land on your website. There is some debate about if search engines pay much attention to meta descriptions, but the people looking at search results absolutely do!  A meta description is your way of suggesting to Google the page description is shows potential visitors and the best tool you have for convincing people to choose your website to click on from the list of sites that show up in search results.

Examples of Meta Descriptions for Speech TherapistCartoon photo of a speech therapist working with two children who have speech delays in her successful private practice. Websites

Title: Private Practice Speech Therapy in London

Meta Description: Providing speech therapy services for children and adults in London. Visit our website to learn more.

Title: Speech Therapy in Sydney, Australia

Meta Description: Experienced SLPs providing speech and language therapy services for children and adults in Sydney. Contact us to book an appointment.

Title: Meet Your Speech Therapist – Charlotte, NC 28270

Meta Description: Anne is a Charlotte-based speech therapist near Davidson who specializes in helping children overcome speech and language difficulties. Meet her today!

Title: Meet Our Speech Therapist in Melbourne, Australia

Meta Description: Our Melbourne-based speech therapist has years of experience working with children & adults who stutter or have articulation concerns. Learn more!

Title: Speech Therapy Services in Pacific Palisades, California 90272

Meta Description: Our Los Angeles area SLPs provide speech therapy services for infants, children & adults. Contact us to book an appointment.

Title: Pediatric Speech Therapy in Houston, TX

Meta Description: Our Houston-based SLPs specialize in pediatric speech therapy services. Learn more about our approach on our website.

Title: Adult Speech Therapy – Speech Associates in Toronto, Ontario

Meta Description: Our Toronto-based SLPs provide speech therapy services for adults. Contact us to book an appointment.

Title: Speech Therapy Services for Autism – Vancouver, British Columbia

Meta Description: Our Vancouver-based SLPs provide speech therapy services for individuals with autism. Learn more on our website.

Title: Speech Therapy for Stuttering – Speech, Voice & Language Clinic – Chicago, IL 60601

Meta Description: Our Chicago-based SLPs specialize in speech therapy services for stuttering. Contact us to book an appointment.

Title: Language Therapy – ABC Communication – Philadelphia, PA

Meta Description: Our Philadelphia-based SLPs provide a wide range of language therapy services for infants, children & adults. Learn more!

Title: Speech Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease – New York City  11235

Meta Description: At our speech therapy office in West Brighton, Brooklyn, our SLPs provide speech therapy services for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease.

Title: Meet Your Speech Therapist – Speak Freely Speech Therapy in Dallas, TX

Meta Description: Gina is a Dallas-based speech therapist with years of experience helping individuals who have speech & language difficulties. Learn more about her services!

Title: Speech Therapy for Hearing Impaired – Seattle, Washington 98101

Meta Description: Our Seattle-based SLPs specialize in speech therapy services for individuals who are deaf or have hearing impairments. Visit our website to learn more.

Title: Meet Your Speech Therapist – Jasmine Joy Speech Therapy – Atlanta, GA

Meta Description: Our Atlanta-based speech therapist specializes in helping children and adults overcome speech and language difficulties. Meet her today!

Title: Speech Therapy for Aphasia – Stephanie Jones – Miami, FL 33152

Meta Description: Our Miami-based SLPs provide speech therapy services for individuals with aphasia. Contact us to book an appointment.

Title: Speech Therapy Services in San Francisco, CA

Meta Description: Our San Francisco-based SLPs provide speech therapy services for children and adults. Learn more on our website.

Title: Meet Our Speech Therapist in Dublin, Ireland

Meta Description: Our Dublin-based speech therapist has years of experience helping children and adults overcome speech and language difficulties. Learn more about her on our website.

Title: Contact Our Office – Manchester, NY 14504

Meta Description: Contact us to book an appointment with our Manchester-based SLPs. We provide speech therapy services for children and adults.

Title: Speech Therapy for Dyslexia – Edinburgh

Meta Description: Our Edinburgh-based SLPs specialize in speech therapy services for individuals with dyslexia. Learn more on our website.

Title: Speech Therapy for Traumatic Brain Injury – Ottawa, Ontario

Meta Description: Our Ottawa-based SLPs provide speech therapy services for individuals with traumatic brain injuries. Contact us to book an

image of person writing something down. get connected with an seo specialist who understands private practice

A few Notes About These Meta Descriptions:

I wrote these all very quickly. Typically I take more time to write meta descriptions and then our team revises them about three times during a single month of optimizing. So please know that these aren’t the end all be all, best ever examples of meta descriptions. And they’re a little generic. But they at least let you get a feel for meta descriptions.

You’ll also notice that in some of the meta titles, particularly those in more competitive parts of the United States, we included a zip code. I don’t love doing that, because I think it looks a little odd. But sometimes I do, particularly if I’m frustrated because a website just isn’t ranking as well as I’d like it to. And it does seem to help Google really pinpoint where you are wanting to rank. So, I tried to do it in a few examples here and not in others.

Sometimes I included the name of the practice or, if the example was a solo practice, the specific SLP’s name. You don’t have to do this, but I think it’s helpful when there is room to do that. The truth is that it’s pretty easy to rank for the name of your practice or your own name. But I still like to include it when it makes sense for clarity.

Meta Descriptions are One Part of Optimizing Your Private Practice Website

When a private practice owner wants to optimize their own website, meta descriptions are one of the first things I teach them to do. Why? Because I like writing meta descriptions myself I suppose is the real answer. It’s a small chore to write one or two little sentences. So, it seems less overwhelming that some other SEO techniques. And it helps the people who see your site in search results because it tells them what to expect on the page when they visit it.

But, it’s important to understand that just writing meta descriptions is unlikely to get your website ranking on it’s own. It’s one small piece of the puzzle. An important one. Often one of the first steps we want to take. In fact, keyword research and then meta descriptions are the first two things our staff members do each month. But it truly is only one piece of the puzzle.

Looking for more help or resources optimizing your Speech Therapy website?

Now that you have a better understanding of meta descriptions, it’s time to start optimizing your private practice website to improve your search engine ranking. However, we know that it can be overwhelming and time-consuming to handle all of this on your own. That’s where Simplified SEO Consulting comes in! We offer a variety of SEO services & resources for speech therapists. Our team of experts has years of experience in helping private practice owners, including speech therapists, achieve their SEO goals. From our affordable DIY courses to our small group training and even our Done for You SEO Services, we’re here to help. Apply for a free SEO consultation today to learn more about how we can help you take your private practice to the next level.

Headshot of Jessica Tappana showing her in a green dress with the ocean in the background. She owns a private pay psychotherapy practice that relies heavily on SEO marketing. She is also an international speak on SEO for private practice owners having spoken in Kentucky, California, Spain, Colorado and Georgia.About the Author:

Jessica Tappana is the founder and CEO of Simplified SEO Consulting, a company dedicated to helping private practice owners improve their online visibility through effective SEO strategies. With over 6 years of experience owning a successful private practice and working with other mental health professionals, Jessica understands the unique challenges and opportunities that come with running a private practice. She has assembled a team of highly skilled SEO experts, including one team member who specializes in Google Business Profile management, to provide top-notch services to private practice owners across the country. When she’s not working, Jessica enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.

SEO tune-ups are an important part of maintaining good Search Engine Optimization. This does not mean you have to spend hours reoptimizing the page. As an SEO specialist for therapists, I am going to cover two topics in this blog in regards to SEO for therapists. First, I will explain the ideal times to do SEO tune-ups. Second, we will look at what parts of search engine optimization you should prioritize during a tune-up.

When to Do an SEO Tune-Up

SEO Tune-Ups as Maintenance

Image if a mechanic working on a car engine. SEO tune ups are good for basic maintenance on your site. Original search engine optimization sets a good foundation but tune ups are important. Especially on private practice SEO.

Maintenance is an important part of SEO. You did a great job putting all that work in to do the original optimization of the page. So why would you need to do maintenance on it? Think of the website page as a car. You put the work and money in to replace the transmission and it gets you to your destinations better than ever. Just because you spent all the time working on the transmission doesn’t mean you are going to stop regular maintenance on your car, right? You’ll still get oil changes, replace the air filter, and replace the windshield wipers. This is because these are all maintenance tasks that help keep your car running well and get you to where you need to be.

Maintenance for SEO on your website is similar. During your original SEO optimization, you or your SEO specialist laid great groundwork. However, to keep ranking high on Google then you have to give it some TLC on occasion. Go in and make sure that locations, keywords, and zip codes are all accurate and up to date. Then go in and reindex it. Allowing Google to take new notice of your keywords on that page.

Falling Keywords

You’ve ranked well on google for a specific keyword for a while and suddenly it’s dropped in rankings. What is the best course of action? One option is blogging which you can read more about here. Another option is to do an SEO tune-up on the website page associated with that keyword. For example, if you have noticed a drop in keywords such as anxiety treatment, anxiety symptoms, panic attack, etc then it might be time for a tune-up on your anxiety page. It’s always a good idea to do a quick round of keyword research to make sure you are still targeting the ideal keywords. From there go in and see where you can reconfigure and work in those keywords you want to boost.

Image of FINETUNE spelled out on wood blocks. SEO for therapists and SEO for mental health professionals is what we pride ourselves in providing. Have you done previous work on pages but think you might need SEO tune up? We work on private practice websites. Call todayYou Have More Copy to Add

Another great time to do an SEO tune-up on your page is if you are going to add or change the copy. Don’t let your previous SEO work keep you from changing the copy on your page. Go ahead and update pages when you have new information or find new inspiration that you want to include on them.  Try to make it a rule of thumb that when you edit the copy you go through and do a tune-up as well. Don’t forget to index your pages once finished so you can get credit from Google for the changes.

What to focus on when doing an SEO tune-up

The point of a tune-up is to help increase the ranking of an already optimized page without spending hours on it. There are three important areas to make sure to focus on when doing a tune-up. This includes the meta description, links, and subheadings.

Meta Description

There is no such thing as a perfect meta description. It can always be tweaked or improved. Which makes it a great place to start when doing a tune-up. See if you can reword it to fit in another keyword, location, or zip code. One thing to keep in mind is that you have to keep it to 155 characters or less. Next, take a look at your Meta title or site title. Make sure you have your main keyword and a location with a zip code in it. If there is enough room see if you can fit in another keyword. An example would be:

Anxiety Treatment | Kansas City, MO 64113 | Anxiety Therapist | Practice Name

Image of a therapist working at a desk. We work on search engine optimization for counselors and private practice websites. We can help you learn SEO online and when to do SEO tune ups. Contact us today for a consult.Links

There are two different things you will want to look at in regards to links during a tune-up. First, make sure that your existing links have strong anchor words. Additionally, make sure they are linking to where you want them to. Second, see where you can add more links. On the page see if there are any other places you can link to the home page, about page, service pages, or blog posts. Then try and find places on other service pages and blog posts where you can link back to the page you are doing a tune-up on.

Subheadings

Headings and subheadings are important to SEO which is why you should include them as part of your tune-up. There are a couple of things to look

  1. Check to see if there are any other places you should include a subheading. This is especially important if you are adding more copy to your page.
  2. Make sure your subheadings are rich with the keywords you are trying to rank for on that page.
  3. Look to see where you can include locations within the subheadings

Get Help With & Learn More About SEO Tune-Ups

Have you done previous search engine optimization but think it’s time for an SEO tune-up? Then our SEO specialists for therapists are here to help you make that happen. Simplified SEO Consulting has several options to help with your private practice website. If you want quality SEO but don’t have a lot of time to spend then our Done for You SEO package. might be your best option. Looking to build your knowledge on SEO for psychiatrists yourself? Then take an online course or SEO training. No matter which package you choose to go with we will ensure that your website is optimized in an ethical way. Get started with your free 30-minute consultation with one of our client success specialists today!

Image of the blogs author, Winnie Youger-Rash. Winnie is ready to help you with Search engine optimization for mental health professionals. Contact us today to see what packages can help you with to build your private practice website.About the Author:

Winnie is part of the dedicated team at Simplified SEO Consulting. She enjoys learning and growing as a Mental Health SEO specialist. Her specialty is working with our clients who have picked our Done for You package.

She has a lot of passion for providing SEO help for psychiatrists and therapists. If you’re ready to see how Simplified can serve you, schedule your next consultation. Speak with our Client Success Specialist to discuss how Winnie can support you on your SEO journey.

Are you on a good platform to invest in SEO?

When considering SEO with us, we want you to think about the branding, design, and platform of your site. One of the biggest issues we try to help clients avoid is beginning the SEO investment on a platform they do not love or one that will not give them the return on investment that they need. Often we recommend people try Squarespace or WordPress. Sometimes we will work with a Wix or Weebly site, but often if you have a consult with our specialists, you will find that we will encourage a platform switch. If you’re absolutely in love with your platform and it happens to be on Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress, we are happy to work with you for our Done for You Services, but if you plan to stay on a different platform, on rare occasions we will do Weebly if a specialist is familiar and has capacity. Otherwise, our training options are the best option if you want to stay on your platform.  

Does it make financial sense to invest in SEO?Person looking at SEO analytics. Are you looking for seo for mental health professionals? Perhaps you're wondering if its time to invest in SEO. SEO help for therapists doesn't need to be confusing. Get support and see if you're SEO ready!

The goal of Simplified is to help you get the clients that you are best able to support. We never want finances to be a barrier to you scaling your practice. While we will usually recommend our DFY options, if you are able and willing to do the work, our training options can give you a lot of value for your needs. We have self-paced courses, group intensives, and individual training options. Additionally, if you’re unsure where to begin, you can get a beginner course with our strategy package and then meet with a specialist who can give you the support you need to figure out the next steps. With the done for you options, often people will want to do the cheapest option, but if you’re hoping to be closer to the first page within six months in a busy area on a 1 or 2 point package, you’re not going to reach this goal with the timeframe you anticipate. SEO is getting competitive and especially in areas like New York, Florida, California, and some parts of Colorado, the best way to get to the top quickly is to optimize your service pages and blogs.

Essentially, what we have found is that for Google to really begin recognizing you, you need 12-18 pages live and optimized on your site.

With SEO getting more competitive that number may begin to increase. So we need to hit the ground running. If this doesn’t sound doable for you, then you can still invest with our other options, but it may mean we need to wait till you’re more comfortable with the investment mentally. We as mental health professionals are not oblivious to the costs and investment of SEO. We know that for a practice SEO is often the biggest expense you may have, and we know that with the strategy we employ that is unique, intentional, and flexible, we can help you reach your goals if you are able to trust in our process. 

Do You Know Your Niche?

Knowing your niche matters to your success. Do you have to be one hundred percent sure of it? No. You can adapt as you understand what your community needs. If you’re in love with one niche during one season and then the next it switches, and you want to focus on couples over individuals or high functioning anxiety over trauma, you can do this. However, if you’re entering private or group practice without a semblance of who you’re trying to help. Do some soul searching before doing SEO. Why? We have found as mental health specialists that content matters for keywords. If you don’t know your clients with anxiety, you may get anxiety clients, but they may not be the ideal client you were hoping for. Additionally, you could get a lot of hits on your site indicated by Google Analytics and Google Search Console. However, if you’re getting clicks but not converts into clients, something is not connecting on your site. In order to convert, you need to know your people. Consider creating an avatar of who your ideal client is before beginning SEO with us. 

Are You Expanding Your Practice? 

Are you planning to expand your practice soon? Perhaps you’re worried about filling up your new clinicians which may tempt you to invest in Google ads over SEO. Pause and breathe. You have time. If you have a clinician onboarding in a few months, SEO is a great place to start. Here is why, if you have a desire to bring in consistent referrals for your practice, and you don’t want to have to constantly reinvest the money to get the clients into the door, SEO helps you to maintain a steady stream of people, especially when you consistently blog ( 2-3 times a month). If you’re worried about filling up your people you’re ready for SEO. We can help you strategy-wise to connect with your ideal people. 

Would You Rather Invest in SEO by Outsourcing?

This is a big one we encounter with consults. People know that they need to do SEO for the consistency of their practice and growth. They have been told it is really important and easy to learn. Here is the problem you’re an owner of a practice, a parent, have another job, are pregnant…And to be honest, you just don’t have the passion to learn, the clinical side and the business side are more your jam. That is where our done for you program will work best for you. Whether that means we are doing the work, or you are having an intern learn how to optimize through one of our training programs. You’re ready to outsource and begin SEO. 

Do You have Content and Copy You Love?

Maybe you have considered SEO before, but you just didn’t love your website and copy yet. And now, you have hired a fantastic copywriter and the website represents your values and who you hope to attract. Great! You’re ready for SEO. Well-written content equals connection.

What if I want to invest in SEO, but I do know how or love writing?

That’s ok. We offer copywriting services and we have great referrals who would be happy to hear your voice and create content that connects and aligns with your voice. If writing isn’t your thing, our team is happy to help and collaborate with you. 

Are you Ready to Blog?Person holding up blog letters. If you're ready for SEO, that means blogging is near. Learn if you're ready to invest in SEO and get SEO for mental health professionals specifically. Our mental health SEO specialists are here to help!

Blogging is such a huge component of SEO. If you hate blog writing and refuse to write blogs, then maybe now isn’t the time for SEO. Here is the thing. Google loves content. Google has about 200+ factors you can rank your site for. If blogging isn’t for you. There are other SEO companies that can help you with off-page SEO. However, what we have found with counseling clients, having well build out service pages and blogs that talk about the heart of your practice, often gets you better results with clients and conversions. We will encourage you to blog and if that doesn’t sound like a good plan then now is not the time to invest. 

Are you planning to rebrand soon?

If you’re planning to rebrand or move to a new platform soon, now is not the time to do SEO. Here is why. Google has associated backlinks and other information with the domain you currently have. It has been live and active on Google for some time now. If you decide to take down the domain to move it to another platform, Google will look at this and not know what to do with your site. And, if you do rebrand or move your domain, change your domain, or move to another platform, Google has to reestablish trust. If you try to do SEO immediately afterward Google will not know what to do with your site. So it’s best to make the changes, publish it on the search engine, and then let it sit for 2 weeks to a month. Then begin SEO. You’ll have much better success integrating SEO. 

Do clients need to decide what their NAP information is in order to invest in SEO?

Lastly, do you know what a NAP score is? Check out this blog about local SEO and NAP. This is essentially your Name, Address, and Phone. This is necessary for consistency on the search engines and for Google my business/Local SEO. If you don’t know what you want your main name, address, and phone to be, then pause, figure it out, and then make sure you have that on your website, directories, Google My Business, and Yelp.

Begin Working with Our Team!

If you’re ready to invest in SEO, we are here to help. We can get you set up with our services and begin optimizing your website in a way that showcases your skills to potential clients soon. Our wonderful team of SEO specialists at Simplified SEO Consulting would be excited to help you on your SEO journey. To get started with our service follow these simple steps:

  1. Schedule a consult with our Client Success Specialist
  2. Learn more about our talented team of SEO Specialists
  3. Start investing in what matters to help your clients reach you!

Other Services offered by Simplified SEO Consulting  

Simplified SEO consulting offers a wide range of services that can help you begin working with your people. We offer Done for You SEO Service packages, online courses, and SEO training opportunities. Our most popular course includes our “Top of Google” online course, and we have 12 weeks of intensive SEO for those who want to learn with a guide. For those looking for a more specialized package, we also offer an SEO strategy package. To get started, schedule a consultation with our Client Success Specialist today!  

About the Author: Jasmine, client success specialist, mental health seo specialist, blog. Ready for some help! Schedule a consult to see if you're ready to invest in SEO. Talk with a mental health seo specialist and get SEO help for therapists here!

 Jasmine is an SEO Specialist, and Client Success Specialist at Simplified SEO Consulting. You may be wondering where to start with your SEO journey. You’ve come to the right place. Learn how cornerstone content can help.  

Jasmine Jaquess is currently working towards her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern University. She has been doing SEO with Simplified for the last few months. Currently, she serves as the Client Success Specialist in new client consultation with Simplified SEO Consulting and is an SEO specialist. She specializes in platforms such as Squarespace and Wix but has learned to love WordPress sites as well. She really enjoys hearing the clients’ goals for their businesses and helping them achieve them. 

During the pandemic throughout these past few years, online therapy has become extremely popular within the mental health field. This makes perfect sense given how accessible online therapy can be, especially during a time when meeting in person became very rare. I believe that after the pandemic, therapists have realized how important it is to offer this service and have often shifted more towards a hybrid style, offering both in-person and online services. More importantly, what does this mean for SEO? What are some advantages and disadvantages of offering this service? And what are some ways we can capitalize on this growing part of the mental health field?

An image of someone on a computer representing how to rank on google and build seo for therapists through answering the question "Is SEO good for therapists?".

The SEO part of Online Therapy

Like many services, online therapy is a fantastic way of not only adding a new service to provide but also boosting SEO. With online therapy, depending on what state(s) you are licensed in, we are able to make an effort to rank in the entire state(s). This helps to cast a wide net keeping in mind your specialties but also having the advantage of being able to schedule online appointments from any area of the state. Although sometimes more competitive than ranking for a specific city, it is another one of the many ways we are able to get your name and practice out there and continue to improve your rankings. 

 

What does this mean for SEO?An image of hands on a compluter representing the question "Is SEO good for therapists?" | Hoe to rank on Google for Therapists | How to build SEO for therapists |

Having more services pages in general for various specialties you offer is always a good thing. Not only does this communicate with the viewer on the specifics of what services you provide, but it also adds more content we are then able to nail down keywords for and optimize. This is especially present for online therapy when we are able to pull specific zip codes from major cities in the state and try and rank all of them in different ways.  

 

The SEO Advantages

There are a few things to consider when making an attempt to rank for online therapy services. As always, we want to include those keyword-rich headings/subheadings in the copy as well as backend SEO, but we believe it is equally important to do so in a way that accurately represents you as a therapist and accurately depicts what you can offer. It is very important to rank well, but also important to accurately represent your process and lens through your voice. Furthermore, anytime we are able to add another service page or specialty, this allows us to track more keywords and implement them in an attempt to rank higher. Here are some advantages to online therapy and SEO:  

Advantages: 

  • Able to rank for the entire state 
  • Including another service page for each state you’re licensed in 
  • The convenience of online therapy 
  • Opportunity for more internal links
  • Expanding the services you provide
  • Viable options for those in remote locations
  • Casting a wider net, obtaining clients from the entire state

You could be asking yourself, this is a good start but what about building or improving an online therapy service page? We have a blog that includes 4 Tips for Improving SEO for Online Therapy Services that has really good information about the specific of improving those pages to get an optimal ROI and the best possible “SEO juice” for rankings. One thing that was an important takeaway for me, was having separate online therapy pages for each state you are licensed in, helping to cast an even broader net with all the more opportunities to rank for more keywords and optimization.   

An image of a person pointing to a graph representing how SEO is good for therapist, and how to rank on google and build SEO.

Online Therapy and SEO Overview

Although sometimes hard to rank for considering the entire state, online therapy can be such a great way to help boost SEO and improve rankings. At Simplified, we want you to get great ROI while also representing your voice and practice in the way you see fit. Having the ability to not only offer online services in a time when they are so popular but also being able o rank for the entire state(s) you are licensed in is such a great advantage to SEO. We are always really excited to see new service pages added, as it can only help get you the clients you want in the door and improve SEO.  

 

In need of SEO help with ranking for Online Therapy? 

Here at Simplified, we are always happy to help you improve your rankings and get the clients you want. Our team is ready to help you see the improvement you need,

See if Simplified is right for you by reading more about our packages, and follow these quick steps:

  1. Book a free 30-minute consultation call
  2. Get connected with an SEO specialist
  3. Start that journey towards better rankings and an improved clientele

SEO Services at Simplified SEO Consulting 

At Simplified we have a few different package options available for you and your practice. This includes the Done For You (DFY)  packages, Done with You (DWY) packages, or the DIY online courses. Read more and see which package is right for you. Book a consultation today and start your journey with Simplified. 

About the Author 

Justin Bohannan is an SEO specialist at Simplified. He works with clients across the nation to reach their goals and boost their SEO. Justin works with the team writing content, on-page optimization, and more! Justin graduated from the University of Missouri with his BA in Psychology.

Identifying the ideal clients for your private practice website is an important first step when starting SEO for psychiatrists. This step can look a little different for psychiatrists compared to therapists. When we ask therapists about their ideal clients the answers often include things like college-age students, couples, or young business professionals. Additionally, this list can include things like clients looking for EMDR Therapy, CBT, or Sex Therapy. So you might be asking yourself what does an ideal client list look like when working on SEO for psychiatrists. Let us take a deeper look into finding your perfect clients so you can have a thriving psychiatric private practice.

Ideal Clients Affects SEO for Psychiatrists

Image of a professional woman writing in a notebook. Identifying ideal clients is an important first step in SEO for psychiatrists in private practice. That list of ideal clients helps build quality SEO for mental health professionals Call today to speak with a SEO services consultant about what to do after identifying your ideal client.

Often times a list of ideal clients for psychiatrists will be focused on which disorders they want to work with the most. Maybe you enjoy working with clients who have anxiety, depression, and Insomnia. On the other hand, you might enjoy diagnosing and treating clients who have mood disorders, schizophrenia, or who suffer from substance abuse. Your list of ideal clients might also include things like individuals in rural areas, elderly adults, kids, or young to middle-aged adults. The options seem to be endless.

If you are a psychiatrist in private practice you get to decide who you want to work with. Ultimately, if you are treating mental health disorders that you are passionate about then your business will thrive even more. So you have narrowed down your list of ideal clients now what? What do you do from here? Now we use this list to develop or enhance your service pages and guide your keyword research.

The Importance of Service Pages for SEO for Psychiatrists

To some, it may seem redundant to make a service page for each disorder that you want to focus on. However, this is a vital part of SEO and making sure that your services are seen by your ideal clients. The quality and quantity of copywriting on your website can drastically affect how Google views and ranks your website. Beyond that, individual service pages let you focus on a larger amount of keywords. This is where your list of ideal clients comes in.

Image of “Content is King” written on three jenga blocks. Content is important when working on SEO for psychiatrists in private practice. Google values content on private pracite websites. Need help knowing what to put on your site? Our SEO services consultants specialize in helping build content for SEO for psychiatrists.Whatever disorders you listed out on your ideal client list is what you will want to focus on for service pages for several reasons. First, it will allow you to focus on multiple keywords that your ideal clients are using on Google when they need psychiatric services. Secondly, it shows Google that you are an expert in those areas. Which builds Google’s trust in your website and increases your rankings. Finally, when your ideal clients make it to your website they get the chance to see that you are the right psychiatrist for them.

How Keywords Play A Roll In SEO for Psychiatrists

When it comes to keywords used in SEO for therapists we often start by comparing counseling to therapy and see which will get the best results. But what about when finding keywords best used in SEO for psychiatrists? When doing keyword research you will have to think outside the box a bit. Most likely Psychiatrist is one of the first keywords to come to your mind which is a great starting point. From there you have to pick additional words you want to try and rank for.

This is where your ideal clients and service pages come in. You will need to find keywords that your ideal clients will be searching for. Since your service pages are going to be targeted toward your ideal clients then your keywords should match up with them as well.

Specific Keywords for Private Practice SEO

The following is a list of potential keywords that a psychiatrist interested in treating depression and ADHD might use. The list was created, and accurate as of May 30, 2022, with KWFinder which is one of our keyword research tools. Next to each keyword is the number of times Image of a psychiatrist holding the hand of a client with medication on the table. Wondering where to put keywords on a private practice website? We can help with keywords and other areas of SEO for mental health professionals. Call today to get started.each month the word was searched in the United States:

  • Psychiatrist | 451,000
  • Psychiatric nurse practitioners | 12700
  • Psychiatric evaluation | 5600
  • Depression Medication | 41,200
  • Antidepressants | 110,000
  • Wellbutrin | 409,000
  • ADHD treatment | 21,600
  • ADHD medication | 133,000
  • Ritalin | 124,000
  • Adderall | 601,000

This list is not all-inclusive to all of the possibilities for keywords for depression and ADHD. We also suggest searching for keywords in your specific area, not throughout the United States. Keyword trends in your city and state might be slightly different. This is why at Simplified SEO Consulting we put such an emphasis on detailed keyword research specific to your private practice and your location.

Final Thoughts From A SEO Services Consultant

Ideal clients, service pages, and keywords are important to all mental health private practice search engine optimization. The key is to make sure you adjust each area to fit your needs as a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner. Another thing we focus on at Simplified SEO Consulting is making sure our SEO is ethical. We understand that being ethical is a vital part of mental health private practices. Thus whenever a Simplified SEO services consultant works on a website or trains someone in SEO we do so with a focus on being ethical.

Start Working on SEO for Your Business

Ready to start working on SEO for your private practice as a psychiatrist? Then our Mental Health SEO Services Consultants are ready to help you get started. Simplified SEO Consulting has several options to help your website start ranking on Google. If you want help building a SEO foundation for your website without spending multiple hours a week then our Done for You SEO package. might be your best option. Looking to build your knowledge on SEO for psychiatrists yourself? Then taking an online course, SEO training, or joining our SEO Mastermind Group guide you through all the aspects of SEO for your website. No matter which package you choose to go with we will ensure that your website is optimized in an ethical way. Getting started is easy. Make your free 30-minute consultation with one of our client success specialists today!

Image of the blogs author Mental Health SEO Specialist, Winnie Youger-Rash. Winnie is ready to help you with SEO for mental health professionals. Contact us today to see what packages a SEO services consultant can help you with to build your private practice SEO.About the Author:

Winnie is part of the dedicated team at Simplified SEO Consulting. She enjoys learning and growing as a Mental Health SEO specialist. Her specialty is working with our clients who have picked our Done for You package.

She has a lot of passion for providing SEO help for psychiatrists and therapists. If you’re ready to see how Simplified can serve you, schedule your next consultation. Speak with our Client Success Specialist to discuss how Winnie can support you on your SEO journey.

When legal information is just a click away, law firms must strategically navigate the online realm to reach their target audience effectively. SEO (Search Engine Optimization) plays a pivotal role in this journey, and at the heart of SEO lies the strategic use of keywords. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into SEO for personal injury attorneys. Let’s explore keyword importance, best practices, and how they can elevate your law firm’s digital presence.

Understanding the Digital Legal Landscape

In the not-so-distant past, legal services relied primarily on traditional marketing methods, referrals, and word-of-mouth. Today, the legal landscape has undergone a seismic shift. Potential clients no longer thumb through the Yellow Pages or solely rely on personal recommendations to find legal counsel. Instead, they turn to the internet, with search engines as their trusted guides.

This transformation has ushered in a new era in legal marketing—one where your law firm’s digital presence can be a game-changer. The digital legal landscape is vast and complex, comprising websites, search engines, social media platforms, and online directories. To thrive in this landscape, lawyers must not only adapt but also master the art of digital marketing, with SEO keywords as their secret weapon.

Can Lawyers Have Blogs?

Now, you might be wondering, can lawyers have blogs? Absolutely, and here’s why it’s crucial. In an era where information is abundant, clients seek not only legal expertise but also guidance and transparency. A well-maintained blog allows lawyers to provide valuable insights into legal matters, showcase their knowledge, and address common legal questions.

Think of your blog as a platform to establish authority, foster trust, and engage with potential clients. It’s where you can translate complex legal concepts into accessible language, offering clarity and reassurance. By sharing your expertise through blog posts, you not only educate your audience but also humanize your practice, making it relatable and approachable.

A cup of coffee, a keyboard and "blog". Blogging is beneficial for Personal Injury SEO. Discover different SEO techniques!

The Power of SEO Keywords

At the heart of effective digital marketing and SEO lies the strategic use of keywords and a great SEO tool like Mangools. Keywords are the terms and phrases that individuals type into search engines when seeking information or services. For lawyers, these keywords are the digital keys that unlock visibility, engagement, and, ultimately, new clients.

Imagine keywords as signposts in a vast digital landscape. When potential clients enter specific queries into a search engine, these signposts guide them to relevant destinations. A well-chosen keyword can ensure that your law firm’s website is one of those destinations.

What Are SEO Keywords for Lawyers?

SEO keywords for lawyers are specific terms and phrases related to the legal field that potential clients commonly use when searching for legal services. These keywords help search engines understand the content of your website and match it with relevant user queries. For personal injury lawyers, this might include keywords like “personal injury attorney,” “car accident lawyer,” or “workers’ compensation attorney.”

To illustrate, picture a potential client who has sustained injuries in a car accident and is seeking legal representation. They turn to a search engine and type in the query “car accident lawyer in Austin, TX.” This query contains the keywords “car accident lawyer” and “Austin, TX.” If your law firm’s website is optimized for these keywords, it stands a significantly better chance of appearing in the search results.

Keyword Research for Lawyers: The Foundation of SEO

Effective SEO begins with thorough keyword research. This process involves identifying the keywords and phrases that potential clients are most likely to use when seeking legal services. It’s akin to understanding the language your clients speak and ensuring that your digital content resonates with their needs.

Consider keyword research as the compass that guides your digital strategy. It helps you uncover the exact terms and questions potential clients are using in their search queries. Armed with this knowledge, you can tailor your content, including blog posts, web pages, and social media, to align with these keywords.

Is 500 Words Enough for SEO?

While there’s no strict word count requirement for SEO, longer content often performs better. In-depth articles (1,500 words or more) tend to provide more comprehensive information, which can be valuable for potential clients. However, the key is to focus on quality over quantity. Content should be informative, well-structured, and engaging, regardless of its length.

Imagine your content as a conversation with a potential client. It’s not about how many words you use but about providing the information they need in a clear, concise, and helpful manner. When you do this effectively, search engines take notice, and your content is more likely to rank higher in search results.

Good SEO Keywords Examples for Personal Injury Lawyers

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing, choosing the right SEO keywords for your law firm can be the difference between thriving in the digital realm and remaining hidden in its depths. To shed light on this crucial aspect of legal marketing, let’s explore some good SEO keyword examples tailored specifically for personal injury lawyers.

The Art of Keyword Research for Law Firms

When it comes to SEO, keywords are the compass guiding potential clients to your virtual doorstep. They are the words and phrases individuals type into search engines when seeking legal services. For personal injury lawyers, these keywords are the digital bridges that connect them with clients in need of representation.

Selecting the right keywords requires finesse and strategy. It’s about understanding your potential clients, anticipating their needs, and crafting keywords that resonate with their search queries. Below, we’ll delve into some excellent examples of SEO keywords for personal injury lawyers, each strategically designed to capture the attention of individuals seeking legal counsel.

“Personal Injury Attorney Near [my city, state, or region]”: 

This keyword serves as a geographical beacon, guiding local clients to your law firm’s doorstep. It’s a testament to the importance of specificity in SEO. While “Near me” was once sufficient, the competitive nature of the digital space now demands precision. When a potential client in your area seeks legal representation, they’re likely to include their location in the search query. By optimizing your website for this long-tail keyword, you increase the chances of appearing in their search results.

Example: Imagine someone in Chicago, Illinois, who has been injured in a car accident. They’re looking for a personal injury attorney nearby, so they enter “Personal Injury Attorney Near Chicago IL” into a search engine. If your law firm’s website is optimized for this keyword, it has a higher likelihood of appearing at the top of the results, making you the go-to choice for this potential client.

“Car Accident Lawyer”: 

This keyword is a cornerstone for personal injury lawyers specializing in auto accident cases. It’s a straightforward yet potent keyword that targets individuals who have experienced car accidents and are now seeking legal guidance. When potential clients enter this keyword into a search engine, they are signaling their immediate need for legal assistance.

Example: Consider an individual in Los Angeles, California, who has been involved in a car accident and seeks legal representation. They type “Car Accident Lawyer” into a search engine. Personal injury law firms optimized for this keyword are more likely to capture the attention of this potential client and, ultimately, secure their business.

“Workers’ Compensation Attorney”: 

This keyword caters to lawyers focused on workplace injury claims. Workplace injuries can be complex, and individuals seeking compensation often require legal expertise. By optimizing your website for this keyword, you position your law firm as a trusted resource for those navigating the intricacies of workers’ compensation cases.

Example: Picture an employee in New York City, New York, who has suffered a workplace injury and is seeking legal counsel. They turn to a search engine and enter “Workers’ Compensation Attorney.” If your law firm’s website is SEO-friendly for this keyword, it’s more likely to appear prominently in the search results, establishing you as a go-to choice for this individual’s legal needs.

“Medical Malpractice Lawyer”: 

This keyword is a beacon for potential clients in search of legal representation for medical negligence cases. Medical malpractice is a highly specialized field, and individuals dealing with such matters require experienced attorneys. By optimizing your website for this keyword, you ensure that those seeking help in medical malpractice cases find their way to your firm.

Example: Imagine a patient in Houston, Texas, who suspects they have been a victim of medical malpractice. They want legal counsel and enter “Medical Malpractice Lawyer” into a search engine. A law firm specializing in medical malpractice cases and optimized for this keyword has a higher chance of catching the attention of this potential client.

“Slip and Fall Attorney”: 

This keyword appeals to individuals who have experienced slip and fall accidents and are now in need of legal assistance. Slip and fall cases often involve premises liability, and clients require a lawyer who understands the nuances of such claims. By optimizing your website for this keyword, you position your law firm as the solution for those facing slip and fall legal challenges.

Example: Picture a resident in Miami, Florida, who has suffered injuries in a slip and fall accident at a local business. They require legal representation and turn to a search engine to find a “Slip and Fall Attorney.” A law firm well-versed in premises liability cases and optimized for this keyword is more likely to be their choice for legal counsel.

Effective Niche Keyword Research The Digital Path to Legal Success

In the realm of digital marketing for personal injury lawyers, SEO keywords are the building blocks of your online presence. They serve as the lighthouse guiding potential clients through the digital fog to your law firm’s door. By selecting and optimizing your website for these carefully chosen keywords, you enhance your visibility and increase the likelihood of connecting with clients in need.

Effective keyword selection is not a one-time endeavor; it’s an ongoing strategy. Regularly reviewing and updating your keywords to align with changing trends and client needs is essential. Additionally, it’s crucial to partner with an experienced SEO company that understands the legal field’s intricacies and can craft an individualized SEO strategy tailored to your law firm’s unique strengths and goals.

In the digital age, where the path to legal success is paved with keywords, your choice of words can make all the difference. Select wisely, optimize strategically, and watch as your law firm’s digital presence grows, solidifying your position as a trusted legal authority in your field.

Keywords for Law Firms: Beyond Practice Areas

While practice area-specific keywords are essential, don’t overlook broader keywords. These can encompass your law firm’s name, location, and key strengths. For example, “Smith & Associates Law Firm,” “Chicago Personal Injury Law,” or “Experienced Trial Lawyers in Los Angeles, CA.” These keywords bolster your firm’s overall online visibility.

Think of these broader keywords as the pillars of your law firm’s digital identity. They establish your brand, convey your specialization, and make it easier for potential clients to find you. By incorporating these keywords strategically across your digital assets, you ensure that your law firm leaves a lasting impression in the digital legal landscape.

Key Words Lawyers Use: Legal Jargon

Legal jargon is a unique set of keywords for lawyers. While potential clients may not use these terms in their searches, lawyers frequently incorporate them into their content to demonstrate expertise. Examples include “amicus curiae,” “tort law,” or “pro bono services.” These terms can be valuable for connecting with other legal professionals and showcasing your in-depth knowledge. However, these are not the words your ideal legal clients are using. When determining the best SEO strategy for your law firm website, we will discuss which lens is most effective for each page and post depending on the target audience.

The Best Keyword Research Tool for Lawyers: Your Trusted SEO Partner

Keyword research tools like SEMrush, KW Finder, and Ahrefs can provide valuable insights into keyword volume, competitiveness, and related terms. However, the best keyword research tool for lawyers is a trusted SEO partner who understands the legal field’s intricacies and the unique needs of your law firm. At Simplified SEO Consulting, we use multiple keyword research tools and conversations with our clients to determine the best keyword research strategy for your law firm website.

Think of your SEO specialist as a seasoned guide in the digital wilderness. They not only have access to the latest tools and techniques but also possess the expertise to interpret data and translate it into actionable strategies. By collaborating with a trusted SEO partner, you can navigate the complexities of SEO keywords with confidence, knowing that your law firm’s digital path is in capable hands.

Crafting an Individualized SEO Strategy for Personal Injury Attorneys

In the world of SEO keywords for lawyers, there is no one-size-fits-all strategy. Each law firm is unique, with distinct practice areas, target audiences, and geographic focuses. That’s why working with a trusted partner, like Simplified SEO Consulting, is key to success. An experienced partner will listen to your specific needs, adapt to evolving search engine algorithms, and ensure that your law firm maximizes its online potential.

Imagine your SEO strategy as a tailored suit, designed to fit your law firm’s unique contours perfectly. With the right partner by your side, you’ll receive personalized guidance, from keyword selection to content optimization, all aimed at enhancing your digital presence. It’s a collaborative effort that aligns your law firm’s goals with the ever-evolving digital landscape.

The Power of SEO Keywords for Lawyers

In the digital age, your law firm’s success hinges on its digital presence. SEO keywords are the threads that weave the fabric of this presence. They connect you with potential clients, establish your authority, and ensure your law firm remains visible in a crowded online arena. By understanding the importance of SEO keywords, conducting thorough keyword research, and partnering with an expert SEO company, your law firm can effectively harness the power of SEO, rise above the competition, and continue to serve your clients with excellence.

Begin Law Firm SEO Services with Simplified SEO Consulting

Unlock all of the SEO power If you’re ready to watch your law firm grow and reach potential clients with the help of Simplified SEO Consulting, follow these simple steps!

  1. Book a consultation here.
  2. Learn more about SEO packages & meet with our SEO Specialists.
  3. See your law firm grow by reaching ideal clients and growing your online presence!