I am going to be completely honest here. For as long as I can remember, even in my childhood, my self-worth has been inexorably tied to my productivity. If only I could do more, be more, or accomplish more, would I have done “enough” to be liked, valued, and loved by the people around me? This is something I learned in my early formative years with parents who were not supportive or loving towards me. Frequently tossed aside or left to my own devices, I began to realize that the more I did, the more I received praise and attention. Thus, the cycle that I have been trying to break for years began. Don’t get me wrong, I have made progress. Logically, I know this is flawed thinking, but on a deeply emotional level, I still believe it to be true.

The Impact of Hustle Culture on My Life as a Business Owner

So what does this have to do with my life now, as a small business owner? Outwardly, I probably look like I am living the dream. I run a business that I am passionate about, doing something that I love, and working for myself. However, inwardly, it never feels like I am doing enough, and self-doubt lingers in my mind far too often. As a result, I push myself to be constantly productive, rarely taking breaks or allowing time for myself. And as I wrote in my last blog, this path leads to one thing: burnout. Yet still, I push myself to the limit, burning the candle at both ends, convincing myself that if I just do a little more, I will feel like I have done enough.

The Toxicity of Hustle Culture

I think our society perpetuates this concept as well. The whole “hustle culture” mentality has taken over. This idea that relentless work, productivity, and constant self-improvement are the only ways to get ahead places work above everything else and ties our productivity to our identity—a concept I completely understand. We are a society that equates long hours with success and glorifies the grind because we place ambition and high achievement on a pedestal that we tell ourselves we should be striving for.

Many employers encourage this mentality, pushing employees to do more and more in shorter time frames with fewer resources. The expectation to always be available, to work beyond business hours, and to prioritize work over well-being is ingrained in many industries. Unfortunately, little acknowledgment is given to the toll this takes on mental health. People are working themselves into anxiety, exhaustion, and even physical illness, all in pursuit of an unattainable ideal of success.

This mindset is not only toxic but also unsustainable. If our measure of success is purely based on productivity, where does that leave our well-being? How can we show up fully in our work and personal lives if we are running on empty?

So, how do we break the cycle?

Breaking the Cycle of Hustle Culture

Through working with a therapist and educating myself, I have discovered several ways to step away from the “hustle culture” mentality and find balance. While it is a work in progress, these changes have helped me reframe my mindset and set boundaries that support my mental health.

1. Setting Boundaries Between Work and Life

I have learned to be intentional and mindful about setting boundaries between work and personal life. Because I work from home, this one is hard for me—no sugarcoating it! Work and home are the same place, so separating them can be challenging. However, I do my best to implement small but effective changes, such as:

• Not staying in my office past 6 p.m.
• Avoiding emails and work-related messages in the evenings.
• Setting aside intentional, tech-free time with my family.
• Practicing being present in the moment, rather than constantly planning my next work task.

Am I always successful? No. But I am learning that small changes eventually lead to big results. Creating a habit of setting work boundaries allows me to recharge and prevents burnout from creeping in unnoticed.

2. Redefining Success

I have started to realize that I need to redefine my concept of success. It’s not just about money, job titles, or the number of tasks I complete in a day. Success is also about the life I have created outside of work—the moments I spend with my husband, my kids, and even my dogs.

They see me as a mom and a wife, not as a business owner. They do not judge me based on how many consults I did today or how much I checked off my to-do list. In their eyes, my worth is not tied to productivity but to who I am as a person. That realization has been life-changing.

If we continue to measure our worth based on professional achievements alone, we will always feel like we need to do more. By shifting our focus to what truly matters—our relationships, well-being, and fulfillment—we can find a healthier and more sustainable definition of success.

3. Prioritizing Self-Care (My Way!)

Lastly, and I will only touch on this briefly because I wrote about it extensively in my last blog, I have learned the importance of self-care—done my way!

Self-care doesn’t have to look like meditation or yoga. It doesn’t have to be bubble baths and reading. For me, self-care is playing a good video game for hours, spending a relaxing day with my family, or going out for lunch with my son. The key is finding what recharges you personally and making time for it without guilt.

Self-care is not a luxury; it is a necessity. You can’t pour from an empty cup, right? I’ve learned that I need to do things that bring me joy and relaxation so I can show up for others as the best version of myself.

Moving Forward and Leaving the Hustle Culture Mentality Behind

This journey has been a long one, and there are still days when I catch myself tying my worth to my productivity. But those days are fewer than they used to be. Progress isn’t about perfection—it’s about consistently making small, positive changes that add up over time.

If you struggle with the weight of hustle culture and the pressure to always do more, I encourage you to take a step back. Ask yourself: What truly defines my worth? The answer isn’t in your productivity, your job title, or your workload. Your value is inherent—it is found in who you are, not just in what you do.

I hope that each of you can break away from the “hustle culture” mentality, slow down, and enjoy life a little more. You deserve rest, joy, and a life that isn’t dictated by unrealistic productivity standards. Let’s redefine success together.

Help For Small Business Owners

At Simplified SEO Consulting, we understand the pressure that small business owners face when it comes to growing their businesses while maintaining a sense of balance. That’s why we’re here—to take the burden of SEO off your plate so you can focus on what truly matters. Whether it’s spending more time with your family, prioritizing self-care, or simply stepping away from the constant hustle, we help you build your online presence without the overwhelm. Let us handle the technical side of SEO while you focus on running your business and reclaiming your time.

As a therapist offering online therapy, standing out on Google is more important than ever. The competition is high, and it can feel like a challenge to ensure your practice appears in front of potential clients who are actively searching for the services you offer. But don’t worry — ranking on Google for online therapy is possible, and it’s something you can achieve with the right strategies.

In this blog, we’re going to break down the essentials of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and how it can help you boost your online presence. We’ll explore actionable steps that can help improve your Google rankings, including how to optimize your website content and whether SEO is something you can tackle on your own, or if it’s worth investing in professional help. Whether you’re just starting out at your private practice or looking to improve your existing online presence, this guide will give you the insights you need to drive more traffic to your online therapy services and ultimately connect with more clients.

What is SEO in therapy?

SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is the process of optimizing your website so search engines like Google can easily understand it and rank it higher in search results. For therapists offering online services, this means ensuring that your website appears when potential clients search for terms like “online therapy for anxiety” or “virtual therapy for depression.”

Ranking well for online therapy services on Google can seem like a daunting task, especially given the competition. However, the first step toward improving your search engine visibility is identifying your niche and defining your ideal client. Once you understand who you’re trying to reach, you can tailor your SEO efforts to attract those specific individuals.

Let’s begin

To start, focus on your niche—what specific problems does your ideal client face? Are you focusing on anxiety, trauma, stress management, or something else? Once you’ve identified your target audience, you can then optimize your service pages to reflect the keywords and topics most relevant to them. This means using specific terms that resonate with your ideal clients and making sure that your content answers their most common questions or concerns.

For example, if you specialize in online therapy for stress, make sure your service page clearly addresses this topic and incorporates related keywords. This helps potential clients quickly identify that your services align with their needs and increases the chances of your page ranking higher for those searches.

SEO for online therapy isn’t just about driving more traffic to your site; it’s about connecting with the right people. A well-optimized website reflects your expertise and helps build trust with potential clients. By targeting the right keywords and crafting content that speaks to your audience, you increase the likelihood of reaching the individuals who are most likely to benefit from your services.

For more information on the E-A-T score (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) and how it impacts SEO, check out this blog: EAT as a Ranking Factor 

How do I appear higher on Google search?

Ranking higher on Google involves a combination of strategy, consistency, and attention to detail. Here are key steps to improve your visibility:

Keyword Optimization: Use phrases your ideal clients are searching for, like “online therapy for stress” or “anxiety counseling.” Sprinkle these strategically across your website pages, blogs, and headers.

• Example: If you specialize in therapy for anxiety, use terms like “therapy for anxiety in [your city]” or “anxiety counseling for adults.” This helps Google match your site with relevant searches.

Create High-Quality Content: Regularly publish blogs or resources that address your clients’ common concerns. Google prioritizes fresh, relevant content that answers specific questions.

• Example: Write blog posts like “5 Ways Online Therapy Can Help Manage Stress” or “How to Find the Right Therapist for Anxiety.” These posts will rank better because they answer common search queries from potential clients.

Technical SEO: Ensure your website is user-friendly. This means fast loading times, mobile optimization, and secure HTTPS protocols.

• Example: Test your website’s load speed using tools like Google PageSpeed Insights. If your site is slow, consider optimizing image sizes, reducing unnecessary code, or using a faster hosting provider. A mobile-friendly design is crucial, especially for clients browsing from their phones.

Backlinks: Collaborate with trusted websites to link back to your site. Google sees backlinks as a vote of confidence, which can improve rankings.

• Example: Partner with local directories or well-regarded mental health blogs to get a link back to your website. For example, if you’re featured in a “Best Online Therapists” list or contribute a guest post, Google will recognize that as a credible source.

Remember, SEO isn’t about tricking Google; it’s about creating a great experience for your clients and helping them find you easily.

Should I do SEO myself?

If you’re more of a hands-on person, it’s completely normal to consider doing SEO yourself. The idea of learning something new and taking control of your website’s growth can be appealing. After all, there’s a lot of free information available online, and doing it yourself might seem like the most cost-effective option.

However, while it’s possible to manage SEO on your own, it’s important to weigh the potential challenges. SEO isn’t just about adding a few keywords or writing blog posts—it’s a comprehensive strategy that involves technical fixes, continuous updates, and an in-depth understanding of search engine algorithms.

Consider these factors before deciding to tackle SEO yourself:

• Time Commitment: SEO isn’t a one-and-done task. It requires ongoing attention, from monitoring performance to optimizing content regularly.
• Expertise: SEO involves a variety of technical aspects, like optimizing meta tags, improving site speed, and managing backlinks, which may require specialized knowledge.
• Long-Term Strategy: SEO success doesn’t happen overnight. It’s about consistency, and staying up-to-date with best practices can be a full-time job.

If you enjoy learning new skills and have the time to commit, doing SEO yourself can be a rewarding challenge. But if SEO feels overwhelming or if you’d rather focus on other aspects of your business, working with an experienced SEO professional can help ensure that your site ranks effectively without the steep learning curve.

If you’d like to explore Simplified SEO’s different options for SEO support, schedule a free consultation with us! We’d be happy to help guide you through the process and help you achieve the best results for your site.

Ready to Boost Your Online Visibility? Let’s Create an SEO Strategy Tailored to Your Practice!

Whether you want to dive into SEO yourself or prefer expert guidance, Simplified SEO is here to help! Follow the steps below and create a tailored strategy that drives more traffic and connects you with the clients who need your support.

• Reach out to us here to schedule a consultation.
• Learn more about on-page and off-page optimization by exploring our blogs.
• Find an SEO strategy that works just for you and your business goals!

Other Services Offered With Simplified SEO Consulting

Simplified SEO Consulting offers support in both Done For You SEO Services and DIY Online SEO Courses. We also offer an SEO strategy package if you’re unsure of which direction you’d like to take with SEO. If you’d like the guidance of an SEO specialist but have a good understanding of SEO, explore our new consulting package!

About the Author

Olivia graduated from Central Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in Social Work. Combining her deep understanding of social work principles with her expertise in search engine optimization, she is dedicated to empowering therapists to connect effectively with their ideal clients. Through strategic SEO techniques, Olivia enjoys helping therapists enhance their online visibility and attract clients who can benefit most from their services. Her goal is to bridge the gap between mental health expertise and digital marketing. In the end, this ensures that therapists can focus on what they do best – providing compassionate care – while reaching those in need through an effective online presence.

As a speech therapist in private practice, creating effective headings and subheadings for your website is crucial for attracting and retaining clients. Not only do headings and subheadings help organize your content, but they also play a key role in search engine optimization (SEO). In this article, we will discuss the best practices for writing headings and subheadings for speech therapists in private practice.

Use Short and Descriptive Headings

Your headings should clearly and concisely summarize the main topic of your page. Keep in mind that many users will skim your page, so make sure your headings stand out and capture their attention.

Essentially, a potential client or caregiver should be able to easily scan your page and know what the page is about. From there, they can choose to read the sections most relevant to them in more depth.

Use Proper Heading Structure

Use only one H1 tag per page, as this is the most important heading and should only be used for the main topic. Use H2, H3, and so on for subtopics. This creates a clear hierarchy of information for both users and search engines.

I often see private practice owners overlook this. They think the H1 style on their website settings looks nice so they use way too many H1s. In fact, I see website developers even do this sometimes. But it causes problems for some individuals using screen readers. And as an SLP, you want to be especially sensitive to communication concerns and communication devices. So, please be on the lookout for this issue.

Similarly, I’ve seen people skip H2s because they feel like they are too big. If you don’t like the look of your H2s, work with your website developer to change the settings. Getting this heading and subheading structure correct will not only help your SEO but be important for giving your clients a great experience on your website.

Incorporate Long-Tail Keywords

Using long-tail keywords in your subheadings can help improve your website’s SEO. Long-tail keywords are more specific phrases that are less competitive in search rankings, allowing you to target a more niche audience.

Read more about long tail keywords here.

Keep It Simple

Avoid using complex language in your headings and subheadings. Use simple and easy-to-understand words that your target audience will recognize and relate to.

Readability matters when it comes to SEO. Even if you have educated clients. Even if you’re describing something complex. People want to be able to read pages of your website simple.

Be Creative in Your Subheadings

While it’s important to keep your headings and subheadings descriptive and straightforward, you can still be creative with your language. Use puns, metaphors, or other language techniques to make your headings more memorable and engaging.

Use Proper Capitalization

Follow standard capitalization rules for headings and subheadings. Capitalize the first word, proper nouns, and the first letter of each word in a hyphenated phrase.

And I’ll go ahead and say it here….this one’s a huge challenge for me. So…this is a “do as I say, not as I do one.” Sorry ahead of time for all the issues you’ll now see with my capitalization!

Use Active Voice

Use active voice in your headings and subheadings to make them more engaging and effective. This helps users understand the action they should take and what benefits they will receive. If you struggle to identify active voice in your writing, I love using Hemmingway Editor to find passive voice and change it.

Optimize Website Pages for SEO

Incorporate short-tail keywords in your headings and subheadings to optimize your website for search engines. Short-tail keywords are more general phrases and are often more competitive, but can still be effective when used strategically. Many people work hard on adding great content, but forget to optimize individual website pages for SEO.

Use Subheadings to Organize Your Content

Use subheadings to break up your content into easily digestible sections. This not only makes your content more readable for users, but it also helps search engines understand the structure and hierarchy of your page.

Effective Subheadings are Important

In conclusion, effective headings and subheadings are crucial for speech therapists in private practice looking to attract and retain clients. By following these tips, you can create headings and subheadings that not only help organize your content but also improve your website’s SEO and engagement metrics. Remember to keep your language simple, use active voice, and incorporate both short and long-tail keywords strategically.

Still Overwhelmed? SEO Help for Your Private Practice Website

Looking to improve your SEO but feeling overwhelmed? Simplified SEO Consulting offers expert guidance and tailored strategies to help Speech therapists in private practice achieve their SEO goals. Our services include SEO Strategy sessions, a small group mastermind to teach you to optimize, a personalized 12 week individual SEO training program and our ever popular “done for you” SEO program if you’re looking to outsource. Contact us today and apply for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help your website rank higher and attract more clients.