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Good Enough Counsellors

Good Enough Counsellors

Written by: Josephine Hughes
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About this listen

Do you feel overwhelmed when you look around and see what other counsellors and psychotherapists are doing in private practice? Does it leave you wondering whether you’ll ever be able to build a sustainable counselling practice of your own? The truth is, while there are lots of marketing strategies out there for therapists (which I’ll talk about), the most important thing is getting started and staying visible in your private practice. And that can feel incredibly hard when you’re faced with an empty diary, too many options, and the pressure of comparing yourself to glossy, confident-looking therapists online. The Good Enough Counsellors podcast is for UK counsellors and psychotherapists in private practice who want to get clients, grow their confidence, and build a practice that feels ethical, realistic, and sustainable — without the pressure to be perfect. I’m Josephine Hughes, a BACP Accredited Counsellor, and I help counsellors in private practice with marketing, visibility, and confidence so they can grow their practice in a way that feels like them.Copyright 2026 Josephine Hughes Economics Hygiene & Healthy Living Marketing Marketing & Sales Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • You're Not Behind
    Feb 5 2026

    In this episode, I’m joined by Claire Hendrickson, a neurodivergent therapist who has built her private practice in a way that truly works for her.

    Rather than rushing, pushing, or following someone else’s formula, Claire has grown her practice at her own pace, listening to her nervous system and respecting her capacity. Over time, her steady and compassionate approach has led to a busy, sustainable practice.

    We talk openly about what it means to do private practice differently, especially if you’re neurodivergent, carry complex identity experiences, or feel pressure to be further ahead than you are.

    This conversation is for anyone who quietly worries they’re behind, doing it wrong, or taking too long.

    In this episode, we explore:
    1. What it looks like to build a private practice at your own pace
    2. How working with your nervous system supports growth
    3. The pressure therapists feel to rush or meet external expectations
    4. Navigating recognition and visibility when you’re neurodivergent
    5. Claire also shares her experience as a member of Therapy Growth Group, and how having gentle, accessible support helped her move forward without overwhelming herself.

    You can find Claire via her website HERE

    Setting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERE

    Need ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HERE

    You can also find me here:

    The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook Group

    Josephine Hughes on Facebook

    Josephine Hughes on YouTube

    My website: josephinehughes.com

    The information contained in Good Enough Counsellors is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this podcast are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this podcast.

    Josephine Hughes disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this podcast.

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    51 mins
  • 100 Episodes of Good Enough
    Jan 29 2026

    This 100th episode is a pause to reflect on what happens when you keep going, even when you don’t feel ready.

    In conversation with Natasha, who has edited the podcast from the very beginning, I look back over how The Good Enough Counsellors podcast grew from small, tentative steps into something that now reaches therapists around the world. But more importantly, we talk about what this journey can teach us about private practice, confidence, visibility, and the legacy we leave through our work.

    This episode is about the power of ordinary stories, trusting that small actions add up, and recognising that the work you do as a therapist can ripple out far beyond what you see day to day. We reflect on the power of everyday people doing meaningful work, and why showing up, imperfectly, really does make a difference.

    In this episode, we cover
    1. What 100 episodes has taught me about starting before you feel ready
    2. Why small, consistent steps matter in private practice
    3. The importance of letting people know how they can work with you
    4. How sharing your voice can help build confidence and connection
    5. Lessons from guest conversations about anxiety, self doubt, and diversity
    6. Why hearing marginalised voices matters in therapy and beyond
    7. The idea of legacy, and how everyday work can have a wider impact
    8. How therapists can trust that what they do really does matter

    Mentioned in this episode:

    1. Gloriously Unready, my earlier podcast project
    2. The Lost Sun Society, Natasha's fiction podcast
    3. Therapy Growth Group, my membership for counsellors in private practice

    Setting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERE

    Need ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HERE

    You can also find me here:

    The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook Group

    Josephine Hughes on Facebook

    Josephine Hughes on YouTube

    My website: josephinehughes.com

    Keywords

    podcast, therapy, growth, confidence, storytelling, community, mental health, private practice, diversity, inspiration

    The information contained in Good...

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    35 mins
  • Social Media for Private Practice: Why Clients Don't Follow You (1)
    Jan 22 2026

    Have you ever looked at your social media and felt disappointed because it seems that you're mainly followed by therapists?

    In this month's social media episode, I'm exploring the question of why clients don't always follow us, even when we're sharing thoughtful, reflective content. Is it really the problem we think it is, and what can we do about it?

    We look at how fear of visibility, professional language, and wanting to get things “right” can influence how you post and the impact that has on making connections with clients. I also explore what clients are actually looking for when they follow therapists on social media, and why warmth and feeling understood matter far more than sounding impressive or knowledgeable.

    This episode lays the groundwork for the next couple of monthly social media episodes, where I’ll continue to unpack this topic and look more closely at what helps clients feel safe enough to follow you, and how trust builds over time.

    In this episode, I cover:
    • Why therapists in private practice often attract other therapists on social media
    • Why this is a completely normal stage
    • How fear of visibility and judgement affects what we share
    • The difference between therapist-facing and client-facing content
    • Why clients follow therapists who help them feel understood
    • Why there’s nothing “wrong” with your content - it just may not be shaped for clients yet

    I also share four simple, client-focused themes you can use in February to help your social media speak more directly to the general public:

    • Talking about feelings and reaching out for support (Time to Talk Day, Children’s Mental Health Week)
    • Love, loneliness, and the ways we connect (Valentine’s Day, Singles Awareness Day, Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week)
    • Identity, inclusion, and feeling safe (LGBTQ+ History Month, Stand Up to Bullying Day)
    • Nourishing your wellbeing (Boost Your Self-Esteem Month, Eating Disorders Awareness Week)

    You can also find me here:

    The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook Group

    Josephine Hughes on Facebook

    Josephine Hughes on YouTube

    My website: josephinehughes.com

    Setting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERE

    Need ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HERE

    The information contained in Good Enough Counsellors is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this podcast are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this podcast.

    Josephine Hughes disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this podcast.

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    18 mins
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