Starting a practice

How to write a great bio for your therapy practice

As a therapist, your superpower is helping other people. So it may feel a little weird to turn the tables and talk about yourself and your accomplishments as you’re building your website, creating social media profiles, and signing up for therapist directories.

If you’re stuck writing your bio, here’s a reframe: Think of it less like self-promotion and more like supporting potential clients, something you’re already great at. By sharing all the details people want to know before booking an appointment with a therapist, you have an opportunity to make the process less intimidating and stressful. Plus, a good therapist bio can set you apart from competition and help you build your practice.

Not sure exactly where to start when it comes to crafting an “about me”? We’re here to help. Below, learn some of the best tactics for how to write a therapist bio that helps you help more people.

Key takeaways

The length of your bio depends on where you’re publishing it. As a rule of thumb, stay concise and to-the-point. People are busy and may not have time to scroll through multiple long paragraphs.
The first-person voice lends a more personal feel to a bio, whereas third-person can feel more professional and academic. Which one you use in your bio ultimately hinges on where you’re publishing it.
Along with your licensing and credentials, a good bio covers your specialties, treatment approach and goals, and your beliefs about mental health.
Personal details like your hobbies can help bring your bio to life — but it’s important to maintain professional boundaries. Your goal is to help clients connect with you, but personal details shouldn’t overshadow their needs and your qualifications.

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Why you need a strong bio as a therapist

Ultimately, a great therapist bio helps you connect with potential clients. The good news? You already know how to do that! You just need some tools and tips to help you translate that to a bio that helps people understand whether you're the right fit for their mental health needs.

Establishing this connection involves a few key factors: demonstrating the value of your care, helping you stand out online, and helping people differentiate you from other therapists, whether through your beliefs about mental health, your clinical interests, or even your communication style and personality.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, try putting yourself in your patient’s shoes! A few questions to ask yourself: What type of information and communication style would put you at ease if you were looking for mental health support? What are the most common problems your clients come in with, or what do you imagine they will be struggling with? How do you help them with that? How do you want your clients to feel when they’re in your care, and how do you adapt to meet the needs of each unique client?

Your answers to these questions can help you communicate the most relevant information in an authentic way — which, in the end, will play a part in drawing the right potential clients to your practice.

How long should a therapist bio be?

There’s no right or wrong biography length. You’ll likely write a couple of different versions of your biography, since you’ll publish it in different places that may have different requirements. For example, your website is a great place to publish a longer, more detailed bio. But a therapist directory or social media profile may have a word or character limit.

Another difference to consider: Depending on your goal, you may use a different point-of-view. On any profile or website meant to recruit clients, use first-person — ”my name is, and I’m a therapist who specializes in anxiety and depression — which is much more personal (and therefore, easier to connect with). Certain websites might require third-person — “[Name] is a therapist specializing in anxiety and depression — but keep in mind that can feel a little more distant.

No matter how long your bio is or what point of view you use, focus on making it easy to read. Keep your sentences short and simple, and try not to pack too much into a paragraph. When you’re listing anything, such as your training or clinical interests, use bullet points, which are easier to scan.

Checklist for a great therapist bio

Whether you’re re-doing your current bio or editing a new one, here’s a list of details to make sure you include:

Your licensing and degree: At the start, establish yourself as a trusted expert in your area of practice by stating your professional qualifications, including what type of degree and licensure you have.
A photo: Your bio is a potential client’s first point of contact with you, so be sure to include a headshot that exudes warmth and professionalism.
Whether you’re accepting new clients: Don’t let someone read your entire profile only to find you’re not taking on new clients. Be clear at the outset about your availability. (You can also mention if you’re currently accepting clients on a waitlist, or take on free 150-minute consultations.)
Where you practice: Another factor that’ll help save people time: include where you’re licensed to practice and whether you offer teletherapy.
Any additional training: If you have any additional certifications or degrees, include them in your bio to give readers a more holistic idea of what a therapy session with you might be like.
A hook: On therapy directories, the preview of your bio may show the first sentence or two. Use that to your advantage and include an attention-grabbing hook that states who you are and how you can help. For example, “If you’re struggling with stress, I can help.”
Client focus/client population: If your practice focuses on people of a certain demographic, say so up front so people can easily determine whether you’re a possible fit for their needs.
Previous care experience: Your degree is only one part of the equation. To paint a fuller picture of all you have to offer, explain other settings and contexts where you’ve practiced therapy.
General treatment approach: Before scheduling an appointment, people will want to know what it’s like to work with you. Describing your communication style and any modalities you employ in therapy sessions can help.
Issues you have experience treating: List out any and all issues you have experience and interest treating so people feel confident you’ll be the best person to help them with their struggles.
Personal details: You’re a therapist, but you’re also a human with real-life interests and hobbies. Sharing a bit about yourself and what makes you unique can provide more on-ramps for potential connection.
Insurance info: If you bill insurance, say so clearly and list which ones you work with.
Additional work: Do you book speaking engagements or teach at a local college? Say so in your bio! These things provide a fuller picture of your expertise and illustrate you’re a sought-after professional in your field.
Readability: Ensure your bio is easy to read for people of all backgrounds. Check for typos and proper grammar, and try to avoid clinical jargon people may not understand.
A call to action: Finish with a clear call to action that encourages people to reach out to you or book an appointment if they feel you’re a good fit for their needs. If you’re a Headway member, include a link to your profile so people can instantly schedule with you.

As your practice evolves — maybe you get a new certification or start working more with a particular demographic — be sure to update your bio wherever it's published to include the most recent info.

Updating your website and biography can be time-consuming — but the investment is worthwhile if it helps you meet your practice goals and, most importantly, connect with and support more clients.

Mental health therapist profile example

Check out a great example of a bio written by one of our providers.

Are you feeling hopeless? Stuck? Fearful? Uncomfortable in your skin or in your relationships? We all know that pain in life is unavoidable, but I'd love to help you carry that burden while we work towards solutions. I aim to create a space where you will not be judged, but will be unconditionally supported as we navigate through your concerns and fears. I believe that you are the expert on your life, and will bring my expertise in therapy to collaboratively find the relief and the balance that you seek.

There is no "magic wand" that works for everyone so my goal is to work with you to find what works for you specifically. In every session, you will be met with kindness, unconditional positive regard and a dose of humor. You will do some hard work, but you won't be doing it alone.

If you're not sure where to start, worried about being judged or just not sure about therapy in general, please reach out! I am happy to meet you for a free consultation and make sure you find the right fit. Ready to schedule a session? Click on the website link above or shoot me an email and let's get started!

Here’s what’s great about it:

She uses a casual tone that communicates her style of care
She shares what a first session will look like through her approach
She paints a picture of how her client will feel after their session