For the final episode of the year, I’m doing something a little different. Instead of talking about marketing, confidence, or growing your private practice, I’m giving you a break - and introducing you to some of the wonderful podcasters I met at the Podcast Awards this autumn.

If you’re heading out for a winter walk, hiding in the kitchen while basting the turkey, or simply wanting something fresh to listen to over the holidays, this episode brings you a handful of surprising, creative and thought-provoking podcasts to explore.

These conversations touch on inclusivity, identity, nostalgia, storytelling and creativity - all themes that matter to us as therapists. And a few of them might simply entertain you, which is just as welcome at this time of year.

In this Christmas Special, you’ll hear short interviews with creators of podcasts including:

• Pause and Rewind - powerful origin stories from changemakers working towards a more inclusive world
• Rainbow Mums and Dads - life stories from people coming out later in life while navigating family, identity and change
• Mag Hags - a funny and fascinating dive into women’s magazines from the 70s, 80s and 90s
• Past Master - a creative, AI-guided, choose-your-own-adventure history game
• Spooky Storytime - bedtime ghost stories for adults (yes, really!)
• Sonic Field - a richly told journey through the history and culture of British music festivals

It’s a celebration of stories, voices and perspectives we often don’t get to hear - and a lovely way to end Series 3 of Good Enough Counsellors.

As mentioned in the episode, you can download your free Twixmas Treats email mini-course: five tiny tasks to help you grow your private practice. You can use it between Christmas and New Year - or save it for January if that feels kinder. Download it HERE

Thank you so much for tuning in throughout 2025. Your messages, reviews and kind words mean more than you know. I’ll be back in the New Year with more conversations, guidance and encouragement to help you build a thriving, sustainable 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: humanity, storytelling, counseling, LGBTQ+, feminism, music festivals, podcasting, empathy, inclusivity, personal narratives

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

Many therapists feel uncomfortable with marketing because it can seem like “selling yourself.” In this episode, I share how to reframe your marketing mindset and explore how to move away from the fear that your visibility is narcissistic.

I'll help you gain a clearer sense of purpose in your private practice with some reflective prompts. And you’ll hear how reconnecting with what truly matters to you makes it easier to show up online, write content, and talk about your work without feeling pushy or self-focused.

To round off the episode, you’ll get some January content ideas based on common themes clients are thinking about at the start of the year, including New Year reflections, self-love, relationships, and supporting parents.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why marketing often feels uncomfortable for therapists

• How to shift from “selling” to “helping”

• Three reflective prompts to guide your message

• How your purpose can shape your January content

To sign up for my Christmas gift of short, client-gaining strategies, click 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

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

Keywords

private practice, mindset shift, core purpose, social media, therapy, client connection, values, marketing, January content, self-reflection

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.

In this episode, Josephine talks with website designer and SEO specialist John Garewal about how clients actually find a therapist online. John shares what he discovered when he searched for a therapist himself, why websites still matter, and simple steps therapists can take to make their site easier to find - without getting technical.

When was the last time you tried to find a therapist?

If you’ve done it recently for a friend, a family member, or even out of curiosity, you’ll know how confusing it can feel - so many names, so little guidance about who to choose.

In this conversation, I'm joined by John Garewal, website designer and founder of Verum Design. John specialises in building therapist websites that don’t just look polished… they actually get found.

John shares:

• What happened when he tried to find a therapist himself (and why it took months)
• Why a well-designed website can make contacting you feel emotionally safer for clients
• Whether every therapist really needs a website
• What SEO actually means — explained without jargon
• What Google looks for when someone searches “anxiety therapist in Portsmouth”
• Why Google Business Profile matters more than most therapists realise
• Small changes that make a big difference to getting found locally
• The biggest website mistakes therapists make (especially on mobile)
• How to make your website easier to read, easier to use, and easier to act on
• Why Schema, load speed and structure matter — in simple terms
• How to help clients feel confident enough to make contact
• The three small steps John recommends to boost visibility this month

If you'd like to go deeper into SEO and therapist websites, John has shared a detailed training session inside Therapy Growth Group, including live examples, practical steps and Q&A.

To contact John, please visit Verum Design

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

Keywords:

therapy, website design, SEO, mental health, online presence, client engagement, digital marketing, therapist marketing

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.

More and more people are turning to AI tools like ChatGPT or asking their phones for answers instead of typing into Google. And clients are no different. Some are already saying things like, “I found you via ChatGPT.”

So what does this mean for therapists who rely on directories, Google My Business or their websites to be found?

In this episode, I look at how AI is changing the way people search - and what you can do to stay visible as things evolve.

We explore:

• why clients may not be clicking into directories as often
• how AI pulls answers from websites, blogs and social media
• what “Answer Engine Optimisation” (AEO) actually means
• simple steps therapists can take to make their content more findable
• quick wins for your website, from image compression to structure
• why blogging and fresh content help both SEO and AI discoverability
• how small actions now can keep you visible even as search keeps shifting

And if you’d like help creating content that works for both clients and search engines, I’ve got support for you inside Therapy Growth Group. There’s training on blogging, ideas to help you get started, and regular guidance to help you build a practice that people can actually find. At the time of recording, the Black Friday offer is still available.

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:

content creation, frequently asked questions, conversational search, AI interaction, natural language processing, therapy directories

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.

Therapy is meant to be a place of healing - but what happens when it causes harm instead?

In this powerful episode, I’m joined by therapist, supervisor and trainer Erin Stevens, who specialises in working with people who have experienced harm in previous therapy. Together we explore how harm in therapy can happen - even when we have good intentions - and what we can do as therapists to reduce the risk, respond to rupture, and create safer therapeutic spaces.

We talk about the role of power and boundaries, why cultural misattunement often goes unacknowledged, and how shame can block honest reflection in supervision. Erin also shares their own story of being harmed in therapy and what helped them come back to the profession with compassion and clarity.

Whether you’ve ever worried you might be getting it wrong - or just want to understand this issue more deeply - this conversation is for you.

Takeaways:

• What “harm in therapy” really means - and why it’s so often missed
• How boundary confusion and power imbalances can erode trust
• The emotional labour of marginalised clients
• Why naming harm doesn’t make you a bad therapist
• How to use supervision as a place of growth, not shame
• Practical steps for making your practice safer and more accountable

Erin Stevens (she/they) is a therapist, supervisor, writer and trainer based in West Yorkshire. Erin specialises in working with people who have been harmed in previous therapy and is passionate about raising awareness of the increased risk of harm for clients with marginalised identities. They offer therapy, consultation and training and you can visit their 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

Keywords:

therapy, harm, mental health, boundaries, cultural misattunement, supervision, client experience, therapist experience, power dynamics, prevention

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.

Have your enquiries been slowing down? In this episode Josephine explores the question of whether AI is taking over from directories and what therapists can do about it. She shares a practical, human-first answer - why visibility still matters, how to show up without shouting, and simple December content ideas you can use right away.

You’ll learn

• Why AI can’t replace human connection in therapy—or your marketing
• What to do when directory profiles aren’t bringing steady enquiries
• Three ways social media helps therapists (without being “an influencer”)
• How to show up in a way that feels safe and authentic (not oversharing)
• Simple December post ideas you can reuse or adapt when you’re busy
• How reframing the purpose of your social media account can help make it easier for you to produce posts

Mentioned in this episode:

Ep 24: Social Media Toolkit

Ep 75: Grow Your Therapy Practice by Nurturing Connection with Becky Willoughby

Ep 86: Safe Self-Disclosure on Social Media

Ep 89: Is Email Counselling Real Therapy with Chloe Foster

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

Keywords:

AI, therapy, marketing, social media, visibility, trust, engagement, December content, therapist practices, client connection

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.

When counsellor Gemma Anderson started her training, she never imagined it would lead to a thriving private practice. A teenage mum who once worked as a cleaner, Gemma shares how she built a successful practice without a website or social media - just through her counselling directory profiles and a down-to-earth approach. Her advice? Feel the fear and do it anyway – but ask for help.

In this honest and encouraging conversation, Gemma talks about:

• What first drew her into counselling - and the self-doubt she had to overcome.
• How life experience shaped the kind of therapist she’s become.
• Why she offers a half-price first session and focuses on being approachable and relatable.
• How she maintains a steady income by combining counselling with part-time work.
• Her practical routine for keeping her directory profiles visible and bringing in new clients.
• The importance of asking for help rather than trying to do everything alone.

Gemma’s story is a reminder that there isn’t just one way to build a counselling practice. You don’t need a slick website or constant social media posts - just a clear, authentic presence and the courage to keep going.

You can read Gemma's profile 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.

Email counselling is often misunderstood - some therapists worry it lacks depth, feels impersonal, or that clients simply won’t want it.

In this episode of Good Enough Counsellors, I’m joined by Chloe Foster, humanistic counsellor, trainer, and founder of Email Counselling Academy, to explore what email counselling really looks like in practice - and why it can be a powerful, ethical, and deeply reflective way of working.

Chloe explains:

• What email counselling actually involves - the structure, boundaries, and timing that make it safe and professional
• How counsellors use their skills in written form to create depth and connection
• Why clients do want email therapy, and which groups find it especially helpful (from neurodivergent clients to parents and shift workers)
• Common objections therapists have — and how to address them
• The risks of offering email counselling without specialist training, including contracting, secure systems, and managing risk safely

Chloe also shares how her passion for accessibility and ethical practice led her to create the Professional Certificate in Email Counselling - a six-month course for qualified counsellors who want to develop these skills properly. You can access the free quiz HERE and details about Email Counselling Academy HERE

If you’ve ever wondered whether email counselling is “real therapy”, or if you’ve been curious about diversifying your practice, this episode offers reassurance, insight, and inspiration.

“Email counselling isn’t just typing back and forth - it’s a structured, therapeutic exchange with clear boundaries.”

“Clients often go deeper through writing because they have time to reflect and choose their words.”

“The more accessible therapy becomes, the more people we can reach.”

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

email counselling, email therapy, online counselling training, therapist objections, benefits of email counselling, risks of email therapy, Chloe Foster, Email Counselling Academy, counsellor professional development

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.