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.

• 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.

January can bring a lot of pressure for counsellors and therapists, with worries about enquiries, a sense of falling behind, and rising self-criticism. This can feel even more intense for neurodivergent counsellors and those who are highly sensitive to pressure.

In this episode of Good Enough Counsellors, I’m joined by Eve Menezes Cunningham to explore a kinder way of moving through January, especially for counsellors in private practice.

Eve draws on therapy, yoga therapy, coaching and writing to offer a deeply compassionate, embodied approach to wellbeing. We talk about self-compassion, nervous system care, and how understanding ourselves, including neurodivergence and survival responses, can reduce shame and self-criticism.

Eve shares her accessible, cat-based way of explaining polyvagal theory (purr, hiss, hide), helping counsellors notice what state they’re in and respond with kindness rather than judgement.

We also explore why boundaries can feel so uncomfortable to set, particularly for people who learned early on to please others in order to feel safe, and why holding yourself with compassion after setting a boundary is just as important as the boundary itself.

We finish with Eve’s gentle invitation for January: to treat yourself as you would a beloved, precious creature, with curiosity, patience and care, rather than seeing yourself as a problem to fix.

1. Why January often feels hard for counsellors and therapists
2. Pressure, anxiety and self-criticism in private practice
3. Self-compassion and being kinder to yourself
4. Neurodivergence and nervous system awareness
5. Polyvagal theory explained through cats (purr, hiss, hide)
6. Why boundaries feel difficult and how to support yourself
7. A gentle, realistic approach to January without pressure

Eve Menezes Cunningham is a therapist, supervisor, podcast host and former Editor-in-Chief of the Irish Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy. She has a monthly column in Platinum and her book 365 Ways to Feel Better is widely available. You can find Eve and her resources at https://selfcarecoaching.net.

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...

Accreditation is something many counsellors quietly wonder about, often alongside self-doubt, comparison, and pressure about where they think they should be in their career.

With changes linked to the SCoPEd framework and the end of the transition period approaching, more counsellors are asking whether accreditation is worth the time, effort, and emotional energy it requires.

In this episode, I take an honest and grounded look at accreditation. I talk about what accreditation actually means, why some counsellors choose to go for it, what the process involves, and how to decide whether it’s the right step for you. I also explore why choosing not to become accredited can be just as valid.

This episode is for counsellors who want clarity rather than pressure, and reassurance rather than rules.

• What professional accreditation really means for counsellors
• The difference between being qualified and being accredited
• Why accreditation is being talked about more right now
• Reasons some counsellors choose to become accredited
• Accreditation as a personal and professional milestone
• What the accreditation process typically involves
• Common fears, including academic writing worries and imposter syndrome
• How to decide whether accreditation is right for you
• Why choosing not to become accredited is a valid option

If you'd like to join the BACP & NCPS Accreditation Support with Good Enough Counsellors Facebook group, you can do so 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.