6. How To Write The Perfect Psychology Today Profile

Psychology Today is a popular online resource individuals use to find psychologist in their area that match their needs. We use it as one of many tools to help prospective clients find you. But finding you is only one piece of the puzzle. Getting them to take action requires a profile that gives them exactly what they need in this difficult moment of their lives: understanding, hope (solutions), and next steps.

Understanding the Algorithm

Many search engines, like Google, provide search results that are ranked based on relevance, location, and ads. When someone searches for a psychologist on Psychology Today, it will show results based on location and any specializations the searcher specified. However, the rank of which psychologists show up towards the top of the results versus the bottom is done on a rotation. Every time a search is done for a psychologist in your area, your name will rank differently on the list based on the rotation their algorithm uses. Currently, there is no way to get your name to rank higher in every search. All you can do is maximize your opportunity when it’s your turn in the rotation to be listed towards the top. However, like many sites of this nature, the algorithm does favor active profiles. So making a monthly practice of going into your Psychology Today profile and tweaking literally anything, may pump you back up to the top of the list. One psychologist claims to see three new inquiries every time they make a change to their profile. So it may be worth going back and rewording a sentence here or there on a monthly basis.

Story Time

Psychology Today allows 1,360 characters in your profile. Within those characters, we want to grab the reader and set you apart from everyone else on the list. Which, unfortunately, means listing your degrees, colleges, and specializations is not going to work. Instead, put your author hat on. Approach your profile like you’re writing a story. Don’t worry, we’ve provided you an outline for said story below. It will consist of three paragraphs, each focusing on achieving a particular message.

The outline below primarily comes from this article: The Definitive Guide to Writing Your Psychology Today Profile. We summarized the main points in this post, and added a few points of our own, but if you wish to take a deeper dive, be sure to checkout the full article.

First Paragraph - Speak Directly To Your Ideal Client

In marketing, if you’re trying to sell to everyone, you end up selling to no one. Your offer becomes un-relatable and doesn’t resonate. Instead, think of who your ideal client would be. Why are they seeking therapy? What have they tried in the past? What are their common struggles? What are their concerns? This allows us to write as if we’re writing directly to them. Obviously, you specialize in more than one area, but this profile is better used to target your bread & butter clients. Your specialty. Your niche. Here’s an excerpt from the article that captures the difference this style of writing can make:

You're not writing to someone struggling with anxiety. You’re writing to Melanie, a 34-year-old mother of three who feels out-of-control managing work, family, and her marriage. She's tried some therapy in the past but hasn't been consistent with it. Mostly, she wants to find a sense of balance. She doesn't know what balance looks like (and who does?), but she believes that therapy can help her improve her confidence and feel better as a mother, wife, and employee.

Knowing Melanie's backstory takes us from, Do you struggle with anxiety? Do you want more balance in your life? Do you feel overwhelmed by your family, work, and other obligations? to this:

On the surface, things are going well, but you've felt anxious for a long time. Kids, marriage, work- the responsibilities just keep piling up, and you're downright overwhelmed. You know that finding balance is important, but you often wonder what that even means. Your tendencies to people-please make it difficult to prioritize your own needs. At the same time, you realize something has to change.

You may not get this perfect the first time. Multiple drafts are a good thing. And remember, if you’re tweaking your profile each month, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to make changes. Just try to determine what your niche is, then hone in on what your client is going through on a daily basis.

Second Paragraph - Give Them Hope (In Solutions)

This paragraph is where many psychologists will fall into the trap of listing their degrees and incorporating a lot of big, fancy terms. Instead, we want to be more direct. What are the actions those degrees and treatment approaches going to provide? How will it address their daily struggles? This is an opportunity to show that you understand what they are going through. And that you have helped other’s overcome the same. Here are a few examples form the article:

Example 1 - Therapy for anxiety can be challenging, but my person-centered approach focuses on helping clients accept themselves- while also changing how they respond to stress. With a specialty in panic disorder, I will support you in recognizing your triggers, practicing healthier coping skills, and feeling more empowered in your life.

Example 2 - Having spent the past decade working with families, my main priority is to help you help your child. Together, we will work on improving communication, strengthening boundaries, and building a healthy parent-child relationship. This work can be hard, but I am here to support and encourage you throughout the process.

Notice the specific behaviors that will be addressed. Not only does this show your understanding for their situation, and the know how to treat it, but it also provides hope. Because you spoke to providing solutions to the behaviors they struggle with everyday. Behaviors they may not have believed they could change.

Third Paragraph - Empathy & Call To Action

This is your final paragraph, but don’t gloss over this one either. This is where you’re closing your sale. In marketing, it’s known as your “Call to Action”. And if they don’t feel the desire to act, then the previous two paragraphs will have been for not. When writing your call to action, be specific. “To start your treatment journey, send me an email at X”. “Call me for a free, 15 minute consultation”. Notice how these incorporate the exact action to take. “Call me”, “Email me”. Spell it out for them. The biggest cause for procrastination is not knowing where to start. Which is why it’s so important to give them that next step. Here are a few more examples from the article of good, empathetic calls to action:

Example 1 - The decision to enter therapy can be a challenging one, especially if you've spoken to professionals before and left disappointed. Today, I invite you to reach out for something different. I want to offer you the valuable opportunity to look within yourself and access the strength and tools that will propel your life. Let's connect.

Example 2 - You're tired of feeling tired. And if you've read my profile up until this point, there might be something in my words that resonate with you. You know you deserve something different. You know there's more to life than mere survival. If you're ready for something new, please contact me for a free 15-minute consultation.

Writing a good Psychology Today profile involves a lot of creativity. Which takes practice. Don’t worry about nailing it the first time. Just do your best. And don’t feel like you have to go at it alone. We’re here to help and love this kind of stuff. Feel free to reach out to us for opinions, ideas, and word play.