How to Grow a Social Media Following as a Therapist
Back in the Freudian era, therapists were blank slates that revealed little to none of themselves to their clients. Therapists couldn’t hang personal pictures of family in their office, they couldn’t share personal stories with their clients, and they DEFINITELY weren’t posting on Instagram!
As a therapist who’s gained more than 1.8 million followers on social media in the past year, I’ve learned a thing or two. I’ve witnessed social media evolve over the past 10 years and watched therapists scramble to adjust to the changing times.
Do we update our LinkedIn? Can we have an Instagram? God forbid a client sees it.
I’ve seen therapists who are terrified of social media to the point where they outright reject it.
But I’ve also watched some therapists genuinely embrace it and use social media to explode their brands and businesses.
If you want to grow your following on social media, this is the article for you. I’ve compiled some of my top tips (some are probably not what you’d expect) for being a therapist on social media in today’s day and age.
After reading this article, you’ll be equipped with six ways to start building an engaged audience on social media to help spread your message and grow your practice.
Six Ways to Grow a Social Media Following as a Therapist
When you see big accounts with millions of followers on social media, it can feel intimidating to start from zero. But even your favourite creators were once in the same position as you are - and with these tips, you’ll build up your own connected community in no time.
1. Just Start
Making your first video is more important than it actually being good. My first video (from 2014) feels so amateur compared to the quality of my content now. But everyone has to start somewhere, and you can’t improve until you have experience.
Forget about the quality of your camera, or if your voice doesn’t sound EXACTLY how you want it to! You’ll get better as you go, and it will feel so much more natural and genuine over time.
2. Make Content You Love
You ACTUALLY need to love creating content - whether you’re passionate about making videos, writing quotes, or taking photos.
A lot of therapists I have known are interested in growing a following, gaining notoriety or having fame, but if you want to develop a following long-term you need to start thinking of yourself as an artist/creator.
A great tip is to think of the video you would want to watch right now.
Are you going through a difficult breakup? Are you dealing with a toxic friend? Speaking about your own experiences is a great way to connect with an audience who resonates with you!
3. Quality is More Important Than Quantity
Consistency is good, yes. BUT quality is more important.
I’ve been tempted so many times to make something quick or post something that I know in my heart doesn’t live up to my standards because I’m on the content treadmill and feel pressure to post.
But in my opinion, you should NEVER sacrifice the integrity of your posts or videos just because you want to “get something out today.”
Your followers are expecting YOU to show up regularly and deliver. If they get something that doesn’t impress, they’ll unfollow, or worse, stop trusting that your content meets their needs.
4. Know Your Niche
What are you good at? What are you ACTUALLY an expert in?
Determine what type of therapist you are and how people in your real life benefit from your expertise. These are probably going to be the areas where you shine on social media.
You might be an expert in:
- Trauma
- Anxiety
- Self-Care
- Depression
- Mindfulness
Any topics that are relevant to your practice or personal life are a great place to start.
5. Learn from Your Followers
Your followers make the final decision. Ultimately, while you have the final say on what content of yours gets put out into the world, your followers are going to tell you in real-time what they like…. And what they DO NOT LIKE.
Followers are unabashed when it comes to sharing feedback. And while it might hurt your ego from time to time, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Using follower feedback to understand what types of content are resonating with people is not just intuitive, it’s smart. If your followers tell you something, LISTEN! That’s your key to growth.
6. Collaborate with others
Collaborate with other therapists or mental health professionals in your niche to create content together. This can help you reach new audiences and build relationships with other professionals in your field.
From stitching videos on TikTok to teaming up for Instagram collaborations, there are so many ways to connect on social media.
Next Steps for Thriving as a Therapist
After reading this article, you know six great ways to grow a social media following who connects with you and values the content you create.
Here at KMA Therapy, we’re passionate about helping our therapists THRIVE in all areas of their practice - including social media!
We regularly host workshops to help our team learn the skills they need to attract clients, share their expertise, and make a positive impact in their community.
Check out our Careers page to learn more or reach out to our recruiter Tre Reid (tre@kmatherapy.com) if you have any questions.
For more resources on thriving as a therapist, read:
