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Good Enough Counsellors

Good Enough Counsellors

By: Josephine Hughes
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Do you feel overwhelmed when you look around and see what other counsellors and psychotherapists are doing in private practice? Does it leave you wondering whether you’ll ever be able to build a sustainable counselling practice of your own? The truth is, while there are lots of marketing strategies out there for therapists (which I’ll talk about), the most important thing is getting started and staying visible in your private practice. And that can feel incredibly hard when you’re faced with an empty diary, too many options, and the pressure of comparing yourself to glossy, confident-looking therapists online. The Good Enough Counsellors podcast is for UK counsellors and psychotherapists in private practice who want to get clients, grow their confidence, and build a practice that feels ethical, realistic, and sustainable — without the pressure to be perfect. I’m Josephine Hughes, a BACP Accredited Counsellor, and I help counsellors in private practice with marketing, visibility, and confidence so they can grow their practice in a way that feels like them.Copyright 2026 Josephine Hughes Economics Hygiene & Healthy Living Marketing Marketing & Sales Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • Permission to Take a Break

    Permission to Take a Break
    Jul 8 2026
    Do you worry that potential clients will forget about you if you stop posting on social media?Summer holidays can often bring an added layer of pressure. Should you schedule posts while you're away? Is it OK to disappear for a couple of weeks? And do therapists really need to post everyday?In this episode, I explore what a healthy relationship with social media could look like, why consistency matters more than frequency, and why taking time to rest may actually be one of the best things you can do for yourself and your private practice.I also share some August awareness days that could inspire your social media content for the month.Takeaways:Why consistency matters more than frequencyWhat to do with your social media while you're on holidayWhether people notice if you stop postingCreating healthier boundaries with social mediaThe importance of authenticity in your marketingWhy rest isn't something you have to earnAugust Content Ideas:8 August – Happiness Happens Day. A chance to encourage clients to notice small moments of joy and connection.15 August – Relaxation Day. An opportunity to discuss rest, burnout and nervous system regulation.16 August – Authenticity Day. Perfect for exploring authenticity, masking, people pleasing and finding your own voice.21 August – Internet Self-Care Day. A useful prompt to discuss comparison, healthy digital boundaries and creating a more positive relationship with social media.Who Do You Want To Help? Exploring Niching is next taking place on Tuesday 14th July at 7.30pm. Other dates will also be available. Check out my website to book: josephinehughes.comSetting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERENeed ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HEREYou can also find me here:The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook GroupJosephine Hughes on FacebookJosephine Hughes on YouTubeMy website: josephinehughes.comFAQsDo therapists need to post on social media every day?No. Consistency is usually more important than frequency. A thoughtful post once a week is often more effective than posting every day without a clear purpose.Should therapists post on social media while they're on holiday?Only if they want to. Some therapists schedule posts in advance, while others prefer to take a complete break. The important thing is choosing an approach that supports your wellbeing.Will people forget about me if I stop posting?Most people are far more focused on their own lives than on whether you've posted this week. A short break from social media is unlikely to have a significant impact on your private practice.Keywords:social media boundaries, managing social media on holiday, social media tips for therapists, out of office notice, social media scheduling, authenticity in social media, Internet Self Care Day, social media comparison, private practice growth, social media for therapists, taking breaks from social media, intentional social media posting, client relationships and social media, social media habits, mental health and social media, social media engagement strategies, planning social media content, self-care for therapistsThe 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.
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    16 mins
  • Neuro-Affirming Practice with Louise Lucas

    Neuro-Affirming Practice with Louise Lucas
    Jul 1 2026

    What does a neuro-affirming practice look like in the therapy room?

    As awareness of neurodivergence grows, many therapists want to work in ways that better support their neurodivergent clients. But moving beyond theory and knowing how to apply neuro-affirming practice in real life can feel challenging.

    In this episode of Good Enough Counsellors, I'm delighted to welcome back Louise Lucas who described how she'd discovered her own autism and ADHD in episode 7, and how this had transformed her personal life and practice.

    Since then she's continued to develop her Neurodivergent Wellbeing Model and has written a book: A Therapeutic Workbook for Supporting the Wellbeing of Neurodivergent Clients.

    In this conversation, Louise explains how her own experiences shaped her work and why neuro-affirming practice is about far more than understanding a diagnosis. We explore how therapists can help clients move from shame and self-criticism towards self-understanding, compassion and a sustainable wellbeing.

    Takeaways:

    • What neuro-affirming practice means in everyday therapy
    • The Neurodivergent Wellbeing Model and the Two Spirals
    • Why knowledge, understanding and acceptance all matter
    • Understanding "spiky profiles"
    • Why context is essential when working with neurodivergent clients
    • Helping clients move from shame to self-compassion
    • Supporting regulation through basic needs and sustainable self-care
    • What every therapist should understand about working with neurodivergent clients

    About Louise Lucas

    Louise Lucas is a therapist, supervisor and trainer specialising in neurodivergent wellbeing and neuro-affirming practice. She developed the Neurodivergent Wellbeing Model to help therapists and clients better understand regulation, self-compassion and sustainable wellbeing.

    Her new book, A Therapeutic Workbook for Supporting the Wellbeing of Neurodivergent Clients, is published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers in September 2026.

    You can find out more at Louise's website curiosityspot.co.uk

    Links:

    Find out about Therapy Growth Group or join to participate in the Make Your Profile Work Sprint 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.
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    48 mins
  • Feeling Lost After Counselling Training?

    Feeling Lost After Counselling Training?
    Jun 24 2026

    You spend years working towards a qualification. But after the structure of assignments and placements - and the company of tutors and fellow students - comes to an end, it can leave you wondering what comes next.

    Should you look for employment, start a private practice or something else?

    In this episode, I share my own experience of finishing counselling training, share why this stage can feel unsettling - and most importantly, how you can move forward without needing to have everything worked out in advance.

    Takeaways:

    • The loss of structure that newly qualified counsellors experience and how that impacts them
    • How self-doubt can show up after qualification
    • Why you don't need the whole plan before you begin
    • The importance of support, supervision and community
    • Taking the next step towards setting up in private practice

    Remember: you don't need to have everything worked out in advance. You don't need the full plan. You just need the next step.

    Training: to help you get started in finding clients, I have some short training webinars coming up. You can find out more about them 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.
    Show More Show Less
    16 mins
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I really enjoyed this Podcast - first time listening via audible. Josephine is great at executing the interview and her guests always seem to be relaxed, knowledgeable and REAL. Thank you Josephine for such an important resource for us therapists.x

Brilliant content and interview

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