Small Business SEO
SEO Keywords for Therapists
Ready to start connecting with customers online?
Learn which keywords to utilize in order to drive traffic to your website
Unlock More Therapy Clients with the Right SEO Strategy
Standing out in today’s competitive therapy field requires more than just offering great services. The right keywords can position your practice at the top of Google’s search results, attracting clients who are actively looking for the help you provide. Your SEO campaign is only as strong as the keywords it targets. For therapists, using a mix of high-volume, location-based, and service-specific keywords is essential to bringing in more qualified leads.
There are thousands of therapy-related searches happening every day in the United States. When you combine those searches with location-specific phrases like “anxiety therapist in [City]” or “marriage counseling near me,” your practice can capture consistent organic traffic that converts into booked sessions.
In This SEO Guide for Therapists, You Will Learn:
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The Top 50 SEO Keywords for Therapists
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How to Choose the Best Keywords for Your Services and Service Areas
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Expert Tips to Improve Local SEO, Ad Campaigns, and Website Rankings
Whether you are a mental health counselor, a marriage and family therapist, or a psychologist, understanding how potential clients search for therapy services will help you increase your online visibility and grow your practice. It all starts with choosing the right keywords.
How to Choose the Best Therapy Keywords for Your Practice
Before you start adding every therapy-related phrase to your website, take a step back and ask yourself an important question:
Who Is Your Ideal Therapy Client?
Do you work primarily with individuals seeking anxiety or depression support? Do you focus on couples therapy, trauma counseling, or child and adolescent therapy? Each audience uses different search terms, and understanding their intent is essential for choosing the right keywords.
For example:
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Someone looking for help with anxiety might search “anxiety therapist near me”
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A couple facing relationship challenges could look for “marriage counseling in [City]”
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A parent may Google “child therapist in [City]”
When you know the pain points and search behaviors of your audience, you can select keywords that connect directly with what they need.
Start With Your Core Services
Identify your highest-demand services first. These terms often have strong search volume and can form the foundation of your homepage, service pages, and marketing campaigns. Examples include:
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Therapist near me
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Marriage counseling [City Name]
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Trauma therapy [City Name]
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Family counseling services
Once you have your core list, use tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or SEMrush to find related keywords with high potential traffic and manageable competition.
Research Your Competitors
Look at top-ranking therapy practices in your area. What keywords appear in their titles, headings, and content? Use SEO tools to see which terms are bringing them traffic and identify opportunities where you can stand out. Competitor research can reveal both gaps to fill and strategies worth adapting.
Prioritize Long-Tail Keywords
Over 90 percent of all Google searches are long-tail keywords. These are more specific phrases, often in question form, that might have lower search volume but attract visitors ready to book a session. Examples include:
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How to find the right therapist for anxiety in [City]
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Best couples therapist for communication issues
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What to expect in your first therapy session
Long-tail keywords work especially well for blog posts, FAQ sections, and dedicated landing pages. They align closely with client intent and often lead to higher conversion rates.
Ready to Improve Your Search Visibility Online? Get Your Free SEO Report!
Each report is hand-crafted by a team member at MarketKeep and comes with a customized video that walks you through your report visually. That way we can help you understand how your business is performing online, and what you can do better in order to connect with your customers in the moments that matter to them.
The Best SEO Keywords for Therapists by Category
Organizing your keywords into clear categories makes it easier to plan your website structure, blog content, and online advertising campaigns.
General Therapy Keywords
These are high-volume, foundational keywords that work well for your homepage, main service pages, and Google Ads campaigns. They capture broad search intent from people looking for therapy services.
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therapist near me
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licensed therapist in [City]
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counseling services
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best therapist in [City]
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therapy office near me
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affordable counseling services
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top rated therapist
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professional counseling practice
Local SEO Keywords (Insert Your City or Towns You Serve)
Local keywords help your practice appear in search results for people looking for nearby therapy services. They work well for location-specific service pages, blog content, and your Google Business Profile.
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therapist in [City Name]
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counseling in [City Name]
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therapy sessions in [City or Neighborhood]
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marriage counseling in [City Name]
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anxiety therapist in [City Name]
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best counselor in [Your Area]
Therapy Service Keywords
These keywords target specific areas of specialization and are ideal for dedicated service pages or targeted ads.
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couples counseling
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trauma therapy
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anxiety treatment sessions
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depression counseling
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grief counseling services
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child and adolescent therapy
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family counseling
Urgent or Immediate Support Keywords
These terms target clients seeking help quickly and are effective for PPC campaigns, landing pages, or homepage highlights.
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urgent therapy appointment near me
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same day therapy session
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crisis counseling in [City Name]
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immediate mental health support
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online therapy session today
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emergency counseling service
Specialized Therapy Keywords
If your practice offers niche or advanced services, these keywords help attract clients with specific needs.
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cognitive behavioral therapy [City]
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EMDR therapy sessions
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mindfulness based therapy
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art therapy for children
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holistic therapy services
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therapy for first responders
Long-Tail Keywords for Blog or FAQ Strategy
These longer, more specific phrases may have less search volume but often attract clients ready to book. They work well for blog posts, FAQ sections, and targeted landing pages.
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how to find the right therapist in [City]
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what to expect at your first counseling session
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best therapy for anxiety and panic attacks
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how to prepare for couples counseling
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signs you may benefit from therapy
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questions to ask a new therapist
How to Use the Top 50 SEO Keywords for Therapists Effectively
Once you have identified the right keywords for your therapy practice, the next step is to use them strategically. Placing your keywords in the right areas across your website and online profiles can help improve your search rankings, increase traffic, and attract more clients who are looking for your services.
1. Optimize Your Website with the Right Therapy Keywords
Place your most important keywords in the locations Google pays the most attention to:
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Page titles and meta descriptions
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Main headings and subheadings (H1 and H2)
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URLs for service and location pages
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Image file names and alt text
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Internal links between blog posts and service pages
For example, if you offer couples counseling, anxiety therapy, or child therapy, weave those phrases naturally into your website content. Focus on writing in a way that helps visitors understand your services while aligning with what they search for.
2. Create Location-Specific Pages
If you provide therapy in multiple cities or areas, do not rely on a single general service page. Instead, create dedicated landing pages for each location.
For example:
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Couples counseling in Seattle
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Anxiety therapy in Bellevue
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Child therapist in Kirkland
Each page should describe your services, mention local landmarks or neighborhoods, and reflect the unique needs of clients in that community.
3. Optimize Your Google Business Profile
Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is essential for appearing in local search and map listings. To make it work for you:
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Use the same keywords clients are searching for, such as “therapist near me” or “anxiety counselor in [City]”
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Clearly list all your services and update your business hours
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Add high-quality photos of your office, therapy rooms, and team
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Encourage satisfied clients to leave reviews, and respond professionally to each one
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Where appropriate, use keywords in your replies (e.g., “Thank you for trusting me with your family counseling in Portland”)
4. Build a Keyword-Focused Content Strategy
Blog posts, FAQs, and resource guides are powerful tools for capturing long-tail keyword traffic and answering client questions. Each piece of content should focus on one main keyword or topic. Examples include:
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How to find the right therapist in [City]
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What to expect in your first counseling session
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Coping strategies for anxiety attacks
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Benefits of family therapy for communication issues
Publishing helpful, keyword-rich content on a regular basis builds trust with both potential clients and search engines. It also signals that your website is active and worth ranking highly.
Ready to Improve Your Search Visibility Online? Get Your Free SEO Report!
Each report is hand-crafted by a team member at MarketKeep and comes with a customized video that walks you through your report visually. That way we can help you understand how your business is performing online, and what you can do better in order to connect with your customers in the moments that matter to them.
The 50 Best SEO Keywords for Therapists (2025)
| Keyword Competition | Avg. Monthly Searches | Competition Level |
| therapists near me | 550,000 | Medium |
| emdr therapy | 246,000 | Low |
| aba therapy | 165,000 | Low |
| couples therapy | 110,000 | Medium |
| counseling near me | 110,000 | Low |
| marriage counseling near me | 110,000 | Medium |
| cognitive behavioral therapy | 110,000 | Low |
| couples counseling near me | 110,000 | Medium |
| relationship counseling near me | 110,000 | Medium |
| marital counseling near me | 110,000 | Medium |
| cbt cognitive behavioral therapy | 110,000 | Low |
| psychologist near me | 90,500 | Low |
| psychotherapist | 90,500 | Low |
| marriage counseling | 74,000 | Medium |
| dbt therapy | 74,000 | Low |
| somatic therapy | 74,000 | Low |
| emotionally focused therapy | 74,000 | Low |
| couples therapy near me | 60,500 | Medium |
| cbt therapy | 60,500 | Low |
| family therapy | 49,500 | Low |
| dialectical behavior therapy | 49,500 | Low |
| borderline personality disorder therapies | 49,500 | Low |
| mental health therapist near me | 40,500 | Medium |
| child therapist near me | 40,500 | Medium |
| sex therapist | 40,500 | Medium |
| mental therapist near me | 40,500 | Medium |
| kids therapist near me | 40,500 | Medium |
| therapists | 33,100 | Low |
| behavioral therapy | 33,100 | Low |
| ifs therapy | 33,100 | Low |
| Christian counseling near me | 27,100 | Medium |
| child psychologist | 27,100 | Low |
| mental health counselors | 27,100 | Low |
| obsessive compulsive disorder therpaies | 27,100 | Low |
| find a therapist | 22,200 | Medium |
| cbt therapy near me | 22,200 | Medium |
| cognitive behavior therapy near me | 22,200 | Medium |
| emdr therapy near me | 22,200 | Medium |
| teen therapist near me | 22,200 | Medium |
| lmft | 22,200 | Low |
| group therapy | 22,200 | Low |
| acceptance and commitment therapy | 22,200 | Low |
| psychodynamic therapy | 22,200 | Low |
| acceptance commitment therapy | 22,200 | Low |
| acceptance therapy | 22,200 | Low |
| sex therapist near me | 18,100 | Medium |
| family counseling near me | 18,100 | Medium |
| child psychologist near me | 18,100 | Medium |
| family therapy near me | 18,100 | Medium |
| grief counseling near me | 18,100 | Medium |
The 50 Best SEO Keywords for Therapists (2023)
| Keyword Competition | Avg. Monthly Searches | Competition Level |
| therapy | 368,000 | Low |
| dbt | 74,000 | Low |
| cbt | 90,500 | Low |
| emdr | 165,000 | Low |
| therapist near me | 450,000 | Medium |
| emdr therapy | 165,000 | Low |
| cognitive behavioral therapy | 135,000 | Low |
| family therapy | 49,500 | Low |
| pscychotherapy | 90,500 | Low |
| aba therapy | 110,000 | Low |
| cbt therapy | 49,500 | Low |
| dbt therapy | 74,000 | Low |
| therapist aid | 110,000 | Low |
| couples therapy | 74,000 | Medium |
| biofeedback | 22,200 | Low |
| marriage counseling | 90,500 | Medium |
| hypnotherapy | 33,100 | Low |
| dialectical behavior therapy | 49,500 | Low |
| marriage counseling near me | 74,000 | Medium |
| somatic therapy | 40,500 | Low |
| couples therapy near me | 49,500 | Medium |
| gestalt therapy | 14,800 | Low |
| shock therapy | 22,200 | Low |
| acceptance and commitment therapy | 14,800 | Low |
| psychodynamic therapy | 18,100 | Low |
| exposure therapy | 18,100 | Low |
| psychology today find a therapist | 27,100 | Low |
| cognitive therapy | 18,100 | Low |
| light therapy | 18,100 | High |
| psychodynamic | 14,800 | Low |
| panic attack treatment | 14,800 | Low |
| couples counseling | 33,100 | Medium |
| internal family systems | 18,100 | Low |
| group therapy | 22,200 | Low |
| rebt | 6,600 | Low |
| behavioral therapy | 33,100 | Low |
| neurofeedback therapy | 18,100 | Low |
| lmft | 18,100 | Low |
| hypnotherapy near me | 14,800 | Medium |
| find a therapist | 22,200 | Medium |
| ifs therapy | 14,800 | Low |
| narrative therapy | 9,900 | Low |
| counseling near me | 135,000 | Low |
| couples counseling near me | 22,200 | Medium |
| aba therapy near me | 22,200 | Low |
| family counseling near me | 22,200 | Low |
| person centered therapy | 9,900 | Low |
| types of therapy | 18,100 | Low |
| child therapist near me | 33,100 | Low |
| christian counseling near me | 27,100 | Medium |
The 50 Best SEO Keywords for Therapists (2022)
| Keyword Competition | Avg. Monthly Searches | Competition Level |
| therapy | 246,000 | Low |
| therapist near me | 201,000 | Medium |
| cognitive behavioral therapy | 110,000 | Low |
| emdr therapy | 90,500 | Low |
| psychologist near me | 74,000 | Medium |
| psychotherapy | 74,000 | Low |
| counseling near me | 90,500 | Medium |
| marriage counseling near me | 49,500 | Medium |
| cbt therapy | 22,200 | Low |
| behavioral therapy | 27,100 | Low |
| cognitive therapy | 18,100 | Low |
| gestalt therapy | 12,100 | Low |
| lmft | 14,800 | Low |
| psychodynamic therapy | 12,100 | Low |
| child psychologist near me | 14,800 | Low |
| couples counseling near me | 14,800 | Medium |
| couples therapy near me | 14,800 | Medium |
| chirstian counseling near me | 18,100 | Medium |
| find a therapist | 12,100 | Medium |
| psychotherapist near me | 12,100 | Medium |
| mental health therapist near me | 12,100 | Medium |
| child therapist | 12,100 | Low |
| family counseling near me | 9,900 | Medium |
| person centered therapy | 8,100 | Low |
| child therapist near me | 12,100 | Low |
| milieu therapy | 6,600 | Low |
| mental health therapist | 9,900 | Medium |
| somatic therapy | 6,600 | Low |
| solution focused therapy | 5,400 | Low |
| narrative therapy | 5,400 | Low |
| humanistic therapy | 6,600 | Low |
| clinical psychologist near me | 5,400 | Low |
| talk therapy | 5,400 | Medium |
| rational emotive therapy | 5,400 | Low |
| eft therapy | 5,400 | Low |
| grief counseling near me | 6,600 | Medium |
| emdr therapy near me | 6,600 | Low |
| existential therapy | 4,400 | Low |
| family therapist near me | 8,100 | Medium |
| trauma therapy | 5,400 | Medium |
| anger management therapy | 5,400 | Medium |
| emotionally focused therapy | 5,400 | Low |
| relationship therapist | 5,400 | Medium |
| psychoanalytic therapy | 3,600 | Low |
| holistic therapy | 2,900 | Low |
| therapist near me for depression | 5,400 | Medium |
| child counseling near me | 6,600 | Low |
| psychological therapy | 4,400 | Low |
| dbt therapy near me | 3,600 | Medium |
| anxiety therapist near me | 5,400 | Medium |
Ready to Improve Your Search Visibility Online? Get Your Free SEO Report!
Each report is hand-crafted by a team member at MarketKeep and comes with a customized video that walks you through your report visually. That way we can help you understand how your business is performing online, and what you can do better in order to connect with your customers in the moments that matter to them.
Utilizing the Top SEO Keywords for Therapists
Ranking well for therapy-related keywords comes down to following a few key best practices. These steps will help you increase your visibility, attract more potential clients, and establish a strong online presence.
1. Make Sure Your Website is Mobile Friendly, Fast, and Secure
Many people search for therapists on their phones. Your website should load quickly, be easy to navigate, and display securely with HTTPS.
2. Incorporate Keywords into the Right Places
Use your target therapy keywords naturally in your page titles, meta descriptions, headings, body text, and image alt text. For example, if “anxiety therapy in [City]” is a main keyword, place it strategically without forcing it.
3. Optimize All On-Site Content
Review your service pages, blog posts, and resource articles to ensure they include relevant keywords and are written in a client-focused, compassionate tone.
4. Claim and Fully Optimize Your Google Business Profile
Your Google Business Profile is vital for local search visibility. Include your exact business name, address, and phone number. Select accurate categories like “Therapist,” “Counselor,” or “Mental Health Service,” and add photos of your office space or therapy environment.
5. Maintain Consistency in Local Listings
Ensure your business name, address, and phone number are identical across online directories such as Psychology Today, Yelp, Healthgrades, and Bing Places.
6. Create a Keyword-Focused Blog
Publish high-quality articles on mental health topics that your audience is searching for. Keep your blog updated regularly with topics like “Coping Strategies for Social Anxiety” or “How Couples Therapy Improves Communication.”
7. Use Optimized Visual Content
Add photos or videos that give potential clients a sense of your practice environment. Include descriptive filenames and alt text that incorporate your keywords.
Local SEO for Therapists
Get found by the right clients in your city or service area.
Local SEO is one of the most powerful ways to reach potential clients who are actively looking for help. Many people search for therapy services nearby, such as “therapist near me” or “couples counseling in [City].” Your goal is to appear in the top results, especially in the Google Maps section.
How to Boost Your Local Visibility
Claim and Optimize Your Google Business Profile
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Use your exact name, address, and phone number
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Choose categories like “Therapist” or “Mental Health Clinic”
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Upload professional, welcoming photos of your office and therapy rooms
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Write a detailed, keyword-rich description of your services
Post Regular Updates
Show Google you are active and trustworthy by posting updates such as:
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Mental health tips or self-care reminders
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Seasonal blog articles related to stress or well-being
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Announcements about workshops or group sessions
Encourage and Respond to Reviews
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Ask satisfied clients (where ethically appropriate) to leave reviews
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Respond to every review with professionalism and warmth
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Where relevant, include keywords in your replies (e.g., “I am glad our anxiety counseling sessions in Boston have helped you feel more at ease”)
Get Listed in Local Directories
Add your practice to trusted directories such as:
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Psychology Today
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Healthgrades
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Yelp
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Bing Places
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Apple Maps
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Local Chamber of Commerce directories
Create City-Specific Pages
If you serve multiple locations, create dedicated pages for each. Include location-specific keywords, community references, and client testimonials. Examples:
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Anxiety Therapy in Austin
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Couples Counseling in Dallas
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Family Therapist in Fort Worth
These pages help with search rankings and make potential clients feel confident that you understand their community.
On-Page SEO for Therapists
Make your website easy for Google to understand while also making it engaging and trustworthy for potential clients.
On-page SEO is about optimizing the pages of your therapy website so they rank well in search results while delivering a positive experience to visitors. When your site loads quickly, communicates clearly, and uses the right keywords, Google is more likely to recommend it to people searching for your services.
Where to Use SEO Keywords for Maximum Impact
To get the best results from your SEO keywords, place them strategically in areas that both search engines and visitors notice most:
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Page Titles: Use location-based phrases like Therapist in [City] | [Your Practice Name].
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Meta Descriptions: Write clear, keyword-rich summaries such as Looking for anxiety therapy in [City]? Book your first session today.
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Headings (H1, H2): Use natural, keyword-focused headlines like Couples Counseling in [City] or Trusted Anxiety Therapy Services.
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Body Content: Include your keywords in a way that feels natural and informative, avoiding overuse.
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URLs: Create clean, keyword-friendly links like /anxiety-therapy-[city].
Create Dedicated Pages for Each Service
Rather than grouping all of your services on a single page, give each one its own dedicated page. This improves your SEO, makes navigation easier, and helps you rank for specific searches.
Examples:
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Individual Therapy for Anxiety
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Couples Counseling and Relationship Support
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Trauma Recovery Therapy
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Family Counseling Services
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Stress Management Programs
Each page should focus on a single service, use location-specific keywords where appropriate, and include calls to action such as Book a Free Consultation or Schedule Your First Appointment.
Improve Site Speed and Mobile Experience
Many clients will search for therapy services on their mobile devices, so your site needs to be fast, mobile-responsive, and easy to use.
Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix to identify performance issues. Your website should:
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Load quickly on all devices
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Be easy to navigate on smartphones
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Include visible call-to-action buttons like Call Now or Book a Session
Add Schema Markup to Your Site
Schema markup helps Google better understand your business, services, and location, which can improve how your site appears in search results.
Use Google’s Structured Data Markup Helper to add details such as:
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Practice name
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Address and service areas
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Hours of operation
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Specialties (e.g., anxiety therapy, couples counseling, trauma therapy)
Optimize Images for SEO
Photos of your therapy office, counseling environment, and relevant visuals can help build trust and improve rankings.
Make sure each image:
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Is compressed for fast loading
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Has a descriptive filename (e.g., anxiety-therapy-office-boston.jpg)
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Includes keyword-rich alt text (e.g., Comfortable therapy office in Boston for anxiety treatment)
This improves accessibility, boosts SEO, and can increase your chances of appearing in Google Image search results.
Off-Page SEO for Therapists
Build trust, increase visibility, and strengthen your therapy practice’s online reputation.
Off-page SEO covers everything you do outside of your own website to boost rankings and authority. The more trusted websites that link back to your practice, and the more your name is mentioned across reputable platforms, the more Google will trust your business and recommend it to potential clients.
Ways to Strengthen Off-Page SEO
Earn High-Quality Backlinks
Think of backlinks as professional recommendations from other websites. When respected sources link to your therapy site, it signals credibility to search engines and can help improve rankings.
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Submit your practice to reputable mental health and wellness directories such as Psychology Today, TherapyDen, GoodTherapy, or local Chamber of Commerce sites.
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Offer to contribute expert articles or mental health advice to local lifestyle blogs, wellness magazines, or community newsletters.
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Get listed on niche resources like mental health forums, wellness networks, or professional association directories.
Promote Content on Social Media
Social media is an effective way to drive traffic and earn shares that lead to backlinks.
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Post motivational content, therapy tips, or client success stories (with consent and privacy maintained).
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Share educational blog posts such as How to Manage Anxiety During Life Transitions or Signs You May Benefit from Couples Counseling.
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Use location-based hashtags like #TherapistIn[City] or #Counseling[City] to reach local audiences.
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Engage with followers by answering questions, sharing resources, and encouraging positive word of mouth.
Connect with the Local Community Online
Building relationships with other professionals and organizations can lead to valuable backlinks and referrals.
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Partner with local wellness centers, yoga studios, or health clinics and request a link on their website.
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Join community business associations or professional mental health networks that maintain online directories.
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Offer workshops or talks for local organizations and request an online mention in event listings.
Ask for Links from Happy Clients and Partners
If you have worked with other professionals such as doctors, life coaches, or holistic practitioners, ask them to list your practice on their website as a trusted referral. These professional relationships often generate high-quality backlinks.
Track and Maintain Your Backlink Profile
Keeping track of your backlinks ensures they remain relevant and beneficial.
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Use tools like Ahrefs, Moz, or SEMrush to monitor new and lost backlinks.
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If low-quality or spammy sites are linking to your practice, disavow them through Google Search Console to protect your rankings.
Pro Tip: Tie It All Together With Google Analytics
Track your performance by monitoring:
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Which keywords are bringing traffic
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Which pages get the most visitors
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What search terms trigger your Google Business Profile
By tying in tools like Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and Google Business Profile Insights, you can refine your SEO strategy over time and continue climbing the ranks.
