SEO for Psychologists: How to Get Found Online Without Paid Ads
You don’t need to run ads to show up online. Learn how psychologists can use simple, effective SEO strategies to attract the right clients — and grow their practice sustainably.
SEO for Psychologists: How to Get Found Online Without Paid Ads
If you’re a psychologist in private practice, you’ve probably been told you need "SEO." But what does that actually mean — and how do you do it without hiring an expensive marketing agency or running paid ads?
Here’s a simple, practical guide to SEO for psychologists that’s jargon-free and built for real-world results.
Searching for keywords might not always be straighforward
1. Start With the Right Keywords
SEO begins with knowing what your potential clients are actually searching for.
Examples of keywords your audience might type into Google:
"psychologist for anxiety in Manchester"
"online CBT therapy UK"
"grief counselling near me"
What to do:
Use these phrases naturally in your homepage, service pages, and blog posts
Add your location throughout your content (city, region, or even neighbourhood)
Free tools to find more keywords:
Google autocomplete (just start typing and see what pops up)
AlsoAsked.com or AnswerThePublic
Ubersuggest (for basic research)
A better design helps. Smaller photos increase speeds.
2. Optimise Your Website Pages
Google needs to understand what your website is about — and so do your visitors.
Make sure each page includes:
A clear headline (H1) that includes your main keyword
Subheadings (H2s) that break up your content
A meta title and description (what shows up in search)
Alt text on your images (for accessibility and SEO)
Example: Instead of a generic page title like "Services," use: "Anxiety Therapy & Online CBT – Based in Leeds"
Get as many Google Reviews as you can
3. Claim and Optimise Your Google Business Profile (GBP)
This is one of the most powerful tools for local SEO — and it’s free.
Make sure your GBP includes:
Your full business name, address, and phone number
A link to your website
Business hours and services offered
A few high-quality photos (can be your office or branding visuals)
Ask happy clients (ethically) to leave a review — these help you rank higher and build trust.
Ask for a website designers help
4. Start a Blog That Answers Real Client Questions
Blogging helps you:
Target more keywords
Show up in long-tail searches
Build trust and authority
Topics to consider:
"What to expect in your first therapy session"
"Is online therapy as effective as in-person?"
"How therapy helps with workplace burnout"
Keep it client-focused. Write like you speak — not like an academic.
Get Mobile Friendly Fast Websites
5. Make Sure Your Website Is Fast and Mobile-Friendly
Google rewards websites that load quickly and look great on phones (which most of your clients are using).
Check these basics:
Does your site load in under 3 seconds?
Can people easily tap to book or contact you?
Is your text legible on mobile devices?
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need Ads — You Need Visibility
SEO is about making it easier for the right people to find you. With just a few intentional changes, you can:
Show up for local, relevant searches
Reduce reliance on referrals or paid ads
Build long-term visibility for your practice
Want Help With SEO and Website Design?
At Divergent Network, we create strategic websites for psychologists — with built-in SEO, thoughtful design, and copy that connects.
✔️ Keyword optimisation built into every page ✔️ Local visibility and mobile performance included ✔️ Designed to convert — not just exist
