Five myths about therapist website design (busted!)
There’s a lot of noise out there about what your private practice website must include. Choosing the right features is important. This applies to SEO, branding, booking tools, blog posts, and videos of yourself.
Sound familiar?
The truth is, much of that advice comes from people who have never built a therapy practice. They haven't built one that meets Canadian standards. And while some of those features can be useful, they’re not where I start when I work with therapists.
Because here’s what actually matters:
Does your website feel like you?
Does it reflect the care, nuance, and ethical standards you bring to every session?
Can someone land on your homepage and feel—without having to scroll for five minutes—that they’ve found someone who gets it?
This guide will help you stop focusing on what looks good. Instead, it will show you what is truly helpful for your website and for the clients you want to reach.
Let’s begin.
Myth #1: You need a super polished logo before you launch
Reality: A logo might feel like step one, but it’s not what helps someone decide whether or not to reach out. Most clients aren’t choosing you because of a clever icon—they’re scanning your site for emotional tone, clarity, and cues that you “get” what they’re going through.
A simple text logo in a clean, legible font is more than enough to begin.
Yes, your visual identity matters—but it doesn’t have to be “done” before your website goes live. Many therapists start with a type-based logo (just your name in a strong font) and come back to branding later, once they have a clearer sense of their practice style.
What to try instead:
Start with your name. Choose one or two calming colours and a no-nonsense font. Focus on how the site feels to read.
Myth #2: You need a testimonial section to build trust
Reality: For Canadian and American therapists, testimonials are often off-limits due to ethical guidelines. The CRPO’s advertising policies and BCACC's Code of Conduct both clearly outline restrictions on using client feedback in promotional materials. (And the same applies across many U.S. states.)
Instead of risking a compliance issue, try this: reflect the client’s inner world back to them through your copy.
Phrases like “You might be feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to start” signal safety and understanding—without needing anyone else’s endorsement.
This is more than just semantics. When your copy speaks directly to what someone is going through—and how they might feel working with you—it builds trust more effectively than a 5-star quote ever could.
Still want social proof?
You can use neutral statements like “Many of my clients describe…” or include credentials, affiliations, and blog content that gently reinforce credibility. Plus, my therapist website template keeps you adhering to these rules with grace.
Myth #3: You should sound “professional” to be taken seriously
Reality: Professional doesn’t have to mean clinical, stiff, or jargon-filled. In fact, if you’re working with trauma survivors, a clinical tone might be the very thing that makes someone click away.
Instead of “I use evidence-based modalities such as…” try something like:
“Together, we might explore how your experiences live in your body—and find gentle ways to move through them.”
Plain, emotionally-attuned language isn’t “dumbing it down”—it’s trauma-informed. It shows that you value clarity, consent, and warmth.
Not sure where your copy stands?
Try reading it aloud. If it sounds like your grad school application instead of a real conversation, it might be time to soften it. This article breaks down why therapy-speak can unintentionally alienate new clients.
Myth #4: You need to explain every modality you use
Reality: Your average visitor doesn’t care if it’s IFS, EMDR, or CBT. They care whether they’ll feel seen. Whether they can trust you. Whether it’s okay that they don’t know what to say yet.
I often encourage clients to keep the modality talk brief—or tuck it into a separate “How I Work” page for those who are curious. On your homepage or services page, speak to the experience of therapy instead.
You might say:
"Maybe you’ve tried therapy before, and it didn’t feel like it really helped. You’re looking for something deeper. Something that actually sticks."
That line tells your reader: I see you. Let’s try this differently.
Modality-heavy websites can read more like résumés than invitations. That doesn’t mean you’re not credible—it just means your credibility needs to feel human, too.
Where to go deeper with your training?
In lots of therapist website design examples, many leave out your credentials and modalities entirely. But you can and should list modalities in a bulleted list toward the bottom of your Services or About page. That way, you’re not leading with it, but it’s still available for those who are looking.
Myth #5: You can’t launch without everything perfectly in place
Reality: Your website is a living thing. You are allowed to start small, iterate slowly, and come back to it later. Launching with a homepage, about page, and contact form is more than enough.
What’s worse than an “unfinished” site? No site at all.
I’ve worked with several therapists who delayed launching for months—or even years—because they were waiting on branding, headshots, or the “right” copy. But the truth is, most clients don’t notice whether your font hierarchy is perfect. They’re looking for relief. Clarity. An easy way to get in touch. Therapist website design at launch can be as simple or complex as you make it.
If you want to keep it simple, Squarespace’s own guide on building a starter site is a great place to begin.
If you want a jump-start on your therapist website design:
I offer a customizable therapist website template built on Squarespace designed for Canadian therapists—complete with ethically aligned copy prompts, a welcoming layout, and optional 1:1 support if you'd like help tailoring it to your practice (if you like Etsy, check it out here).
And if you’d rather hand off the writing entirely, I also offer done-for-you website copy and strategy services that align with both your tone and your regulatory body.
Three signs your website is doing its job
Okay—so what does good therapist website design look like?
Let’s keep it simple. If your site does these three things, you’re in great shape:
It helps the right people feel seen.
When someone lands on your site and thinks, “This feels like what I need,” you’re doing it right. That comes from reflecting their experience—not selling your service.
It guides them toward a next step.
Whether that’s a consult call, a contact form, or simply reading more, your site should have one clear, calm invitation. Not a push. A path.
It sounds like you.
Not your supervisor. Not your registration board. You. A trauma-informed site builds trust before someone ever reaches out—and the best way to do that is to be consistent in tone from first click to first session.
You don’t need more features. You need more clarity. More resonance. More room to sound like you.
There are a lot of folks out there who will try to sell you a six-page site, SEO package, and a brand photo shoot before you’ve even written your about page. Therapist website design isn't that complicated when you're launching!
You don’t need to do it all at once. You just need to start somewhere that feels honest
A closer look at the Squarespace template I created for therapists
When I started designing this template, I wasn’t thinking about bells and whistles. I was thinking about Sabrina—a therapist I worked with who told me, “I just want something that feels like me, without the stress of wondering if I’m doing it wrong.”
That stuck with me.
This template isn’t just a layout. It’s a guided foundation. It’s built for Canadian therapists who want a warm, professional, and ethical online presence—but don’t want to spend weeks researching what goes where, what they’re allowed to say, or how to sound human while still being “professional enough.”
Here’s what’s inside:
🧠 Copywriting prompts rooted in ethics and emotional safety
Each page includes thoughtful suggestions for what to say (and what not to say) based on best practices for trauma-informed care. That means no jargon, no pushing, and no assumptions—just gentle, spacious language your clients can actually connect with.
🧱 A simple, structured layout that guides visitors clearly
There’s a natural flow from landing → exploring → reaching out. I’ve intentionally removed the fluff so your site doesn’t overwhelm people who are already feeling overwhelmed. It’s designed with accessibility and spaciousness in mind.
🇨🇦 Regulatory-safe language for Canadian therapists
I built this with BCACC, CRPO, and other college guidelines top of mind. There are no testimonial sections, no risky CTA phrasing, and none of the sketchy grey areas I often see on therapist sites. You can always adjust it, but you won’t have to worry about starting from a non-compliant place.
💡 Options to go deeper—or keep it simple
You can launch with just the core pages (Homepage, About, Contact), or expand into additional ones like Specialty pages (I have a template there for you) and more blog posts. It’s all modular, which means you’re never locked in. Just start where you’re comfortable.
📞 Optional support if you get stuck
Not everyone wants to DIY all the way through—and that’s okay. If you need help customizing the copy or visuals to better match your voice, I offer 1:1 consults and done-for-you upgrades.
You can preview or purchase the template here:
👉 renstrategies.ca/therapist-squarespace-template or on Etsy
Or, if you’re unsure where to start, send me a quick message. I’m happy to help you figure out if this is a fit—or point you toward something else that might be.