If you’re a counsellor or therapist looking to expand your private practice, having a professional website is a must. Not only does it give you a platform to share your services, but it also helps potential clients learn about you and the support you offer. With more people searching for therapy options online, your website can become the first point of contact for many new clients. WordPress is a fantastic platform for building your site, especially if you want something practical, user-friendly, and easy to manage over time. In this guide, I’ll walk you through every step of designing a therapy website on WordPress, tailored specifically for counsellors and wellness professionals.

How to Design a Therapy Website on WordPress: Step-by-Step Guide for Counsellors

Introduction

The digital landscape for therapy and counselling services in the UK has changed dramatically in recent years. Nearly a third of UK adults have sought help from a counsellor or psychotherapist in the past 12 months. This growing demand means that having a website is no longer just a nice-to-have—it’s essential for reaching new clients and providing information about your services.

Even more interestingly, the way people access therapy is changing. A rising number of people say they choose how they’d like their therapy delivered, with 30% in 2024 compared to 18% in 2020. Online therapy sessions now account for more than one in ten sessions, with 13% conducted online in 2024 compared to 1% in 2020. This shift highlights the importance of having a well-designed, accessible, and informative website to support both in-person and remote therapy options.

As someone who’s been building WordPress websites for therapists and wellness professionals for over a decade through https://richardthornewebdesign.uk/, I understand the unique needs of practitioners in this field. Let’s explore how to create a website that reflects your values, builds trust, and connects you with the people who need your support most.

Planning Your Therapy Website

Before you even think about the design or technical details, it’s crucial to start with a solid plan. Planning ensures your website meets your goals and speaks directly to your ideal clients. Start by asking yourself a few key questions:

• Who is my target audience? Are you focusing on adults, children, couples, or perhaps a specific demographic?
• What services do I offer? Are you providing individual counselling, group sessions, workshops, or online therapy?
• What action do I want visitors to take? Should they book a session, sign up for a newsletter, or simply get in touch?

Jot down your answers as these will guide your decisions throughout the process. Also, think about the content you’ll need. At minimum, most therapy websites include:

• An engaging homepage that introduces you and your services
• About page outlining your qualifications and approach
• Services page with details on your offerings
• Contact page with a simple contact form and clear directions
• Blog or resources section if you plan to share articles or guides

Planning your content in advance makes the design process much smoother, and it means you’re less likely to forget important details that potential clients care about. Remember, your website should feel welcoming and safe—just like your practice.

Choosing the Right WordPress Theme

One of the biggest advantages of WordPress is the vast selection of themes available. But with so many choices, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. For therapy websites, your chosen theme should be clean, calm, and professional. You want to inspire confidence and trust from the very first click.

75% of consumers admit to making judgments about the credibility of a company based on its website design. That means your theme selection isn’t just a matter of taste—it directly impacts your practice’s reputation. Choose a theme that features:

• Responsive design so your site looks great on mobiles and tablets
• Easy-to-read fonts and gentle colours that support a soothing atmosphere
• Simple navigation to help visitors find what they need quickly
• Customisation options for adding your logo, brand colours, and images

Some popular WordPress themes for therapists include Astra, OceanWP, and GeneratePress, all of which are lightweight and highly customisable. If you want something more tailored, working with a web designer like RTWD ensures your site matches your unique style and professional needs. Don’t forget—38% of people will stop engaging with a website if it has an unattractive layout or content.

Essential Features for a Therapy Website

What sets a great therapy website apart from a mediocre one? It comes down to including the right features that provide value to your visitors and make it easy for them to connect with you. Here are the essentials for any modern therapy website:

• Clear Call-to-Action (CTA): Make it easy for visitors to book a session or get in touch with visible buttons or links throughout your site.
• Online Booking Integration: Allow clients to schedule appointments directly through your website. Many plugins work seamlessly with WordPress, automating the process for both you and your clients.
• Contact Form: Keep it simple and secure. Only ask for essential information and include alternative contact options like email or phone.
• Service Descriptions: Clearly outline what you offer, your approach to therapy, session lengths, fees, and whether you support online or in-person appointments.
• Testimonials or Reviews: If you have permission, share client feedback to build trust and credibility.
• Professional Photos: Use high-quality images of your practice, yourself, or calming nature scenes to create a welcoming vibe.
• Privacy Policy and GDPR Compliance: Your site needs to be transparent about how you handle visitor data, especially if you’re collecting contact details or offering online bookings.
• Blog or Resources Section: Sharing articles or mental health resources can demonstrate your expertise and help your site rank higher in search engines.

With more clients seeking online therapy, it’s worth considering secure video conferencing integrations or at least providing clear instructions on how remote sessions work. This not only meets client expectations but also reflects the trend that online therapy sessions now account for more than one in ten sessions, with 13% conducted online in 2024 compared to 1% in 2020.

Above all, your website should reflect the safe, supportive environment you provide in your sessions. The right features make it easy for clients to take that first step in reaching out to you.

Optimising for SEO and Accessibility

Once your website is up and running, you want people to actually find it. That’s where SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) comes in. SEO helps your site appear in Google searches when someone looks for counselling or therapy services in your area. For counsellors and therapists, local SEO is especially important—most clients want someone nearby or within the same region.

• Use relevant keywords: Sprinkle phrases like “counsellor in Glastonbury” or “online therapy Somerset” naturally throughout your content.
• Optimise your meta descriptions and page titles: These are what show up in search results, so make them clear and inviting.
• Add your practice to Google My Business: This helps you appear in local searches and on Google Maps.
• Alt text for images: Make sure every image has descriptive alternative text for accessibility and SEO.
• Fast loading times: Use a reliable hosting service and compress images to keep your site speedy—nobody likes a slow website.

Accessibility is just as crucial. Your website should be usable for everyone, including people with disabilities. Use high-contrast colours, readable fonts, and logical navigation. Test your site with screen readers and make sure forms are easy to understand.

Getting these basics right not only helps you rank higher in search results but also ensures that your website is welcoming and usable by all potential clients.

Maintaining and Updating Your Website

Your work doesn’t stop once the site goes live. Regular maintenance keeps your website secure, up-to-date, and running smoothly. This is especially important for WordPress sites, which rely on plugins and updates for security and performance.

• Update WordPress, themes, and plugins regularly: This prevents security vulnerabilities and keeps everything running smoothly.
• Back up your site often: It’s essential to have recent backups in case anything goes wrong.
• Monitor security: Use security plugins and regular scans to protect sensitive client data.
• Add fresh content: Even a quarterly blog post or new testimonial can boost your SEO and keep your site feeling current.

If you’d rather focus on your clients than your website, consider a managed hosting and care package like the ones we offer at RTWD. These services handle updates, backups, and security so you can get on with what you do best—helping people. And with AI-generated content services on the horizon, you’ll soon be able to keep your site fresh with even less effort.

Conclusion

Creating a therapy website on WordPress doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By planning carefully, choosing the right theme, and including essential features, you can build a beautiful, effective site that helps you connect with more clients. Optimising for SEO and accessibility ensures your site is found and used by those who need your help. And with regular maintenance, your online presence will stay strong for years to come. If you’re ready to get started or want expert support, check out https://richardthornewebdesign.uk/ for personalised advice, hosting, and care plans tailored for therapists and wellness professionals.