The Modern Therapist's Survival Guide with Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy What Do You Have to Offer? How Describing Your Ideal Client Might Be Repelling Good Enough Clients
Aug 11, 2025
They unpack how rigid "ideal client" wording can push away suitable referrals and what to say instead. The conversation covers writing client-centered, inclusive website copy and using blogs to broaden reach. They talk practical site fixes: clarity about services, showing therapy style, gentle ways to refer out, and making contact and updates easy.
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Referral Search That Sparked This Episode
- Curt described searching for a therapist for a family friend and encountering many profiles that said "my ideal client is," which felt off-putting.
- He said that phrasing made websites seem self-centered and potentially repelling to laypeople seeking help.
Ideal-Client Language Shifts Focus
- Curt argued that listing an "ideal client" on a website can shift focus from client needs to therapist preferences.
- He compared it to a dating profile that lists a perfect match while saying nothing about what the therapist offers.
Describe Client Experience, Not Checklists
- Speak to client pain points and the therapy process rather than listing client traits.
- Describe approaches (e.g., "evidence-based approaches such as CBT") and what therapy feels like with you.