Therapist Guidelines

Your Guide to Success on Our Platform
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Welcome to UK Therapy Guide

Welcome to our community of dedicated mental health professionals. We're delighted to have you join UK Therapy Guide, where we connect clients with exceptional therapists like yourself.

Our Mission

We believe in the transformative power of therapy and are committed to making quality mental health support accessible to all. Our platform serves as a bridge between skilled therapists and individuals seeking support.

Purpose of these Guidelines

This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about working successfully with UK Therapy Guide. You'll learn about:

  • Setting up and optimising your professional profile
  • Managing appointments and client communications
  • Understanding our booking systems and processes
  • Handling payments and administrative tasks
  • Maintaining professional standards and best practices.

Take your time to review these guidelines thoroughly. They are designed to help you thrive on our platform while providing the highest quality care to your clients.

Table of Contents

Platform Overview

About UK Therapy Guide

UK Therapy Guide is a leading online therapy platform that connects clients with qualified therapists across the UK and internationally. At the heart of our service is the placement call, our unique matching service that helps clients find the right therapist for their needs.

We understand that each therapeutic relationship is unique, and our platform is designed to support both therapists and clients in creating meaningful connections. Our commitment to quality care and professional standards has made us a trusted name in online therapy provision.

How Our Platform Works

Our integrated system provides a seamless experience for both therapists and clients. Through our platform, you can:

  • Process payments automatically
  • Sync your calendar to maintain accurate availability

Who We Serve

Our client base is diverse and growing. We primarily serve:

  • UK-based clients seeking various forms of therapy, from anxiety and depression support to specialised therapeutic approaches.
  • We also have a significant number of international clients and expats who specifically seek UK-based therapists.

Your Profile - The Basics

Your Professional Shop Window

Your profile on UK Therapy Guide is often a client's first impression of you and your practice. Think of it as your professional shop window - it needs to be welcoming, informative, and authentic. A well-crafted profile significantly increases your chances of connecting with suitable clients and building successful therapeutic relationships.

Essential Components

Your complete profile should showcase both your professional expertise and your personal approach to therapy. The key elements include:

  • Professional Photo A high-quality, professional headshot that presents you as approachable and trustworthy.
  • Video Introduction A brief video that allows potential clients to get a sense of your personality and therapeutic style.
  • Detailed Biography Share your journey, experience, and what drew you to therapeutic work. This helps clients connect with you on a personal level.
  • Qualifications and Specialisations

Writing about yourself and your therapeutic practice can feel daunting, but your profile is often a potential client's first step in building trust with you. Research shows that 70% of therapy success depends on the therapeutic relationship, which makes it crucial to communicate not just your qualifications, but who you are as a person and how you work.

We've created a comprehensive step-by-step guide to help you craft an authentic profile that connects with the right clients and showcases your unique approach. Whether writing isn't your strong suit or you simply want structured guidance, our guide will walk you through everything from creating an engaging opening hook to developing your closing statement, complete with examples and templates to make the process straightforward and supportive.

Therapist Profile Guide

Professional Photo Guidelines

Creating the Right First Impression

Your professional photo is often the first thing potential clients see. It's crucial that this image conveys professionalism, approachability, and trustworthiness. A high-quality professional photo can significantly impact a client's decision to work with you.

Technical Requirements

Your photo should meet these specifications to ensure optimal display on our platform:

  • Resolution: Minimum 1000x1000 pixels
  • Format: JPG or PNG
  • Size: Under 5MB
  • Aspect ratio: 1:1 (square)

Professional Presentation

When preparing for your photo, consider these essential elements:

  • Attire and Grooming: Choose professional attire that reflects your therapeutic style. Business casual is typically most appropriate. Ensure your appearance is well-groomed and polished.
  • Background and Setting: Select a clean, uncluttered background that won't distract from your face. Neutral colours work best, and natural lighting is ideal when available.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

To maintain professional standards, please avoid:

  • Casual selfies or cropped social media photos
  • Group photos or photos with others
  • Overly artistic filters or effects
  • Outdated photos (more than 2 years old)
  • Poor lighting or unclear images

Remember, your photo should help potential clients feel comfortable and confident in choosing you as their therapist.

Video Introduction

The Power of Video Connection

A video introduction is one of the most effective ways to connect with potential clients. It allows them to get a sense of your personality, communication style, and therapeutic approach before making initial contact. Our research shows that profiles with video introductions receive significantly more enquiries than those without.

Creating Your Video

Your video should be brief but impactful, ideally between 1-2 minutes long. Consider including:

  • Personal Introduction: Begin with a warm welcome and introduce yourself naturally, as you would to a new client. Share what drew you to therapeutic work and what you find most rewarding about it.
  • Your Approach: Briefly describe your therapeutic style and how you typically work with clients. Use accessible language and avoid clinical jargon where possible.

Technical Guidelines

To ensure your video looks and sounds professional:

  • Recording Setup
  • Use a quiet, well-lit space
  • Position yourself against a neutral background
  • Ensure good sound quality
  • Record in landscape orientation
  • Maintain good eye contact with the camera

Support Available

Don't feel intimidated by the technical aspects. UK Therapy Guide offers:

  • Detailed recording guidelines
  • Technical support when needed
  • Review and feedback before publication
  • Tips for optimal recording

Calendar Management

Setting Up Your Schedule

Effective calendar management is crucial for maintaining a successful practice on UK Therapy Guide. Our platform provides flexible tools to help you manage your availability while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Working Hours

Basic Setup Your working hours should reflect when you're available for client sessions. Consider:

  • Core working hours
  • Regular breaks
  • Administrative time
  • Session preparation

Minimum Requirements To maintain an active profile, we ask for::

  • Minimum 6 hours availability per week
  • At least two different days
  • Consistent weekly schedule where possible

Managing Breaks

Our system allows you to:

  • Set regular break periods
  • Block out lunch times
  • Reserve time between sessions
  • Mark holiday periods

Break Management Tips

  • Use multiple time blocks to create natural breaks
  • Schedule 50-minute sessions to allow 10-minute breaks
  • Block out administrative time
  • Keep your calendar updated weekly

Synchronisation

Your UK Therapy Guide calendar can sync with Google Calendar. This ensures you never double-book and always have accurate availability displayed to potential clients.

Managing Client Bookings

Our appointment system is designed to streamline the booking process while giving you full control over your practice. Understanding how to manage appointments effectively is crucial for maintaining a professional service.

Booking Process

When a client books a session, you'll receive:

  • Immediate notification
  • Client details
  • Session time and date
  • Any specific notes or requirements

Response Time Aim to confirm appointments within 24 hours to maintain client engagement and demonstrate professionalism.

Confirmation Procedures

After receiving a booking, you should:

Send a Welcome Message Include:

  • Personal greeting
  • Session confirmation details
  • Video call link (Google Meet by default)
  • Any preparation instructions
  • Your cancellation policy

Example Confirmation Message:

Dear [Client's Name],

Thank you for booking your initial session with me. I'm looking forward to meeting you on [Day] [Date] at [Time].

This first meeting is an opportunity for us to get to know each other and explore how I might best support you. During our session, we'll discuss what brings you to therapy and what you hope to gain from our work together. It's important that you feel comfortable with your therapist, as therapy is a space where you can safely explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

We'll have 50 minutes together, during which we'll:

  • Discuss your current situation and goals
  • Explore how therapy might help
  • Address any questions or concerns you may have
  • Talk about practical arrangements if we decide to continue working together

You'll receive a Google Meet link for our online session shortly. Please ensure you're in a private, quiet space where you won't be disturbed.

If you have any questions before our session, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Looking forward to meeting you,
[Your name]
[Professional credentials]

Rescheduling Guidelines

If a client needs to reschedule:

  • Respond promptly to requests
  • Offer alternative times within the same week if possible
  • Maintain clear communication about your availability

Remember: Professional appointment management helps build trust and reliability with your clients.

Initial Assessment

The initial assessment session is crucial for establishing the therapeutic relationship and determining the best path forward. This first meeting sets the tone for future work and helps both you and the client make informed decisions about continuing therapy.

Key Areas to Cover

During the assessment, ensure you discuss:

Practical Arrangements

  • Session frequency (weekly recommended)
  • Session duration (50 minutes)
  • Payment and cancellation policies

Decision Making

By the end of the session, you should:

  • Determine if you can provide appropriate support
  • Discuss your proposed approach
  • Explain the benefits of regular weekly sessions
  • Present multi-session package options if appropriate
  • Allow time for questions and concerns

Weekly Therapy Model

At UK Therapy Guide, we strongly advocate for weekly therapy sessions as the most effective approach to therapeutic work. Regular weekly sessions provide the consistency and containment necessary for meaningful therapeutic progress.

Benefits of Weekly Sessions

Therapeutic Momentum Regular weekly sessions help:

  • Maintain therapeutic momentum
  • Build trust and rapport
  • Create a predictable therapeutic space
  • Process emotions and insights effectively

Client Progress Weekly therapy supports:

  • Deeper exploration of issues
  • Consistent progress tracking
  • Development of coping strategies
  • Regular practice of new skills

Supporting Client Commitment

Help clients understand the value of weekly sessions by:

Clear Communication Explain how regular sessions:

  • Create a reliable therapeutic container
  • Allow for deeper therapeutic work
  • Provide consistent support during change
  • Build stronger therapeutic relationships

Practical Support Offer guidance on:

  • Scheduling regular time slots
  • Managing session costs
  • Maintaining commitment
  • Addressing attendance concerns

Multi-Session Packages

Multi-session packages are designed to encourage client commitment to therapy. These packages help establish a framework for ongoing therapeutic work and support client progress.

Package Benefits

For Clients:

  • Commitment to their therapeutic journey
  • Structured approach to therapy
  • Financial planning for therapy costs

For Therapists:

  • Stable income stream
  • Better client retention
  • More predictable schedule
  • Enhanced therapeutic outcomes

Discussing Packages with Clients

Example Script:
"Based on what you've shared today, I believe we could work well together. I typically recommend weekly sessions to maintain momentum and create lasting change. UK Therapy Guide offers multi-session packages that can help structure your therapeutic journey.

With a 6-session package:

  • We can establish a regular weekly time that works for you
  • You'll have a clear framework for your therapy journey
  • The commitment helps maintain therapeutic momentum
  • Payment is handled upfront through the platform

Many clients find this structure helpful for their therapeutic journey. Would you like me to explain more about how the packages work?"

Follow-up Information:
If the client shows interest, add:
"The package includes six 50-minute sessions, typically scheduled weekly. After our session today, UK Therapy Guide will send you all the booking details and payment information.

The most important thing is that you feel comfortable with the arrangement. "

Key Communication Points

When presenting packages:

  • Emphasise therapeutic benefits
  • Link the package to client goals
  • Maintain professional, caring tone
  • Give space for client decision-making
  • Be clear about practical arrangements

Online Session Environment

The online therapy environment is crucial for maintaining professional standards and ensuring client comfort. Your virtual space should reflect the same level of professionalism as a traditional therapy room.

Physical Setup Requirements

Room Selection Your therapy space should be:

  • Private and soundproof
  • Free from interruptions
  • Well-lit but not too bright
  • Clean and uncluttered

Professional Background Ensure your background is:

  • Neutral and non-distracting
  • Professional in appearance
  • Free from personal items
  • Well-organised

Technical Setup

Essential Equipment Position your equipment for optimal interaction:

  • Camera at eye level
  • Good quality microphone
  • Stable internet connection
  • Adequate lighting

Lighting Guidelines Create optimal visibility with:

  • Natural light when possible
  • Soft, diffused lighting
  • No bright lights behind you
  • Even illumination of your face

Professional Presentation

Maintain the same professional standards as in-person therapy:

  • Dress professionally
  • Maintain good posture
  • Ensure consistent eye contact
  • Minimise background movement

Technology Requirements

To provide the best possible online therapy experience, ensure you have:

Essential Equipment

Hardware Requirements

  • Reliable computer or laptop
  • High-quality webcam (minimum 720p)
  • Professional microphone or headset
  • Stable internet connection (minimum 10Mbps)
  • Secondary device as backup

Software Requirements

  • Updated web browser (Chrome recommended)
  • Google Meet access
  • Calendar synchronisation capability
  • Backup communication method (e.g., phone)

Backup Plans

Always have contingency measures:

  • Alternative device ready
  • Mobile hotspot available
  • Client phone number accessible
  • Written backup procedures

Fee Structure

A clear understanding of our fee structure is essential for managing your practice effectively on UK Therapy Guide.

Session Pricing

Standard Session Rates Your session fee should reflect:

  • Your experience level
  • Qualifications
  • Specialisations
  • Market standards

Platform Commission UK Therapy Guide retains 25% of the session fee:

  • For a £80 session, you receive £60
  • For a £100 session, you receive £75
  • For a £120 session, you receive £90

Invoicing Process

Our streamlined invoicing process ensures timely and accurate payments for all completed sessions.

Submission Process

Accessing the Invoice Form

  • Log into your UK Therapy Guide account
  • Navigate to 'Appointments' section
  • Review completed sessions
  • Access the invoice form at: https://uktherapyguide.com/invoice

Required Information Include for each session:

  • Session date and time
  • Client name
  • Session type
  • Fee amount (minus platform commission)

Calculation Guide

Fee Breakdown Example For standard sessions:

  • £80 session = £60 invoice amount
  • £100 session = £75 invoice amount
  • £120 session = £90 invoice amount

Submission Timeline

Monthly Schedule

  • Submit invoices monthly
  • Due by the 5th of following month
  • Payments processed within 7 working days
  • Direct bank transfer payment method

Frequently Asked Questions for Therapists

How does the payment structure work at UK Therapy Guide?

Our payment structure is straightforward and transparent. We retain 25% of the session fee as our platform commission, meaning:

  • For an £80 session, you receive £60
  • For a £100 session, you receive £75

Payments are processed within 7 working days after you submit your monthly invoice, which is due by the 5th of each month.

What are the minimum availability requirements?

To maintain an active profile and provide consistent care for clients, we require therapists to offer at least 6 hours of availability per week, spread across a minimum of two different days. Your schedule should be consistent where possible, helping clients establish a reliable therapeutic routine.

What technical requirements do I need for online therapy?

To deliver professional online therapy, you'll need a reliable setup including:

  • A computer/laptop with high-quality webcam (minimum 720p)
  • Stable internet connection (minimum 10Mbps)
  • Professional microphone or headset

We also strongly recommend having a backup device and alternative communication method ready for unexpected technical issues.

What should my professional profile include?

Your profile is your digital first impression. It should feature a professional headshot photo and a 1-2 minute video introduction. Beyond these basics, include a detailed biography that showcases your qualifications and approach to therapy. Remember to keep your profile current by regularly updating your expertise and availability.

How do I handle session bookings and confirmations?

When you receive a booking, prompt communication is key. Respond within 24 hours with a welcome message that includes:

  • Session details and video call link
  • Preparation instructions
  • Your cancellation policy

This professional approach helps set clear expectations from the start.

What are the photo guidelines for my profile?

Your profile photo should be a professional headshot taken within the last two years. Wear business casual attire and ensure you're photographed against a neutral background. Avoid using filters or effects - the goal is to present an authentic, professional image that helps build trust with potential clients.

How does the multi-session package system work?

Our multi-session packages are designed to promote therapeutic consistency. These typically include 6 sessions, scheduled weekly to maintain momentum. The upfront payment structure helps clients commit to their therapeutic journey while ensuring a reliable income stream for you. You'll have the opportunity to establish a regular weekly time slot that works for both you and your client.