How To Write A Headline For Your Therapist Website
Your headline, the big words at the top of your website, and the sub-headline that goes right below it are important parts of your website. Some would say the most important. And, it’s definitely the first thing people see when landing on your website.
So, yes, it’s important… but challenging to write. Some people get lucky, their headline just comes to them in a dream or a vision. But for most of us, not so much, we have to bang our head against a brick wall a few times to get the ideas flowing. The good news is there are some tips and tricks that can make writing a great headline far easier. Let's dive into it.
What’s the purpose of a website header for therapists?
First things first, we have to know what the headline of a website is meant to do for therapists? A headline for a therapist should be a short sentence that describes what your clients want when they come to you. The purpose of the headline is to get a prospective client to stop what they're doing, pay attention, and read the first line of your text.
And that first line of text is meant to do a few things simultaneously:
Your headline should be aspirational.
Your headline should say something that your prospective new clients are seeking to become or achieve. Are they seeking to get out of depression, manage their relationships better, conquer their OCD?Your headline should be specific.
Your headline should only talk about one thing. It should be one statement, one idea. Adding in multiple ideas only confuses your reader.Your headline should communicate what your client wants.
Your headline is powerful. When you communicate what your clients want, they feel understood and heard. So, tell them you understand their pain and what they want to get out of therapy. And make it the first thing they see on your website.
Bonus: For an expert-level header, your headline should communicate how your clients want to feel about themselves after doing therapy. Get crazy, think through what clients really want their life to feel like after working with you.
Let's get to writing your headline
Tips for writing your headline.
When prospective clients call you think through that initial phone call, what do your new clients say they are looking for? What do you think resonates with them?
Your headline can be anywhere from 3-8 words, as long as those words are exciting or interesting.
Your headline can reflect your personality, it can be fun.
Tips for writing your sub-headline.
The sub-headline should be a super clear description of what type of therapy you offer (or who you specialize in serving).
So, for this one sentence you can write a few things, like what your specialty is, how you work i.e. in person or on zoom, and where you’re office is located. You can even include all three in the sentence.
Headline Templates
Here’s are a few plug-and-play templates for you to get started on your headline.
Headline
Feel [Emotion that new clients want to feel] again
Move towards [What the majority of your new client's main goal is for therapy].
Rediscover [What your client’s life was like before they started experiencing their problems] again.
Sub-Headline:
Therapy for [Who you specialize in serving] in the [city name] area - including the ability to do sessions online.
Note: The sub-headline and the headline can sometimes be switched when the headline is very specific and clear, the sub-headline can then be more aspirational and client desire-focused.
Here are a few examples of headline’s we’ve written for clients we’ve worked with to get you fired up:
Now you have a starting point for your website headline. This small but mighty piece of text can start helping your website attract new clients instead of turning them away or making them confused.
More than ever people need help finding the right therapist for them. We’re striving to connect therapists to people they are amazing at helping and that they enjoy working with. A good headline is a great first step.
Happy writing dear therapists,
Leo and the Therapy Website Co. Team
