Jeremy Sachs joins me to explore how identity, masculinity, and shame shape male survivors’ healing — and what therapists need to know.

In this episode of Good Enough Counsellors, I’m speaking with therapist and author Jeremy Sachs about his upcoming book, An Intersectional Guide for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse and their Allies: Masculinity Reconnected (Routledge, July 2025).

Drawing on years of experience running recovery groups for men, boys, and trans survivors, Jeremy brings a deeply compassionate and intersectional lens to a subject often left in the shadows.

We talk about how myths about masculinity, cultural shame, and systemic failure can all affect whether survivors seek help — and how they experience it. Jeremy also shares practical reflections for therapists and allies who want to work more effectively with male clients.

⚠️ Content warning: This episode includes discussion of sexual abuse, trauma, and the failings of healthcare and justice systems. Please listen with care.

Takeaways:

• Why Jeremy wrote this book — and how male survivors shaped each chapter
• What we mean by masculinity, and how cultural expectations harm survivors
• The role of shame, silence, and developmental trauma in male experiences
• How Black men and trans men may face unique stigma and barriers to care
• What “intersectionality” looks like in real therapeutic work
• Why disclosure is complex — and how therapists can respond with empathy
• The idea of “sexual selves” and how Western norms disconnect men from their bodies
• What transformative justice is — and why some survivors seek it outside systems
• The essential role of allyship and community in recovery

You can find Jeremy and order his book here: https://jeremysachs.com

Setting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERE

Need ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HERE

You can also find me here:

The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook Group

Josephine Hughes on Facebook

Josephine Hughes on YouTube

My website: josephinehughes.com

If you want to attract more clients to your private practice, your therapist profile needs to show people that they’ll be safe with you.

In this episode, we’re talking about how a simple inclusion statement can make the difference between someone reaching out — or quietly clicking away. I share a personal story about almost contacting a therapist, and why I didn’t, and explore what therapists can do to show they’re truly inclusive.

I’ll walk you through why these statements matter, what often holds us back from writing them, and what you can include — even if you’re still learning.

If you’ve ever wondered how to make your practice more welcoming and visible to people from marginalised communities, this one’s for you.

Takeaways:

• Why inclusion statements help the right clients feel safe enough to reach out
• What silence on your profile might be saying (without you realising)
• Common fears therapists have about getting it wrong — and why it’s okay to start small
• Simple ideas for what to include in a statement that feels genuine
• Real-life examples of inclusive therapist websites that work

Setting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERE

Need ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HERE

You can also find me here:

The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook Group

Josephine Hughes on Facebook

Josephine Hughes on YouTube

My website: josephinehughes.com

Links referenced in this episode:

• jennifersnowcounselling.co.uk
• psychodynamictherapybirmingham.co.uk

Keywords:

inclusive therapy practices, diversity in counselling, creating an inclusive therapist profile, client safety in therapy, understanding LGBTQ+ clients, therapy growth strategies, anti-racist therapy practices, writing an inclusion statement, addressing privilege in therapy, promoting equality in therapy, therapist-client relationship dynamics, best practices for inclusive therapy

The information contained in Good Enough Counsellors is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this podcast are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this podcast.

Josephine Hughes disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this podcast.

It's natural to be anxious when setting up and running a private practice - it's both a sign of being passionate about helping people and a reflection of the roller coaster ride of self-employment. In this episode, I'm joined by Laura Knight of See Clear Anxiety Counselling, who shares how she's learned to manage and move beyond anxiety, and how that experience now shapes the way she runs her successful practice.

Laura talks about letting go of perfectionism, staying grounded in uncertain times, and how she has built a business that works for her - all while supporting clients with anxiety too.

Whether you're in the early stages of private practice, or facing a wobble, this episode is full of calm, practical encouragement.

Takeaways:

• How to transition from a part-time to a full-time practice
• Staying steady when client numbers dip
• The value of focusing on what's within your control
• Using live videos to build trust and visibility
• How to move from anxiety to confidence as a therapist
• Financial planning to ride out the quieter sessions

Fee Calculator: access the Fee Calculator mentioned in the episode HERE

Connect with Laura Knight:

🌐 Website: https://www.seeclearcounselling.co.uk

📘 Facebook: See Clear Counselling – Anxiety Specialist

📸 Instagram: @seeclearcounselling

📧 Email: laura@seeclearcounselling.co.uk

👥 Dorset Counsellors Network: Facebook Group or email Laura to join

Setting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERE

Need ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HERE

You can also find me here:

The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook Group

Josephine Hughes on Facebook

Josephine Hughes on YouTube

My website: josephinehughes.com

Keywords

private practice, growing private practice, counselling directory, marketing for therapists, private practice tips, online counselling, video marketing for therapists, self-care for therapists, counselling business strategies, overcoming anxiety in business, financial management for therapists, establishing a counselling practice, networking for therapists, private practice success

Feeling disheartened by low engagement on your posts? Wondering if it’s even worth using social media when no one seems to be watching?

In this first episode of a 3 part series, we’re digging into the content side of social media for therapists in private practice — what to post, how to make it meaningful, and why even quiet followers might be paying more attention than you think.

You’ll learn:

• Why visibility isn’t the same as validation
• The 50/30/20 rule for balancing engaging, informative, and promotional content
• How stories, hashtags, emojis, and reels can gently boost your reach
• What your page insights can teach you (even if they feel discouraging)

And if you're looking for ideas about what to post over the summer months, this episode also includes campaign ideas using awareness events, such as:

• Bereaved Parents Month
• National Picnic Month
• World Listening Day
• International Self-Care Day
• Non Binary People's Awareness Week

This episode is full of practical tips — and a whole lot of reassurance.

Setting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERE

Need ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HERE

You can also find me here:

The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook Group

Josephine Hughes on Facebook

Josephine Hughes on YouTube

My website: josephinehughes.com

Keywords

social media for therapists, content creation tips, engaging social media posts, growing private practice, therapy marketing strategies, social media engagement, building an online presence, mental health content ideas, posting on social media, therapist social media tips, summer campaign ideas, therapy growth group

In this episode of Good Enough Counsellors, I’m joined by the brilliant Jeanine Connor -psychodynamic psychotherapist, author, and editor of the BACP Children, Young People and Families Journal. Jeanine describes the realities of working with adolescents, exploring how the Netflix series Adolescence and media stories fuel fear about young people. Having worked with transgender young people for over 20 years, Jeanine also offers her insights into working with this client group. We also chat about how to hold space for young people in therapy, laugh about memorable moments with teens, and reflect on why this work is so vital.

Takeaways:

• Where the Netflix TV series Adolescence went wrong
• Why banning smartphones misses the point
• What the discussion on boys and the Manosphere forgets
• How Gen Z’s views on gender and sexuality challenge old assumptions
• Supporting young people’s mental health in a world of constant change
• Why trans youth need respect and affirmation, not fear and bans

You can find Jeanine via her website: jeanineconnor.com or on LinkedIn.

Setting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERE

Need ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HERE

You can also find me here:

The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook Group

Josephine Hughes on Facebook

Josephine Hughes on YouTube

My website: josephinehughes.com

Keywords:

transgender issues, LGBTQ youth, Gen Z perspectives, adolescent mental health, manosphere, psychotherapy for young people, Adolescence, gender identity exploration, supporting transgender youth, parental guidance for LGBTQ issues, youth and technology, therapy for teenagers, understanding modern adolescence

The information contained in Good Enough Counsellors is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this podcast are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this podcast.

Josephine Hughes disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this podcast.

In this episode of Good Enough Counsellors, we'll explore how to craft a therapist directory profile that truly resonates with clients.

Takeaways:

• Why most profiles get skimmed - and how to fix yours
• The key mistakes therapists make (and how to avoid them)
• How to show clients that you "get" them
• Using clients' language to connect instantly
• A simple framework to identify your niche without stress
• How to write with empathy and attract the clients you love working with

By the end, you'll feel more confident and ready to write a profile that really attracts the people you're here to help.

If you're ready to attract the clients you'd love to work with, join the "Make Your Profile Work" training this June inside Therapy Growth Group. We'll walk through what to include and write your profile together with feedback. Sign up HERE

Setting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERE

Need ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HERE

You can also find me here:

The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook Group

Josephine Hughes on Facebook

Josephine Hughes on YouTube

My website: josephinehughes.com

Keywords:

counselling profile writing, private practice growth, therapist marketing strategies, how to attract clients, effective therapy profiles, therapy marketing tips, private practice marketing, therapist profile mistakes, writing for therapists, niching for therapists

The information contained in Good Enough Counsellors is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this podcast are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this podcast.

Josephine Hughes disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this podcast.

Has your therapy profile been gathering dust? In this episode of Good Enough Counsellors, Josephine Hughes shares why writing your directory profile once and forgetting about it means you may be missing out — especially if you want to attract more of the right clients.

From updating your photo to adding a short video, Josephine offers practical encouragement and simple tweaks to help your profile feel more relevant, more accurate, and more effective. You’ll also learn how to use feedback from real enquiries to refine your message — and why refreshing your profile regularly can boost your visibility on directories.

Takeaways:

• Why updated profiles are favoured in search results
• How an old photo (or Covid era profile) could affect client trust
• The value of introductory videos
• How client feedback can enhance your profile
• A realistic way to keep your profile up to date without the overwhelm

Resources mentioned:

Access the Therapist Profile Toolkit HERE

Episode 28: Recording a Video for Directory Profiles

Episode 22: Directory Profiles: Photo Tips to Get Noticed

Setting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERE

Need ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HERE

You can also find me here:

The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook Group

Josephine Hughes on Facebook

Josephine Hughes on YouTube

My website: josephinehughes.com

The information contained in Good Enough Counsellors is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this podcast are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this podcast.

Josephine Hughes disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this podcast.

In this episode of Good Enough Counsellors, I’m joined by Sharon May, founder of Kingsclere Counselling Service.

Sharon shares her inspiring journey from working alone in a single upstairs room on her family farm to building a thriving group practice of 14 therapists. We talk about the moment she took the leap to expand (far earlier than she expected), and how she weathered the pandemic just as her practice had begun to grow.

But this episode is about more than business. Sharon opens up about imposter syndrome, trusting her gut, and how her values help her navigate big decisions. She also talks about doing a Masters in psychotherapy — and the research that followed into the mental health of farm wives, which led to her being awarded a prestigious Nuffield scholarship to study the topic around the world.

Takeaways:

• That having courage means experiencing fear, too
• What Sharon learned from running a team
• The importance of being value-led to grow a counselling service that’s rooted in community
• What Sharon's research reveals about the hidden emotional burden carried by women in agriculture
• Why imposter syndrome often means you’re doing better than you think

Whether you’re building a private practice, exploring a niche, or just wondering what your next step might be, this conversation is packed with honesty, insight and encouragement for all those people who secretly think they're not good enough.

Connect with Sharon via her website HERE. She'd love to hear from you if you're interested in rural mental health issues or have farming experience.

Setting up in private practice? Download my free checklist HERE

Need ideas for how to get clients? Download my free handout 21 Ways for Counsellors to Attract New Clients HERE

You can also find me here:

The Good Enough Counsellors Facebook Group

Josephine Hughes on Facebook

Josephine Hughes on YouTube

My website: josephinehughes.com

Keywords:

courage, mental health, counselling, private practice, therapy, overcoming fear, farmer mental health, group practice, professional development, imposter syndrome, vulnerability, agricultural mental health, therapist collaboration, personal growth, work-life balance

The information contained in Good Enough Counsellors is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this podcast are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this podcast.

Josephine Hughes disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this podcast.