Haws Communications

June is National Indigenous Peoples Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the cultures, histories, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples across Canada.

It's also an opportunity for mental health professionals to learn about programs that help make counselling more accessible.

The Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Program is a federal program that provides coverage for eligible First Nations and Inuit individuals, including access to mental health counselling services.

For therapists, becoming an NIHB provider can:

✔ Reduce financial barriers to care
✔ Expand access to Indigenous clients in your community
✔ Support culturally responsive mental health services
✔ Increase visibility among clients actively seeking NIHB-approved providers

Interested in becoming an NIHB provider?

Generally, you'll need:
• Active registration with your professional regulatory body
• Professional liability insurance
• Completion of the NIHB provider application process
• Approval from NIHB to bill for eligible services

Many therapists are already qualified and simply haven't completed the registration process.

Once approved, make sure your:
• Website
• Google Business Profile
• Psychology Today profile
• Social media profiles

clearly indicate that you accept NIHB clients.

If people can't find that information online, they may never know your services are available to them.

At Haws Communications, we help mental health professionals improve their digital visibility so the people who need their services can find them.

Mental Health Awareness Month is almost over. Your clients' search for support isn't.

Every day, people search online for help with anxiety, trauma, depression, ADHD, relationship challenges, grief, and countless other concerns.

The challenge is that many excellent therapists remain difficult to find.

An outdated website, an incomplete Google Business Profile, inconsistent online information, or a lack of clear service descriptions can create barriers between people seeking support and the professionals who can help them.

Mental Health Awareness Month helps start important conversations. The next step is ensuring people can actually access care when they're ready to reach out.

For mental health professionals, visibility isn't about marketing for the sake of marketing. It's about reducing obstacles to care and helping the right clients find the right support at the right time.

As Mental Health Awareness Month comes to a close, it's worth asking:

Can someone who needs your services easily find you online?

Google just made its biggest search update in 25 years.

The traditional search bar is being replaced by an AI-powered experience built for conversational questions.

Instead of searching:
“Calgary therapist”

People are now searching:
“I need an EMDR therapist in Calgary for PTSD who offers evening virtual sessions.”

This changes everything for SEO and therapist marketing.

We’re entering a “zero-click” era where Google’s AI answers questions directly in search results, often before someone ever visits a website.

That means trust signals matter more than ever.

Google is prioritizing practices with:
• Strong Google profiles
• Verified reviews
• Consistent online branding
• Niche expertise
• Helpful content across platforms

In many cases, AI will build a shortlist of therapists before a client even opens Psychology Today.

SEO is no longer just about ranking higher.

It’s about becoming the trusted answer AI recommends.

At Haws Communications, I help mental health professionals adapt to the future of digital marketing through:
• SEO optimization
• Website strategy
• Content planning
• AI-ready communications

The search landscape is changing quickly.

Your strategy should, too.

If you're a psychologist or therapist, this one's for you. 👇

Your clients are searching for help online. Right now.

The question is: will they find you?

Showing up on social media isn't about self-promotion. It's about making sure the people who need you can actually reach you.

Swipe through to learn why ethical, intentional social media marketing matters for mental health professionals, and how to do it in a way that feels true to who you are.

✦ Build trust before the first session
✦ Reach the clients you're best equipped to help
✦ Reduce stigma one post at a time
✦ Grow your practice without compromising your values

Your voice matters. Your work matters. Let's make sure people can find it.

Ready to build a presence that reflects your practice? Visit the link in my bio

Your Psychology Today profile is often the first impression a potential client has of your practice.

A clear, updated, and thoughtfully written profile can help the right clients find you, understand your approach, and feel more comfortable reaching out for support.

A few small updates can make a meaningful difference:
• Refresh your bio and specialties
• Update your photo and contact information
• Clarify who you help and how
• Ensure your profile reflects your current services and focus

Many therapists create their profile once and rarely revisit it, but regular updates can improve visibility and help your profile stay aligned with your practice as it evolves.

If your profile no longer reflects your work, approach, or ideal clients, it may be time for a refresh.

Haws Communications helps therapists, psychologists, and private practices improve visibility through ethical, client-focused communications and digital strategy.

Mental Health Awareness Week is a reminder that mental health affects all of us.

It shapes how we think, connect, cope, rest, communicate, and move through the world each day. Yet many people continue to struggle silently because of stigma, shame, or the belief that they have to handle everything alone.

This week is an opportunity to slow down and reflect on how we care for ourselves and each other.

A few meaningful reminders:
• Mental health is health
• Support does not have to wait until things feel unbearable
• Small acts of compassion can make a real difference
• It is okay to ask for help
• Healing rarely happens in isolation

At Haws Communications, we are proud to support therapists, psychologists, social workers, and mental health professionals in sharing their message clearly, ethically, and accessibly so more people can find the support they need.

Take care of yourself this week. Check in on someone you care about. Start the conversation.

Therapists in Calgary: Want more local clients? Learn practical, actionable Local SEO steps tailored for therapy practices in our latest blog: Mastering Local SEO for Therapists in Calgary. From optimizing your Google Business Profile to local keyword strategies and citation tips, this guide helps you get found by the people who need you most. Read more: https://www.hawscommunications.com/post/mastering-local-seo-for-therapists-in-calgary

Why you're not getting clients online (and what's actually holding your practice back)

You're not showing up in search.
If your site and profiles aren't optimized, you won't appear when people search for. No visibility = No inquiries.

You're qualified. You're capable.
You should be getting clients. So why aren't you?

It's rarely your clinical skill- it's your visibility

Your messaging isn't clear
When someone lands on your profile, they need to know instantly:
- Who you help
- What you help with
- How to book

Your profiles arent working for you
Google Business and Psychology Today are often your first impression. They often have
- No keywords
- Generic descriptions
- Weak opening lines
These should convert. Not just exist.

Your website isn't built to convert
A strong website should guide users toward an action. They often have
- No Book Now buttons
- Cluttered layout
- Missing service pages
Losing potential clients

Inconsistent (or no) marketing
Posting randomly- or not at all- creates
- No momentum.
- No trust building.
- No long-term growth.

If your practice feels invisible, there's a reason- and it can be fixed.

Comment AUDIT for a full review or book a free consultation.

Building a therapy brand that truly connects makes all the difference. Discover practical, compassionate strategies to clarify your message, attract ideal clients, and stand out, without losing what makes your practice unique. Read more: https://www.hawscommunications.com/post/essential-therapy-branding-strategies-for-your-practice