How to Get 5-Star Google Reviews for Your Therapy Practice
Great reviews are a crucial resource for your therapeutic practice. Reviews are basically user testimonies. Few things can help your practice grow like testimonials from satisfied clients. Around 90% of folks read online reviews before they take action.
Around 90% of folks read online reviews before they take action. Share on XGoogle is one of the top spots for customer reviews. A whopping 63.6% of potential customers check out Google reviews. You simply can’t afford to ignore the reviews your practice gets (or isn’t getting) on your Google My Business page.
In this article, we’ll give you a quick primer on why Google reviews matter. We’ll also share our best tips for getting 5-star Google reviews.
Why Google Reviews Matter for Therapists
Online reviews are critical for therapists and mental health professionals for one simple reason. Trust.
Trust is an important part of reputation management for any business. For therapists, it can make or break your practice. Clients want to know they’re engaging with someone they can trust as early on in the process as possible.
Reviews are vital in establishing this trust.
In fact, 91% of millennials say they trust online reviews just as much as they trust recommendations from friends and family. That statistic speaks to the incredible power of 5-star Google reviews.
Getting 5-Star Google Reviews for Your Therapy Practice
Clearly, strong online reviews matter. But how do you encourage clients to leave glowing reviews without interfering with the delicate nature of the client/therapist relationship?
Here are our best tips.
It Begins With the Client Experience
The first step to achieving great reviews is obvious, but worth stating anyway. Provide a great experience.
The majority of reviews are honest. Reviewers typically share from an emotional place. If you want the kinds of reviews that will draw in new clients, you need to ensure your current clients consistently leave your office with the sense that you were fully present and fully invested during their session.
And this isn’t just about your therapeutic skills. Their time in the waiting area, the billing process, and the ease with which they can schedule appointments are all factors, as well.
Make sure your customer service is top-notch.
Support Customers When They Leave Reviews
In an ideal world, we wouldn’t need any further points. Your service would be good, and your reviews would reflect this. But, as you well know, folks often need encouragement to engage in productive behavior.
What does that look like? It can be as simple as asking your current clients to leave reviews—if they’re comfortable doing so.
Simply provide information on how and where customers can leave feedback.
And, of course, take into account the nature of your client’s progress and challenges before asking for online reviews. Some clients will have no issues telling the world they sought therapy. Some clients will want to keep their therapy completely private.
Don’t Ignore Negative Reviews
If (or more likely, when) someone leaves a negative review, don’t ignore it. Instead, engage in a sensitive, empathetic way.
Never argue with clients via online reviews.
We recommend that you acknowledge that your client had a bad experience, thank them for their feedback, apologize for the disappointment, and offer to address the issue, if possible.
This kind of response can turn a negative review into positive impressions. Other potential clients will see how you handle conflict, and this can be a big factor in building trust.
Expand Your Scope
Google reviews are important, but there are lots of other places to expand your online presence. Do your homework to determine the best platforms for your practice.
For example, Psychology Today has an excellent catalogue of therapists searchable by location, specialization, insurance, cost, and more. While Psychology Today doesn’t allow for reviews on their site, a listing there is still well worth your time.
Potential clients will use the internet in a variety of ways. The richer your positive online presence, the better.
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Get Started Earning 5-Star Google Reviews
As a therapist, your lifework is all about helping people. Online reviews are simply a means to an end. Solid online reviews open a digital door, allowing you the opportunity to do what you do best for folks the very folks who need your help.
All the tips we’ve included here reflect that. After all, this is about providing a vital service and enabling you to better fulfill your calling.
At the end of the day, it’s not the reviews that matter. It’s the lives you’re able to change. And if strong online reviews help you do more good, then it’s worth your time to do what you can to get 5-star Google reviews for your therapy practice.
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