10 Instagram Story Ideas to Promote Your Therapy Practice

One of the more intimidating aspects of marketing on social media for new clients of mine is Instagram Stories. How do we use them, what are they for, and why are they necessary to convert wondering eyes into paying clients? Instagram Stories are a powerful tool to promote your therapy practice, engage with your audience, and build trust with potential clients. With their short-lived nature (they're only up on your page for 24 hours) and interactive features like polls, Stories allow you to authentically showcase your personality, expertise, and services. Your most engaged, most interested leads are the ones who check out your stories. Why and how do we know this? Because your Stories are a feature that people have to go out of their way to look at. This means they have to go on your profile, search for your username, or click your profile picture at the top of their feed to even look at your Stories. They won't just appear when they're scrolling. So, to make IG Stories a little less intimidating, I've compiled 10 ways to use Instagram Stories to help you market your therapy practice effectively.

1. Behind-the-Scenes Look- Give your audience a glimpse into your practice by sharing behind-the-scenes content. Show your office setup, daily routines, or preparations for a session (while maintaining client confidentiality). This helps potential clients feel more familiar with your practice environment.

2. Introduce Yourself and Your Team- Create Stories introducing you and any team members. Share fun facts, your professional background, and why you became a therapist. This humanizes your practice and builds a personal connection with your audience.

3. Client Testimonials (With Permission)- Share testimonials from satisfied clients (anonymously or with consent). You can use text overlays or voice recordings to highlight their positive experiences, helping build credibility and trust.

4. Mental Health Tips and Advice- Provide valuable content by sharing daily or weekly mental health tips. Cover topics such as stress management, self-care strategies, or coping techniques. Use interactive features like polls or quizzes to engage your audience.

5. FAQs About Therapy- Answer common questions people have about therapy. Address topics like how to book a session, what to expect in the first session, or the types of therapy you offer. Use the Q&A sticker to encourage followers to ask their own questions.

6. Myth-Busting Content- Tackle common misconceptions about therapy by creating a series of "myth vs. fact" Stories. This helps educate your audience and break down barriers to seeking help.

7. Interactive Polls and Quizzes- Use Instagram's interactive features to engage your audience with mental health-related polls, quizzes, or sliders. For example, ask questions like "How do you practice self-care?" or "What helps you manage stress?"

8. Share Your Favorite Resources- Recommend helpful books, podcasts, or apps related to mental health and wellness. This positions you as a knowledgeable resource and supports your audience.

9. Day in the Life of a Therapist- Share a day in your life as a therapist, highlighting your work routine, self-care practices, and professional growth activities. This provides insight into your role and helps normalize therapy.

10. Promote Your Services and Special Offers- Use Stories to highlight your therapy services, workshops, or any special promotions you may have. Include clear calls to action (e.g., "Book a free consultation" or "Swipe up to learn more").

You can film up to a minute-long talking video, utilize a story sequence, or use a branding photo with interactive polls or question tabs to post as Stories. Get creative with it, and most importantly, HAVE FUN!! For me, polls and stickers are my favorite way to engage as they are two for one deal- you get to boost your engagement AND do a bit of market research. Polls and questions often give us more information about what our ideal clients want! If you have more questions on this topic, leave a like, and I'll post more content like this.

By consistently using Instagram Stories to share valuable and engaging content, you can increase your visibility, establish credibility, and connect with potential clients in a meaningful way. Start incorporating these ideas into your social media strategy today, and watch your therapy practice grow!

Have questions on ways to implement these ideas effectively? Leave me a comment or send me a DM to my Instagram here.

Need a strategy a little more personalized and tailored to your needs? Ask about my 1:1 Coaching Program.