The Real Reason Your Directory Profile Isn’t Getting Noticed Anymore
Have you noticed a drop in directory enquiries lately?
You’re not imagining it.
Therapist directories like Counselling Directory and Psychology Today aren’t broken, but they’re no longer built for how people are actually searching for support in 2025.
The way clients search has changed – quietly, but significantly and quickly. And if you’re still relying on your directory profile as your main source of enquiries, it’s time to rethink.
Why Therapist Directories Are No Longer Enough
Let’s get straight to it:
Most therapist profiles on directories are templated and generic.
Same structure. Same tone. Same “tick the box” phrases like:
👉 “I offer a safe space”
👉 “I’m a BACP-registered integrative counsellor”
👉 “I’m here to walk alongside you”
All valid. But none of them help you stand out, and none of them speak directly to the client’s inner world.
Worse still, most therapists rarely use the video option, or include any storytelling, personality, or emotionally connecting content. These profiles often lack the very elements that build trust.
And that’s a huge problem in an AI-driven world.
So Where Are Clients Actually Finding Therapists Now?
People aren’t just scrolling Google anymore.
They’re typing into tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Google’s new AI-powered search, asking for things like:
“Find me a therapist who helps women with high-functioning anxiety and perfectionism, and works online.”
And AI tools don’t just list what’s out there, they recommend based on what feels trustworthy, human, relevant, and clear.
So while directories can be included in AI results, they’re rarely the most authoritative source.
AI pulls from websites. Blogs. Social media. Human-first content.
It’s looking for:
- Clear niche-specific language
- Emotionally intelligent communication
- Trust signals like updated content, visibility, and voice
If your name isn’t attached to any of that?
You’re probably not being suggested.
The Therapists Who Are Being Recommended by AI?
They’re my clients. 🎉
💥 They’ve stopped hiding behind generic listings
💥 They’re showing up with websites that speak directly to their ideal clients
💥 They’re using social media in a way that feels aligned and visible
💥 They understand that connection starts before the first enquiry
And they’re being found – not just by chance, but because their presence online is AI-indexable, emotionally resonant, and deeply human.
So Should You Ditch Directories?
Not necessarily.
Directories can still be helpful, but they should never be your only visibility strategy. Relying solely on them in 2025 is like relying on Yellow Pages in a digital world. They’re one piece of the puzzle, but they don’t hold the power they once did.
The Way Clients Search Has Changed – Forever
This isn’t something that’s “coming soon” …. it’s already here.
The therapists who adapt now, who take visibility seriously and show up with relevance and clarity , they’re already being recommended by AI tools. They’re receiving more enquiries. Some are closing their waitlists altogether.
And they’re not doing it by shouting the loudest.
They’re doing it by being searchable, real, and connecting.
Want Support to Be Seen?
If you’re ready for your website, socials, and content to actually get found in AI search results, I can help.
This is exactly what I do with my clients. And it’s working.
📩 Email me directly at info@melanielaysolutions.com
or explore how I can support you through my membership, 1:1 sessions, or self-paced courses.
Because the visibility you need doesn’t require more noise – it just needs more you.
Thank you for your response. ✨
Private Practice Marketing Coach for Counsellors and Therapists l Mel Lay 
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