Welcoming a new member to the team is always exciting. But how do you let others know that you have a new therapist in your practice? This post explains how to introduce a new therapist to the practice and gives a sample of how you might communicate this information.
Why Introducing a New Therapist Matters
Your clients may not know every face they see when they visit your therapy practice, but it’s great if they do. Familiarity with the people at your practice, whether it be an administrative assistant or a new therapist at the practice, helps your clients feel more comfortable when they come for their appointments.
How you introduce a new therapist matters because of:
- Client Trust and Continuity. Properly introducing a new therapist helps clients feel comfortable and reassured that they are receiving consistent care, even if they may never have a session with the new therapist.
- Team Dynamics. A well-structured introduction fosters a sense of belonging for the new therapist, helping them to integrate quickly into the team. This can lead to better collaboration, communication, and overall job satisfaction, benefitting the practice as a whole.
- Reputation and Branding. How you introduce a therapist can reflect your practice’s professionalism and commitment to client care. A positive introduction can enhance your practice’s reputation, while a poor or rushed introduction may lead to misunderstandings, client dissatisfaction, or a perception of instability.
- Retention and Success. New therapists who feel welcomed and supported are more likely to stay with your practice long-term. In short, how you introduce them can set a tone for their success.
- Client Matching. Properly introducing a new therapist allows you to highlight their specific skills, expertise, and personality, which helps in matching them with the right clients.
Best Practices for Introducing a New Therapist
Now that you understand why it’s important to introduce a new therapist to the practice, how should you do it?
Internal Team Integration
You want to make sure your internal team is part of the hiring process and are first to meet the therapist. This includes:
- Orientation. Provide a comprehensive orientation covering your practice’s mission, values, procedures, and expectations. This helps the new therapist align with the practice’s culture.
- Team Introduction. Facilitate introductions between the new therapist and existing team members. Consider a welcome lunch or meeting to build rapport and encourage open communication.
- Mentorship. Pair the new therapist with a mentor or a more experienced team member who can offer guidance and support during the initial period.
Client Communication
Once the new therapist is familiar with your team and vice versa, it’s time to let clients know about the addition. Send a personalized announcement to clients, introducing the new therapist and highlighting their qualifications and experience. Be sure to reassure clients that they will retain their current therapist unless they indicate a desire to change.
Marketing and Social Media
When your team and clients know about the addition, it’s time to inform the general public and potential clients. Update your practice’s website and social media profiles to include the new therapist’s bio and photo. Share a welcome post or video on social media to introduce them to your online community and their potential clients.
You also may want to iInclude an introduction to the new therapist in your next email newsletter, highlighting their specialties and how they complement the existing team.
Mistakes to Avoid When Introducing a New Therapist
It seems simple enough to introduce a new therapist to the practice, but it’s easy for important steps to get lost in the busyness. Here are some mistakes to avoid.
Lack of Proper Communication
It’s critical that your internal team and clients know about a new therapist before anyone else.
Not effectively communicating the new hire to your team can result in misunderstandings or resentment. Instead, ensure all team members are aware of the new addition and understand how it affects their roles.
Failing to properly inform clients about the new therapist can lead to confusion, anxiety, and even loss of trust. Clients should be given advance notice and clear information about the new therapist.
Rushed Introduction
You surely added a new therapist to the team because you need their help, but that doesn’t mean you can rush their introduction. Be sure the new therapist receives a proper orientation and training before they start seeing clients. Also, don’t give them a full caseload immediately. They need to be able to transition into the new environment too.
Insufficient Client Reassurance
Some clients may feel uneasy about seeing a new therapist. Not addressing these concerns head-on can lead to dissatisfaction or even clients leaving the practice. Ensure the introduction process includes opportunities for clients to get to know the therapist personally.
Neglecting Marketing and Public Announcements
Not properly updating your website, social media, or marketing materials with the new therapist’s information can limit their visibility and client interest. Be sure to show your pride in the new addition to your team, after your internal communication is complete.
Sample Letters and Scripts
What do you say to introduce a new therapist to the practice? Tell the internal team that you’re adding a new therapist and include them in the hiring process. Once you’ve chosen a candidate, be sure the team knows who they are and their credentials. Then, you can communicate with other stakeholders.
Email Introduction Sample
Here’s what an email introduction of a new therapist might look like.
Subject: Welcome Our New Therapist, [Therapist’s Name]!
Dear [Client’s Name],
We hope this email finds you well. We are excited to introduce you to the newest member of our team, [Therapist’s Name], who will be joining our practice starting [start date].
[Brief background about the therapist] [Therapist’s Name] brings with [him/her/them] a wealth of experience in [mention relevant specialties, e.g., cognitive-behavioral therapy, trauma-informed care, family therapy]. [He/She/They] completed [his/her/their] education at [institution] and has [X years] of experience working with clients on [specific areas of expertise]. [Therapist’s Name] is passionate about [mention any specific passions or approaches that align with the practice’s philosophy].
[Optional: Invitation to meet the new therapist] To help you get to know [Therapist’s Name] better, we invite you to schedule a meet-and-greet session, either in person or via a virtual call. This will be a great opportunity to connect and discuss how [he/she/they] can best support you moving forward.
We are confident that [Therapist’s Name] will be a valuable addition to our team. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us at [contact information].
Thank you for your continued trust in us.
Warm regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Practice Name]
[Contact Information]
[Website URL]
Introduction Letter Sample
Maybe you want to go a more traditional route and send a letter to clients, introducing them to the new therapist. Here’s what that letter might look like.
[Practice Name]
[Practice Address]
[City, State, Zip Code]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
[Date]
Dear [Client’s Name],
I hope this letter finds you well. We are writing to share some exciting news with you. We are pleased to introduce the newest member of our team, [Therapist’s Name].
[Therapist’s Name] joins us with extensive experience in [mention relevant specialties, e.g., individual therapy, couples counseling, trauma therapy], and holds a [degree] from [institution]. With [X years] of experience in the field, [Therapist’s Name] has a strong background in helping clients navigate [specific areas of expertise, e.g., anxiety, depression, relationship challenges]. [His/Her/Their] therapeutic approach is [describe approach, e.g., client-centered, evidence-based], which aligns perfectly with our practice’s philosophy of personalized, compassionate care.
We are confident that [Therapist’s Name] will be a valuable addition to our team and will contribute positively. Should you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [phone number] or [email address]. Your comfort and satisfaction are our top priorities.
Thank you for your continued trust in [Practice Name]. We look forward to continuing to support you on your path to wellness.
Warm regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Practice Name]
Social Media Announcement Sample
You’ll also want to put the new therapist’s photo and professional bio on your website, then you can link to it when making social media announcements. A social media announcement might look like this:
🎉 Exciting News! Meet Our New Therapist, [Therapist’s Name]! 🎉
We’re thrilled to welcome [Therapist’s Name] to our [Practice Name] family! With [X years] of experience in [mention specialties, e.g., cognitive-behavioral therapy, trauma therapy, family counseling], [Therapist’s Name] is passionate about helping clients navigate their journey toward mental health and wellness.
[He/She/They] hold[s] a [degree] from [institution] and has worked extensively with individuals facing [specific areas of expertise, e.g., anxiety, depression, relationship challenges]. [Therapist’s Name] believes in a [describe approach, e.g., client-centered, evidence-based, holistic] approach to therapy, which aligns perfectly with our commitment to personalized, compassionate care.
We know that trust and connection are key to a successful therapeutic relationship, and we’re confident that [Therapist’s Name] will be a fantastic addition to our team. 💙
✨ Want to meet [Therapist’s Name]? We’re offering a special meet-and-greet opportunity! Whether you’re a current client or considering starting your therapy journey with us, feel free to reach out to schedule a time. Let’s give [Therapist’s Name] a warm welcome! ✨
All Counseling Can Help Build a New Therapist’s Caseload
Once your new therapist is all set up, introduced, and ready to see new clients, All Counseling can help build their caseload. Add the new therapist to All Counseling’s therapist directory to help get their information in front of the people who need their help most.
