How to Create Psychotherapy Business Cards That Leave an Impression

Psychotherapy business cards are one of your biggest marketing tools. Invest in a hard-working design that attracts prospective clients for you.

Quick—go grab your wallet. Are any of your business cards in there? Great, take one out and examine it. What does it look and feel like? Is the design current and easy-to-read? Are you connecting with your prospective clients by sharing an uplifting message or your professional mission statement? If not, stop what you’re doing and contact a graphic designer. Psychotherapy business cards are meant to do more than get lost in a purse, wedged in a car’s seat cushion, or act as a bookmark. Using the back to display a positive mantra that someone would want to keep with them is just one way to make your business card memorable. With the right design, they’ll leave an impression with potential clients and possible referrers. It’s time to make this tiny marketing tool your biggest ally.

Business card design basics to discuss with your designer

You’re a counselor, not a marketer, which is why it’s a smart idea to hire a graphic designer to create your psychotherapy business cards. However, they’ll still need your input to craft an ideal and individual design for your business.

First, make sure your graphic designer has the correct information. They’ll need information about you, such as the proper spelling of your name, credentials and any specialties you treat. They also need your private practice name, address, website, phone number and email address. Double check—wait, actually triple check—these details to make sure there are no spelling or grammatical errors and that no numbers or letters are inverted or incorrect. You don’t want to get billed for design revisions or be forced to reprint an entire order if you notice an error later, do you?

There’s more than just the basics to consider when it comes to designing psychotherapy business cards. First, do you have a business logo? If not, use this as an opportunity to develop something you love. Logos help create brand recognition on your private practice brochures, social media postings, and your business website. Colors and fonts also play a significant role in brand recognition, so make sure you’re using the same styles across all marketing channels.

Design additions to consider before printing

Alright, your business cards showcase your logo, use your brand colors, and you’ve checked to make sure all the information is correct. Now ask yourself, “does this stand out?” Every industry has an individual approach to drafting a business card that wows their target audience.

A carpenter, for example, may consider including ruler markings along the length of the card. A photographer may use one side of his business card as a rotating portfolio deck, showcasing his best work. As a psychotherapist, one of the best functions of your business card may be using the back as an appointment reminder, where you can write in any upcoming session dates and times. Doing this will help lower your no-show rates and keep your clients more organized.

An appointment reminder function isn’t your only option. Similar to a photographer, one side of your business card could feature a rotating cycle of affirmations your clients can repeat when they feel anxiety, racing thoughts, or any other stressors. Also, consider using tactile features your clients can touch when they need grounding, similar to how a worry rock or stress ball helps.

Mostly kidding, but here’s one business card that would be a particularly good keepsake for a teen clients!

Challenge the standard design

Most common business cards are a standard 3.5 x 2 inches horizontal rectangle, though you’ll occasionally find some designed vertically or in different shapes or sizes. However, there’s a good reason to keep your psychotherapy business cards in the standard shape and size. First, it’s because they fit perfectly in a wallet, pocket, purse, or even on the card holder on some smartphone cases.

Also, the size allows the card to be used in different functions. While you don’t want it to get lost in a book, potential clients may keep it as a bookmark, which means it’s always in front of them.

Finally, just because your card is the same size as other therapists, it doesn’t mean you can’t challenge its function. According to a CBS News poll, 87% of Americans have magnets on their refrigerator, with 30 percent of the respondents having ten or more. A magnetized business card that lives on someone’s fridge is a regular reminder to call your office, while also serving as a tool to help hang their child’s artwork or a future recipe they want to make.

And hey, while this might be way out of scope of your business card project, check out this neat health practice business card!

What to do with your newly designed psychotherapy business cards

Congratulations, now you have a new marketing tool to attract new clients to your private practice. With a small amount of work on your part, your graphic designer was able to create the perfect card that truly highlights your practice. So, what will you do with them? If you’re considering keeping some in your wallet and leaving the rest in a stack on your desk, think again. First, purchase a small-but-sturdy case to carry your cards with you. There’s nothing more embarrassing than passing someone a dented or dirty business card with a piece of pocket lint attached to it.

Focus on your referral network. You didn’t pay all that money to a designer and print shop for those cards to go unused. Visit local schools, doctors’ offices, EAP providers, and networking events and pass them out. Give a few cards to family members and friends to share with someone they know. The more people with access to your new psychotherapy business cards, the better the chance they’ll land in the hands of potential clients.

Chances are, if you’re networking like we suggest, your appointment calendar is going to start filling up—and quickly. Let SimplePractice help you manage your administrative needs. With our client portal, your clients have the freedom to book themselves into one of your open appointments, and if you ever need to change your schedule to keep that up-to-date, you can do so right from your smartphone. Try us free for 30 days, and you’ll wonder how you managed everything on your own before.

How do you use your business cards to bring in clients? Share your tips with our community in the comments below.