The Critical Role of Strategic Marketing and Referrals in Teen Therapy Success
Hello, fellow therapists and private practice enthusiasts! I’m Kelley Stevens, and today we’re diving into the world of teen therapy and the growth of group practices with Sara Schreiber, LCSW. Sara is a powerhouse therapist, group practice owner, and a passionate advocate for teen mental health. Her experience blends clinical insight, therapy marketing success, and a deep understanding of how to build and scale a practice while maintaining strong therapeutic rapport.
This blog is not just an interview recap—it’s a roadmap for starting a private practice, marketing for therapists, and building a brand that reflects your core values. Let’s explore the lessons from Sara’s journey that can inspire your next step.
Finding a Niche: The Path to Teen Therapy
Her interest in teen therapy emerged during her social work training and became her professional focus after graduation. Like many clinicians, she followed her passion, but she also noticed a gap in the system. Teens were underserved, and few therapists specialized in their unique emotional and developmental needs.
Identifying a niche is a cornerstone of therapy marketing success. Not only does it help your ideal clients find you more easily through search engine optimization (SEO), but it also sets the foundation for your branding, clinical focus, and visibility.
For Sara, working with adolescents allowed her to connect deeply with a demographic that’s often misunderstood. Her niche wasn’t just a clinical decision—it became the cornerstone of her private practice brand.
Sara Schreiber is a licensed clinical social worker specialized in working with teens and young adults through both individual and group therapy. Started her solo private practice in 2021 in order to have more financial freedom and serve her clients in a way that felt more authentic to herself and her values. She became a group private practice one year later as another values-driven decision, when her family’s needs began to change and she needed to have fewer clinical hours, but didn’t want to sacrifice her income from her solo practice. Sara is passionate about helping other therapists meet their goals in private practice, whether those goals are growing their solo practice, building a group practice, adding on groups and workshops to their practice, or building more financial security within their businesses. When not seeing clients or working on her practice, you can find Sara hanging out with her husband and three children in their home in New Jersey.
Website: www.collaborativeminds.net
Website: www.collaborativemconsulting.net
Instagram: @teen_group_therapy
Email: [email protected]
Building a Group Practice That Reflects Your Values
She owns a group practice in Teaneck, New Jersey. Where she leads a dynamic team offering both individual and group therapy. The decision to expand into group work wasn’t just about scaling. It was about creating more access to mental wellness services while preserving clinical quality.
She’s currently developing a course on group therapy to guide therapists in offering more diverse and sustainable services. Group therapy isn’t just financially practical; it allows therapists to build rapport with clients. To reduce isolation and help more patients in less time.
This approach reflects a growing trend in private practice: diversifying offerings not just for income, but for impact. Ms. Schreiber emphasizes that retention improves when clients feel part of a supportive, structured environment. Something that group therapy often provides.
Leveraging Local Marketing Strategies for Therapists
When it comes to marketing for therapists, Sara takes a refreshingly grassroots approach. She regularly writes for the Jewish Link, a local paper that helps her stay connected to the community. This content marketing strategy not only showcases her expertise but has also established trust and driven referrals.
Content marketing, especially in local publications or community forums, boosts SEO and improves search engine visibility. It’s an essential component of online marketing for therapists, especially when paired with platforms like Google My Business, where location-specific keywords make a difference.
Sara’s advice? Don’t underestimate small, consistent efforts. Whether it’s writing an article, engaging with your community, or optimizing your Google Ads dashboard, the key is to stay visible and valuable.
The Power of Networking and Referral Ecosystems
Sara understands that no practice thrives in isolation. Her referral network includes school counselors, pediatricians, and other mental health professionals who trust her team to provide specialized teen care.
This approach is an excellent reminder that marketing therapy private practice isn’t only about being seen online—it’s about cultivating relationships that organically lead to client referrals.
Having strong community relationships also boosts your practice’s credibility and client retention, as families are more likely to trust therapists who come recommended by people they already rely on.
Adapting to Change: From In-Person to Virtual Therapy Sessions
The pandemic shifted the therapy landscape, and Sara’s practice adapted quickly. Virtual therapy sessions became essential, especially for teens juggling school, family, and social life.
Transitioning to online therapy allowed her to support clients across state lines and accommodate various schedules. She now offers virtual groups that are capped to ensure quality—balancing reach with depth.
This transition speaks to the importance of having the right private practice tools for therapists. Whether it’s HIPAA-compliant platforms, online scheduling systems, or effective email marketing tools. Investing in the right tech can streamline operations while maintaining a strong therapeutic presence.
Mastering Social Media and Digital Marketing for Therapists
Ms. Schreiber keeps her social media presence active and authentic. She connects with parents, teens, and other therapists via Instagram, Facebook, and email newsletters. These efforts not only enhance brand visibility, but also demonstrate her values and voice.
Many therapists hesitate to use social media, but with clear social media strategies and boundaries. It can become one of your most powerful tools. You don’t have to share personal details to be relatable—you just need to share valuable content consistently.
Social media marketing boosts your reach and supports mental health awareness. Also, it helps potential clients get to know your brand before ever booking a session. Pair this with keyword-rich blog posts, and you’re well on your way to a stronger search engine presence.
Branding, Metrics, and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
One area where Sara shines is clarity in her practice’s mission and brand. From her logo to the language used across her platforms, her branding aligns with the values of safety, growth, and empowerment.
Branding for therapists isn’t about flashy design—it’s about aligning your visuals, messaging, and client experience with your core values.
And while branding is emotional, metrics are essential. Sara keeps track of key performance indicators (KPIs)—like website traffic, client retention, conversion rates, and referral sources. These metrics help her identify what’s working and where to focus her energy.
As her team grows, she’s considering more robust dashboards to visualize performance and ensure both marketing and clinical goals are being met.
Practical Marketing Ideas for Therapists
Here are some actionable takeaways inspired by Sara’s success:
- Start writing content for local papers, blogs, or LinkedIn. Content marketing improves SEO and builds trust.
- Use Instagram Reels or Stories to show behind-the-scenes aspects of your practice.
- Make a Google Business Profile and post weekly for increased visibility.
- Launch email marketing campaigns sharing therapy tips or mental wellness insights.
- Host a podcast or join as a guest on existing therapy or mental health shows to reach wider audiences.
- Utilize Google Ads or pay-per-click campaigns with clear landing pages that highlight your niche.
- Focus on retention by offering value-packed therapy sessions and gathering client feedback.
Supporting Other Therapists Through Education
Sara’s impact extends beyond her practice. She mentors new therapists, helping them navigate the challenges of how to start a private therapy practice and encouraging them to find their unique voice in the field.
Her upcoming course on group therapy is designed to empower clinicians to diversify services, scale their practice, and build stronger communities of care. This educational push is vital in the modern therapy landscape, where wellness and mental health demand greater access and innovation.
One Session, One Client, One Group at a Time
At the heart of Sara’s work is a dedication to client growth. Whether through group therapy or one-on-one sessions, her mission is to improve mental health outcomes and support the next generation.
Her story is an inspiring blend of clinical depth and digital marketing strategy, showing us how to build a practice that thrives both online and off.
As you reflect on your own practice, consider how you can apply these lessons—whether it’s choosing a niche, launching a content strategy, or building a stronger referral network. Remember: visibility, value, and authentic connections are the keys to sustainable growth.
Keep making a difference—one client, one session, one group at a time.
