Since you have a PhD in Counselling Psychology and work as a school
counselor, you have two strong career paths for your online business:
1️⃣ Life Coaching – Helping clients with mindset shifts, personal growth,
relationships, or career success.
2️⃣ Online Therapy – Providing professional mental health support
(depending on licensing and regulations in your country).
Here’s a detailed strategy to help you build your brand, set your rates,
and attract clients in either field.
1. Choose Your Focus: Life Coach vs. Online Therapist
The path you choose affects your marketing, pricing, and legal requirements.
✔ Life Coach (No license required)
Focus: Goal-setting, personal development, relationships, mindset
shifts.
Clients: People wanting guidance, not therapy (e.g., career changers,
students, professionals).
No therapy regulations – you can work internationally.
✔ Online Therapist (License required)
Focus: Anxiety, trauma, depression, mental health struggles.
Clients: Those needing mental health support.
Must comply with legal and licensing rules (e.g., in the U.S., you need
to be licensed in the state where your clients are).
💡 Action Step: Decide whether you want to be a life coach, therapist, or
offer both (with clear boundaries).
2. Build Your Personal Brand
Your PhD gives you credibility, so your brand should highlight your
expertise, empathy, and results.
Brand Name & Identity
✔ Use your name (Dr. [Your Name] Coaching/Therapy) or something
meaningful (e.g., "MindShift with Dr. [Name]").
✔ Create a logo & color scheme (use Calm, Trustworthy Colors like
blue, green, neutral tones).
✔ Set up a professional website with:
About Me (Your credentials & experience)
Services & Pricing
Booking System (Calendly, Acuity)
Testimonials (from past clients or teachers)
Blog/Videos to show your expertise
💡 Action Step: Secure a domain name and start a simple website (Wix,
Squarespace, WordPress).
3. Setting Your Rates
Your PhD and experience allow you to charge higher rates than general
life coaches.
💰 Life Coaching Rates (General Market)
✔ $80-$150 per hour (higher-end coaches charge $200+)
✔ $500-$1,500 per 3-month package (weekly sessions + support)
✔ Group Coaching: $30-$50 per person per session
💰 Online Therapy Rates (If Licensed)
✔ $100-$250 per session (depending on location & specialization)
✔ $1,000+ per month for high-touch therapy packages
✔ Platform-based rates: (if joining BetterHelp, Talkspace, etc., expect
lower rates like $50-$90 per session).
💡 Action Step: Choose your pricing model (hourly, monthly, or
packages) and offer an introductory rate to get testimonials.
4. Marketing & Client Acquisition Strategy
Online Presence (Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube)
✔ Create content on mindset shifts, emotional resilience,
relationships, mental health tips.
✔ Use short-form videos (TikTok/Reels) to build an audience quickly.
✔ Offer free mini-webinars to showcase your expertise & attract leads.
Networking & Referrals
✔ Offer free discovery calls for potential clients.
✔ Connect with schools, HR professionals, or online communities to
get referrals.
✔ Partner with other therapists or coaches for collaborations.
💡 Action Step: Post 3x per week on social media & start networking
with potential clients.
5. Business & Legal Setup
✔ Register your business (LLC, sole proprietorship).
✔ Set up payment processing (Stripe, PayPal).
✔ Have client contracts & confidentiality agreements (especially for
therapy).
✔ If doing online therapy, check licensing rules for your country.
💡 Action Step: Set up a legal business structure and create basic client
agreements.
6. Launch Plan (First 3 Months)
Month 1: Foundations
✅ Finalize your niche (Life Coach or Therapist)
✅ Build a simple website & set pricing
✅ Create Instagram/TikTok/LinkedIn pages
✅ Offer free discovery calls to first 5-10 clients
Month 2: Attract Clients
✅ Post content 3x a week (videos, tips, client wins)
✅ Run a free webinar to showcase expertise
✅ Get testimonials from beta clients
Month 3: Growth & Scaling
✅ Launch paid coaching or therapy packages
✅ Invest in Facebook/Instagram ads
✅ Start networking with HR managers, schools, or companies
Would you like help with choosing a niche, pricing strategy, or website
setup? 😊