You know the phrase “Your vibe attracts your people”? Well, your website has a vibe, too. And even if you haven’t looked at it in six months (or six years), it’s been out here talking to potential clients without you. What’s it saying? That depends.
If you’re a weight-inclusive, values based therapist or dietitian in private practice, your website should be helping clients feel safe, seen, and ready to reach out. But for many clinicians I work with, it’s accidentally sending messages like:
Let’s break down what your site might be saying—and how to translate it into something that actually works for you.
Clients in the eating disorder or trauma recovery space can smell inauthenticity a mile away.
Before they even read a single word, your site’s vibe is telling them whether you’re a soft place to land or one more stop in a long line of exhausting, invalidating experiences.
An outdated design, impersonal stock images, or a jumbled mobile experience can unintentionally say, “I don’t see you”—which is the exact opposite of the message you want to send.
“I love showing off my site now… Before, I said ‘it’s a work in progress.’” — Brooke Czarnecki, Intentful Nutrition
Instead of unintentionally shutting people out, your website can be a warm welcome mat. That doesn’t mean you need a logo that cost $5,000 or fonts curated by a Scandinavian minimalist. It just means creating an experience that says: I thought about you. I care about your comfort. You matter here.
I know you’re brilliant. Your clients know it once they work with you.
But your website might not be getting that across.
I’ve seen so many clinicians default to academic or clinical language on their sites. It’s not that you’re trying to sound cold—you’re trying to sound credible.
The problem is, most potential clients aren’t searching for “polyvagal theory” or “internal family systems work.” They’re searching for things like “why do I feel broken all the time?” or “how do I stop obsessing over food?”
And when your services page gets specific about who you help and how—not just “everyone with anxiety”—it positions you as someone who truly understands their experience.
“I didn’t even know what I wanted… Courtney helped me figure out my vision so easily. I am forever grateful!” — Shay Tinari, Shay Tinari Nutrition
I say this with love: some of y’all are making it way too hard to take the next step.
One of the most common therapist website mistakes I see is assuming potential clients will dig through five tabs to find your contact info.
Maybe your “Contact” link is buried. Maybe there’s no scheduling link. Maybe your services page reads like a menu at Cheesecake Factory with 37 options and zero clarity.
It’s not intentional. But when potential clients have to work too hard to figure out what you offer or how to get started, then poof, they’re outta there.
The average site visitor decides whether to stay or leave in under 10 seconds.
Make it easier for them to say yes.
“I now love sending my website and feel that it represents me as a person and business.” — Shelby Santin, Shelby Santin Nutrition Counseling
Let your site gently guide them: Here’s what I offer. Here’s who I help.
Here’s how to reach me. Bonus points for friendly language that sounds like you and not a robot.
When a website is working well, it’s doing more than “looking nice.” It’s saying:
“You’re in the right place.” “This provider gets it.” “It’s okay to reach out.”
Your future client doesn’t have to guess what kind of care they’ll receive. They feel it. And when your SEO is set up properly? They actually find you in the first place.
“My website does exactly what I want it to do… It was delightful!” — Bethany Wheeler, B. Wheeler Nutrition
We need to talk about performance. Because your potential clients aren’t waiting 10 seconds for your site to load. They’re bouncing.
Even if the front end is beautiful, a slow site, broken links, or weird mobile formatting sends the message: “I don’t have my stuff together.”
You don’t need to become a tech wizard to fix it, but you do need to prioritize it. That means installing the right SEO plugins, optimizing your images, and making sure you’re on hosting that doesn’t crash if someone breathes on it too hard.
“I love that I don’t have to do anything! My website used to bug the crap out of me… now I gained back time that I will not be spending worrying about my website.” — Heather Lasco, Confidently Nourished
If this all sounds overwhelming, that’s okay. That’s literally what I’m here for.
You need a website that reflects your values and gets results. When everything is aligned—design, copy, structure, backend—magic happens.
You stop cringing when someone asks for your website link. You stop duct-taping together Canva headers and crossing your fingers. You feel proud. Confident. Like the professional you already are.
“I’ve gotten 5 new clients already since my website went live!!!!! It really captures who I am and what I do.” — Shay Tinari
“I couldn’t have asked for a better partner to bring my dream website to life!” — Beth Conlon, From the Start Nutrition
This isn’t about perfection or shaming where you’re at now. You started with what you had—and that’s okay!
But if your site isn’t bringing in the right people, making it clear how you help, or reflecting the depth of your work… it’s time for something better.
At Declet Designs, I create websites, brands, and SEO strategies for weight-inclusive clinicians who are doing incredible work and deserve a site that reflects it.
Whether you need a full overhaul or a strategy session to figure out what’s missing, I’d love to help.
Courtney has 15+ years of experience putting together and designing marketing materials, WordPress websites, customer experiences, and workflows that help you save time and money. She developed these skills during her years as a Director of Corporate Health Services, Group Fitness Program Manager, Lead Wellness Dietitian, fitness and yoga instructor, and her own nutrition private practice, Vickery Wellness.
She also taught undergraduate courses at the University of Georgia where she graduated with the following degrees:
Declet Designs offers website design, strategy, and SEO for weight-inclusive private practices & small businesses. Located in Athens, GA, and serves businesses nationally and internationally.
Declet Designs is a welcoming and inclusive space for all people regardless of their race, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, neurodivergence, or national origin.
Declet Designs is located on the lands of the Muscogee and Tsalaguwetiyi people and wishes to acknowledge them as the Traditional Custodians of this land. We also pay our respects to their Elders, past, present & emerging.
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