Prosper in Private Practice
Welcome to the podcast for counsellors and therapists who want to grow a thriving private practice—without selling their soul, pretending to be a TikTok influencer, or using tactics that make their stomach turn.
Hosted by Claire, a straight-talking business and marketing mentor for therapists, this show is your permission slip to build a practice your way—calmly, ethically, and with a CEO mindset that actually feels good.
Whether you're just starting out or scaling up, you'll find:
- Honest conversations about what it really takes to grow a private practice
- Ethical marketing tips that won’t make you want to hide under a blanket
- Mindset reframes to quiet the inner critic and ditch the "I'm not business-minded" story
- Practical strategies for content, visibility, niching, and staying booked
- And the occasional pep talk when you're wondering if you should just become a florist instead
If you’re done with gimmicks, hacks, and “one-size-fits-all” formulas—and you’d rather build a sustainable, values-led practice that honours your brain, your energy, and your integrity—you’re in the right place.
Pull up a chair. Let’s build a private practice that fits you.
Prosper in Private Practice
Finding Your Niche as a Therapist: Gemma Antcliffe on Infertility, Visibility, and Growing a Private Practice
In this episode, I’m joined by Gemma Antcliffe (@fertilitycounsellorgemma), a Yorkshire-based therapist specialising in infertility, baby loss, and reproductive trauma.
We talk about the winding path into private practice, the messy reality of starting out while juggling family life, and how Gemma eventually found the confidence to niche—and own her voice online.
This conversation is honest, warm, and full of relatable moments for any therapist navigating visibility, niching fears, or the business side of private practice.
🔍 What We Cover:
00:00 – Meet Gemma
Gemma introduces herself and her route into private practice—including how military life and motherhood shaped her career.
03:00 – Starting Private Practice with Two Young Children
The behind-the-scenes juggle of evening sessions, nap schedules, and “please don’t wake up” moments.
05:00 – From Generalist to Niche: The Infertility Journey
How personal experience led Gemma to her niche—and the internal debate about whether she was “healed enough” to support others through it.
10:00 – Overcoming the Fear of Niching
Gemma shares how she used social media to announce her new niche (and why the “big scary announcement” wasn’t such a big deal after all).
13:00 – Visibility, Instagram, and Doing What Works for You
We talk about finding the right marketing platforms for your personality and why Gemma leans into video content over Canva carousels.
16:00 – Speaking to Pain Points (Without Feeling Salesy)
Why knowing your niche helps you write more powerful content—and how to market with heart and authenticity.
18:00 – Reflecting on Business Growth and Confidence
From “side hustle” to serious business: how Gemma’s mindset shifted over the past year.
21:30 – What’s Next: Digital Products, Community, and a Book?
Gemma shares her long-term vision for creating a bigger impact beyond 1:1 therapy.
24:00 – Ethical Self-Disclosure in Marketing
How to navigate visibility and vulnerability as a therapist, especially when your niche is personal.
26:00 – Fear of Judgment and Comparisonitis
We talk honestly about the fear of being visible—and how connection with peers helps ease it.
27:00 – Gemma’s Top Tip for Therapists
Don’t do it alone. Why finding “colleagues” and therapist friends has been essential for staying motivated.
📲 Connect with Gemma:
🌐 Website: www.gemmaantcliffe-counselling.co.uk
📸 Instagram: @fertilitycounsellorgemma