Client Spotlight: Therapist Branding & Website Design
I had the privilege of working with Shannon Ruane to help her move on from TherapySites and over to a platform that finally felt like a better fit. Shannon is the founder of Shannon Ruane Counseling & Trauma Therapy, a private practice in Philadelphia, PA.
When Shannon came to me, she was ready to leave TherapySites behind. She had been paying for a platform she struggled to update herself, felt too expensive, and no longer reflected who she was or who she wanted to serve.
Shannon’s Goals
Shannon’s goals were clear; she wanted a calm, soothing online presence that would attract the right clients. And she needed a simple, easy to navigate website that could be used to log into her client portal without frustration. Shannon also wanted enough information on the site itself so potential clients could self-qualify, cutting down on back and forth inquiries. Just as important, the design needed to speak directly to her community, including D/deaf and hard of hearing populations and people with disAbilities. Above all, she wanted a website that truly felt like her.
Branding That Reflects the Work
Shannon's project included a full style guide with a custom logo, a calming color palette, and font pairings that felt welcoming without compromising on professionalism. This groundwork made every decision that followed easier, from the botanical imagery we chose, to the warm tone of the copy itself.
Good therapist branding isn’t about trends, it’s about creating a visual language that tells potential clients that they’re in the right place.
A Website Built to Do the Heavy Lifting
Shannon's new site was part of my Quick Win website package, a focused four page build. We created:
A Home page that welcomes visitors with warmth and clarity
An About page that shares Shannon's approach and the populations she serves
A Fees page so clients have straightforward answers before they ever reach out
A Contact page that makes taking the next step feel natural
We also built out her Policies page and a custom 404 page, so every corner of the site felt intentional.
Each page was written and structured with Shannon's ideal clients in mind. Someone searching for a trauma informed, ASL-fluent therapist in Philadelphia should be able to land on this site and know within seconds that they’ve found the right person.
Support That Goes Beyond Launch Day
Like every client I work with, Shannon received personalized resources, recommendations, and video tutorials built specifically for her site. Squarespace is known for being manageable without technical experience, and my goal is always to make sure clients leave the process feeling confident, not dependent on someone else to make a simple update.
The Result
Shannon has a calm, kind nature, and is easy to talk to. Her website is now a true reflection of her and her practice. It’s also easy to navigate for the clients who need her most.
She finally has a platform she can maintain herself, a brand that feels authentic, and a site built to answer questions before they are even asked. You can view the live website here.
If you’re a therapist or wellness professional feeling stuck with a website that doesn’t represent your work, I’d love to help you create something that does. Reach out to start your project today.
Having a strong, recognizable brand will increase company awareness, differentiate you from your competitors, and help you establish credibility and trust with your audience.