Most private practice owners ask the SEO vs. Google Ads question like it’s a one-or-the-other decision. Pick one, commit, go.
But that’s the wrong question.
In this episode of On The Trail, Daniel breaks down when Google Ads actually make sense, the one quiet mistake that drains ad budgets, and why the smartest practice owners run both — and shift the balance over time.
If you’ve been wondering whether to start ads, turn them off, dive into SEO, or some combination of all three, this episode will give you a clear way to think about it.
Key Takeaways
- Google Ads buy you speed. You can be in front of people searching for a therapist within days — useful when you just opened, a clinician left and you have openings to fill, you’ve added a new service or location, or your caseload dipped and you can’t wait for SEO to catch up.
- Don’t pour traffic into a leaky bucket. Ads only work if your website works. If someone lands on a confusing, slow, or unconvincing site, you’ve paid for that click and gotten nothing.
- Your website needs to do three things before you spend a dollar on ads: clearly explain who you help, build trust, and make it obvious how to get started.
- Work with someone who understands the numbers. Knowing whether ads are actually producing booked clients (not just clicks) requires someone who can read your analytics and tell the whole story.
- SEO is the long game — and it builds an asset you own. Ads stop the moment you stop paying. Organic rankings keep working and compound over time.
- The smart move is running both, then shifting the balance. Ads carry you through the months while SEO is still building. As your organic visibility grows, you can dial ad spend down — because clients are finding you for free.
- It’s possible to grow on organic alone. Daniel’s wife has run her practice since 2011 without ever running Google Ads — SEO and blog content are her primary driver for new clients.
- Think timeline, not either/or. Ads for now, SEO for later, both working toward the day you need ads less and less.
Links Mentioned in This Episode
- Last episode of On The Trail: How Long Does SEO Take to Work?
- RevKey: Our recommended Google Ads management for therapists
- Book a free consultation with Private Practice Elevation
About Daniel Fava
Daniel Fava is a licensed mental health counselor, SEO nerd, and the founder of Private Practice Elevation, a website design and SEO agency for therapists, psychologists, and group practices. Daniel and his team love helping practice owners take the next step in their journey by getting more visibility online and creating websites that turn visitors into clients.
Check out Daniel’s free training: privatepracticeelevation.com/kickoff
