Getting Paid: Creating A Positive Professional Image Online & In Person

With so many online meetings, presentations, and events, therapists introduce themselves a lot. Here are 6 tips to make the most of your introductions online & in person and to create a positive, professional image. These tips reveal little details to include when introducing yourself—and will help you get known in the therapeutic community.

TIP 1

When introducing yourself VERBALLY, online or in person, be sure to include all the information a person needs to contact you.

If people don’t have the right information, they can’t contact you about a

• referral, job or training opportunity
• question or if they need more info
• speaking opportunity or something else

Make it easy & convenient for people to

1. Know your full name
2. Have your contact information

Include this information when introducing yourself:

1. Full Name: First & Last Name(s)
2. License Status or Professional Designation
3. Where You Work. Private Practice or FULL NAME of Business, Program, Agency, School, Organization, Counseling Center, School, Hospital. If you’re a student, full name where you attend.
4. City Where the Business, Program, Agency, School, Organization, Practice is located. Even if you only work virtually, include a location—it helps people remember you.
5. Who You Work With Or Specialties. If you don’t yet have specialties, say who you would like to work with.
6. Your Pronouns. If it fits for you or your community, the pronouns you use can be included—in English and or any other language you or clients, colleagues, community, others speak. Where you place your pronouns is up to you—after your full name, professional status, address, or anywhere else it fits best for you in this list.

 Samples
Hi, I’m Ana Chavez, LMFT, AAMFT Approved Supervisor. I’m based in West LA where I have a Private Practice working in person and remotely with clients. I work with individuals and couples and specialize in work-related stress, anxiety, and relationship issues.  

Michael Weinstein, LMFT, CAMFT Certified Supervisor. In my Pasadena Private Practice I provide remote therapy sessions to clients throughout the state of California and specialize in anger management, relationship issues, and couples in conflict.

Sandra Ho, LCSW. At the Gender Health Center in Los Angeles, I counsel, in person and virtually, children and adults who are exploring gender identity and/or sexual orientation issues and those who are Trans/gender diverse. My pronouns are she, her, ella. 

Derek Johnson, AMFT, at Angeles University Counseling Center in Culver City, under the supervision of Shanda Ramos, LMFT, I work with clients who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ and/or the Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) Community. I specialize in anxiety, trauma, and relationships.

Sometimes it may be possible to add a short sentence that personalizes your introduction:
Tina Duvall, LMFT. At the Beverly Counseling Center I specialize in working with teens and young adults who have eating disorders, anxiety, depression, and anger management issues. Send me your angry teenagers, the angrier the better! They’re my favorite clients to work with.

TIP 2
Online, AFTER you introduce yourself VERBALLY in a group video call, always type your name & contact information in the chat.

Type in chat: full name, license status or professional designation, where you work, location, email, phone, website—and pronouns if that fits for you; and three or four words on who you work with or your specialties.

No more than 3 words or initials (EMDR, SE, TRM, etc.) about who you work with. Nothing else or people will ignore it.

Sample

Shuri Moore, LMFT, Santa Monica and Online, ShuriMoore@gmail.com, 310.123.4567,

ShuriMoore.com, GenZ & Millennial Women. Pronouns she, her, hers.

At the end of your contact info you can also add something about how to contact you--Contact by email or text is best.

Shuri Moore, LMFT, Santa Monica and Online, ShuriMore@gmail.com, 310.123.4567,
ShuriMoore.com, GenZ & Millennial Women. Pronouns she, her, hers.
Contact by email or text is best.

TIP 3
For online professional events, make sure your screen name is your full name not a first name or nickname. 

The more your full name is seen, the more people will remember it. If you don’t type your contact info in the chat then knowing your first & last name will be easy to Google. Take advantage of this opportunity.  

Type this info under your picture on video platforms.

1. Full Name; First & Last name(s)
2. Professional Status: AMFT, APCC, ACSW, Trainee, Student
3. Optional
   • Other Certifications
   • Pronouns (she, her, hers) (him his) (they, their)
4. For Students
   • Type university name after full name and or pronouns

Samples
Ana Chavez, LMFT, AAMFT Approved Supervisor. West LA

Michael Weinstein, LMFT, CAMFT Certified Supervisor. Pasadena

Sandra Ho, LCSW.  Pronouns: she, her, ella.

Derek Johnson, AMFT  Antioch Alum

Danika Jones, Trainee, Pepperdine Student

TIP 4

For in person events, STAND UP when you ask a question/make a comment—to the speaker or whole group—from your chair or seat at a table.

• Standing up means people can see you, hear you, and take in you and your info better.
• If you’re not on a stage or platform people won’t be able to see you unless you’re standing up
• Don’t start talking until you are fully standing up.
• Not talking until you are standing gives people a moment to shift their attention to you so they don’t miss the beginning of what you say.

TIP 5
Each time you ask a question verbally in an online group of more than 5 or an in person event—BEFORE you ask your question--Say your full name & professional designation--Then ask your question     
       
Sample (Said Aloud)

Calvin Jordan, AMFT (slight pause), my question is…

State your name each time you ask a question. Repetition of this kind is good!

Optional: Include your location after your professional designation:

Sample (Said Aloud)

Tina Gonzalez, CSPP Student, Covina (slight pause), my question is…

Stating your FULL NAME before you speak makes it easy for the speaker, moderator or person monitoring the chat to quickly pair your name with your face.

Yes, video platforms have names below the screen view. However, when you state your name first, the speaker or person monitoring the chat doesn’t have to take their attention away from looking at or listening to you, to read and process your name—and neither do participants. Not only do people appreciate this, they tend to have a positive impression of you and they have a better chance of remembering your name the more times they hear it.

Stating your Full Name before you speak:

1. Allows the speaker to know you by name and to address you by name while answering your question
   • A speaker appreciates being able to interact with a participant by name
   • The speaker looks good without having to ask your name
   • If the speaker or participant wants to contact you after the presentation, knowing your full name makes that possible.
2. Audience members appreciate knowing your Full Name.
   For in person events, an audience member or the speaker may want to connect before leaving. When you say your name it makes it easier to find you at the venue or online.
   
   
3. Don’t hurry saying your name to get to your question. Take your time.
   We all need a moment, whether in person or online, to shift our focus from one person to the next when someone is asking a question. If you hurry through your intro, it doesn’t allow people the extra moment they need to be able to register your name, your presence, and the question you’re asking.
   
   As you state your name, this is the moment when everyone’s attention is on you. Utilize it. It’s a prime marketing moment for people to see you, hear you, and pair you with your name online and in person.
   
   A clear, focused, unhurried stating of your Full Name & professional designation before your question allows both the speaker and the audience members to experience you, hear your name and have the opportunity to remember it.

TIP 6
For in person events, on your nametag be sure to print your Full Name so it is easily readable.
​
That’s all on how to make the most of your introductions, get known in your community, and further your career. 

Lynne Azpeitia, LMFT, AAMFT Approved Supervisor, is in private practice in Santa Monica where she works with Couples and Gifted, Talented, and Creative Adults across the lifespan. Lynne’s been doing business and clinical coaching with mental health professionals for more than 15 years, helping professionals develop even more successful careers and practices. To learn more about her in-person and online services, workshops or monthly no-cost Online Networking & Practice Development Lunch visit www.Gifted-Adults.com or www.LAPracticeDevelopment.com.