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How to build an elevator pitch as a therapist or coach — step-by-step
Short version: a great elevator pitch is a clear, humane sentence (or two) that tells someone who you help, what problem you solve, what outcome clients get, and how you do it — finished with a small, easy next step. Below is a step-by-step method, fill-in templates, context-specific examples (networking, referral, social media), delivery tips, and common mistakes to avoid.
Step-by-step guide (do this once, tweak often)
- Pick the purpose & audience
Are you at a professional mixer (referral-oriented), a community event (curiosity-oriented), a cold voicemail, or writing your Instagram bio? Tailor length and tone to context. - Name the core problem you solve (one short phrase)
Think in client language, not clinical jargon. Examples: “lost your spark after baby,” “terrified of public speaking,” “perfectionism that freezes you,” “mismatched desire in a relationship.” - Define the person you work with (one short phrase)
Be specific enough to be memorable: “pregnant and postpartum moms,” “high-achieving professionals,” “couples about to marry.” - State the outcome or benefit (one clear result)
What changes for them? “sleep better,” “feel confident in conversation,” “reconnect sexually,” “manage perfectionism so they can finish projects.” - Add your how / differentiator (brief)
Modalities, style, setting, or a unique frame: “short, solution-focused sessions,” “sex-positive, trauma-informed,” “walk-and-talk therapy,” “practical tools + science-backed coaching.” - Optional: credibility line (10–12 words max)
Use a short credential or quick result: “LPC, CST; 7 years working with new parents” or “helped 100+ clients reduce panic in 6–12 sessions.” - Finish with a simple next step (CTA)
Ask for a card, offer a single-sentence resource, invite a follow-up: “Can I give you my card?” / “I have a one-page you might like — can I email it?” / “Want to grab a quick referral exchange?” - Write 3 versions and practice
7–10 second hook (1 line), 20–30 second elevator (2–3 sentences), 45–60 second story (one-sentence example + outcome).
The fill-in-the-blank formula (use this to build quickly)
Core short formula (1 line):
I help [who] who are struggling with [problem] so they can [result] using [how/approach].
Examples of tones to choose: warm & pragmatic, curious & upbeat, clinical & professional, or cheeky & brief (adapt to your brand).
Ready-made templates (copy, paste, personalize)
15–20 second (networking) — friendly + referral-ready
“Hi — I’m [Name]. I help [who] who are dealing with [problem] get [result] by [how]. I’m happy to swap cards if you know anyone who’d benefit.”
30 second (conversation) — slightly longer, adds differentiator
“I’m [Name] — a [credential] who works with [who]. Many of my clients come in for [problem]; I use [approach] to help them [result] in [typical timeframe or style]. If you work with anyone like that, I’d love to connect.”
60 second (story) — adds a quick client example without revealing confidentiality
“I’m [Name]. I work with [who] — recently a new mom came to me exhausted and disconnected from her partner. Through short, practical sessions focused on sleep, small intimacy experiments, and letting go of perfection, she felt sexually present again and stopped waking up in a panic about parenthood. I’m [credential] and I like to offer a free 15-minute consult for people who want to see if it’s a fit.”
Social bio (one line / 150 characters)
“I help [who] quiet their perfectionism and finish what matters — LPC, CBT + coaching. Free consult link below.”
Voicemail / intro email (30–45 sec)
“Hi, this is [Name], [credentials]. I help [who] who struggle with [problem] find [result] using [how]. If you’re open, I’d love 10–15 minutes to see if we can help a client/colleague. You can reach me at [phone/email].”
Multiple examples — plug & play
- Postpartum / New parents (therapist)
15s hook: “I help new and pregnant moms who feel overwhelmed and disconnected reclaim rest and intimacy with short, practical strategies.”
30s: “I’m Rachel D., LPC, CST at Sage Counseling and Wellness. I support postpartum moms who are exhausted, anxious, or sexually disconnected. Using CBT, body-aware approaches, and partner-friendly homework, clients usually notice better sleep and more connection in a few weeks. Want my card?”
- Sex therapy (clinician for conservative background clients)
15s hook: “I help people from conservative backgrounds explore sexuality safely so they can feel less shame and more pleasure.”
30s: “I’m a sex-positive, trauma-informed therapist who takes small, respectful steps — education, communication tools, and body-based techniques — to help clients heal shame and increase desire.”
- Performance anxiety (coach/therapist for professionals)
15s hook: “I help leaders who choke under pressure build calm, high-performance habits for presentations and meetings.”
30s: “I combine mindset coaching, exposure practice, and short, repeatable rituals so clients can speak up without the adrenaline hijack.”
- Perfectionism / HSP (therapist)
15s hook: “I help highly sensitive people and perfectionists stop punishing themselves and actually finish meaningful projects.”
30s: “Through acceptance strategies and tiny exposure steps, we reduce overwhelm so your strengths don’t get in the way of your life.”
- Premarital counseling (therapist)
15s hook: “I guide engaged couples to the skills that keep conflict small and intimacy alive before they say ‘I do.’”
30s: “My premarital retreats focus on communication, money conversations, and erotic connection — practical, evidence-based tools you can use your first year of marriage.”
- Business / performance coach (for entrepreneurs)
15s hook: “I coach ambitious founders to stop burning out and start scaling with sane systems.”
30s: “We map wins to identity, set workload boundaries, and build calendars that protect creative capacity without losing growth.”
Quick practice scripts you can use right now
- Write 3–4 versions using the fill-in formula above.
- Time yourself delivering them aloud: make one 10s, one 25s, one 50s.
- Record and listen — cut unnecessary words. Replace jargon with plain language.
- Practice adapting the same pitch into a DM (short) and a follow-up email (longer).
Delivery tips (what actually makes a pitch land)
- Lead with a client problem, not credentials. People connect to problems they recognize.
- Be human, not salesy. A gentle tone wins over “expert sales pitch.”
- Use plain language. Skip therapy jargon when you can.
- Pause and ask a question after your sentence. A simple “Does that sound like anyone you know?” invites conversation.
- Have a tiny CTA ready. Don’t ask for commitment — ask for a card, permission to send a one-pager, or a referral.
- Mirror the listener’s energy. More formal at a professional event, warmer at a neighborhood meet-up.
- Bring something to follow up with: a business card, a QR code to your consult booking, or an email template in your phone.
Common pitfalls to avoid
- Too vague: “I help people” is forgettable.
- Too clinical: heavy DSM language will lose non-clinicians.
- Overstuffed: packing credentials, modalities, and cases into 30s makes you sound scattered.
- Promising cures: avoid absolutes (“I’ll fix X”). Offer results in terms of likelihood and process.
- Breaking confidentiality: never tell client stories with identifying details.
Quick cheat-sheet + 5 plug-and-play examples
Cheat-sheet: I help [who] who [problem] get [result] by [how]. CTA: [card/consult/email].
5 short examples:
- “I help new moms reclaim sleep and desire with short, practical therapy — can I give you my card?”
- “I support couples before marriage to communicate about money and sex so they start married life with fewer surprises.”
- “I coach people who freeze in high-stakes meetings to speak confidently using rehearsal + mindset shifts.”
- “I help perfectionists finish projects without burning out — quick tools you can use this week.”
- “I’m a sex-positive therapist who helps clients heal shame and reconnect with pleasure — free 15-min consult if curious.”
To discuss how coaching could help you during this season of your life, please schedule your free 15 minute consultation.