What’s A Name…

I don’t know why I put so much emphasis on the name of this blog. Several marketing people have told me blogs aren’t to actually read but more for search engine optimization, SEO. So what’s the name really matter?

I did the same thing with naming my practice. I agonized for weeks when I was naming my practice. I searched “how to name a therapy practice” and “best way to name a mental health practice.” I searched key words that people are searching and synonyms for every word I could think of related to mental health and therapy. Each article I read said something different. Name your practice your name because people come to you anyway so you’ll be easier to find in a search. Don’t name your practice your name because you can’t sell it and it will be harder to expand. I went six rounds of ‘therapy’ versus ‘therapies.’ Seriously the amount of anxiety naming this practice gave me is overwhelming.

There is a little town close to where I live where I had originally rented space for my practice. You guessed it – the town’s name is Riverside. After weeks of searching I settled on Riverside Therapies, after the town the space was in. I liked it. It felt cozy and I like the outdoors and water. The Susquehanna River has also been a huge part of my life, having grown up next to it. Finally, I could fill out the paperwork and make it legal.

I started imagining the signs I would get for the space and what they would look like. You want to know something? After a tour and signing the contract I never set foot in that office again. It was 2020 and the world had taken a turn. It threw the proverbial wrench in a lot of plans and changed how people accessed therapy. Riverside Therapies opened it’s virtual doors and I had a desk in our master closet.

Why is this on my mind today and why do I feel drawn to sharing it with you? Because every time I talk about the practice with someone or share a business card, I remember the time I spent struggle with the name. I remember how I wanted it to be just perfect and how nothing ever felt just right. And you know something else? No one has ever said they didn’t want to come to the practice because of the name. In fact, people who do comment on it, think it’s funny that it’s not in Riverside. It’s become a great conversation starter. So in the end it all worked out.

Where did the name for the blog come from and why does it sound like the start of a math problem? It came from a conversation with a client about perspectives and mindsets. When I was thinking about the things I want to share here, a fresh perspective or mindset switch, At This Angle, felt right not perfect. Much like Riverside Therapies, felt right not perfect.

Remember - It doesn’t have to be perfect to be right.

Happy Tuesday, friend.