The dilemma every therapist faces when building a website
You have your MA in Clinical Psychology, a certification in CBT, EMDR training, three continuing education programs in couples therapy, and a diploma in art therapy from Jerusalem. Should all of this go on your website?
Short answer: no, not all of it.
The way you present your qualifications can either reassure a potential patient or drown them in an incomprehensible list that sends them to a competitor.
What patients actually look for
They want to know you’re legitimate
When a patient searches “therapist Tel Aviv” on Google and lands on your site, they have one simple question: is this person qualified to help me?
They’re not trying to verify your academic record in detail. They want a signal of legitimacy. One recognized degree is often enough to check that box.
They want to understand your specialty
What truly interests a patient is: “Does this therapist treat my problem?” Your EMDR certification only speaks to insiders. But “Specialized in trauma and PTSD treatment” — everyone understands that.
They compare in 30 seconds
Studies show visitors spend 15 to 30 seconds on a page before deciding to stay or leave. Your list of degrees won’t be read in full. It will be scanned.
The golden rule: translate your degrees into patient benefits
Here’s how to transform an academic list into content that converts:
| What you have | What the patient wants to read |
|---|---|
| MA Clinical Psychology | Licensed Psychologist |
| CBT Certification | Specialized in CBT (anxiety, phobias, OCD) |
| EMDR Europe Certified | Trained in trauma treatment (EMDR) |
| Systemic training | Couples and family therapy |
The rule: every credential you mention should answer the question “So what does that mean for me?”
What to display (and where)
On the homepage
- Your main title: “Clinical Psychologist” or “Licensed Psychotherapist”
- Your license number (required in Israel for clinical psychologists)
- 2-3 specialties in plain language
On the About page
This is where you can expand:
- Your main educational background (university name, not every seminar)
- Certifications that matter to patients (EMDR, CBT, couples therapy…)
- Concrete experience: “12 years of practice”, “Previously at X Medical Center”
- What makes you unique: your approach, languages spoken (English, Hebrew, Russian — a real asset in Israel)
What to avoid
- An exhaustive list of every 2-day training
- Acronyms without explanation (IFS, ACT, DBT…)
- Academic jargon (“Integrative psychodynamic approach with humanistic orientation”)
- Your Master’s thesis topic (nobody will read it)
The Israel-specific case
In Israel, the title “פסיכולוג קליני” (clinical psychologist) is protected by the Ministry of Health. If you have this recognition, display it clearly — it’s a major trust signal for Israeli patients.
For English-speaking therapists practicing in Israel, also mention your international credentials. Many Anglo patients look for a therapist “trained abroad” because it reassures them about the therapeutic approach.
Practical tip: add a line like “Licensed Clinical Psychologist, recognized by the Israeli Ministry of Health” — that checks the box in one sentence.
How Mizra structures the About page for therapists
At Mizra, when we build a website for a psychologist or therapist, we structure the presentation page in three blocks:
- The trust block (at the top): professional title + license number + years of experience
- The specialties block: 3-5 areas in patient language, not jargon
- The background block: main education + key certifications, presented as a narrative, not a CV
All in bilingual format (English/Hebrew) to maximize your audience in Israel.
FAQ
Is it mandatory to display credentials on a therapist website in Israel?
You must be registered with the Ministry of Health to practice as a clinical psychologist in Israel. Displaying your registration number is best practice. For degrees themselves, it’s not legally required but strongly recommended for trust.
Should I mention my foreign license if I practice in Israel?
If you’re also licensed abroad (US, UK, etc.), you can mention it as additional credibility. But in Israel, the Ministry of Health registration is what matters.
Should I list continuing education courses?
Only those that provide a real specialization patients search for: EMDR, CBT, couples therapy. Weekend workshops and conferences don’t belong on your website.
What language should credentials be displayed in?
In Israel, bilingual is ideal. English-speaking patients want to see your international qualifications, Israeli patients want to see your local recognition.
Do patients actually verify credentials?
Rarely. But they assess your overall credibility. A professional website with clearly presented qualifications inspires more trust than a profile with an endless list or no mention of training at all.
Bottom line
Your credentials matter — but their presentation matters more. Select, translate into patient language, and structure. A well-built therapist website converts visitors into patients. An academic CV pasted online does not.
Need help structuring your therapist website? See our plans for therapists →