The UpTopWeb blog

A steadier way to build your practice.

Practical, plain-English guidance for UK counsellors and therapists—from setting up safely to helping the right clients find you.

Social media19 October 202615 minute read

Facebook for Therapists: Groups, Pages and Messenger

A UK guide to Facebook for counsellors: peer groups, replying to local recommendation posts, setting up a Page, and keeping Messenger enquiries safe.

By Jack Oldham Read article

Illustration of three rising steps labelled Registered, Accredited and Senior accredited, with the requirements three years in practice, 450 supervised hours and 1.5 hours of supervision a month

Training & CPD16 October 202612 minute read

BACP Accreditation: Is It Worth It for Private Practice? (UK Guide)

What BACP accreditation asks for, what it costs, how long it really takes and when it's worth it for a private practice, plus how to show it on your website.

By Jack Oldham Read article

Illustration of a draft blog post on the left, with a magnifying glass over a highlighted detail, beside a short checklist on the right

Blogging & content15 October 202614 minute read

Can Therapists Write About Clients? Confidentiality in Blogs and Posts (UK)

Can UK therapists write about client work in a blog or post? What BACP, UKCP and the ICO say, why disguise often fails, and how to write about the issue instead.

By Jack Oldham Read article

Illustration of a therapist at the centre of a network, linked to a GP practice, colleagues, a supervisor, a community link worker and an insurer

Marketing14 October 202615 minute read

Referrals for Therapists: How to Build a Network That Sends You Clients (UK)

Where counselling referrals really come from in the UK: GPs, colleagues, link workers, insurers and EAPs, plus the rules on fees, consent and confidentiality.

By Jack Oldham Read article

Illustration of a quotation card with a padlock, beside a checklist with four ticked boxes

Marketing13 October 202612 minute read

Testimonials for Therapists: What UK Rules Allow (and What to Do Instead)

Can counsellors use client testimonials? What BACP, UKCP, the ASA and the UK's fake reviews law say, how to get consent properly, and safer ways to build trust.

By Jack Oldham Read article

Social media12 October 202615 minute read

Instagram for Therapists: What to Post (and What Not To)

A UK guide to Instagram for counsellors and psychotherapists: setting up your profile, post ideas that build trust, and what BACP, UKCP and ASA rules rule out.

By Jack Oldham Read article

Illustration: four cards showing what practice management software does, diary, records, billing and video sessions, above four things to check before signing up: where data is stored, the processor contract, exporting your notes and executor access

Starting a practice9 October 202623 minute read

Practice Management Software for Therapists: How to Choose and Set Up (UK)

Practice software, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace or Proton? How to choose, a UK price snapshot, and a folder system for client notes, contracts and invoices.

By Jack Oldham Read article

Illustration: four cards showing ways to rent a therapy room, ad hoc by the hour, a weekly slot, a monthly membership and a dedicated room, above four things to check before signing: access, soundproofing, notice terms and your address online

Starting a practice8 October 202614 minute read

Renting a Therapy Room: Costs, Terms and What to Check (UK)

What therapy room hire costs in the UK, with real London and regional prices: hourly, weekly slots, memberships or your own room, and what to check first.

By Jack Oldham Read article

Illustration: three cards showing the Making Tax Digital for Income Tax thresholds, £50,000 from April 2026, £30,000 from April 2027 and £20,000 from April 2028, above the four quarterly update deadlines of 7 August, 7 November, 7 February and 7 May

Starting a practice7 October 202611 minute read

Making Tax Digital for Therapists: What Changes and When

Making Tax Digital reaches self-employed counsellors earning over £30,000 from April 2027. Who's in, why turnover counts rather than profit, and what to do now.

By Jack Oldham Read article

Illustration: a timeline from 4 August (published) to 3 November (mandatory from midday), above a checklist of clinical will, AI and digital tools, privacy notice, fees and safeguarding information, and recording your reasoning

Starting a practice6 October 202616 minute read

BACP Ethical Framework 2026: Summary of Changes, Now in Force

In force since midday 3 November 2026. A plain-English summary of what's changed since 2018 (AI tools, privacy notices, fees, clinical wills) and a private practice checklist.

By Jack Oldham Read article

Illustration of a website map: a homepage card connected to two full service pages, with a group of smaller issues kept as sections on one page

Therapist websites5 October 202616 minute read

Therapist Service Pages: Does Each Specialism Need Its Own Page?

When an issue you work with deserves its own page on your therapy website, when a section is better, and how to avoid thin pages Google ignores.

By Jack Oldham Read article

Illustration of the five things a clinical executor does, from contacting clients to keeping records safe, next to a note that BACP members have needed a clinical will since 3 November 2026

Starting a practice2 October 202614 minute read

Clinical Will for Therapists: Free UK Template and Guide

What a clinical will is, what BACP, UKCP, BABCP and BPC expect, how to choose a clinical executor, and a free editable clinical will template for UK counsellors.

By Jack Oldham Read article