How to attract patients when opening your practice

By Anne T. T. · Published on March 29, 2026 · 8 min read

You’ve just obtained your ASCA or RME recognition, your practice is ready, but the waiting room remains desperately empty. This is the situation most therapists face when starting out.

Attracting patients doesn’t happen by chance, but it’s not rocket science either. This guide presents concrete and proven strategies to fill your schedule in the first months.

1. Google Business Profile: your free storefront

This is the first action to take, and probably the most cost-effective. When a potential patient searches for “naturopath Lausanne” or “osteopath Geneva”, Google prioritises Google Business Profile listings.

How to optimise your listing:

Exact name: your professional name as it appears on your official documents
Category: as specific as possible (“Naturopath”, not just “Therapist”)
Hours: fill in your actual hours, including days off
Photos: 5-10 professional photos of your practice
Description: specialities, training, certifications (ASCA, RME) and accepted insurances
Reviews: ask your first satisfied patients to leave a review (ranking factor #1)

Goal: reach 10 reviews in the first 3 months, then aim for 20+ in the first year.

2. Professional directories

In Switzerland, several specialised directories generate significant traffic:

Essential directories

Naturapeute.ch — the reference for therapists in French-speaking Switzerland
ASCA.ch / RME.ch — your profile appears automatically in your certification body’s directory
local.ch / search.ch — the Swiss yellow pages, still widely consulted
Doctena.ch — online booking platform, popular with patients

Additional directories

Therapeutes.ch — filters by speciality and region
Network specialists of your partner insurance (Visana, Swica, Helsana)
Local pages of your municipality or neighbourhood

Tip: register on all free directories. Each listing creates a link to your website (beneficial for SEO) and an opportunity to be found by a patient.

3. Your website: credibility and conversion

A website is not optional in 2026. Even a simple one reassures potential patients and allows you to control your image.

Essential elements:

Homepage: who you are, your speciality, your approach in 3 sentences
About page: background, training, certifications
Services page: each type of treatment with indicative rates
Contact page: address, phone, email, online booking
Legal notice: contact details, IDE number, privacy policy

Local SEO: the basics

Local SEO is the key to appearing in Google search results:

Page titles: include your speciality + your city (“Osteopath Geneva”)
Content: 300-500 words per page, in natural language
Mobile: your site must be perfectly readable on smartphone (60%+ of searches)
Speed: a site that takes more than 3 seconds to load loses 50% of its visitors
Google Search Console : register your site and submit your sitemap

4. Word-of-mouth: your best ally

In healthcare, personal recommendation remains the most powerful acquisition channel.

How to stimulate word-of-mouth:

Impeccable quality of care: a satisfied patient tells 3 people on average
Post-session follow-up: a message 24-48h after the first session shows your professionalism
Peer network: introduce yourself to other therapists in your area (different specialities). Cross-referrals are very effective
General practitioners: some willingly refer patients to complementary therapists
Local events: wellness fairs, artisan markets, neighbourhood talks

5. Online booking: reducing friction

In 2026, many patients prefer booking online rather than calling. A 24/7 booking system eliminates friction and increases conversion rates.

Patients book when they think of it (often in the evening or on weekends)
You reduce time spent on the phone
Automatic reminders reduce last-minute cancellations
Your schedule fills up even when you’re in session

Mistakes to avoid

Investing in paid advertising too early — optimise free channels first (Google Business, directories, word-of-mouth)

Neglecting Google reviews — it’s your best advertising, free and lasting

Setting rates too low — below-market rates can be perceived as a lack of competence

Not having a website — even a simple page is better than nothing

Isolating yourself — your professional network is essential, especially at the start

Therago and your practice’s visibility

Therago helps you professionalise your practice from day one: Tarif 590 compliant billing, online booking for your patients, automatic email reminders, and voice-dictated session notes. A well-organised practice inspires confidence — and confidence attracts patients.

Launching your practice? Focus on your patients, Therago handles the rest.

Free 30-day trial

No credit card required. Data hosted in Switzerland.