About Michael Ross
Designed By Thrive has helped over 100 therapists create websites for their private practices.
Hi, I’m Michael Ross, founder of Designed By Thrive.
Over the past 20 years, working in marketing and design, I’ve helped many businesses improve their online presence. Over time, I found myself increasingly drawn to working with therapists and private practices.
Therapists aren’t trying to sell products. They’re helping people through deeply personal challenges. Their websites need to feel calm, trustworthy, and easy for potential clients to understand when they’re already feeling vulnerable.
Many therapists know their work deeply, but translating that work into a clear, well-structured website can be surprisingly difficult.
This is where Designed By Thrive steps in.
What I Noticed About Therapist Websites
As I began working with more therapists in solo and group practice, I started noticing a pattern.
Many had thoughtful practices, but their websites didn’t always reflect the quality of their work. Some sites looked professional but didn’t clearly explain who the therapist helped or how their approach worked. Others were difficult for potential clients to navigate or were invisible in search results.
I’ve also gained a deeper understanding of private practice through my personal life. My wife is a therapist in private practice, which has given me a close view of the responsibility therapists carry and the limited time they have to think about websites or marketing.
My understanding of therapy also comes from personal experience. Like many people, I’ve benefited from therapy myself. Being on the client side of the process gave me a deeper appreciation for the trust involved in reaching out for help and the care therapists bring to their work.
Therapists are trained to support others. They’re rarely trained to translate their work into clear website messaging or structure their sites so search engines and modern AI tools can understand them.
How Designed By Thrive Helps
Designed By Thrive helps therapists create websites that reflect their practice while making it easier for potential clients to understand their work and reach out.
Messaging clarity
Helping therapists translate their approach, specialties, and values into language that feels natural and easy to understand.
Website design
Creating websites that feel calm, professional, and easy for visitors to navigate.
Search visibility
Structuring websites so search engines, Google Maps, and modern AI tools can clearly understand the practice.
The goal isn’t aggressive marketing. It’s creating an online presence that reflects the empathy therapists bring to their work.
My Experience
I bring over 20 years of experience in marketing, design, and digital strategy. Today, Designed By Thrive works primarily with therapists across Canada and the U.S.
By focusing specifically on therapy practices, my process has become more refined over time. The structure of therapy websites, the questions potential clients ask, and the way therapists describe their work follow similar patterns.
Our Values
Clarity over complexity
Websites should help clients quickly understand your practice.
Authenticity over marketing tactics
Therapists shouldn’t have to sound salesy to connect with clients.
Thoughtful design
A therapy website should feel calm, professional, and welcoming.
Helping the right clients find you
The goal isn’t simply more traffic; it’s helping the right people reach out.
Let’s Take a Look at Your Website
If your current website no longer reflects your practice, or you’re planning to build one for the first time, a 30-minute discovery call is the best place to start.
We can review your website, talk through your goals, and explore ways to create an online presence that feels clear and aligned with the work you do.