A Soothing, Sophisticated Psychologist Website Using a Go Bloom Template

Lilac Template

As a therapist, you might not be familiar with what a website template even is let alone what it can do for you. So today I want to let you behind the scenes of how you can transform a website template to suit your unique practice.

I recently had the pleasure of working with Dr. Shelly Orlowsky, a psychologist specializing in women’s mental health. Using our Lilac Template as a foundation, we created a soothing, clean, sophisticated website in just one week with our Website in a Week service.

The Preparation Phase

Before Shelly and I touched a single pixel of her website, she completed prep work on her end. This is critical if you want to create a meaningful and intentional website.

Here’s what is included in the preparation phase of website development:

• 1. Self-reflect on what you want your practice to be.

  You don’t have to keep doing things just because you can or just because you always have. What really lights you up about your work? What do you want to attract more of?

• 2. Craft your message.

  What do you want to say, how do you want to say it, and who do you want to say it to?

• 3. Write a first draft of your content.

  Your written content is the backbone of your site. You build the body of the website around it. With that said, don’t feel like it has to be perfect to get started. Why? Because some sorcery happens when you put content on a website-you magically start to see things like, “hm, this section actually looks too long” or “hm, this line actually is redundant” etc.

• 4. Consider your colors.

  Before you do Step #5, you’ll want to think a little bit about colors. To avoid going down any type of rabbit hole, here are some quick tips for color:

  • Think about the colors that tend to show up in your office space–having your website reflect your space brings some continuity.

  • Do a brainstorm of the way you want your clients to feel when they visit your site (calm, energized, hopeful, grounded, etc.) and then do some Googling “what colors represent [feeling]” or hop on Pinterest and search “[feeling] color palette”

• 5. Get professional photos taken (and go beyond just a head shot).

  Headshots are great for LinkedIn or therapist directories, but for your website, you’ll want more variety and personality.

  It’s a great idea to also have photos where you aren’t looking directly at the camera (for example, you’re at your desk writing, or you’re in your chair or on Zoom talking to a “client”, etc).

  And bonus points for “b-roll”–these could be photos of items in your office, or even abstract things like shadows and fabrics.

Psst need help with those first three steps? Grab a copy of our Website Writing Guide for Therapists (the exact one all our clients use to nail their content!).

Many people struggle to finish their website because they skip this step. But I promise when you take the time to tend to all of these components your website will come together smoothly. Even if it feels time consuming now, it actually saves you time in the end.

How We Went From Template to Custom

Why we chose the Lilac Template (even though the font and colors were all wrong!)

Shelly really liked the clean lines, ample white space, and elegant touches on the Lilac Template, but she wasn’t loving the font and the purple color palette didn’t speak to her.

But that’s the awesome thing about Squarespace templates! It’s really simple to switch things like color, fonts, images, and text.

We chose the Lilac Template for it’s structure and the cool features like the split sections and sleek custom buttons.

Here’s how we used the template to bring her vision to life:

Colors and Fonts
We replaced the template’s playful, rounded font with a taller, elegant sophisticated one. And we switched the color palette to complement her photos using deep gray, jewel toned navy, and warm neutral. These changes gave the site a polished, professional look while maintaining a welcoming vibe.

Layout Customizations
To meet Shelly’s specific needs, I adjusted page layouts by swapping the order of sections (easily done with one click). I also added an elegant single pixel border to her sections and her header (no code required!).

Adding Additional Pages
Shelly’s practice focuses on a range of women’s mental health issues, so we added specialty pages like Pregnancy, Postpartum, and Parenting and Infertility & Loss. These pages not only help potential clients find relevant information but also improve her site’s SEO.

Incorporating Her Brand Photos
High-quality visuals are key. Using Shelly’s professional brand photos and relevant imagery throughout the site added to the feeling of warmth and authenticity.

Keeping Her Clients in Mind

We stayed away from choosing photos of pregnant women and babies (except on the specialty page specific to that) so that women experiencing infertility or pregnancy loss weren’t confronted with images that might feel insensitive to their experience.

Content Collaboration
Shelly and I worked together to refine her website copy. From explaining her services to addressing her clients’ pain points, the content was carefully crafted to resonate with her ideal audience.

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What Makes Website in a Week Unique?

Unlike traditional web design projects that can stretch over weeks or months, my process is efficient and focused, delivering a custom website in just five business days. Here’s how it works:

• Prep Meeting: Before your service week begins, we’ll have a one-hour meeting to clarify your goals, discuss your vision, and gather all the essentials—like photos, branding, and content.

• Days 1–2: Content Creation: Together, we refine and finalize your website content to ensure it speaks to your audience and aligns with your business.

• Days 3–4: Design and Build: Using the chosen template as a foundation, I customize the design, adjust layouts, and incorporate your photos, colors, and fonts.

• Day 5: Final Edits, Testing, and Launch: We polish every detail, test the site for functionality, and make any final tweaks before launching your brand-new website.

By the end of the week, you’ll have a professionally designed website that’s uniquely yours, ready to share with the world.

See Shelly’s Transformation in Action

Want to see the difference a week can make?
Before: Lilac Template
After: Dr. Shelly Orlowsky’s Website

Is Website in a Week Right for You?

This service is perfect for you if:

• You’re a therapist who needs a polished website fast.

• You’ve found a template you love but want it customized to reflect your brand.

• You’re ready to launch your site without the hassle of a long design timeline.

Ready to Transform Your Website?

If you’re ready to create a website that feels uniquely yours, I’d love to help. Spots for this service are limited, so don’t wait—your dream website is just a week away.

Learn more and book your spot today: Website in a Week