Gulf Coast Family Counseling is a small but renowned counseling agency staffed by licensed therapists with a variety of professional practices and a shared mission—to serve the mental health needs of individuals, couples, and families in Ocean Springs, MS, and the surrounding Gulf Coast area. Since opening their practice in 1967, they’ve expanded their services making mental health care more accessible throughout Mississippi.

One of the key ways they have been able to expand their reach and connect with more patients throughout the region is through OPTIMA™. Executive Director and Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Laura Tracy-Kinsey, enrolled the agency in the program in April 2024. Now in just their second year, Gulf Coast Family Counseling has seen remarkable growth across all digital channels, including improved online visibility, a stronger reputation, higher social media engagement, and a more efficient lead generation strategy.

The Value of Posting Online

As part of their OPTIMA™ program, Gulf Coast Family Counseling utilizes one of our social media management services to help maintain a consistent presence across all platforms. Posts appear across Google, their website, and Facebook—keeping their audience informed and engaged while boosting their appearance on those sites. One way that search engines verify and boost businesses in organic searches is by having multiple sources of relevant, consistent content. Gulf Coast Family Agency’s online presence is reinforced by the regular updates posted on their social media channels, along with the added bonus of keeping clients in the know of what’s going on at the agency.

Here’s what Executive Director Laura Tracy-Kinsey had to say:

“The OPTIMA™ and social media management program have been incredibly effective for our business. Every time you make posts across Google, our website, and Facebook, we get an immediate response. We received about 40 calls after recent posts, with people saying they found us online and then called to schedule or come in. This has significantly boosted our visibility and community engagement!”

This type of engagement and response is invaluable for Gulf Coast Family Agency since it boosts their reputation online and in their community as a trusted mental health provider in Mississippi.

Improved Online Presence and Reputation

Since implementing their OPTIMA™ strategy, the team has significantly strengthened their online visibility and reach. Their enhanced Google presence is especially noteworthy, generating nearly 2,000 calls and more than 700 requests for directions through their listing.

As part of the OPTIMA™ program, they also leverage two key review tools: Recommendation Request Cards and a dedicated Review Invitation Page. These resources make it simple for loyal customers to leave positive feedback on major platforms like Google and MerchantCircle, or directly on the OPTIMA™ website. This steady stream of authentic reviews has helped boost traffic, elevate their local reputation, and reinforce trust within the community. They have risen from 5th to 1st in local Google search results for “Counseling,” gained strong visibility across multiple mental health service categories, and achieved an impressive 4.9-star Google rating. These results reinforce their strong and professional presence online!

Finding Leads Without Lifting a Finger

A major factor of their success has been the features available for website visitors. Thanks to our 24/7 Lead Capture Technology, Gulf Coast Family Counseling has generated over 330 leads directly through their site—averaging more than 20 new client requests each month through their Contact page. One of the benefits of receiving leads through OPTIMA™ is that anyone seeking their services can submit inquiries straight to the business anytime, even outside of business hours. This removes common barriers that would deter a patient from getting help, making it easy and accessible to ask questions and request counseling services from their team.

Their OPTIMA™ Website has also been customized to supplement their accessible and care-centered approach, and is now a one-stop reference for potential clients to gather information on the agency. The FAQ page answers common questions and provides reassurance for first-time visitors, while the Our Team page allows visitors to get acquainted with the friendly faces and expertise behind the practice. Together, these features create an online experience that mirrors the informative and supportive environment clients experience in person.

In just two years with AMP, Gulf Coast Family Counseling has built a thriving digital presence that connects more people to the help they need. With OPTIMA™ powering their growth, they’re looking ahead to serving even more individuals and families across Mississippi—continuing their decades-long mission of making quality mental health care accessible for all.

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