Tony Novissimo brings over 19 years of professional counselling experience underpinned by 50 years of philosophical study. Based in Radford Semele, Warwickshire, his practice offers both in-person and online counselling services for individuals and couples. As a fully accredited member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), Tony provides specialised therapeutic approaches across 12 distinct areas including anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship counselling, and autism therapy.

Tony's unique counselling methodology combines evidence-based techniques with philosophical perspectives, offering clients practical tools for personal growth and transformation. His approach is characterised by warmth, professionalism, and a client-centred focus. Prior to our engagement, this wealth of expertise was not effectively communicated through digital channels, limiting the practice's reach and growth potential.

Our comprehensive partnership (January-June 2023) delivered a Full Foundation Support package including:

•  Brand Identity Development: Creation of professional logo, colour palette, typography system, and brand guidelines
• Website Design & Development: Custom responsive website with service pages, booking functionality, and blog platform
• Social Media Establishment: Profile creation, optimisation, and strategy development across relevant platforms
• Content Production: Ongoing monthly content creation for social media and blog platforms
• SEO Optimisation: Keyword research, on-page optimisation, and local SEO implementation
• Google Ads Management: Campaign setup, management, and ongoing optimisation targeting local search terms
• Virtual Assistant Support: Client communication management, appointment scheduling, and digital administration
• Bookkeeping Services: Setup of digital financial tracking systems and regular financial reporting

Working within a six-month implementation timeline to coincide with increased post-pandemic demand, our collaboration focused on five primary objectives:

• Establish a professional, accessible digital brand identity reflecting Tony's unique counselling approach
• Create a comprehensive website showcasing all service offerings with clear conversion pathways
• Develop a sustainable social media presence with content aligned to mental health awareness themes
• Implement digital systems for client management, scheduling, and financial tracking
• Train and support Tony to maintain appropriate confidence with new digital tools and platforms

The project presented several significant technical hurdles requiring strategic solutions:

• Digital Literacy Gap: Implemented a phased training approach with visual documentation and regular check-ins to build Tony's confidence gradually
• Client Confidentiality: Developed secure systems for online booking and communication that maintained GDPR compliance and client privacy
• Content Sensitivity: Created guidelines for appropriate content sharing that respected ethical boundaries while still providing valuable information
• Integration Requirements: Selected compatible platforms that worked together seamlessly without requiring complex technical management
• Limited Technical Resources: Implemented solutions that balanced professional quality with sustainable maintenance requirements for a solo practitioner

Tony's transformation throughout our partnership extended well beyond his practice's visual identity and digital presence:

As an octogenarian with decades of counselling experience, Tony approached technology with a willingness to learn but faced genuine challenges with the rapid pace of digital evolution. Despite his intellectual capabilities and professional expertise, the transition from his established paper-based systems and in-person-only consultations required significant adjustment. His initial concerns centered on maintaining the personal touch that defined his practice while incorporating unfamiliar digital tools.

We implemented a patient, staged approach to technology adoption, breaking down complex systems into manageable components that aligned with Tony's existing workflows. Training sessions were paced appropriately with ample time for practice between implementations. Rather than overwhelming him with multiple platforms simultaneously, we introduced each element only after he had gained confidence with previous tools, creating a foundation for sustainable learning.

The results have been remarkable. Tony now confidently conducts sessions in virtual meeting rooms, manages his practice through a GDPR-compliant CRM system, and effectively utilises remote support when needed. Perhaps most significantly, he has embraced the concept of delegating technical tasks to virtual assistants—something previously unimaginable with his hard-copy filing system. This transformation has allowed Tony to focus on his true strength: providing exceptional counselling services to his clients.