Icon of two hands clapping, representing applause or congratulations.

I love what I do.

Emily Whitish, website designer, smiling and reaching for color samples on a table, surrounded by a blue patterned box containing papers, an electronic device, and stationery in a bright, modern room.

Hi! I’m Emily

I’m a website designer and licensed therapist who builds websites, resources, and support systems specifically for therapists. My work lives at the intersection of thoughtful design, practical strategy, and the real-world realities of private practice.

I help therapists create websites that are clear, ethical, emotionally grounded, and beautiful. Not just something to “have,” but something that actually supports your work, attracts the right clients, and makes you feel more confident about how you show up online.

Because I’m a therapist too, I don’t just hand you a site and wish you luck. I offer relevant guidance, honest education, and design that reflects how this field actually works. I care a lot about removing the intimidation from marketing your practice and replacing it with confidence and clarity. Less second-guessing. Fewer headaches. More “oh… I can actually do this.”

I’m a designer at heart, so yes, your site will be strategic and functional. It will also gorgeous.

This little badge is a fancy way of saying I spend an unreasonable amount of time in Squarespace - so you’re in very capable Squarespace hands.

Every product at H5 is lovingly designed by yours truly.

When it comes to design, I believe in keeping things simple without ever compromising on quality or functionality. Your website should look incredible, but it should also work seamlessly for your business. I make sure your site isn’t just a pretty face. It converts visitors into clients. Whether you’re tech-savvy or tech-shy, my templates are built with you in mind, making the process of launching your website as stress-free as possible.

Therapist websites, designed from the inside

Mockup of a tablet with with the Awake website template for therapists.

There are a lot of talented website designers out there. Very few of them understand what it actually means to run a therapy practice.

High Five Design Co. exists because I live in both worlds. I’m a fully licensed therapist with an active private practice that makes up the majority of my income. Website design is not something I pivoted to after leaving the field. It’s been built alongside it. When I design therapist websites, I’m not guessing or borrowing generic marketing advice. I’m building from inside the work.

When you work with me, you’re working with someone who understands that:

  • Your website is already doing clinical work. Long before a client contacts you, your site is shaping expectations, signaling safety, and helping someone decide whether it feels okay to reach out.

  • Ethics aren’t a footnote. I’m deeply familiar with our ethical codes and the real responsibilities involved in inviting people in when they may be distressed, overwhelmed, or in crisis.

  • Therapist marketing is different. Generic website advice often misses what truly matters in this field. Because I run a practice myself, I know which details change real client experiences, not just how a site looks.

  • Emotional copy and structure matter. What you say, how you say it, and what you leave out all affect trust, clarity, and readiness.

  • Standing out requires nuance. I work exclusively with therapists, which means I know how to help you differentiate without becoming gimmicky, over-personal, or ethically messy.

  • Your site has to function in the real world. I design with accessibility, usability, and the actual client journey in mind, not just aesthetics.

  • This isn’t a past career. Because I actively run a private practice, I stay immersed in ethical considerations, shifts in how clients search for therapy, platform changes, accessibility conversations, and the real business side of private practice. My work evolves as the field evolves.

You’re not hiring someone who “used to” be a therapist. You’re working with someone who is building, marketing, refining, and protecting a therapy practice right alongside you.

My Story

Emily Whitish, LMHC and web designer, wearing a navy blue dress, smiling and standing behind a white table with color swatches, a tablet, a pen, and a small plant in a white pot in a bright, modern office with large windows.

Back in 2010, when I first opened my private practice, I noticed something strange: fellow therapists weren’t exactly forthcoming about their success. Most of them relied on two things: insurance contracts and word-of-mouth. While that worked for them, I knew it wouldn’t for me. I didn’t want to spend my career stressed about money or constantly chasing clients.

A few turbulent years later, after a health scare that forced me to reassess everything, I made a decision: I was going to take control of my practice and my life. I taught myself marketing, website design, and everything in between. Slowly but surely, my practice transformed. I was no longer scrambling for clients. I was attracting them. Private pay clients, no less. Suddenly, colleagues were asking how I did it.

That’s when I realized something important: when we share knowledge and lift each other up, we create a ripple effect of resilience, connection, and success in our work.

Inner Peace Website Template is a calm, soothing website for therapists and coaches in private practice.

In 2016, I decided to go all-in on this belief. I took everything I’d learned and created a business that’s rooted in generosity and support for fellow therapists. I’m here to help therapists like you feel proud of the work you do, not burned out or resentful. I know how empowering it is to build a practice that aligns with your values and supports your whole life; your health, your relationships, your happiness. And I want that for you, too.

That’s why I design websites that aren’t just beautiful, but functional and easy to use. I want you to feel confident, excited, and in control of your online presence, so you can focus on being the amazing therapist you are.

I believe we all should take more time to stop, listen, offer support, and reassure each other. Like,

“Hey, you’re kicking ass!”
“Yeah, you too!”

And then we’d high-five and go on with our day being our dope selves.

Person holding a tablet with a colorful graphic website, sitting indoors with a glass of water and plants in the background.

High Five Offerings

New here? Here's what you can find at High Five Design Co. This quick guide will help you decide what’s right for you—whether you want a DIY-friendly start, expert eyes on your brand, or a totally done-for-you website.

  • Website templates are semi-custom designs you can purchase, customize, and launch on your own timeline. Each template is thoughtfully created for private practice therapists, with strategic layouts, pre-written content prompts, and built-in SEO support.

    Unlike custom sites, templates are budget-friendly and ready to go—no waitlist, no design from scratch. They’re perfect for therapists who want a beautiful, professional site without the custom project price tag or process.

    Best for: Therapists who are just starting out, love a good DIY, or need a website up fast with guidance along the way.

    Learn More »

  • One-Day Websites are fully customized websites designed and launched in a single day. After a prep process where we gather your content and brand info, we work together in real-time to bring your site to life—strategy, design, and edits all wrapped in one focused day.

    You’ll walk away with a polished, mobile-friendly site that reflects your style and speaks directly to your ideal clients—without the lengthy back-and-forth of traditional design projects.

    Best for: Therapists who want a custom website without a months-long process and love the idea of crossing "launch my website" off their to-do list in one day.

    Learn More »

  • Have a million questions about your website, brand, or online presence? Book a one-hour call with me and get expert feedback, personalized ideas, and straight answers—without committing to a big project.

    Whether you need help with your homepage, want tips for SEO, or just want someone to look at what you’ve built so far, this hour is yours.

    Best for: Therapists who want personalized advice, a second opinion, or help getting unstuck.

    Learn More »

  • Running a practice can feel like a lot—especially when you're the therapist, marketer, and business owner all in one. These one-on-one consultations are designed to help you get unstuck, clarify your goals, and create a plan that actually works for you.

    Whether you're refining your niche, adjusting your services, or figuring out how to grow sustainably, we’ll focus on what matters most to you.

    Best for: Therapists who want strategic, personalized support to build a values-aligned, thriving private practice.

    Learn More »

The Blog

View All

An Actually Helpful Newsletter for Therapists

Sign up for High Five Fridays and get five bite-sized tips delivered to your inbox every week.

Emily Whitish, Squarespace expert, in a black sweater sitting on a beige sofa in a bright, modern living room with white walls, smiling at the camera.