It is time to once again devote this space to a question and answer session with successful local people who have used the Internet, or in this case, Internet marketing, to build their business.

This week we had the pleasure of sitting down with Ed Dudding from Coeur d'Alene Counseling, Inc.

When and how did your business start?

I left my previous position as an associate counselor to open my own practice, Coeur d'Alene Counseling, full-time in 2010 in downtown Coeur d'Alene.

Have you worked with other digital marketing companies? How helpful were they?

I knew I needed a website and SEO, although I didn't know what SEO (Search Engine Optimization) meant at the time, so I hired a guy who built a site and optimized it for SEO and it worked! Calls started coming and I was getting clients and my practice grew really fast. In our industry, 9 out of 10 therapists from other practices work on referrals through other physicians, other therapists, churches, etc. to build those relationships. Without Internet marketing I wouldn't have been able to build my business.

What prompted you to begin working with Cd'A Press Digital and how long have you been a client?

I read Jacob's (Myong) article on SEO and I took a chance and gave him a call. I had been working with someone previously who was very difficult to get ahold of and I was getting frustrated so I decided to try working with someone locally. Jacob is very easy to get ahold of and he's knowledgeable which gave me the confidence to switch to Cd'A Press Digital. Overall I really feel like you guys are helping me as a business partner to carry out my business plan.

How much of an impact has Cd'A Press Digital had on your overall growth and continued success?

I cannot have a practice without digital marketing. As I continue to grow my practice, I depend on Internet marketing. Ninety percent of my business comes from the Internet.

What specific resources or campaigns have you implemented with Cd'A Press Digital?

A new website that is Mobile Responsive and Mobile Friendly. An ongoing SEO campaign that's been running for about a year. And monthly reporting and management to improve performance of the website.

What are your objectives for the future, as digital marketing and the Internet as a whole become increasingly important for your success?

As clients complete my programs, I need to grow my business and more new clients to keep moving forward. Additionally, I want to increase brand recognition and my presence in the region, specifically in Spokane.

What makes you unique among your competitors?

There are two types of addictions: substance, i.e. drugs and alcohol; and process addictions such as sexual addictions. I work on process addictions and focus on sexual addiction. I am the only therapist in the area who is both CSAT (Certified Sexual Addiction Therapist) and CMAT (Certified Multiple Addiction Therapist) certified to help sexual addiction clients.

My clients receive cutting-edge assessments, therapy and after care to address the whole behavior. My goal is about more than just stopping the behavior and you are done ... it is a long-term therapy, it is a transformation that allows my clients to work toward the freedom to make their own choices regarding their sexuality.

The process starts with an extensive sexual addiction evaluation and then they can step into one of four programs depending on the solution that best suits their individual needs. They receive materials, assessments, and individual therapy and participate in a group therapy session, FOCUS, which is my flagship program. This intensive-outpatient program is part of the long-term care may patients will receive. My practice can handle the assessment and the therapy and the after-care. It is complete that way.

My clients will also benefit from the training I received that was developed by Dr. Patrick Carnes.

Coeur d'Alene Counseling is located at 421 E. Coeur d'Alene Ave., Suite 1A in Coeur d'Alene. You can visit its website at www.cdacounseling.com

Stephen Robinson and Jacob Myong are Coeur d'Alene Press Digital Marketing Consultants. Email Jacob at jacob@cdapress.com or Stephen at srobinson@cdapress.com. Please call 208.416.5176 for more information.