Choosing a marketing partner isn’t like buying software or outsourcing bookkeeping. When it comes to behavioral health, the right PPC agency can mean the difference between your facility running a waitlist or struggling to fill beds. And with rising competition, tighter regulations, and higher patient expectations, your paid advertising strategy can’t afford to be an afterthought.
Not all marketing agencies understand the unique challenges of behavioral healthcare. You’re not just selling a product—you’re guiding people (and their families) through one of the hardest decisions of their lives. That’s why selecting a specialized behavioral health PPC agency isn’t just smart—it’s essential.
Here’s how to evaluate your options and find a partner who gets the nuances of rehab advertising and delivers real results.
1. Industry Experience Isn’t Optional
Marketing for treatment centers is highly regulated, emotionally sensitive, and operationally complex. A generalist agency might understand Google Ads, but do they know the difference between MAT and PHP? Can they build compliant campaigns that avoid keyword traps while still targeting your audience effectively?
A true behavioral health PPC agency will already speak your language. They’ll know how to navigate HIPAA concerns, stay ahead of Google’s healthcare ad policies, and design campaigns that align with your census goals and clinical criteria. Ask for proof—case studies, client references, and examples of ads built for other providers in the space.
2. They Go Beyond Clicks
A good agency drives traffic. A great one drives admissions.
If your prospective PPC partner is bragging about cost-per-click without showing you cost-per-admission, that’s a red flag. You’re not in business to win impressions—you’re in business to help people access care. Your agency should be obsessed with how each lead flows through your CRM, how it’s tracked in your call system, and whether it converts.
Make sure they’re ready to integrate with your platforms (CallTrackingMetrics, Salesforce, Kipu, etc.) and set up proper attribution. Without full-funnel insight, your PPC spend is just a guess—and in this space, guessing gets expensive.
3. They Collaborate with Admissions and Operations
The line between marketing and operations is blurry in behavioral health. A smart agency will know that a campaign’s success isn’t just about ad quality—it’s also about call routing, admissions staffing, insurance qualification, and more.
The right partner will ask the hard questions: How are leads handled after they convert? What’s your average contact-to-assessment time? What payer sources do you prefer? If your agency never talks to your admissions director, they’re not managing performance—they’re just pushing buttons.
4. Creative that Connects, Not Just Converts
Behavioral health marketing has to walk a fine line. You need ads that cut through the noise and drive action—but without exploiting pain or triggering shame. Great ad creative should feel human, hopeful, and helpful. That takes nuance, experience, and deep respect for the recovery journey.
Ask to see past ad examples. Look for messaging that feels clear and supportive—not pushy or clinical. The best agencies will develop landing pages and creative assets that reflect your brand voice and uphold your values.
5. Reporting That Makes Sense to Leadership
You shouldn’t need a marketing degree to understand your PPC results. Whether you’re presenting to your board, CFO, or clinical leadership, your agency should provide reports that are clean, digestible, and tied to business outcomes—not just traffic stats.
Look for an agency that delivers insights, not just data. Can they show you which campaigns are generating qualified leads by location, payer source, or program type? Do they recommend changes based on performance, or are they reactive? Transparent, strategic reporting is the backbone of a strong agency relationship.
Finding a Partner, Not Just a Vendor
Your behavioral health facility deserves a PPC partner who understands more than just ad platforms. They should understand your mission. Your patients. Your admissions process. Your challenges with census. And they should help connect the dots from lead to life-changing care.
When it’s time to evaluate a behavioral health PPC agency, don’t settle for slick presentations or vague promises. Ask tough questions. Look under the hood. And find a team that’s as serious about results as you are about recovery.
Need help vetting your current ad strategy—or starting fresh? Growth Sherpa works exclusively with behavioral health providers and treatment centers, helping them maximize ROI, streamline lead flow, and build sustainable growth through smarter marketing.
Let’s talk about what’s working—and what’s not.
