Writing an Accurate Professional Biography for a Public Directory

A professional biography should help a reader understand who you are, what service you offer and how to decide whether to contact you. Accuracy and clarity matter more than promotional intensity. The biography should distinguish your qualifications, current professional status and actual services.

Lead with useful current information

State your professional role and current confirmed membership category using the appropriate wording. Describe the people or kinds of enquiries your service is intended for, within your actual competence and arrangements. Avoid a broad claim to work with every concern.

Add the appointment format and general location where relevant. A reader often needs this practical information before deciding whether to continue. Keep administrative addresses distinct from appointment locations.

Describe training and experience precisely

Use the correct award titles and name the relevant awarding organisation or institution where appropriate. Distinguish a qualification from a workshop or attendance certificate. Do not let a long list of courses imply a status that has not been awarded.

Describe experience factually. Explain roles and settings without overstating responsibility. If you mention specialist work, ensure the description reflects the training, experience and professional arrangements that support it.

Explain your approach in ordinary language

Readers may not recognise technical terms. A brief explanation of how you discuss goals, agree the work and review practical arrangements can be more useful than a list of approaches without context. Avoid promising a particular outcome for every person.

Use a respectful tone that leaves room for questions. The biography should invite an informed enquiry, not suggest that the reader must commit before learning how the service works.

Finish with the next step

Explain how to enquire and what information is useful at that stage. Keep fees and availability current where they are displayed. If those details are maintained on another page, direct readers there clearly.

Review the biography after changes in status, role or service. A short, accurate profile is preferable to a longer one that includes outdated claims. Keep a copy of the approved wording for consistent use across your professional pages.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use the title of a category I am applying for?

Use your confirmed status until the relevant organisation communicates its decision and display instructions.

Should I include every course I have attended?

Select information relevant to the service and reader. Keep the distinction between formal qualifications and continuing learning clear.

See the ICPHAA directory, consult Standards & Ethics and request listing updates through Contact.