Quote:
Originally Posted by Leah123
I have not seen any evidence that a disproportionate number of online therapists are inexperienced. My own has 20 years experience, 17 in a traditional office, and all the others on our service have at least a few years experience, up to 25 years, as I've seen on other sites also. I'm sure there are a variety of experience levels, but don't seem to be more inexperienced ones online.
Most therapists have to pay a share of rent, utilities, office expenses, additional insurance, and other expenses, plus take insurance-imposed fee cuts, so don't think a private practice T earns more than half of what they charge you- they typically do not. Also, therapists working from home have no commute, no wardrobe fees, parking, etc.
|
Here are the first four provider directories I found when I googled 'online therapy'.
breakthrough.com - a good mix of therapists, all of whom also appear to have a brick-and-mortar practice. Therapists set their own rates (which run from $100 to $200 per session).
prettypaddedroom.com - the owner of the website stated on national tv that their therapists get a flat rate of $30 per session (which costs clients $45) and that they work primarily with newly licensed therapists who are struggling to start out in private practice.
mytherapist.com - two of the four therapists don't have their education/credentials listed. Of the other two, one is licensed in Poland (she may have a heavy accent, which might be an issue for some folks) and one has a psychology degree from Australia but does not appear to be licensed to practice.
virtualtherapyconnect.com - a good mix of therapists with varying credentials and years of experience. Providers pay a flat fee to use the website ($30 to $50 per month) and seem to keep their client fees in full. That's a fair arrangement for all parties involved.
I am not trying to say that all online therapists are inexperienced or that all websites provide a bad deal for the practitioners. I am just saying that there appear to be enough inexperienced or unlicensed online therapists or ripoff websites out there to keep an eye out - especially when looking for low-cost services.