Whether it’s connecting with prospective therapy clients or building high-quality backlinks to your therapist website to improve search engine optimization (SEO), investing in a good online therapist directory can be an excellent way to market your practice and step up your business.
Amellia Willson of Search Engine Journal notes to “view directories as a source of traffic and trust.” In addition to improving visibility and search engine ranking, a reputable directory listing can provide a vote of confidence in you to prospective clients.
But simply having a listing on any directory does not guarantee results. A lot depends on the therapist directory you choose. Before you take the time to fill out your profiles or pay service fees, do your research and compare. Consider:
- How reputable is this website? If a prospective client viewed your your profile on this website, would they view your practice as legitimate?
- How likely will my target audience visit this site? If it’s not likely, it might not worth listing your business unless it’s a free listing and the website has a decent Alexa ranking.
Here’s a selection of online therapist directories along with some pros and cons for each to help you make an informed decision for your individual therapy practice.
1. Psychology Today
Psychology Today is a name that is widely known and often pops up on the first page of Google whenever you’re looking to find answers for your psychological problems.
Pros:
It is unique because it is the largest platform of its kind and a highly authoritative website with lots of traffic flowing because of its high ranking. You get a backlink for your website that helps with SEO.
Cons:
Because of its popularity and widespread use, it can make it difficult for therapists to get recognized because the of the large pool of candidates trying to find their place.
Cost (as of October 2022):
$29.95 per month.
SimilarWeb.com Ranking (as of October 2022):
#502 in United States
#1 in Mental Health Category in United States
2. Good Therapy
Good Therapy is another pioneer of therapist directories that has been active for more than a decade. It is the most significant competitor to Psychology Today.
Pros:
Getting a referral is easier here as there’s a guarantee to get at least one in the first three months of your listing, so it can help you set off easier. Also, it’s more convenient for group practices, rehab and treatment centers.
Cons:
Good Therapy comes with some strict guidelines to set up, which is also good as it reduces the competition. It might be a good option if you don’t prioritize a backlink as it does not provide one.
Cost (as of October 2022):
$29.95-239.95 per month for basic membership depending on contract length. Premium and Pro Memberships are also available.
SimilarWeb.com Ranking (as of October 2022):
#15,363 in United States
#37 in Mental Health Category in United States
3. TherapyDen
TherapyDen is a free, online therapist directory that can help you bring more therapy clients to your doorstep.
Pros:
It’s free and reputable. TherapyDen ranks for more than 10,000 therapy-related keywords and has over 140+ filters that help a potential client hone in to the type of therapist they’re seeking. So, your chances of matching with an ideal client may be more likely here.
Cons:
As it’s relatively new, it’s still building its audience, so you won’t expect a swarm of visitors here as you would on Psychology Today, but it also helps you secure a visible spot more quickly.
Cost (as of October 2022):
Free for basic profile. Premium account also available.
SimilarWeb.com Ranking (as of October 2022):
#37,031 in United States
#100 in Mental Health Category in United States
4. TherapyTribe
Founded in 2005, TherapyTribe is a user-friendly website that ranks highly for many therapy-related keywords. One of its most distinctive features is its use of “tribes” (online mental health support communities) where people experiencing common mental health issues can discuss and share resources.
Pros:
Includes in-depth information about your practice, a backlink to your website, and the ability to feature a video. Their geographic technology feature displays your therapist profile in nearby areas. Profile statistics are available.
Cons:
As it’s still in the growing stage, you may find traffic to your therapist profile a little inconsistent.
Cost (as of October 2022):
$29.95 per month (first month free) or $299 per year.
SimilarWeb.com Ranking (as of October 2022):
#116,747 in United States
#320 in Mental Health Category in United States
5. Find A Therapist
Findatherapist.com was the #2 Google result for “therapist finder” and #3 Google result for “find a therapist” in July 2021.
Pros and cons:
While it doesn’t have the global reach yet of its major competitors, Psychology Today and GoodTherapy.org), the reduced monthly cost and backlink to your website are definite perks consider.
Cost (as of October 2022):
$99.95 per year
SimilarWeb.com Ranking (as of October 2022):
#211,298 in United States
#651 in Mental Health Category in United States
6. Therapy for Black Girls
Therapy for Black Girls is a beautifully designed website dedicated to “encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls” and provides a therapist directory for locating therapists who specialize in providing mental health services for black women and girls.
Pros:
Black-woman owned, this is a wonderful service for finding therapists for a generally underserved population. Clients are able to search geographically and filter for virtual therapy options. Badges are available to include on your therapy website.
Cons:
Relatively new and established in 2014, the reach for this website has a lot of room for growth however, the specific niche of black women and girls will help you connect with clients if this is an area of your expertise. Also, creating a listing is a great way of showing your support for black women and girls in line with the website’s mission:
The mission of Therapy for Black Girls is to sustain and grow an engaged community centered on the mental health needs of Black women and girls.
Cost (as of October 2022):
$25 per month or $300 per year
SimilarWeb.com Ranking (as of October 2022):
#69,905 in United States
#936 in Mental Health Category in United States
7. InclusiveTherapists
Inclusivetherapists.com offers a safe and simple way to find a culturally responsive, LGBTQ+ affirming, and social justice-oriented therapist. Users can browse by location or categories
Pros:
Focus on inter-sectionalism and centering the needs of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BI&POC) and the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. Website features English and Spanish and is easy-to-use.
Cons:
This directory is relatively new to the online space and will continue to grow. Its newness can be a benefit for you in terms of visibility to prospective clients within your region searching for safe, culturally sensitive support.
Cost (as of October 2022):
Free for 45 days. $29/month for solo therapists. $119 for groups. Sponsored memberships available for Indigenous and Black therapists. 6 months free for therapists licensed in locations they are growing in.
SimilarWeb.com Ranking (as of October 2022):
#98,235 in United States
#272 in Mental Health Category in United States
8. SouthAsianTherapists.org
SouthAsianTherapists.org helps clients find culturally sensitive and quality therapists of South Asian descent. Their directory includes therapists of Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Afghani and Nepali heritage.
Pros:
South Asian American woman-owned, this sensitive website provides a valuable resource for South Asian clients who are able to search for a therapist by location, session type (online, in-person, phone, and in-home visits) as well as by language. Thorough profiles include a backlink to your practice’s website, as well as a telephone number and email address and don’t require you to communicate through the SouthAsianTherapists.org website.
Cons:
Founded in June 2020, this directory is new to the online space and has room to grow. Its newness can be a benefit for you in terms of visibility to prospective clients within your region searching for culturally sensitive support.
Cost (as of October 2022):
$19.79 per month or $197.99 per year
SimilarWeb.com Ranking (as of October 2022):
#333,764 in United States
#1,022 in Mental Health Category in United States
9. MyWellbeing
MyWellbeing is a free, national online therapist directory (with paid option) that allows potential clients to find you by using advanced directory filters. Online visitors can also receive three curated matches, based on their responses to about a 5-10 minute quiz.
Pros:
It’s free (with paid option), woman-founded, and growing. Alyssa Petersel, LMSW founded MyWellbeing in 2017 after searching for a therapist herself and it taking over 30 calls to find the right fit.
Cons:
As it’s relatively new, it’s still building out its directory in all 50 states.
Cost (as of October 2022):
Free for basic profile. Professional account also available.
SimilarWeb.com Ranking (as of October 2022):
#148,162 in United States
#425 in Mental Health Category in United States
10. OnlineTherapy.com
Onlinetherapy.com is a free, international online therapist directory
Pros:
It’s free, full of related articles written by experts, and continuing to grow. Users can search for a therapist near them and also by specialty.
Cons:
As it’s relatively new, it’s still building out its directory worldwide. The navigation can feel a tad overwhelming.
Cost (as of October 2022):
SimilarWeb.com Ranking (as of October 2022):
#84,765 in United States
#231 in Mental Health Category in United States
Find Local Therapist and Professional Organization Directories
Depending on where you live, there may be local therapist directories for you to create a profile. Do a Google search for your city, county or state and “therapist directory” (or a similar search) to identify directories that would help prospective clients find you. Any links you can provide to your website from other reputable websites will help improve your Google search result ranking and other popular search engines. Professional organizations such as the American Psychologist Association, American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, and National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association may also provide directories for you to promote your practice. Don’t forget to research if there are directories for any of your specialties (e.g., “Aspergers therapist directory” or “EMDR therapist directory”) as well.
Don’t forget the free business profiles on high-profile websites
Additional resources
40 Online Counseling Directories To Help You Get Found Online (Tamara Suttle)
Backlinks (Moz)
Google Discusses Backlinks (Search Engine Journal)
Alexa Rank: Everything You Need to Know About It (Kinsta)
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