The Hidden Agenda of Some Online Therapy Platforms

Preying on Vulnerability for Profit

In the digital age, online therapy has emerged as a beacon of hope for individuals seeking accessible and flexible mental health support. By breaking down barriers such as geography, cost, and stigma, online therapy platforms have brought much-needed professional care to millions worldwide. However, amidst this positive transformation, a troubling trend is surfacing: some online therapy service portals appear to prioritise profit over the well-being of their clients, creating an exploitative ecosystem that preys on vulnerable individuals in need.

The Dark Business Model Behind the Scenes

While many therapy platforms advertise themselves as ethical, client-focused services, reports suggest that some operate with a business model designed to maximise financial gain at the expense of ethical practice. Behind the scenes, therapists are allegedly pressured to prolong the therapy process unnecessarily. For instance, therapists are instructed to ensure that clients attend sessions at least once a week. If a session is missed, the portal allegedly mandates that two sessions be scheduled the following week, with clients being warned that missed appointments could result in a “relapse.” This manipulative language, capitalising on clients’ fears and insecurities, is deeply troubling.

It’s worth emphasising that while continuity in therapy is important in some cases, this one-size-fits-all approach disregards the individual needs and progress of clients. In many instances, effective short-term therapy can yield positive results in weeks or months, yet these platforms allegedly pressure therapists to stretch treatment for years. The emotional toll on both the clients—who may feel trapped and dependent—and the therapists—whose professional autonomy is undermined—cannot be overstated.

Ethical Concerns with Vulnerable Populations

Mental health professionals are bound by ethical guidelines to prioritise the needs and well-being of their clients above all else. This troubling business model seems to breach these core principles, commodifying therapy as a means to “feather their own nests.” Those seeking therapy are often in a state of vulnerability, grappling with issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, or grief. The idea of exploiting this vulnerability for financial gain appears sociopathic, subverting the very purpose of therapy: to empower individuals to heal, grow, and become self-sufficient.

The Importance of Regulation and Accountability

One of the primary reasons unethical practices can infiltrate the online therapy market is the lack of regulation for some platforms. While many therapists are trained and registered professionals bound by strict ethical codes, some online therapy portals operate without adequate oversight. These platforms may employ therapists who find themselves torn between their ethical duties to clients and the demands of their employers to generate profit.

To safeguard your mental health and well-being, it’s essential to verify that any therapist you work with is registered with a recognised professional organisation. In the UK, these include:

• The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
• The British Psychological Society (BPS)
• The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
• The National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS)
• The British Hypnotherapy Society
• The General Hypnotherapy Register
• The Hypnotherapy Association

These organisations enforce rigorous ethical standards for therapists, offering clients reassurance that they are receiving professional care from practitioners who are accountable for their actions.

How to Protect Yourself When Seeking Online Therapy

If you’re considering therapy via an online platform, consider the following steps to ensure you’re making an informed choice:

1. Research the Platform: Look into the policies and practices of the portal. Does the company emphasise ethics and client well-being in its mission? Is it transparent about its processes?
2. Verify Your Therapist’s Credentials: Ensure that the therapist you work with is registered with a recognised regulatory body.
3. Understand the Therapy Process: A good therapist will collaboratively set goals with you and periodically review your progress. Beware of pressure to attend unnecessary sessions or to commit to therapy indefinitely.
4. Avoid Fear-Based Tactics: If a therapist or platform uses language that instills fear—such as warnings about relapse if you miss a session—consider looking elsewhere.
5. Seek Direct Referrals: When possible, book therapy through professional organisations or directly with registered therapists, bypassing unregulated platforms. This ensures your mental health is treated as a priority, not a source of revenue.

The Way Forward

Mental health care is an essential service, and individuals seeking therapy deserve to be treated with dignity, respect, and compassion. The troubling business practices of some online therapy portals undermine the progress made in reducing stigma and improving access to care. It is vital that we, as a society, hold these platforms accountable and advocate for greater regulation in the online therapy market.

As clients, we must remain vigilant, informed, and proactive in seeking ethical, evidence-based care. By choosing registered professionals and reputable platforms, we can avoid falling prey to exploitation and ensure that therapy remains a tool for genuine healing and empowerment.

Let us collectively demand better—so that online therapy can fulfil its promise of making mental health support accessible to all, without compromising on ethics or integrity.