You've probably seen a ton of ads for venture-capital backed therapy apps. They're convenient and affordable. However, there are significant issues associated with these platforms that often go unnoticed. We've explored some of the obvious problems with therapy apps in a previous article, but more have come to light. It's always best to look under the surface at what's actually going on and how it impacts the care you're receiving.

Follow The Money And See Where It Leads: Investor and VC Influence On Therapy Client Experience

Therapy apps often prioritize satisfying investors and venture capitalists over client needs. This leads to many issues and can drive decisions that favor profitability rather than quality care. Consequently, therapists are underpaid and overworked, compromising the support they provide. The emphasis on financial metrics can also result in high therapist turnover, destabilizing client care. Privacy and data security may also be compromised as companies seek to monetize user information.

Therapy App Low Pay and Unethical Compensation Models

Therapists working for therapy apps frequently face low pay and unethical compensation practices. These platforms often pay therapists significantly less than they would receive through insurance. On some platforms, licensed therapists make $30 per hour or less. We know dog walkers who make more. To make a living wage, therapists have to see 40+ clients a week. This is unsustainable and leads to burnout and low quality of care. Most therapists feel that 25 clients a week is sustainable, but not more.

Low pay undervalues the therapist's work and leads to financial instability and dissatisfaction. Lower pay can discourage good therapists from joining or staying with an app. This affects the quality of care available to clients.

Therapy App Retention Bonuses and Ethical Concerns

Some therapy apps use retention bonuses as an incentive to keep therapists on their platforms. This raises big ethical concerns. If your therapist is getting a bonus for keeping you in therapy, will they be honest about your positive progress? Probably not. These bonuses create conflicts of interest. If the therapist’s motivation for you to stay in therapy is financially driven rather than focused on your well-being, it’s unethical. The goal of therapy should be to help you feel better and not need therapy anymore. Retention bonuses can compromise the integrity of the therapeutic relationship.

The Gig Economy Model Applied To Therapy: A Net Negative

Therapy apps sometimes apply the gig economy model to their operations, treating therapists as gig workers. Some therapists work full time for apps but are paid as contractors, which is not ideal. But some therapists work on apps to to supplement their income while working full time in an agency or mental health clinic. This is a problem because doing therapy is hard work. Doing a few more therapy sessions after a full workday of therapy sessions is not the same as doing a few extra Lyft rides. It stretches professionals too thin emotionally and mentally. You end up with worse care.

The gig economy model undermines the stability and professionalism required for effective therapy. High turnover rates and burnout among therapists are common in this setup, leading to disrupted care.

Potential Dangerous Use of AI in Therapy

We're not certain where therapy apps are headed, but AI is a concerning possibility. While AI can assist with tasks and generate text, its application in therapy is problematic. Therapy relies heavily on human empathy and understanding—qualities that AI cannot replicate. The increasing reliance on AI devalues the essential human connection in therapy.

NEDA’s Cautionary Tale

The National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) experienced the dangers of using AI in counseling firsthand. They trained an AI bot to respond to people in their eating disorder support chatroom. Within a few hours, the AI bot was recommending dieting and weight loss to people struggling to recover from eating disorders. NEDA quickly deactivated the AI feature and replaced it with staff and volunteers. It was a cautionary tale to many in the mental health space about the potential harms of using AI.

Devaluing the Therapist-Client Relationship

Therapy apps tend to devalue the therapist-client relationship by treating therapy as a mere transactional service. This approach overlooks the importance of a collaborative and personalized therapeutic journey. When the relationship is devalued, the therapeutic process is hindered, and clients may not receive the full benefits of therapy.

Lack of Personalization and Specialized Care

Many therapy apps struggle to offer personalized and specialized care. Without proper matching processes and specialist availability, clients might not receive the specific care they need for conditions like trauma or PTSD.

Privacy and Data Concerns

Privacy breaches and data sales issues have plagued therapy apps since the beginning. Some of the larger companies have flagrantly sold client data for profit. This is a violation of HIPAA and the public trust. Personal information and sensitive conversations should remain completely private. Multiple large lawsuits have required therapy apps to pay millions for violating client privacy.

Why Small, Therapist-Owned Teletherapy Practices Stand Out

Prioritizing Client and Therapist Well-Being Over Profit

Unlike venture capital-funded therapy apps eager to please their investors, therapist owned practices focus on clients. Energy and focus is where it should be: on you. There is significantly less burnout among therapists, who are not overworked and can provide better care.

The Importance of Consistent, Personalized Care

In a small practice, clients are treated as individuals rather than data points. A strong, collaborative relationship with your therapist is vital for successful therapy. This is especially true when dealing with trauma. Small practices foster long-term connections, allowing therapists to understand your progress deeply. If a therapist must end care, they typically offer time to process the transition and referrals for continued support.

Privacy & Quality Over Quantity in Care

Small practices prioritize quality over quantity. Caseloads are kept reasonable to ensure therapists can dedicate time and attention to each client. This focus on quality care is crucial for trauma processing, as it prevents the disruption of restarting therapy multiple times.

Privacy is a significant advantage of therapist-owned teletherapy practices. Small practices are not interested in selling data. Using HIPAA-compliant platforms, they provide the convenience of therapy apps without compromising privacy.

High-Quality Teletherapy Services in California and Florida

Ready to start your healing journey? Consider booking a free consultation with our experienced therapists. Our small, well-rested team is committed to providing the support and guidance you deserve. Schedule a consultation today and take the first step towards a more empowered future.