7 Favorite Online Therapist Directories & Best Practices for a profile that converts

Consumers today are savvy and they want service providers who have established, certifiable authority. People are researching your business and googling your name before they contact you, and the more places they can find you online, the more credible you and your business will appear. This is one of the many reasons why being listed on appropriate directories is a must for therapists. Online therapist directories are reliable sources your prospective clients utilize, and it is smart marketing to be findable wherever your ideal clients are searching.

Additionally, having profiles on top directories provides your website with a wonderful backlink. Read more: What is a backlink, why are backlinks important, and how do I get backlinks?

It is worth noting that not all online therapist directories are equally valuable, and I do not recommend having a profile on every single therapist directory out there. I recommend therapists and coaches have a profile on at least five directories, and I think somewhere around ten to twelve is a sweet spot.

Which online therapist directories are the best?

I’m so glad you asked! 😊 There are countless therapist directories online, and I always encourage my clients to prioritize the ones that…

☑️ Are filterable by location.
☑️ Cater to a niche-specific audience.
☑️ Have a good domain authority.
☑️ Are specific to your city or region.

That said, here are my top favorite online therapist directories.

Best Online Therapist Directories

1 | Psychology Today – Psychology Today is the #1 best online therapist directory. Their D.A. is powerful, and most people start here when beginning their search for a therapist. Yes, there is a monthly membership fee, but if you are only listed in one online therapist directory, Psychology Today is, in my opinion, the best one to be listed on.

2 | Neurodivergent Therapists – The Neurodivergent Therapy niche is growing. If you are a therapist catering to this Target Audience, you will definitely want to be on niche-specific directories like this one.

3 | Choosing Therapy – I really like this therapist directory. Not only does it have good Domain Authority, but I LOVE all the filters! Prospective clients can search for a therapist based on insurance, niche, location, specialty, etc. Plus, therapists can include/upload an intro video on their profile, which is a huge bonus! Did I mention this one is free?

4 | Mint Leaf – When it comes to SEO, Mint Leaf knows what they are doing. Their lovely directory is quick, simple, and last I checked, free to be listed on!

5 | Kids Therapy Provider – KTP is an excellent online therapist directory option for behavioral health professionals catering to children.

6 | Therapy Den – If you are looking to acquire clients within the LGBTQ+ niche, Therapy Den is worth your attention.

7 | Online Therapy – Online Therapy is a great online directory option to consider – especially if you are keen to acquire more online/virtual clients!

Best practices for online therapist directory profiles

As a professional marketing consultant in the mental health industry, I have seen it all. From the pristine profiles to the super cringe ones, here are my top takeaways and tips for creating and maintaining professional profiles on online therapist directories.

1. Use a good photo.

A “good” photo is one that is not too professional and not too casual. I recommend a standard, professional portrait, similar to a LinkedIn headshot photo, but a little bit more friendly, relaxed, and approachable. I would avoid using selfies or photos that showcase too much individuality. From a personality perspective, the photo should give off neutral, polite, and put-together vibes.

Pro tip: If it’s a #CuteSelfie you'd post on social media or use as your profile pic on a dating app, I would avoid using it as your therapist profile pic.

2. Use that same “good” photo consistently across all your other profiles.

This way you are easily recognizable and findable across multiple platforms. Plus, you take advantage of the mere-exposure effect – a researched and proven phenomenon where the more often people see someone, the more likeable they find that person.

3. If you have the option to do a video intro, definitely do it!

Simply say hello, introduce yourself, share a little bit about your POV or scope of practice as a therapist, and maybe close with a word of encouragement to whomever is watching. Even a short 30-second video can drastically boost your conversions and help you land more bookings.

Pro tip: Close ups and high, quarter turn angles may work well for photos, but they are not optimal for professional intro videos. Keep the video frame a medium shot – top part of the waist up.

4. Be thorough with your profile.

There is certainly a time and place for brevity, but your therapist profile is not one of those times. Fill out all the sections, list out all the issues you treat, mention the modalities you might utilize, and share more about yourself then just your credentials. Be as thorough as possible.

5. Stay organized.

Remember – if it is not manageable, it will not be professional. I strongly encourage my clients to keep their online presence well-organized and easily updatable. If you have old, outdated, inaccurate, or no longer relevant info out there, it’s not professional. Try to review and update your profile content at least once a year.

Pro tip: Use a spreadsheet to organize your directory profile content. Use one tab per profile and include a “Last updated on…” box at the top of each tab so you can keep track of everything.

Your online presence matters.

If you are struggling to attract your ideal client and need some strategic support with optimizing your online presence, please contact me. I am a marketing consultant specialized in helping mental health practitioners and companies attract their ideal client.