The Hidden Cost of App-Based Therapy: Why Convenience Doesn’t Equal Care — and How to Be a Smart Consumer of Therapy
- Brynne Goldberg
- 6 days ago
- 9 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
In recent years, app-based therapy platforms have exploded in popularity. Their marketing is everywhere — promising quick access, lower costs, and the comfort of talking to a “therapist” from your couch. At first glance, this seems like progress for mental health care. But after years in the field and hearing countless stories from clients and colleagues, I can confidently say these services often deliver the opposite of what therapy is meant to be.
Despite the flashy ads and venture-capital backing, I have yet to hear a single genuinely positive or effective experience from someone who used one of these text- or phone-based therapy apps. Yes, accessibility matters. Yes, affordability matters. But quality matters most — and that’s what’s too often missing.
Why App-Based Therapy Misses the Mark
Therapy isn’t just about venting or getting quick advice. It’s about connection — real, nuanced, human connection — built through subtle cues, emotional attunement, and the shared physical and psychological space of being truly seen and understood.
That doesn’t happen over text messages or intermittent phone calls. That doesn’t happen when your “therapist” is juggling dozens of clients at once. And it certainly doesn’t happen when your care is being funneled through a corporate system designed for efficiency and retention rather than therapeutic depth or effectiveness.
The therapeutic relationship is the foundation of meaningful change. Without that relationship — and the presence, pacing, and depth that come from in-person sessions — therapy becomes a transactional service, not a transformative one.
The Bigger Problem: Eroding Trust in the Field
When people have poor or ineffective therapy experiences, they don’t just lose trust in one provider — they lose trust in therapy itself. And that’s the most concerning outcome of all.
At a time when mental-health needs are at an all-time high, the field is becoming increasingly diluted — not just by social-media “experts” and self-proclaimed coaches, but also by an influx of underprepared clinicians entering the profession. I want to be clear: this is not a condemnation of new therapists. Every professional — myself included — had to start somewhere, and the learning process is essential and valuable.
However, the sheer number of people entering the mental-health field in recent years raises important questions about why so many are doing so — and whether our graduate programs are prioritizing profit over quality. In my professional and personal opinion, becoming a therapist has become an increasingly accessible path for people seeking entry into a helping profession, sometimes for reasons that may be more self-serving than self-aware.
Most therapists, of course, genuinely want to help others — that desire is central to the work. But without deep personal insight and emotional maturity, that motivation can unconsciously shift from serving clients to serving one’s own unmet emotional needs. Over the years — as both a clinician and a consumer of therapy — I’ve witnessed how therapists who haven’t done their own internal work may inadvertently prioritize their own need to feel powerful, wise, or needed, rather than what is truly in the best interest of the client.
In plain terms, this can look like a therapist giving direct advice simply because it feels gratifying to “help” or to sound authoritative. But that isn’t therapy. Real therapy is not about telling clients what to do — it’s about helping them develop the capacity to trust themselves, make sense of their experiences, and move toward change on their own terms.
True therapy requires far more than conversation. It’s a complex, moment-to-moment process of active listening, identifying patterns and themes, recalling previous insights, connecting emotional and behavioral dots, and distilling all of that into a concise, well-timed reflection that promotes a client’s self-awareness, understanding, and autonomy.
If your therapist is simply giving advice, it may be time to reconsider the fit. Advice implies hierarchy — that the therapist somehow knows what’s best for your life. But therapy at its best isn’t about authority; it’s about collaboration. My role is not to make decisions for my clients but to help them access their own clarity, confidence, and agency.
Unfortunately, with graduate programs churning out record numbers of new therapists each year, it’s worth asking whether schools are filtering candidates for the emotional depth, insight, and interpersonal capacity that this work truly requires — or whether financial incentives have taken priority over producing competent, grounded clinicians.
How to Be a Smart Therapy Consumer
If you’re seeking therapy — whether for the first time or after a disappointing experience — it’s crucial to know what to look for and what questions to ask before committing to care.
Five Quick Tips for Being a Smart Therapy Consumer
Check credentials. Look for licensed professionals (LPC, LPCC, LCSW, LMFT, PsyD, or PhD). Titles like “coach” or “therapist” are not legally protected and can be misleading.
Ask about approach. Effective therapy isn’t about trendy techniques; it’s about how your therapist conceptualizes your experience and facilitates insight and change.
Prioritize connection. Research consistently shows that the therapeutic relationship — not the method — predicts outcomes. You should feel both safe and challenged in the room.
Be wary of oversimplified advice. Mental health isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. Real growth takes time, depth, and collaboration.
Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is. The right therapist will welcome your questions and transparency.
A Deeper Dive: Understanding the Different Types of Mental-Health Providers
To be an informed consumer of mental health care, it’s important to understand the language and structure of the field. Below is a breakdown of the main types of licensed providers, their credentials, and their roles — along with key terms that will help you recognize how a provider conceptualizes human behavior, interprets emotional distress, and facilitates lasting change in therapy.
Therapist
In the state of Colorado, what most people think of as a “therapist” or “shrink” is formally known as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). This title can be confusing because many licensed professionals don’t actually refer to themselves as counselors. The distinction matters — “counselor” is also used in other helping professions (like school counselors, camp counselors, or legal counsel), and not everyone who calls themselves a counselor is a licensed mental-health professional.
Understanding this difference is key to distinguishing between those who are licensed and formally trained to provide psychotherapy and those who are not. Licensure indicates completion of a graduate degree, supervised clinical experience, and ongoing continuing education — all of which ensure a therapist has the competence and ethical grounding to work safely and effectively with clients.
A helpful way to conceptualize a therapist’s training is to think of it as somewhat parallel to the medical field: just as physicians complete a residency, licensed therapists are required to complete a designated number of supervised clinical hours — both during their master’s program and post-graduation — before they can practice independently. This ensures they gain extensive, real-world experience and mentorship before assuming full responsibility for client care.
Role and Training: Therapists hold at least a master’s degree in counseling, psychology, social work, or a related field. They’re trained in a range of therapeutic approaches and often specialize in particular populations or issues — such as athletes, parents, couples, or adolescents.
Theoretical Orientation: A therapist’s orientation is the framework that shapes how they understand problems and create change.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Focuses on how thoughts influence emotions and behaviors.
Psychodynamic Therapy: Explores unconscious processes and early experiences.
Humanistic Therapy: Emphasizes self-growth and authenticity.
Solution-Focused Therapy: Centers on practical, goal-oriented problem solving.
Therapeutic Modalities: A therapeutic modality refers to the method or format a therapist uses to deliver treatment. It describes both how therapy is conducted.
Individual Therapy (one-on-one sessions)
Group Therapy (shared experiences)
Family Therapy (systemic communication patterns)
Couples Therapy (relationship dynamics)
Specialization and Diagnosis: Therapists complete extensive supervised hours and ongoing training. They can conduct diagnostic assessments and provide formal mental-health diagnoses, often collaborating with medical professionals such as psychiatrists or physician assistants to ensure comprehensive care.
Other Licensed Professionals in the Mental-Health Field
Now, let’s look at how the role of a Licensed Professional Counselor differs from other licensed professionals — such as Clinical Social Workers, Psychologists, School Psychologists, and Psychiatrists — whose training, scope, and focus vary across the mental-health field. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify who does what, how each provider approaches treatment, and which type of care may best fit your needs.
Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Role and Training: LCSWs hold a master’s degree in social work (MSW) and are licensed to provide psychotherapy. In addition to traditional therapy, they are trained to address the social and environmental factors that influence mental health — including family systems, community supports, and socioeconomic context.
Holistic Approach: They often help clients navigate both emotional and practical challenges, providing therapy while also connecting them to community or healthcare resources for a more holistic approach.
Psychologist
Role and Training: Psychologists hold a doctoral degree in psychology — either a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) or PsyD (Doctor of Psychology) — and are trained extensively in assessment, diagnosis, and evidence-based treatment of mental health conditions. They complete several years of post-graduate education, followed by thousands of supervised clinical hours, before obtaining licensure.
PhD programs typically emphasize research and assessment, while PsyD programs focus more heavily on clinical practice. Both degrees prepare psychologists to provide psychotherapy, conduct psychological testing, and contribute to treatment planning through in-depth understanding of human behavior, emotion, and cognition.
Scope of Practice: Licensed psychologists are qualified to diagnose and treat a wide range of mental and emotional disorders. Unlike psychiatrists, they do not prescribe medication (except in a few states with additional certification). Instead, they focus on therapeutic interventions, diagnostic assessments, and psychological testing — tools that can clarify complex issues like learning differences, ADHD, trauma, or personality dynamics.
Where They Work: Psychologists work in a variety of settings — private practice, hospitals, clinics, schools, universities, and research institutions — often collaborating with other professionals to provide comprehensive care.
School Psychologist
Role and Training: School psychologists are specialists who work within educational settings to support students’ learning, behavior, and emotional development. They typically hold an Educational Specialist degree (EdS) or Doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) in school psychology and are licensed or credentialed through the state’s Department of Education rather than a mental health board.
Scope of Practice: School psychologists conduct evaluations to identify learning disabilities, developmental disorders, and emotional or behavioral challenges that may interfere with academic success. They also design and implement interventions, consult with teachers and parents, and help create supportive learning environments for students.
How They Differ from Therapists: School psychologists primarily address concerns related to academic performance, behavior, and emotional adjustment in school-aged populations, while clinical therapists and counselors typically provide broader psychotherapy across life stages and settings. Both, however, play vital roles in supporting emotional and psychological well-being.
Psychiatrist
Role and Training: Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MD or DO) who specialize in diagnosing and treating mental-health disorders, primarily through pharmacological interventions.
Medication Management: They can prescribe medications such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers. Sessions are typically brief (15–30 minutes) and focus on evaluating symptoms, monitoring medication efficacy, and adjusting prescriptions as needed.
Challenges and Perceptions: While some patients feel that psychiatric appointments can be brief or impersonal, many psychiatrists provide compassionate, patient-centered care. Collaborative treatment — where psychiatrists and therapists communicate regularly — can greatly enhance outcomes.
The Collaborative Care Model
The collaborative care model is considered the gold standard in mental-health treatment. Your therapist should coordinate with other healthcare providers, or refer you to trusted partners when appropriate, to ensure whole-person support.
In my practice, I collaborate closely with a Physician Assistant (PA) who manages the medical side of patient care. PAs are licensed to prescribe medication and perform many of the same functions as doctors. This collaboration allows for:
Comprehensive, patient-centered care that blends therapy with attentive medical evaluation.
Ongoing consultation to align observed symptoms with medical findings.
Holistic treatment planning that addresses physical, emotional, and psychological well-being.
This model reflects our shared commitment to high-quality, integrated care that supports real, sustained improvement.
About My Approach
For those who appreciate my therapeutic style but aren’t current clients, my work is grounded in an in-sight-based approach — a modern adaptation of psychoanalytic and psychodynamic traditions.
Why In-Sight-Based Therapy Works:
It goes beneath surface symptoms to uncover the root causes of emotional pain.
It fosters genuine, lasting change rather than short-term symptom management.
It integrates evidence-based modalities (like CBT and DBT) with deeper, insight-driven exploration.
This kind of work helps clients connect recurring patterns across relationships, motivations, and histories — often leading to the kind of breakthroughs that short-term or app-based therapy simply can’t achieve.
Caution Regarding “Coaches”
While coaching can have value in goal-setting or accountability contexts, it is not a substitute for therapy. Be cautious of individuals marketing themselves as “therapists” without proper licensure or clinical training.
Unlike licensed clinicians, most coaches:
Are not regulated by a professional board,
Cannot diagnose or treat mental-health disorders, and
Lack training in ethics, crisis intervention, and clinical supervision.
Food for Thought When Choosing a Provider
Credentials and Licensure: Look for LPC, LPCC, LCSW, LMFT, PsyD, or PhD. These credentials ensure rigorous education, supervised experience, and ethical accountability.
Professional Presentation: A therapist’s online presence can reveal their professionalism and focus. Seek profiles that speak directly to your needs — not ones heavy on marketing fluff.
Personal Connection: Therapy is relational. You should feel understood, not managed.
Holistic Perspective: Choose providers who view emotional struggles as interconnected, not isolated.
Flexibility: There’s no single “right” therapist. Trust your instincts and see who aligns with you.
Shop Around: It’s normal — and often beneficial — to meet multiple therapists before deciding. Therapy is an investment of time, money, and emotional energy; you deserve to find the right fit.
Where to Start Your Search:
PsychologyToday.com — for all licensed therapists.
Final Thoughts
Convenience should never come at the cost of care. Mental health deserves more than an app, a chat thread, or a checkbox. It deserves the real thing — connection, depth, and professionalism.
If you’ve had a disappointing experience with therapy in the past, please don’t give up on it. Give yourself the opportunity to experience what it feels like to be truly seen, heard, and understood by a qualified professional who is invested in your growth — not your subscription renewal.