Editorial policy
This page explains how we research and write our guides, who is responsible for them, and how we keep them accurate and independent.
In short: We base claims on sources we have actually read, we never invent reviews, experts or statistics, we disclose that we use AI assistance, a human editor is responsible for every page, and we show a clinical reviewer only when one has genuinely reviewed a page.
Who is responsible
All content is published by White Match Ltd (United Kingdom) under the name CBT Guide USA. The publisher is responsible for every page, including pages drafted with software assistance. You can reach us via the contact page.
Research standards
- Every factual claim, number or statistic must come from a source we have opened and read. If we cannot verify something, we leave it out.
- We link sources at the bottom of each page, and we try to cite close to the claim.
- We keep research about CBT in general separate from information about a specific provider. Studies about CBT are not evidence that a particular company's service works, and we do not present them that way.
- Provider facts (prices, plan features, policies) are labeled as provider-reported and dated.
- We use hypothetical examples to explain ideas. They are clearly labeled as examples and are not real people or cases.
Sourcing hierarchy
When sources disagree, we prefer them roughly in this order:
- Clinical guidelines from recognized professional or public health bodies.
- Systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
- Individual randomized controlled trials.
- Information from US government agencies and official crisis services.
- Provider-reported information (for example, a company's own pricing page or FAQ), used for facts about that provider only.
We do not use anonymous forum posts, unverified testimonials or marketing claims as evidence. More detail is on our sources and methodology page.
What we never do
- Invent reviews, testimonials, user ratings, quotes, experts, credentials or photos.
- Claim we tested a service clinically or as patients when we did not.
- Promise outcomes, cures or recovery timelines.
- Use fake urgency, countdowns or "limited" offers.
- Let a commercial partner write, edit or approve our content.
Use of AI assistance
We use AI writing tools to help with research organization, first drafts and editing. We say this openly because readers deserve to know how content is made. AI tools can make mistakes, including stating things that are not true, so they do not get the final word:
- A human editor checks facts and numbers against the original sources before publication.
- A human decides what is published and is accountable for it.
- AI tools are not used to create fake people, reviews, quotes or credentials.
Clinical review
We are arranging for our health content to be reviewed by a licensed mental health professional. That review has not yet taken place. A page will show a reviewer's name, credentials and the review date only when a licensed professional has actually reviewed it. Until then, pages show only the editorial team and the last-updated date. Reviewers will be described accurately on a profile page with their license details and any conflicts of interest.
Clinical review checks that health information is accurate and appropriately cautious. It does not mean the reviewer endorses any provider.
Updates and price checks
- Each page shows the date it was last updated. We change that date only for meaningful edits, not cosmetic ones.
- Pages with prices are marked with the month prices were checked. Prices are labeled "about" because the provider can change them and the checkout page is the authority.
- We re-check provider prices and key policies regularly, and when we hear that something has changed.
- Substantive errors are fixed and recorded on our corrections page.
Independence from advertisers
We earn a commission from Online-Therapy.com when someone subscribes through our links (see the affiliate disclosure). That relationship does not give Online-Therapy.com any say over what we publish. We include drawbacks, alternatives that earn us nothing, and the honest answer when a service is not a good fit. Our provider criteria are on how we evaluate.
Language and claims
We write in plain US English. We avoid words like "best", "cheapest" or "guaranteed" unless we can show they are literally true, and we avoid implying that any service will make you better. Online therapy is not an emergency service, and our pages say so where it matters. In a crisis, call or text 988 or see crisis resources.