Sources and methodology
This page explains which kinds of evidence we rely on, how we check and calculate prices, and what our methods cannot tell you.
In short: We give most weight to clinical guidelines and systematic reviews, treat provider information as provider-reported, convert weekly prices to monthly estimates with weekly x 52 / 12, and date every price check. We do not run clinical tests of services.
Evidence hierarchy
| Level | Type of source | How we use it |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clinical practice guidelines from recognized professional and public health bodies | Main basis for statements about what treatments are recommended and for whom |
| 2 | Systematic reviews and meta-analyses | Summaries of the overall evidence, including for internet-delivered and therapist-supported CBT |
| 3 | Individual randomized controlled trials | Supporting detail, with caution about size, population and follow-up length |
| 4 | Official government and crisis-service information | Facts about services, helplines, licensing and consumer rights |
| 5 | Provider-reported information (pricing pages, FAQs, affiliate materials) | Facts about that provider only, always labeled and dated |
We do not use testimonials, anonymous reviews or marketing claims as evidence of effectiveness. When higher-level sources conflict with lower-level ones, we follow the higher level and say if there is uncertainty.
Research about CBT vs facts about a provider
Research on CBT tells us about CBT as a method, delivered in the ways studied. It does not show that any particular company's service produces the same results. When our pages discuss evidence, we say what was studied (for example, therapist-guided internet CBT in adults), and we do not attach those findings to a specific provider. Information about a provider, such as plan features or prices, comes from the provider and is labeled that way.
How we check prices
- We record prices from the provider's own public pages and, where relevant, from the materials it gives affiliates, and we note the month we checked them.
- Prices are shown as "about" and "as listed in [month year]; check the final price at checkout", because providers can change prices, display different currencies or apply different offers at checkout.
- For Online-Therapy.com, prices are listed per week and, according to its FAQ, billed monthly. As listed in November 2026: Basic about $48/week in the first month then about $60/week; Standard about $72 then about $90; Premium about $96 then about $120. The first month includes a 20% introductory discount.
- We re-check prices regularly and whenever readers report a change. Pages show the price-check month in the byline.
How we calculate costs
A year has 52 weeks and 12 months, so an average month is 52 / 12 = about 4.33 weeks. We convert weekly prices to an estimated monthly cost like this:
Monthly estimate = weekly price x 52 / 12, rounded to the nearest dollar.
| Plan | First month | Following months |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $48 x 52 / 12 = about $208 | $60 x 52 / 12 = about $260 |
| Standard | $72 x 52 / 12 = about $312 | $90 x 52 / 12 = about $390 |
| Premium | $96 x 52 / 12 = about $416 | $120 x 52 / 12 = about $520 |
- Totals over several months = first month + (number of months - 1) x following-month estimate.
- Cost per live session = monthly estimate / sessions per month, where Standard has about 4.33 and Premium about 8.67 sessions per month. This assumes every included session is used.
- Financial aid is never assumed. Our calculator lets you enter your own percentage estimate, because the provider decides eligibility and amount.
- Insurance reimbursement is never subtracted, because it depends on your plan and is not guaranteed.
The provider's actual monthly charge may be calculated differently from our average, so small differences are expected.
Worked examples on our pages
Examples such as a thought record or a weekly activity plan are written by us to explain an idea. They are hypothetical and labeled as such. They are not real clients, and they do not predict what will happen in your therapy.
Limitations
- We do desk research. We do not clinically test services or assess individual therapists.
- Prices and policies can change between our checks. The checkout page is the authority.
- Research findings come from specific groups of people in specific settings and may not apply to everyone.
- Our clinical review process is still being arranged; pages show a reviewer only after a licensed professional has actually reviewed them. See our editorial policy.
- We have a commercial relationship with Online-Therapy.com, described in our affiliate disclosure. Our criteria are on how we evaluate.
If you think a source is wrong or outdated, please tell us via our corrections page.