On May 8th 2025, Our Contemplative Mental Health Leadership Group discussed referrals and the challenges and wins that come with it. Marketing in person is not always possible, however with technology comes online connection and digital directories. Using online directories is a strategy for therapists seeking to grow their practice, increase visibility, and connect with clients who align with their services and values. The following list provides a brief overview of some organizations currently available, including details about their focus and potential benefits. Each directory that you qualify should only take around 90 minutes to complete! That is the normal length of an intake session!

Some of the links below may offer referral or affiliate incentives, which help support continued resource development of Contemplative Caregiver. For example if you join Psychology Today with my link you will get six months free and I earn one month free! Likewise, If you join Headway, you will earn over $190 by signing up and completing all their trainings and see your first client. I have had the most success with Open Path Collective, Psychology Today, and Headway

30 Referral Sources for Counselors, Social Workers, and Psychologists

Directory	Description	URL
Alma	Alma is a membership-based platform that assists therapists with credentialing, billing, and marketing while providing a searchable directory for clients. It focuses on streamlining access to in-network care.	helloalma.com
American Psychological Association (APA) Therapist Finder	Official directory for American Psychological Association members. High authority but limited to psychologists.	locator.apa.org
Asian Mental Health Collective	Free directory highlighting Asian mental health professionals. Strong visibility for cultural match searches.	asianmhc.org
Best Therapists	A vetted directory focused on high-quality, private pay therapists. Limits the number of therapists per page to improve visibility.	besttherapists.com
Being Seen	Limits the number of therapists per city for increased visibility. Smaller platform with less keyword traction.	beingseen.com
Bridges Mental Health	This directory connects Asian, Pacific Islander, and South Asian American (APISA) clients with culturally competent mental health professionals. It emphasizes identity-centered care and cultural responsiveness.	bridgesmentalhealth.com
Choosing Therapy	High traffic, but promotes BetterHelp partnerships. Offers visibility but may not align with all therapists’ values.	choosingtherapy.com
Clinicians of Color	Affordable listing option promoting therapists of color. Focused on building a directory that celebrates diversity and cultural competence.	cliniciansofcolor.org
Find a Therapist	Affordable directory with emphasis on proximity-based searches. Growing in authority and visibility.	find-a-therapist.com
GoodTherapy	A long-standing directory with strong SEO and a reputation for promoting ethical therapy practices. Paid listings with moderate cost.	goodtherapy.org
Headway	Connects in-network therapists with clients based on insurance matching. Available in select states only.	headway.co
Health Grades	Primarily used by doctors but therapists can list for added local SEO value. Not therapist-specific.	healthgrades.com
Inclusive Therapists	Focused on connecting marginalized populations with affirming, culturally competent providers. Offers many identity- and accessibility-based search filters.	inclusivetherapists.com
International Therapist Directory	Focused on therapists living abroad. Low U.S. visibility but useful for international practice.	internationaltherapistdirectory.com
Mental Health Match	Uses a matching system to connect therapists with clients based on fit. Affordable and growing in popularity.	mentalhealthmatch.com
Monarch	Free for Simple Practice users, offers clean profile design and Google-friendly listings. Growing visibility over time.	meetmonarch.com
Network Therapy	Long-standing directory with high domain authority but an outdated interface. Known for reliability despite lower traffic.	networktherapy.com
Neurodivergent Therapists	A specialized directory listing therapists who identify as neurodivergent and offer affirming, neurodiversity-informed services. Ideal for clients seeking therapists with shared lived experience and understanding.	neurodivergenttherapists.com
Online Therapy	Specializes in virtual therapy. Free basic listings with optional paid upgrades.	onlinetherapy.com
Open Path Collective	Nonprofit directory connecting sliding scale clients with therapists. Free to join but limits session fees.	openpathcollective.org
Psychology Today	The most recognizable therapist directory with massive SEO presence. Competitive due to a high volume of therapist profiles.	psychologytoday.com
Secular Therapy Project	This directory helps clients find therapists who use evidence-based, non-religious therapeutic approaches. Designed for those seeking secular, science-grounded mental health care.	seculartherapy.org
Therapeasy	Free app-like matching platform that uses algorithms to suggest therapist-client fit. Newer but promising.	therapeasy.co
Therapy Den	Free or premium directory with inclusive, niche-friendly filters and an easy user interface. Well-known for LGBTQIA+ and social justice-focused search options.	therapyden.com
Therapy for Black Girls	A highly visible directory specifically supporting Black therapists and therapy-seekers. Also offers podcasts and community resources.	therapyforblackgirls.com
Therapy for Latinx	Supports Latinx therapists and clients, ranking well for identity-specific search terms. Affordable listing options.	therapyforlatinx.com
Therapy Tribe	Affordable paid directory with fewer competing profiles than major competitors. Solid domain authority for therapist search terms.	therapytribe.com
Theravive	High-authority site offering guaranteed client leads for premium members. Known for its longevity and reliability.	theravive.com
Zencare	Strong search visibility and high-quality profile design. Requires a startup fee plus monthly costs.	zencare.co
ZocDoc	Pay-per-lead directory popular among insurance-focused providers. High visibility but costs can add up.	zocdoc.com

3 Bonus Referral Sources for Counselors, Social Workers, and Psychologists

Directory	Description	URL
Wellness.com	A general wellness directory that includes listings for therapists, counselors, and mental health professionals. It allows you to create a basic profile for visibility alongside other health-related services.	wellness.com
Therapist.com	Backed by the American Counseling Association, this directory offers a polished, user-friendly platform focused on evidence-based care and strong therapist profiles. It’s free to join and includes insurance filters and identity-affirming tags.	therapist.com
CaringOurWay	A site for family and professional caregivers to receive and give support. Join the site, choose your flair, and connect with caregivers locally and abroad.	caringourway.com

Closing Note
A directory listing should support—not replace—your broader efforts to engage with clients and professional networks. Regularly review the performance of each listing and focus on those that contribute meaningfully to your practice’s growth and reflect your professional values.