TherapySites gives you a website.
WebsiteTherapy gives you a marketing engine.
TherapySites was built for a world where therapists just needed a basic web presence. That was enough in 2015. But today, clients ask ChatGPT for recommendations, Google surfaces AI Overviews, and your competitors are showing up in places TherapySites can't reach. An affordable website with outdated templates isn't enough anymore.
What is TherapySites?
TherapySites is a therapy-specific website platform founded in 2001 and based in Scottsdale, Arizona. It offers hosted websites for mental health private practices starting at $69/month, with optional add-ons for SEO ($40/mo), social media management ($40/mo), and HIPAA-compliant email ($14.99–24.99/mo). TherapySites is endorsed by APA, CAMFT, and ACA. Their platform provides therapy-specific templates with pre-written copy and a DIY editor described as “as simple as Microsoft Word.” Setup is available for $199 (concierge) or self-serve.
What TherapySites does not include: AI discoverability, structured data (JSON-LD schema markup), GEO-optimized content, a visitor chat agent, autonomous blog drafting, Google Reviews management, or citation sync across Google, Bing, Apple Maps, Yelp, and Foursquare. SEO is an add-on, not included in the base price.
What therapists outgrow about TherapySites.
TherapySites deserves credit for making therapy websites accessible. At $69/month with therapy-specific templates, pre-written copy, and partnerships with APA, CAMFT, and ACA, they lowered the barrier for thousands of therapists. But there are real limitations:
Pricing and feature details based on TherapySites publicly listed plans as of 2026. Verify current pricing at therapysites.com.
The designs haven't kept up.
TherapySites templates are frequently described as outdated — sites built today look like they were designed 10 years ago. Worse, because customization is so limited, your site looks nearly identical to other TherapySites clients in your area. Potential clients notice.
SEO costs extra — and it's still basic.
The base $69/month plan includes no SEO optimization. Their SEO add-on is $40/month, bringing your real cost to $109/month — and even then, it's basic meta tags and keyword targeting. No structured data, no schema markup, no GEO optimization for AI search engines.
Everything after the website is missing.
No blog automation. No Google Reviews. No visitor chat. No AI assistant. No structured data. TherapySites gives you a static web presence and stops there. In 2026, a website without active content marketing is invisible.
Technical performance: what TherapySites sites actually score.
Beyond features and pricing, therapists switching from TherapySites frequently raise three technical concerns: page speed, mobile experience, and accessibility compliance. Here's what the evidence shows.
Page speed: TherapySites vs modern platforms.
TherapySites sites are server-rendered PHP with WordPress-era architecture. Google PageSpeed Insights scores for a sample of TherapySites client sites show mobile scores in the 35–65 range (out of 100). Load times of 3–5 seconds on mobile are common. Google uses Core Web Vitals as a ranking signal — slow sites rank lower, all else equal. WebsiteTherapy sites are statically generated and served from a global CDN; mobile scores typically land 85–95+. Speed alone won't rescue a site from bad content, but it's a compounding disadvantage for TherapySites users competing for local search rankings.
Mobile experience.
Over 60% of therapy-related searches happen on mobile devices (Google, 2025), and Google uses mobile-first indexing — it evaluates the mobile version of your site, not desktop. Many TherapySites templates use fixed-width layouts and small tap targets that predate Google's mobile-first era. The limited editor means you can't fix mobile layout issues without escalating to their support team. WebsiteTherapy uses Next.js 15 with Tailwind CSS — every breakpoint is responsive by default and passes Lighthouse mobile audits.
ADA / WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility.
The ADA and Section 508 apply to therapy practice websites — therapists who work with disabled clients have a particular obligation to ensure their sites are accessible. TherapySites doesn't document WCAG 2.1 AA compliance or provide accessibility audit results. Older templates often fail contrast ratio requirements and lack proper ARIA attributes. WebsiteTherapy uses React Aria components with WCAG 2.1 AA baked in and runs automated axe-core accessibility checks on every build. Accessibility is also an indirect SEO signal — screen-reader-friendly markup helps search engine crawlers parse your content correctly.
Side by side. Feature by feature.
| Feature | TherapySites | WebsiteTherapy |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost (base) | $69/mo | $99/mo (Growth) |
| SEO included | No — $40/mo add-on | Yes — automatic on every page |
| Site management | DIY (limited editor, “as simple as Word”) | Chat with AI assistant, live in seconds |
| Design quality | Outdated templates — cookie-cutter look | We clone your existing design or build custom |
| Customization | Very limited — can’t swap design elements independently | Full control — tell your assistant, preview, approve |
| AI discoverability | No | Built in — 25+ schema types, AI crawlers, GEO optimization |
| Structured data (JSON-LD) | None | 25+ types auto-generated from practice identity |
| Blog | Basic — you write everything yourself | AI writes posts in your voice, on your schedule |
| Social media | Extra $40/mo add-on | Optional add-on — $99/mo done-for-you (Facebook + Instagram) |
| Visitor chat / AI agent | No | 24/7 AI visitor agent — answers questions, captures leads, books appointments |
| Google Reviews management | No | Collection, embedding, smart routing, ethical pacing |
| Entity graph | No | entity.json — single source of truth powers website, schema, listings, AI visibility |
| Citations & listings sync | No | 9 platforms managed. NAP consistency monitored. |
| HIPAA-compliant email | $14.99–24.99/mo add-on | PHI scrubbing built in — no email add-on needed |
| Data portability | Limited — rebuild needed if leaving | Full export anytime — GitHub repo, CSV, JSON |
| Version history | No | Git-backed. Undo any change instantly. |
| Contract | Month-to-month | Month-to-month. Cancel anytime. |
What you gain beyond a website.
TherapySites gives you a website. WebsiteTherapy gives you everything a modern therapy practice needs to get found:
- AI assistant — manage your entire site through conversation. “Update my hours.” “Write a blog post about managing burnout.” “Add my new EMDR certification.” Done in seconds.
- 24/7 visitor agent — answers questions, captures leads, books consultations while you sleep. Crisis protocol built in with 988 + Crisis Text Line.
- AI discoverability — 25+ JSON-LD schema types, AI-friendly robots.txt, GEO-optimized content. Built so ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI can find and recommend you.
- Blog automation — your AI writes posts in your voice, formats them for human readers and AI engines. You spend 15 minutes reviewing. 3+ posts per week is achievable.
- Social media management — an optional $99/mo add-on. Our team handles done-for-you Facebook and Instagram posting so your practice stays active where clients scroll.
- Review management — automated collection requests, smart routing (Google for AI, Yelp for Perplexity), ethical pacing. Reviews embedded on your site.
- Listings sync — one change updates your practice info across Google, Bing, Yelp, Apple Maps, Facebook, and Foursquare. NAP consistency monitored weekly.
- Entity graph — your practice defined once in entity.json, consistent everywhere. Website, schema, listings, AI visibility — all from one source of truth.
The real cost when you add up the add-ons.
TherapySites advertises $69/month. But most therapists need SEO, and many need HIPAA email. Here's what it actually costs:
| Service | TherapySites | WebsiteTherapy |
|---|---|---|
| Base website | $69/mo | $99/mo (Growth) |
| SEO optimization | +$40/mo | Included |
| Social media management | +$40/mo | Optional add-on — +$99/mo (done-for-you) |
| HIPAA-compliant email | +$14.99–24.99/mo | PHI scrubbing included (no add-on) |
| Blog automation | Not available (DIY) | Included — AI writes, you review |
| AI visitor agent | Not available | Included |
| Review management | Not available | Included |
| Listings sync | Not available | Included |
| Concierge setup | $199 one-time | $0 — we clone your site free |
| Total for comparable features | $124–174+/mo | $99/mo (Growth) or $199/mo (Concierge) |
TherapySites at $69/month is genuinely affordable — if all you need is a basic website. But the moment you need SEO or HIPAA email, the add-ons push the price past WebsiteTherapy, which includes both from the start. If you're evaluating managed agencies as well, see how Hibu ($500–1,000/mo) compares or compare Brighter Vision's managed service model.
Who should stay on TherapySites.
We're a comparison page, so we have a bias. Here's an honest assessment of when TherapySites is actually the right call:
You already have a full caseload.
If you're consistently full and getting referrals through word of mouth or Psychology Today, your website is a credibility-checker, not a lead source. At that point, $69/month for a basic presence is fine. The AI discoverability gap only costs you if you need new clients.
You're close to retirement.
If you're winding down your practice in the next 1–2 years, switching platforms isn't worth the transition effort. Keep what's working.
You need APA or CAMFT member discount pricing.
TherapySites partners with APA, CAMFT, and ACA, and some association members receive discounted pricing. If your association deal brings TherapySites under $50/month and you only need basic web presence, that math works in their favor.
Everyone else — especially therapists who want more leads, want AI to recommend them, or want a website that works while they're with clients — will outgrow TherapySites.
How to switch from TherapySites without losing your Google rankings.
If your TherapySites site ranks for any local search terms, that authority is worth preserving. Here's the exact sequence therapists use to migrate without a rankings drop.
- 1
Copy all your content before canceling.
Screenshot every page. Copy all text into a document. Download every image. TherapySites won't give you your files after you cancel — you need to capture everything first. Visit
yoursite.com/sitemap.xmland save the list of all URLs. - 2
Verify you own your domain.
Check who registered your domain. If TherapySites registered it on your behalf, request a transfer authorization code (EPP code) before canceling — most registrars require the account to be active to initiate a transfer. Your domain carries your search authority; never let it lapse.
- 3
Set up and review your new site before going live.
With automated migration (WebsiteTherapy) or manual rebuild (Squarespace, WordPress), have your complete new site ready on a staging URL before touching your domain. Never cancel TherapySites while your domain is pointing to their servers — even 24 hours with no site hurts your rankings.
- 4
Set up 301 redirects for any URL changes.
If
/servicesbecomes/therapy-services, a 301 redirect tells Google the page permanently moved and transfers its authority. Without redirects, Google sees a broken page — you lose the ranking. Any good platform handles this automatically. - 5
Switch your DNS and submit your new sitemap.
Point your domain to your new host. Then immediately submit your new sitemap to Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools. Google re-crawls quickly after a sitemap submission; Bing submission matters for ChatGPT Search visibility.
- 6
Monitor Search Console for 30 days.
Check weekly for crawl errors, 404s, and indexing drops. Most well-executed migrations see a 1–2 week fluctuation followed by stabilization at the same ranking level or better — because your new site is faster and has richer structured data than TherapySites could provide.
The typical timeline: 2 hours of prep, 15 minutes of active migration, 30 days of monitoring. Your TherapySites content migrates intact. Your domain stays. Your search authority follows.
Frequently Asked Questions
TherapySites is only $69/month. Why should I pay $99?
TherapySites at $69/month gives you a basic website with outdated templates and no SEO. Add their SEO service ($40/mo) and you’re at $109/month. Add HIPAA email ($14.99–24.99/mo) and you’re at $124–134/month — for a platform that still has no AI features, no blog automation, no visitor chat, and no structured data. WebsiteTherapy’s Growth plan at $99/month includes all of that from day one. (Social media management is an optional $99/mo add-on on either plan.)
TherapySites partners with APA, CAMFT, and ACA. Does that matter?
Those partnerships give TherapySites credibility, and they’ve earned trust in the therapy community over the years. But partnerships don’t determine the quality of your website or whether clients can find you. What matters is whether your site is optimized for how people actually search in 2026 — and increasingly, that means AI search engines like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews. Association partnerships don’t help with that.
TherapySites includes a free Psychology Today listing. Isn’t that valuable?
A 6-month Psychology Today enhanced listing (normally ~$30/month) is a nice perk. But Psychology Today is one directory. WebsiteTherapy manages your presence across 9 platforms — Google Business Profile, Bing Places, Yelp, Apple Maps, Facebook, Foursquare, and therapy-specific directories — and keeps them all in sync. One directory listing vs. consistent presence everywhere AI engines check.
TherapySites has therapy-specific templates with pre-written copy. That saves time, right?
It saves time on initial setup, yes. But pre-written copy means your site sounds exactly like every other TherapySites client in your area. Google and AI engines increasingly penalize thin, duplicated content. WebsiteTherapy’s AI assistant writes content in your voice, based on your specialties, your approach, and your community — unique content that signals expertise to both human visitors and AI.
Can I migrate from TherapySites to WebsiteTherapy without losing my SEO?
Yes. We extract all your content, clone your design, set up proper redirects, and connect your domain — same URL, zero downtime. Your SEO rankings typically improve after migration because the new site is faster, has richer structured data, and starts generating fresh content through your AI assistant.
Is TherapySites a bad platform?
No. TherapySites has served the therapy community well for years. They offer affordable, therapy-specific websites with HIPAA considerations and association partnerships. For therapists who just need a basic web presence and don’t mind a dated design, it works. But the world has changed. AI search, content marketing, social presence, and structured data now determine who gets found. TherapySites gives you a website. WebsiteTherapy gives you a marketing engine.
What about TherapySites’ HIPAA-compliant email?
TherapySites offers HIPAA-compliant email as a $14.99–24.99/month add-on. WebsiteTherapy takes a different approach: your visitor agent and contact forms are architecturally designed to never collect protected health information (PHI). Clinical communication belongs in your EHR (SimplePractice, TherapyNotes, etc.), not your website. We enforce this at the platform level with PHI scrubbing and appropriate disclaimers.
TherapySites offers a concierge setup for $199. What does WebsiteTherapy charge for setup?
Nothing. We clone your existing site for free during migration — your design, content, and images are extracted and rebuilt automatically. No setup fee. Your site looks the same on day one, but with better architecture, structured data, and an AI assistant managing it going forward.
Can I keep my custom domain when I switch from TherapySites?
Yes. If you own your domain (registered through GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains, etc.), you keep it. We point it to your new site in minutes with zero downtime. If TherapySites registered your domain for you, you’ll need to request a transfer authorization code from them before canceling. Either way, your URL stays the same and your SEO is preserved.
My TherapySites site still ranks on Google. Won’t switching hurt my rankings?
No — it typically improves them. We migrate your content with the same URLs and proper 301 redirects for any that change. Your new site is faster (static generation, global CDN), has richer structured data (25+ JSON-LD types TherapySites doesn’t generate), and will start accumulating fresh content through your AI assistant. Google rewards all three of those signals. Most therapists see ranking improvements within 30–60 days of migration.
Your practice deserves more than a template from 2015.
$99/month. No setup fee. No contract. We clone your existing site, add AI discoverability, and give you an assistant that manages everything — for less than TherapySites with add-ons.