Fake Online Therapy and Counselling Scams via Email
How fraudulent online therapy emails attract people seeking mental health support and either collect fees for non-existent sessions or connect them with unlicensed practitioners.
Part of: Fake Online Therapy and Counselling Scam
Last reviewed: 8 June 2026
Demand for accessible, affordable online mental health support has grown substantially, and email advertising plays a significant role in how telehealth therapy platforms acquire new users. Fraudulent therapy emails exploit this demand by mimicking legitimate platforms, collecting subscription fees, and delivering either nothing or sessions with practitioners who lack the credentials their profiles claim.
People seeking mental health support are in a vulnerable position, and the decision to reach out for help represents a significant step. Having that step met with fraud — a disappearing platform, a practitioner whose credentials do not check out, or an ongoing subscription that delivers no real service — causes harm beyond financial loss.
This guide focuses on how to verify the legitimacy of an online therapy service before providing payment or personal information.
How this scam works on email
An email promotes an online therapy subscription — typically framed as affordable, stigma-free, and immediately available — with a link to a sign-up page. The platform presents profiles of 'licensed therapists' with credentials, specialisms, and positive reviews. A subscription fee is collected by card for access.
After signing up, the target may find that therapists are unavailable for weeks, that profile credentials cannot be verified with any licensing board, or that the platform disappears after collecting the first payment. In more sophisticated versions, sessions do occur but are conducted by practitioners who are not licensed in the user's jurisdiction, invalidating any legitimate therapeutic value and creating a risk if the user discloses sensitive information.
Some platforms engage in aggressive retention tactics when users try to cancel, including claims that cancellation forfeits unused sessions already paid for, or making the cancellation process technically difficult.
Common red flags
- Therapist credentials listed on profiles cannot be verified through the relevant state or national licensing board
- No physical address or registered company name for the platform
- Subscription fee is charged before any assessment or match process takes place
- Extreme difficulty cancelling once subscribed
- Therapists listed as available in every US state or globally without jurisdiction-specific licensing
- No privacy policy or information about how session data is stored
How to protect yourself
- Verify the platform is associated with a registered company and check reviews on independent platforms
- Before your first paid session, ask for your therapist's license number and verify it with the licensing board in your state or country
- Prefer platforms that are transparent about therapist qualifications and jurisdiction
- Look for platforms that are members of professional associations or accredited bodies
- If you are in crisis, use verified crisis lines such as the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (US) which are free and staffed by trained counsellors
How to report it
- Report unlicensed practice to your state's professional licensing board
- File a complaint with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov
- Report billing issues to your card provider
- Report to your state's Attorney General if the platform is engaged in deceptive practices
Frequently asked questions
How can I verify that an online therapist is actually licensed?
Ask for the therapist's full name, license type, and license number, and verify this information directly through the licensing board website for your state or country. Legitimate practitioners will not object to this request.
Is online therapy effective for real mental health concerns?
Legitimate teletherapy delivered by properly licensed practitioners is effective for many conditions. The issue is identifying platforms that employ genuinely licensed, qualified therapists rather than fraudulent or unqualified alternatives.