The Online Counselling Directory
Pioneering an Online Therapy Marketplace Before It Went Mainstream
Project Overview
Before the widespread adoption of telehealth and virtual therapy, The Online Counselling Directory set out to connect people around the world with licensed therapists who offered online counseling.
Founded by New York–based therapist Clay Cockrell, LCSW, and developed in partnership with Mental Health Marketing, the platform became one of the earliest large-scale directories dedicated entirely to online therapy — years before the pandemic made virtual care the norm.
The Problem
At the time, online therapy was still a new and largely misunderstood concept. Most directories focused exclusively on in-person services, and few offered ways for clients to easily discover or verify therapists who worked online.
Clay envisioned a centralized resource where clients could search by location, specialty, or platform — and where clinicians could list their online therapy services with credibility and professionalism. The challenge was to design a platform that could scale globally while maintaining trust and accessibility.
The Solution
Our team collaborated closely with Clay to bring the concept to life from the ground up. We designed a modern, user-friendly brand and website that made it easy for clients to find and connect with qualified therapists offering online sessions.
Key initiatives included:
- Custom directory development supporting therapist profiles worldwide.
- Brand and logo design conveying professionalism and safety in a digital setting.
- Optimized content writing focused on education and awareness around online counseling.
- Partnership integration with BetterHelp, enabling the display of their therapist listings alongside independent practitioners.
- Marketing planning and consultation to build visibility among both clinicians and the public.
The Outcome
The Online Counselling Directory quickly became one of the largest therapist directories dedicated to online services — featuring tens of thousands of therapist profiles across multiple countries.
The platform served as both a client resource and an early advocate for virtual care, helping normalize online therapy long before telehealth regulations caught up. The directory’s success eventually led to its acquisition by a third-party buyer, marking a milestone in the evolution of digital mental health access.
Services Provided
- Content Writing
- Logo Design
- Website Design
- Directory Development
- Marketing Planning & Consultation