How listings are ordered
No one can pay to appear higher, to appear on an area page, or to hide anyone else.
Which therapists appear
A therapist appears in the directory when their California license is current and active on our last check, they have approved their profile, and their details have been confirmed in the last 12 months. Every published therapist appears on the area pages for the areas they serve.
What your filters do
When you choose filters, such as area, method, session format, payment or language, the page shows only therapists whose profiles match all the groups you picked. Within a group, any of your choices counts (for example, "Spanish" or "Vietnamese"). Filtering happens in your browser; your choices are not sent to us or added to the page address.
The order you see
Matching therapists are shown in a random order that changes every day, so no one is permanently at the top. If your browser has JavaScript turned off, they are shown alphabetically by last name.
What never affects order
- Payment of any kind. Listings are free, and if paid features are ever added they will not change order or placement.
- Method or training, including Relational Life Therapy (see the disclosure on our About page).
- Reviews or ratings. We do not have any.
- How often a profile is viewed or contacted.
Why we work this way
The US Federal Trade Commission has told search services that results ranked because of payment must be clearly labeled as ads. We think couples choosing a therapist deserve better than that: an honest list they filter themselves. We also do not pick a therapist for you; you choose who to contact.
Source: FTC staff letter to search engines on distinguishing paid results (24 June 2013, PDF).