April 20: Therapist Billing for Giving Support to Members
Hello Everyone!
In this thread, we announced the therapist directory and community! All along our goal has been to set up a system where therapists can give support using our platform. This week, we will be launching the billing component of this update. Here is how it will work:
- A member who would like to sign up to pay for online therapy will be able brought to a payment screen upon selecting a therapist.
- We ask them to enter their payment information. With a special notice, that they will not be charged till 5 messages have been exchanged between them and their chosen therapist. This will need to include at least 1 reply from the therapist. The goal here to ensure that your therapist is a good fit for you. We want to give you room to find someone who is a good match for you before billing kicks in.
- Once you have selected your therapist, they are your therapist for the month. You will not be able to change therapists once you have hit that 5 message count.
- The monthly rate will be $150 per month. It is a recurring payment but you can cancel at any time.
As a reminder, only members who are 18+ will be able to connect to a therapist for support.
This will be live in the next 24 - 48 hours!
@Laura
I'm guessing 7 Cups will get a profit from some of this. If it becomes popular, would you still keep the contribution option?
@SilentSerenityy
That is a good question. I am not sure. Tagging @glenm to give his thoughts :)
@Laura @SilentSerenityy - over time as we figure out what works in terms of sustainability and value we will likely adjust or focus on the best ways to support the service for everyone. Before we have that clear picture we'll probably continue exploring all avenues.
We'll probably always have a way for people to back 7 Cups (donate), and also a person who pays for online therapy here will get the upgraded member features unlocked, so there's something to be said for continuing to charge for the upgrades otherwise.
@Laura Brilliant! Great news! Very much hoping that some of my members will be able to take advantage of the therapist option. I live in a town the size of a postage stamp. No therapists! I'm sure others have the same issue. Its great that we can make this available. I do hope therapists will sign on with 7Cups. With the network of support options available they certainly are not without creative solutions to recommend to clients.
@magicallySmiles50
Thanks for your excitement!!
A big part of my depression is due to money issues. I have no health insurance.
I can hardly afford to eat today and then having to see this really bothers me. If its a for profit place, then profits are going to be the main prority of this place and it won't be so much about helping people it just be about making the money to keep the site up so it can make more money.
I am really unhappy about this and I guess this post will get censored or deleted for being bad for business. This is just awful.
@IntellectualVegabond
I can see how this feels like a slap in the face to you, given your circumstances. That being said, I assure you that the goal of 7 Cups is not to make money. The goal of 7 Cups is to provide free and low cost mental health care. I know $150 seems like a lot, but given that most therapists charge $150 per hour, $150 per month is much, much more affordable. And, we are fully aware that even that amount will be too much for many members...that is why listeners will always be free, the forums will always be free, and the self-help guides will always be free. This access to support for everyone, regardless of financial status, will continue to be what 7 Cups is all about.
@LaraG - when we launched backing and upgrades we talked about eventually providing a way for people to gift upgrades to other people, or perhaps contribute to a "scholarship fund" to help support those who want to upgrade but cannot afford it. We haven't done this yet but if we do I can imagine we might also innovate on ways to help underwrite or support therapy fees for those in need.
This is purely speculative, but I like to dream!
@KrinkTheMellowUnicorn
I like this idea! We can certainly explore more, as this things gets off the ground.
@KrinkTheMellowUnicorn
I'd love to see a gifting option down the road! :)
@IntellectualVegabond
Im really sorry that you're going through financial troubles and that these troubles are compounding your depression.
I like 7 Cups because as listeners, we can volunteer and provide empathy and support to those in need free of charge.
That being said, however, active listening isn't the same as therapy the same way that first aid isn't the same as surgery. I do believe that people do need access to therapy (in-person prices for therapy typically range between $130-$160 for 50 minutes, one person) at a discounted rate.
I do get where you're coming from and it is hard seeing yet another option for more help that you can't afford. Im sorry to hear that.
@IntellectualVegabond
Like @LaraG said in a previous reply, I would like to reinforce the fact that therapists are solely an option of support that is available for your support. Listeners, forums, and self-help guides have always and will always continue to be free. Our Browse Listeners page is an amazing way to find a perfect listener match that is free-of-charge!
And, like @Krinkthemellowunicorn mentioned, there will always be a way to back 7Cups (donate to us) to help keep us sustainable, however, you are never obligated to do so; this is simply an option that is available to you if you are able to do so. Hope this reiterates any answers to questions that you may have had!
@IntellectualVegabond
Listeners will always be here, free of charge, to offer their time and help to make you feel better, whenever you need it. Don't let this change get you down. 
@IntellectualVegabond I am sorry about your depression and financial challenges. It must be scary and saddening to experience those. Whe I was in difficult situations before, I somehow was led to a way out so I am hopeful that you too will find a way out also.
In fact as a listener here, I talk with many people who find themselves stuck in a situation. I do not have the answers but can try to find ways to elicit the answers from people. The answer is in us. Anything else is only a tool. The answer is inside all of us.
If you care to chat, there is never a charge for peer support. Feel free to message me https://www.7cups.com/@soulsings and we can exchange messages or have a chat together at 7cups.
@soulsings
What a kind and loving offer! 
@IntellectualVegabond Hi, I feel the same way so don't feel so bad. Maybe we can help each other by talking about things.
This should be interesting!
@CoconutMilk
Glad you are excited! Yay!!
I'm just summing up what I see written on this thread here, there's nothing worth deleting - look, legit a near perfect word for word synposis of what this thread is saying using facts stated in the thread itself:
FYI, I respect everyone in the therapist project, just take this one lighthearted and don't be bending the rules when I ain't breaking them now, ey? ;)
@OrunLeon
Depending on the therapist, patients are given a brief consultation (10-20 min) to meet their therapist and talk a bit about their problems. Both parties evaluate if there is a good fit for therapy and then continue.
Full initial consultation sessions are charged.
Similarly with this service, patients message therapists initially to tell them about the problem and then determine if there is a good fit. If 10 messages isn't enough, Im sure that it can be adjusted. The end goal however, is if the patient is seeking therapy then it does need to be charged.
Etherapi and Talkspace are two online messaging therapy platforms and they both have a similar approach towards charging and meeting patients. The only difference that I noticed is that Etherapi allows therapists to set their own prices (and they are also very transparent about how they charge therapists) and Talkspace charges a flat $25/week fee but automatically connects you to a therapist (who will then transfer you if it is not a good fit).
I cant exactly ask a physical therapist to give me a test massage, or an accountant to let me sample their tax filing skills. Similarly here I think it underappreciates how much studying and work therapists have to do in order to earn their license.
At least in the United States, a therapist license means additional schooling, student debt, and hours of practicum.
I believe that the value of therapy can't be underestimated and that mental / emotional health matters.
@Laura @LaraG I don't know what available sites or companies will be available for payment. Is it possible for there to be "paysafe?" I hope so! Thanks! Been looking forward to this update. It's gonna help those who are unable to leave their homes to find a therapist... And pretty much to avoid the whole being interrogated for being seeng going to a therapist. Just being in the comfort of our own home.
I hope the messaging system for therapists comes up soon.
@LaraG @Laura Could anyone get back to me about PaySafe option...? Please?
@SunsetMorpho
What is paysafe?
@Laura "paysafecard is a simple and safe prepaid payment method that allows you to make payments online without the use of a bank account or credit card information."
I can't have anyone I know, know that I'm getting a therapist... For a lot of good reasons. And so I asked my friend if he could let me pay for a therapist online on here using his card or account. (I don't have a paypal or credit card.)
Feels better after "drink" 7 cups app!. Love it! ♥
I have to chime in here and say that for a person like me this is really exciting. I am a homebound Agoraphobic. I have had in-home therapists before, but didn't really click with them. I have also paid a lot of money to see therapists online, and found that messaging is something I am more comfortable with. It takes away the anxiety of seeing someone in person and that anxiety causing me to hold back in sessions.
I do have some questions. How many sessions per month does this cover and how long will the sessions be? Will there be an opportunity for extra sessions for times of extreme stress?
@BunniesDontReallyEatCarrots
Hey there! I am glad you are excited for this update :)
This will be unlike traditional therapy. You will not have scheduled sessions, but the freedom to message your therapist whenever you need. The therapist is required to reply to you at least once per day. The monthly cost will be for these daily interactions.
@Laura Slightly worried about the 'every day' there Laura. Therapists need time off and self care too. Could it be 5 days out of 7? Or 20 days a month? or something like that?
@Playingwithstring
This is a great point that you bring up. I'll clarify. Because the messages are exchanged through the therapist side of the 7 Cups platform, the therapist can turn off notifications and just check their messages once a day (or however often they'd prefer) and reply at that time. Additionally, even though the member/guest/client can message the therapist at any time, the therapist is expected to reply once daily, Monday thru Friday (not on the weekend).
@Amelia Will there be any guidelines/suggestions for length of therapist replies? Is it possible that therapists might only write 2-3 sentences if they begin to have a large caseload?
@LauraKay--this is a good question. However, the member is choosing the therapist. So if I am a member and I choose a therapist who writes 1-2 lines every day, I am not likely to stick with them the next month. While I don't think that long messages need to occur daily, several long and several short per week would be appropriate. The point I'm trying to make is the therapist wants the business--so they will do what they can to help the member be happy with the service.
@LaraG @Laura @GlenM
@LauraKay
I agree with what Amelia said. Therapists will be prompted to write professional, thoughtful replies. And, if they want to keep a client, they will be respectful of the client's need/desire to get something out of the interaction.
@Laura On the "get listed" page for therapists there is an error: "In less than 5 minutes, youll be a part of the #1 place clients turn when seeking help." It should say "turn to.."
While I'd take this up in a heart beat, being an international member this won't be a service I'd use because the 150USD a month is way more on currency conversion in some areas of the globe I'm certain and it's obviously not supported by our medical systems.
My question is if this service is proven viable will models of the system be used in other countries or is this US only?
@InkStainedFingers
This is available to anyone, worldwide.
@LaraG
This doesn't answer my question/s, even though you say it's available to persons world wide this type of service I'm certain will not be covered by private health insurance or the government medical systems of other countries, we as international members of 7cups are essentially giving over a dollar amount for something that we can't get portions of the cost back on the way it is normally done after being invoiced.
I have read that U.S members can use the invoices with their respective insurance companies to reclaim expenses, which is why I asked in my first post if this was made available to those outside the U.S. For me it's actually closer to $200 a month on currency conversion (that's on a good day where my dollar to USD is concerned) effectively it is a great chunk of my pension and I don't foresee being able to get anything back (money wise), yes I know this is a service you don't need to utilise if you don't want to but these concerns I have are because it looks to me to benefit U.S members at this stage more than the international ones as all systems are different.
So Questions I have are:
1. Are there international therapists available or just U.S based ones.
2. If only U.S based therapists are available how do international members claim money back.
3. If there are International Therapists will we be able to claim the money back each month effecting in a rebate from our respective helathcare systems if utilising the ones from our own countries.
@InkStainedFingers
Yes, there will be therapists available from all over. We hope to have a very diverse geographic representation of therapists, so hopefully people can connect with a therapist in their own country, should they choose to do so.
I understand that with currency conversion, this is more costly in some places. Unfortunately, there is not much we can do about that at this time. And, your reimbursement will really vary based upon the healthcare system in your country.