When people look for mental health support, whether online or in person, trust matters. After taking the step to seek help, you want to know that the person you are speaking to is qualified, legitimate, and transparent about their professional background. In this article, we explain which types of mental health professionals can join It’s Complicated, how therapist verification works, and how we maintain quality and trust over time.
Which therapists can join It’s Complicated
At It’s Complicated, we believe in the strength of diversity in therapy. That’s why we welcome a wide range of mental health professionals on our platform, including psychologists, psychotherapists, psychiatrists, psychoanalysts, social workers, and coaches. As of December 2025, our global network includes more than 2,500 professionals from over 60 countries, which means we work with people who come from different educational systems, professional traditions, and legal frameworks.
Given this diversity, we define eligibility based on a therapist’s professional role and location, rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach. Someone joining the platform as a psychotherapist or clinical psychologist may have a very different educational background than someone signing up as a coach or psychoanalyst. Even within the same professional title, qualifications can vary significantly from country to country. For example, the requirements for a clinical psychologist in Germany differ from those in Austria, Spain, or Portugal.
Based on this, we have defined country- and job-specific requirements for mental health professionals that take local rules and regulations into account. This approach allows us to keep the platform diverse and internationally accessible, while still being clear about who is offering what kind of support.
How our team verifies therapists
Therapist verification on It’s Complicated is designed to confirm three core things: that a professional is qualified for the role they apply under, that they are who they say they are, and that they are based where they claim to be.
When a therapist joins our platform, we ask them to provide their legal name, their practice location, and their professional title(s). Based on the combination of country and professional role they choose, we then inform them about the specific requirements that apply to their situation.
To complete verification, therapists are asked to submit relevant documentation to confirm their identity (e.g. passport or driving licence), location (e.g. registration document or rental agreement), and qualifications (e.g. diplomas and certificates). All submitted documents are reviewed by our internal team of psychologists. Once the requirements are met and all information has been approved, therapists can complete their registration and be listed on the platform. Therapists who have successfully completed this verification process receive a verified badge on their profile (see below).
Because It’s Complicated has been established now for a while, not all therapists on the platform have gone through the current verification process yet. Professionals who joined earlier were verified according to the standards in place at the time, which focused primarily on professional qualifications. As the platform has grown, we have expanded and formalised our verification approach to include identity, location, and country- and role-specific requirements.
Therapists who have not yet completed the new verification process can still be part of our platform. However, only verified therapists receive a verified badge, can take part in the Matching Programme, and are allowed to work with EAP clients through our corporate partners.
Choosing the right therapist
Having a therapist who is qualified and legitimate is important, but alone this doesn’t determine whether the relationship will result in helpful change. At It’s Complicated, we know that what really matters is finding a therapist you can connect with. Someone who understands you, your needs, and your unique story. That’s why, in addition to verification, therapist profiles on It’s Complicated are designed to give you a clear and detailed picture of who you will be working with.
They include information about a therapist’s professional background, education, specialisations, therapeutic approach, languages, and offered services, as well as practical details such as location, pricing, and availability. This allows you to make informed decisions and helps you find the therapist that feels right for you.
If you would like additional support in finding the right therapist, you can also use our free Matching Service. In this case, you fill out a short matching survey, and our team of psychologists suggests suitable therapists based on individual needs, preferences, and practical considerations. This can be especially helpful for clients who feel unsure where to start or who want some extra guidance in navigating different therapeutic approaches.
Combining quality and diversity
At It’s Complicated, we believe that quality and diversity are not opposites, but go hand in hand. Our verification system, combined with a large and global therapist network and transparent therapist profiles, gives you access to a wide range of mental health professionals from different countries, cultures, and languages, while still ensuring high professional standards for qualification and verification. This approach aims to create a platform that balances trust, quality, and accessibility across borders and disciplines, helping people feel safe and informed when seeking mental health support. Because life is complicated, but finding a (qualified and verified) therapist shouldn’t be.
