Finding the right therapist shouldn't be another thing to worry about.
My Therapist Online is a UK-based therapist matching service founded in 2016 by husband-and-wife team Lisa and Keith Johnston.
Rather than leaving you to search through hundreds of therapist profiles, our team of trained mental health professionals personally reviews your needs and recommends qualified therapists who could be a good fit.
With over 200 experienced psychologists, CBT therapists, counsellors and specialist therapists in our network, we can help you explore the right support, wherever you are in the UK.
You don't need to know which therapy you need. That's what we're here to help with.
Your first 15-minute conversation with your chosen therapist is free, with no obligation to continue.
How Does My Therapist Online Work?
We've kept things simple because we know taking that first step can sometimes be the hardest part.
1. Tell us a little about yourself
Complete our short, confidential online form and tell us what you'd like help with. You don't need a diagnosis or to know which type of therapy you need.
You can also let us know about your budget, preferred appointment times and any preferences you have about your therapist.
2. We'll find therapists who suit you
A member of our clinical team will personally review your application and recommend therapists with the right experience, qualifications and availability.
We'll explain why we think they could be a good fit, and you can read their profiles before deciding who you'd like to meet.
3. Have a free 15-minute introduction
Once you've chosen a therapist, we'll help arrange a free, informal 15-minute conversation.
It's a chance to ask questions, get a feel for how they work and see whether you feel comfortable together.
There's no obligation to continue. And if it doesn't feel quite right, we'll happily help you explore another option.
The Story Behind My Therapist Online
Who Founded My Therapist Online? Our Story
Founded by therapists, built around people
Lisa & Keith with their dog on the UK Cornish Coast this summer.
My Therapist Online was founded in 2016 by husband-and-wife team Lisa and Keith Johnston, with a shared vision: to make finding the right therapist simpler, more personal and more accessible.
Lisa is a BABCP-accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (CBT) and EMDR therapist with over 23 years of clinical experience across the NHS and private practice.
She began her mental health career in 2003 as a qualified Occupational Therapist, before specialising in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Lisa went on to spend seven years at the Anxiety Disorders Residential Unit at Bethlem Royal Hospital, part of the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.
Working within this nationally recognised specialist service, alongside Professor David Veale, Lisa developed extensive experience in treating severe and complex anxiety disorders, particularly Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and Emetophobia (fear of vomiting).
How My Therapist Online began
After the birth of their second child, Lisa made the decision to leave the NHS and continue her clinical work through online therapy.
Having delivered online therapy since 2012, she recognised the opportunities it offered people who might otherwise struggle to access specialist psychological support.
But she also noticed a recurring problem.
People were often unsure which type of therapy they needed, how to identify a suitably qualified therapist, or where to find someone with the right specialist experience.
Many were limited to therapists practising locally, even when their difficulties required more specialist support.
Lisa and Keith recognised that online therapy could change this.
““We wanted people to feel that someone had really listened to what they needed, rather than just giving them a long list of therapists to choose from.””
Learn more about Lisa Johnston and her clinical experience
By combining Lisa's clinical expertise with Keith's business and operational experience, they created My Therapist Online in 2016.
Rather than expecting people to navigate endless therapist directories, they developed a service where experienced mental health professionals would personally review each enquiry and help identify therapists with the most appropriate skills and experience.
Clinically led, personally matched
Today, My Therapist Online remains an independent, family-founded UK business, run by Lisa and Keith alongside a small, dedicated team of mental health professionals.
Lisa continues to oversee the clinical direction of the service, supporting its therapist network and maintaining the clinical standards that underpin the matching process.
Keith leads business operations and development, helping ensure the service runs smoothly for both clients and therapists.
Together with experienced members of the clinical team, including Mary Ion and Sarah Kenny, they have developed a network of over 200+ qualified psychologists, CBT therapists, counsellors and specialist psychological therapists.
Although the service has grown considerably since 2016, its founding principle remains unchanged:
Finding the right therapist should be based on understanding the individual, not simply matching a name to a diagnosis or postcode.
Our goal is to take some of the uncertainty out of seeking psychological support, helping people feel confident that their needs have been heard and carefully considered.
Why Choose My Therapist Online?
We personally review every application
Many online therapy services rely heavily on searchable directories or automated questionnaires.
At My Therapist Online, a trained mental health professional reads your application and considers which therapists may be best suited to help.
We look beyond broad categories such as anxiety, depression or trauma to consider the specific difficulties, experiences and therapeutic goals you've described.
We carefully select our therapists
Our network includes experienced, professionally qualified therapists across a wide range of specialist areas.
Before joining MTO, therapists undergo a professional review, including checks of relevant qualifications, registrations, accreditation and experience.
Our network includes HCPC-registered psychologists, BABCP-accredited CBT therapists, professionally registered counsellors and therapists with additional specialist training.
We believe the relationship matters
The therapeutic relationship is an important part of successful therapy.
Finding someone who understands your difficulties is essential, but feeling comfortable, safe and able to build trust with that person matters too.
That's why we offer a free introductory conversation and the opportunity to consider an alternative match if needed.
Hear From People We've Helped
We know that choosing a therapist is a personal decision, and it can be reassuring to hear from others who've been through the process.
Over the years, we've helped people find support for a wide range of difficulties. Many of our clients have kindly shared their experiences of using My Therapist Online, from finding the right therapist to feeling supported throughout their therapy journey.
Read Our Client Reviews & Testimonials
What Types of Online Therapy Do We Offer?
Our network includes professionals trained in a range of evidence-based and established psychological approaches, including:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Helping people understand and change patterns of thinking and behaviour that maintain emotional difficulties.
Counselling and psychotherapy: Providing space to explore emotions, relationships, life experiences and personal challenges.
Clinical and counselling psychology: Offering psychological assessment, formulation and therapy for a broad range of difficulties, including more complex presentations.
EMDR therapy: A structured psychological therapy often used to help people process traumatic experiences and distressing memories.
Schema Therapy: Exploring longstanding emotional patterns, unmet needs and difficulties that may have developed through earlier experiences.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT): Helping people develop psychological flexibility, self-compassion and new ways of responding to difficult thoughts and feelings.
Some therapists integrate several approaches to provide treatment tailored to your individual circumstances.
If you're unsure which therapy would be appropriate, there's no need to decide before contacting us. Our clinical team can help guide you.
What Mental Health Difficulties Can My Therapist Online Help With?
People come to us for all sorts of reasons. Some are looking for help with a specific mental health condition, while others may be struggling with difficult emotions, relationships, past experiences or simply not feeling like themselves.
Our network of over 200 qualified therapists includes psychologists, CBT therapists, counsellors and specialists with expertise across a broad range of mental health difficulties.
These include anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma and PTSD, phobias, stress and burnout, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, grief and bereavement, as well as more complex or longstanding psychological difficulties.
We also have therapists with specialist experience in areas such as EMDR, Schema Therapy, health anxiety, neurodivergence and difficulties linked to childhood experiences and attachment.
Whatever brings you to therapy, you don't need to have a diagnosis or know which approach would suit you best. Our clinical team will take the time to understand your individual needs and help you find a therapist with the right skills and experience to support you.
How Much Does Therapy Cost with My Therapist Online?
We believe therapy fees should be transparent.
My Therapist Online is a pay-per-session service, rather than a monthly therapy subscription.
Each therapist sets their own session fee, which can vary according to their qualifications, experience and specialist expertise.
As a general guide:
Counselling sessions often cost around £60–£80.
CBT therapy sessions are commonly around £70–£110.
Sessions with psychologists are typically around £80–£130.
These are indicative prices, and individual therapists may charge more or less.
We'll help you explore options within your stated budget wherever possible.
Your initial 15-minute conversation with your chosen therapist is free, with no obligation to begin paid therapy.
Is Online Therapy Effective?
Online therapy can be an effective and convenient way to access psychological support.
For many people, working with a qualified therapist through secure video appointments offers the flexibility and privacy they need without travelling to a clinic.
Online sessions can be particularly helpful if you have a busy working life, caring responsibilities, mobility difficulties or limited access to specialist therapy locally.
At My Therapist Online, our therapists conduct appointments remotely, allowing clients across the UK to access specialists who may not be available in their immediate area.
However, online therapy isn't suitable for every situation. Our team and the individual therapist will consider whether remote therapy is appropriate for your needs, and where a different form of support may be safer or more helpful.
Are You a Therapist Interested in Joining MTO?
Alongside helping clients find therapy, we work with experienced psychologists, CBT therapists, counsellors and other qualified mental health professionals who want to develop their private practice.
We take care to match clients with therapists whose expertise, approach and availability suit their individual needs.
There's no fee to join our network or monthly subscription. Therapists remain independent, set their own rates and pay a service fee only when chargeable sessions take place.
Can Organisations Refer People to My Therapist Online?
Yes. Alongside supporting individuals who contact us directly, we welcome conversations with organisations interested in helping people access appropriate psychological therapy.
Our therapist matching service can provide a useful referral pathway for charities, healthcare professionals, wellbeing organisations, research groups and other services supporting people experiencing emotional or psychological difficulties.
Rather than expecting an organisation to identify exactly which therapy or specialist a person needs, our clinical team can help guide that matching process.
With access to therapists working across a broad range of specialisms, we can explore referrals based on individual clinical needs, practical preferences and therapist availability.
We recognise that different organisations and communities have different requirements, and we're always happy to discuss potential referral arrangements.
For partnership enquiries, contact hello@mytherapistonline.co.uk.
Frequently Asked Questions About My Therapist Online
-
Yes. My Therapist Online is an independent, UK-based therapy matching service, established in 2016 by Lisa and Keith Johnston.
We connect people with qualified therapists who provide online psychological therapy across the UK.
-
No. My Therapist Online, based at www.mytherapistonline.co.uk, is a separate, independent UK business.
Although some online therapy services have similar names, My Therapist Online has its own clinical team, therapist network, matching process and payment arrangements.
If you're looking for our service, please ensure you're visiting our official UK website.
-
No. You don't need a formal mental health diagnosis or an understanding of different therapeutic approaches.
Simply tell us what you're experiencing and what you'd like to change or understand. Our clinical team will help identify suitable therapists.
-
Yes. Although we personally recommend therapists who we believe are well suited to your needs, you remain in control of your decision.
You can review therapist profiles before choosing who you'd like to meet.
-
Finding a therapist you feel comfortable with matters.
Your free introductory conversation gives you an opportunity to assess whether the connection feels right. If you'd prefer to explore someone else, we can help arrange an alternative recommendation.
-
No. My Therapist Online is not a monthly therapy subscription service.
Clients pay for their therapy sessions at the individual therapist's agreed rate, under our payment arrangements.
-
Can I have therapy in the evenings or at weekends?
Yes. Many of our therapists offer evening and weekend appointments.
These times are often popular, so there may be fewer therapists available than during normal working hours. Let us know your preferences when you apply, and we'll do our best to find someone who suits both your needs and your schedule.
-
We aim to review new enquiries promptly and recommend suitable therapists, generally within one working day.
There is no central waiting list, although appointment availability varies between individual therapists. Once you've chosen your therapist, you can discuss a suitable time to begin.
-
My Therapist Online is not an emergency or crisis service.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, please call 999 or attend A&E. If you need urgent mental health advice but it isn't an emergency, contact NHS 111. Samaritans also provide free emotional support on 116 123.
Ready to Find the Right Therapist?
You don't need to have all the answers before asking for help.
Whether you're seeking therapy for the first time, returning after a break, or looking for someone with specific expertise, My Therapist Online is here to make finding the right support easier.
Established in the UK in 2016. Clinically led. Personally matched.
Tell us what you're looking for and let our experienced clinical team help you take the next step.
About the Author & Clinical Reviewer
Lisa Johnston, BSc, BSc (Hons), BABCP Accredited
Co-Founder & Clinical Director, My Therapist Online
Lisa Johnston is a BABCP-accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist and EMDR therapist with over 23 years of experience in mental health. She previously spent seven years working within the specialist Anxiety Disorders Residential Unit at Bethlem Royal Hospital, developing expertise in OCD, Body Dysmorphic Disorder and emetophobia.
Lisa co-founded My Therapist Online with her husband Keith in 2016 and continues to lead the clinical direction of the service. She is passionate about helping people access appropriate, evidence-based psychological therapy through thoughtful, personalised therapist matching.
Read Lisa Johnston's full professional profile
Clinically reviewed by: Lisa Johnston, BABCP Accredited CBT Therapist & EMDR Therapist
Last updated: 9 November 2026