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Our Mission is to ensure that everyone has access to the right therapist by providing personalized matching and removing barriers to timely care.

Finding the right therapist shouldn’t be overwhelming or exhausting.

Our journey began when Stephanie (our Chief Therapist) realized how difficult it was, even with her professional expertise, to help friends, family, and clients find therapists who truly matched their unique needs. It sometimes took hours navigating specializations, availability, and compatibility.

Inspired by this challenge, Stephanie and our team developed NextTherapist to make the process simple, fast, and reliable. We built a platform that connects you directly to therapists who match your specific needs, eliminating confusion, phone calls, and endless waiting. With NextTherapist, finding support is easier and faster than it has ever been.

We’re here to give you confidence and clarity as you take your next step toward healing—because everyone deserves therapy that truly fits.

Our Core Values

At the core of our platform is a better connection: between people and care, between clinicians and their purpose, and between all of us who believe mental health shouldn’t be this hard to access.

Trust

Gratitude

Connection

Compassion

Innovation

Overcoming Barriers

There are many hurdles when it comes to getting mental health support. We may not be able to solve them all, but we’re sure going to try.

40

of Utah adults experienced anxiety or depression in early 2021, but more than a quarter couldn’t get the care they needed.

37

is the average time patients wait to see a therapist-simply because finding the right provider is harder than it should be.

41

of people without a therapist claimed difficulty in finding one as their primary reason for not seeking help.

Who Can We Help?

Who You Are

You know you need support, but you’re tired of sifting through endless therapist profiles and overwhelming search results. Perhaps you’ve tried therapy before but couldn’t find the right fit, or maybe this is your first step and you’re feeling unsure where to even begin.

What You’re Looking For

You want an easier way to connect with a therapist who truly understands your needs and personality. You’re done playing phone tag, waiting indefinitely for callbacks, or second-guessing your choice. You’re ready to quickly find someone who genuinely resonates with what you’re experiencing, without having to sort through countless bios or complicated scheduling processes.

How We Want to Help
  • Match you quickly with therapists who genuinely align with your personal needs.
  • Provide real-time availability so booking your appointment is easy, immediate, and clear.
  • Offer simple, hassle-free scheduling—including last-minute openings—so you can access support exactly when you’re ready.

We remove the barriers between you and the care you deserve. No delays, no confusion, just meaningful connections and timely support.

Who You Are

A skilled clinician who wants to help others gain help and healing through mental health services. Whether you have your own solo practice, are just starting out, or you have a thriving clinic, there are always too few hours in the day.

What You’re Looking For

What if we could help you find more time to do what you want to do in your business, and spend less time on the have-to’s?

Chances are you are in this industry to help people, not to spend your time scheduling, marketing, rescheduling, and every other administrative task that comes with this type of business. Get back to doing what you want to do and less of what you have to do – Focus on helping people.

How We Want To Help
  • Provide a more efficient way to manage availability
  • Reduce no-shows
  • Help you stay connected to patients who are ready for care.

Whether you have a front desk or marketing support or not, we provide a smarter, easier way to fill your schedules with the right clients.

Our Goal is to Help Every Person Find Their Therapist

Your Dedicated Team

We are a team of innovators, mental health advocates, and experienced professionals from multiple industries all passionate about combining our experience to transform the way people access therapy.

Founder and Chief Therapist

Stephanie Sonntag

Stephanie’s journey with therapy isn’t just professional—it’s deeply personal. As a therapist, a listener, and someone whose life has been shaped by the power of mental health care, she knows firsthand how transformative the right support can be. NextTherapist began with a question she hears daily: Who should I see? Whether it’s a parent searching for help for their child, a friend looking for guidance, or someone feeling lost in the process, she has seen how overwhelming and discouraging it can be to find the right therapist.

Determined to bridge this gap, she co-founded NextTherapist—first as a tool for her own practice and now as a way to make therapy more accessible nationwide. She understands both the urgency of care and the roadblocks in getting it, and she’s dedicated to ensuring no one has to navigate this journey alone.

Alison Dunn, Founder and CEO of NextTherapist
Founder and CEO

Alison Dunn

Alison is an entrepreneur who sees problems as opportunities to make life better. She has always looked for ways to help—now driven by a vision to make mental health care more accessible and easier for both patients and therapists.

She has spent years helping others navigate the overwhelming process of finding the right therapist—seeing firsthand the frustration on both sides. Patients struggle to connect with the right care, while therapists are stretched thin, with administrative burden.

Determined to fix what’s broken, Alison founded NextTherapist to bring smarter solutions to mental health care. Every day, she pushes to remove obstacles, improve access, and create a system that truly works—for those seeking help and those providing it.

Greg Dunn, Founder and COO of NextTherapist
Founder and COO

Greg Dunn

Greg has spent his career leading technology and software innovation, but at his core, he’s always been driven by a passion for helping others. As a teenager, he dreamed of becoming a guidance counselor and high school basketball coach, drawn to the idea of mentorship and support. Though his path led him into tech and finance, he has spent years volunteering with youth and sees firsthand the impact of helping others feeling seen, heard, and valued.

With his deep expertise in tech and finance, Greg is now combining that vision into a reality at NextTherapist. He’s dedicated to building seamless, intuitive tools that give therapists more time for their clients.

Founding Advisor and CTO

John Haller

John believes technology should be a bridge, not a barrier, to mental health care. With deep experience in platform development, data security, and scaling digital products, he focuses on creating intuitive, reliable solutions that support both therapists and clients.

Driven by a passion for data, John is committed to using technology to solve inefficiencies and make therapy more accessible, always seeking opportunities to add value and improve the experience for everyone involved.

Founding Advisor and CMO

Kortney Osborne

A seasoned marketing strategist, Kortney is passionate about shifting public perception of therapy and ensuring that mental health care is accessible to everyone. She leads the charge in making sure NextTherapist’s message reaches those who need it most, normalizing mental health conversations at every level.

Kortney’s personal connection to therapy runs deep—she believes that everyone deserves a therapist, and her own experiences have fueled her drive to make therapy more approachable and available for all. She is committed to breaking down barriers and ensuring that support is within reach for everyone who needs it.

About NextTherapist

Is NextTherapist a therapy service or subscription platform?

No. NextTherapist is not a therapy provider and does not charge you any fee or require a subscription. We help you find, choose, and book the right licensed therapist—quickly and clearly. You pick the therapist who feels right for you.

Do I have to pay to use NextTherapist as a patient?

No. Using NextTherapist is free for patients. Your therapist will bill you for your session. We never take a cut of the session fee.

Why do I need to put in a credit card if you don’t charge me?

We ask for a credit card only to confirm your appointment. You will only be charged if you:

  • Cancel less than 24 hours before your session, or
  • Do not show up for the appointment.

This protects therapists’ time and reduces last-minute cancellations or no-shows, helping more patients get timely care. All session payments happen directly between you and your therapist.

Finding & Booking a Therapist

How does the finding and booking process work?

  1. Browse therapists and filter by specialty, personality, insurance/payment type, location, or availability.
  2. See real-time schedules and book instantly—no forms, no calls, no waiting.
  3. If your preferred therapist isn’t available, join their automatic waitlist and get notified when a spot opens.

How do I know a therapist is qualified and a good fit?

All therapists on our platform are licensed professionals in good standing. Filters help you narrow down the right match based on:

  • Specialty
  • Availability
  • Location
  • Payment/insurance options
  • Gender, race, or religious specialization
  • Language
  • Therapeutic modalities

If the first therapist isn’t the right fit, booking with someone new is easy.

Can I book anytime, even late at night?

Yes. Booking is available 24/7, and schedules update in real time.

What are “modalities”?

Modalities are the approaches or methods a therapist uses. Examples include:

  • CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy): Understanding connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
  • EMDR: Trauma-focused therapy using guided eye movements.
  • DBT: Supports emotional regulation and coping skills.
  • IFS (Internal Family Systems): Understanding different “parts” of yourself.
  • ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy): Accepting difficult thoughts and taking value-based actions.

Filters on NextTherapist help match you with therapists using approaches that fit your needs.

What if you don’t have any therapists that meet my criteria?

  • Try reducing the number of filters. Start with your most important criteria, then narrow your results.
  • We’re growing quickly and adding new therapists every week, so check back often.
  • If you still can’t find what you need, email us at support@nexttherapist.com.

When will you have therapists in my area?

We’re expanding state by state. Currently, we’re primarily focused on Utah, with new locations coming soon. Let us know at support@nexttherapist.com where you’d like us to expand next.

Payments & Insurance

How do payments work?

You pay your therapist directly, just like in a private practice. NextTherapist never adds platform or service fees. This allows therapists to be paid more here than on other major online therapy sites.

Do you take insurance?

Some therapists accept insurance, some do not. Use the Insurance/Payment filter to find therapists who accept your insurance plan or preferred payment method. Billing is handled directly between you and your therapist.

How do I make sure the therapist accepts my exact insurance plan?

Therapists list the plans they accept, but coverage can vary widely. To be sure, confirm directly by:

  1. Checking with your insurance provider to ensure the therapist is in network.
  2. Verifying copays, deductibles, and session limits.

Are couples or family appointments covered by insurance?

Usually not. Most insurance plans only cover individual sessions. Coverage varies, so confirm with your provider.

Cancellations & Changes

What if I need to change or cancel my appointment?

Log into your account anytime and go to My Appointments to:

  • View sessions
  • Reschedule
  • Cancel
  • Join a waitlist

You won’t be charged unless you cancel within 24 hours of the appointment.

What if I’m sick or have an emergency within 24 hours?

Late cancellations affect other patients and therapist income. We follow a strict 24-hour cancellation policy—late cancellations or no-shows are charged the full session fee.

Waitlisting

How does the automatic waitlist work?

  • If your preferred therapist is full, join their waitlist.
  • When a spot opens, you’ll get a text, email, or app notification.
  • Book instantly before the slot fills.
  • Remove yourself from a waitlist anytime in My Therapists.
Privacy & Security

Is my information private and protected?

Yes. All data is encrypted and stored in compliance with HIPAA standards.

Do you ever sell my data?

Never. We do not sell or share personal information.

Who can see my information?

Only you and the therapist you book with.

Telehealth & In-Person Sessions

Are sessions online or in person?

It depends on the therapist. Profiles show available options.

Do you provide the telehealth link?

No. Your therapist will send you their secure video link directly.

Account & Technical Support

Can I make an appointment for a minor?

Yes. Create a Minor Account under your settings to schedule and manage sessions for your child.

Can I make an appointment for a spouse or another adult?

  • Couples or partner counseling: Yes, with a therapist who offers that service.
  • Individual therapy: No. Each adult must create their own account to maintain privacy and accurate clinical information.
First-Time Therapy

I’ve never been to therapy before—what should I expect?

  1. Your therapist guides the conversation. No preparation needed—they’ll get to know you and your goals.
  2. You set the pace. Share only what you’re comfortable with.
  3. Discuss goals. Early sessions may clarify what you hope to work on.
  4. Session length: Typically 50 minutes, in person or online.
  5. No “right” way to feel afterward. Relief, pain, sadness, or uncertainty are all normal.

Remember: therapy is a supportive, judgment-free space. If the first therapist isn’t the right fit, you can easily try another.

How NextTherapist Gets Paid

Therapists pay a subscription fee to be listed on the platform. Patients never pay NextTherapist directly.

Start Healing Sooner.
Find Your Therapist