The Impact of Low Pay on Telehealth Therapists and Quality Patient Care

Telehealth platforms have transformed access to mental health services, offering convenience and flexibility for patients and clinicians alike. Yet, many of these platforms charge high premiums to patients while paying their therapists very little. This imbalance creates a challenging environment for therapists, who often feel compelled to see back-to-back clients just to make ends meet. The result is overworked, burnt-out therapists and a decline in the quality of care patients receive.

Therapist’s workspace showing signs of heavy workload

Why Low Pay Leads to Therapist Burnout

Therapists working for telehealth platforms often face low hourly rates or per-session payments. To reach a sustainable income, many must increase their caseload significantly. This means seeing client after client with little downtime, which can quickly lead to emotional exhaustion.

Burnout affects therapists’ ability to stay fully present and engaged during sessions. When therapists are drained, they may struggle to provide the empathy and attention that quality mental health care requires. Over time, this can reduce treatment effectiveness and patient satisfaction.

How Patient Care Suffers

When therapists are overburdened, patient care can suffer in several ways:

• Shorter sessions: Therapists may rush through appointments to keep up with their schedules.

• Less personalized care: High caseloads limit time for thorough assessment and tailored treatment plans.

• Reduced availability: Burnout can lead to therapists reducing hours or leaving the platform altogether, causing appointment shortages.

• Lower therapeutic alliance: Patients may sense therapist fatigue, which can weaken trust and openness.

  
  

These factors can slow patient progress and increase the risk of missed diagnoses or inadequate support.

Calendar showing tightly packed therapy sessions

Why Paying Therapists More Benefits Everyone

Increasing therapist pay on telehealth platforms is not just fair—it improves outcomes for patients and the platform’s reputation. Higher pay allows therapists to:

• Reduce caseloads: With fewer clients per day, therapists can focus more deeply on each patient.

• Invest in professional development: Better compensation supports ongoing training and skill-building.

• Maintain work-life balance: Adequate pay reduces financial stress and burnout risk.

• Stay motivated and engaged: Feeling valued encourages therapists to provide their best care.

  
  

Platforms that pay well can attract and retain experienced clinicians, which enhances the quality of care and patient satisfaction. This can lead to better patient retention and positive reviews, ultimately benefiting the platform’s growth.

Examples of Platforms Prioritizing Therapist Pay

Some telehealth companies have recognized the importance of fair pay and adjusted their models accordingly. For instance, platforms that offer competitive rates and flexible scheduling report lower turnover and higher patient satisfaction scores. These companies often provide additional support such as supervision, peer consultation, and mental health resources for therapists.

By contrast, platforms that prioritize profit margins over clinician well-being tend to face high therapist churn and complaints about rushed care. This creates a cycle where patients struggle to find consistent, quality support.

Therapist engaged in a video session with a client

What Patients and Platforms Can Do

Patients can advocate for better care by asking about therapist qualifications, session length, and platform policies on clinician pay and support. Choosing platforms that invest in their therapists can lead to better experiences and outcomes.

Platforms should consider the long-term benefits of paying therapists fairly. This includes:

• Reviewing payment structures to ensure competitive rates.

• Offering flexible scheduling to prevent burnout.

• Providing resources for therapist well-being.

• Encouraging open communication about workload and compensation.

  
  

These steps create a healthier environment for therapists and better care for patients.