The chaos of online psychological 'therapy' - Part 1: The million-dollar underground market of online 'therapy and coaching'

To treat mental health-related illnesses, patients should go to the hospital, where there are doctors to consult, share and receive treatment. In the photo: a doctor from the Institute of Mental Health, Bach Mai Hospital, consults a patient - Photo: D.LIEU

Many patients with anxiety disorders and depression are afraid to go to the hospital and have fallen into the trap of online psychological treatment, losing both money and health.

The suffering of those who seek "support"

Just type in the phrase “psychotherapy” or “psychotherapy” and immediately there will be hundreds of groups with hundreds of thousands of members on the internet. This is also where there are many “invitations” and “transactions” of psychology from self-proclaimed psychologists and psychologists.

We joined the group "Psychotherapy: Depression, Anxiety Disorders" with more than 60,000 members, each day the group has more than 10 posts shared by anonymous members about their psychological problems. After each post, there are many individuals giving advice and then claiming to have appropriate treatment methods.

We contacted an account named ߘ?. (living in Hanoi) because this is the account that regularly comments on each article. This person claims to be a Master of Reiki energy, has an international certificate but is not recognized in Vietnam.

After sharing his psychological problems, this person said that we needed to use past life regression hypnosis to let go of psychological resentments.

The treatment will last for 3 months and this person promises to bring the patient "back to peace, with the inner strength to overcome everything". When asked about the cost, this person quoted 55 million VND for 3 months with 24 online sessions and allowed customers to pay in installments within their ability.

Contact a site called "Psychotherapy - K.", one of the sites that is frequently mentioned in the comments section of most of the customer shared articles.

The site says the cost of meeting with "psychologists" is 250,000 VND for the first hour and an additional 100,000 VND for every 30 minutes thereafter.

The psychological support process includes an initial meeting where the client and the psychologist will discuss the problems they are facing. Then, based on the information collected, the psychologist will conduct an assessment and develop a treatment plan.

"Psychologists apply scientific psychotherapy methods that have been proven effective in helping to overcome psychological problems such as anxiety, depression, stress, and trauma. Depending on each case, psychologists can use different methods such as CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), motivational therapy, family therapy...", this fanpage posted.

When asked about the “psychologists” who would be providing the therapy, the fan page provided information about two people. One “psychotherapist” was described as having a bachelor’s degree in psychology from a university and was in the process of studying for a master’s degree in clinical psychology. The other “psychologist” was described as having completed a master’s degree in psychology from a university in 2022.

However, we understand that a bachelor's or master's degree in psychology can only engage in psychological counseling in licensed organizations, under professional supervision, and cannot practice psychotherapy independently.

A self-proclaimed psychotherapist with treatment costs up to 55 million VND/3 months - Photo: CAM NUONG

"Cross-border" therapy

On the Threads app, an account with more than 60,000 followers named K. (Vietnamese, currently living in Switzerland) claims to be a psychotherapist and offers 1:1 consultation sessions.

Fees range from 2.3 million VND/90 minutes for the listening package, and 2 companion and therapy support packages, both of which include psychological therapy with fees ranging from 9 - 15 million VND for consultation sessions.

This person shared on his personal page that he graduated from the psychology department of the University of Geneva, Switzerland and has a French CERFPA certification in the practice of applied psychology.

However, according to our research, to be called a psychotherapist in Switzerland, the minimum qualification required is a master's degree and a practice certificate.

When the community following the social network Threads questioned the professional certificate, this "psychotherapist" spoke up, affirming that he was not wrong because Vietnam's legal basis does not have regulations requiring a master's degree to be called a psychotherapist.

Nearly 15 million Vietnamese are "alone" in the fight against mental health

According to the Ministry of Health, nearly 15 million Vietnamese people, equivalent to 14.9% of the population, are facing at least one of ten common mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, alcohol or drug addiction.

Of these, 3 million are adolescents, an age group that should be at its most intellectually and emotionally mature. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a spike in the incidence of mental disorders globally.

In addition, climate change crisis, war, global economic recession, and career changes also increase the burden on the mental health care system.

Even more alarming is the severe lack of access to formal support services. Only 29% of people with mental disorders and around a third of people with depression ever receive proper treatment or support.

This gap is being filled by an online "black market" of non-standard therapy services, where patients bet their trust, money and even their mental health on unprofessional people who are not bound by professional standards.

Money lost, but still sick

Not only are these "healing" services technically ambiguous, they also pose a risk of causing serious psychological damage.

Sharing with Tuoi Tre, a customer named TK living in Australia has a short-term mental disorder, depression, and bipolar disorder diagnosed by a hospital. Ms. K. found the services of a person who calls himself a Coaching named ߘ?.S. through YouTube and Instagram channels.

Ms. K.'s treatment process lasted from November 2023 to March 2024 with a frequency of one meeting every two weeks, costing 3 million VND/month. Using the method of chatting to relieve negativity, sending meditation instructions via drive. Ms. K. said that after the treatment, her symptoms did not decrease.

"This person appeared to project my personality onto their own toxic past relationships and through that, he or she would criticize, berate, and blame me for my illness. I ended the therapy because I felt so violated.

It took me more than 6 months to recover from the psychological trauma caused and amplified by this coach," Ms. K. shared.

According to the reporter's research, this coach claims to be an expert in "removing childhood trauma and healing the inner self" through 1:1 conversations and healing courses with tarot, astrology, and energy.

A website created by this coach with the introduction line as a guide and inspiration in the field of healing awareness, personal development and towards an awakened life…

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Next: Who controls online "therapists"?

CAM NUONG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/bat-nhao-tri-lieu-tam-ly-online-ky-1-thi-truong-ngam-trieu-do-cua-tri-lieu-coaching-online-20250513225001547.htm