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Dec 31, 2025
A professional website is no longer optional for therapists—it's essential. Whether you're launching a new private practice or established and looking to attract more clients, your website serves as your digital front door, often forming potential clients' first impression of your practice.
But with dozens of website builders on the market, each claiming to be the best solution, how do you choose? The answer depends on your specific needs: Are you tech-savvy or a complete beginner? Do you need online booking and telehealth integration? What's your budget? How much control do you want over design and functionality?
This guide breaks down the best website builders for therapists in 2025, comparing features, pricing, ease of use, and HIPAA compliance considerations to help you make an informed decision.
What Therapists Should Look for in a Website Builder
Before diving into specific platforms, it's important to understand what makes a website builder suitable for a therapy practice.
Ease of Use
The best website builder for you should allow you to create a professional-looking site without coding knowledge or a steep learning curve. Look for drag-and-drop interfaces, pre-built templates designed for healthcare providers, and intuitive editing tools.
Professional Templates for Healthcare
Generic business templates often don't fit the unique needs of therapy practices. You want templates that include sections for therapist bios, specialties, insurance information, contact forms, and resource pages—all designed with the calming, professional aesthetic that potential clients expect from mental health providers.
HIPAA Compliance Considerations
Here's where things get tricky: your website itself typically doesn't need to be HIPAA compliant because it's public-facing information. However, any forms that collect protected health information (PHI)—like intake forms or contact forms asking about symptoms—do require HIPAA-compliant handling. Many website builders offer this through paid add-ons or integrations with HIPAA-compliant form services.
Essential Features for Therapy Websites
At minimum, your website should support:
Secure contact forms
Mobile responsiveness (most people search for therapists on phones)
SEO capabilities so potential clients can find you
Integration with online scheduling tools
Psychology Today or other directory integration
Blog functionality for content marketing
Clear calls-to-action for booking consultations
Budget Considerations
Website builders range from completely free (with limitations) to $40+ per month for advanced features. Consider not just the base price but also costs for:
Custom domain names ($10-20/year)
HIPAA-compliant form handling
Online booking integrations
Premium templates or plugins
Email hosting
E-commerce if you sell courses or resources
Best Overall: WordPress with Therapy-Specific Themes
Best for: Therapists who want maximum flexibility and control, don't mind a moderate learning curve, and plan to grow their online presence.
WordPress powers over 40% of all websites globally, and for good reason. It offers unmatched flexibility, thousands of plugins for added functionality, and complete ownership of your content. The distinction matters: WordPress.org (self-hosted) gives you full control, while WordPress.com is a simplified platform with more limitations.
Pros:
Unlimited customization possibilities through themes and plugins
Excellent SEO capabilities with plugins like Yoast or Rank Math
Therapy-specific themes available (Divi for Therapists, Wellness Pro)
Integration with virtually any third-party tool
No platform lock-in—you own your content
Strong blogging capabilities for content marketing
Large community and extensive documentation
Cons:
Steeper learning curve than all-in-one builders
Requires separate hosting purchase
You're responsible for updates, backups, and security
Can become expensive with premium themes and plugins
May need developer help for complex customizations
HIPAA Compliance: WordPress itself isn't HIPAA compliant, but you can use HIPAA-compliant form plugins (WPForms or Formidable Forms with HIPAA add-ons) and ensure your hosting provider offers a Business Associate Agreement (BAA). Providers like Atlantic.net and Liquid Web offer HIPAA-compliant WordPress hosting.
Best For Therapy Practices: WordPress is ideal if you want to invest in long-term growth, plan to blog regularly for SEO, or need specific integrations with practice management software. It's also the best choice if you might eventually want to add online courses, membership areas, or other advanced features.
Best for Beginners: Squarespace
Best for: Therapists who prioritize beautiful design and simplicity over advanced features, with minimal time for website management.
Squarespace has built its reputation on stunning templates and user-friendly design tools. For therapists who want a polished, professional website without the technical complexity, it's consistently ranked among the easiest platforms to use.
Pros:
Exceptionally beautiful, modern templates
Intuitive drag-and-drop editor
All-in-one solution (hosting, SSL, domain included)
Built-in SEO features
Excellent mobile responsiveness
Strong blogging platform
Reliable customer support
No plugins needed—core features are built-in
Cons:
Less flexibility than WordPress for customization
Limited third-party integrations
No free plan (only 14-day trial)
Template switching requires rebuilding your site
E-commerce features are limited on lower tiers
Form submissions limited on basic plans
HIPAA Compliance: Squarespace doesn't offer HIPAA compliance natively. You'll need to use a third-party HIPAA-compliant form service (like JotForm HIPAA or Formstack) and embed it on your site for any forms collecting PHI.
Best For Therapy Practices: Squarespace works beautifully for solo practitioners or small group practices who want an elegant online presence without technical headaches. If you value aesthetics and simplicity over extensive customization, and your needs are straightforward (bio, services, contact, maybe a blog), Squarespace is excellent.
Best for Simplicity: Wix
Best for: Therapists who want maximum ease of use with decent customization options and don't plan extensive blogging.
Wix is known for its absolute beginner-friendliness. The platform offers an AI-powered website builder (Wix ADI) that can create a site for you in minutes, or a traditional drag-and-drop editor for more control.
Pros:
Extremely user-friendly with true drag-and-drop flexibility
Wix ADI can build a site automatically based on your answers
Large template library with healthcare options
Free plan available (with Wix branding and subdomain)
App market with hundreds of add-ons
Built-in SEO tools (Wix SEO Wiz)
Good customer support including phone support
Integrated booking and scheduling features
Cons:
Can't switch templates after publishing without rebuilding
Less professional-looking than Squarespace at similar price points
SEO capabilities are improving but historically weaker than competitors
Can get expensive with add-ons
Loading speeds can be slower than alternatives
Less suitable for content-heavy sites
HIPAA Compliance: Like most website builders, Wix itself isn't HIPAA compliant. You'll need third-party HIPAA-compliant forms. Wix does offer business email through Google Workspace, which can be HIPAA compliant with proper configuration.
Best For Therapy Practices: Wix is perfect for therapists who are intimidated by technology and want the fastest path to a functional website. If you need basic information pages and aren't planning to blog extensively or do complex SEO work, Wix gets you online quickly with minimal frustration.
Best for Therapy-Specific Features: SimplePractice Website
Best for: SimplePractice users who want seamless integration with their practice management software.
SimplePractice, one of the leading practice management platforms for therapists, offers a website builder included with their software. This creates seamless integration between your scheduling, billing, telehealth, and website.
Pros:
Perfect integration with SimplePractice scheduling and client portal
No additional cost if you're already using SimplePractice
Templates designed specifically for therapists
Simple setup process
Mobile-responsive designs
Built-in SEO basics
HIPAA-compliant client forms integrated
Consistent branding across all client touchpoints
Cons:
Very limited customization compared to standalone builders
Basic design options may feel generic
Locked into SimplePractice ecosystem
Limited blogging capabilities
Can't use if you switch practice management software
Not ideal for complex websites or content marketing
HIPAA Compliance: SimplePractice offers HIPAA-compliant infrastructure including secure forms and client portal, which is a significant advantage for therapists collecting PHI through their website.
Best For Therapy Practices: This is the obvious choice if you're already using or planning to use SimplePractice for practice management. The integration streamlines your workflow significantly. However, if SimplePractice isn't your EHR or you want a more sophisticated web presence, consider other options.
Best for All-in-One Solution: Therapy Brands/Wiley (formerly TherapySites)
Best for: Therapists who want a website specifically designed for mental health practices with built-in features.
Wiley's therapy website service (formerly TherapySites) is built specifically for mental health professionals, offering therapy-focused templates, content assistance, and features tailored to practice needs.
Pros:
Templates designed specifically for therapists
Pre-written content assistance for common pages
Understanding of therapy-specific compliance needs
Support team knowledgeable about therapy practice
Integration options with therapy practice management systems
Psychology Today directory integration
Includes professional support for setup
Cons:
More expensive than general website builders
Less design flexibility than platforms like Squarespace
Smaller template selection than mainstream builders
May be overkill for very simple needs
Contract commitments may be required
HIPAA Compliance: Wiley offers HIPAA-compliant solutions as part of their service, which is a significant advantage for therapists concerned about compliance.
Best For Therapy Practices: This option works well for therapists who want a turnkey solution built by people who understand the therapy field, and are willing to pay premium pricing for specialized service and support.
Best for Budget-Conscious: WordPress.com
Best for: Therapists who want WordPress capabilities without managing hosting, on a tight budget.
WordPress.com offers the WordPress platform with managed hosting, striking a middle ground between WordPress.org's flexibility and all-in-one builders' simplicity.
Pros:
Free plan available (with WordPress branding)
No hosting management required
Access to WordPress's powerful content management
Excellent blogging capabilities
Automatic updates and backups
Security handled by platform
Can upgrade to more advanced plans as you grow
Cons:
Free and lower-tier plans have significant limitations
Can't install custom plugins on lower tiers
Ads on free plan
Limited customization compared to self-hosted WordPress
Must upgrade to Business plan ($25/month) for plugin access
E-commerce requires Commerce plan ($45/month)
HIPAA Compliance: WordPress.com doesn't offer HIPAA compliance or Business Associate Agreements on standard plans. You'd need enterprise-level service or use third-party HIPAA-compliant forms.
Best For Therapy Practices: WordPress.com works for therapists starting out who want to minimize costs while maintaining room for growth. The free plan can get you online, but you'll likely need to upgrade as your practice develops. Consider whether the limitations justify the savings versus other budget options like Wix.
Best for Therapists Who Blog: WordPress.org with Hosting
Best for: Therapists committed to content marketing and SEO as client acquisition strategies.
We mentioned WordPress.org in the overall category, but it deserves special recognition for content marketing. If you plan to blog consistently as part of your marketing strategy, nothing beats WordPress for blogging capabilities and SEO.
Why WordPress Excels for Blogging:
The platform was originally built as a blogging platform, and those roots show. You get powerful categorization and tagging, editorial calendars, scheduling capabilities, multiple authors (important for group practices), revision history, and seamless media management.
More importantly, WordPress's SEO capabilities through plugins like Yoast SEO or Rank Math allow you to optimize every post for search engines. This matters enormously if you're writing content to attract clients searching for "anxiety therapist near me" or "how to deal with postpartum depression."
Content Marketing for Therapists:
Many successful therapy practices generate significant client leads through blogging about mental health topics relevant to their ideal clients. WordPress makes this strategy achievable, even for therapists without technical skills.
Recommended Setup:
Hosting: SiteGround or Bluehost (both offer easy WordPress installation)
Theme: Astra, GeneratePress, or Kadence (all therapy-friendly and SEO-optimized)
Plugins: Yoast SEO, WPForms (with HIPAA add-on), Really Simple SSL
Page builder: Elementor or Beaver Builder for easy design
Best For Therapy Practices: Choose this route if content marketing is part of your growth strategy, you're willing to invest time in blogging, and you want maximum control over your SEO. The learning curve is worth it for therapists building sustainable, search-driven practices.
Website Builder Comparison Chart
Platform | Best For | Starting Price | Ease of Use | HIPAA Support | Customization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
WordPress.org | Flexibility & control | $3-30/month + extras | Moderate | Via plugins/hosting | Excellent |
Squarespace | Beautiful design | $16/month | Easy | Third-party forms | Good |
Wix | Absolute beginners | Free/$17/month | Very Easy | Third-party forms | Good |
SimplePractice | SimplePractice users | Included w/ subscription | Easy | Built-in | Limited |
Wiley/TherapySites | Therapy-specific | ~$59/month | Easy | Built-in | Moderate |
WordPress.com | Budget-conscious | Free/$4/month | Easy | Enterprise only | Limited |
Final Thoughts
The best website builder for your therapy practice depends on your specific needs, technical comfort level, and long-term goals. There's no universally "perfect" choice—only the right choice for you.
If you're just starting out and want something beautiful and simple, Squarespace or Wix will serve you well. If you're already using SimplePractice and want seamless integration, their included website makes sense. If you're committed to content marketing and want maximum control, WordPress.org is worth the learning curve.
The most important decision isn't which platform you choose—it's that you actually create and launch your website. A simple, clear website live today is infinitely more valuable than a perfect website you're still planning.
Start with the essentials: who you are, who you help, what you offer, and how to contact you. You can always expand, refine, and optimize over time. Your website is a living tool that grows with your practice, not a finished product that must be perfect before launching.
Choose a platform that feels manageable, set aside dedicated time to build your site, and remember that your website exists to connect you with people who need your help. Keep that purpose central, and you'll create a web presence that serves both your practice and your clients well.