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If you’re a therapist exploring alternatives to Headway, you may be rethinking what you want from a platform, an employer, or your own private practice.
Headway’s planned $9.99 marketplace fee has prompted questions about the cost of client referrals and how much control clinicians have over their work. Recent questions about its provider agreement have also highlighted the importance of understanding the terms behind any professional relationship. On October 16th, Headway paused the agreement rollout.
But choosing where to practice involves more than fees. It’s also about how you find clients, how you’re paid, what administrative work you’re responsible for, how you connect with peers, and how much independence you want.
In this guide, we’ll compare marketplace-based platforms with a W-2 clinical role at Two Chairs, including the trade-offs to consider before deciding what’s right for you.
What changed at Headway?
Headway is introducing a $9.99 marketplace service fee for qualifying appointments with clients who find therapists through its marketplace. According to Headway’s help center, updated as of Oct 27th, 2026, the fee is deducted from therapist payouts and applies to eligible insurance and private-pay sessions.
Here’s what therapists should know about the policy:
- The fee is per appointment. It is deducted from the therapist’s payout for each qualifying session.
- It applies to insurance and private-pay sessions. The fee is based on how the client found and booked the therapist.
- It will continue for the duration of the client relationship. It isn’t limited to the first appointment.
- Some clients are exempt. The fee does not apply to clients therapists bring themselves or clients who book through their direct links.
- Cancellations and no-shows are excluded. The fee does not apply to these appointments.
- The rollout is state by state. Headway has said the fee will be introduced across all states by the end of 2026.
Therapists have also raised concerns about Headway’s provider agreement. According to Therapy Is a Business, a clause in the agreement granted Headway lasting rights to use a therapist’s name, likeness, and voice, including after the therapist left the platform. Headway denied the allegations but paused the agreement rollout on October 16th and said an updated agreement was forthcoming.
Headway’s fee policy, updated as of Oct 16th, 2026 is linked here. For the latest information, review Headway’s fee policy and provider agreement directly, as terms and implementation dates can change.
Headway vs. Two Chairs: what's the difference?
Headway operates as a platform that helps therapists connect with clients and manage aspects of insurance-based practice.
Two Chairs employs licensed clinicians as W-2 employees and provides the operational and clinical support needed to deliver care. We aren’t a directory, a marketplace, or a group practice.
Neither model is right for every therapist. The better fit depends on how much independence you want, how you prefer to be compensated, and how much of the business side of practice you want to manage yourself.
Here’s how the models compare.
Marketplace platforms and independent practices vary. Review the specific terms of any arrangement before comparing compensation, benefits, or responsibilities.
Built for clinicians, by clinicians
Two Chairs has standards, and we hold clinicians to a high bar. We care about delivering the highest quality of care, not the highest volume.
Every clinician practices measurement-based care (MBC) with every client and completes training for it. A peer-reviewed study in Frontiers in Health Services linked our MBC training and implementation to a 24% improvement in clinical outcomes over six months.
We also have to be realistic. Like every provider, we need to meet the requirements of health insurers so we can keep bringing clients to you. That’s the trade behind the support we offer.
The promise in our clinician EVP is “Built for clinicians, by clinicians.” We make changes with clinicians in the room, not after the fact. That includes:
- Surveys on tools, policies, and support
- Focus groups and beta testing before new tools launch company-wide
- A Clinician Advisory Board
- Regular conversations with clinicians and clinical managers
We want clinicians to have a voice in how we work, not just adapt to decisions made without their input.
What it's like to work at Two Chairs
The best way to understand a clinical work environment is to hear directly from the people working in it.
For clinicians balancing multiple commitments, clear expectations and flexibility can also make a meaningful difference. These experiences reflect what we're working toward: a clinical environment where therapists can focus on their clients, exercise their clinical judgment, and find a schedule that works for their lives.
Keep your private practice and add a team
Working at Two Chairs doesn’t mean leaving your private practice. Many clinicians work part-time with us to supplement their income. Part-time clinicians choose a caseload of 7–20 sessions a week.
Clinicians who combine the two often gain:
- Steadier income alongside independent work.
- New skills, since our clients bring a wide range of concerns that can build experience in new modalities, plus we offer free CE credits.
- A clinical community through optional consultation groups and shared chat spaces.
- Case support through one-on-one time with clinical managers and consultation spaces.
- Less administrative work, given our Care Coordination team and tooling manage billing, credentialing, and client acquisition for your Two Chairs caseload.
A W-2 role isn’t for everyone. If you want full ownership of your brand and every business decision, private practice may suit you better. If you want steady pay and support, a W-2 role can add both. Learn more about the differences between W-2 and private practice here.
We’re hiring nationwide for remote mental health therapist roles, so wherever you're licensed, there may be a place for you on the team. Check out our openings here.
Frequently asked questions
Is Two Chairs free for therapists in 2026?
Yes. We aren’t a directory, a marketplace, or a group practice. We are a mental health company with a W-2 employment model. That means you’re an employee, not a customer. You pay no subscription, listing, or per-session fees to work with us.
Does Two Chairs charge a marketplace fee for clients gained?
Absolutely not. Unlike Headway, at Two Chairs, clients who find you on our booking page and book with you don’t cost you a fee. Our care coordination team handles matching, scheduling, and billing support.
Do Two Chairs clinicians lose income for no-shows or cancellations?
No. If a client no-shows or late cancels, we still compensate you for the time you reserved. We also provide coaching and guidance to help reduce cancellations and no-shows. As a W-2 employer, we document repeated patterns and work with you to find a solution.
Is malpractice insurance included?
Yes. Malpractice insurance is fully covered for licensed clinicians at no cost to you.
Can I work at Two Chairs and keep my private practice?
Yes. Many clinicians work part-time with us and keep their own practice.
This article is for general information only. It is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Read any contract carefully before you sign it, and talk with a lawyer if you have questions.
