Core criteria
| Criterion | What I check |
|---|---|
| Access | Signup flow, availability, matching, account requirements, and friction. |
| Cost | Pricing, trials, discounts, renewals, insurance/payment notes, and cancellation. |
| Support type | Licensed therapy, coaching, education, self-help, worksheets, or journaling. |
| Safety | Crisis limits, privacy notes, appropriate use cases, and who should skip it. |
| Evidence | First-hand testing, official docs, pricing checks, citations, and known gaps. |
| Alternatives | Comparable tools, free resources, and reasons another option may fit better. |
Evidence labels
Each review names whether a claim comes from first-hand testing, public product documentation, third-party research, expert review, or my own editorial judgment. I don't invent testing notes, ratings, or first-hand experience.
What every review has to show
- Who the tool may help, who should skip it, and why.
- What I tested or checked, with the date of the check.
- Which claims come from the company, research, expert context, or my own judgment.
- Pricing, cancellation, privacy, crisis limits, and practical alternatives.
- A clear note next to any link that earns me a commission.
Where I draw the line
I won't sit a recommendation next to crisis or emergency-support content. I won't say a tool treats, cures, or diagnoses anything. And I won't write a review I wouldn't want a client to read.