Published methodology
How we verify therapists
Eligibility starts with an active independent state license record, joined to an individual NPI Registry record for identity and practice-location evidence; Colorado profiles currently use Colorado DORA, and NPPES does not establish licensure. Public contact and consumer details are then compared with provider websites, Google Business Profiles, and reviewed submissions. Each source proves only what it actually reports.
Primary evidence
Sources used in published profiles
- Licensing and provider records
- An active independent state license record, joined to an individual NPI Registry record for identity and practice-location evidence; Colorado profiles currently use Colorado DORA, and NPPES does not establish licensure establish the starting identity, credential, specialty, or eligibility evidence defined for this directory.
- Provider or practice website
- Used for provider-controlled facts such as services, team rosters, insurance statements, appointment links, and editorial source material.
- Google Business Profile
- Used for public business identity, location, hours, phone, rating, review count, map link, and attributed Place photography when a match is confirmed.
- Owner-submitted corrections
- Reviewed by a human and kept separate from authoritative records. A claimant cannot rewrite an official credential through this directory.
Five-step review
From raw record to published profile
- CollectRetrieve a dated record from an approved source.
- NormalizeStandardize names, addresses, identifiers, credentials, and taxonomy.
- Resolve identityJoin records only when identifiers or corroborated identity evidence are strong; ambiguous identities remain separate for review.
- CorroborateCompare public location and contact details with independent or provider-controlled evidence.
- Quality-gate and publishRequire geography, source fit, a stable identity, and the site's minimum profile score. SEO indexability has a separate, higher threshold.
Freshness
Checks have source-specific schedules
Google business details are targeted for refresh within 30 days, provider websites within 90 days, and roster or licensing sources within 120 days when the authority supports a repeatable collection process. Profiles show their real last verified or updated date and source check dates; deploy time is never used as a freshness claim.
A stale or conflicting fact may be withheld, sent for review, or left visible with a clear confirmation warning depending on its risk. Time-sensitive details should always be confirmed with the therapist.
What verification does not mean
Identifiers are not endorsements
- NPI issuance does not establish state licensure or board certification.
- A license or registry match does not prove a particular service, insurance plan, price, appointment slot, outcome, or current acceptance status.
- Google ratings and reviews belong to Google and can change independently of this directory.
- Publication is not a recommendation, guarantee, referral agreement, or substitute for checking the original authority.
Corrections, appeals, and claims
Human review remains in the loop
Anyone can report a factual error. Representatives may claim a profile, but control is granted only after review. Include the profile URL, the disputed fact, and an authoritative or provider-controlled source when emailing directory@therapistcompare.com. Organic rank stays independent of the claim outcome and payment.