How it works
From "maybe I should talk to someone" to actually talking to someone
The gap between deciding to try therapy and sitting in a first session is where most people give up — phone tag, waitlists, "not accepting new patients." Sanctum closes that gap to about a day.
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~3 minutes
Tell us what's going on
A short, judgment-free questionnaire: what brings you here, how you'd like to connect, what your budget looks like. No essays required — and you can say "not sure yet" to almost everything.
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within 24 hours*
Meet your match
Our care team pairs you with a licensed therapist in your state whose specialties and style fit your answers — typically within a day. You'll see their full profile before anything starts, and switching is always free.
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same week
Start, your way
Message from the couch, book a video session, or start with audio if cameras feel like a lot. Your therapy space lives in your pocket, and your therapist meets you where you are.
*Median across the network. Matches involving less common specialty + state + language combinations can take a little longer — we'll tell you upfront if yours will.
Illustration of the Sanctum app showing an ongoing messaging conversation with a therapist.
After you match
What the first weeks look like
Your first exchange
Your therapist opens with a real introduction — who they are, how they work, and what to expect. No intake robot. You reply whenever you're ready.
A plan that's actually yours
In the first week or two you'll shape goals together: what better looks like for you, and how you'll both know it's working. Revisited openly, not filed away.
Support between the support
Weekly check-ins, mood tracking, and session recaps keep the thread alive between conversations — so nothing resets to zero each week.
Not clicking? Switch, free.
Fit matters more than almost anything in therapy. Tap "request new match" in settings — no awkward breakup conversation, no fee, usually re-matched within a day.
Honest scoping
Sanctum is great for a lot. Not for everything.
A strong fit when you're dealing with
- Anxiety, worry, or panic
- Low mood and depression
- Stress, burnout, and work strain
- Relationship and family issues
- Grief, loss, and life transitions
- Self-esteem, identity, and belonging
- Sleep difficulties
- ADHD and focus challenges
Please seek other care if you need
- Emergency or crisis support right now (call 911, or call/text 988 in the US)
- Care after a recent suicide attempt or with active suicidal intent
- Treatment for severe conditions that need in-person or intensive programs
- Psychiatric medication management
- Court-ordered therapy or formal evaluations
- Care for children under 18
If that's where you are, that's not a door closing — it means you deserve more support than an app can responsibly give. Our care team will always point you toward appropriate resources.
Step one takes three minutes
No essays, no commitment, and you'll see your suggested plan and therapists before paying anything.