Secure online booking — why I chose Theravo
Convenient booking does not have to mean a compromise on data protection. Here is how I solved it.
Why the booking system matters
Booking a session with a psychologist means entrusting someone with your data: your name, email address, sometimes a phone number — and the fact that you are looking for psychological support. That fact alone is sensitive information, so choosing a booking system is not only a question of convenience.
I chose Theravo, a platform built specifically for psychology and psychotherapy practices — not a general-purpose calendar adapted after the fact.
Your data stays in Europe
Theravo is based in Germany and its production systems are hosted in Germany and the EU. In practice this means booking data does not leave the European Economic Area and is fully covered by the GDPR.
That is a meaningful difference from many popular scheduling tools whose servers sit outside Europe and which require additional legal safeguards for data transfers.
As the data controller, I have a data processing agreement (DPA) in place with Theravo. The provider does not sell data or use it for advertising.
You book yourself, whenever suits you
There is no waiting for an email reply or catching the hours when I can answer the phone. You see available times in the calendar and pick the one that fits your day — including evenings and weekends.
Booking takes a moment, and the confirmation with the session link arrives automatically by email.
Everything in one place
In the patient area you manage your appointments yourself: you see upcoming sessions, can reschedule or cancel them according to the terms, and find your history and available session packages.
Booking and payment happen in a single flow — no separate transfer, no reference number to remember. Payments are handled by Stripe, one of the most widely used and best-secured payment providers in Europe; the available methods depend on your country and the setup.
This removes the most tiresome part of the arrangements, so you can focus on what you came for.
The booking form is not the place to describe your problem
When booking you provide organisational details only: name, contact, the chosen time and the type of consultation. The system is not a place to describe symptoms, treatment history or the details of your situation.
This is deliberate. What brings you here we discuss in session — in a safe space, not in a form. If further information is needed, I will ask for it at the right moment.
How to begin
Choose a time for your first consultation in the booking calendar, pay for the session and receive your confirmation with the link. You will find your bookings later in the patient area.
If you have questions beforehand, write to me — I am happy to clear them up before you take the first step.
Sources and further reading
Marta Adamczyk-Girčys
About me