The demand for online therapy has grown rapidly, driven by the COVID-19 pandemic and the convenience of digital platforms. Searches for terms like "online counseling" have increased by 124% since the pandemic began, reflecting a significant shift toward virtual care. Beyond the pandemic, the rise in remote work has also encouraged more people to live abroad or travel frequently for business, making online therapy a practical choice for cultural and linguistic alignment.

As online therapy becomes more prevalent, the need for secure, user-friendly platforms has become critical. Therapy is a deeply private interaction, and online spaces must offer the same sense of safety and comfort as traditional in-person settings. That is why different standards have been developed as legal requirements to ensure data security and protect personal health information.

At Sestive, a platform designed to help therapists make therapy more effective than ever before, maintaining high standards of data security and privacy is not only a legal requirement—it’s fundamental to building trust with both therapists and clients. We deeply value the impact of therapy and are committed to making it the most comfortable and safe space for everyone involved. That’s why Sestive is compliant with HIPAA, GDPR, and SOC 2 standards.

Here's why compliance matter so much for online therapy platforms and how these certifications help create a secure and reliable experience.

What is HIPAA Compliance?

It’s important to know that these compliance standards are often country-specific, designed to align with local laws and regulations. HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) is the accepted standard in the US.

It ensures confidentiality and regulates how Protected Health Information should be managed across administrative, physical, and technical safeguards.

This compliance mandates the use of encrypted communication tools, secure login processes, and ensures that only authorized personnel can access sensitive data. All information is stored  encrypted in cloud systems. Why data encryption is so important? Because it is the process of converting text or data into a coded form. So even if data is intercepted, it cannot be read without the encryption key preventing unauthorized access.

And then come the consequences. Any violation of these regulations can result in millions of dollars in fines, significant reputational damage, and potential legal actions.

So, by adhering to HIPAA, platforms can guarantee that clients' health data remains secure, which is especially critical for mental health services.

What is GDPR Compliance?

GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) is a set of privacy and data protection rules that apply across European Union (EU) and European Economic Area.

If HIPPA specifically applies to health-related data, GDPR covers all types of personal data, including contact information, online behavior, and health data, with a broader scope. It requires that data be processed with the "principles of data protection", including data minimization, transparency, and the ability to move data across borders.

When it comes to keeping data safe, GDPR mandates data encryption and access controls, appointing a Data Protection Officer to ensure compliance, and conducting assessments to identify potential risks.

Under GDPR, businesses are required to demonstrate their compliance, which helps protect individuals' rights to privacy and data security.

What is SOC 2 Compliance?

SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls) compliance is not a legal requirement like HIPAA or GDPR but is often a best practice for companies that prioritize security and customer trust.

SOC 2 compliance ensures that a company meets strict security standards based on five key principles: security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy, especially for SaaS platforms.

These criteria, developed by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), help organizations demonstrate that their infrastructure is SOC 2-compliant, ensuring the platform is designed with the highest security. This means using secure servers, data encryption, and cloud-based services to and protect the system from unauthorized access, both physically and logically.

VANTA: Making Compliance Visible

To further enhance transparency, Sestive uses VANTA, a platform that provides real-time updates on our compliance status with HIPAA, GDPR, and SOC 2 requirements. This allows our users to easily track how we protect and secure their data. Its all about transparency and security.

To sum it up, therapy, whether offline or online, should always be a safe and supportive space. With the rise of online platforms, ensuring security and privacy is key to building trust and delivering effective care. When choosing a tool or platform, make sure it meets the necessary compliance standards.

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