Women like men who go to therapy

This dating app wants you to talk about mental health on the first date.

This dating app wants you to talk about mental health on the first date.

Singles on dating apps are more likely to get a second date if they go to therapy.

That’s according to data from popular dating app Hinge, that found 86% of users were more likely to go on a second date with someone who mentioned they attend therapy on the first date.

However, only 7% feel comfortable bringing up therapy on the first date.

So Hinge is introducing "self-care prompts" to encourage users to be more candid about mental health.

The prompts allow users to finish sentences like, “therapy recently taught me…”, “I feel most supported when…”, “a boundary of mine is…” and “my self-care routine is…”, and add them to their profile.

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Hinge also found 97% of users would prefer to date someone who actively takes care of their mental health.

Hinge’s Director of Relationship Science Logan Ury said priorities have changed over the last two years.

“We’ve found that Hinge singles have learned to take their mental health more seriously, which for many means seeking out therapy. Singles who are prioritising more meaningful connections now want to find someone who has ‘done the work’ and is ready to connect in a deeper, more authentic way,” she said.

You can now add written prompts about mental health to your Hinge profile.

She also said it can be daunting to be vulnerable on an early date. 

“Many of us are afraid to be open about what's really going on for us. However, when we share from a deeper place, people feel more drawn to us, and more comfortable about their own imperfections. It actually attracts people to us — instead of pushing them away, like we fear,” Ury said.

But hey, “don’t overshare”.

“Sharing your story doesn’t mean reading a ten-page rundown from your last therapy session, or giving your date every detail of your self-care routine.”

Examples of mental health prompts on Hinge.

“First dates are all about getting to know each other as you chat about different topics. They’re a great opportunity to casually mention that you’re working on yourself.”

Ury suggested saying “I’m really prioritising my mental health right now. I’m lucky enough to have found a great therapist and I feel like I’ve made a lot of progress”.