A great idea.

Can you expand a bit on this statement on your home page:

"Speak with a compassionate, trained listener through our secure, monitored network."

What does "monitored" mean?

By "trained" what do you mean (because it seems as if anyone can be a listener)?

I can't speak as to 'monitored', but in terms of training, from the article: "Potential listeners must complete an online training program and speak with Moriarty on the phone before they start taking calls."

Please consider adding Bitcoin support to your payment options. For me personally, I would not want to be vulnerable, without making sure I was extra secure. BitPay [1] has an easy to use merchant platform.

1. https://www.bitpay.com

Thanks Michael. We have some bitcoin experts in our batch. I'll talk more with them.

Expecting this to be unpopular, but the name is confusing by its proximity to "Three Cups of Tea" (which had me confused for a second, because I couldn't remember if it was 3, or 7, and why Mortensen would have gone to YC).

No problem. It is a valid point. We hear that from time to time. No worries!

I have been a lurker for quite a long time on HC now and I created an account just to give you very heavy kudos. Ive been through some serious times in my life and this service would have been a godsend. Thank you and I will spreading the word about your site.

Good luck.

Thank you! I appreciate you taking the step to create an account and let us know. That means a lot. Also, if you are interested in becoming a listener, then we'd love to have you : ). www.7cupsoftea.com/listener

Having just joined the site and carefully read your privacy policy: could you please clarify either here and/or on the site whether or not you are permanently storing any of the text of the conversations? It seems to me that the policy states that only directly identifiable information (e.g., names and email addresses) will not be stored. I apologize if I'm being paranoid here, but this greatly effects my ability to use your website. I suspect that I'm not the only one.

Also, your website does not seem to keep me logged in (in Firefox). Even directly after logging in and being able to view my messages, the upper-right corner still contains the 'Login' button.

I'm not trying to nitpick, but I am really not crazy about that image on your homepage. It's just too reminiscent of shots/scenes from ads by pharmaceutical companies. I suspect there's a healthy segment of your users who are sick of being told their problems will go away if they just talk to their doctor about the latest-and-greatest pill. There has to be a way of conveying tranquility & peace without so heavily reminding us all of those horrible, borderline-abusive television commercials.

Very interesting business. Quick question - is there any meaning behind the name? Why 7?

Thank you. Yes, the name comes from a famous Chinese poem titled "7 Cups of Tea" The basic idea is that each cup of tea brings a greater level of healing. Also, I just liked the name because it suggests meeting with a friend several times and having a conversation.

Awesome idea! I wish you the very best of success. Turning what can be an alienating technology into a means to reach out to people in need is really heartwarming.

Thank you!