Phototherapy systems and methods of phototherapy are described. In an example, the phototherapy system includes a therapeutic light source configured to emit phototherapeutic light towards a subject; and a placebo light source configured to emit placebo light towards the subject. In an embodiment, the light, including the phototherapeutic light and the placebo light, emitted by the phototherapy system is configured to be visually perceived by the subject as continuous light. In an embodiment, the placebo light is a metameric match of the phototherapeutic light. In an embodiment, the method includes emitting the placebo light in a wavelength range and at an intensity configured to be visually perceived by the user as the phototherapeutic light, such as where the placebo light is a metameric match of the phototherapeutic light.