FEATURED PARTNER
Talkspace
4.8
EXCELLENT
(32.2k+) from App Store
Talkspace
  • Best for: insurance
  • Cost: starts at $0 copay with insurance; otherwise starts at $69 per week
  • Services offered: therapy for individuals, couples, teens, LGBTQIA+; psychiatry
WITH TALKSPACE

Use code "HEALTHLINE85" for $85 off.

BetterHelp
4.8
EXCELLENT
(374k+) from BetterHelp
BetterHelp
  • Best for: teen and young adult specialists
  • Cost: starts at $65 per week
  • Services offered: individual; couples and teen therapy available through sister sites
WITH BETTERHELP

Healthline visitors get 20% off the first month.

Online-Therapy.com
4.8
EXCELLENT
(3.2k+) from online-therapy.com
Online-Therapy.com
  • Best for: low-cost options
  • Cost: starts at $40 per week
  • Services offered: individual therapy; couples therapy
WITH ONLINE-THERAPY.COM

Healthline visitors get 20% off the first month. Discount is applied automatically.

Brightside
4.4
VERY GOOD
(1.8k+) from Brightside Health
Brightside Health
  • Best for: medication delivery
  • Cost: starts at $95 per month, but prices may vary depending on insurance coverage
  • Services offered: therapy, medication management
WITH BRIGHTSIDE HEALTH

Online therapy isn’t for emergencies

If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or call 911 or local emergency services.

How our picks compare

BrandBest forPriceServices Offered
TalkspaceBest for insurance coverage•starts at $0 copay with insurance*

•otherwise starts at $69 per week
•therapy for:
✓individuals
✓couples
✓teens
✓LGBTQIA+

•psychiatry
BetterHelpBest for teen and young adult specialists•starts at $65 per week•therapy for:
✓individuals
✓couples
✓teens
Online-therapy.comBest for low-cost options•starts at $40 per week•therapy for:
✓individuals
✓couples
BrightsideBest for medication delivery•starts at $95 per month*
•therapy for:
✓individuals

•psychiatry
•crisis care

How we chose the best online therapy platforms

Our team of medical experts carefully vetted each online therapy service. They looked at the medical credibility, business practices, and social impact of each platform to ensure they meet our high standards. We considered many criteria, including:

  • mental health professionals who are all licensed social workers, psychotherapists, psychologists, or psychiatrists
  • therapists with a wide range of expertise, including anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship issues, substance use, grief, and eating disorders
  • a simple sign-up process
  • positive customer feedback
  • flexible payment options and fees
  • a range of subscription options and services
  • insurance coverage
  • financial assistance

The benefits of seeing an online therapist

Convenient & accessible

May be less expensive than in-person therapy

Some platforms offer homework and activities

What to look for in online therapy platforms

Choosing the right online therapy platform involves looking at the quality, flexibility, and cost of care. Key things to consider include:

  • What does the plan include?
  • How much does the subscription cost?
  • What is the price for add-ons?
  • What are the cancellation and refund policies?
  • Are all therapists licensed?
  • What does the therapist matching process entail?
  • Is it possible to switch therapists?

Our top picks for online therapy services

What can you expect from online therapy?

While there are many similarities between online therapy and in-person therapy, there are some differences to expect. The main one is that appointments will primarily be done via video or phone call or even messaging.

Matching with a therapist

Like face-to-face therapy, you may have the opportunity to pick your therapist. This depends on the platform you use, though, since some options match you with a mental health professional who best fits your needs and goals.

However, some teletherapy platforms allow you to sift through a list of available therapists and counselors.

BetterHelp - Affordable therapy anytime

Best for teen and young adult specialists

BetterHelp - Affordable therapy anytime

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Healthline visitors get 20% off the first month

Your first appointment

Also like in-person therapy, your initial appointment may consist of getting to know one another. Your therapist may ask you questions about:

  • what you’re looking to accomplish in therapy
  • any traumas or triggers
  • whether you’ve been to therapy before
  • whether you’ve received any mental health condition diagnoses
  • whether you’re currently taking any medications for mental health conditions
  • any goals you have moving forward

If you filled out any questionnaires or intake documents prior to meeting, your therapist may go through your answers with you to ensure everything is correct.

Communicating with your online therapist

Some people tend to prefer online therapy because all communication is done virtually. This will ultimately depend on the platform you choose, your therapist, and any subscriptions you’ve signed up for. You may have the ability to chat via messaging or audio call between sessions.

For many users, online therapy is more convenient if you have consistent access to a computer or smartphone. However, don’t expect your therapist to respond immediately if you don’t have a scheduled appointment. In some cases, it can take them hours or days to reply.

Frequently asked questions

Plenty of research supports the effectiveness of online therapy. In general, live video calls are most similar to face-to-face therapy sessions and offer the most benefit.

Many people appreciate the variety of available communication formats, such as text, video calls, and chat rooms. A 2019 study suggests psychotherapy platforms offering several digital communication options can effectively treat depression.

According to research from 2017, internet-based CBT is an economical and effective way to treat several mental health conditions, including phobias, bipolar disorder, and OCD.

Research from 2021 found that live video psychotherapy sessions were as effective as in-person sessions. The video sessions involving CBT for anxiety, depression, and PTSD were most effective.

To determine the best type of therapist for your needs, consider your main reason for having therapy and whether you require a diagnosis or medications.

There are different types of mental health professionals, such as:

  • Psychologist: Psychologists offer psychotherapy that relates to behaviors, emotions, and thoughts. Psychologists have a doctorate degree, typically a PhD or PsyD, and can provide psychological testing to diagnose and provide treatment recommendations. In most states, they’re unable to prescribe medications.
  • Psychiatrist: A psychiatrist is either a doctor of medicine (MD) or osteopathic medicine (DO). They diagnose and treat mental health conditions and can prescribe medications.
  • Licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT): LMFTs have a master’s degree. They provide counseling to families and married couples to resolve specific concerns and treat mental health conditions. In some states, LMFTs can diagnose mental health conditions.
  • Licensed professional counselor (LPC): An LPC has a master’s degree. They treat mental health conditions, and in some states, can diagnose them.
  • Licensed clinical social worker (LCSW): LCSWs have master’s degrees in social work and are licensed to provide diagnosis and counseling services to clients.
  • Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner — board certified (PMHNP-BC): PMHNHP-BCs are nurses with a master’s or doctorate degree. They specialize in mental health diagnosis, counseling, treatment, and can prescribe medications.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, more insurance companies have begun to cover online therapy. Online therapy coverage depends on your insurance plan, therapist, and state regulations.

There are other ways to tell if your insurance covers online therapy, including calling your insurance company, checking with your company’s HR department, and asking your therapist what types of insurance they take.

Medicare is now covering online therapy for all Medicare members. Medicare Advantage plans also cover online therapy.

When it comes to Medicaid, your coverage depends on your state. You can call the number on your Medicaid card for more information.

There are personal and financial privacy considerations to think about when using online therapy. Read the website for details about how each platform manages security and protects your information.

Companies should offer transparency regarding how they collect and use your data. Reach out to the platform if you have specific questions regarding privacy and confidentiality so they can clarify any gray areas. Find out the process for deleting your account data if you cancel your plan.

Online therapy platforms on this list follow Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) federal guidelines to encrypt information and keep health data private. For example, companies encrypt all messaging systems and don’t record video calls.

However, HIPAA laws may not prevent companies from sharing some of your personal data that you submit to an app, questionnaire, or chat box, especially if you do so before you start an account.

It’s important to know that online therapy platforms may provide information to third parties, including Facebook.

Companies can use this data for targeted ads and marketing research, which is something to consider when dealing with sensitive information. Your profile information may also be visible to users if you use an app to connect to a community support group.

Get matched with a therapist today

betterhelp online therapy

Best for teen and young adult specialists

Betterhelp

Best for insurance coverage

Talkspace

Best low cost option

Online-Therapy.com