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- Best for teens:7 Cups
- Best for depression support: Doctor on Demand
- Best for couples: ReGain
- Best for families: Therapy Aid
- Best for those with a busy schedule: Bliss by the Centre for Interactive Mental Health Solutions
- Best multipurpose platform: Online-Therapy.com
- Best for emergencies and crises: Crisis Text Line
Online therapy became increasingly popular in 2020 as people sought professional help to cope with the emotional and mental consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In fact, the
Not only is online therapy far more accessible these days, with more therapists turning to online platforms to continue their practice, but it has also proven to help people experiencing isolation, depression, anxiety, and even survivor guilt.
Online therapy is a great option for those who are unwilling or unable to leave the safety of home. It’s also a great solution for those juggling multiple responsibilities, such as parenting, teaching, and remote work.
Many health insurance companies now cover online therapy sessions, which can make talking with a professional low cost and even free.
Some employee assistance programs (EAPs) also offer free trials and sessions for different online therapy websites, which could help employees gain access to a professional.
Here are Healthline’s picks for the best free and affordable online therapy and counseling websites.
What to do in a mental health emergency
If you’re thinking about hurting yourself or somebody else, please find confidential support by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. You can also call 911 or your local emergency services number, or visit the nearest emergency room.
You can find information about additional mental health resources here.
“Online therapy is an opportunity to meet with your therapist online, using a HIPAA compliant platform,” says Dr. Tracy W. Lowenthal, a licensed clinical psychologist in California.
Also known as telemental healthcare, it’s often done over a messaging app, video chat, or even the phone.
Because online therapy is accessible through an internet connection and a device, Marilyn Denovish, a multidisciplinary therapist, says that “online therapy can be as effective, and sometimes even more effective than, traditional face-to-face services.”
This is because people might find it easier to open up to a therapist when they can talk with them from the comfort of their home.
How much can free online therapy cost?
You can find free or low cost therapy through social services, nonprofits, universities, financial assistance programs, and employee assistance programs.
Read our article on therapy services for every budget.
The average cost of an hour-long therapy appointment can range from about $65 to $250, depending on your therapist’s training, experience, and location.
Can free online therapy help?
Various studies show that free online therapy can be just as good (or even better) than traditional types of therapy. It all depends on how well your therapist and treatment strategy suits your needs.
For example, a
So, depending on the person and circumstances, using online therapy services like 7 Cups and ReGain can be quite effective.
What can free online therapy help with?
Free online therapy can help with certain conditions and feelings, such as:
- stress
- anxiety
- relationship issues
- minor depression
However, it’s important to keep in mind that these types of services are not ideal for emergencies or more serious situations, like addiction or eating disorders. Additionally, some conditions may warrant medication, in-person discussions, or group therapy.
We selected each free or low cost online therapy service based on key features to ensure the mental health support offered is:
- secure
- affordable
- reliable
- appropriately credentialed
We also considered how long you need to wait for an appointment, whether the service offers 24/7 support, and if the service offers video and phone chat, live chat, and text messaging.
It’s important to consider your mental health needs when choosing an online therapy service. Factors like service cost, insurance coverage, and appointment types offered (chat, video, or phone call) will help you determine the online therapy service that fits your personal needs and lifestyle.
Best for teens
7 Cups
- Price: free for nontherapeutic advice, $150 per month for a licensed therapist
- Insurance: no, but you can contact your insurance for potential reimbursement
- Who it’s best for: teenagers looking for peer-to-peer support
This free online counseling website provides access to trained volunteers who offer nontherapeutic advice.
Anyone can sign up for a free membership to 7 Cups, even teenagers who are looking for other trained teenagers to lend them listening ears.
However, if you feel like you might need professional help, you can upgrade your membership to give you access to a licensed therapist. They will offer coping mechanisms and a management plan for $150 per month.
Pros
- free access to volunteer listeners
- free dedicated chat rooms and community support forums for teens between the ages of 13 and 17
- on-demand messaging
Cons
- must pay to access professional help
- does not accept insurance
- only offers chat-based therapy
Best for depression support
Doctor on Demand
- Price: therapy ranges from $129 to $179, initial psychiatrist appointments cost $299, and 15-minute follow-ups are $129
- Insurance: insurance is accepted by Doctor on Demand, but you’ll have to download the app and input your information to find out if you’re covered
- Who it’s best for: those seeking medication or psychiatric support
Doctor on Demand can provide medical mental health management from the comfort of your home.
This can be especially helpful during the COVID-19 pandemic, when people need access to a doctor who will prescribe the necessary medications to treat depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.
One of the best parts about Doctor on Demand? You can also talk with other professionals not related to mental health, such as urgent care doctors.
If you don’t have insurance, a 25-minute session is $129 and a 50-minute session is $179. Initial psychiatrist appointments cost $299, and 15-minute follow-ups are $129.
Pros
- accepts insurance
- offers live video chat
- physical health services also provided
Cons
- limited treatment options
- no free trials or subscription discounts
- consultations are not free
Best for couples
ReGain
- Price: from $60 per week
- Insurance: no, but you can contact your insurance for potential reimbursement
- Who it’s best for: couples seeking marital or relationship therapy
If you’re looking to improve your relationship or marriage, ReGain gives couples and individuals access to therapists and marriage counseling.
Aside from techniques to manage your relationship, ReGain also offers discretion and anonymity. However, if you sign up with your partner, all communication between the couple and therapist is visible to all parties — though you may request one-on-one sessions.
ReGain starts at $60 per week. Currently, there is no free trial, but this was something offered previously, so it may return.
Pros
- easily adjust your payment plan or cancel your subscription
- 24/7 messaging available
- live virtual sessions with your partner and your counselor
Cons
- services are not covered by health insurance
- matching is done by a computer, not a real person
- no free trial
Best for families
Therapy Aid Coalition
- Price: free to $50 depending on how much you’re able to pay
- Insurance: N/A
- Who it’s best for: families and individuals looking for low cost counseling
Therapy Aid Coalition connects essential workers and their families to support groups and therapists.
This volunteer-based platform works with therapists willing to offer their services pro bono or for a very low cost. When you sign up, you fill out a questionnaire that asks what state you reside in and how much you’re willing to pay for your session.
Pros
- serves all essential workers, even those who were furloughed
- also serves essential workers’ adult family members
- choose your preferred therapist’s gender identification
Cons
- not everyone is eligible for the service
- can only receive up to four free or low cost sessions
Best for those with a busy schedule
Bliss by the Centre for Interactive Mental Health Solutions
- Price: free
- Insurance: N/A
- Who it’s best for: those looking for self-guided mental health support
If you don’t feel comfortable committing to a therapist just yet, Bliss offers eight free sessions that you can complete on your own. Bliss teaches you how to monitor your moods, manage situations, and improve your mental health with different techniques.
You can complete the lessons at any time, so if you are a busy parent or juggle responsibilities and only get a break before bed, it can be doable.
Pros
- lessons are self-guided
- program is available to anyone with internet access
- specifically targets depression
Cons
- does not offer any appointments with trained professionals
- some users may lack the motivation to complete the program
Best multipurpose platform
Online-Therapy.com
- Price: plans range from $50 to $110 per week. There’s also a 20% discount available for your first month
- Insurance: no, but you can contact your insurance for potential reimbursement
- Who it’s best for: people seeking cognitive behavioral therapy
If you’re interested in cognitive behavioral therapy, Online-Therapy offers a multi-platform approach. The site provides multiple resources including worksheets, unlimited messaging, an online journal, and a weekly live chat with your therapist, as well as both individual and couples therapy.
The cost ranges from $50 to $110 per month depending on the plan you choose. Unlike other platforms, the therapists on this site are only available Monday through Friday for 8 hours per day, which means you can’t receive 24/7 support.
Pros
- includes an online course on cognitive behavioral therapy
- unlimited messaging is available with every plan
- can choose to work with a therapist or work on your own
- you can work on self-guided worksheets and resources with daily feedback from your therapists
Cons
- doesn’t accept insurance
- 24/7 support isn’t available
- therapists are only available Monday through Friday
Best for emergencies and crises
Crisis Text Line
- Price: free
- Insurance: N/A
- Who it’s best for: people in crisis who need immediate support
Crisis Text Hotline was designed to immediately respond to people who are having a mental health crisis. To use this free service, you just need to text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States. You’ll then receive two automated responses that will invite you to a secure, online platform where a live, trained counselor will talk with you. If you’re uncomfortable with texting, you can also message them on WhatsApp.
If you’re not located in the United States, you can contact the service by texting:
- 85258 if you’re in the United Kingdom
- 686868 if you’re in Canada
- 50808 if you’re in Ireland
Counselors can provide support on a number of issues, including:
- anxiety
- eating disorders
- suicidal thoughts or ideation
- self-harm
- depression
- emotional abuse
- loneliness
While this text service can be helpful in a crisis, and you can text in when needed, it’s not a replacement for therapy or counseling. Additionally, it’s not a substitute for contacting 911 in the case of wanting to carry out violence against yourself or others.
Pros
- supports people in crisis who are dealing with a range of issues
- 24/7 availability
- international support is also available
- free to use
Cons
- counselors are trained volunteers, not therapists
- only for use in a crisis situation, not for follow-up or continued use
- limit of 160 characters per text message
| Therapy service | Price | Appointment type | Accepts insurance | Same-day appointments or on-demand messaging | How to get started |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Cups | free to chat with volunteer listeners and $150 per month to talk with a professional | chat | no | yes | sign up for free membership |
| Doctor on Demand | therapy ranges from $129–$179, initial psychiatrist appointments cost $299, and 15-minute follow-ups are $129 | video | yes | no | register and choose a professional |
| ReGain | free 1-week trial, then from $60 per week | – chat – video – phone | no | yes | complete questionnaire and register |
| Therapy Aid | free–$50 | video | — | no | search for therapist and contact them |
| Bliss | free | — | — | — | sign up and begin immediately |
| Online-Therapy.com | $50–$110 a week, depending on your plan | live chat messages | no | on-demanding messaging | register and find a professional |
| Crisis Text Line | free | available to use in a crisis | — | on-demand messaging | text or message the hotline |
Finding free online therapists is typically not very easy. If you have insurance, a good place to start is to give your benefits center a call. Or, you can do a quick search online.
Here are a few places that might help you find free or affordable online therapy:
- Your health insurance company: With the ongoing pandemic, most health insurance companies have started to cover the cost of some online therapy platforms. If you have insurance, check with them before settling with a pricey program.
- EAPs: Most employers offer free counseling sessions with the platform of their choice. If you have one, don’t be afraid to send your benefits center or human resource official an email to ask if they offer any services.
- Your local college or university: If you’re a student or professor, your campus most likely has a counseling center or social worker who can assist you in identifying resources for support. If the university has a psychology department, they may host free clinics where students can put their skills to the test and help the public.
- Mental health organizations: Several national organizations, like Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), can help you find free or low cost online therapists or resources. These are usually trustworthy resources that they’ve worked with before and that they know can help you with your situation.
Pros
- Convenience: You can have sessions with your therapist from the comfort of your own home.
- Anonymity: On certain platforms, you can remain anonymous if you wish.
- Cost savings: Online therapy can be more affordable than in-person sessions.
- Greater access: You may prefer online therapy if you have difficulty accessing traditional therapy due to location or other constraints.
Cons
- Lack of direct contact: Without physical contact, it can be more difficult to establish trust with a therapist online.
- Difficulty conveying emotions: It can be tricky to express complicated emotions through text-based communications.
- Technical issues: Occasional hiccups in the technology can inhibit progress. You also need a computer or smartphone and reliable internet access for online therapy.
It’s important to consider your mental health needs when choosing an online therapy service.
Some factors to keep in mind include:
- service cost
- insurance coverage
- appointment types offered (chat, video, or phone call)
- access to your therapist
- the scope of your mental health goals and needs
If you prefer more intimacy or are dealing with serious issues that require exposure therapy or many in-depth discussions (like those relating to addiction, eating disorders, or severe depression), you may want to think about seeing a therapist in person.
With that being said, everyone is different and this will be a matter of personal preference. If you have quicker access to an online therapist, you might want to start this way and then switch to in-person if it suits you better overall.
What are the benefits of online therapy?
- Accessibility: Anyone with an internet connection can participate in online therapy.
- Time efficiency: Online therapy and counseling eliminates travel time between appointments or support group meetings. You can also mold it to your schedule and don’t have to call out sick to work to make it to your appointment.
- Cost-effectiveness: Online therapy can be cheaper than in-person visits, and most health insurances cover part of the cost.
- Eliminates geographical barriers: If your ideal therapist resides in another state or country, you can still get treatment with them as long as they’re licensed in the state you live in.
- Comfort: Some people might find it easier to open up to a therapist when they’re in the privacy and comfort of their own home.
- Safety: With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth eliminates the risk of potential exposure.
Can therapy really be free?
A number of online services offer free or reduced cost therapy. Sometimes these free services will be run by peer counselors or coaches, but require payment to work directly with licensed mental health professionals. Additionally, certain online services may be covered by some insurance plans or EAPs.
Also, a number of mental health organizations, including SAMHSA and NAMI, can provide free peer counseling over their hotlines or connect you with a free or low cost online therapist.
Who might be a good candidate for online therapy?
Anyone who is willing to listen, focus, and commit to bettering their mental health may benefit from online therapy. However, online therapy is not useful for helping to manage all conditions.
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However, someone with a mental health condition that needs more direct management, such as schizophrenia or psychosis, might need immediate, face-to-face intervention. Online therapy might not be helpful for people with schizophrenia, because it may exacerbate the feeling of being secretly watched.
Additionally, if you or someone you know is experiencing significant suicidal ideation, in-person therapy might be a better choice.
Managing your mental health doesn’t have to be time-consuming or expensive.
Various online therapy platforms can help you find support groups or licensed therapists, who can teach you how to manage anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental health conditions for free or a very low cost.