Online therapy can be hard to narrow down with so many platforms launching. Take a look at our picks for the best online therapy services this new year.
In this article, we break down our picks of the online therapy services that offer virtual therapy, online psychiatrists, medication management, insurance coverage, and more.
Take a look at these options to see if you can start your search here.
If you’re considering self-harm or suicide, help is available
Online counseling resources like the ones in this article generally can’t provide help in a crisis. If you need help right now:
- Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or
- Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741
If you’re not in the United States, you can find a crisis helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
| Price | Insurance accepted? | Therapy format | |
|---|---|---|---|
| BetterHelp | $70 to $100 per week | no | • video • messaging • chat • phone |
| Online-Therapy.com | $40+ per week | no | • messaging • video • chat • phone |
| Talkspace | $69+ per week; $30 co-pay with insurance | yes | • messaging • video • audio |
| Regain | $70 to $100 per week | no | • messaging • video |
| Teen Counseling | $70 to $100 per week | no | • messaging • chat • phone • video |
| Brightside | • $299 per month (therapy) • $349 per month (therapy + meds) | yes | • messaging • video |
| MDLive | • $108 per talk therapy visit • $284 per psychiatry visit (depending on insurance) | yes | • video • phone |
| Amwell | • $109 to 129 per therapy visit • $269 initial psychiatry visit; $109 for follow-ups | yes | • video |
In our search for the best online therapy services, we reviewed the following factors:
- Cost. Is the service cost-effective? Do they take insurance? If not, is it relatively affordable?
- Clinician qualifications. Are the therapists licensed professionals? Do they hold a master’s or doctoral degree? How many years of experience do they have?
- Ease of use. Does the site look professional, and is it easy to navigate? Is it easy to find the answers to your questions?
- Accessibility. How often can you check in or contact your therapist? How many sessions can you book per week or month? All of our picks are available nationwide in the United States.
- User reviews. How do current or past users rate the service? Are the reviews mostly positive?
- Vetting. All services have been vetted to ensure they meet Psych Central’s medical and business standards.
There are a few different things to keep in mind while you’re looking for a good therapist. These guidelines can help you make the best decision for you, or to change therapists when you feel like you’re not getting anywhere.
- Cost: You’ll usually find this information on the service’s main page or FAQ page.
- What do you need help with? Most any platform can help with anxiety, depression, grief, or stress, but some may not offer, or offer less support, than services who specialize in conditions like PTSD, personality disorders, and bipolar disorder.
- Therapist qualifications: Are the therapists licensed to practice? How many years of experience do they have? This information should be available on the platform’s main page or FAQ section. Reach out to a customer support representative to confirm the therapists are qualified.
- Reviews and research: With so many new services, it’s important to read reviews to get a general sense of how the service has been for other folks. Newer services may not have many reviews, but doing research on the company’s brands and values should give you enough information to make a decision.
- Location: All our recommended services are available throughout the United States, but some may be limited to certain states. Always check with your therapist to see if they’re licensed in the state you currently reside.
- Privacy: You can ensure the service you choose complies with HIPAA and takes other measures to secure therapy sessions and protect client confidentiality.
You can specify your need for a culturally competent counselor when signing up for online therapy services. Sometimes you may simply just want a therapist who shares your identity or lived experiences.
Additional resources
If you choose to seek therapy elsewhere, consider these tools to access support:
A therapist’s support and guidance can help anyone who wants to make changes or work through life challenges. In other words, you don’t need to have mental health symptoms to benefit from therapy.
Still, whether you choose to work with a therapist in person or online, a few important facts hold true:
- Progress takes time, so you may not see results overnight.
- Change requires effort, and therapy isn’t always easy.
- The success of therapy often depends largely on the therapeutic relationship.
Therapy may not take you very far if you find it difficult to open up in your sessions. The work might feel tough and sometimes uncomfortable, even when your therapist is a great fit. That’s why it’s important to find someone you can work well with, so don’t hesitate to try out a few therapists.
The support of a compassionate therapist, particularly one experienced in treating your individual concerns, can make all the difference as you work toward improved well-being.
While online therapy may not be right for everyone, it does open up options for accessible, compassionate care.
When it comes to mental health, the right kind of support can make a big difference. The increasing availability of online therapy means you can still find that support, even when in-person sessions don’t work for you.
Want to learn more about starting therapy? Psych Central’s How to Find Mental Health Support resource can help.
Yes, an online therapist who is licensed in your state can diagnose you with a mental health condition. But in most states, only psychiatrists, primary care doctors, or psychiatric nurse practitioners can prescribe medications.
Not all therapists provide diagnoses. Their choice may depend on many factors like their background, qualifications, and the preference of their clients.
Without insurance, the cost of therapy sessions can add up quickly, whether you choose online or in-person counseling. Online therapy does tend to cost a little less, so many people find therapy more affordable online than weekly in-person visits. Here are options:
- Some online therapy services, like BetterHelp, offer financial aid or discount codes to help offset the cost.
- You can check your insurance plan since it could offer out-of-network benefits that reimburse you for therapy.
- A local therapist may offer distance counseling and financial assistance. Many therapists offer sliding scale fees or set aside a few low cost or free sessions for clients in need — but these sessions can fill up quickly.
- Some online therapists take Medicaid. These will probably be individual practices rather than online organizations.
- You might search your area online or ask a local public health organization for a recommendation.
There are many options for free online counseling, free online therapy, and other help with mental health issues. Examples include support groups, advocacy groups, and volunteer listeners. Some lesser-known options include:
- EAPs: Some businesses offer mental health services through employee assistance programs (EAPs).
- Health nonprofits and community clinics: Most areas in the United States have organizations that can connect you with free volunteer therapists.
- Student health centers
- 7 Cups is an online therapy platform offers free individual or group chatting with trained listeners who offer emotional support.
- Crisis text line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor through the Crisis Text Line.
Scientific evidence supports online therapy as a safe, helpful form of treatment:
- A 2017 review of 25 studies on mental telehealthcare notes that online therapy isn’t just effective, but may have particular benefits as a more affordable approach to mental health care.
- A 2018 analysis states that internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) for anxiety and depressive disorders is “effective, acceptable, and practical.” The authors also note that iCBT and face-face CBT are equally effective.
However, other research, like this 2021 study, pinpoint challenges and limitations faced by online therapists, including:
- lessened emotional connection
- distractions to both therapists and clients in the home setting
- difficulty ensuring patient privacy
- trouble setting professional boundaries
A few key benefits of online counseling include:
- It’s convenient
- It’s affordable
- Your therapist could be available more often
- You have more therapists to choose from
- It can make the therapy process less challenging
In July 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) gave final approval to a proposed order banning BetterHelp from sharing consumers’ health data — including information about consumers’ mental health — for advertising purposes.
It also ordered BetterHelp to pay $7.8 million to consumers to settle charges over allegedly revealing data to third parties like Facebook and Snapchat despite promises to keep it private.
Talkspace has a B rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and an average BBB user review rating of 1.1 star out of 5.
The lower ratings stem partly from an earlier lack of transparency about fees. And there is a 2023 class action lawsuit against Talkspace for allegedly charging for services never rendered.
Talkspace now includes its fee structure on its website. It has a large number of therapy users and almost a decade of service to back its credibility. But you may want to double-check the fees upfront to make sure you understand the structure.
Reviews of Talkspace vary, with some therapy users expressing concerns about therapist availability and technical issues, highlighting the importance of considering individual experiences when evaluating its effectiveness.
Online therapists can be effective for many individuals, offering convenience, accessibility, and flexibility. They provide a convenient way to access therapy from the comfort of home, which can be particularly beneficial for those with mobility issues or living in remote areas.
However, online therapy may lack the personal connection of in-person therapy, and some people may find it challenging to communicate effectively through text or video. In addition, technical issues or privacy concerns may sometimes arise with online platforms.
We have an article about how to make the most of online therapy.
Online therapy can be more affordable than traditional in-person therapy, with session costs typically ranging from $40 to $100 per week. Some platforms offer financial aid or discounts, making therapy more accessible. However, costs can vary depending on the platform and therapist, and insurance coverage may not always apply to online therapy.
Yes. A few online therapy platforms take Medicaid plans, including Brightside and MDLive. However, Medicaid plans differ from state to state, so you’ll need to check your state’s plan to see whether they’ll cover virtual therapy.
Some popular therapy companies, like Talkspace and BetterHelp, don’t take Medicaid.
If you’re on Medicaid and considering online therapy, it’s a good idea to check each platform’s website to ensure they take Medicaid.