7 Best Online Therapy Platforms and Virtual Counseling Services of 2021

(Ad) Online therapy offers a more affordable and convenient alternative to traditional therapy sessions. If you find traditional therapy too expensive, don't have access to reliable transportation, or have limited therapists in your area, online therapy may be a great fit for you.

With online therapy, you can access a wide range of licensed therapists via phone, chat, or live video sessions. Most platforms offer a variety of specialties including anxiety, depression, LGBTQ, marriage counseling, addiction, PTSD, eating disorders, and more.

But when it comes to choosing the best online therapy for your needs, the plethora of options available may feel overwhelming.

To help you decide, we’ve reviewed the top online counseling services. We evaluated each therapy platform on a variety of factors including therapist-matching process, user reviews, specialties offered, price, and number of licensed professional counselors.

Here are our top picks for the best online therapy sites in 2021.

Top 7 Best Online Therapy Services of 2021

• BetterHelp: Best overall
• ReGain: Best for relationship counseling
• Pride Counseling: Best for LGBTQ
• TeenCounseling: Best for parents and teens
• TalkSpace: Best for psychiatry
• Online-Therapy.com: Best for cognitive behavioral therapy
• Calmerry: Best for flexible plans

#1 BetterHelp: Best Therapy Site Overall

BetterHelp is our top pick for the best online therapy platform of 2021. With over 24,000 licensed therapists and over 2 million clients since 2014, BetterHelp is the world's largest virtual therapy service.

BetterHelp offers the same professionalism that you would expect from an in-person therapy session, but with the ability to communicate to your therapist online via chat, phone, message, or video call.

BetterHelp's network of licensed therapists include accredited psychologists, marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, and licensed professional counselors. Each therapist has a Doctorate Degree or Masters Degree in their field. While the background of each therapist varies, they each possess at least 1,000 hours and 3 years of hands-on experience.

Although BetterHelp offers counseling for a variety of mental health issues, the most common specializations include:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Relationships
• Grief
• Eating Disorders
• PTSD
• Addiction
• Parenting
• LGBTQ Issues
• Anger management
• OCD
• Family conflict

Once you sign up with BetterHelp, you'll be asked to fill out a quick questionnaire. Once your assessment is complete, BetterHelp's smart-matching algorithm will match you with a licensed therapist within 24 hours based on your needs and preferences. If you’re unhappy with your therapist for any reason, you can switch providers at any time with the click of a button.

BetterHelp sessions cost between $60 and $90 per week, depending on your subscription length. The company does not accept insurance for online counseling, though some individuals may qualify for financial aid. BetterHelp's combination of flexible plans, comprehensive services, and affordable pricing makes it a clear-cut choice among online counseling sites.

Key features:

• Message your therapist anytime, from anywhere. No scheduling required!
• Over 24,000 professional, licensed, and vetted therapists in the BetterHelp network
• Live therapy sessions from any device including phone, tablet, or computer
• Easily schedule a live session at a time that’s convenient for you
• Get matched to a therapy provider within 24 hours based on your needs, preferences, and demographics
• Individual, family, and teen therapy plans available

Click Here to Visit the BetterHelp Website to Learn More

#2 ReGain: Best for Relationship Counseling

ReGain provides a platform dedicated to relationship counseling. It offers a way for couples to work through their problems, ranging from miscommunication to infidelity. The licensed professional counselors have backgrounds in couples treatment, ensuring that you get the insightful and practical support you need.

The ReGain sign-up process asks you what you want to accomplish during your therapy sessions. The initial questionnaire serves as a roadmap for therapists in getting you where you want to go during therapy. You can also identify specific preferences you have for your online counselor, such as fluency in a foreign language.

After you complete the sign-up process, ReGain manually matches you with an online counseling professional. The company has trained and accredited licensed clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, and psychologists. Each person has at least three years of experience and 1,000 hours of hands-on training.

ReGain requires couples to share an account when communicating with their therapist. This feature means that all the written communication is visible to you, your significant other, and your therapist. 

Your therapist's response time and your session frequency will vary. If you want more immediate feedback, you can talk with your licensed therapist via phone call or live video session. ReGain also allows private sessions if you prefer to speak with someone alone.

ReGain has a handful of limitations. The company doesn't offer three-way live video sessions, forcing you and your significant other to share the same space during counseling. This stipulation may be a dealbreaker if you and your partner live in separate cities. Additionally, ReGain does not have live customer support.

While ReGain has some shortcomings, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. The online platform has carved out a spot for itself in the relationship counseling space with its knowledgeable and helpful licensed therapists. The service costs $60 to $90 per week, and you can cancel at any time.

Click Here to Visit the Regain Website to Learn More

#3 Pride Counseling: Best for LGBTQ

Pride Counseling is the new kid on the block in the online therapy world. The platform, which launched in 2018, caters to the LGBTQ community. According to the company's website, LGBTQ individuals suffer from mental health and emotional issues disproportionately compared to the general population.

The online therapy platform asks new users to fill out a brief questionnaire. It asks questions about physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The site puts those answers into its algorithm before matching you with a licensed professional counselor. If you don't like your match for whatever reason, you can ask for a new one.

The licensed mental health professionals at Pride Counseling specialize in LGBTQ issues. They understand how to provide support through the LGBTQ lens. Some of the most common mental health problems they address include:

• Anxiety and stress
• Parenting
• Eating
• Grief
• Insomnia
• Trauma
• Relationships
• Religion

You can get in touch with your online therapists in four ways: live video sessions, phone calls, live chat, and message exchanges in a private room. Each medium comes with 100% privacy and confidentiality. You can even use a nickname if you want to protect your identity during the therapy session.

Each Pride Counseling plan comes with unlimited messaging. You can send a message to your therapist at any time without scheduling an appointment, though the response time will vary. If you prefer something closer to face-to-face therapy, schedule a live video session.

Pride Counseling costs $60 to $90 per week, and you can cancel your plan at any time without a cancellation fee. The reasonable price and tailored mental health services make it a go-to option for anyone in the LGBTQ community. It has many of the same offerings as other online therapy services but with a specialization that you won't find anywhere else.

Click Here to Visit the Pride Counseling Website to Learn More

#4 TeenCounseling: Mental Health Counseling for Teens

It's no secret that being a teenager can be rough. Teenagers have to deal with a combination of school, sports, peer pressure, and parental expectations. Teen Counseling offers specially designed online therapy for individuals aged 13 to 19.

Adolescents cannot sign up for Teen Counseling by themselves; they must have their parents fill out the paperwork on their behalf. If parents desire, they can discuss their teen's mental health issues with a licensed therapist before the counselor connects with their son or daughter.

All Teen Counseling sessions come with 100% confidentiality between counselors and teens. However, if a pressing issue arises, the therapist will contact the parents. The trained mental health professionals at Teen Counseling have experience dealing with adolescents and understand how to navigate precarious situations.

Some things teens can discuss with their therapist include:

• Generalized anxiety disorders
• Eating disorders
• Relationship issues
• Depression
• Bullying
• Coping skills
• Self-esteem

Teens can communicate with licensed counselors through live video sessions, live chats, phone calls, and text messaging. Teen Counseling is a subscription service, so users have access to unlimited messaging. Kids don't have to schedule an appointment and will talk with the same therapist each time.

Teen Counseling offers private rooms for teens. The forum allows users to share private messages with a mental health professional that other people can't see. This additional privacy makes it easier for teens to open up to online therapists, especially if they haven't used mental health services previously.

TeenCounseling offers affordable online therapy for adolescents and has thousands of qualified counselors. You can start receiving online counseling for $60 to $90 per week. The site also works with The Mighty, Mental Health America, and the American Medical Student Association to ensure mental health care.

Click Here to Visit the Teen Counseling Website to Learn More

#5 Talkspace: Telehealth Therapy with Good Reviews

Talkspace might be the most well-known online therapy service. The platform has more than a million users, plus spokespeople that include Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps and singer Demi Lovato. Talkspace has made a significant impact in reducing the stigma around mental health conditions and seeking treatment.

Here's how theTalkspace process works. First, you complete a short questionnaire. Talkspace wants to know about your current well-being and mental health concerns. Second, Talkspace will connect you with several licensed therapists, and then you choose one. Finally, if you don't enjoy live sessions with that counselor, you can ask Talkspace for a new one.

Talkspace has thousands of qualified mental health professionals. The platform thoroughly vets and evaluates them before they can offer their counseling services. Most Talkspace licensed therapists specialize in one of the following areas:

• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Sleep problems
• LBGTQ issues
• Addiction
• Stress
• Trauma
• Addiction
• PTSD

If you know Talkspace for one thing, it's probably the company's psychiatry services. The platform has medical doctors who can prescribe medications for people in need. This streamlined approach makes Talkspace one of the top-rated online therapy platforms available for timely and efficient medical treatment.

Talkspace's wide range of specialties makes it easy to find the right online therapist for you. You can talk with someone who has the proper skills and experience to address any concerns. That applies whether you need individual or family counseling.

Talkspace has three different plans, starting with Unlimited Messaging Therapy Plus. This basic option comes with text, live video sessions, and audio messaging. A licensed therapist will respond to your inquiries and concerns five days a week.

Unlimited Messaging Therapy Premium is the next tier. It has the same benefits as the basic plan, plus one live session per month with a therapist. If you want more live sessions, you can secure four per month with Unlimited Messaging Therapy Ultimate. Talkspace has additional plans for couples and teens.

Talkspace online therapy varies in price depending on your subscription plan. The most affordable therapy costs around $65 per week, while premium options cost $99 per week. Talkspace does accept insurance, so talk with your health insurance provider about the total expenses.

Click Here to Visit the Talkspace Website to Learn More

#6 Online-Therapy.com: Best for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Online-Therapy.com stands out as one of the veteran online therapy sites. It launched in 2009 and has since established itself as a marquee resource for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The website provides users with a complete toolbox of resources to ensure that they get mental and emotional support.

You can create an account with Online-Therapy.com via desktop, smartphone, or tablet. The site offers four different plans and has the only free option on this list.

The Free Plan doesn't come with access to a licensed therapist, but it does provide some of the same mental health support tools as the paid subscriptions. . These include worksheets, yoga and meditation videos, journal exercises, and activity plans, all aiming to help you enhance your overall mental and physical well-being.

The paid plans include:

Basic: Includes access to yoga and meditation videos, journals, worksheets, and tests. It comes with daily therapist worksheet replies five days a week. Price: $39.95 per week.

Standard: Includes access to the same resources as the basic plan, plus unlimited messaging with your therapist and one live video session per week. Price: $59.95 per week.

Premium: Includes access to yoga and meditation videos, journals, worksheets, and tests. It comes with daily therapist worksheet replies five days a week. Price: $79.95 per week.

Your first month will be at a 20% discount from the above prices.

If you choose a paid subscription, you'll get access to some of the best and brightest minds in the industry. Online-Therapy.com requires its therapists to have 2,000 hours of clinical training before joining. Additionally, they must have a background in cognitive behavioral therapy and experience administering it online.

All Online-Therapy.com conversations come with 100% confidentiality guaranteed. Online-Therapy.com has taken measures to ensure health compliance and privacy, too. The site has the green light from the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) plus world-class 256-bit encryption. That way, your private messages stay private.

You can discuss a wide range of issues during your therapy process, including:

• Eating disorders
• Domestic violence
• Relationship issues
• LGBTQ problems
• Autism
• Chronic pain or stress
• Depression
• PTSD
• Borderline personality disorder
• Career path concerns
• Weight loss

Online-Therapy.com works best for individuals who can navigate online therapy programs and want to improve themselves. The platform provides a constructive way for people to get behavioral health benefits without breaking the bank. The approach is beneficial for anyone who feels stuck in their current behaviors or patterns.

Online-Therapy.com does not accept insurance. However, it does provide users with an itemized receipt that people can submit to their health insurance provider. Online-Therapy.com does not require contracts so that you can cancel your membership at any time without a cancellation fee.

Click Here to Visit the Online-Therapy.com Website to Learn More

#7 Calmerry: Online Counseling via Phone, Text, or Video

Calmerry is one of the newest online therapy providers and has gained a lot of traction recently. What makes it unique? Calmerry's mission is to make mental health services affordable and accessible to those in need.

The site offers weekly and monthly subscriptions for users starting at $52.99 per week. You can create an account using a smartphone, desktop, or tablet. Once you complete the sign-up process, Calmerry will assign you a therapist and provide 24/7 live chat support.

The Calmerry family therapists, clinical social workers, and counselors have full licensing and 2,500 hours of clinical experience. The company vets prospective employees before they join the platform, ensuring that they have the proper qualifications. All counselors must have certification with your state's professional board to qualify.

If you select the Message Therapy or Therapy Journey Start subscriptions, you can only reach a therapist through text. You can contact your counselor anytime, and they will respond within 24 hours, guaranteed. However, if you prefer something closer to traditional in-person therapy, you're better off with the Message + Video Therapy plan.

The premium option comes with four live video sessions per month. You can sit down for 30-minute counseling sessions and discuss your most pressing concerns with your advisor. If you're unsure which option best suits your needs, try Calmerry's 30-day free trial.

Some of the topics you can discuss with Calmerry therapists include:

• Trauma
• Depression
• LGBTQ issues
• Anger management
• Emotional abuse
• Relationship issues
• Burnout

Calmerry works well whether you need individual or couples counseling. The online therapy provider offers flexible plans so that you can get treatment tailored to your needs. Note that the company's therapists cannot prescribe medication to users.

Calmerry belongs on the shortlist of best online therapy programs for budget-conscious consumers. It has personalized plans that maximize value and behavioral health benefits. The site also ensures HIPAA and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliance.

Click Here to Visit the Calmerry Website to Learn More

How Does Online Therapy Work?

Online therapy requires a few preliminary steps before you can talk with a licensed counselor. First, you have to create an account with your site of choice. The platform will ask you to fill out a questionnaire or assessment detailing your history and the issues you are facing.

Second, the company will take your answers and use them to match you with a therapist. Most sites match clients with an algorithm, though some have professional matchers that handle the task. You will receive potential therapist matches within 24 hours.

Third, it's time to talk with your therapist. How you do so will depend on your subscription. Many companies offer 24/7 messaging with counselors but limit the number of video sessions you can have each week. Once you enter the session, you can speak with your advisor in the same way you talk with an in-person therapist.

Remember that you might not receive the right counselor at first. That's okay. Most platforms allow you to un-match with a therapist and get a new one. If you don't feel a good rapport, there's no harm in pursuing someone else who can provide superior insights and support.

How We Ranked the Top Online Therapy Sites

Licensed Therapists

You deserve high-quality treatment, whether you decide to pursue online or in-person therapy sessions. We only selected companies with rigorous vetting processes for therapist candidates before employment. This proactive measure ensures that you only interact with qualified therapists and clinical social workers.

Each site requires a minimum of 1,000 hours of hands-on experience, plus three years in the field. Therapists can only meet that time limit through face-to-face, direct client contact. Furthermore, they can accrue expertise across various practices, such as marriage counseling, social work, and traditional therapy.

Therapist-Matching Process

You have two options in the therapist-matching process. First, you can have the company manually connect you with a licensed therapist. Some people prefer this option because it accounts for intimate human connection in a way that algorithms cannot. ReGain is the most prominent online counseling site that has manual matches.

Second, you can have your answers go into an algorithm, which matches you automatically. This option offers greater speed and efficiency. Online counseling sites that use this approach make it possible to start talking with a counselor in no time.

While the therapist-matching process is crucial, the un-matching process may have greater significance. If you are not satisfied with your assigned therapist, you should have the option to discontinue the match. Every company on our list offers un-matching services. That way, you won't have to worry about staying in unproductive therapy sessions.

Communication Methods

Online therapy allows you to connect with therapists in multiple ways. The question is: which method works best for you? We believe the best online therapy platforms have numerous options, including phone, text, live chat, and video.

Video calls do the best job of replicating in-person sessions. They let you talk with therapists from the comfort of your home while also "seeing" them. This also gives you a chance to observe their hand gestures and body language.

Live chat and text work better for long-term conversations. Many sites allow you to contact your counselor at any time, with a guaranteed response in 24 hours. The platforms preserve your texts in a digital space, so you can review the conversation whenever you want. However, you may not receive real-time advice or support.

Phone calls offer an easy and flexible way to talk with licensed clinical social workers and therapists. You can chat from your home or while you're on the go. Although you can't see their body language, you can take away meaning from your therapist's tone and inflection.

Number of Therapists

More usually means better when it comes to therapists. Large companies like BetterHelp can leverage the power of numbers to provide customers with a wide range of services and specialized treatment. Even if you have niche problems, there's a good chance that someone can assist you.

Sites like BetterHelp run the gamut in terms of personnel. You can find licensed marriage and family counselors, psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, and other mental health professionals. Having more options also makes it easier to un-match with a therapist to find a better fit.

Languages Offered

Going to online therapy can be daunting. The task becomes more onerous if English isn't your first language. Expressing your thoughts and feelings in your native tongue can make a world of difference for your therapeutic benefits.

Most sites offer services in multiple languages. Companies like Talkspace with thousands of therapists cover popular languages such as Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Russian, and French. That way, you can talk with counselors or marriage and family therapists without worrying about a linguistic miscommunication.

Cost

Reliable therapy shouldn't cost an arm and a leg. We picked companies with reasonable rates to ensure that you get affordable treatment. As a rule of thumb, you can expect to pay $60 to $90 per week. Some sites, like BetterHelp, offer financial assistance for low-income individuals and people without health insurance.

Online therapy may appear expensive until you compare it to traditional therapy. Most people pay an average of $60 to $120 for an in-person therapy session, which translates to $20 to $250 per hour. Those figures may be higher if you live in a pricey city like San Francisco, New York, or Honolulu. Traditional therapists have to charge more, in part because they have to pay for the overhead, including office space, furniture, and electricity.

Insurance Accepted

If you're among the millions of Americans going to therapy, insurance may be a hot-button issue. It can make the difference between paying hundreds of dollars per month for treatment and paying nothing. Fortunately, most companies accept insurance, saving you from the burden of paying all the expenses out of pocket.

The amount you pay will depend on your health insurance policy. Insurance companies only compensate policyholders for medically necessary services. As a result, you may need an official mental health diagnosis before your insurer pays for counseling and other online therapy services.

If you get your health insurance from the Affordable Care Act, your plan must cover the 10 essential health benefits. Even though policies vary by state, federal law guarantees that you can still access insurance benefits for substance abuse and mental health care. Don't forget to review your policy to learn more about your premiums and co-pay.

Types of Mental Health Issues That Online Therapy Can Help Treat

Each therapy platform covers a different set of issues. BetterHelp and Talkspace take a holistic approach to the field and have therapists with diverse specialties. Other sites cover a niche, such as LGBTQ issues or couples counseling.

The most common treatment options include:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Trauma
• Relationships
• Eating disorders
• Suicidal thoughts or tendencies
• Stress
• Self-esteem
• Parenting
• Addiction
• Substance abuse

After you fill out your initial assessment, a company will match you with potential therapists. The therapists each have online profiles that outline their background, specialties, and communication methods. Double-check this section to make sure your counselor has the proper qualifications.

Benefits of Talking to Mental Health Professionals Online

Online therapy comes with several advantages over traditional live sessions. For starters, e-therapy may help some people feel more comfortable when discussing their mental well-being from the privacy of their home rather than in a counseling office. While the stigma around therapy has dissipated in recent years, you may also feel less pressure when discussing personal issues from the privacy of your home.

Also, online therapy offers greater accessibility to people who would have difficulty physically accessing a face-to-face therapist, including:

• people who live a long distance from counselors, such as those from rural or remote communities,
• individuals with physical limitations or who do not have transportation, and
• people sheltering at home to bypass physical interactions in public places for health or safety reasons, such as what many of us experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As long as you have a strong Wi-Fi connection, you can live in small-town America or with a disability and still get world-class care.

E-therapy also costs less than its in-person counterpart. Many insurance providers cover online therapy, in which case you won't have to pay the expenses out of pocket. Additionally, you save time and money, because with online therapy, you won't have to invest the time or money for transportation or parking.

Best of all, the conversations are just as effective as live sessions.

How Much Do Online Counseling Services Cost?

You can expect to pay $60 to $90 per week for online therapy. That typically includes around-the-clock access to a therapist via text, informational materials, and regular video or phone sessions. Most affordable subscriptions only include one session per month, while premium ones let you talk with a therapist four times per month.

Remember that the cost of online counseling may depend on your insurance coverage. If your insurer covers all of the services, you may only need to pay the deductible and co-pay. If the company only covers some of the services, you will have to pay for the remainder of the therapy costs out of pocket.

E-therapy doesn't require an office, chairs, and other accommodations since you're talking to someone remotely. Most online therapy providers charge a fraction of the price of traditional therapists. Since online companies don't have to pay for this overhead, they can pass the savings on to customers in the form of lower prices.

Does Insurance Cover Online Therapy?

No matter which way you choose to access mental health therapy, the cost of therapy adds up quickly. A robust health insurance policy can help you avoid paying a small fortune in therapist fees. Most insurance companies cover some or all of the therapeutic expenses, allowing you to get treatment at a reasonable price.

You shouldn't assume that your insurer will pay for the coverage, though. Be sure to look over your insurance policy to see what your plan covers. You should also look at the copay and deductible because you will have to pay those expenses, no matter what.

Some therapy practices offer financial assistance to low-income individuals and people without insurance. Platforms may slash their price up to 50% so that needy clients can get treatment. If you're having trouble paying your medical bills, contact the e-therapy company to discuss financial aid and repayment plans.

What You Should Look for in Online Therapy Platforms

Choosing the right therapist can be tricky. Start by asking yourself, "Do I need a specialized therapist?" Your answer will inform the rest of your search.

For example, if you have an eating disorder, you need to talk with a professional who has experience in that field. If you're dealing with general anxiety or relationship struggles, you likely won't need narrowly tailored expertise. If you are having issues related to family relationships, then a family therapist or couples therapist might be best. Specialization can help you decide which particular platform to use.

You should also review your therapist's availability. If you need instantaneous feedback, a text-only counselor will not deliver the timely results you want. Conversely, if you prefer live chatting as your method of communication, therapists who require live video sessions won't put you in a conducive environment.

Finally, ask yourself the following: do I need psychiatric medication? If so, you need to talk with a psychiatrist rather than a licensed counselor, since they are medical doctors who can prescribe medication.

Therapy Sessions via Phone, Chat, or Text – Which Is Best?

While phone, chat, and text can't replicate live sessions, each can still provide a rewarding therapy experience. Each medium has distinct strengths and weaknesses, and it's crucial to understand the differences before connecting with a counselor. The last thing you want is to feel stress and anxiety during your session because of the communication method.

If you find yourself calling friends and family members every day, phone calls should work for you. They let you ask open-ended questions and receive detailed answers without worrying about a character limit. Plus, you can talk on the go.

Chat and text function more like email than real-time conversations. Your therapist may not respond to your questions immediately. However, chat and text may make it easier for you to ask hard questions that you find daunting to ask over the phone.

Additionally, texting offers a complete digital record of your conversation. You can look back at exchanges for further clarification after therapists provide medical advice. However, this perk does not apply to phone calls unless you record them.

Final Thoughts: Is Online Therapy Right for You?

Millions of people have benefited from going to online therapy. It offers a way to talk with licensed marriage and family therapists, counselors, and psychiatrists without leaving your home. If you struggle with your mental well-being or addictive patterns, online therapy can help you grow and move forward as a person.

If you're on the fence about e-therapy, consider using a free trial. BetterHelp offers seven free days for new members, while Online-Therapy.com has a free basic membership. These introductory options provide an opportunity to find a therapist and see if e-therapy is right for you.