Best Online Therapy: Top 7 Virtual Counseling Services for Mental Health in 2022

(Ad) If you’re looking for a more convenient and affordable alternative to traditional therapy, there is a variety of online therapy platforms to consider. Online therapists offer the same professionalism and credentials you would expect from an in-office therapist, but enable you to communicate when and how you want.

The best online therapy platforms allow you to schedule live sessions with one of their licensed therapists via phone, online chat, or video. Most virtual counseling services have therapists that specialize in certain areas, such as anxiety, depression, relationships, grief, and trauma.

To help you find the best online therapy platform for your needs, we’ve reviewed the top virtual counseling services. We evaluated each online therapy service on a variety of factors, including quality of therapists, specialties offered, pricing, and user reviews.

Here are our top picks for the 7 best online therapy platforms of 2022.

Top 7 Best Online Therapy Platforms of 2022

• BetterHelp: Best overall
• Regain: Best for relationship counseling
• Pride Counseling: Best for LGBTQ
• Teen Counseling: Best for teens and parents
• TalkSpace: Best for psychiatry services
• Online-Therapy.com: Best for cognitive behavioral therapy
• Calmerry: Best for flexible plan options

Honorable mentions: Doctor on Demand, Cerebral, Amwell, Teladoc, 7 Cups, MDLive, Brightside

#1. BetterHelp: Best Virtual Counseling Service Overall

With more than 2.5 million satisfied clients and a roster of nearly 21,000 therapists, BetterHelp is one of the most popular online therapy platforms in existence today. The company offers mental health care services for teens, adults, and couples in practically every specialty imaginable, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, grief, relationships, and more.

To get started with BetterHelp, you first specify whether you’re looking for online therapy for yourself, your partnership, or your teen child. The team of mental health professionals includes licensed clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, and other specialists. From there, you’ll be directed to a series of questions that give you the opportunity to describe your current challenges and specify your preferences.

Once you’ve completed the questionnaire, BetterHelp’s algorithm selects a therapist for you based on your answers (so make sure you’re honest and don’t rush through the survey).

While you might find being unable to choose your therapist from the start off-putting, it can work to your advantage because you won’t have to sift through the 20,000+ therapists. And, you’re not locked in or committed to a therapist. If you don’t feel a connection or it doesn’t seem like a good fit, you can request a new therapist at any time.

And even though BetterHelp initially selects a therapist for you, you can actually choose your own therapist. If you scroll down to the footer section on very bottom of the home page, there’s a link that says, “Find a Therapist.” From here, you can select your city and state and then browse the bios of their available therapists and clinical social workers near you.

What we love about this “secret” feature is that you get insights into your therapist before committing to a single session. Find out how many years of experience they have, review their “elevator pitch,” and see what kind of license they have. If you’re looking for a licensed marriage and family counselor, for example, you can browse the list and find one that suits your needs. Each bio also contains a picture!

When you choose an established online therapy provider like BetterHelp, you get an advanced structure that most other companies can’t match. For example, with your paid subscription BetterHelp gives you free access to more than 20 group therapy seminars led by experts. There’s also a collection of 150 digital worksheets and self-paced modules that allow you to take a proactive approach to your mental health journey.

All of BetterHelp’s therapists are fully licensed, so if you end up working with a psychologist, marriage counselor, or other professional counselor, you can be confident that you’re speaking with someone qualified. BetterHelp requires its licensed therapists to have a minimum of three years of experience.

Features We Love

• You choose how you interact with your therapist. Text, chat, phone, and video options are all available.
• Message your therapist 24/7 through either the BetterHelp website or their mobile app.
• Get access to your therapist’s calendar and book an appointment whenever it’s convenient for you.
• Pricing is affordable. Prices start at $60 per week ($240 per month).
• Use the link in the footer to browse through therapists licensed in your state and find a therapist that suits your needs.
• Financial aid is available for those who need it. (Note that BetterHelp does not currently accept insurance or prescribe medications).
• The platform provides complementary features such as group therapy and digital worksheets at no extra charge.
• The depth and breadth of therapists offer a one-stop shop for online therapy.

Click Here to Learn More about BetterHelp

#2. Regain: Best for Relationship Counseling

If you’re in a relationship, you would most likely turn to a couples counselor to help strengthen or repair the relationship, resolve intimacy issues, or heal from a break in trust. Therefore, it makes sense to seek out a therapist who specializes in relationships.

Regain fills that need in the virtual world by offering individual and couples therapy through a convenient and affordable online platform. Unlike online therapy sites that do a little bit of everything, Regain allows you to limit your search to therapists who work exclusively in areas that affect your relationship.

For example, if you’re undergoing individual therapy for stress, your Regain therapist will help you become aware of how stress affects your relationship and how you can deal with it.

One thing that few people are aware of is that Regain is owned by the same company as BetterHelp. These sister companies are under the umbrella of Teladoc, a telehealth services provider founded in 2002. As a result, the pricing, online platform, messaging options, and therapist requirements are currently identical (although that could change in the future).

If you do opt for couples therapy with one of Regain’s licensed marriage and family counselors, one thing to keep in mind is that you’ll have to do video sessions, because the platform doesn’t currently have a three-way calling function. While this might seem like a limitation, it’s probably best to be in the same room as your partner to ensure a real-time connection and enable you to pick up on visual cues.

As with BetterHelp, you’ll also fill out an online questionnaire to get started and be matched with a therapist. You have the option to answer the questions together with your partner. Or, you can do the questionnaire on your own and invite your partner to participate at a later date. The choice is yours!

Features We Love

• Therapists specialize in relationship issues.
• Individual or couple’s counseling is available.
• Unlimited messaging therapy is available at no extra charge.
• There are multiple options for interacting with your therapist, including text, chat, phone, and video.
• You can attend the sessions alone or with your partner.
• If you choose to message the therapist via text or chat messages, the correspondence is archived, so you can review and reflect on the conversations at your convenience.

Click Here to Learn More About Regain

#3. Pride Counseling: Online Therapists Who Specialize in LGBTQ Issues

Even though most therapists are professionals, it can be comforting to know that the person you’re sharing your most intimate secrets with has a real-world understanding of what you’re going through. This is where Pride Counseling comes in.

Founded in 2017 by the same folks behind BetterHelp and Regain, Pride Counseling aims to give the LGBTQ community a safe space to get mental health support. Each member of the therapy team has received specialized training to help people of all genders and orientations.

The first steps of the sign-up process with Pride Counseling involve specifying your gender and orientation, and there are several choices here, including “I don’t know” if you’re still figuring it out. Like BetterHelp, there’s a fee starting at $60 per week (up to $90), which is billed every four weeks. Also similar is the use of a sophisticated algorithm to match you with a therapist who best fits your preferences and goals.

With Pride Counseling, you’re not limited to discussing issues related to gender or sexuality. The therapists can speak with you about anything that’s on your mind. The only difference is that your therapist will be specifically trained to look at whatever you’re experiencing through a lens that applies to your situation.

Communicating with your therapist is ultra-convenient, and you have the option to do text, chat, call, or video message sessions. The text messaging sessions are available 24/7, but the live chat, call, and video appointments must be scheduled in advance.

Features We Love

• Get access to therapists specializing in the LGBTQ community.
• Text your therapist whenever you want and retrieve messages at your convenience.
• Access Pride Counseling via the website or on the go with apps for Android and iOS.
• Communicate with your therapist in private rooms, and if you’re texting, you can “shred” the messages to erase them from your account.
• Pricing is affordable. Even though Pride Counseling does not take health insurance, they claim that the cost of an appointment is similar to what you would pay for a health insurance copay.

Click Here to Learn More about Pride Counseling

#4. Teen Counseling: Online Mental Health Services for Teens and Parents

Everyone knows that being a teenager is tough, and it hasn’t gotten any easier. The ubiquitous presence of technology and social media has led to skyrocketing rates of anxiety and depression among young adults.

Further, the rates of ADD, ADHD, eating disorders, and behavioral disorders are also on the rise. Questions about gender identity have also become increasingly common topics.

Both teens and their parents can benefit from speaking with someone skilled in the therapy space, but it can be difficult to find family therapists with experience in this area, especially therapists comfortable enough with technology to avoid having it get in the way of providing quality mental health services.

An online therapy platform like Teen Counseling can give parents a valuable resource to help their teenagers (aged 13 to 19) get the support and understanding they need to navigate the stress of growing up in a modern, fast-paced world. Whether it’s dealing with a cyberbully or the fallout of their parents’ divorce, Teen Counseling is available to guide them through.

It can also be a valuable resource for parents who could benefit from receiving insights about what their kids are going through and how parents and teens can work together to ensure that everyone is as happy as possible.

To start, your teenager will begin filling out an online application. It’s possible for your child to fill out the form on their own, but Teen Counseling encourages parental involvement whenever possible. From there, Teen Counseling’s algorithm will match you with one of their 11,000 therapists who speak fluent “teenager.”

Features We Love

• There are more than 11,000 therapists to choose from.
• A smart algorithm matches your teen with a therapist who is appropriately suited to their personality and preferences.
• Teens and parents get separate sessions, allowing for greater expression and candor.
• Teens’ sessions are kept confidential unless there is a safety concern that needs to be addressed with the parents.
• If the therapist your teenager has been matched with isn’t an ideal fit, switching providers is a breeze.

Click Here to Learn More About Teen Counseling

#5. TalkSpace: Great Telehealth Counseling With Affordable Plans

Often compared to BetterHelp, TalkSpace is one of the best online therapy platforms available. Like BetterHelp, TalkSpace gives you online access to thousands of licensed therapists, and you have the option to engage in conversations via text messaging, live chat, phone calls, and face-to-face video sessions.

Pricing is also similar, starting at $65 per week, with additional fees incurred for live video chat.

However, there are some notable differences that have caused TalkSpace to skyrocket in popularity. For one thing, you do get to pick your therapist. You’ll get started the same way as with other online therapy platforms—by answering a series of questions about yourself. But after that, instead of being matched automatically with a therapist, you’ll be able to select from a list that’s been curated for you.

Another distinguishing characteristic is related to the type of therapy you can receive. Yes, there are specialists to help with everything from eating disorders to couples counseling, but you also have the option to work with a psychiatrist who can prescribe medication if you need it.

And that’s not all. TalkSpace also accepts some health insurance, which is a current rarity in the online therapy space. Further, TalkSpace will also take payments from Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) to help ease the financial burden of therapy and allow you to take full advantage of these benefits.

Endorsed by several celebrities, including Michael Phelps, Demi Lovato, and Yara Shahidi, TalkSpace puts protection of your privacy front and center. While other online therapy platforms comply with HIPAA requirements and provide secure SSL connections, they don’t necessarily emphasize those features, but TalkSpace ensures that you understand your privacy is a top priority.

Features We Love

• Choose from both psychologists and psychiatrists.
• Receive prescriptions for medication, if needed.
• You have the option to select your own therapist instead of having one assigned to you.
• Therapists are available to chat five days per week, 24 hours per day.
• Communicate in a method of choice that feels comfortable, including text, chat, phone, and video.

Click Here to Learn More About TalkSpace

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

Around since 2009, one of the things that makes this online therapy platform stand out is that it is not limited to residents of the 50 states. Online-Therapy.com offers online therapy to clients from all over the world.

The online platform also takes a different approach to therapy, focusing on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This form of therapy focuses on the destructive thought patterns that lead to the issues you might discuss with a mental health counselor, such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, alcohol and drug abuse, and marital problems.

The general idea is that your thoughts are what cause mental health challenges and destructive behaviors, not your environment, people in your life, or external circumstances. So even though you might not be able to control what happens to you, you can control how you respond and how it makes you feel.

Online-Therapy.com also offers a self-help course as part of your membership. The course includes eight modules and a journal. Within each module is a section for you to answer questions about yourself. Your therapist will review your responses and provide feedback within 24 hours (and often much sooner).

In addition to sessions with a therapist, the platform’s tools focus on relaxation techniques, meditation, stress management, and specific mental and behavioral training based on the challenge you seek to overcome.

You get access to therapy on any device, including a smartphone. You can also choose to access live sessions via video chat, phone calls, and messaging. Prices start at $32 per week, which is less expensive than some of the best online therapy services we’ve covered thus far. However,one of the reasons for the discounted price is that the sessions are limited to 30 minutes instead of the standard 60 minutes.

Online-Therapy.com believes in taking a more active approach to improving your mental health. In addition to the self-help course, there are also meditation and yoga videos that are easily accessible at any time. To get started, you’ll answer a brief, 12-question survey that will help identify your current challenges and point you toward an appropriate treatment plan.

Features We Love

• The online therapy platform includes a self-help course with therapist feedback.
• Yoga and meditations are included with your subscription.
• Prices start at just $32 per week.
• Therapists are available 24 hours per day, five days per week.
• Free plans are also available, which allow you to access some of the resources (but you won’t get to meet with a therapist).
• You can review your therapist’s credentials before a session and request a different therapist if you’re not happy with the one assigned.

Click Here to Learn More about Online-Therapy.com

#7. Calmerry: Live Therapy Sessions via Phone, Chat, or Video

Whether you’re dealing with OCD, anger management issues, trauma from childhood abuse, or another mental health challenge, Calmerry is here to support you in your healing journey. With plans starting at just $44.99 per week at the time of publication, this online therapy platform is affordable and accessible to almost any budget.

Like the other online counseling services we’ve covered, Calmerry starts by asking you a series of questions. Once you’ve completed the survey, you’ll be prompted to pick a plan based on your budget. You’ll then be matched with a therapist who is there to provide help. The process is fast and seamless.

You can rest assured that all of Calmerry’s online counselors are licensed therapists. The therapy service is able to offer affordable pricing due to the lack of overhead required to run a physical office. Instead, the virtual environment provides the same level of therapy without the expensive leather sofa and fancy office building!

Features We Love

• All of Calmerry’s therapists are licensed in the state where they’re offering services.
• The online platform is available on any device with an Internet connection, and you can use your smartphone to access Calmerry on the go.
• 98% of Calmerry’s clients report that their therapist was a good match.
• The company recently launched an online toolbox, including journals and worksheets to help you track, improve, and control your mental health.
• Calmerry also provides free resources, including webinars, to anyone, even if you’re not a client.

Click Here to Learn More about Calmerry

How Does Virtual Counseling Work?

Virtual counseling works much the same way that any other telehealth service operates. As the name suggests, virtual counseling involves receiving help from licensed therapists without entering their physical office. Instead, you can have a conversation from the comfort of your own home or wherever you happen to be.

Most online therapy programs require a subscription that gives you access to weekly therapy sessions. You can choose to speak with the therapist over the phone, via a live chat session, or in a video call where you can interact with your online therapy provider face-to-face. These live video sessions most closely resemble in-person therapy sessions because you can see your therapist; the only thing that separates the two of you is a computer screen.

Of the online therapy provider options we’ve included in this article, all of them offer the ability to send text messages as part of your subscription plan, and you can often send unlimited messages without being restricted by office hours. This allows you to get something off your chest while you’re thinking about it, and you’ll hear back from a licensed therapist within 24 hours.

The advantages of online therapy include:

Lower costs. Online therapy is often less than half the cost of traditional therapy.

Convenience. You’ll save time and money by not having to drive to an office and deal with parking.

Effectiveness. According to reports from virtual therapy providers, 88% of people view online therapy as equally or more effective than in-person therapy.

Comfort and privacy. With traditional therapy, it can be difficult for some to relax and share candidly when you’re in someone else’s office. When you’re able to have a therapy session at home or in another safe space, you might feel more secure and able to open up.

How We Ranked the Top Online Therapy Services

As we researched the best online therapy platforms, we applied a systematic ranking process. We wanted to ensure that any online mental health services we recommended were thoroughly vetted and had a wide selection of professional counselors to ensure that you could get the help you need.

Therapist-matching Process

One of the most notable differences between virtual therapy and in-person therapy (besides the location) is the sheer number of choices in selecting a therapist. Instead of browsing the Internet and selecting counseling or psychiatry services within a few miles of your home, you now have the option to select from thousands of online therapists.

Choosing the best online therapist for your situation can be a lot like trying to find a needle in a haystack. To eliminate this challenge, we only included online therapy platforms on our list that match you with a therapist (or a select group of potential therapists) during the sign-up process.

Each of these platforms has an algorithm that evaluates your responses and matches you with licensed mental health professionals who are best suited to help you navigate your mental health issues.

Communication Methods

We understand that everyone has different communication styles, and what is ideal for one person might not work for someone else. Because mental health services are so individualized, we believe in platforms that offer choices to their clients.

Each online therapy company on our list offers four options for communicating during a therapy session:

Text Therapy: This communication method involves using your phone to text your therapist. It isn’t necessarily in real time, but it allows you to take a moment to craft your thoughts and put them in a cohesive message. You’re also not limited to interacting during your therapist’s schedule. Instead, you can reach out when you have something to say, and you’ll hear back from your online counselor within 24 hours or less.

Online Chat: Sometimes it can be difficult to express your thoughts in words, so being able to engage in a live chat session might be beneficial. Alternatively, if you’re not yet ready to say some things aloud, typing them to the sympathetic “ear” of an online counselor can be comforting. Live chat allows you to receive emotional support and mental health treatment from your therapist in real time, without having to actually speak.

Phone Therapy: Phone calls allow you to engage in therapy sessions without being face-to-face with the therapist’s. This option allows you to get therapy without having to think about your appearance or surroundings. You could even do your therapy session in your pajamas, and no one would know!

Video Therapy: High-speed Internet enables you to have live video sessions that feel remarkably like you and your therapist are in the same room. This option most realistically simulates in-person therapy. Video sessions may be slightly more expensive than phone calls or chat, but it can be well worth it and still much less costly than being in the office of a licensed professional counselor.

Therapists

The word therapist tends to be thrown around casually, and there’s not always a lot of regulation online. Further, not all online therapy sites are forthcoming about their team of online therapists. It can feel like the wild, wild west, which is frustrating and scary when your mental health is at stake.

As we compiled our list of the best online therapy providers, we went to great lengths to ensure that the online counseling programs we recommend are staffed by mental health professionals who are licensed professional counselors.

Every licensed therapist has an advanced degree in their field, such as a master’s or doctorate degree. Whether you’re looking for help from a licensed clinical social worker, marriage and family therapist, or medical doctor offering psychiatric services, you’ll find qualified, licensed talk therapy professionals on our list.

Further, we wanted to ensure that you had plenty of choices. After all, one of the biggest benefits of turning to the online space is that you have access to thousands of licensed counselors, so you’ll have a much better chance of being matched with the right therapist. That’s why each virtual therapy platform on our list has a team of thousands of mental healthcare professionals.

Mental Health Specialties

There’s not a one-size-fits-all model for treating mental health conditions. For example, a session focused on relationship counseling is likely to be vastly different than one centered around teen counseling. And, as researchers have learned more about the brain and how our minds work, different behavioral health approaches have emerged.

To ensure that our list of the best online therapy providers was comprehensive, we found a mix of platforms that provide a wide range of mental health care services, as well as those that provide specific specialty niches. On our list, you can find online counseling for the following:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Grief
• Stress
• Low self-esteem
• Anger
• Relationships
• Eating disorders
• Personality disorders
• Mental health counseling for the LGBTQIA community
• Teen counseling
• Marriage and family therapists
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• And more

Cost

We believe that everyone should have access to mental health and therapy services, but not all health insurance providers cover this form of therapy yet. Further, not all platforms are prepared to accept insurance.

To overcome these financial challenges, we identified online counseling services that are cost-effective and accessible to all budgets. The price range varies, but we found some providers offering online therapy for as low as $32 per week with great features included, such as unlimited messaging therapy.

Further, most of the platforms on this list give you the option to customize your plans to include video and audio messaging, live sessions, and more communication options.

Types of Online Therapy Sessions

When it comes to online therapy sessions, you’ve got plenty of options that allow you to choose how you’d like to interact with licensed mental health professionals.

Text Therapy

Do you have fast thumbs and prefer to communicate in writing? If so, text therapy could be the ideal solution. The best online therapy platforms have recognized that not everyone wants to engage in live video sessions. Instead, the idea of being able to message a therapist and engage in a written dialogue may be more fitting.

Text therapy tends to be less expensive because it doesn’t involve real-time chat. Instead, you can message your therapist at any time, and they’ll get back to you within a specified period (usually 24 hours or less).

This medium can be incredibly helpful if you want to express your thoughts immediately, but don’t have a scheduled session.

Phone Therapy

Chatting on the phone with a mental health care provider can be a great way to get counseling without having to interact face-to-face. It can almost feel like you’re talking to a supportive friend or family member, but be careful not to mistake licensed therapists as friends or confidants.

Phone therapy can be a great choice if you’re not comfortable with the idea of video therapy, you don’t have a great Internet connection, or you prefer some anonymity.

Video Therapy

It’s a miracle of technology that we can interact with someone on a screen as if they were in the same room! With video therapy, you get live video sessions with a mental health care provider. Typically, these sessions are scheduled weekly, so other than not being in the therapist’s office, there’s not much difference between online counseling and in-person therapy.

Because you’re able to interact with licensed therapists in real time with visuals, they can read your facial expressions, notice body language, and pick up on other cues that might not be apparent in a phone session.

Messaging

Messaging combines the benefits of formulating your words via text with the real-time component of phone or video therapy. The best online therapy programs will offer this option to their clients as an alternative or supplement to phone calls or live video sessions.

With this communication medium, you can avoid feeling tongue-tied or pressured to formulate your thoughts in the moment. Instead, you can carefully type out your thoughts and reflect on your answers. In turn, your therapist can also be more mindful in responding because they’ll have time to gather their thoughts.

Is Online Counseling as Good as In-person Therapy?

For most people, the answer to the question of, “is online therapy effective?” is a resounding yes. According to Psychology Today, online therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy for a variety of mental health conditions.

Online counseling can offer a variety of benefits that might not apply to traditional therapy. It tends to cost less, and you get to choose from a wider base of licensed therapists since you’re not bound by geographic restrictions.

Plus, you no longer have to get in the car and drive to see a licensed therapist. Instead, you can stay in the comfort of your home and get online therapy at your convenience. Online therapy also provides greater privacy, since there’s no chance you will see someone you know going into the therapist’s office.

Things to Consider When Choosing an Online Therapy Site

Even though we’ve narrowed down the list to the seven best online therapy programs as of 2022, there’s still a lot to consider when you’re choosing one for the first time.

To help you winnow the list down further, here are some factors to evaluate:

Do you need to have medication prescribed?

Each online therapy platform is known for different specialties, and some have medical doctors on hand who can provide psychiatric services, prescribe medication, and offer medication management services. In the United States, psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, clinical psychologists, counselors, and other non-physician providers generally cannot prescribe medication, although some can under the direct supervision of a licensed physician.

If you  believe that your mental health condition may require medication, make sure the platform you choose offers that service.

Do you have a preferred communication method?

We’ve described above the four different ways you can communicate with licensed counselors: text, chat, phone, and video. In addition to confirming that your preferred communication method is available, don’t forget to confirm how the rules for each method work.

For example, if you want video therapy services, but your schedule only allows for after-hours sessions, make sure the platform will have therapists available during the times you want them.

What is your budget?

Though price shouldn’t necessarily be at the top of your list of factors to consider, the reality is that most of us are on a budget. Online therapy shouldn’t have to break the bank.

Before choosing an online therapist, make sure that the price aligns with your financial situation. You can also investigate options for financial aid, which is available with BetterHelp.

Several health insurance providers have also begun covering online therapy services, so check with your health insurance company and the platform to see if this is an option.

Who Is Online Mental Health Counseling Best For?

Online mental health counseling can be a preferred solution for almost anyone. It’s convenient and affordable, and you get access to a large talent pool of online therapists, licensed professionals, and marriage and family therapists that you might not otherwise be able to speak to if you were seeking quality in-person therapy close to home.

That being said, there are some situations where online therapy might not be the best solution, such as:

• The patient is a young child (under 13)
• You don’t have access to a reliable Internet connection
• You are feeling suicidal (if so, please seek immediate help)
• Your mental health condition is severe

While under the care of an online therapist, you may find that you’re able to communicate with them more frequently than you can under the conventional therapy model. You can often pick up the phone and send a text, engaging in daily communication. This setup usually isn’t possible in a brick and mortar therapy setting.

Tips for Choosing a Good Online Therapist

With traditional therapy, choosing a therapist to help you tackle your mental health can be difficult. You might have to fill out a lengthy intake form, travel miles to an office, conform to the therapist’s schedule, and interact in a way you may find uncomfortable. If you’re not satisfied and don’t feel a connection with your therapist, you’ve lost time and money.

The online space allows you to choose and switch therapists with ease. And, even though there’s a several-question sign-up process, it usually takes only a few minutes to complete.

Still, just because it’s easier to sign up online doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take it seriously. Also, even though most of the online therapy sites on our list will match you with a therapist, there are still some things you should know about choosing a good online therapist to ensure you’ll get a great match.

Determine your goal. This step might leave you scratching your head. Your goal might just be to “feel better.” But we encourage you to dig deeper here, because identifying what you want to get out of therapy will go a long way toward helping you find the right therapist.

For example, there are different kinds of therapy, so take a little time to decide what is right for you. You can choose between cognitive behavioral therapy, individual or family therapy, couples therapy, psychiatric services, and more. In some instances the choice is obvious, but other times, it requires some digging.

For example, if you are working to overcome an addiction to alcohol, should you seek out a therapist to discuss your childhood trauma, a psychiatrist to prescribe medication, a specialty therapist to discuss depression, a licensed marriage and family counselor to address how your addiction is damaging your relationship, or a cognitive behavioral specialist to help you adjust your attitude?

Fortunately, you don’t have to undergo this selection process alone. When you sign up for online therapy, you’ll be matched with a therapist based on how you answer various questions, and you can experiment with different techniques and switch therapists at your discretion.

Choose a therapist who has training in the right area. Once you’ve determined what you’d like to get out of therapy, the next step is to find a therapist with the right specialty. For example, if you’re dealing with depression, look for licensed therapists or licensed clinical social workers who have experience helping people overcome that condition.

On the other hand, if you’ve hit a rough patch in your marriage, then a general psychologist might not be the best bet. Instead, you’ll want to work with a licensed marriage counselor. This might seem obvious, but it’s an important first step in finding the right licensed therapist.

Ask yourself if you care about the therapist’s race, gender, age, religion, etc. Sometimes it’s easier to open up to someone who has walked a mile in our shoes. Other times, you might not care whether a therapist is male or female—you just want to make sure that the person providing you with emotional support is properly trained and good at their job.

With most of the online counseling platforms on our list, you are able to specify these preferences.

The Cost of Online Therapy Services

The cost of online therapy varies somewhat between providers. The cost will also depend on how frequently you’d like to have appointments, whether you opt for live video sessions or texting, the therapist’s qualifications, and your geographic region.

According to Chron.com, costs for the online therapy platforms on our list range from $32 per week to $90 per week and higher. Still, even the most expensive online therapy package will be cheaper than going to a therapist’s physical office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have some questions? We’ll answer them here!

Does Online Therapy Actually Work?

The short answer is a resounding yes. Not only has online therapy been shown to be effective in numerous studies, but patients have also been extremely satisfied with the results. With a 92% overall satisfaction rate, the numbers speak for themselves.

Patients point to the ease of use, the accessibility of the therapists, and the ability to communicate outside of traditional office hours as additional factors that lead to this high satisfaction rating.

Is BetterHelp Legitimate?

Absolutely. As a veteran in the online therapy space, BetterHelp has leveraged a team of over 20,000 licensed therapists to help more than 2.5 million people. Whether you’re dealing with depression, sexuality issues, grief, or something else, the therapists at BetterHelp are fully trained to offer quality counseling on dozens of issues.

Further, the platform is trusted and secure, and it is fully compliant with HIPAA standards.

How Do You Know If a Therapist Is Good?

You can’t always rely on your gut to know whether a therapist is the real deal. The first thing to evaluate is the therapist’s credentials. You should be able to look at the therapist’s bio to confirm that they’re educated, licensed, and experienced.

From there, consider how they interact with you. Are they listening attentively? Taking any notes? Do they ask you insightful questions, or does it feel like they’re going through the motions?

In addition to listening to you and asking questions, they should be guiding you throughout the process. Granted, your therapist won’t answer life’s burning questions for you, but they should give you perspective and help you probe and investigate further.

Does Insurance Cover Online Therapy?

Some online therapy platforms accept insurance, but not all. As the field continues to expand, we anticipate that more online therapy providers will accept insurance as a matter of course, but we are not quite there yet. Before signing up for a specific service, it’s a good idea to check with your insurer to find out what is covered.

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

The answer to this question is purely a matter of preference. For some, the best online therapy closely mirrors what happens in a face-to-face setting. If that scenario aligns with your preferences, you’ll likely prefer video. However, you can still have a great experience with a phone call.

For people who prefer to express themselves in writing, chat or text could be best. Keep in mind that chat is a live, interactive platform where you and your therapist interact in real time. Texting might involve some delay, but it can give you time and space to think about your questions and responses before replying.

What Is the Most Affordable Online Therapy?

Texting back and forth with an online therapist will almost always be the most affordable solution. The reason is that it doesn’t require a therapist to appear on camera, schedule dedicated time out of their day, or adhere to an appointment time.

Because the therapist can respond at their convenience (within reason), this form of online therapy tends to be the most cost-effective. But remember, don’t confuse cost-effectiveness with therapeutic effectiveness. You should still seek out the type of online therapy that best matches your mental health needs.

Does Medicare Cover Online Therapy?

Sort of. Medicare now covers some telehealth services, but that may not always apply to online therapy. However, in the aftermath of the Coronavirus pandemic, the range of covered telehealth options has expanded.

Whether your preferred online therapy platform accepts Medicare is another matter altogether. Again, not all of these platforms have begun accepting health insurance and Medicare coverage, so you may want to ask what their current policies are before signing up.

The good news is that you could potentially be reimbursed for some of your online therapy expenses. And, given that online therapy is often at least 50% cheaper than a visit to a therapist’s office, you may be paying the same for online therapy as traditional methods if you have Medicare Part b.

Can You Switch Therapists at Any Time?

Yes, you are 100% free to switch therapists whenever you’d like. This is true of all the online therapy services on our list. You can switch therapists for any reason.

Maybe you don’t “fit” together, or you decide that you’re looking for a therapist with a different approach. For example, some people want a sympathetic ear while others prefer a tough love, no-nonsense attitude.

Or, you might ultimately decide that you feel more comfortable speaking to someone who shares your religious beliefs or understands what it’s like to be part of a marginalized group. Again, whatever the reason, you have the final say of who you get therapy from.

Do Therapy Sites Offer Group Counseling?

Some therapy sites do indeed offer group counseling! Of the online therapy platforms on our list, BetterHelp offers this option to its clients at no additional cost. While not many therapy platforms have been able to implement this service due to technical constraints and anonymity concerns, you can speak to your therapist to get recommendations for group counseling sessions.

Group therapy can often be a helpful supplement to your regular therapy sessions. This is particularly true if you’re seeking others who are struggling with the same issues or you’re looking to connect with people who are like you. It can be a wonderful place to learn how to cope, grow, and improve your communication skills.

Final Thoughts

As we learn more about the importance of our mental health, adding therapy to a self-care routine should be a top priority. There are several well-studied benefits to getting therapy, including:

1. Learning how to cope with challenges or transitions
2. Putting difficult circumstances into perspective
3. Feeling happier and more fulfilled
4. Becoming more productive or successful
5. Evolving as a person and becoming more empathetic
6. Relieving stress
7. Improving relationships
8. Feeling less isolated in the world
9. Overcoming addiction issues
10. Facing a crisis

Before the advent of online therapy, this service was neither affordable nor accessible for many people. Now, however, there are several options that give people with mental health issues the option to seek online therapy at price points that can fit almost any budget.

Even if you’re not struggling with mental health, you can still benefit from a weekly check-in with an online therapist. It can give you insights into your patterns of behavior while exploring your thoughts, feelings, and reactions to what’s going on in your life.