The 7 Best Online Therapy Platforms for Accessible & Quality Mental Health Care
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If you’re looking for the best online therapy, you’re definitely not alone. While there’s undoubtedly been a major cultural shift in the collective perception of mental health and treatment for psychiatric disorders, finding a therapist that you click with, whether you’re looking for cognitive behavioral therapy or emotion-focused therapy, still isn’t exactly a seamless or judgment-proof process.
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As the growing effort to remove the stigma that’s shadowed the discourse surrounding mental and psychological health for ages continues to widen, teletherapy (therapy sessions conducted via phone calls, video conferences, and chat) has become increasingly available and desirable, thanks in part to more convenience and flexibility with appointments.
Aside from that, many patients simply feel more comfortable and relaxed during sessions when they’re in the comfort of their own home, rather than a potentially intimidating clinical setting. Still, finding the right therapist can be a grueling process of trial and error. Remember, you and the therapist you see first are “trying out” the relationship both ways. If it doesn’t work out right away, this process can feel pretty discouraging, and can often leave those in need exhausted (because no one wants to re-hash their life story again and again to new people before meeting “the one”). It’s kind of like using dating apps; you give your new date the same “best version of yourself” shpeal as if you’re on a job interview, only to discover the chemistry is off, or you get ghosted and have to move onto the next match.
Fortunately, just like dating apps, most online therapy platforms make choosing the right therapist for you, your lifestyle, and concerns pretty easy by asking you a series of questions and taking intel on your personal preferences (i.e. which gender you prefer and what type of symptoms or experiences you’re looking to work on). Sure, it’s not a foolproof process, but it’s nice to narrow down the search with preferences.
While medication can be and is often a necessary part of mental health treatment, talk therapy has really helped me identify common thought patterns, which has helped me become more self-aware and able to distinguish when it’s my anxiety talking versus my logical mind. Of course, one common critique of telemental health is that the therapeutic benefits will be lesser than face-to-face sessions. While this will vary for each person, some studies have indicated that virtual therapy can be just as effective as in-person care.
Finally, although it sucks to say it, therapy can be downright expensive, especially if you don’t have insurance or government health care assistance. Ahead, we’ve outlined the best online therapy resources for a variety of different budgets to help you get the care you need (and 100 percent deserve) without having to step foot in a daunting medical office.
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BetterHelp
BetterHelp is the largest online therapy platform in the world, and its services are all conducted 100 percent online. Although BetterHelp carefully listens to your preferences, concerns, and needs before matching you to the right therapist, if you find that your match is not a good fit, you can easily request a new therapist at no additional charge. Once you are matched with your therapist, you have the option of chatting online through messaging, video calling, regular calling, or chatting live, depending on what works best for you. Typically, the cost of using BetterHelp ranges from $60 to $90 per week, which is billed once a month. BetterHelp does not work with insurance providers or bills to your insurance, but you can pay with HSA/FSA providers. Other BetterHelp features we like: an option to journal (with or without prompts from your therapist), and group classes. Make sure to use code “stylecaster” for 25% off your first month.
Pros
Convenient—completely online
More affordable than most traditional therapy services
Message your therapist anytime
Journaling platform
Group classes
Easy to switch therapists
The platform offers financial assistance if you qualify
Easy sign-up and onboarding process
Cons
Insurance isn’t accepted
Not ideal if you prefer in-person therapy
The service doesn’t include medication prescriptions
$60+
Talkspace
Talkspace gives you access to thousands of licensed and background-checked professionals without having to leave the comfort of your own home. Depending on which medium you choose to use for your sessions (video chat, call, etc) will dictate the pricing, but it starts at just $69 per month (prices vary depending on the service you select) if you want to give it a risk-free shot. The one advantage I found with TalkSpace is that I could vent via chat whether it was early morning or late night when a situation arose, rather than having to wait around to see my therapist at our set appointments on Friday. The ability to just type out the situation that had occurred and how I felt about it immediately (although you can’t expect an immediate response at midnight) was also helpful in and of itself.
Pros
Insurance is accepted
Easy sign-up process
Medication management is included
Easy-to-use app
Platform provides a chatroom for convenient messaging with your therapist
Offers services for individuals, couples, and teens
Cons
You can only pick from three top matches for a therapist and after that, you’re assigned
It can take a few days to get matched with your therapist
Psychiatry offerings are only available to people 18+
$69+
Sesame
Sesame is an online medical marketplace that not only provides online therapy, but connects you to a number of different telehealth specialists, including dermatologists, and doctors that can diagnose and treat various symptoms. The interesting thing about Sesame is that it doesn’t work with insurance providers directly (although you might be able to bill yours later), but it claims that most doctor visits are less than the cost of a typical co-pay. Sesame is available for $10.99 per month and after that, appointments are as low as $29.
Pros
Can be more affordable than traditional doctor’s visits
Convenient
Easy to schedule appointments with providers you choose
The service isn’t insurance-friendly
Cons
Limited scope of services
Prescriptions are limited
$10.99+
Online Therapy
Online Therapy is based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which, according to Online Therapy’s website, “helps you to identify, challenge and overcome your dysfunctional thoughts, behaviors and emotions.” Online Therapy is different than other virtual therapy apps in that it offers a complete online therapy toolbox that is paired with the work you and your personal therapist are doing together. This includes self-help courses, worksheets, activity plans, and more. You pay just $40 per week, which is less than the cost of an average weekly in-person session.
Pros
Membership plans can be more affordable than traditional therapy
CBT can be very helpful for some people, especially depression and anxiety
Offers services for individuals and couples
Cons
Therapists are unable to prescribe medication
Insurance isn’t accepted
$40
Brightside Health
Brightside Health works with therapists and psychotherapists, so you can get talk therapy care in addition to medication (this therapy service can actually prescribe you certain medications directly from the app as soon as you give your provider your pharmacy’s information). In addition to your scheduled video sessions, you can also message your therapist in between appointments to get things off your chest, or keep track of feelings in the interim. Because Brightside has you complete weekly check-ins, you and your therapist can stay on track with goals, planning, and how you two are working together over time. You can pay for Brightside Health through your insurance, and memberships start at $95 per month for psychiatry and go up to $299 for just therapy, and higher if you combine the two. While the price is $95+, a reminder that you can get at least some of it covered through your insurance (depending on what it covers—for example, one of our editors was only responsible for a $25 copay for her Brightside appointment).
Pros
Insurance is accepted
Certain medications can be prescribed (and process is very easy)
The psychiatric provider you’re matched with gives you a personalized recommendation
Convenient
Cons
It’s not very straightforward to switch providers
Some say the service lacks “bedside manner”
Some say the service is better for medication prescription services vs. therapy
$95+
Amwell
Regardless of whether you’re dealing with symptoms related to hormones (i.e. postpartum depression) or a lifelong battle with Bipolar disorder, Amwell is here to help. They have a huge network of licensed and experienced professionals trained to deal with not only hormonal-based “phases,” but also OCD, life transitions, PTSD, chronic insomnia, and even couple’s therapy.
Pros
Insurance is accepted
Convenient
You get to choose your own therapist
Great for prenatal, postpartum and menopause counseling
No monthly membership fee
Cons
Some reviewers say the platform isn’t as user-friendly as others
No chatroom or messaging boards
$89+
Pride Counseling
Specializing in specific LGBTQ+ concerns, Pride Counseling gives you access to trained doctors, therapists, and psychiatrists to talk to remotely. Whether you’re struggling with the idea of coming out to your family or simply having relationship issues, Pride Counseling offers a forum of non-judgmental professionals to help you get through, and learn better coping mechanisms and communication skills along the way.
Pros
Affordable rate
Licensed and experience therapists who have specific LGBTQ+ knowledge
App is easy to use
Unlimited messaging in a chatroom
Easy to cancel
Cons
Insurance isn’t accepted
Medication management isn’t provided
$59+
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