Convenience and accessibility are crucial when it comes to getting the help that we need. Online mental health services make psychotherapy more convenient and more accessible than ever. In fact, according to Forbes Health’s YouGov study, 21% of Americans used a teletherapy service last year.
This format of therapy quickly became popular during the pandemic, and it’s here to stay. We all know that choosing a therapy platform may take some time and effort. Fortunately, you don’t need to do a lot of research, comparing dozens of companies. We’ve already selected the 7 best online platforms for mental health therapy.
Top 7 Best Online Therapy Platforms For Virtual Therapy
- Calmerry – Overall Best Online Therapy Services With Flexible Counseling Plans
- Online-Therapy.com – Effective Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Pride Counseling – Recommended for the LGBTQ+ community
- BetterHelp – Popular Online Counseling Services
- TalkSpace – Recommended for Psychiatry Services Online
- TeenCounseling.com – Therapy for Teenagers
- Regain – Trusted Couples Therapy Online
#1. Calmerry – Overall Best Online Therapy Services With Flexible Counseling Plans
Calmerry is a mental health company that appeared not so long ago. On this platform, clients can get different kinds of emotional help and support. Licensed therapists can help you deal with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and many other common problems. You can chat live or on-demand through the website, and Calmerry also offers convenient mobile apps for both iOS and Android users. Besides, clients get access to unique self-care tools, including a mood-tracking chatbot.
Calmerry helps you get the support and care that you need to heal. Along with unlimited messages to a therapist and video calls, clients can also get access to various self-care tools, including a convenient mood-tracking chatbot that will help you see what events and experiences trigger certain emotions.
You can choose from several subscription plans based on your needs and budget. You may also opt for messaging therapy first and then purchase a plan with live calls. Calmerry often offers first-time discounts so you can start your therapy journey at a lower cost. The regular prices are also affordable, starting at just $45 per week.
If you want to improve your self-esteem, deal with various relationship issues, or get the so-needed therapy for depression, this platform will use its advanced algorithm to match you with experienced licensed therapists who are familiar with your issue and know how to help you.
Highlights
- Highly qualified and certified team of therapists
- Affordable and convenient
- 24/7 access to help
- 24/7 customer support
- Offers multiple communication channels
- Free self-care tools
Pros
- Scheduled live sessions when needed
- Free therapist switching
- The website offers access to many useful resources
- 30% discount for the first month
- Affordable prices
- Secure conversations with therapists
- Offers a range of subscription plans
- Therapists are hand-picked by a team of experts
- Has a convenient web interface and mobile apps
Cons
- No psychiatrists available
- Service is not covered by health insurance
#2. Online-Therapy.com – Effective Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Studies show that cognitive behavioral therapy delivered online is just as effective as traditional face-to-face sessions. At the same time, online therapy is definitely less expensive. Online-Therapy.com is a nice platform that you may also consider when looking for professional help.
Once you’re matched with a therapist, this website will provide information in the video format that will walk you through worksheets. Clients can also access online programs, including yoga. Sessions take place in video or voice format.
This platform provides a comprehensive toolkit to help you progress through each session. Worksheets, activity planners, and journals will help you improve the effectiveness of your therapy sessions. This platform also uses end-to encryption to make sure that all information is securely protected.
Highlights
- Access to a comprehensive toolkit
- Different subscription plans
- Confidential, encrypted, and secure
- An affordable option
Pros
- The website and app are user-friendly
- 20% discount available for the first month
- Can pause your subscription anytime
- Allows you to stay anonymous
Cons
- Service is not covered by health insurance
- Does not offer group therapy or couple therapy
- Live sessions are limited to 30 minutes
- Does not offer medication management
#3. Pride Counseling – Recommended for the LGBTQ+ community
Pride Counseling was created specifically for the LGBTQ+ community. Everyone deserves to be treated with care and understanding, which is why all of their therapists are familiar with common challenges among the LGBTQ+ community and hold the necessary licenses.
Highlights
- The algorithm chooses your counselor
- Offers 100% privacy and confidentiality
- Exclusively for the LGBTQ+ community
- Convenient and affordable
- Highly qualified and licensed therapists
Pros
- The website and app are easy to use
- The chats are not deleted so that you can revisit them anytime
- Unlimited chat options are available
Cons
- Not recommended for emergencies
- Counselors cannot prescribe any medications
- Treatment is not covered by health insurance
#4. BetterHelp – Popular Online Counseling Services
BetterHelp is a well-known online counseling company with a good reputation. They make sure that you can know who you’ll be dealing with before signing up with them. Information about therapists is available on the website, and they also display the necessary information about their policies and procedures.
The sign-up process at BetterHelp is pretty simple, and you can get started within minutes. The computer algorithm will match you with a therapist based on your needs. This process, however, takes some time. You can switch counselors if something doesn’t feel right — just contact customer support.
BetterHelp is a professional counseling network with almost 21,000 licensed professionals so it helps people with various mental health problems, including depression and anxiety. It might also be a nice choice if you want to improve your self-esteem or get help with relationship issues.
Highlights
- You can use filters to choose the right mental health professional
- Quick counselor switching
- Online services are available through live chat, video, or phone messages.
Pros
- All therapists are licensed
- Easy-to-access app and website
- Financial assistance available
- Users can choose their preferred method of communication
Cons
- No free trial option
- Treatment is not covered by health insurance
- Counselors cannot diagnose disorders or prescribe medications
#5. TalkSpace – Recommended for Psychiatry Services Online
Talkspace provides not only counseling and therapy services but also psychiatry sessions and medication management. They also offer couples therapy, and this platform can also be used by teens, which makes it different from some of the other companies in this niche.
This platform has a pretty good online reputation and is endorsed by a number of celebrities. The matching process is algorithm-based. The cost of subscription plans starts at $69 per week, but the cheapest package features text messaging only.
Highlights
- The algorithm chooses your counselor
- Over 1 million users
- Different pricing plans are available
- Offers insurance plans
Pros
- Offers medication management services
- Offers financial assistance
- Specializes in couples and teens counseling
- A free 10-minute introductory call with a therapist
- Flexible scheduling of sessions
Cons
- A rather expensive platform
- Not recommended for emergency cases
#6. TeenCounseling.com – Therapy for Teenagers
Teenagers have always been known for their honesty and transparency when it comes to mental health problems. The online counseling platform Teen Counseling offers a holistic approach that can assist young adults in addressing such issues as peer pressure, bullying, or anxiety by giving them access to live video chat sessions while also being able to connect with a therapist on an almost daily basis through instant messages.
This platform offers flexibility for parents and teenagers so that they can adjust the treatment process according to their preferences and schedules. Users don’t have to schedule appointments each week, as they can choose from available times.
Highlights
- Groups sessions available for parents and teens
- Offers multiple communication channels
- You can choose your therapist
- A safe and non-judgmental zone for struggling teens
- Over 7,000 certified licensed therapists
Pros
- All counselors are licensed
- Sessions are private and confidential
- Qualified and experienced therapists in dealing with young adults
- Unlimited messaging service through live chat 24/7
Cons
- Treatment is not covered by health insurance
- Therapists cannot diagnose disorders
- Does not offer court-ordered therapy
- Not recommended for emergencies
#7. ReGain – Trusted Couples Therapy Online
ReGain is a service that focuses on couples’ mental health and relationship problems. You can sign up with your spouse or partner and get access to a private virtual room where the two of you can discuss all of your worries with a licensed counselor. There are also many articles about mental health available on the website. Sessions may include three-way live video chats so that both partners can participate in the communication simultaneously.
Highlights
- A safe space to address marriage-related issues
- Created exclusively for relationship counseling
- Live online sessions via a live chat, video, or phone call
Pros
- An individual or both partners can use counseling services at the same price
- Licensed therapists and counselors
- A free one-week trial
- All counselors specialize in relationship therapy
Cons
- ReGain doesn’t prescribe medications
- It doesn’t provide court-ordered marriage therapy
- Doesn’t accept insurance
How Did We Choose the Best Online Therapy Providers?
Finding a good therapist might be a challenge, but with so many options available online at our fingertips — who wouldn’t try? We’ve made this guide for you. To find the best online mental health platforms, we considered such criteria as therapists’ credentials, prices, available communication methods, and unique features.
- Do therapists have the license to practice in their states?
- Are the therapists experienced?
- Is the platform transparent about the payment options and fees?
- Do they offer different communication options?
- Do they have flexible payment options available?
We’ve got 7 top picks that met all of our requirements.
How to Choose Professional Online Therapy?
Virtual therapy can be an excellent option for those who don’t have much time to commute to a therapist’s office. You should choose a platform that meets your specific needs, and to help you make the right choice, we gathered some important information that you may want to consider.
The difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist
Psychiatrists can prescribe medications because they have the necessary permissions and licenses. They also tend to focus on medication over therapy, which is a reason why the best solution might be to start with talk therapy unless you experience severe symptoms.
Talk therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy, has proven to be effective when dealing with countless mental health disorders. However, talking to a psychiatrist might be a good solution if you experience severe symptoms of complex mental health issues, like bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder.
The therapist’s job is to help clients understand the root causes of their problems so that they can challenge negative thinking patterns that lead to unwanted emotions and behavior. Therapists cannot prescribe medications and usually work with clients who don’t need medication treatment.
Licensed Therapists
Mental health professionals should have the necessary licenses. Some online counseling platforms also offer coaching services, and coaches don’t have any psychological credentials. If you want to get a diagnosis, you should look for a licensed therapist who has the necessary education and clinical background.
The process of choosing a therapist
People are wired to crave human interaction. Therefore, for some people, manual matching with a therapist might look like a more desirable option than algorithm-based matching. However, algorithms definitely have an advantage when it comes to high-performance data processing, so if there are many therapists available on a platform, an algorithm will be able to compare their skills and experience to your symptoms more efficiently than human employees.
The pool of qualified therapists
Some people might feel like they “clicked” with their therapist immediately, while others may spend some time finding the perfect match. So, we recommend that you choose sites that have large networks of licensed professionals. It’s also important to be able to switch therapists, and some companies allow you to do it free of charge.
Health insurance
There are many online therapy platforms that don’t accept health insurance. Besides, some insurance companies don’t cover the cost of online therapy. Make sure to learn all the necessary information about insurance coverage before choosing a therapy platform.
Pricing plans
The cost of online therapy varies depending on the site that you choose, but it is generally cheaper than traditional in-person sessions. The average price for an hour-long session ranges between $60 and $120 per week. However, there are cheaper platforms that still offer high-quality mental health treatment. Just make sure to choose platforms with licensed therapists, and you will get professional care.
Communication channels
Clients may choose different communication methods based on their individual preferences. Live video sessions help imitate the traditional in-person setting, but many people also prefer phone calls. Besides, platforms that offer unlimited messaging allow you to send a text to your therapist whenever you need to share something.
FAQ
Online therapy: what is it?
Teletherapy enables you to receive mental health help through video or phone calls. Online psychiatrists and medication management services have become more popular in recent years, with online treatment proving to be an excellent alternative to traditional face-to-face sessions.
Is online counseling helpful and effective?
Research data proves that the benefits of online cognitive behavioral therapy for major depression, panic disorder, and anxiety disorders are no different from those of traditional in-person therapy.
What is the cost of online therapy?
The cost of virtual therapy varies depending on the company and subscription package. Video chats are generally more expensive than text messaging. Medication management service costs may also come into play if you’re taking medications regularly or need another prescription filled; psychiatric treatments could add an additional fee too.
Is online counseling confidential and safe?
HIPAA-compliant platforms protect their clients’ personal data. Usually, conversations with a therapist are encrypted so they cannot be accessed by anyone else. Some companies go even further and allow their clients to use therapy services anonymously.
What types of mental health disorders can be treated with virtual therapy?
Online therapy has proven to be effective when treating a vast range of mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, trauma, and many other common problems. You may or may not be able to get a particular type of treatment depending on the chosen platform and its therapists’ credentials.
Can a virtual therapist prescribe drugs?
If your mental health disorder requires medication treatment, you may choose online platforms that offer psychiatric services. Psychiatrists are allowed to prescribe medications.
Conclusion – The Best Online Counseling & Therapy
There are many online therapy platforms, and each one of them has some specific features, advantages, and drawbacks. We hope that our list of the best online therapy companies will help you find the one that meets your needs. If you want to learn more about the companies from our list, feel free to check out more detailed reviews on DrMental.org.
