You’re not alone if you don’t feel comfortable with the idea of being in a therapist’s office and are considering therapy on your own time and in the comfort of your own space. Millions of Americans who are seeking mental health care find online therapy very appealing.
While it’s not the right solution for everyone, online therapy that is also known as telehealth is quickly becoming one of the most popular ways people seek mental health support. Online counseling makes mental health services accessible and more affordable for many people. The benefits of online therapy are really hard to ignore, especially if you live in a remote area, have a busy work-family life, or have no insurance.
Whether you have never done online therapy before or are just curious about how it works, you’ll want to take some time to research what options are available. To help you get started, here are top 5 recommendations for online therapy provided by experts from drmental.org, a well-known resource that independently analyzes and compares different online therapy websites.
Calmerry – Best Overall
Pros:
- Individual and couples therapy
- Licensed therapists with experience in different fields
- Unlimited text and audio messaging and live video sessions
- Quick matching with therapists by Calmerry staff, not an algorithm
- Multiple subscription plans
- Easy-to-navigate website with lots of good resources
- Friendly support team available 24/7
- Mobile apps for Android and iOS
- Free mood tracker and journaling app
Cons:
- Therapists only respond 1-2 times per day
- No medication management service
Calmerry is a relatively new online therapy platform that connects clients with licensed mental health professionals from their state and allows them to communicate via text and audio messaging and live video sessions. Calmerry online therapy services are available for individuals and couples in all 50 states. Although you don’t choose your therapist, you can switch to a different provider at no cost.
Calmerry employs only licensed therapists. They are clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, or licensed professional counselors with a master’s or doctorate degree in their field. Calmerry providers are trained in a wide variety of evidence-based therapies and can help you address such mental health conditions as anxiety, depression, OCD, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and other problems, including relationship issues, grief & loss, and more. Calmerry platform is a good option if you are looking to start therapy for anxiety and searching for a therapist experienced in addressing LGBTQ+ issues.
After users create an account, they get access to a personalized Therapy Room. It’s a private space to message with their therapist, process their sessions, manage their subscription, and track therapy performance. You can also video chat with your counselor here as well as get access to your Reflection Helper. It’s a free chatbot designed to help all Calmerry users to track their mood and create journal entries to self-reflect on their online therapy journey.
BetterHelp – Best for Users Who Prefer Messaging
Pros:
- Individual, couples, and teen counseling
- An extensive network of licensed counselors
- Therapist bios displayed on website before signup
- A variety of communication methods: video, audio, live chat, and unlimited messaging
- Clients may request financial aid
- Mobile apps for Android and iOS
- Switching therapists is easy at no cost to you
- Weekly group therapy sessions (optional)
Cons:
- Only one subscription plan is available
- The provider is chosen for you
- Therapists can’t prescribe medication
BetterHelp is a user-friendly online therapy platform that boasts of the largest network of therapists which currently stands at over 25,000. The platform offers online therapy services for individuals and couples connecting users with licensed mental health professionals from their states. The platform uses an algorithm to match a client to a therapist, but clients are more likely to find a provider that is a good fit. The BetterHelp services are not covered by insurance, but clients can apply for financial aid at signup.
BetterHelp only offers one subscription plan. It includes unlimited text or audio messaging with your counselor and weekly 30- to 45-minute live video sessions. The platform also offers more than 20 live interactive group seminars each week. Users have access to an online journal with some prompts to write down their thoughts and feelings.
Talkspace – Best for Online Psychiatric Services
Pros:
- Multiple communication options: text, audio, video sessions
- Individual and couples therapy, teen counseling, and psychiatry services
- High professional standards for online therapists
- Convenient mobile apps for iOS and Android
- Some online therapy services are covered by insurance
- Some therapy providers can prescribe medication
Cons:
- No group counseling
- Users can only choose therapists from algorithm-selected matches
- Response time depends on the individual therapist
With over 3,000 licensed therapists and multiple subscription plans, Talkspace provides access to the best network of mental health professionals. Talkspace offers multiple services, including medication management, as well as a variety of communication options for talking to your counselor. The communication options include weekly 30-minute video therapy sessions and exchanging unlimited text, audio, and video messages with a therapist. Some services may be covered by insurance because Talkspace partners with several insurance providers.
The company employs only licensed providers that cover a range of specialties. They can treat different conditions or concerns, including stress, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, mood disorders, OCD, chronic illness, substance abuse, and more. The platform should be on your shortlist of potential online therapy providers if you are interested in psychiatric services. The platform offers personalized psychiatric treatment and prescription management from a licensed prescriber.
Online-Therapy.com – Best for CBT
Pros:
- Program based on cognitive behavioral therapy
- Unlimited messaging with your therapist
- Therapists respond to messages within 24 hours, Monday through Friday
- A great suite of self-care tools you can use outside of session
- Anonymous and private
- 20% discount first month
Cons:
- Doesn’t take insurance
- No group therapy offered
- No medication management services
Online-Therapy com is a subscription-based self-paced online therapy program that is based on CBT. This popular approach is a top pick when treating different mental health conditions, including: anxiety, depression, phobias, eating disorders, OCD, bipolar disorder, insomnia, substance and behavioral addictions. The online platform gives users access to a toolbox of resources, including self-led worksheets with daily feedback from your provider, an online journal with prompts, activity plan, tests, yoga and meditation videos, a 30-minute weekly live chat with your therapist, and messaging. Therapists respond daily from Monday to Friday.
Users can choose from three subscription plans: Basic, Standard, and Premium that differ in the number of interactive features available. This platform is more affordable than many of the other online therapy providers, making it a good option for those on a tight budget. The service is not covered by insurance, but all subscribers get 20% off their first month.
Doctor on Demand – Best for Single Video Sessions
Pros:
- Free online screening tool for mental health assessment
- Psychologists and psychiatrists can provide medication management
- You can choose your mental health provider
- Therapists are available seven days a week
- Psychiatrists can order prescriptions to your pharmacy of choice
- Mobile app for Android and iOS
- Accepts some insurance
Cons:
- Rather expensive
- Fewer therapists are available compared with other online services
- Live video session is the only option
- Lack of customer service
Doctor on Demand is one of the fastest-growing telemedicine providers in America that offers fast, convenient appointments not only with primary care doctors but also with psychologists and psychiatrists. You can choose your own therapist or psychiatrist based on their qualifications and area of expertise. All online appointments are with a licensed mental health professional and accessible exclusively by video chat.
There is a free assessment tool that helps clients screen for anxiety and depression before they even sign up. Doctor on Demand also offers support for other mental health conditions, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, substance use disorders, insomnia.
The out-of-pocket costs per session are more expensive than at most of the online therapy companies, but the services are covered by some insurance plans, including such popular insurers as Cigna, Aetna, and Humana among others. You need to create an account in order to see whether your insurance is accepted, as well as begin to search the platform’s online therapist directory.
The platform can be a good option for people who don’t want to subscribe to a plan and are looking for a single online therapy session. It’s also suitable for those who want an all-in-one online platform for their mental health and medical needs.
Final Thought
Online therapy makes it easier for everyone to get quality mental health care, and it’s often more affordable than traditional in-office therapy. Research has shown that online therapy can be effective for treating a variety of mental health conditions. It can also be beneficial for a variety of people who are looking for emotional support.
When choosing an online therapy platform, you should think about which issues you want to focus on and your goals. Explore different online therapy websites and compare their subscription plans, communication options, and costs. Look for an online therapy platform specific to your needs and make sure that they employ only licensed mental health professionals. And keep in mind that your relationship with your therapist matters far more than the online therapy service you use to connect with them.
