The 9 Best Online Therapy Programs In 2024
Over 90% of current users would recommend online therapy programs
Thanks to its accessibility and convenience, online therapy has become a go-to option for those who want support from the comfort of their home. Plus, it’s helpful, with 63% of participants in a 2023 Forbes Health survey saying it’s effective and 91% of participants in a 2020 Verywellmind survey stating that people should try it.
Nowadays, there are quite a few online therapy programs to choose from, which can become overwhelming. We’ll share 9 best online therapy programs, along with their pricing, included services, interaction type, and more, so you can identify one that aligns with your preferences.
1. BetterHelp: $280 - $400/mo
If you’re looking for an online therapy program that offers more than weekly sessions, BetterHelp is a good option.
Pros:
Provides group sessions, mental health worksheets, goal setting and digital journaling
Offers audio, video, live chat or asynchronous messaging
Matches patients with their network of 30,000+ providers
Financial aid is available if you qualify
24/7 access to therapists
Cons:
Can’t choose your provider
Doesn’t take insurance
The program price can be expensive
Cannot diagnose or prescribe medication
2. Talkspace: $276 - 436/mo
For those who prefer having a little more control when picking a therapist, Talkspace could be a good option.
Pros:
Presents nine therapists, and you can pick the one that best aligns with your needs
Can change therapist anytime without reaching out to customer service
Accepts many insurance plans
Sessions can be completed via chat, live video or phone call
Offers unlimited messaging
Can diagnose and prescribe
Provides psychiatry services from $435 to $1,260/month
Cons:
Same-day appointments are unavailable
Doesn't accept Medicare or Medicaid
Live sessions are only 30 minutes
3. Teladoc Health: $99/each
Teladoc Health is a platform that provides more than just mental health services.
Pros:
Also offers primary care, chronic condition management, dermatological services, etc.
Can pick whichever therapist you want to work with within the platform
Can use the 45-minute live video therapy service as needed versus a subscription
Psychiatrists ($119 to 299/session) can diagnose and prescribe
Accepts many insurance plans
Takes HSA and FSA
Cons:
Doesn’t accept Medicare
4. Cerebral: $99 to $325/month
Cerebral primarily supports those with anxiety, depression, PTSD, stress and insomnia.
Pros:
Individuals can pick their own therapist
May message a care coordinator for additional support
Weekly video or phone sessions
Progress tracking
Provides psychiatric support
Medication management
Accepts some insurance plans, HSA and FSA
Cons:
Requires payment authorization on an auto-renew basis before having an appointment
Unable to view the therapist directory until you purchase a subscription
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5. ReGain: $60 - $90/week
Offering individual and couples therapy, ReGain allows you to speak with a licensed family therapist, psychologist or clinical social worker via smartphone, tablet and computer.
Pros:
Each professional has at least three years of experience
Unlimited messaging
Journaling feature
Groupinars
Provides unlimited live sessions, as long as it aligns with the therapist's schedule
Offers couples therapy
Cons:
Cannot prescribe medication or make a medical diagnosis
Does not accept insurance
Live sessions are only 30 minutes
Cannot pick your own therapists, but can request a new one if needed
6. Brightside: $95 to $349/month
With a warm, easy-to-navigate website, Brightside provides online therapy to those struggling with depression or anxiety.
Pros:
Offers same-day live video appointments
Unlimited messaging
Accepts many insurance plans, including Medicaid and Medicare
Takes HSA and FSA payments
Offers therapy and psychiatric services
Medication shipped via mail
Cons:
Primarily utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which some people may not prefer
Sessions are only 30 minutes each
7. E-Therapy Cafe: $65/session or $65 - $470/mo
Considered one of the most affordable online therapy programs, E-Therapy Cafe caters to those battling loneliness, anxiety, depression and addiction.
Pros:
Offers individual and couples therapy
Specializes in military and veteran counseling
Offers various forms of therapy options (e.g., CBT, DBT, EMDR, etc.)
Electronic journaling
Can interact with therapists via live video call, email and chat
Discounts are available for students, veterans and first responders
Cons:
Doesn’t accept insurance
Cannot prescribe medication
8. OnlineTherapy.com: $200 - $440/mo
OnlineTherapy.com program provides individual and couples therapy, but it doesn’t stop there. Their therapists specialize in CBT and aim to help individuals achieve lasting changes .
Pros:
Offers yoga and meditation videos
Unlimited messaging
Digital journaling
Worksheets
Financial aid is available to those who qualify
Cons:
Doesn’t accept insurance payments
Monthly subscriptions only
Unable to prescribe medication
9. Calmerry: $228 to $360/mo
After completing a 5-minute therapy session on Calmerry, individuals can select a subscription plan and be matched with a therapist within an hour.
Pros:
Provides text therapy and live video sessions
Offers financial aid to qualified individuals
Includes digital journaling
Can utilize mood tracker
Support is available on nights and weekends
Offers many therapy approaches
Can select 30, 60 or 90-minute sessions
Cons:
Doesn’t accept insurance
Unable to choose your own therapist
Online therapy programs are here to stay
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth, like online therapy, represented less than 1% of outpatient care, including mental health and other services. Yet, despite this low percentage, mental health was still the most commonly used form of telehealth services. Fast forward to April 2020, and telehealth claims for mental health services skyrocketed to almost 60%, and today, it still represents nearly 40% of outpatient visits.
In short, telehealth solutions, like the 9 best online therapy programs mentioned above, are here to stay. At OpenLoop, we help organizations streamline their mental health delivery so they can expand access to healthcare services for patients nationwide.
If you’re a company that’s interested in our white-label solutions and extensive provider network, contact us today.
Our full suite of white-labeled virtual care services includes:
IMPORTANT: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and various government officials have raised concerns regarding the collection and utilization of user health information by online therapy providers.
When selecting an online therapy service, we advise reviewing the company’s privacy policies beforehand to ascertain its compliance with HIPAA and its practices regarding the sharing of private data with third parties.