OpenLoop Team|5/16/2024|4 min read

The 9 Best Online Therapy Programs In 2024

Over 90% of current users would recommend online therapy programs

best online therapy programs in 2024

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

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.