The Best Online Therapy Reviews for 2023

The coronavirus pandemic has impacted society in different ways and caused the rise in the number of people suffering from mental health issues. With the use of social distancing and self-isolation measures in place, in-person therapy sessions are less possible, and online counseling support is currently the preferred route for many.
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Here are pros and cons of the best online therapy platforms
Nowadays, online therapy is super convenient and easily accessible by people globally. According to numerous studies, outcomes for clients and the quality of their relationships with therapists during online therapy are equal to those during traditional therapy. Today, many people view online therapy as a convenient, economical, and accessible alternative to traditional face-to-face therapy.
Top Pick
4.8/5 4.8/5
Calmerry
Best online therapy for your budget
calmerry
01

In this review, we will tell you more about a relatively recently appeared service that offers online mental health support. Calmerry seems to be a promising platform with professional therapists o... Read More

Pros:
  • Fully-licensed therapists with experience in different fields and with diverse demographics
  • Free therapy trial during May
  • A HIPAA-compliant platform, meaning sensitive patient data is protected
  • Unlimited messaging therapy and live video sessions at affordable rates
  • User-friendly interface
  • Accessible via iOS and Android apps
  • You can cancel at any time
  • Free therapist switching
Cons:
  • The platform is relatively new
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Price: $ 50-74 per week

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4.4/5 4.4/5
TalkSpace
Best online therapy overall
02

Talkspace is a reputable online counseling firm with a certified therapist available to help treat your mental condition. This review will help you understand how Talkspace operates and its legitim... Read More

Pros:
  • Simple sign-up & easy-to-use app
  • You can pick a licensed therapist yourself choosing from 3 options
  • Communication via text, video, or audio messaging
  • Live video sessions available
  • A wide range of online counseling options
Cons:
  • Video chat is available only for mobile devices
  • There are no subscription plans billed weekly
  • Some therapists provide only general responses to clients’ messages that seem like copy-pasted
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Price: $ 65-115 per week

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4.3/5 4.3/5
Amwell
Best online therapy for mental health
03

Amwell is a telehealth platform that connects people with board-certified doctors and licensed therapists who offer a variety of mental health services. It is a safe and convenient way for patients... Read More

Pros:
  • Services available 24/7
  • Licensed therapists, psychiatrists, and MDs
  • Accepts health insurance
  • HIPAA-compliant
  • Mobile apps for Android & iOS
  • Couples and teen therapy available
Cons:
  • No subscription plans offered
  • Only virtual video sessions so you can’t text your therapist
  • Few therapists to choose from
  • You might wait longer to get an appointment with a therapist
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Price: $ 79-109 per week

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4.5/5 4.5/5
ReGain
Best for online therapy for couples
04

ReGain is an American counseling firm that has been in operation since 2016. The firm focuses on relationship therapy and solving couples’ issues. The platform offers online counseling, enabling ... Read More

Pros:
  • Stress-free sign-up process
  • Affordable pricing
  • Licensed counselors who have specialized in a specific area
  • You can get access to the platform using a phone or a computer
  • Multiple chatting/communication options
Cons:
  • You don’t get a free trial
  • You cannot pick your desired therapist since the process is automated
  • There are no multiple pricing options
  • The response time varies, and it can be long at times
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Price: $ 40-70 per week

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4.6/5 4.6/5
Relationship Hero
Best online therapy for Relationships
RelationshipHero
05

Relationship Hero was established in 2017 and has its headquarters in San Francisco. The company focuses on all kinds of relationships, including social, familial, romantic, and professional

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Pros:
  • Online, easy access
  • Free 10 minutes initial consultancy
  • 24/7 service
  • Online chat room, Call or text message access
Cons:
  • Coaches may not be an experienced psychologist
  • Pricey
  • Do not offer mental therapy
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Price: $ 59-300 per week

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4.4/5 4.4/5
Betterhelp
Best network of licensed counselors
06

BetterHelp is an online counseling company that has been in operation since 2013. Their mission is to offer premium and affordable mental health support to those in dire need of the services. The f... Read More

Pros:
  • User-friendly website
  • Text, audio messaging & video options
  • Multiple pricing plans
  • It's possible to switch therapists
  • Many licensed and qualified counselors
Cons:
  • You can’t see their pricing options before you sign up
  • It’s not easy or even impossible to get a refund
  • They tell you the price of a weekly subscription and charge you monthly
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Price: $ 60-90 per week

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4.4/5 4.4/5
Pride Counseling
Best online therapy for LGBTQ+
07

Pride Counseling offers a unique online counseling session that focused on the LGBT community. Many people know the challenges and discrimination that people in this community face every day. Usual... Read More

Pros:
  • Designed specifically for LGBTQ+ community
  • Live chat, phone, and video session available
  • Membership can be canceled anytime
  • 100% confidentiality (all messages are encrypted)
  • Transparent pricing plan & flat monthly fee
Cons:
  • Not covered by health insurance
  • No free trial & money-back guarantee
  • Lengthy Sign-up questionnaire
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Price: $ 60-90 per week

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4.3/5 4.3/5
7 cups of Tea
Best for Peer Support
08

Times are changing, as well as our culture, the speed of life, and basically everything around us. For many individuals, all the changes happening around are nothing short of a crisis in disguise, ... Read More

Pros:
  • Three-day trial period
  • Perfect for teens between 13 and 17
  • You can communicate with trained volunteer listeners for free
  • Scheduled group sessions and chat rooms for specific issues available
  • Works on mobile and desktop
Cons:
  • Therapists respond once or twice per day
  • Absence of video/audio chatting or in-person appointments
  • Non-intuitive user interface
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Price: $ 150-150 per week

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4/5 4/5
Doctor on Demand
Best online therapy for single video sessions
09

Doctor on Demand is an online therapy platform providing treatment services through videoconferencing. It is a US-based service company that was established in 2012. The company’s main focus is o... Read More

Pros:
  • Prescriptions available for some medications
  • Easy-to-use appointment scheduler
  • All therapists are licensed and experienced
  • Strict screening process
Cons:
  • Session fees are more expensive than most alternative platforms
  • Video chat is the only option
  • Lack of live chat support
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Price: $ 129-300 per week

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4/5 4/5
Cerebral
Best online therapy for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
10

Cerebral is one of the newest companies to join the growing telehealth market that offers subscription plans that include online therapy, prescriptions, and medication delivery. It was founded in 2... Read More

Pros:
  • Offers psychotherapy, counseling, and medication management
  • Works with multiple insurance companies
  • Low-cost prescriptions
  • FSA and HSA eligible
Cons:
  • Talk therapy is not available in all 50 states
  • Insurance coverage varies by state
  • Medication costs are billed separately
  • Many clients complain of poor customer service in their Cerebral reviews
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Price: $ 85-325 per week

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BetterHelp vs Talkspace | A Balanced Review

Some of the main hurdles when you are looking for quality care are access and pricing. In recent years, however, people have started to turn to online platforms as they look for easy access to ment... Read More

vc betterhelp
Doctor on Demand VS BetterHelp | Important Reviews and Differences

There can be no denying the fact that technology has immensely transformed the healthcare system today, shaping access and quality of care. Today, one of the biggest areas of influence is in terms ... Read More

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Betterhelp vs Calmerry: The Most Commonly Used Online Therapy Platforms

Widespread access to the internet over many devices has made it extremely easy to access online information and services. What’s more, an increasing number of businesses, government, and non-gove... Read More

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The Payment Process

Most therapy sessions are billed monthly. However, bear in mind, that insurance companies do not cover online mental health therapy sessions, and you will be required to pay the full amount yourself. But the rates for online therapy sessions are affordable, and often, they are compared with the copys that you as a client would have to pay if you get the insurance.

How to Get the Right Therapist in Your State

Online therapy platforms offer an affordable and safe way to find a fully-licensed therapist from your state and get professional support and guidance anytime, anywhere. They will match you with a therapist relevant to your specific needs, symptoms, circumstances, and preferences.

Text Therapy
Text therapy offers some benefits that make it an effective approach for many people. Many text therapy services offer unlimited text messaging. You can send your therapist messages about the things you want to work through and get responses at least once a day.
Support Groups
There are support groups that meet in person, but you can also access support groups online. Since it is online, you can communicate with people in the local area or with people worldwide who have similar problems. That allows a person to feel that they are not alone.
Video Therapy
Video therapy relies on the use of video-conferencing software and allows a therapist and a client to see each other. Therapists can provide therapeutic interventions across large distances in real time. An online therapy session is similar to an office visit, but you can talk with your therapist from the comfort of your home using the Internet.
Web Counseling for Different Mental Health Issues
Online therapy is effective in treating different mental health conditions. Its efficiency differs depending on the type of issue. Also, there are some conditions under which the effectiveness of web therapy decreases with time. And it’s not appropriate for urgent situations that carry the risk of imminent physical or emotional harm.
depression
Depression
Online therapy is a good treatment option for mild depression. The results of using web counseling to treat depression are similar to those of using in-person therapy. Cognitive-behavioral theory (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT) are the most common evidence-based therapies used for treating depression.
crown
Low Self-Esteem
Online self-esteem therapy addresses a person’s view of self-worth. A therapist can help you recognize and challenge negative self-talk. Online therapy helps alleviate painful feelings and enables you to take constructive actions.
anxiety
Anxiety and Stress
Clients can be offered such forms of therapy as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical-behavioral therapy (DBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Online therapy can help you manage symptoms of anxiety disorders, and a therapist can provide you with strategies to cope.
broken-heart
Grief and Loss
Grief counseling can be beneficial for people who are finding it difficult to function or having trouble grieving after a loss. You can discuss your feelings and emotions with a therapist who can help you learn ways to navigate the grieving process
dish
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders can be quite complicated to treat because they affect both the body and mind. Professional mental health support is really necessary to combat them. Online therapy makes the treatment easily accessible.
angry
Anger Problems
Therapists can help people recognize and avoid the triggers that make them angry. Online therapy will provide you with ways to help you manage the anger that sometimes flares without warning.
trauma
Trauma
Online therapy is an easy and flexible way to access trauma treatment from the comfort of your home. Therapists use such approaches as CBT and cognitive-processing therapy (CPT) to alleviate symptoms of trauma and help you develop cognitive tools to overcome it.
teamwork
Relationship Issues
Online relationship therapy focuses on romantic interpersonal relationships. It gives couples a non-judgmental and supportive space where they can discuss problems and learn to communicate effectively.
Why Web Counseling Has Gained Popularity
There are multiple advantages associated with web counseling. Besides, the sessions are highly effective, and in most cases, their efficacy is akin to that of in-person therapy.
It Offers the Ideal Convenience to Consumers
Internet therapy is easy to access, even from the comfort of your home. Therefore, you don’t have to put up with an expensive and hectic travel schedule to get the service you need.
It Is Easily Affordable
Face-to-face counseling starts at around $150 per session, while most live chats cost around $99. Besides that, there are cheaper options in Internet therapy, including a $40 weekly charge for text-therapy.
Consumers Experience the Utmost Comfort
Some people are unable to share their deep secrets during a face-to-face session due to the fear that they will be judged. However, Internet therapy keeps you anonymous, so fearing negative judgment becomes a thing of the past.
You Can Easily Get a Certified Psychologist Online
Getting the best online therapists isn’t hard at all. Additionally, these mental health professionals are licensed to work in specific states. Therefore, there is no fear that you may receive counseling from an untrained individual.
It is Safe
Online therapists use software that is highly encrypted to keep your info safe from leakage. Besides, your profile remains anonymous throughout the sessions.

There are multiple advantages associated with web counseling. Besides, the sessions are highly effective, and in most cases, their efficacy is akin to that of in-person therapy.
27 Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve covered the most frequently asked questions about online therapy. Find out how it works, its benefits, the cost of online therapy services, who can get them, and more information to know before choosing the best online therapy site for you.

First, what are the benefits of therapy?

Talk therapy offers many benefits for all of us. It gives you a safe space to explore your thoughts, feelings, and concerns. It will also have a positive impact on your mental health long term:

  • Therapy can help you learn life-long coping skills
  • It can help deal with chronic stress
  • It can empower you to develop fresh insights about your life and learn to make healthier choices
  • It can change how you interact with people in your life — in a good way
  • Therapy can make you feel happier, which leads to more productivity

You can start your journey and also benefit from therapy. Just read our reviews and choose your best online therapy space.

What is online therapy?

Online therapy is the way for clients and mental health professionals to communicate and have counseling or therapy sessions via the Internet.
It has become more and more popular today. Its distant format ensures accessibility, convenience, and affordability of therapy services.

How does online therapy work?

Online therapy provides a safe place to get mental health support whenever you need it, wherever you are. As a client, you can get help on the:

  • Online therapy platforms
  • Websites
  • Portals
  • Apps
  • Messengers
  • And applications

Websites for therapists and counselors are great for starting their online practice. You can contact them via live chat, text or audio messages, emails, phone or video calls. In real time or asynchronously. Daily, several times a week, or monthly.

Getting help from online counselors, you can get better at your own pace. And you don’t have to worry about travelling, scheduling, or keeping privacy.

Does online therapy work at all? Is it effective?

Yes, science says it works. For example, a 2014 study found that online therapy for depression was just as effective as face-to-face one. Another recent study found that CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) via the Internet was as effective as in-office treatment.
There are many other researches and peoples’ reviews who found their best therapies. All of them prove the effectiveness of teletherapy and high quality of care.

What are the differences between face-to-face therapy and online therapy?

In face-to-face counseling, a client meets with their mental health professional in person, usually at the office. You first have to choose them, looking through reviews or therapists’ ratings. Also, you always schedule your meetings beforehand.
People prefer traditional therapy because it allows for:

  • Body language
  • Facial expressions
  • Intonation changes
  • And full senses in general

Also, it’s more appropriate for people who need more intense care.

Online therapy allows for convenience. You can read about the best online therapy sites and be matched with counselors there. The sky’s the limit for the global directory of professionals. Or, your counselor can invite you to have supplemental sessions online on the websites for therapists.

In any case, you have your sessions behind the screen, anywhere. And you can write to your counselor anytime.

What are the disadvantages of face-to-face therapy?

Face-to-face therapy is a great option, but it may not be the best solution for everyone. For example, if a person has a busy schedule, severe physical disability, or there are no suitable mental health professionals nearby, they may prefer a distant format. The same reason concerns scheduling and appointment issues to deal with to get help.
Also, a lot of people feel more comfortable talking about their issues behind a screen, using video chat or text messaging.

Besides, face-to-face counseling is usually more expensive compared with even the best online counseling sites.

What are the benefits of online therapy?

Many people choose to have sessions on the best online therapy sites. Why?

  • Teletherapy is a game changer for people who can’t afford in-person therapy
  • Busy schedules and busy lives can make it challenging to get in to see a therapist
  • Face-to-face therapy requires making weekly visits to your therapist’s office
  • Some people are more comfortable speaking about their problems only via therapy sites
  • Online, you have more options for finding a good fit for you — mental health professionals usually work with clients from all over the world
  • Online therapy apps and websites help you keep your total anonymity
  • Online therapy services are often cheaper than face-to-face sessions
  • You can choose the most convenient time for you to write to your counselor without making appointments, even during work hours

Is online therapy right for me?

Online therapy is worth trying. You may be someone who wants to:

  • Start living the best live you deserve
  • Start recovering and healing
  • Just talk about your problems or life events
  • Increase their productivity, find motivation, and be happier
  • Feel better about their body and have a healthy self-image
  • Feel more confident and less anxious
  • Learn how to communicate effectively and resolve conflicts
  • Develop healthier relationships with family and friends
  • Reduce stress levels and learn how to manage emotions, etc.

Whatever the reason, teletherapy may be the option for you. Just read online therapy reviews and start choosing the right professional for you.

Important! Read the next point to know who shouldn’t use therapy sites.

What you need to know before choosing online therapy?

Before choosing the best online therapy site for you, know that teletherapy isn’t for everyone.
Online therapy is not the right choice if you:

  • Are experiencing a mental health or a life crisis
  • Have thoughts about harming yourself or others
  • Have a severe mental health condition
  • Need more intense and appropriate health care
  • Don’t have access to a gadget on a regular basis or a stable Internet connection

If you’re in a life-threatening situation, seek out immediate in-person help.

Is online therapy secure and confidential?

Online counseling services are as confidential and secure as traditional face-to-face sessions. The data that clients share with their therapists won’t be shared with anyone else. They maintain total anonymity and confidentiality.
Online therapy platforms use high-grade encryption to ensure your data is protected. But it’s better to check FAQ sections on therapy sites to get a better idea of how your privacy and confidentiality will be protected.

References
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Advice For Mental Health