We consulted with licensed therapists, reviewed policies, and took a deep dive into what each platform offers.
We wanted our firsthand experiences with these companies to demonstrate their quality.
What if I’m Having Thoughts of Harming Myself?
One of Talkspaces biggest advantages is its financial accessibility.
Because of this, Talkspace might be a better fit for individuals who are new to therapy.
To better understand if Talkspace is right for you,check out our full review here.
Its intuitive platform, simple pricing structure, and prioritization oftherapists of colorhelp make starting therapy nearly stress-free.
Octave charges per session, as opposed to offering subscription-based pricing like many of its competitors.
On its website, Octave states that its therapy services are available in over 40 languages.
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One of the standout features of Octave is its commitment to personalized care.
The platform matches clients with therapists based on their specific needs and preferences after a thorough intake questionnaire.
In fact, the intake questionnaire adapts based on your responses, further tailoring your therapy experience.
To better understand if Octave is right for you,check out our full review here.
Because of this, the cost of the service varies based on your insurance benefits.
It also does not accept Medicaid, so people with Medicaid would need to seek support elsewhere.
An initial appointment with a Talkiatry psychiatrist is 60 minutes, with follow-up appointments typically lasting 30 minutes.
To better understand if Talkiatry is right for you,check out our full review here.
Psychiatry intake sessions are $350, with 30-minute follow-ups at $200 each.
Oftentimes,ketamine treatmentis not covered by insurance, so its important to take your own benefits into consideration.
Its important to remember that trauma treatment is not a one-size-fits-all approach.
To better understand if Innerwell is right for you,check out our full review here.
The three-month plan is a significant commitment in terms of time and money.
We enjoyed the exercises and came out stronger at the end of that month.
This can be a specific advantage for individuals in theLGBTQ+population who may be interested in maintaining their online privacy.
To better understand if OurRitual is right for you,check out our full review here.
Its web connection of licensed therapists who specialize in adolescent issues truly sets it apart from its competitors.
Teen Counseling, which is owned by BetterHelp, costs between $280 to $400 per month.
The price fluctuates depending on where you live and how many therapists are available in your area.
To better understand if Teen Counseling is right for you and your family,check out our full review.
To better understand if Rula is right for you or your family,check out our full review here.
But it can provide fast virtual mental health care for others experiencing a crisis.
To better understand if Brightside Health is right for you,check out our full review here.
Online-Therapy.com is a subscription-based therapy platform that provides treatment to individuals or couples.
The platform offers individual and couples therapy, but not medication management.
To better understand if Online-Therapy.com is right for you,check out our full review here.
Best Directory
Zocdoc is distinct in that it is a directory rather than a therapy provider itself.
I was impressed by the quality of the clinicians, states Vargas.
It was a diverse group, and the majority had high ratings.
We were also impressed by the specialized training of the therapists listed on Zocdoc.
These modalities are harder to find in other directories.
To better understand if Zocdoc is right for you,check out our full review.
She also appreciated the straightforward sign-up process, affordable pricing, and minimal technical issues.
To better understand if BetterHelp is right for you,check out our full review here.
Another thing that makes Monument unique is its flexible approach.
Monument, however, offers treatment even if the person still consumes alcohol.
The community forum allows clients to seek peer support at any time and is overseen by licensed therapists.
Monument is in-data pipe with several insurance plans, including Aetna, Cigna Healthcare, Oscar, and Medicare.
To better understand if Monument is right for you,check out our full review here.
To better understand if NOCD is right for you,check out our full review here.
This flexibility allows more people to benefit from EMDR without geographical barriers.
Julia Childs Heyl tested WellQor for us and was very happy with her experience.
I would enthusiastically recommend WellQor to others, she says.
She highlights the responsive and understanding customer service as well as the services qualified clinicians in particular.
To see if WellQor is a good fit for you,check out our full reviewhere.
With Grouport, users can access therapy groups via video sessions for just $35 per week.
However, Mannion does note that her experience with the DBT group left something to be desired.
It felt more like an educational workshop than true group therapy, but other groups could be different.
To better understand if Grouport is right for you,check out our full review.
Its commitment to sliding scale payment options that make mental health care more accessible is truly remarkable.
This transparency allows individuals to make informed decisions about their mental health care without the stress of unexpected expenses.
Users also have the option to self-pay through Teladoc Health, with therapy sessions priced at $119.
Amy Marschall tested Teladoc Healths services for us and had a positive experience overall.
My therapist had specialized training in my presenting issue and was compassionate, she explains.
I appreciated the flexibility of the services provided and felt empowered to express my needs and get them met.
To better understand if Teladoc Health is right for you,check out our full review here.
These meals can occur in person or virtually.
To find an online grief support provider thats right for you,check out our roundup.
Our testers come from a variety of professional and personal backgrounds.
Some are licensed therapists; others are professional health journalists with extensive experience writing about mental health.
Some also had personal experience in seeking therapists prior to testing with us.
The second writer of this article, Riley Blanton, is a licensed marriage and family therapist.
How Do I Decide Which Online Therapy Service Is Best for Me?
Are you looking for help with anxiety, depression, or relationship issues?
Or do you need help with a more specialized issue, such as childhood trauma or OCD?
Identifying yourmain goals for therapywill help you narrow down the platforms that offer the expertise youre looking for.
Read your informed consent carefully and be wary of any provider that sells patient data.
Consider Your Budget
Cost is another important factor to consider.
Online therapy tends to be more affordable than in-person sessions, but prices can still vary significantly.
However, dont forget to also check their cancellation policy, in case the service isnt right for you.
Her work has been published inHealth,Parents, Verywell Mind, and Verywell Health.
She also received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Old Dominion University.
In her free time, Riley enjoys reading voraciously, baking with rambunctious toddlers, and writing poetry.
Amy Marschall, PsyD, is a freelance mental health writer and a licensed clinical psychologist.
in Harrison, Arkansas.
Her clinical specializations include trauma-informed care, neurodiversity-affirming care, rural mental health, and telemental health.
She is also the resident neurodiversity expert withGrayce.
In her spare time, Marschall enjoys reading, making jewelry, and spending time with her cats.
Erin Heger is a freelance journalist with more than 10 years combined experience in health writing and healthcare advocacy.
Her reporting and essays have covered mental health, wellness, fitness, nutrition, and healthcare policy.
Outside of work, Erin enjoys reading fiction, listening to podcasts, running, and watching reality TV.
She lives in Kansas City with her husband and three children.
Raki Swanson is a Minnesota-based freelance health writer and married mother to two adult children.
She received a bachelor’s degree in applied psychology from St.
Cloud University in Minnesota.
She has a master’s degree in public health from Tulane University.
Julia Childs Heyl, MSW, is a California-based clinical social worker and mental health writer.
Her writing often focuses on mental health disparities and uses critical race theory as her preferred theoretical framework.
She has been published by Verywell Mind, Health,Parents,Shape, Yahoo, and more.
Her work has been published by Verywell Mind, Verywell Health,Health, andParents.
She is a freelance editor at Dotdash Meredith and a freelance journalist.
She is a member of the National Association of Science Writers.
Campbell lives outside Philadelphia with her husband, three children, and two cats.
As a trauma-informed health journalist, she is a regular contributor to Everyday Health, Medscape and Verywell Mind.
Brittany is also a certified Reiki Master who has been practicing since 2010.
She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara and is a proud Californian.
In her spare time, she loves practicing yoga, dancing, hiking, and traveling.
Her work has been featured in publications such asPeople, SheKnows, and Yahoo, among other outlets.
Sauer is a mom of four and lives in Kansas City, Missouri.
She enjoys hiking, trying new coffee shops, and shopping at used bookstores.
At home, she spends her precious free time reading, rewatchingFleabag, and gardening.
