Reviews On Online Therapy: Are These Services Legit?
In the modern psychology industry, mental health therapy services are often available online and through therapy apps. This convenient form of therapy is a popular choice for those looking for flexibility and remote support. With services readily available worldwide, more individuals than ever can reach out for help at a fraction of the cost of in-office therapy sessions. However, with the nature of online therapy can come speculation about the legitimacy of these formats. Understanding the research and reviews behind these online therapy platforms can help you make an informed decision for your care.
What Is Online Therapy?
Therapists may offer online therapy services as part of their one-on-one practice or work with an online platform to offer services there. Online providers must be licensed in their state and have a certain number of clinically supervised hours of experience.
Many e-counseling reviews state that getting therapy by text or live sessions with licensed psychologists is convenient. In a world where many individuals have busy work schedules, families, and responsibilities, reaching out to a therapist from home can offer more individuals the ability to see a therapist for anything from major depression to eating disorders.
Online therapy providers use many of the same modalities and treatment techniques as in-person options. In addition, therapists can assign clients homework through downloadable worksheets and unlimited messaging through some platforms. Although each platform differs, online therapy is often associated with unique features that in-person therapy cannot offer.
Online Therapy Vs. In-Person Therapy
Understanding online therapy's features compared to in-person counseling may allow you to decide which is best for you.
Location
Online therapy sessions can be conducted from a location where you feel comfortable, as long as you have an internet connection and a personal smart device. You'll have one-on-one discussions with a licensed and experienced therapist during your online counseling sessions, which you can schedule based on availability. For many, leaving home can be a barrier to receiving treatment. Online counseling removes this barrier by bringing therapy to you.
Cost
According to Forbes, in-person therapy runs from $100 to $200 per session on average. Online therapy cost can be significantly less. Many online platforms have weekly or monthly packages available that can run around $60 to $90 a session. Some people use their health savings (HSA) account to pay for these virtual therapy sessions. In addition, this cost might include unlimited communication with therapists. For some individuals, financial aid can be offered if there is a financial need. Affordable online therapy can help more people to access the therapy sessions they need, regardless of whether they have insurance.
More health insurance providers are beginning to provide coverage for online mental health services as distance therapy services and online counseling become the norm. If you have questions about insurance, contact your health insurance provider.
Communication
Top online counseling reviews have found that you may get more communication and contact with your therapist when participating in online counseling sessions. Through many platforms, you can message your therapist anytime and receive a response when the therapist is available, often within 24 hours. This feature is often available on top of your existing plan of one live session a week. With in-person therapy, you may be unable to contact your therapist outside of sessions or have a saved chat with them.
Convenience
Rural-based clients can have the option of resolving significant concerns via online counseling. If no counselors are available in their area, they can participate in individual mental health counseling from home and find the quality of care that those in larger cities may receive.
The convenience of online therapy can be unique to its internet-based format. Clients may struggle to meet with a therapist in person, as many may only provide services during standard business hours. Many online therapists can offer after-hours appointments, including on the weekends and late at night. This convenience can also benefit Americans living abroad dealing with a time difference.
You can cut out long commutes, wait lists, and waiting room times when you choose online counseling sessions. Although you may still have to set an appointment, you can often select from your therapist's availability and instantly schedule your session instead of going through several phone calls or emails.
Self-Expression
Many clients may find it easier to communicate their feelings via text. With many online platforms, live chat messaging therapy is possible. For clients who feel that face-to-face discussions are difficult, or those experiencing conditions like social anxiety disorder, online therapy can remain preferable. You can also change your preferred form of therapy at any time.
For many, self-expression can be more convenient through text. Talking over the phone or on video chat can be distressing and complicated for those who find it easier to open up through writing. You can think about what you want to say through live chat therapy before you write it.
Online Therapy Reviews: Top Online Therapy Companies
There are many options to consider when you’re looking for the best online therapy services, including the following platforms. When you sign up for these platforms, you can receive specialized care unique to your needs.
BetterHelp
BetterHelp is the leading online therapy platform worldwide and offers cost-effective therapy over the phone, via video chat, or through live chat sessions. BetterHelp offers individual therapy personalized to clients. Offering a match-based system, you can be matched with a therapist unique to your needs upon signing up. When you first fill out the BetterHelp questionnaire, you can indicate your symptoms, your goals for therapy, and the type of therapist you'd like to be matched with. Not only is it one of the best online therapy programs available, but it’s also affordable for many. BetterHelp costs $60 to $90 weekly, billed every four weeks.
Regain
Regain costs the same as BetterHelp but offers couples therapy focused on relationships, marriage, and interpersonal concerns. Through Regain, you can find a sex therapist, marriage counselor, or couples support therapist. Couples can sign up together and receive counseling from two locations using the same account.
TeenCounseling
TeenCounseling is an online therapy service that counsels teens aged 13 to 19. If a teen is under 18, they will require parental permission to sign up for the platform. Through TeenCounseling, teens can meet with a therapist knowledgeable in adolescent concerns and common mental health conditions. They can also partake in teen counseling live chat messaging sessions if they find it most comfortable.
PrideCounseling
PrideCounseling is an online therapy platform dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community. You can discuss LGBTQ-related issues, mental health, and other concerns through this platform. Onlinetherapy.com and TalkSpace online therapy are two other well-known platforms that can offer services from mental health professionals to online therapy users.
Review Summary
All of the above platforms have high reviews from consumers. However, BetterHelp is the top online service due to its database of over 30,000 licensed mental health providers and its dedication to worldwide support. No matter the platform you choose, various options are available to you.
The Effectiveness Of Online Therapy
In many cases, research has found online therapy as effective if not more effective than in-person therapy. One study found that online cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) was as effective as traditional options in treating anxiety, depression, and stress in clients. Another study found that 71% of BetterHelp users found the platform more effective and preferable to in-person counseling, feeling that the format allowed them to connect easily with their therapist.
Are There Disadvantages To Online Therapy?
There may be a few downsides to online therapy for some clients, including the following:
- Many online platforms do not offer medication management, prescribe medication, or advise on medications.
- Many online platforms do not allow therapists to offer diagnoses.
- Online therapy cannot replace crisis response services like a mental health emergency hotline.
- The therapists on online platforms aren't on call, so therapist availability is not round the clock. However, you can message them anytime for a response when they are available.
- Some modalities of therapy may not be possible online.
- Many teletherapy platforms do not accept insurance.
Counseling Options
Online cognitive behavioral therapy can be an effective, flexible, and convenient option for those who want to see a therapist but face barriers to in-person care. Over time, the online therapy industry continues to grow, and many licensed therapists are offering their support remotely either in private practice, or some of the best online therapy platforms. With studies backing up its effectiveness, signing up has many benefits for therapy seekers. If you're interested in learning more about your options, consider signing up for a platform like BetterHelp for a growing database of licensed, trained, and vetted counselors licensed clinical social workers, and other mental health professionals.
“Jennifer is so lovely. She is kind, personable, and knowledgeable. I particularly appreciate the times when she sympathizes and is able to reply empathetically, ensuring me that I'm not alone in the daunting expanse I call my mind. She is responsive, understanding, accommodating, and, for my first time in therapy, a really wonderful fit. I was so hesitant to begin therapy, and Jennifer has made it such a safe space that I'm no longer scared to enter.”
“Sandee is very thoughtful, supportive and helpful. She understands my concerns and offers relevant advice and perspective. This is my first time pursuing therapy and Sandee has made the experience comfortable and worthwhile. Highly recommend!”
Takeaway
Below are some commonly asked questions on this topic:
Is BetterHelp actually affordable?
Yes, the BetterHelp subscription is very affordable, especially when compared to in-person therapy sessions. There are a number of factors that make in-person therapy pretty costly. For one, therapist and counselors offering in-office mental health or psychiatric services have to pay a number of operating expenses even if they only see patients for a few hours, such as rent, materials, and utilities. These costs, believe it or not, can add up to tens of thousands of dollars every year. On the other hand, professionals offering their services through an online therapy platform, such as BetterHelp, can provide virtually all of the same services – group therapy, individual therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), marriage counseling, and more – without the need for a physical space to see their clients, thus significantly lowering the cost of therapy, particularly in comparison to traditional therapy sessions. Plus, BetterHelp offers financial assistance to those who qualify. For more information regarding financial aid, please contact BetterHelp’s customer support.
Is BetterHelp valid?
Yes, BetterHelp is a valid and trustworthy teletherapy platform that has helped over 2 million individuals receive treatment. Research suggests that online counseling can be as effective as in-office therapy for a number of mental health concerns, ranging from anxiety to bipolar disorder, depression, stress, substance use, PTSD, and others. Additionally, a BetterHelp therapist can help you navigate gender identity and sexual orientation conflicts as it relates to your personal or religious beliefs, and more. Like in-person therapy, allBetterHelp therapists are fully licensed and certified by their state’s board to provide counseling and many of them also practice person-to-person therapy at their non-public practice. In fact, there is no such thing as an online therapist or an in-person therapist – whether at the office, through live video sessions, phone sessions, or live chat, all BetterHelp counselors are certified mental health providers licensed to offer therapy on and offline.Some of the types of professional counselors that you will find will on the BetterHelp platform include:
- Accredited psychologists
- Marriage and family therapists
- Licensed professional counselors
- Clinical social workers
- Psychiatrists
How do I quit BetterHelp?
It’s easy to opt out of BetterHelp therapy by following these steps:
- Log into your account (it has to be the same account you use to enter your therapy room or attend to live sessions)
- Click on Account Settings
- Go to Payment Settings
- Click on Change Plan or Quit Counseling
- Type your answer for wanting to suspend the service
- Tap on Quit Counseling
Once your cancelation is successful, you will receive a confirmation email from the BetterHelp team. Also, note that if you are unhappy with your counselor, you can switch therapists through the BetterHelp website at no additional cost at any time without havingto cancel your subscription until you find the right therapist for you.
Does BetterHelp have a free trial?
Currently, BetterHelp does not offer a free trial. If you are seeking therapy but are worried about the costs, you may qualify for financial aid. To learn more about BetterHelp’s financial assistance policy, please contact the customer assistance team directly during the sign up process.
How does BetterHelp pay their counselors?
Like in-person therapy, BetterHelp counselors are paid by session, which means that they receive payment anytime they interact with their clients via phone or video sessions, live chat, email, etc.
Is therapy a waste of money?
No, therapy is definitely not a waste of money. Whether at the counselor’s office, via weekly video sessions, text messaging, email, live sessions, or phone calls, therapy provides expert emotional guidance and relief tailored specifically to the issues or situations you may be going through. Like anything worthwhile, therapy takes work, but the vast majority of people who have invested on their emotional wellbeing through counseling say that they would do it again in a heartbeat.
Are BetterHelp sessions recorded?
No. Phone calls and live video sessions are never recorded or viewed by anyone else other than you and your therapist in the therapy room.
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