What Is Teletherapy? A Guide To Online Mental Health Care

Teletherapy refers to receiving mental health care remotely through technology such as video calls, phone sessions, or messaging. It can be a legitimate form of mental health treatment that has grown more common in recent years, offering support wherever you are. Below, explore how teletherapy works, its potential benefits, cost, and effectiveness.

What is teletherapy?

Teletherapy literally means "therapy from far away." It can involve connecting with a licensed mental health professional through various forms of technology, allowing people to receive care without traveling to an office. In most cases, teletherapy applies to online talk therapy sessions conducted by phone call, video call, or messaging.

It can help to understand how teletherapy differs from the broader idea of telehealth. Telehealth is a wide category that covers many kinds of health services provided from a distance, while teletherapy focuses specifically on therapy delivered by qualified providers.

How does teletherapy work?

Exactly how teletherapy works depends on the platform or telehealth service you use. In most cases, however, you'll move through the following steps in your initial teletherapy sessions:

1. Sign up for the platform or service.

2. Provide information about the mental health challenges you're seeking help with.

3. Provide information about your needs and preferences in a provider (e.g., someone experienced in LGBTQIA+ issues, someone trained in trauma-informed therapy, etc.)

4. Get matched with a licensed therapist.

5. Meet with them regularly via phone or video to set treatment goals and receive treatment.

Once you're matched, sessions can take place in a few different formats. Traditional therapy sessions often last for a set amount of time, usually 30 to 60 minutes. The main formats include video calls, phone sessions, and live chat.

Video sessions

Seeing your therapist face-to-face over a screen can offer a sense of connection similar to meeting in person. For this format, you'll need a working device, such as a smartphone, tablet, or computer, that can connect to the internet and has a camera. Depending on the platform, you may also need video software.

Phone sessions

Talking by phone can be a comfortable option for those who prefer not to be on camera or who want more flexibility about where they take their session. If your appointments happen via phone call, a working device and a quiet room are all that you need.

Messaging or live chat

Live chat is another option for weekly sessions and may be helpful for those who prefer to discuss their thoughts in writing. In addition, some people appreciate being able to reach out in writing between sessions. With this option, you can use in-app messaging to share what's on your mind, and your therapist can respond when they're able. This can help you stay connected to care throughout the week.

Benefits of teletherapy

Everyone should feel empowered to choose the type of therapy that's best for them, whether they choose telemental health care or in-person care. There are certain advantages to teletherapy that may make it a more attractive option than in-person sessions for some.

Accessibility and convenience

One of the key advantages of virtual therapy is that it can be done from almost anywhere, which can be less stressful than commuting to therapy. If you have a device and an internet connection, you can sign on to sessions with your therapist and receive high-quality care from home.

That means teletherapy may allow people who might not otherwise have the ability to get mental health care to receive the treatment they deserve. This format can be especially helpful for certain groups:

• People who live in rural areas where there may not be in-person providers nearby
• People with a physical disability that may make it difficult to leave home
• People navigating a mental health concern like social anxiety that can make it challenging to be in public spaces
• People without reliable transportation
• People with busy schedules or who are balancing caregiving and work

In situations like these, online therapy can be a much more convenient option. The flexibility of virtual sessions can also make it easier to fit therapy into daily life.

Comfort and control over your environment

Choosing your own setting can put you at ease and in the right frame of mind for therapy. Some people prefer to receive the support of a therapist from the comfort of their own home, where they can wear whatever they like, sit comfortably, and adjust the lighting and temperature of their space as desired. For those who have specific needs or preferences related to these environmental elements, being able to control your environment can feel reassuring.

More provider options

Teletherapy can also represent a viable alternative for those who live in remote areas where there aren't a lot of therapist options. Unless you live in a major metropolitan area, you may have trouble locating a provider who suits your needs, is accepting new clients, and is located within a reasonable distance of where you live. With teletherapy, these limitations can be reduced, since geographic location is not a factor and you can choose from a much wider range of providers. BetterHelp, for example, has a network of more than 30,000 qualified therapists worldwide. This can be especially helpful for those seeking a specialist or someone with a specific type of expertise, and it also allows people to switch therapists more easily if the first one they try isn't the right fit.

How much does teletherapy cost?

Cost can be an important part of choosing the right kind of care. The average cost of an in-person therapy session in the United States tends to fall between $100 and $200, while the average cost of a teletherapy session tends to be lower.

With an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, costs for those not using insurance range from $70 to $100 per week (based on factors such as your location, referral source, preferences, therapist availability, and any applicable discounts or promotions). Some providers on BetterHelp may also be in-network with certain health plans. Here's a general comparison of what different options may cost:

In other words, those who can't afford regular in-person sessions may find that online therapy is a better fit for their budget. If you'd like to review your options, you can check your in-network status on the BetterHelp site.

Insurance and payment options

Some providers on BetterHelp may be in-network with certain health plans, and coverage varies by plan, provider, and therapist availability. For eligible members, co-pays average about $23 per session. During signup, you can enter your insurance information to view available options and estimated costs. If your state isn't currently supported, the platform's flexible subscription model continues to be an option to receive quality care from an extensive therapist network, with subscriptions around $70 to $100 per week.

How effective is teletherapy for mental health?

Research suggests online therapy can be as effective as in-person sessions in many cases. It's important to note that in-person treatment may be best in certain situations, such as for more severe mental illnesses or any circumstance where a person's safety may be at risk.

Virtual therapy may be able to provide a meaningful impact for the majority of general mental health conditions and concerns. According to BetterHelp platform data, 72% of BetterHelp users experienced a reduction in symptoms in 12 weeks.

What the research shows

Several peer-reviewed studies point toward the effectiveness of virtual care:

• A 2021 article reported that telehealth is a viable mental healthcare alternative to in-person care for depression, leading to significant improvements in both depressive symptoms and quality of life.
• A 2025 study looking into the efficacy of virtual therapy found that the majority of participants achieved reliable improvement and remission.
• A 2024 systematic review looked at 15 studies comparing the efficacy of online and in-person therapy. It concluded that face-to-face and online modalities generally produced comparable outcomes.

Things to consider before starting teletherapy

Preparing ahead of time can help teletherapy feel smoother from the start. A few practical elements are required for this type of care:

• A working device, such as a smartphone, tablet, or computer
• A reliable internet connection
• A camera if you plan to meet by video
• A quiet, comfortable space where you can speak openly

It can also help to consider what kind of care fits your situation. For many general mental health concerns, teletherapy may be a good fit, though in-person or emergency care may be more appropriate for severe symptoms or safety concerns. Some people may also benefit from psychiatry services alongside therapy. BetterHelp now offers psychiatry services through UpLift, which provides virtual care for individuals ages 18 and older experiencing a range of behavioral health symptoms. Psychiatry is an additional care option available alongside therapy, and it may include medication management when clinically appropriate, based on a full clinical evaluation. All treatment decisions are made by a licensed psychiatric provider. If you'd like to explore this option, you can get started with psychiatry here. If you are experiencing a crisis or need immediate support, help is available through the Get Help Now page for additional resources.

Medication availability and coverage may vary by member location, clinical appropriateness, and individual pharmacy/insurance benefits. Prescribing decisions are made by the treating clinicians. We do not guarantee that any specific medication will be prescribed or covered by a member's insurance plan.

How online therapy can help

Online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp can make it easier to speak with a licensed therapist from the comfort of home, and to reach out through in-app messaging between sessions if needed. All BetterHelp therapists are licensed and have a minimum of three years and 1,000 hours of hands-on experience in clinical practice—with only 25% of therapist applicants accepted to the platform—which may help you feel supported by a qualified provider on your terms.

Getting started with teletherapy

You're likely to get the best results from pursuing therapy in the format that feels most comfortable for you. If you're interested in trying online therapy, you might consider using a platform like BetterHelp. You'll be asked to fill out a brief questionnaire about your needs and preferences, and you may be matched with a provider in as little as 48 hours after signing up, with the average match time being just 24 to 48 hours. You can then meet with them via phone, video call, or live chat, and you may also use in-app messaging to reach out between sessions.