Best Therapy Apps For Mental Health Support

If you're looking for the best therapy apps to support your mental health, there are many options to consider. Some apps connect you with licensed therapists for live sessions, while others offer self-guided tools like meditation, mood tracking, and coping exercises. Below, explore some of the top therapy apps available, along with guidance on how to find the right fit for your needs and budget.

What are therapy apps?

Therapy apps generally fall into two main categories. The first includes platforms that connect users with licensed therapists for live sessions through video, phone, or messaging. Apps like BetterHelp and Talkspace fall into this category, offering access to professional mental health support from wherever you are. BetterHelp also now offers psychiatry services through UpLift, which can be an additional care option available alongside therapy.

The second category includes self-guided wellness and mental health apps, such as Calm and Headspace. These tools may help with meditation, stress relief, mood tracking, and building coping skills, but they typically don't provide access to a therapist. Understanding this distinction can help you choose the type of support that fits your goals. If you're interested in connecting with a professional, exploring options for online therapy can be a helpful starting point.

Best online therapy apps with licensed therapists

The following apps connect users with licensed professionals who can provide support for a range of mental health concerns. Each offers different features, pricing, and specializations, so the right choice may depend on what you're looking for.

BetterHelp

BetterHelp matches individuals experiencing common mental health concerns with a licensed therapist. Signing up typically takes just a few minutes, and you may be matched with a therapist in as little as 48 hours, with 96% of users matched within 24 hours in 2024. BetterHelp has a network of more than 30,000 therapists, and its app offers support through both desktop and mobile, which can make attending video sessions easier for many clients. BetterHelp now also offers psychiatry services through UpLift, expanding access to licensed psychiatric providers as an additional care option alongside therapy.

*Based on finalized paid psychiatry visits with a copay. Insurance availability, coverage, and costs vary by state, plan, provider network, and provider availability.

One feature of BetterHelp is its range of communication options. You can connect with your therapist through video, phone, in-app messaging, and live chat, so you can choose the format that fits your comfort level and schedule. Prices generally range from $70 to $100 per week, though the cost can vary depending on factors such as location, referral source, preferences, therapist availability, and any applicable discounts.

BetterHelp also accepts insurance through 125+ insurance plans, and co-pays average about $23/session for eligible members. Insurance availability and coverage may vary by state, plan, provider network, and therapist availability.

Talkspace

Another popular therapy platform is Talkspace, which provides online mental health services and runs familiar ad campaigns featuring public figures. It offers a matching service with thousands of therapists to provide support through messaging and video sessions.

Both Talkspace and BetterHelp platforms connect users with licensed therapists at prices that tend to be more affordable than traditional in-person therapy, where sessions typically cost around $100 to $350 per session.

Regain for couples therapy

Relationship concerns can benefit from a more specialized approach like couples therapy, which is where Regain comes in. This platform focuses on providing couples with support, working with partners navigating relationship conflict, infidelity, trust issues, communication challenges, and other concerns.

Like BetterHelp, Regain connects users with licensed professionals. Couples can talk one-on-one or together with their partner through the app or desktop, using phone, video, or in-app messaging. Sometimes both individual and couples therapy may help improve a relationship, and Regain may be an option for those interested in trying apps specializing in marriages and relationships from the comfort of home. General costs range from $70 to $100 per week, depending on location, preferences, source, and therapist availability.

TeenCounseling for adolescents

Adolescence often brings unique challenges, such as finding a sense of identity, navigating peer conflict, and managing hormonal changes. TeenCounseling offers online therapy from a therapist or behavioral health counselor licensed to work with teenagers, and adult family members can send invites to their teens experiencing concerns like depression, anxiety, and more. This age-appropriate specialization may make it a helpful option for families seeking support for a teenager.

Free and low-cost mental health apps

Cost can be a real concern when seeking mental health support, and there are free mental health apps that aim to help individuals cope, support wellness, and encourage personal growth. These apps typically don't provide access to licensed therapists, but they can complement professional care or serve as a starting point for building healthy habits.

Meditation and mindfulness apps

Meditation can support stress relief and may help with anxiety, and several apps may make it easier to build a practice. Here are a few popular meditation app options to consider:

• Calm offers timed meditations, breathing exercises, and sleep stories. It has both free and premium content.
• Headspace provides guided meditations, mindfulness exercises, and sleep content, with a free tier and premium features available through subscription.
• Insight Timer offers a huge library of free guided meditations from mindfulness teachers, spiritual leaders, and more.

Crisis and condition-specific resources

Some free apps are designed for specific needs or moments of distress. These resources can supplement but do not replace professional care. Here are a few options that may help:

• PTSD Coach, an app for people with post-traumatic stress disorder, particularly veterans and active military personnel.
• Quieting Anxiety (previously called "Stop Panic & Anxiety Self-Help"), an Android app that may help you prevent and manage panic attacks.
• SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357), available 24/7.

You can also visit the Get Help Now page for more immediate resources.

How therapy apps work

Online therapy platforms and apps allow participants to meet with a therapist remotely and use helpful mental health tools. There are three main ways to communicate with a therapist through most apps:

• Messaging and text therapy, which lets you write to your therapist in the app at your convenience.
• Phone sessions, which arrange voice calls with a therapist.
• Video sessions, which connect you face-to-face with a provider virtually.

Messaging and text therapy

Writing to your therapist through the app lets you communicate on your own schedule, and you can view messages and notes from previous sessions to help recall advice. In-depth conversations may take a little more time for the therapist to respond. Some apps allow for messaging between live sessions so you can stay connected.

Phone and video sessions

Phone sessions, also known as voice therapy, arrange calls with a therapist through your telephone and a compatible app. Over-the-phone therapy may be especially helpful when you're navigating something difficult, and some therapists may use voice messages to communicate.

Video sessions connect you with a provider virtually without having to commute to an office, which may allow you to practice mindfulness, learn coping strategies, and speak with a therapist in real time. Video chatting may offer one of the closest experiences to an in-person session, and it may also work well for relationship counseling and couples therapy.

How to choose the best therapy app for you

The best therapy app for you may depend on your goals, budget, and preferences. Considering a few key factors can help you narrow down your options:

• Your specific needs, such as whether you want a licensed therapist or self-guided tools
• Cost and insurance options, including subscription models and copay expectations
• Communication preferences, like video, phone, or text
• Scheduling flexibility that fits your daily life
• The type of support you're seeking, whether general skill-building or condition-specific help

Consider your specific needs

Start by thinking about what you're hoping to get from an app. If you want to work with a professional, a platform offering access to licensed therapists may be the right fit. If you're primarily looking to build habits like meditation or mindfulness, a self-guided app may serve you well. You might also consider whether you're seeking individual support, couples therapy, or help with a specific concern. If you're interested in psychiatry as an additional care option, BetterHelp now offers psychiatry services through UpLift, where treatment decisions are made by a licensed psychiatric provider based on a full clinical evaluation.

Evaluate cost and insurance options

Pricing varies widely across apps, from free wellness tools to subscription-based therapy platforms. Some apps may accept insurance, offer financial aid, or bill monthly. On BetterHelp, insurance is accepted through more than 125 insurance plans, with co-pays averaging about $23/session for eligible members. Coverage varies by plan, provider, and therapist availability. Discounts are available for non-insured members only. For psychiatry services through UpLift, many providers are in-network with most major insurance carriers, and the average copay for eligible members is about $26; the cost of any medication will depend on your insurance plan. Comparing free options, subscription costs, and per-session fees can help you find an affordable fit.

Think about communication preferences

How you prefer to connect matters. Some people feel most comfortable writing messages, while others find video sessions closest to an in-person experience, and some value the simplicity of a phone call. Identifying your preferred modality, along with how much scheduling flexibility you need, can help guide your choice.

Benefits and effectiveness of online therapy apps

One of the biggest benefits of online therapy is its accessibility, which matters given that the average wait time for a first in-person therapy appointment in the United States is 13 weeks. Apps allow you to connect with a licensed therapist from the comfort of your home or anywhere with an internet connection, which can offer more flexibility than traditional in-person therapy. For many people who find it hard to access care due to location, schedule, or other barriers, exploring online therapy can open the door to support that fits real life.

In addition, a large and growing body of evidence shows that online therapy can be an effective treatment option for a range of common mental health concerns, including depression, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, panic disorder, bipolar disorder, and more.