Online Therapy: Best Therapy Apps For Mental Health

The best online therapy apps

If you've been contemplating apps for therapy and are seeking alternatives to in-person sessions, you're not alone. Millions share this interest, and there are numerous options, such as mobile therapy apps for mental health care. The best online therapy apps provide the support you need, with features like live sessions, video calls, and professional counselors ready to help you cope with various challenges. 

Whatever you're experiencing or need to vent, therapy can be a potent ally in enhancing your well-being. You don't need mental health issues to consult a therapist. Therapy can assist in building coping skills, practicing mindfulness, and managing day-to-day life challenges. It empowers you to live the life you desire, cultivate better habits, and boost your overall mental health.

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Mental health care through your phone

The best mental health apps, such as the BetterHelp therapy app, enable you to engage in mental health therapy and virtual sessions from anywhere globally. Utilizing a therapy app can assist in stress relief and alleviating anxiety related to mental health challenges and other life issues. 

Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Research demonstrates that online therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy, and various therapy types and apps are available online. For instance, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with clinical psychologists can help with a wide array of mental health conditions and empower you to overcome negative thoughts, learn self-care, and enhance self-confidence.

Forms of support for mental health challenges like anxiety

Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, whether through therapy apps or in-person, can be invaluable in supporting mental health. Talk therapy can help you find healthy ways to challenge negative thought patterns, introducing helpful coping strategies and alleviating symptoms. 

For those who are grappling with mental health conditions, such as an anxiety disorder, substance use disorder, eating disorders, or depression, talk therapy sessions, whether through therapy apps or in-person therapy can help you navigate changing emotions and mental health symptoms, providing the support and coping skills needed to manage them. 

Interventions introduced in therapy, such as meditation practice, can help with anxiety management and stress reduction while addressing negative thinking patterns.

Community support can also aid recovery for various conditions, including substance use disorder (sometimes referred to as substance abuse), by allowing people to mutually discuss experiences and support their journeys. In addition to peer support, the integration of apps that foster well-being and help track symptoms can be a tool for promoting mental health. 

Forms of online mental health care: Therapy platforms and apps

There are several forms of online mental health care, including some of the best mental health apps for online therapy. Online therapy platforms and apps allow participants to meet with a therapist through chat, phone, or video therapy sessionsand utilize helpful mental health tools remotely. Below are a few of the formats of therapy you might find on free and paid mental health apps.

Therapy services through text: In-app messaging

Text messaging therapy  allows you to chat with a therapist through text in an app. Some platforms and apps even offer messaging-only therapy, allowing you to communicate via text without video or phone calls. You can also view messages and notes from previous sessions, which makes it easier to recall and retain advice.

In-depth mental health conversations in a therapy app may require a little more time for the therapist to respond. Messages sent using your mental health app are available for you to check at your convenience. With most platforms and apps, the therapist responds at least once a day so you can get the help you need. Additionally, video sessions can be scheduled for a more personal and interactive experience. Some apps allow for unlimited messaging, so you can message your therapist at your convenience in between live sessions.

Therapy app: Phone call sessions

Phone sessions, also known as voice therapy, arrange calls with a therapist via your telephone and a compatible app. Depending on the type of therapy recommended in your therapy plan, you may be able to combine phone and text sessions or even opt for a video call. For those who prefer flexibility, chat therapy through an app offers a way to connect with a therapist without video or voice calls.

Over-the-phone therapy may be especially helpful if you're experiencing a mental health crisis. Also, some therapists may use voice messages to communicate, which may be more encouraging than text messages when you’re experiencing something challenging.

Therapy through video chat: Zoom and other alternatives

Live video sessions are a feature of therapy apps that connect participants with an online therapy provider virtually—without having to commute to a therapist’s office for face-to-face therapy sessions. Video chatting within an app allows you to get the closest possible experience to an in-person session. With videoconferencing from an app, you can practice mindfulness, learn coping strategies, and speak with a therapist in real-time as long as your connection is reliable, or you could have trouble with the app freezing. The best mental health apps with a desktop feature usually run more smoothly. Video chat sessions, also known as video therapy, also work well for relationship counseling, couple's therapy, marriage counseling, sessions that involve other family members, and even guided meditation sessions.

Best apps in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for individual and couples therapy

You can find these apps in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for easy download and access on mobile devices. Finding the best online therapy app for you depends on why you need remote therapy, pricing, and features. 

Some apps may accept insurance, offer financial aid, or have paid subscription options billed monthly. You can contact your provider to find out whether your insurance coverage can reimburse the online therapy fees required on the app. Additionally, online therapy fees are often covered by employee assistance programs. Some major insurance plans may also cover online therapy, reducing the financial burden on users. Be sure to compare free app options, mental health app costs, and per-session costs per app to find the most suitable mental health app choice for your needs. Additionally, many major insurance plans now cover online therapy sessions, making them more accessible and affordable.

Below are some of the best mental health apps for frequent messaging with therapists and other mental health care providers.

BetterHelp

BetterHelp matches individuals experiencing common mental health problems with a licensed therapist. This is one of the best-known online mental health platforms for addressing mental health concerns. Signing up is easy, typically taking just a few minutes. Through desktop and mobile communication, BetterHelp provides numerous options for receiving mental health support. BetterHelp has a roster of more than 30,000 licensed therapists, and its highly-rated therapy app offers quick help for common mental health concerns. When it comes to BetterHelp, the prices generally range from $65 to $100 per week and $260-$400 for monthly billing. However, the price can still be determined depending on factors such as the location, referral source, preferences, availability of the therapist, and any applicable discounts or promotions that might apply to the client. Even your insurance may cover a few dollars to about $50 or more, which can lessen your expenses.

Regain

Regain is another popular site that offers mental health services via an online therapy app. What makes Regain different from a therapy app is its focus on providing couples with therapy. Regain works with people experiencing concerns with marriages, long-term relationships, friendships, and family. 

Like BetterHelp, Regain employs licensed professionals. Regain allows you to talk one-on-one or together with your partner through the therapy app or via desktop. Sometimes, both individual therapy and couple therapy are needed to improve a relationship. Regain may be a good fit for couples who are ready for an alternative to traditional therapy and are interested in trying a therapy app for relationship counseling. Couples can use the platform to begin healing their relationship from the comfort of their own home. With Regain, couples can work with a therapist via phone, videoconferencing, or in-app messaging. On Regain, the general cost of therapy ranges from $70 to $100 per week (billed every 4 weeks), and it also depends on factors including one’s location, preferences, source, and availability of the therapist.

Talkspace

Talkspace is an online therapy app that operates very much like BetterHelp.com. The Talkspace app provides online mental health services and runs familiar ad campaigns featuring celebrities like Michael Phelps. Similar to BetterHelp or the Calm app, the Talkspace app offers a matching service with thousands of therapists to provide mental health services and support.

Talkspace focuses on its app to provide services, but it may not have all the desktop features that BetterHelp offers to make attending video mental health sessions easier for clients. However, the lack of a desktop option may not be a problem for someone seeking help solely through their mobile device. Talkspace has affordable subscription plans which is a departure from traditional in-person therapy, when sessions range from $175 - $500 per session.

Breakthrough

This platform comes with two advantages: scheduling and billing. Users can view available appointments and schedules immediately, which may be particularly beneficial for those with busy schedules. Also, although most mental health apps are out-of-pocket expenses for users, some health insurance plans cover Breakthrough. However, Breakthrough may be expensive for users whose health insurance plans do not cover its services.

Best online therapy apps for teens

The teenage years often include unique challenges, such as finding a sense of identity in this world, figuring out what career to pursue, and navigating hormonal changes and peer conflict, and in these cases a therapy app can help. TeenCounseling offers online therapy from a therapist or behavioral health counselor licensed to work with teenagers. Adult family members can send TeenCounseling invites to their teenagers living with challenges like depression, anxiety, substance use, and other challenges.

Mental health therapy apps and their benefits

Many people wonder if mental health apps work as effectively as in-person sessions. When apps are backed by evidence-based approaches, therapy apps can promote positive emotions. Apps based on fostering positive psychological resources such as gratitude and compassion have been linked with increasing a sense of well-being. 

In-app purchases and subscription plans

Many apps offer a limited free version to try out its content. However, full access to advanced features often requires in-app purchases or a subscription plan. Calm, for example, offers timed meditations, breathing exercises, and one of its sleep stories. You may try the app with its seven-day free trial, but your credit card will be billed for an annual subscription at $69.99 if you don’t cancel it before the trial expires. The latter contains soothing music and relaxing sleep stories to help you fall asleep more easily. Its mood-tracking capability allows you to "check-in" on your specific moods and receive tailored tips and reminders. The therapy app also incorporates the classic "Feeling Wheel" developed by Dr. Gloria Willcox, which is intended to help you process emotions by both recognizing and communicating nuanced feelings.

Recommendations from a licensed mental health therapist

Can mental health apps be effective for a more serious mental health condition? According to the Psychiatric Times, research suggests that apps have the "potential to increase reach to and even quality of care," prompting many mental health professionals to integrate them into their care. 

Apps may support emotional well-being by helping to track one's mental health journey, symptoms, and progress. However, the article also noted that it's important for a mental health professional to evaluate mental health apps' effective suitability for each individual client. While smartphone apps can support mental well-being in between therapy sessions, consulting with a clinical psychologist or other therapist will ensure that the chosen app is appropriate for your needs. 

The best therapy app or mental health app for you depends on your needs and schedule. Do you want a desktop therapy option or only a mobile app? Do you want to have live sessions through video therapy, or would you prefer unlimited messaging? Are you looking for an app that can accept insurance or has other affordable options? How important is the user interface to you, and would you be bothered by issues like app freezing during therapy sessions? Are you looking for support with a particular concern—like anxiety, eating disorders, or substance use disorder—or are you looking to build broader skills for addressing mental health issues rooted in positive psychology?

Some of these therapy apps are broad in what they cover, while others have a specific focus. You may want to try several of them via free trials, if available, to find the right fit. It’s important to note that many online therapy apps do not provide medication management services. If you’re looking for a professional who can prescribe medication, consider talking to your primary care doctor or a similar provider about your options. The BetterHelp platform is designed to match you with a mental health provider or therapist that suits your needs.

Exploring online therapy

As mental healthcare has expanded into different channels thanks to advances in technology, therapy apps that provide a user-friendly interface have become a large and growing field of options for millions of people. The online therapy services described here are useful, but by no means exhaustive. More information is available through many reputable sources, such as the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.

If you’re experiencing anxiety, depression, eating disorders, substance use disorder,or some other mental health challenge, you don’t have to face it alone. With online talk therapy through BetterHelp, you can connect with a licensed therapist from anywhere at any time, providing more flexibility than traditional in-person therapy. You can communicate with them via phone or videoconference at a time that works for you. You can also message them via in-app messaging, and they’ll get back to you as soon as they can.