Best Mental Health And Therapy Apps: Messaging, Phone, And Video Options

Medically reviewed by Julie Dodson, MA
Updated March 23, 2023by BetterHelp Editorial Team

Have you been thinking about therapy but wondering if there are alternatives to going into a therapist’s office? If so, you’re not alone. Millions of people have been asking the same question, and there are numerous options available, including mobile therapy apps designed to help with whatever challenges you’re facing.

Online therapy apps on your phone or tablet allow you to talk to licensed professionals who can provide the help you need. The best mental health apps offer convenience, allowing you to connect with a therapist from the comfort of your home, or anywhere with an internet connection.

Whatever you’re going through and need to vent about, therapy can be a powerful ally to help you improve your well-being. You don’t have to have a mental health condition to speak with a therapist. Therapy can help empower you to live the life you want, foster better habits, and improve your overall mental health.

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Mental Health Therapy Through Online Apps

The best mental health apps allow you to participate in mental health treatment and therapy sessions from anywhere in the world. Using a therapy app can help you relieve stress and anxiety related to mental health challenges and other life issues. Research shows that online therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy, and there are various types of therapy that are available online. For example, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with a licensed therapist can help with a wide variety of mental health conditions and can help you overcome negative thoughts, learn self-care, and improve self-confidence.

Online Modes Of Mental Health Counseling And Therapy

Therapy Services Through Text: In-App Messaging

Text messaging therapy allows you to chat with a therapist through text, 24 hours a day. You can also view messages and notes from previous sessions, which makes it easier to recall and retain advice.

In-depth mental health conversations may require a little more time for the therapist to respond. Messages sent using your therapy app are available for you to check at your convenience. With most platforms, the therapist responds at least once a day, so you can get the help you need.

Therapy Through Phone: Phone Call Sessions

Phone apps, 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 treatment plan, you may be able to combine phone and text sessions. 

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

Video chatting allows you to get the closest possible experience to an in-person session. With videoconferencing, you can speak with a therapist in real time as long as your connection is reliable. 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 couple's therapy, marriage counseling, and sessions that involve other family.

Best Mental Health Therapy App Downloads

Many mental health apps are available for download on mobile devices. Finding the best online therapy app for you depends on why you need it, pricing, and features. 

Some Of The Top Options For 24/7 Messaging:

BetterHelp Online Therapy

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, and 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. 

ReGain Relationship Online Therapy

ReGain is another popular site that offers mental health services via an online therapy app. What makes ReGain different for a therapy app is its focus on providing couples with counseling. 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's 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. 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.

Talkspace Online Therapy

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, it 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.

More Of The Best Competing Therapy Apps

Breakthrough Online Therapy

This platform comes with two advantages: scheduling and billing. Users can view available appointments and schedule 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 Christian Counseling

Faithful Counseling is similar to BetterHelp, but it approaches counseling from a Christian perspective. Faith-based counseling is often available through religious organizations and houses of worship, but Faithful Counseling allows clients to receive online help from a licensed therapist. This service may be a good fit for individuals looking for a Christian spiritual connection in their online sessions.

Best Online Pride Counseling

Mental healthcare providers serving parts of the LGBTQ+ community need to be particularly aware of specific needs. Pride Counseling offers online therapy from therapists who specialize in serving the LGBTQ+ community. This app may be best for clients who are seeking to come out to loved ones, experiencing difficulty with acceptance, or needing guidance with relationships.

Best Online Teen Therapy

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. TeenCounseling offers online therapy from a therapist or behavioral health counselor licensed to work with teenagers. Adult family can send TeenCounseling invites to their teenagers.

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Which Mental Health Counseling App Is Best For You?

The best therapy app for you depends on your needs and schedule. Do you want a desktop therapy option or only a mobile app? 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.

Getting Help Online

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, or some other mental health challenge, you don’t have to face it alone. With BetterHelp, you can be matched with a therapist with experience helping people with your specific concerns. 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. 

Below are some reviews of people who have spoken with BetterHelp therapists.

BetterHelp Therapy Review

"Lauren is a wonderful therapist! This is my first time using online therapy and she has made me feel so comfortable and confident about this process. We use a mixture of chat and phone calls which works great for me. She is so easy to talk to, understanding, and supportive. I feel very thankful to have been matched with her."

"Lauren is a wonderful therapist! This is my first time using online therapy and she has made me feel so comfortable and confident about this process. We use a mixture of chat and phone calls which works great for me. She is so easy to talk to, understanding, and supportive. I feel very thankful to have been matched with her."

Takeaway

Regardless of what you’re going through, there is a therapy app out there designed to provide the support you need. You can choose from the modality that works best for you, whether texting or videoconferencing. Take the first step to getting help and reach out to BetterHelp today.

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