Online therapy services. Experienced licensed therapists.

Online therapy is an effective form of mental health counseling, offering support via internet video calls, chats, and messaging. BetterHelp online therapy has helped millions of people with life’s challenges.

Accessible and affordable
Over 34,000 licensed & experienced therapists
You deserve to be happy.

Join the over 4 million people who got help using the world's largest therapy services provider online.

Therapy platforms have helped millions of clients worldwide. Since 2021, four out of ten Americans have used online counseling to meet with their therapist, often due to the convenience, accessibility, and affordability of this treatment option. Therapy sessions can be accessed from home or anywhere with an internet connection. In addition, it allows clients to take advantage of thorough, convenient and affordable mental health services without using health insurance. For those who can’t commute to an appointment with a psychotherapist due to remote location, income insecurity, or a disability—or might just feel more comfortable in their own home— BetterHelp can allow accessibility that may not be found elsewhere.

Multiple studies have proven therapy services online as effective. One study, accessed in the National Library of Medicine, showcases how cognitive-behavioral therapy can effectively treat major depressive disorder and anxiety. The researchers also conclude that virtual therapy can increase reported quality of life, satisfaction with treatment, and recovery rates. Another study reports that online counseling can be more cost-effective, especially in treating conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).


Professional, licensed, and vetted therapists who you can trust

BetterHelp is the world's largest provider of therapy services online, with over 30,000 licensed, trained, experienced, and accredited psychologists (PhD / PsyD), licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFT), licensed clinical social workers (LCSW / LMSW), and board licensed professional counselors (LPC). Clients at BetterHelp have access to individual, couples, and teen therapy.

BetterHelp therapists are licensed to address a range of challenges including depression, anxiety, grief, panic, anger, abuse, parenting challenges, relationship issues, emotional regulation, panic disorder, eating disorders, and concerns related to trauma. If you prefer a therapist who has experience with a certain mental health condition or who comes from a specific background, BetterHelp can match you with the right professionals, licensed to practice on the platform, depending on therapist availability. 

With our online therapists, you get the same professionalism and quality you would expect from traditional therapy with an in-office session, but with the ability to communicate when and how you want using our platform.

Common types of online therapy

See BetterHelp’s advice articles for more information about the following types of therapy offered.

Family therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Solution-focused brief therapy
Narrative therapy
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
Person-centered therapy
Interpersonal psychotherapy
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy
Emotionally focused therapy
Acceptance and commitment therapy

Talk therapy

Eating disorder therapy

Couples therapy

Humanistic therapy
BetterHelp benefits

Effective counseling

Many studies have proven that working with a psychotherapist is effective, if not more effective than in-person therapy. One study found that CBT online was as effective as traditional options in treating anxiety, depression, and stress in clients. Another study found that 71% of BetterHelp users found the telehealth platform more effective and preferable to in-person counseling, feeling that the format allowed them to connect easily with their therapist.

Accessible counseling

BetterHelp allows you to communicate with your therapist at your convenience from anywhere that has a stable wifi connection. With audio, video, and messaging therapy options, you’re able to communicate with your counselor when and where it works for you, without the added travel required for in-person therapy. If you live in an area without many therapists to choose from, maintain a busy schedule, or don’t have access to reliable transportation, online therapy can remove those barriers making support accessible to you.

Comfortable counseling

With BetterHelp you’re able to build a relationship with your therapist in your safe space. Online clients often report a more positive treatment experience when working with their counselor virtually. Some people have trouble speaking to someone they don't know face to face, and the BetterHelp app allows those who don't feel comfortable interacting in person to have an alternative form of communication that could help them open up.

Private therapy service

Privacy is an important concern for many when it comes to counseling. With BetterHelp, there is no risk of bumping into someone you know, or discussing your treatment with anyone but your therapist. You also have the option not to use your real name and use an email address that does not directly identify you when you set up your account with us, and  you can attend sessions with your therapist from your own private space. If you'd like to learn more about BetterHelp's business practices and privacy policy, you can read the entire disclosure on our site.

Flexible therapy services

It can be difficult for traditional therapy to fit into your schedule if you have a busy lifestyle that makes it hard to find a free hour. With BetterHelp therapy, you can message your therapist any time you need, and they will respond as soon as they’re able, offering you support outside of therapy sessions. If your match doesn't feel like a perfect fit for any reason, you’re able to switch therapists at any time at no additional cost. All of this contributes to you being able to build a useful and healthy relationship with your counselor.

Professional counseling services

BetterHelp’s licensed therapists provide the same level of professionalism in online therapy as you would experience in in-person, with the added benefit of being able to communicate where and when is convenient for you. BetterHelp therapists are thoroughly vetted before taking clients on the telehealth platform, and many are trained in a wide range of therapeutic modalities.

Communicate with your therapist through messages, voice, or video
Messaging therapy

Sending a message to your therapist allows you to communicate thoughtfully and allows the them to formulate a more detailed response. You can also note something you’d like to discuss in your next live therapy session.

Live chat online

Live chat is similar to messaging, except you will receive live responses from your therapist throughout the duration of your session. This can be a great option if you need to take your psychotherapy session someplace that isn’t private, such as a cafe, or if you aren’t yet comfortable speaking through a phone call or video call.

Voice call

Using the BetterHelp app, you can speak to your therapist through voice calls, which function just like a phone call. This allows for tone and emotions to come through, although you will not see each other’s faces during counseling sessions.

Video online

Video therapy sessions are ideal for an experience that is comparable to seeing a therapist in person. Through our high quality video calls, you will be able to see each other’s body language and hear each other’s tone of voice. This type of session is highly recommended as it often provides the most impactful therapeutic alliance with your counselor and can produce the best results.

Getting started with online therapy

  • Get matched with the best therapist for you
    • Once you select individual, couples, or teen counseling, you'll answer a few short questions online to find a licensed therapist who fits your needs and preferences. You can be matched by the matching system, or you can choose therapists from the largest network of licensed online therapy providers. If it's not a good fit at first, it's easy to switch therapists in order to find the best fit at any time.
  • Communicate & help your way
    • Once you've been matched with a therapist, you can connect with them in real time or when it works for both of you, however you feel comfortable. Online psychotherapy clients can communicate with therapists through phone, text messaging, chat, or video.
  • Therapy when you need it
    • You can send a message at anytime, from anywhere. You also get to schedule live face to face therapy sessions when it's convenient for you, and can connect from any mobile device or computer.

Online therapy user reviews

These quotes represent a few of the many positive counseling reviews that we have received for the licensed therapists who work with BetterHelp.
"Marsha has been absolutely amazing. She helped me to make a clear written plan to help me with intimacy issues and has been supportive when I had good and bad weeks. She is so relatable and comforting in situations that could otherwise be awkward with another therapist. I can't express how much she has helped me, and I hope to continue to work with her in the future. Thank you so much, Marsha!"

"Brandon has been extremely responsive and supportive as I sought therapy for the first time. He is great at listening and finding mechanisms to help me help myself."
"Trevor has been a fantastic therapist for me at a very difficult time. I initially started seeing him due to work-related stress, but a few weeks into our therapy I had a stroke, and that brought up a whole new set of things to work through and deal with. His advice and support have been absolutely invaluable in navigating through a minefield at work, as well as issues in my personal and family life. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him to anyone, he is absolutely top-rate."
BetterHelp in the news

All-You-Can-Text Online Therapy

By Joshua Fruhlinger

“My BetterHelp therapist asked the same kinds of thought-provoking questions as the traditional therapists I worked with in the past. (What is it about your future that you’re unsure of? Can you tell me about your old life and what is different now?) Because of the continuing, open-ended nature of the text chat, however, she helped me identify anxiety triggers and coping tools and mechanisms much faster than it would have taken had we only been able to meet once a week. What’s more, I came to find that launching the BetterHelp site on my smartphone or laptop and writing out my thoughts became therapeutic in itself.”

Mental Health Care Changing With Therapy Online

By Jennifer Nelson

“A lot of the user base that’s interested are people who have never set foot in a therapist’s office,” says Haesue Jo, a licensed psychologist and clinical support lead at BetterHelp, an online counseling provider that provides web-based, phone, video, and text message interaction. “This is a way for people to stick their toe in the water if they’ve been fearful of talking to a therapist before.”

Virtual Mental Health Therapy During Pandemic

By Bambi FranciscoRoizen

“We’ve heard from our therapists how Coronavirus increased the level of anxiety with their current clients. We’ve also seen a spike in people starting online therapy with us,’ Alon Matas, President of Teladoc’s BetterHelp, told me. ‘The number of new members with concerns of stress and anxiety in February more than doubled vs. February of last year, and this trend is accelerating in March.’ BetterHelp provided free service for clients who have been financially impacted by the outbreak (e.g., layoff or loss of income). The company is offering financial aid for a new client that can cover nearly 50% of the therapy cost. Therapists will still be paid, but BetterHelp will subsidize the loss.”

Frequently asked questions about therapy & counseling

Jump to:

How much does online therapy cost?

The cost varies by platform. BetterHelp’s monthly subscription plans range from $65 to $90 per week (billed every four weeks) which will pay for unlimited messaging and a weekly phone therapy, video therapy, or live messaging therapy session with a licensed mental health professional. This pricing is more cost-effective than the national US market average of $125 to $199 per session.

Platforms like BetterHelp may also offer extra features and resources, which may not be offered by in-person therapists, increasing the cost-benefit. These options might include group sessions, journaling prompts, and webinar classes. BetterHelp also offers thousands of free articles on mental wellness topics such as anger management, eating disorders, when to see a family therapist, trauma, intrusive thoughts, negative feelings, substance use disorder (formerly referred to as "substance abuse"), exposure therapy, borderline personality disorder, mood swings, psychodynamic therapy, when to seek grief counseling, and more.

How can online therapy help me?

You don’t have to have a mental illness or mental health diagnosis to seek support - no matter your situation, you can benefit from mental health professionals. A therapist who works with telehealth services is trained to offer guidance in many areas and may specialize in several modalities and symptoms, and will meet you where you are in your journey. For example, therapists can support clients with depression, anxiety, chronic stress, relationship conflicts, career challenges, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, emotional support, traumatic events, and other topics. Although some people may feel uncomfortable or worry about reaching out for help due to stigma, trying counseling at BetterHelp can be a great step forward for anyone, regardless of age, gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, or background. 

Research has shown effectiveness of therapy through hundreds of studies and clinical trials. Research shows that it is as effective as in-person psychotherapy. In addition to effectiveness, working with a therapist at BetterHelp is affordable and offers the convenience of allowing clients to send messages throughout the week and outside of the live video therapy session to receive responses when they are available. Therapy session options may include video and phone calls or live chat on the site, which gives you the control to receive support on your terms.

To understand how other users have felt about a therapy platform like BetterHelp, it may be helpful to look at past reviews. By looking at the diverse experiences of others highlighted in these reviews, you can see how it might benefit you. 

What are common concerns about virtual therapy?

Some people may worry that their being matched with someone that is not accredited. However, platforms like BetterHelp offer access to licensed, trained, and accredited psychologists, licensed marriage and family therapists, and clinical social workers. Many therapists on the platform have a doctorate, and they all have thousands of hours of clinical experience and supervision.

When a therapist applies to work with BetterHelp, they pass multiple assessments and interviews, including a background check to verify their credentials through their state’s licensing board. Therapists on the platform have at least a master’s degree, 1,000 or more clinical hours, and three years or more of experience. For this reason, the experienced professional you match with virtually is as credible as one you may find in person, and the vetting process is already done for you.

Other common concerns with counseling may include cost, effectiveness, privacy, and safety. However, this kind of support is cost-effective, effective, and safe when used correctly through a platform like BetterHelp or with a credentialed therapist. Read the statement on privacy policy as well as the Terms and Conditions on our website to learn more. 

Does insurance cover online therapy?

Whether or not the therapy platform you choose accepts insurance may depend on your insurance provider. Private-practice therapists may accept insurance if you find a therapist in your network. However, while often a more affordable option, platforms often do not accept insurance plans. For example, BetterHelp does not accept insurance or partner with insurance providers. However, your insurance coverage plan may offer reimbursement for services you receive.

The MHPA requires employers and others who provide access to group health plans to offer equal benefits for medical and mental healthcare that accept insurance. This means, some major health insurance providers offer reimbursement for these behavioral health services like online counseling. You can also use FSA (flexible spending account) or HSA (health savings account) offered through your health provider to save money. Regardless of your mental health history, contact the insurance company's customer service directly or review your benefits list to understand whether your plan offers this option. You may be asked to request a superbill from your therapist to submit to your insurance company.

Note that reimbursement through your insurance company for services is not at the discretion of the platform or your therapist. All requests and appeals must be made directly with your insurance company, and there may not be a guarantee that they will provide reimbursement for counseling. If your plan does not cover reimbursement, knowing online therapy is often more affordable than some insurance co-pays and monthly plan costs may be helpful.

Does Medicare or Medicaid insurance cover therapy through BetterHelp?

BetterHelp is not covered by insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid, which are government-sponsored health insurance plans, however, BetterHelp does offer affordable therapy with payment options from $65 to $90 per week, billed monthly or weekly. This plan covers a weekly 30-45 minutes long therapy appointment plus access to one group session. Before choosing a provider, it's important to ask your insurance provider questions like, "Does my insurance cover sessions with a therapist?" and "What can I do if the telehealth counselor doesn't accept insurance?" Insured members may find the contact information for your insurance on the back of your health insurance card.

Does BetterHelp offer free online therapy?

According to American Psychological Association, expensive costs of therapy is often the reason people do not seek support. While BetterHelp does not offer free therapy, it might be the best affordable option. As the leading global therapy provider, they employ a large, dedicated team of therapists and contract with thousands of licensed psychologists to provide convenient, accessible, and affordable counseling. Being able to offer affordable care comes at a cost, and therapists make their living through the cost of the weekly subscription plan. However, therapy costs can come down if you qualify for a temporary lower rate on services.

Free therapy programs may be available to those who qualify through your city's human services department. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services also offers services for parents. To find out if you can save money on counseling with BetterHelp, take the financial need survey or email contact@betterhelp.com to learn more. Additionally, look to see if your company offers BetterHelp through an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), or if your university offers BetterHelp to students.

Is an online therapist effective or as effective as in-person health care services?

Multiple studies have found that these services are as effective as in-person therapy, with some showing that a platform like BetterHelp's is more effective. For example, in a study conducted in eClinicalMedicine, researchers examined 17 studies on the effectiveness of CBT therapy online in treating depressive disorders. The study results demonstrated that virtual CBT could be more effective than face-to-face CBT in reducing symptom severity and that it was more cost-effective.

Online therapy may also be as effective as in-person options in different settings, such as couples therapy with a partner through platforms like Regain that helps people in relationships. One online therapy review found that couples preferred online counseling due to the enhanced connection within their relationships and the ease of videoconferencing therapy sessions with their therapist. Participants in couples counseling online also reported a greater sense of comfort and control over their experience. No matter the method you choose, therapy is has been proven to increase happiness and improve lives through learned coping skills and other treatment methods. Schedule a consultation with a licensed expert on the platform to begin; whether you're looking for therapy for adults, teens, or partners in a relationship. Doing so can benefit the behaviors of anyone from adults to children.

How are the therapists on this online therapy platform verified for my benefit?

Therapists on BetterHelp are licensed, trained, experienced, and accredited psychologists (PhD / PsyD), licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFT), licensed clinical social workers (LCSW / LICSW), or licensed professional counselors (LPC). All of these psychology professionals have a Masters Degree or a Doctorate Degree in their field, and follow the APA Code of Ethics. They have been qualified and certified by their state's professional board after successfully completing the necessary education, exams, training and practice with a patient. While their experience, expertise, careers, and background vary, they all possess at least 3 years and 1,000 hours of hands-on experience, and have the necessary therapist credentials to provide therapy. 

Our team ensures that every professional we bring to the platform is fully licensed and in good standing, and follows all guidelines. Any who apply are required to provide proper licensure documentation and proof of identity. We then cross-check their licensure information with their respective state licensing board.

In addition to checking licenses, each potential therapist needs to complete a case study exam graded by a licensed clinician and be evaluated in a video interview. The result of this longer rigorous process is that only about 25% of applicants who apply to work through BetterHelp are accepted to the platform, and once they begin working on the platform, they are evaluated often to ensure they are upholding a high standard.

We also show the full licensing information for each therapist to make it easier for you to do your own due diligence. Keep in mind that while some of the therapists are licensed psychiatrists, we do not offer psychiatry to members on the platform. If you are looking for a psychiatrist that does not require in-office care, we encourage you to explore and research other options.

How often should you attend therapy sessions?

How often you attend therapy depends on your preferences and how you prioritize your mental health goals. Some people prefer seeing a therapist every other week, whereas others require more frequent support and might have check ins a couple days a week.

Some people who see a licensed therapist, whether in traditional in-person or via online therapy platforms, have a face to face therapy session once a week. A weekly session can allow a steady pace of communication, with healthy reflection between therapy sessions. Through a platform like BetterHelp, you can also send your therapist text messages throughout the week, receiving text based support in addition to your weekly 30-45 minute sessions.

BetterHelp subscription plans include one weekly live 30-45 minute session and unlimited text messaging with your therapist. If you want more than one session a week, you can request one, and the mobile app or website can notify you how much the extra session may cost and whether it’s available. Some BetterHelp users also sign up for one weekly group session, which functions as a support group led by a licensed professional. You can schedule one weekly group session in addition to your weekly individual session. You can also pay a fee for more than one group session led by a therapist per week. When considering frequency of therapy sessions, unlimited insurance coverage may be a factor: if the service you are using takes insurance, the amount of sessions covered may vary.

Can online therapy services offer treatment by prescribing medication?

Licensed BetterHelp therapists do not prescribe medications, or provide psychiatry and medication management services to clients.

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), the only professionals who can prescribe medication for specific mental health conditions are psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, prescribing psychologists (in some states), and other medical doctors (MDs). It's important to note that these professionals must be licensed in the state where they practice to prescribe medication or offer medication management treatment plans, and are subject to other licensing requirements.

Schedule a consultation with your primary care physician or doctor for further guidance on medication management or before starting, changing, or stopping any medication or medical treatment.

Why do people believe that online counseling & therapy is the best based on research?

BetterHelp supports clients worldwide with common conditions and life challenges. Because BetterHelp is cost-effective, accessible, and flexible, it is often a viable alternative to traditional in-person, in-office therapy. In addition, clients may enjoy membership benefits, like daily journaling prompts, weekly classes, optional group therapy sessions, and unlimited messaging with a therapist. BetterHelp, under parent company Teladoc Health, is the leading therapy platform worldwide for the cost and range of services offered, and has been ranked as the best service by multiple publications.

What will happen once I get matched with a licensed therapist?

Once you sign up for your BetterHelp membership and are matched to a therapist, you will get a therapy room which will be your personal and secured place to communicate. In this room, you will share about your current situation, the problems going on in your life, thoughts that may trouble you, ask questions and discuss the issue that you would like to focus on. This acts as an initial assessment or initial consultation for counseling, allowing you to be intentional about what outcomes you'd like to see from attending sessions with your therapist. This also helps develop an ongoing treatment plan with recommendations to get you there.

Your therapist will then read your messages, share with you their unique approach to psychology, and respond with questions, feedback, insights, resources, and tools guide you towards the wellness results you're looking for. You may also be asked to complete worksheets so that your therapist can get to know you better. 

How will I communicate with my therapist?

It's easy to speak to your therapist through your preferred communication type. Here are the methods available on both mobile and desktop:

  • Unlimited messaging
  • Chatting live
  • Speaking over phone calls
  • Video conferencing

You can use different ways at different times as you prefer, based on your needs, availability, and convenience. You can send messages to your therapist at any time, from any location, using any connected device. You can log in to your room at any time and since messaging is not in real-time it doesn't require scheduling. Instead, you can choose whenever you want to write or respond to your therapist. You will get a notification by email when you have received a message.

You can also have live video sessions with your therapist, where you meet each other and talk with each other using technology (similar to Skype or Zoom). To talk with your counselor via video, you will need to schedule appointments and log in to your therapy room at that specific time. Your therapist will then prompt you to start the video session. After you confirm, you will immediately begin video chatting. 

There's no pressure to stick with the first therapist you've been matched with. If you decide it's not a good fit after the first consultation, or there is limited availability on the day you prefer, simply switch therapists at any time by selecting someone else. This flexibility is part of your paid membership with no hard feelings.

How does scheduling therapy appointments online work?

A live session (by either chat, phone, or video) can be scheduled in two ways:

By your therapist:

While in a respective client's Sessions Page, they can book a telehealth session in the Schedule section. The therapist should discuss and coordinate the date and time with you beforehand, versus scheduling a time without consulting with you first. For your convenience, if you are in a different time zone, the technology allows for the you both to see the times in both time zones for the online counseling session.

By you:

You can schedule live visits with your therapist once you click on an available time slot. They can set the time slots in which they are available for a live session using the "Scheduling" tab of the dashboard. We do inform patients that if they don't see a day/time that works, to send a message to see if there is a way to open up additional timeslots.

Either way, when a live session is scheduled, confirmation and reminder emails will be sent out. From there it is easy to cancel a session that was scheduled if needed.

In addition, there is a feature under the Help tab called “Video session test.” This feature will run a test of your device to make sure it’s ready to go for a live video session. There are other tools and resources here to ensure you have the best connection possible during your session.

Having issues? Reach out to Better Help directly at contact@betterhelp.com for any questions or issues you might have regarding the billing process, your account, payments, or anything else related to our online counseling platform.

What should I do to prepare for online therapy?

It's a good idea to read about what you might expect before you start with a telemedicine provider. Here are a few articles and links to get you started:

What are the pros and cons of an online counseling & therapy app?

If you haven't used telemedicine before, the idea of receiving this care might be daunting. Know that starting counseling, whether you're looking for online or in person, is a great step toward improved mental health and wellness. Millions of people in the United States and around the world have received life changing evidence based therapy through telehealth platforms. Here are some of the pros and cons to consider related to online counseling:

The pros
  • Access therapy from your home, without the added travel to in-person visits
  • Attend sessions through message, voice calls, or video calls
  • Communicate outside of therapy sessions by sending messages at any time
  • Change therapists easily whenever you want
  • Find a therapist who has experience in a less common modality
  • Is as effective as in person therapy
  • BetterHelp offers over 34,000 professionals to choose from
  • If you're in a rural area, you may get greater access through an online service
  • Detailed privacy policy
  • In some cases, access to mental health tests
The cons
  • Insurance providers may not cover therapy through telehealth platforms offering a mental health service
  • May not be a good fit for those in crisis situations; please seek immediate support if you are in crisis (emotional or otherwise)
  • Therapy online may not be appropriate for serious illnesses
  • Does not provide the same in-person interaction that traditional therapy does with recurring office visits with a clinical psychologist
  • Psychiatry may not be offered by counselors

Who should not use a counseling & therapy platform?

If you are experiencing a crisis or severe mental health emergency, or any other person may be in severe danger, please do not use this site. Reach out to crisis services unaffiliated with BetterHelp:

Is therapy effective, and what research or evidence proves that online counseling works?

Science shows that online therapy works. In fact, several studies have proven it's effectiveness. Here are a few examples of psychotherapy research on the topic:

How do licensed therapists ensure effective wellness consultations through online therapy platforms?

Teletherapy techniques used by licensed therapists, with a focus on being compliant with healthcare standards, have the goal of providing specialized consultations for issues ranging from ADHD to addiction. Whether it is an adult, child or teen getting the personalized care they need… evidence-based practices like EMDR, or cognitive behavioral therapy can help people get the support they need to manage sleep issues, relationship concerns, and other personal challenges in life.

What are benefits and costs of therapy using therapist platforms vs in-person?

Platforms like BetterHelp can provide you with a number of benefits like the flexibility to work with different accredited therapists to find the best therapy for you. Having access in this way via an app like BetterHelp can provide the ongoing support needed for improved mental health care and wellness, progressing at your own pace. Costs and fees are clear and transparent as it relates to any subscription fees that connect you with available and accessible mental health counselors.

How does progress of in-person therapy compare to virtual therapy options?

During in-person therapy sessions, progress can be influenced by things like face-to-face interaction; which in some cases can be beneficial but that is not always the case. Virtual therapy, on the other hand, provides options that offer the flexibility and comfort of engaging from your own preferred environment. Despite these differences, many people have made positive progress with virtual teletherapy.

Are online therapy services convenient and affordable effective mental health care?

One of the things that makes the best online therapy services convenient is that users can access care from anywhere, which is most helpful for people that do not have access to a traditional in-person healthcare center. Additionally, this kind of service has competitive (and in many cases cheaper) fees than tradition therapy solutions.

How do the top providers BetterHelp, Talkspace, and Regain differ?

BetterHelp

Talkspace

Regain

Number of therapists30,000+Not specifiedNot specified
Therapist QualificationsLCSW, LPC, LMFT, PsyDLCSW, LMFT, LPCC, or PhD in Clinical Psychology.LCSW, LPC, MFT, PsyD
Messaging7 days per week5 days per week7 days per week
Live Chat or Text Therapy SessionsYesYes, may be an additional costYes
Phone SessionsYesYes, may be an additional costYes
Live Video SessionsYesYesYes
Live Sessions Length Limit45 minute sessions45 minute sessions45 minute sessions
Sessions Booking

Choose availability based on a calendar, no confirmation needed

Choose availability based on a calendar, therapistconfirmation required

Choose availability based on a calendar, no confirmation needed

Matching To Therapist Options

Matching algorithm or choose your therapist from a list - change at any time

Matched by algorithm

Matching algorithm or choose from a list - change at any time

Digital WorksheetsYesNoYes
JournalYesNoYes
Interactive Group Sessions

Yes, 1 included per week plus more available at extra cost

No

No

Self-Help Content4,000+ articles and mental health resourcesBlog content2,000+ articles on mental health information
Showing "Therapy Timeline"No Track progress in appNo
Psychiatry Option or Medication Management No

Yes

No

App Store Rating4.84.84.7
Google Play Store Rating4.64.4
Payment Commitment

Month-by-month default with option to change to week-by-week or quarter-by-quarter

Month-by-month, quarter-by-quarter, or semi-annuallyMonth-by-month default with option to change to week-by-week or quarter-by-quarter
Monthly Cost

$260 to $360, Depends on location and includes a weekly live therapy session

$396 per month, costs may vary

$260 to $360 per month

Billed Weekly or Monthly

Monthly

Both available

Monthly

Financial Aid Plan OptionsYesNoYes
Payment OptionsCredit card, PayPalCredit cardCredit card, PayPal
Accepts Insurance

Options available

Some FSA/HSA providers, some employers, some EAPs, some universities

Options available

Some insurance plans, FSA/HSA providers, employers, EAPs, universities

Options available

Some employers, some EAPs, some universities

Counseling options available

Individual, Couples therapy, Teen counseling

Individual, Couples therapy, Teen therapy, Psychiatry/Psychiatric care

Individual, Couples therapy

Multiple publications have listed BetterHelp as the #1 best service. For more information about BetterHelp’s services, features, and licensed providers, visit the main FAQs section. If you have specific questions about the therapy experience with BetterHelp, please use the contact page to send the customer success team a message.

Your therapy journey

Online therapy is personal

Free professional & medically reviewed mental health articles
These articles are written by the BetterHelp Editorial Team, which is made up of professional researchers, writers, editors, and licensed clinicians.

Does health insurance cover therapy or do I have to pay? Service costs and options

"Insurance benefits can cover sessions in certain cases. Each health insurance plan may have different mental health coverage options for mental health treatment. Some insurance companies may not cover certain services, price points, or pre-existing conditions. Discussing your mental health benefits with your insurance provider can help you find the best-suited and most affordable solution for your needs. If you have a primary care physician, they may also help refer you to a specialist that takes your insurance plan, as not every therapist accepts insurance..."

Medically reviewed by Dawn Brown, LPC

How much does online counseling cost?

"Paying for an online psychologist, or therapy sessions can present a significant challenge for many individuals. There are numerous routes you can take in finding an effective mental health provider, and it can feel challenging to know which one to choose and how to envision the long-term process when it comes to cost..."

Medically reviewed by Melissa Guarnaccia, LCSW

How to find the best virtual therapist near me?

"Finding the right therapist that matches your needs can be challenging, particularly if you live in a rural area or if you require an in-network service that takes insurance with a copay. The factors you may consider include cost, distance, specialty, and preferences when looking for treatment in your area. Here are the ways you can get started in your search..."

Medically reviewed by Melissa Guarnaccia, LCSW

Online therapy reviews from working with a therapist

"These quotes represent a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for therapists who work with BetterHelp. We don’t pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience with BetterHelp might be different. If you would like to review your therapist, please send your review to contact@betterhelp.com."

You deserve to be happy.
Our counseling platform has helped people work through an array of mental health concerns during their time with BetterHelp.

Get matched with a therapist and start your journey to improved mental wellness with BetterHelp today.