Best Online Therapy Services
& Therapists

A licensed BetterHelp therapist can address anything from depression, anxiety, and anger to parenting challenges, relationship issues, and concerns related to trauma. Online therapy is designed to make it as easy as possible to get the help and support you need without ever leaving the house.

The 25,000+ licensed mental health professionals currently available for online appointments on the BetterHelp platform are experienced practitioners with varying areas of expertise. Our online therapists come from a wide array of backgrounds, practices, beliefs, and cultures. Some providers can help with very specific and/or difficult challenges. If you prefer a therapist who has experience with a certain area of concern, BetterHelp can match you with the right mental health professional.

Some mental health care approaches and specialties that our therapists focus on include marriage and family therapy, couples counseling, addiction counseling, career counseling, gender-affirming therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and existential therapy.

BetterHelp counseling is considered one of the best online therapy sites, partly because it offers affordable therapy as an alternative to in-office therapy. In-person therapy often costs $75 to $200 per session, compared to $60 to $90 per week—charged every four weeks—which is what BetterHelp memberships cost. BetterHelp allows therapists to communicate with their patients remotely, through messaging, phone calls, video calls, or live chat; all of which can be easily done on a variety of devices. By choosing what method works best for you, you can get the help you need, when and how you need it.

One of the biggest differences between online therapy and traditional in-person therapy is that you can communicate with your therapist almost anytime, from anywhere that has a stable internet connection. You’ll have weekly, biweekly, or monthly sessions (whichever works best for you). In addition, you can message your therapist anytime through the secure, encrypted mobile app. You’ll receive a notification once they have responded.

Online therapy costs less ($60 to $90 per week) because therapists are able to work remotely and thus don't have certain expenses, such as rent for an in-person office space. Often, high overhead is why in-person therapy ranges from $75 to $200 per session, which can be too expensive for many people.

Working through an online platform can help keep therapists’ costs lower and allow them to reach a more diverse audience in an effective manner.

As mentioned above, the cost of counseling on BetterHelp ranges from $60 to $90 per week, billed every 4 weeks, which can be less expensive than in-person services. Plus, unlike many other areas of healthcare, you can cancel your membership at any time, for any reason. Additionally, financial aid is offered to those who qualify.

While many cities and big metropolitan areas (Los Angeles, New York, Houston, etc.) generally have a large number of therapists available, these locations only make up a portion of the country. Rural and suburban areas generally have fewer therapists, meaning appointments can fill up quickly and there might not be many therapists to choose from. BetterHelp seeks to fill that gap by offering therapy anywhere there is an internet connection.

Online therapy sessions are convenient for people who are not in a geographical location with easy access to a therapist. It is also an effective solution for people who don't have the reliable transportation often needed for in-person therapy appointments.

With BetterHelp, you can schedule a therapy appointment simply by logging onto your phone, tablet, or computer, without paying the often-excessive fees often associated with this kind of support or utilizing health insurance.

Some people have trouble speaking to a new therapist face to face in a private office or practice. Online therapy allows those who aren’t comfortable interacting with a therapist in person to have an alternative form of communication that could help them open up.

Whether through messaging, live chat sessions, video calls, or other forms of communication, building a relationship with your therapist remotely can be effective and comfortable. In fact, many people prefer a therapist who works with them via an online platform like BetterHelp.

Privacy is an important concern for many when it comes to mental health care. With online therapy, there is no risk of bumping into someone you know, having someone see you pull up to the therapist's office, or discussing your treatment with anyone but your therapist. This is another benefit of not having to leave the house for psychotherapy sessions.

Additionally, your BetterHelp therapy room and private information you share with your therapist is encrypted with bank-level encryption. 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. If you'd like to learn more about BetterHelp's privacy policy, you can read our entire disclosure here.

People with disabilities or transportation concerns may find the traveling required to visit a therapist's office every week to be a barrier to treatment. Working with a therapist online completely removes the need for typical in-office therapy sessions. An increasing number of people appreciate the features often associated with technology-based therapy, such as messaging, live chat, phone calls, and videoconferencing.

These modalities allow everyone to find available therapists to work with through their preferred communication method, all without any need to leave the home. BetterHelp’s online therapy platform has helped more than 3 million people around the world address their mental health concerns.

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. Working with a therapist online means you can message them any time you need, and they will respond as soon as they’re able (usually within 24 hours), offering you counseling and support outside of sessions. You’ll receive a notification when your therapist responds, and you can also see their session availability on a calendar in advance.

If your matched therapist doesn't feel like a perfect fit for some reason, keep in mind that it is easy to switch therapists. All of this contributes to you being able to build a useful and healthy relationship with your therapist. Start building that therapeutic relationship today by choosing online therapy to help you improve your mental health and make positive changes in your life!

Messaging Therapy

Sending a message to your therapist allows you to take your time and write more, which in turn allows the therapist to formulate a more detailed response. It’s also helpful if you want to note something you’d like to discuss in your next live session.

Sessions

There are a variety of ways internet-based therapy can work, including unlimited messaging, phone calls, live chat, or videoconferencing. This means visiting a therapist's office in person isn't required for BetterHelp sessions; it’s easy to start using the platform, which is why many people have utilized online therapy to positively change their circumstances. Sessions are personalized to you based on the areas of concern you’d like to address, such as anxiety, depression, anger, eating disorders, panic disorder, parenting, career goals, bad habits, substance use, social issues, grief, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other life challenges.

Relationship, Family, And Child Care

If you're looking to receive long-term mental health support for your child/teenager, need a family are seeking relationship therapy, or want to recommend any of these options to a friend, we can help. On our ReGain.us website, therapy is provided by thousands of marriage and relationship therapists. We also have a platform just for parents and teens between the ages of 13-19 years old: TeenCounseling. These are both sister sites of BetterHelp, functioning in much the same way and offering the same technology and benefits.

Virtual Video Chat, Phone & Talk Therapy Sessions For Your Comfort

People express their emotions in different ways. It's not always easy being open and honest about your feelings while sitting in a therapist’s office. It could exacerbate anxious feelings for people with social anxiety and can make them feel like shutting down. If you live with social anxiety, or a similar condition that might make it difficult to share your feelings in person, you can take extra time on BetterHelp to get comfortable with your therapist. You can start with messaging and build up to sessions that are via videoconference, live chat, or phone call—whatever you are most comfortable with. Keep in mind that you can change your communication method at any time.

There's something special about communicating with a therapist in the privacy of your own home or a comfortable space that you've chosen for your online sessions. With a traditional therapist, you're in a new environment during a session. The therapist typically chooses the location of treatment, and you may feel like a visitor in their space, which can be challenging for long-term therapeutic solutions. All of this can potentially get in the way of feeling comfortable enough to properly open up.

With online counseling, you're in control of where you receive care for your concerns. If you're experiencing anxiety, sometimes being in familiar surroundings helps, rather than having to be in an environment you're unfamiliar with. With BetterHelp, you choose the surroundings, and you control when and how you get the help you need.

Help With Depression, Anxiety & Mental Health Support Via Therapist Diversity

After you sign up with BetterHelp, you will be matched with a licensed therapist from our network of over 20,000 professionals. When you're looking through your health insurance company's list of providers, you may not see a therapist who treats your issues or one who is best suited for you. With BetterHelp, you can change your therapist with a simple click of a button until you find one who is a good match, all while getting care that is overall more affordable than in-person therapy (which is generally $75, $80, or $200 per session, compared to $60 or $65 to $90 using our service), whether you have insurance or not.

We strongly believe our clients should have the choice to be matched with someone who is a good fit for them, so feel free to change providers to ensure you’re matched with a therapist who works for you. There is no hassle or frustration when making a change in provider.

Best Source Of Professional Licensed Virtual Therapists With Credentials

All therapists at BetterHelp are licensed, trained, and accredited psychologists (PhD / PsyD), marriage and family therapists (LMFT), clinical social workers (LCSW / LMSW), or professional counselors (LPC). Many therapists on our platform are doctors of psychology. Every psychotherapist on our platform must pass through multiple rounds of assessments and interviews, including a rigorous background check to verify their credentials through their state’s licensing board. All of our therapists have at least a master’s degree, along with 1,000 clinical hours and three years' worth of experience. We want our users to benefit from evidenced based psychotherapies and we want to ensure that the advice and support they receive on our platform comes from someone who is licensed and qualified to help them.

This allows our experts to help with anxiety, stress, grief, depression, relationship issues, communication problems, phobias, and other mental health concerns through therapy modalities like cognitive behavioral therapy, couples therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy. Through therapy, you can receive techniques and solutions to cope with the challenges of everyday life.

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, call the 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, which can provide you with immediate help.

All-You-Can-Text Therapy Services

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 mechanisms much faster than it would have taken had we met only 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.”

“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 therapist and clinical support lead at BetterHelp, an online counseling and therapy service that provides web-based, phone, and text 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.”

Therapy Changing As People Seek Mental Health Services

By Jennifer Nelson

Online Mental Health Services Spike Up During Pandemic

By Bambi Francisco Roizen

“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 counseling cost. Counselors will still be paid, but BetterHelp will subsidize the loss.”

How much is online therapy?

 

The cost of online therapy varies by platform. BetterHelp ranges from $60 to $90 per week (billed every four weeks) for unlimited messaging and a weekly video, phone, or live chat session with a licensed mental health professional. This is much less than the national US market average ($125-$199) for therapy appointments, while offering even more ways to communicate with your therapist. BetterHelp also offers a financial aid discount to those who qualify. Reach out to us at contact@betterhelp.com if you have any questions about the cost of using BetterHelp, the online therapy service global leader.

How can online therapy help me?

 

Therapy has changed countless lives for the better. Research shows that online therapy is as effective as in-person therapy. Online therapy, however, has the added convenience of allowing you to message your therapist anytime, anywhere. With options for text messaging, live chat, telephone calls, and video calls, you can choose a method of communication that is most comfortable for you, all with a licensed therapist who is just as qualified as one you would see in an office. After filling out a questionnaire and being matched with a therapist who fits your needs, you can meet with your therapist for an initial consultation and take a big step on the path to improved mental health.

If the mental health professional you are initially matched with isn’t a good fit, you can change therapists easily, no questions asked. This allows you more time to focus on treatment rather than having to go through your insurance or call local providers. Be sure to check out therapy reviews from users who have used our platform to address a variety of concerns. This will help you know that to expect when trying this service.

Where can I learn more about BetterHelp?

 

Interested in learning more about why BetterHelp is the online therapy leader? Find out more using the below links:

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About Our Company - Learn more about us and our mission to provide valuable, affordable mental health care. Discover how easy and accessible video call, text messaging, phone call, or live chat sessions can be.

The types of therapy we offer are useful for concerns like anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health symptoms or concerns.

Online Therapy Reviews - Real experiences and in-depth online therapy reviews that our users have shared. You can find a therapist who has been highly rated here today and get an idea of the type of service you can expect when you sign up.

Press Room - News coverage about BetterHelp (part of Teladoc Health) as the global telehealth leader.

Advice Content - The thousands of free well-researched and medically reviewed articles on our blog are designed to help our readers understand mental health topics like psychology, bipolar disorder, relationship issues, stress management, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, types of therapy, and more.

If you're looking for a topic we haven't covered, reach out to our team (a growing editorial staff with bios included) to see how we can produce the best content to address that subject. Let the global leader in online therapy services help you. It could be one of the best decisions of your life. To better understand mental health and therapy, read some of the free articles found in our advice section.

FaithfulCounseling.com - Professional online therapy from a biblical perspective. Visit the website to see if this religion and faith-based service is the type of counseling you're looking for.

TeenCounseling.com - Our teen counseling platform allows parents and teens to set up an online account to access teen therapy, helpful recommendations, and assistance. Learn how this form of family counseling can help your teen.

ReGain.us - Couples and families on this platform have experienced how teletherapy with a marriage and family therapist can help better understand and work through relationships challenges. Learn how we can help your relationship by connecting you with a licensed couples therapist.

PrideCounseling.com - Pride Counseling offers online therapy for adults in the LGBTQIA+ community. Learn how Pride Counseling can help you by matching you with a licensed therapist on our secure platform.

Does insurance cover online therapy?

 

This depends on a few factors and varies among insurance plans. BetterHelp does not officially accept insurance or partner with any insurance providers and partners. However, the Mental Health Parity Act currently requires that employers and others who provide access to group health plans must offer equal benefits for medical and mental health-related services.

As a result, some major health insurance providers now cover or offer reimbursement for online behavioral and mental health services. The best way to find out if you can have online counseling covered by your health insurance is to ask your provider or review your coverage plan online.

Does Medicare or Medicaid insurance cover online therapy through BetterHelp?

 

BetterHelp offers affordable online therapy (typically $60 to $90 per week, billed monthly) with experienced and licensed therapists who can provide the support and therapeutic treatment you need. In some cases, out-of-pocket costs for therapy can be reimbursed by your health insurance provider.

If you aren’t sure whether your health plan provides insurance coverage for therapy costs, reach out to your Medicare or Medicaid insurance provider before your first appointment. You can find the contact information for your Medicare or Medicaid provider on the back of your health insurance card. Much of the same can be said about using FSA or HSA cards on our platform.

Does BetterHelp offer free online therapy?

 

The therapy services offered at BetterHelp are not free or on a trial basis. As the leading global provider of all online therapy platforms, we employ a large, dedicated team and contract with thousands of licensed therapists and psychologists to provide convenient, accessible, and affordable online therapy. Making this happen comes at a cost, which is why we can’t provide the service for free. That being said, we offer financial aid to those who qualify, making therapy even more accessible and affordable for those who need the extra help. Simply reach out to contact@betterhelp.com to find out how to apply.

Is online therapy as effective as in-person?

 

Many studies have confirmed the effectiveness of online therapy for making positive life changes. For example, research published by JMIR Publications and the Berkeley Well-Being Institute found that online counseling is just as effective as in-person therapy. Whether you decide to seek therapy in person or online, working with an experienced and licensed therapist can help you address various mental health and life challenges. You can read the full study and survey here. In the future, we'll share more details about the science behind various forms of online therapy and their efficacy.

Andersson, G., & Cuijpers, P. (2009). Internet-based and other computerized psychological treatments for adult depression: A meta-analysis. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), 38(4), 196-205. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20183695

     Is online therapy cheaper than in-person therapy?

Generally speaking, yes! While we cannot guarantee that online therapy pricing is the cheaper option 100% of the time—as in-person session prices will vary by therapist, location, commission, and insurance plans—we can confidently say that BetterHelp is more affordable than most other options (given typical in-person costs of $99 to $200). Online therapy also helps you save money that you may otherwise spend to see a therapist via traditional in-person therapy sessions, such as gas, bus fares, or parking fees.

    How much is an online therapy session?

The cost of therapy through BetterHelp subscription options ranges from $60 to $90 per week (billed every 4 weeks as a subscription plan), based on your location, preferences, budget, and therapist availability. Customers can cancel membership at any time, for any reason. Your membership payments will be charged to a credit card or PayPal account on a recurring basis. If you accomplish your goals or no longer need BetterHelp’s services for any other reason, you can simply cancel your subscription.

What are the disadvantages of the best online therapy counseling services with a therapist?

 

Online therapy has been found to be just as effective, and sometimes more effective, than in-person therapy when it comes to treating common mental health concerns such as depression and anxiety. Unfortunately, online counseling is not recommended for those struggling with more serious mental health concerns such as psychosis or suicidal thoughts. If BetterHelp is not the best fit for you, our member advocate team can refer you to a local in-person psychologist who can help you follow a therapy process that is more suitable for you.

Can counseling help with depression?

 

Counseling can help with symptoms of depression. Review this comparison between online therapy and face-to-face therapy for depression (a common mental illness).
Internet-based versus face-to-face cognitive behavioral therapy intervention for depression: A randomized controlled non-inferiority trial.

How often should you go to therapy?

 

Most people who see a therapist, whether in person or online, have a session once a week. This allows a steady pace of communication, with healthy reflection between sessions, which is why we encourage you to chat with your therapist. BetterHelp subscription plans include one live session per week along with unlimited messaging with your therapist. If you would like more than one session a week, you can let your therapist know and reach out to the member advocate team to make an adjustment to your subscription plan. Ultimately, it's up to you how much you want to use the service. The best way to make use of a BetterHelp subscription is to have weekly live sessions with messages, journal writing, assigned worksheets, and group sessions with our communities in between.

Is BetterHelp actually good?

 

BetterHelp is the leading online counseling platform in the industry for a reason. It has the largest selection of therapists and psychologists. With over two million sessions completed and thousands of positive reviews (generally 4-5 stars) reported by actual users, it's clear that BetterHelp is a great option for improving mental health and addressing everyday life challenges. Of course, psychotherapy is what you make of it and depends on how willing you are to work on yourself. If you put in the effort with a therapist who is a good fit for you, we're confident that you'll join the thousands of others who have left positive reviews.

Is therapy over the phone effective?

 

Therapy in any form can be effective, with phone sessions being an excellent option for those who struggle communicating in other formats. On the phone, you have freedom of movement, which helps many organize their thoughts. Although your therapist won't be able to read your body language or see your facial expressions, they can still hear your tone of voice, which can help them add a layer of insight to the words you say. BetterHelp gives you multiple options for communicating with your therapist, so we encourage you to use the methods that work best for you.

Do therapists prescribe medication?

 

Therapists typically do not prescribe medication, and BetterHelp does not offer prescriptions or medication management services at this time. For mental health medication, please reach out to medical professionals such as a doctor or psychiatrist.

Are BetterHelp therapists licensed?

 

All therapists at BetterHelp are licensed, trained, and accredited psychologists (PhD / PsyD), marriage and family therapists (LMFT), clinical social workers (LCSW / LMSW), or professional counselors (LPC). Our team ensures that every provider we bring to the platform is fully licensed and in good standing. Providers who apply are required to provide proper documentation of licensure and proof of identity, which are cross-checked with their respective state licensing board.

Additionally, each potential provider needs to complete a case study exam, which is graded by a licensed clinician, and must be evaluated in a video interview. The result of this rigorous process is that only about 20% of the therapists who apply are accepted to the platform. We show the full licensing information for each provider in their profile to make it easy for you to do your own due diligence on your therapist.

How long do the best online therapy sessions last?

 

The length of a BetterHelp online therapy session depends on the therapist you're matched with and the program they put in place for your benefit. Most therapists on our platform offer one 30-45 minute live therapy session per week.

If you would like longer or more frequent appointments with your online counselor, please reach out to the member advocate team to see if this is something we can accommodate with your subscription. Outside of your weekly live session, you can message your therapist at any time, and they will respond when they are able.

How much does it cost to talk to a virtual therapist?

 

The cost of virtual therapy at BetterHelp ranges from $60 to $90, billed every four weeks. When compared to most face-to-face therapy appointments, the cost of online counseling via BetterHelp is typically lower.

These are some of the reasons why people use the BetterHelp platform. It has never been easier to search for a counselor who focuses on helping their client make progress with common mental health concerns like severe depression or anxiety. Getting started with a therapy that specializes in matters that you're focused on improving doesn't have to be a challenge; it only takes a few minutes.