The best online therapy services with licensed therapists
BetterHelp online therapy has helped millions of people take ownership of their mental health. With virtual mental health services, anyone who struggles with life’s challenges can get help from a licensed therapist, anytime and anywhere.
You deserve to be happy.
Join the over 4 million people who got help using the world's largest online therapy provider.
Online therapy platforms have helped millions of clients worldwide. Since 2021, four out of ten Americans have used online counseling services 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—therapy online can allow accessibility that may not be found elsewhere.
Multiple studies have proven online therapy 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 or internet therapy can increase reported quality of life, satisfaction with treatment, and recovery rates. Another study reports that online therapy 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 online therapy provider, 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 counseling.
BetterHelp therapists are licensed to address a range of mental health challenges including depression, anxiety, grief, panic, anger, abuse, parenting challenges, relationship issues, eating disorders, and concerns related to trauma. If you prefer a therapist who has experience with a certain area of concern or who comes from a specific background, BetterHelp can match you with the right mental health professional 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 therapist, but with the ability to communicate when and how you want using our online therapy platform.
Types of therapy at BetterHelp
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
Benefits of online therapy
Effective
Many studies have proven online therapy with a psychotherapist effective, if not more effective than in-person therapy. One study found that cognitive-behavioral therapy 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
Online therapy with 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 therapist 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 mental health care accessible to you.
Comfortable
With online therapy, 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 therapist virtually. Some people have trouble speaking to a new psychologist face to face, and virtual counseling allows those who aren’t comfortable interacting in person to have an alternative form of communication that could help them open up.
Private
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, 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 therapy sessions 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
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 online, 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 therapist.
Professional
BetterHelp’s licensed therapists provide the same level of professionalism in online therapy as you would experience in in-person therapy, 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
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
Live chat is similar to messaging, except you will receive live responses throughout the duration of your online therapy 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.
Video
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 online therapy session is highly recommended as it often provides the most impactful therapeutic alliance and can produce the best results.
Getting started with BetterHelp online therapy: How it works
- 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 our 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 your way
- Once you've been matched with a therapist, you can connect with your therapist online in real time or when it works for both of you, however you feel comfortable. Online psychotherapy clients can communicate with therapists through text messaging, chat, phone, or video.
- Therapy when you need it
- You can message your therapist online 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.
BetterHelp online therapy reviews
These quotes represent a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for the licensed therapists who work with BetterHelp.
BetterHelp in the news
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.”
Therapy Changing As People Seek Mental Health Services
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 and therapy service 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.”
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 therapy cost. Counselors will still be paid, but BetterHelp will subsidize the loss.”
Frequently asked questions
Jump to:
How much does online therapy cost?
The cost varies by platform. BetterHelp’s monthly subscription plans range from $60 to $90 per week (billed every four weeks) for unlimited messaging and a weekly phone, video, 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 therapy session.
Online therapy platforms like BetterHelp may also offer extra features, which may not be offered by in-person therapists, increasing the cost-benefit. These options might include group psychotherapy sessions, journaling prompts, and webinar classes. BetterHelp also offers thousands of articles on mental health topics such as anger management, eating disorders, when to see a family therapist, emotional attachment, substance use disorder, borderline personality disorder, mood swings, psychodynamic therapy, when to seek grief counseling, and more.
How can online therapy services help me?
Anyone can use online counseling. You don’t have to have a mental illness or diagnosis to seek support. A counselor who works with telehealth services is trained to offer guidance in many areas and may specialize in several modalities and symptoms. For example, therapists can support clients with depression, anxiety, chronic stress, relationship conflicts, career challenges, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, traumatic events, and other topics. Although some people may worry about reaching out for help from an online psychologist due to stigma, choosing online therapy can be a great step forward for anyone, regardless of age, gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, or background.
The effectiveness of therapy online has been proven through hundreds of studies and clinical trials. Research shows that online therapy is as effective as in-person psychotherapy when working with a licensed clinical therapist. In addition to effectiveness, online counseling offers the convenience of allowing clients to message their therapist 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, which allows you control over how you receive support.
To understand how other therapy users have felt about a platform like BetterHelp, it may be helpful to look at past online therapy reviews. By looking at the diverse experiences of others, you can see how it might benefit you.
What are some common concerns about online therapy?
It's important to be intentional when choosing online 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, clinical social workers, and professional counselors. Many therapists on the platform have a doctorate, and all psychotherapy providers have thousands of hours of clinical experience and supervision.
When a someone 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 online is as credible as those you may find in person, and the vetting process is already done for you.
Other common concerns about online therapy 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 counselor. Read our statement on privacy policy as well as our Terms and Conditions on our website to learn more.
Does insurance cover online therapy?
Whether or not the online platform you choose accepts insurance may depend on your insurance provider. Private-practice providers may accept insurance if you find a therapist in your network. However, while often a more affordable option, online therapy 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 through an online platform.
The Mental Health Parity Act requires employers and others who provide access to group health plans to offer equal benefits for medical and mental health-related services that accept insurance. This means, some major health insurance providers offer reimbursement for online behavioral health services. You can also use FSA (flexible spending account) or HSA (health savings account) offered through your health provider to save money. 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 online therapist to submit to your insurance company.
Note that reimbursement through your insurance company for services online is not at the discretion of the online 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. 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 online 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 counseling with payment options from $60 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 service, it's important to ask your insurance provider questions like, "Does my insurance cover online therapy sessions?" and "What can I do if the telehealth provider doesn't accept insurance?" Insured members may find the contact information for your insurance counselor on the back of your health insurance card.
Does BetterHelp offer free online therapy?
According to the American Psychological Association, the expensive cost of therapy is often the reason people do not seek support. While BetterHelp does not offer free therapy, it might be the best affordable online therapy option. As the leading global counseling provider, they employ a large, dedicated team of counselors and contract with thousands of licensed therapists and psychologists to provide convenient, accessible, and affordable counseling. Being able to offer affordable online therapy comes at a cost, and therapists make their living through the cost of the weekly subscription. 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 services 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 seeing an online therapist effective or as effective as in-person health care services?
Multiple studies have found that online therapy is as effective as in-person therapy, with some showing that a service like BetterHelp's is more effective. For example, in a study conducted in eClinicalMedicine, researchers examined 17 studies on the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy online in treating depressive disorders. The results demonstrated that online CBT could be more effective than face-to-face CBT in reducing symptom severity and that online CBT 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. One online therapy review found that couples preferred online therapy due to the enhanced connection of virtual marriage counseling and the ease of videoconferencing therapy sessions with their counselor. Couples counseling participants 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.
How are the therapists on the BetterHelp online therapy platform verified?
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 provider we bring to the platform is fully licensed and in good standing, and follows all guidelines. Providers 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 provider 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 as therapists through BetterHelp are accepted to the platform, and once therapists begin working on our platform, they are evaluated often to ensure they are upholding a high standard.
We also show the full licensing information for each provider to make it easier for you to do your own due diligence on your therapist. Keep in mind that while some of our therapists are licensed psychiatrists, we do not offer psychiatry to members on our 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 online therapy sessions?
How often you attend therapy depends on your preferences and mental health goals. Some people prefer seeing a therapist every other week, whereas others require more frequent support and might have check ins with their therapist 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 virtual therapy 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 therapy 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 app or website can notify you how much the extra session may cost and whether it’s available. Some BetterHelp therapy 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 virtual therapy session. You can also pay a fee for more than one group session 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?
BetterHelp therapists do not prescribe medications, or provide psychiatry and medication management services to clients. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), the only mental health professionals who can prescribe medication for 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 BetterHelp online counseling is the best online therapy service?
BetterHelp is an online therapy service that supports clients worldwide with common mental health 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 counseling platform worldwide for the cost and range of services offered, and has been ranked as the best online therapy 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 and your therapist 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 for online counseling, allowing you to be intentional about what outcomes you'd like to see from attending therapy. This also helps your therapist develop an ongoing treatment plan 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 online?
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 with your therapist
- Chatting live with your therapist
- Speaking over the phone with your therapist
- Video conferencing with your therapist
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 Internet-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 the therapist has sent you a message.
You can also have video sessions with your therapist, where you meet each other and talk with each other in a virtual face-to-face setting (similar to Skype). To talk with your therapist via video, you will need to schedule appointments with your therapist 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 with your therapist.
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 the counselor you've been matched with has limited availability on the day you prefer, simply switch counselors at any time by selecting your choice of therapist from the sites list.
How does scheduling appointments online work?
A live session (by either chat, phone, or video) can be scheduled in two ways:
Scheduled by your counselor:
While in a respective client's Sessions Page, they can book a telehealth session in the Schedule section. The counselor 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, our technology allows for the you both to see the times in both time zones.
Scheduled by you:
You can schedule live visits with your counselor 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 counselor’s 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 pretty easy to cancel a session that was scheduled if needed.
In addition, there is a feature under the Help tab called “Video session test.” Try this feature out! It will run a test of your device to make sure it’s ready to go for a live video 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.
What materials are available to prepare me for online therapy services?
It's a good idea to read about what you might expect in therapy before you start with a telemedicine provider. Here are a few articles to get you started:
- Starting Off On The Right Foot: Online Premarital Counseling With A Telehealth Therapist
- Virtual Healing: A Guide To Skype Therapy For Online Counseling
- What's The Point Of Therapy? Understanding The Benefits Of Professional Support From An Online Therapist
- Is Online therapy for me? The Signs You Should See An Online Therapist
- Exploring Expressive Writing: How To Journal For Online Therapy
- A Guide To Online Mental Health Care: How An Online Clinical Therapist Can Help
- Online therapy: How Effective Telehealth Therapy Can Make A Difference
- Exploring Alternative Therapy For Anxiety: A Comprehensive Guide To Relief Options Including Online Therapy
- When You Need Support From A Therapist: The Best Online Therapy For Depression And Anxiety
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy Versus Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Comparison Of Online Therapy Options
- Why It's Okay To Go To Therapy: Taking Care Of Your Mental Health Through Online Therapy
- The Power Of Holistic Therapy For Substance Use Disorder With Licensed Online Therapists
- Online Therapy For Emotional Eating: How Can Emotional Eating Therapists Help Me?
- Healing With Psychology: Why Do People Go To Online Therapy?
- Can I Pay For Telehealth Therapy With Insurance?
- Psychology Vs Psychiatric Care: How The Difference Affects Diagnosis and Psychiatry Treatment
- Psychiatric Assistance Dogs And Mental Health Support
What are the pros and cons of online counseling?
If you haven't used telemedicine before, the idea of receiving virtual mental health care might be daunting. Know that starting therapy, 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 therapy through telehealth platforms. Here are some of the pros and cons to consider:
Pros
- Access therapy from your home, without the added travel to in-person therapy visits
- Attend therapy sessions through message, voice calls, or video calls
- Communicate outside of therapy sessions by messaging your therapist at any time
- Change therapists easily whenever you want
- Find a therapist who has therapy experience in a less common therapeutic modality
- Online therapy is as effective as in person therapy
- Therapy with BetterHelp offers over 30,000 therapists to choose from
- If you're in a rural area, you may get greater access to therapy through online services
Cons
- Insurance providers may not cover therapy through telehealth platforms
- Online therapy may not be a good fit for those in crisis situations; please seek immediate mental health services if you are in crisis
- Online therapy may not be appropriate for serious illnesses
- Does not provide the same in-person interaction that traditional therapy does
Who should not use counseling?
If you are experiencing a crisis or mental health emergency, or any other person may be in severe danger, please do not use this site. Reach out to one of the following crisis services unaffiliated with BetterHelp:
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
- 988 Suicide Lifeline: Call or text 988 for mental health support
- Veterans Crisis Line: Call 1-800-273-8255 (and press 1) or text 838255. For support for the deaf and hard of hearing community, please use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 1-800-273-8255
- Trevor Lifeline (LGBTQIA+ Community Lifeline): (866) 488-7386
- SAMHSA National Helpline (Substance Use): (800) 662-4357
- National Eating Disorder Association Helpline: 1-800-931-2237 (M-Th: 9 AM to 9 PM EST, Fri 9 AM to 5 PM EST)
- Child Help Hotline: Call 1-800-422-4453 or use the online chat feature
- National Anti-Hazing Hotline: 1-888-NOT-HAZE (1-888-668-4293)
- Physician Crisis Support Line: Call 1-888-409-0141 if you are a first responder or medical provider experiencing crises related to COVID-19
- Sexual Assault Hotline: Call RAINN at 1-800-656-4673
- BlackLine: Call 1-800-604-584 for peer support if you are a Black American experiencing a mental health crisis
Is therapy effective, and what research or evidence proves that online mental health counseling works?
Science shows that online therapy works. In fact, several studies have proven the effectiveness of online counseling apps and online therapy. Here are a few examples:
- Internet-based and other computerized psychological treatments for adult depression: A meta-analysis.
- Andersson, G., & Cuijpers, P. (2009).Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 38(3): 196–205.
- Is guided self-help as effective as face-to-face psychotherapy counseling for depression and anxiety psychological disorders? A systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative outcome studies.
- Cuijpers, P., Donker, T., van Straten, A., Li, J. and Andersson, G. (2010). Psychological Medicine, 40(11): 1943–1957.
- Computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (online therapy) for depression and anxiety update: a systematic review and economic evaluation.
- E Kaltenthaler 1, J Brazier, E De Nigris, I Tumur, M Ferriter, C Beverley, G Parry, G Rooney, P Sutcliffe (2006). Health Technol Assess. 2006 Sep;10(33):iii, xi-xiv, 1-168. doi: 10.3310/hta10330.
- Internet-based online therapy treatment for PTSD: A randomized controlled trial comparing clinician-assisted to self-administered PTSD treatment.
- Knaevelsrud, C. and Maercker, A. (2007). The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 68(11): 1675–1683.
- The effect of mindfulness-based therapy on symptoms of anxiety and depression in adult patients: A meta-analysis.
- Piet, J. and Hougaard, E. (2011). Clinical Psychology Review, 31(6): 1032-1040.
- Internet-based cognitive behaviour therapy (online therapy) for symptoms of depression and anxiety: A meta-analysis.
- Spek, V., Nyklí?ek, I., Smit, F. and Cuijpers, P. (2007). Psychological Medicine, 37(3): 319–328.
- Virtually-Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to Treat Insomnia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
- Michael Seyffert 1 2 3, Pooja Lagisetty 2 3, Jessica Landgraf 3, Vineet Chopra 2 4, Paul N Pfeiffer 1 4, Marisa L Conte 5, Mary A M Rogers 2 (2016). PLoS One. 2016 Feb 11;11(2):e0149139. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0149139. eCollection 2016.
- Internet-based and other computerized psychological treatments for adult depression: A meta-analysis.
How do the top online therapy providers BetterHelp, Talkspace, and Regain differ?
BetterHelp | Talkspace | Regain | |
| Number of therapists | 30,000+ | Not specified | Not specified |
| Therapist Qualifications | LCSW, LPC, LMFT, PsyD | LCSW, LMFT, LPCC, or PhD in Clinical Psychology. | LCSW, LPC, MFT, PsyD |
| Messaging | 7 days per week | 5 days per week | 7 days per week |
| Live Chat or Text Therapy Sessions | Yes | Yes, may be an additional cost | Yes |
| Phone Sessions | Yes | Yes, may be an additional cost | Yes |
| Live Video Sessions | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Live Sessions Length Limit | 45 minute sessions | 45 minute sessions | 45 minute sessions |
| Sessions Booking | Choose availability based on therapist's calendar, no confirmation needed | Choose availability based on therapist's calendar, therapistconfirmation required | Choose availability based on therapist's calendar, no confirmation needed |
| Matching To Therapist Options | Matching algorithm or choose your therapist from a list - change therapists at any time | Matched by algorithm | Matching algorithm or choose from a list - change therapists at any time |
| Digital Worksheets | Yes | No | Yes |
| Journal | Yes | No | Yes |
| Interactive Group Sessions | Yes, 1 included per week plus more available at extra cost | No | No |
| Self-Help Content | 4,000+ articles and mental health resources | Blog content | 2,000+ articles on mental health information |
| Showing "Therapy Timeline" | No | Track progress in app | No |
| Psychiatry Option | No | Yes | No |
| App Store Rating | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.7 |
| Google Play Store Rating | 4.6 | 4.4 | |
| 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-annually | Month-by-month default with option to change to week-by-week or quarter-by-quarter |
| Monthly Cost | $240 to $360, Depends on location and includes a weekly live virtual therapy session | $396 per month, costs may vary | $240 to $360 per month |
| Financial Aid Plan Options | Yes | No | Yes |
| Payment Options | Credit card, PayPal | Credit card | Credit 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 therapy | Individual, Couples therapy, Teen therapy, Psychiatric care | Individual, Couples therapy |
When compared against the best online therapy platforms, multiple publications have listed BetterHelp as the #1 best online therapy service. For more information about BetterHelp’s online therapy services, features, and licensed providers, visit our main FAQs section. If you have specific questions about the counseling experience with BetterHelp, please use the contact page to send the customer success team a message.
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 therapists.
Does health insurance cover therapy or do I have to pay? Costs and options
"Insurance benefits can cover therapy 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 behavioral health 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 therapist for your needs. If you have a primary care physician, they may also help refer you to a therapist or 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, therapy sessions, or mental health services can present a significant challenge for many individuals. There are numerous routes you can take in finding effective mental health services, 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 a 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 receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different. If you would like to review yourtherapist, please send your review to contact@betterhelp.com."