What are the Best Online Therapy Sites?
Online therapy is not a new concept, but it has become widely popular and available these days due to Covid-19 and the need to social distance. Often used by military members, it’s been around for over 20 years and used to be referred to as telepsychology. Most, if not all, therapists are offering online therapy services, but some may only be providing this service temporarily. Nevertheless, all online therapy sites provide a convenient option for those with busy schedules or for those who would prefer to talk to a therapist online in the comfort of their own home.
If you prefer this mode of therapy, then you should look for a provider who is committed to offering this service indefinitely. You can do this by finding therapy groups that focus on online therapy services. Many of the best online therapy sites also have a list of local therapists who offer their services in person. This will come in handy should you choose to switch to in-person therapy or opt for a hybrid therapy model. Online therapy is safe, convenient and confidential.
Searching for the Right Therapist
You can search for a therapist through your insurance provider or through a Google or Bing search. If you’ve previously searched for counseling services or visited a counseling website, you may see an ad on a social media site. Finding the right therapist who you can connect with will be important for your overall experience. We put together a list of the best online therapy sites that have gained popularity. Our list includes the following online counseling services:
- Talkspace
- Sesamecare
- ThriveWorks
- Pride Counseling
- BCS Group
- Naya Clinics
- Genesis Counseling Center
- Bridge to Balance
- Lavender
- eLuma Therapy
1. Talkspace – Best Online Therapy Sites for Subscription-Based Services
Talkspace is a subscription-based service for therapy. You can choose from 3 levels of unlimited therapy – all levels include unlimited messaging service (text, audio and video messaging 5 days a week with the therapist responding daily):
- Ultimate: 4 live sessions per month at 30 minutes/session;
- Premium: 1 live session per month at 30 minutes/session;
- Plus: No live sessions.
Additionally, Talkspace now offers monthly packages for couples and for teens. Talkspace for Couples includes unlimited messaging therapy as well as 4 live sessions at 30 minutes/session. While Talkspace for Teens includes unlimited messaging therapy with no live sessions including in their flat rate. You can also purchase an ala carte 30-minute live video therapy session at any time ($65 per 30 minute session).
Specialties: Anxiety, Depression, Stress, Couples Therapy, Family Counseling, Grief Management, Trauma, Life Coaching, Anger Management, Domestic Violence, Addiction and Substance Abuse, Teen Counseling
Initial Consultation Fee: There is no initial consultation fee
Talkspace Cost of Services: $65 per 30-minute live video session. If you sign up for a monthly subscription, it will cost between $260-$396/month.
Do Talkspace providers accept insurance? Varies by therapist
RX Available: Yes
# of Therapists: Unknown
Website: https://www.talkspace.com/
2. Sesamecare – Best Online Therapy Site for Low-Cost Services
Sesamecare.com is an online service connecting patient directly to the doctor or licensed healthcare professional. Their online service allows consumers to pay lower health care costs for health services.
How it Works:
Payment is required upfront. No hidden fees or copays. Pay one fee per service. Full refunds offered if you cancel your appointment 24 hours prior to scheduled counseling session. Once you choose a healthcare professional, you can book your appointment directly on the website based on availability. Other online services include prescription refills if needed.
Specialties: Counseling & Therapy
Initial Consultation Fee: No
Cost of Services: Varies. As low as $49 per 30-minute live video session.
Do providers accept insurance? No
RX Available: Yes
# of Therapists: Unknown
Website: https://sesamecare.com/category/mental-health
3. Thriveworks – Best for Enrollment-Based Therapy Services
Thriveworks is an enrollment-based online therapy service that was created with the modern individual in mind. They pride themselves on exceptional customer service and offer expert-level providers in their network. Enrollment benefits include, but is not limited to, quick email advice services, community discussions, access to their therapy buddy app and 24-hour Q&A.
How it Works:
Thriveworks offers video and phone counseling. To schedule an appointment, you can either call the number listed on their website or select the state you live in and then choose if you want to have an in-person visit (based on location) or you can choose the online therapy appointment if that’s an option. You will then be able to look through each therapist’s profile which includes areas of specialty, price, and insurance accepted. Once you select the therapist you would like to speak with, you can then book your appointment by date and time. Same or next day appointments are available.
Specialties: Anxiety, Depression, Stress, Couples and Family Counseling, Grief Counseling & Management, Trauma, Life Coaching, Anger Management, Domestic Violence, Addiction and Substance Abuse
Initial Consultation Fee: No
Cost of Services: $60-$140/session
Do providers accept insurance? Yes
RX Available: No
# of Therapists: 100+ therapists and counselors are in the Thriveworks network
Website: https://thriveworks.com/
4. Pride Counseling – Best Online Counseling for LGBTQ
Pride Counseling is an online counseling service that focuses solely on the mental health of the LGBTQ community. It offers a safe place for this community.
How it Works:
To schedule an appointment and get matched to a counselor online, you will need to go through and answer a list of questions. Once you complete the assessment, you will be matched to a therapist that’s a good fit for you based on your results. Once completed, you can then begin scheduling appointments. This group offers a subscription-based therapy model. You pay on a monthly basis and can schedule as many appointments or chat with your therapist as often as daily (permitted their own professional schedule). Pride Counseling offers easy communication between you and your therapist by offering live video, live phone, live chat and even messaging services.
Specialties: LGBTQ, Depression, Suicide, Family Issues, Coming Out, Transitioning
Initial Consultation Fee: No
Cost of Services: $80-$100/week (billed monthly)
Do providers accept insurance? No
RX Available: No
# of Therapists: Unknown
Website: https://www.pridecounseling.com/
5. BCS Group – Best Online Therapy Sites for New York State Residents
Formerly known as Brooklyn Counseling Services, BCS Group is a mental health counseling provider dedicated to providing quality mental health care to its New York State community.
How it Works:
To schedule an appointment, you will need to fill out and submit an online questionnaire that includes your background, your current mental state, insurance information, and the reason you are requesting an appointment. After you fill out the form, someone from their office will get back to you. You can also contact them directly by calling the number on their website. They have locations in each of the NYC Boroughs.
Specialties: Anxiety, Depression, Stress, Panic Attacks, Eating Disorders, Relationship Issues, Grief Counseling, Post-Partum Depression, Midlife Crisis, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Seniors and issues relating to aging
Initial Consultation Fee: Unknown
Cost of Services: Unknown
Do providers accept insurance? Accepts Most Insurance Plans, including Medicare
RX Available: Unknown
# of Therapists: 20
Website: http://bcsnygroup.com/
6. Naya Clinics – Best Online Therapy Site for Positive Existential Therapy
Naya Clinics was founded to provide a modern approach to therapy. They use innovative and effective counseling techniques which is tailored to each individual who seeks out their services. Most notably, Naya Clinics employs a counseling technique called Positive Existential Therapy (PET).
How it Works:
For your initial appointment, you can request an appointment online by navigating to their online calendar by service by choosing their “book online” option. Once you’re an existing client, you will need to log in to choose the service you need and to schedule an appointment online. Each session is 50 minutes. Their counselors have a profile that includes their specialty, therapy style, modality and weekly availability. There are also counselor interns that offer cheaper rates ($70/individual and $90/couple). As for the cost, they also note that their fees are based on a sliding scale depending on your income. If you’re unable to afford their current fees on a continuous basis, you may be able to negotiate a lower fee per session.
Specialties: Anxiety, Covid-19 Anxiety, Depression, Divorce, Grief Counseling, Life Coaching, Loneliness, Marriage Counseling, Personal Growth, Self-Esteem, Stress, Trauma
Initial Consultation Fee: Unknown
Cost of Services: $120/individual; $140/couple per session.
Do providers accept insurance? No*
RX Available: No
# of Therapists: 5+
*Naya Clinics is listed as an out-of-network group. They do, however, provide their clients with a paid receipt and/or bill to give to their insurance company for reimbursement.
Website: https://www.nayaclinics.com/
7. Genesis Counseling Center – Best Online Therapy for Christian Counseling
Genesis Counseling is a christian counseling center offering counseling services to individuals, churches and the community. The offer online therapy, in-person counseling, testing & assessment, as well as consultation and coaching. Our christian counseling career guide will tell you everything you need to know about this specialized area.
How it Works:
You can start an online chat, call them directly or submit an online request form to get the process started. Appointment setting is not clear but you are able to view confirmed appointments online via their patient portal. You can also conveniently sign onto your scheduled appointment through their site and by clicking on your therapist’s name. They also upload assessments from your counseling session for you to review and keep for your records. Each therapist has their own profile which includes their professional credentials, education background, specialties and experience
Specialties: Addiction and Substance Abuse, Christian Counseling, Anxiety, Anger, Adoption, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, Behavioral Issues, Financial Coaching, Grief Counseling, Life Coaching, Marriage Counseling, Divorce Counseling, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Military Issues, Pre-Marital Counseling, Post-Traumatic Stress, Sexual Abuse, Suicide, Trauma
Initial Consultation Fee: $105
Cost of Services: $95/session; also offers a monthly package of 4 sessions for $340.
Do providers accept insurance? Accepts Most Insurance Plans
RX Available: Unknown
# of Therapists: 45+
Website: http://genesiscounselingcenter.com/
8. Bridge to Balance – Best Online Therapy for New Jersey Residents
Located in New Jersey, Bridge to Balance offers in-person counseling and telemental health counseling to individuals, families and groups.
How it Works:
Request an appointment using their online contact form and someone from their office will get back to you. Each counseling session is 50 minutes, which includes the initial consultation. Counseling practice has two office location in central and southern New Jersey. Each therapist’s profile is listed by their office location. Their profile lists their specialty, their treatment approaches, years of experience, age groups they focus on, and their professional credentials.
Specialties: Adoption, Anxiety, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, Autism, Depression, Divorce Counseling, Grief Counseling, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Parenting, Social Issues, Stress, Self-Esteem, Sexual Orientation
Initial Consultation Fee: No
Cost of Services: $130-$175/session
Do providers accept insurance? Yes
RX Available: Unknown
# of Therapists: 10+
Website: https://bridge2balance.com/
9. Lavender – Best Online Services for Psychiatric Treatments
Lavender offers online counseling and psychiatric treatment, along with business and executive coaching.
How it Works:
Easy online booking system. Choose between Adult or Senior Counseling and whether your session will be an initial consultation or a regular session and how long you would like your appointment to be. Please note that the initial consultation is 60 minutes. You may then choose your appointment time and date by accessing Lavender’s online calendar. You can also choose the therapist you wish to talk with. Each therapist has their own profile that includes their educational background, professional certification and/or licensure, and the counseling areas they specialize in. Be sure to review each to make sure your therapy goals (i.e., what you’re expecting to get out of therapy) align with their background.
Specialties: Anxiety, Attention Deficit Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, Depression, LGBTQ, Eating Disorders, Post-Partum Stress, Post-Partum Depression, Insomnia
Initial Consultation Fee: $200/hour
Cost of Services: $175 – 1 Hour; $120 – 40 minutes; $85 – 20 minutes
Do providers accept insurance? Yes, Cigna, Oxford, Oscar, Medicare and United
RX Available: Yes
# of Therapists: 5+
Website: https://www.joinlavender.com/
10. eLuma Therapy – Best Online Therapy Site for K-12 Schools
eLuma Therapy is a unique online therapy service as it provides therapy services beyond the typical mental health services. In addition to offering online mental health therapy, eLuma also provides online speech therapy, online occupational therapy, online school psychology services and online physical therapy. The clients they serve are K-12 schools and their students. eLuma partners with school districts to provide counseling services. This isn’t a therapy service for any individual. However, if you are a student, teacher or parent, and you feel your school or district would benefit from these services, you should have discussion with the school administration to see if offering this service to the K-12 community would be beneficial.
The mental and physical health needs of the K-12 community are important. It might be costly and difficult for a school or school district to find and employ multiple full-time therapists in-house. However, the mental health and physical health needs of students are important and don’t always overlap with a therapist’s schedule or there may not be enough therapists on hand to meet the needs of growing school communities. The eLuma Platform allows for easy scheduling, easy to monitor a student’s progress and real-time student data tracking which helps track IEP goal progress.
Specialties: Speech Therapy, Mental Health Services, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, School Psychology Services
Cost of Services: School pays for the service based on their needs and requirements.
Do providers accept insurance? School Funded
RX Available: No
# of Therapists: Unknown; therapists within the eLuma network have on average 7 years of experience
Website: https://www.elumatherapy.com/
Finding the right match
Talking to a therapist online has never been easier. While we listed some of the top online therapy sites that we were able to find, this is not an exhaustive list. Many, if not all, therapists offer some form of internet therapy. If someone recommends a therapist to you but you’re just not ready for in-person therapy, ask if they provide e-therapy services. It’s very likely they do.