Engaged in ongoing independent researchMystery shopped each of the brandsContacted brands’ customer service teams to ask questions and gauge responsivenessBecame customers of online therapy providers ourselvesRead and conducted reviews of academic research into the efficacy of online therapy versus in-person therapyRead hundreds of verified customer reviews from trusted third parties such as Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Consumer Reports
Check out the methodology page for more on our evaluation process for online therapy. Cost $299 per month for unlimited messaging and four video sessions; additional video appointment for $59; $95 per month plus pharmacy copay for medication plan; $349 per month for medication plus therapy Prescribes Medication Yes Accepts Insurance Yes Combining medication and counseling may be an effective way to manage depressive symptoms, according to a past study. If your treatment plan for depression includes medication and counseling, Brightside offers a centralized solution for accessing both. You are matched with a mental health provider on the basis of a long questionnaire. You don’t have to register or pay anything up front before taking the assessment. You’ll then receive a personalized treatment recommendation. Providers include physicians, psychiatrists, therapists, and psychiatric nurse practitioners. Your therapist may recommend a combination of self-care tools, live weekly video sessions, and messaging. They may also recommend medication or a combination of medication and therapy. Brightside’s upfront prescription prices and plan options make it a top pick for medication management for depression. If your provider chooses to prescribe medication, you’ll receive it in the mail approximately five to seven business days after your consultation. You’ll also receive automatic refills if prescribed.
Brightside Plan Options and Prices
Brightside offers three separate plans: a medication plan, a therapy plan, and a medication plus therapy plan. The medication plan costs $95 per month ($45 for your first month), plus your pharmacy copay if you are using insurance or $15 per medication without insurance. This plan includes a psychiatric provider evaluation and ongoing provider support and monitoring of your care. The therapy plan costs $299 per month and includes unlimited messaging and four monthly video sessions. If you need additional live sessions, you can purchase them at $59 each. The combination medication-plus-therapy plan costs $349 per month ($249 for your first month) and includes the features of both the medication plan and the therapy plan, but costs $45 less than if you were to pay for them separately. Your cost may be lower if you use insurance, depending on the details of your plan. You can check insurance eligibility when you go through the sign-up process or by emailing support@brightside.com. Use Brightside promo code “EDH60” for $60 off your first month of cash plans. Cost $60 to $90 per week, based on your geographic location, financial aid eligibility, length of session, and type of therapists, but may be higher; plans billed monthly Prescribes Medication No Accepts Insurance No BetterHelp is the world’s largest online therapy platform, with more than 24,000 mental health experts, including psychologists, licensed marriage and family therapists, licensed clinical social workers, and licensed professional therapists. Because so many therapists work with BetterHelp, you may have more to choose from who are licensed in your state compared with other online therapy platforms for depression. Simply enter your city and state or ZIP code on BetterHelp’s “Find a Therapist” page if you want to choose your own therapist. Alternatively, you can let BetterHelp match you with a therapist during the sign-up process. All counselors have at least a master’s degree in a related field and three or more years of experience. How you work with your therapist will depend on your goals and meeting preferences. You will have access to unlimited messaging, which takes place in a dedicated online room that is private and secure. Here, you can share thoughts and concerns and ask questions. Your therapist will read the messages and respond when they’re able to. BetterHelp is not transparent about how often its therapists respond to messaging. One answer to a question about therapist response times posted on the BetterHelp website states that it depends on the counselor. Our reviews team’s survey of more than 1,000 online therapy users found that 50 percent of BetterHelp users received same-day responses, with close to 13 percent receiving responses within a few minutes. The remaining BetterHelp users reported receiving responses within a few days or a week (17 and 25 percent, respectively), and 8 percent reported waiting more than one week. Live sessions happen via chat, phone, or video appointments, which are limited to four sessions each month.
BetterHelp Plan Options and Prices
BetterHelp’s weekly subscription prices average $60 to $90 per week, depending on location, length of therapy sessions, type of therapist, and financial aid eligibility. BetterHelp has licensed therapists in all 50 states. Plans are billed monthly and include unlimited messaging via text, and one live audio, video, or chat session per week. It’s also one of the few online therapy companies that offer ongoing financial assistance for those who qualify. Our BetterHelp review offers more detail about the online therapy platform. Use BetterHelp promo code “everydayhealth” for 20 percent off your first month. Cost Prices vary and depend on geographic location, but generally start at $69/week for Messaging Therapy, $99/week for Video Therapy Plus Messaging, and $109/week for a combination of Live Video Therapy Plus Messaging Plus Weekly Workshops, with plans billed monthly; Talkspace Psychiatry costs $249 for the first session and $125 for follow-up sessions Prescribes Medications Yes, Talkspace Psychiatry Accepts Insurance Yes Talkspace offers online counseling sessions to adults and teens ages 13 to 17. If you need medication management, Talkspace Psychiatry — a separate service within the platform — provides this treatment for adults. Licensed therapists and counselors offer online help for anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and more. Talkspace has high standards for therapists, requiring 3,000 or more clinical hours and at least a master’s degree in a related field. One thing that sets Talkspace apart from some of its competitors is that it accepts insurance from an extensive list of carriers that includes Optum and Cigna, among others. This is not always the case with other online counseling platforms. It also offers online psychiatry appointments. These sessions are not as focused on talk-therapy as sessions with a Talkspace counselor or psychologist, but they allow access to an online psychiatric prescriber trained in mental health care and prescription management. That said, it may get costly if you need both medication management through the psychiatry plan and counseling through the therapy plan.
Talkspace Plan Options and Prices
To determine your exact pricing for monthly packages, you will need to fill out and submit an intake questionnaire. It’s important to note that, although you’re seeking therapy online, you still need to choose providers who are licensed to practice in your state of residence. To give you a general idea of costs, here is an example of where prices start for various Talkspace subscriptions:
Messaging Therapy Text, video, and audio messaging; starts at $69 per week; $316 per monthLive Therapy + Messaging Four 30-minute live therapy sessions per month, starts at $99 per week; $396 per monthLive Messaging + Therapy + Weekly Workshops Text, video, and audio messaging; four live 30-minute sessions per month; access to live workshops; starts at $109 per week; $436 per monthTeens Therapy (Ages 13 to 17) Text, audio, and video messaging only (no live sessions); $260 per monthPsychiatrist Sessions $249 for first consultation and $125 for any follow-up visits
You can find more details by reading our comprehensive Talkspace review. Use Talkspace promo code “EVERYDAYTS” for $100 off your first month. Cost $60 to $90 per week based on your geographic location, preferences, and therapists, but may be higher; plans billed monthly Prescribes Medication No Accepts Insurance No When your partner is dealing with depression, you may feel hurt, isolated, or confused, according to a study published in the journal The Qualitative Report. Because of this, Cleveland Clinic recommends couples attend therapy together so both partners can gain an understanding about depression and the treatments that are available. Therapists on ReGain have a specific interest and expertise in relationship therapy. Additionally, each therapist has a master’s degree or doctoral degree in their field and at least three years and 1,000 hours of clinical experience. Although ReGain is an online platform designed for couples, you do not have to invite your partner. If you choose to do so, you can invite them at any point. The fee is the same whether you use the platform with your partner or alone. ReGain offers unlimited messaging and one live phone or video counseling session per week. Both you and your partner will share an account for communicating with your therapist, where you will both have access to any written messages or information your counselor provides.
ReGain Plan Options and Prices
Subscription prices average $60 to $90 per week, depending on geographic location, preferences, and financial aid eligibility. Plans are billed monthly and include one weekly live session and unlimited messaging. Use ReGain promo code “everydayhealth-rg” for 15 percent off your first month. Cost $39.95 to $79.95 weekly depending on subscription; 20 percent discount first month for new subscribers; plans billed monthly Prescribes Medication No Accepts Insurance No There are several counseling methods for treating depression, including CBT. This form of treatment for depression involves making an effort to change thinking patterns and behavioral patterns, according to the American Psychological Association. What sets Online-Therapy.com apart from other platforms is that it prioritizes CBT for depression. This is different from other online sites that have therapists trained in CBT but don’t require it as a counseling method. Each of the three Online-Therapy.com plans includes a comprehensive toolkit consisting of therapist-assigned worksheets, journals, meditation and yoga videos, activity plans, and assessments to help you check your progress. The eight sections included with the worksheets may help you challenge and overcome problems related to depression or other mental health issues. Online-Therapy.com considers these tools to be important parts of CBT since they provide you and your therapist a foundation to work from. Sometimes called “homework assignments,” these tools are what set CBT apart from talk therapies, according to the South Central Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (PDF). Your therapist will provide feedback based on the information you share on the worksheets within 24 hours, Monday through Friday. Since the communication through the worksheets is not in real time, you do not have to schedule a session with your therapist. But if you want live video, voice, or chat sessions, you can upgrade to the standard or premium plan.
Online-Therapy.com Plan Options and Prices
The basic Online-Therapy.com plan is not CBT, since it doesn’t involve talk therapy, but it comes with self-paced worksheets, yoga and meditation videos, journal, activity plan, and tests, as well as unlimited communication with your therapist through messages and the worksheet. Online-Therapy.com states that your therapist will respond within 24 hours, Monday through Friday. This plan is $39.95 per week with a 20 percent discount the first month for new subscribers. Subscriptions are billed monthly. The standard plan has the same perks as the basic plan, with the addition of one live session per week and unlimited messaging. This plan is $59.95 per week with a 20 percent discount the first month for new subscribers. Subscriptions are billed monthly. The premium plan has the same features as the basic and standard plan, with the addition of two live sessions with a therapist per week and unlimited messaging. This plan is $79.95 per week with a 20 percent discount the first month for new subscribers. Subscriptions are billed monthly. Cost $60 to $90 per week, based on your geographic location, preferences, and therapists, but may be higher; plans billed monthly Prescribes Medication No Accepts Insurance No Members of the LGBTQ+ community are more susceptible to mental health conditions like depression, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. And having an online platform dedicated to serving this community ensures a safe and private way to access mental health services. Pride Counseling is part of the BetterHelp group. Therapists with Pride specialize in working with members of the LGBTQ+ community on issues like depression. Specific LGBTQ+ experience depends on the counselor, however. Therapists offer unlimited chat-room messaging and one live counseling session per week, via live chat, video, or phone.
Pride Counseling Plan Options and Prices
Pride Counseling’s weekly subscription prices average $60 to $90 per week, depending on geographic location and financial aid eligibility. Plans are billed monthly and include unlimited text messaging via a dedicated chatroom. Live sessions are scheduled with the therapist and conducted via a live chat, phone, or video session. Use Pride Counseling promo code “everydayhealth-pc” for 15 percent off your first month. Cost Ranges from $60 to $300+/session, depending on the therapist, type of session, and geographic location Prescribes Medication Yes, if seen by an MD or authorized provider Accepts Insurance No When you need immediate help for depression symptoms, access to same-day appointments can feel critical. Sesame is a direct-to-patient care marketplace that features a pay-as-you-go system for both mental health care and medical care — such as for urinary tract infections, sore throats, rashes, back pain, and cold and flu symptoms. Sesame works with providers licensed in all 50 states. You’ll need to enter your ZIP code to find out if there are therapists with same-day availability in your region. The process of finding and making an appointment is simple. Once you enter your ZIP code, you’ll see a row of telehealth providers that have same-day availability, as well as the amount of time you can expect to wait for an appointment and the cost. You can also click on “All Telehealth Visits” to access providers who may not have same-day availability but may be available on a future date. Users can search the directory for a therapist’s credentials as well, making it easy to narrow the search for providers who treat depression. Session options include video therapy, video mental health consult, video psychiatry, prescription refill, and video couples therapy.
Sesame Plan Options and Prices
Sesame prices are based on your geographic location. To determine the costs for your sessions, you will need to search by your geographic location. Here are the rates for someone living in San Francisco:
Video Mental Health Consult $47Video Psychiatry Consult (New Patient) $165–$275Video Therapy Session (New Patient) $165Video Couples Therapy Session $165Video Prescription Refill $47
If you join Sesame Plus for $10.99 per month or $9.99 per year, you get $20 off all virtual therapy visits. Cost $60 to $90 per week and is based on your geographic location, financial aid eligibility, and the fees charged by the therapist you’re matched with, but may be higher; plans billed monthly Prescribes Medication No Accepts Insurance No Approximately 13 percent of the U.S. population ages 12 to 17 experienced at least one major depressive episode in the last year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). And only a few online counseling platforms for depression provide mental health services specifically targeted toward teenagers. The ability to message their therapist and use their smart devices for therapy may make Teen Counseling an attractive option if you’re looking for the best online therapy for teens. According to a review published in 2014 in the Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry , adolescents tend to prefer online therapy using technology to in-person therapy. Although each Teen Counseling therapist is licensed to work with members of all ages, the platform states that its therapists specialize in helping teens ages 13 to 19. You can find more information about each therapist’s teen-specific qualifications and experience after you create an account and browse the therapist directory. Teens can meet privately with a therapist in an online counseling room that is accessible only to the therapist and teen. A parent needs permission to join the room. As with all therapy sessions, what is discussed is private, unless a teen shares that they are thinking about harming themselves or someone else, they indicate abuse (sexual, physical, or emotional), or they divulge information about serious neglect.
Teen Counseling Plan Options and Prices
Teen Counseling’s weekly subscription prices average $60 to $90 per week, depending on your geographic location, the fees charged by the therapist you’re matched with, and financial aid eligibility. Subscriptions are billed monthly and include unlimited message exchanges as well as one live session per week. Live sessions can be conducted via chat, phone, or video. One thing to remember is that depression symptoms can range from mild to severe. Some people will experience a variety of symptoms, while others may only have a few. Sharing your symptoms with a mental health provider can ensure you receive a formal diagnosis and treatment plan. Here are some of the more common signs of depression, according to the NIMH:
Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoyPersistent feelings of sadness or emptinessFeelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, and pessimismIrritabilityDifficulty sleepingFeeling unsettledChanges in appetiteLack of energy or fatigueDifficulty remembering, making decisions, or concentratingIncrease in aches and pains, headaches, digestive problemsChanges in grooming and self-careWithdrawal from social activitiesThoughts of death or suicide
There are several forms of depression, including major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, postpartum depression, psychotic depression, and seasonal affective disorder, according to Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. Your doctor will assess your symptoms and provide the most accurate diagnosis for your symptoms. Some situations are not appropriate for virtual therapy. For example, if you do not have a private, confidential, and secure location to participate in sessions, or you have concerns about someone within earshot hearing your conversation with a therapist, you may prefer to seek in-person instead of online help for depression in a more private location. “Although online therapy can be a better option for many individuals whose [mental health] symptoms interfere with getting to therapy, at some point the online platform may not offer the exposure and activation benefits that in-person therapy provides,” says Nicole Siegfried, PhD, the chief clinical officer at Lightfully Behavioral Health in Thousand Oaks, California. You should not use online therapy if you’re having active thoughts about suicide or feel like you’re going to hurt someone else. Instead, call 911, since these are both emergency situations that require immediate medical attention. “The reason that severe cases of depression or other mental health symptoms should avoid online therapy is that more intensive treatment may be necessary. In-person office visits for serious cases allow clinicians to fully evaluate a patient and make recommendations accordingly,” says Deborah Serani, PsyD, a psychologist and a senior adjunct professor of psychology at Adelphi University in Garden City , New York. Some of the more commonly prescribed antidepressants approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Your medication for depression should be managed by a licensed prescriber such as a psychiatrist or another physician who can monitor your condition throughout treatment. Not every platform offers medication services, so make sure to ask the provider if this is something they provide. Online therapy for depression may not be appropriate for severe depression. The best way to determine if virtual counseling is right for you is to talk to your doctor or a licensed mental health expert. They can access your symptoms and decide which delivery method is appropriate.
Is your current health, both physical and mental, appropriate for online counseling? This may require a doctor’s visit to determine.Does the pricing and insurance coverage meet your budget and expectations?Do you have a physical space for online sessions that accommodates privacy, connectivity, and comfort?Can you afford a monthly plan or a pay-per-session plan?Are the apps and online platforms the providers use compatible with your technology?Do you have the freedom to choose a therapist, or are you matched with one?Does the company provide a straightforward cancellation policy on its website?Does the platform work with your schedule? Check the flexibility and accessibility for session times and days, especially if you need sessions on the weekend, early in the morning, or later in the day.Do you need multiple ways to communicate with your counselor (such as phone, video, online chat, and text)?Does the platform offer multiple counseling sessions such as family or couples?Is the platform HIPAA-compliant?
Check your internet connection to make sure it can support online sessions.Make sure your software is updated and download any apps you need to communicate with your therapist.Find a secure, private, and quiet location to participate in your online sessions.Confirm your appointment time and preferred method of communication.Make sure the camera and volume work on the device you plan to use for your session.Think about what you want out of these sessions and write down any thoughts or questions to ask during your first appointment.Check your insurance coverage or employee assistance program to see whether they cover online therapy.Plan on “arriving” 15 minutes before your session so you have time to make sure your technology is working and get comfortable.Eat and hydrate prior to your session.Allow yourself 15 to 30 minutes after the counseling session to record any thoughts, impressions, or follow-up questions.
If access to unlimited messaging and health insurance coverage is a priority, consider Talkspace. It may also be a good choice if you need prescription management for depression symptoms. If you are worried about finding a therapist with availability in your state or who fits into your schedule, BetterHelp might be a good choice since it has the most therapists of all the online therapy platforms for depression. Our Talkspace versus BetterHelp review goes into more detail about the differences between the two companies. Brightside is our top pick for mental health experts who specialize in depression and medication management for depression symptoms. And finally, if live appointments are your preferred communication method, consider looking into the therapy services offered by Sesame, which offers only live video sessions, some with same-day availability. It’s critical to find a therapist who uses evidence-based practices and has expertise in providing online services. “Clinicians who provide online therapy should have additional training in utilizing this platform, as there are specific ethical and logistical competencies that are required,” says Dr. Siegfried. Do not be afraid to ask your therapist if they have completed additional training in online services. Together, we’ve researched prominent brands through the experiences of real customers collected by trusted third-party reviews sites such as BBB and Trustpilot. We’ve also consulted with independent psychologists and other mental health professionals to better understand why people seek out online therapy and read the latest research on the efficacy of online therapy versus in-person therapy. When evaluating each company, we consider the session types they offer, the modes of therapy they specialize in, the credentials of their therapists, their business reputation and reported customer satisfaction, as well as the ease of registration and how easy it is to use the service. Price, payment options, and whether the company accepts insurance are all crucial components to consider. We always try to recommend a range for all budgets, with special consideration for lower budgets. After our experts have selected the best online therapy platforms on the market, a practicing and independent licensed therapist reviews our picks to audit each company as a whole and ensure every selection we recommend is appropriate for the users we identify. You can also reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 800-662-HELP (4357). The SAMHSA helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-days-a-year treatment referral and information service for individuals facing mental or substance abuse disorders.
