Best Online Therapy Services of 2023


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Written By Emily Mendez

Learn more about Emily Mendez here.
Reviewed by Michelle L. Crowley, PhD

Table of Contents

While online therapy caters to just about everybody, you don’t have to be stuck with the platform that works for everybody else but not for you.

Niche online therapy platforms are helping people to connect with licensed therapists and psychiatrists specializing in a wide range of mental health issues that range from substance use and eating disorders to depression and anxiety.

Some even allow you to choose a hybrid teletherapy/in-person model.

When reviewing the top online therapy platforms, we considered pricing, subscription options, insurance, provider credentials, specialties, medication access, and more.

Our picks also cover individual, couples, family, and child counseling.

12 Best Online Therapy Services of 2023

Best Overall: BetterHelp

BetterHelp online therapy logo.

Why We Chose It

BetterHelp is an online therapy platform where you can be matched with a therapist based on a questionnaire you complete.

As a subscription-based model, BetterHelp makes it easy to predictably budget for therapy instead of battling with insurance and out-of-pocket costs.

You can also stay in their therapy subscription plan for as long as you like without worrying about limits from an insurance company.

BetterHelp has some of the best reviews among therapy platforms. In addition to providing a comprehensive all-in-one app for mental well-being, the company also has an impressive list of carefully vetted therapists waiting to assist members on their journeys to wellness!

Overview of BetterHelp

BetterHelp offers 100% online therapy without options for in-person visits. All sessions can be conducted via video, live chat or audio through the app.

Members can also message their therapist anytime.

After completing a questionnaire, you can be matched with a therapist based on your responses which goes a long way in making for a personalized treatment approach.

BetterHelp members can access individual therapy, while couples and teen therapy is managed via their sister brands called Regain and Teen Counseling.

Therapists at BetterHelp are not psychiatrists who can diagnose conditions or prescribe medications. However, they can help with issues related to depression, stress, anxiety, relationships, and more.

Services offered include counseling, mindfulness-based therapy, group webinars, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and exposure therapy and much, much more.

Cost & Payment Process

BetterHelp costs roughly $260 to $360 billed every four weeks on a subscription basis. This amounts to approximately $65 to $90 per week.

The cost difference is based on location, therapist availability, preferences, and other factors.

Payment can be made through PayPal or a credit card

Therapy Details

BetterHelp has an extensive network of over 30,000 licensed therapists.

Each therapist has at minimum a master’s degree and at least 3 years and 1,000 hours of experience.

While BetterHelp offers extensive options for talk therapy, the platform does not provide prescriptions or medication management.

Members conduct weekly sessions with their therapists, which typically last 30-45 minutes per session. You can sign up for BetterHelp from anywhere.

Insurance

BetterHelp does not take insurance.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Fantastic app with tons of features.
  • Transparent, consistent pricing.
  • Members are matched with one of 30,000 therapists (access is not given to all 30,000 therapists as it varies based on preferences, location and therapist availability).
  • You decide how long you want to stay in their therapy subscription.
  • You’re free to change therapists at any time.
  • Cancel whenever you want.

Cons

  • Membership fees cannot be covered by insurance.
  • Your therapist cannot diagnose a condition.
  • No access to prescription medication.

Best for Prescription Medication: Mindful Care

Mindful Care logo.

Why We Chose It

Mindful Care understands the urgency and sensitivity required for effective medication management.

The platform does an excellent job of providing individual and group support that can be tailored based on a patient’s changing needs.

Mindful Care is our pick because it offers accessible, affordable sessions that can be covered through insurance.

We also love that this platform understands its positioning enough to provide same-day and next-day appointments from Sunday through Friday.

Overview of Mindful Care

Mindful Care offers virtual therapy, psychiatry and recovery support.

When you join, a staff member will determine if it’s best to move into traditional 40-minute or 20-minute micro-therapy sessions. Mindful Care micro-therapy sessions are offered on the same day!

While Mindful Care is entirely virtual, the platform doesn’t have a dedicated app. That means that users must do either phone or video calls with their providers using their technology.

Therapists on the platform deal with a range of mental health challenges including anger management, anxiety, bipolar disorder, trauma, depression, stress, emotional challenges, substance support, and much more.

Cost & Payment Process

Mindful Care bases its charges on the type of therapy being used. A user would pay $50 per 20-minute session or $100 per 40-minute session for individual therapy.

For psychiatry services, a new user may pay $175 for an initial evaluation before paying $75 for each 20-minute session. Mindful Care users who opt for group therapy must pay $150 for an evaluation before spending $35 per session.

Mindful Care also boosts services for people using its addiction and substance use arm via Mindful Recovery.

Mindful Recovery comes at a $49 monthly subscription that includes weekly recovery support, monitoring, group therapy, individual therapy, and medication management.

For costs not covered through insurance, Mindful Care offers an online billing portal that accepts multiple payment forms.

Therapy Details

All therapists on the Mindful Care platform are licensed.

This is one of the rare platforms to offer access to nurse practitioners and certified physician assistants. New patients will book five appointments over 12 weeks.

Regularly scheduled appointments will be made based on a patient’s individualized needs. Mindful care is available only in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Illinois, Florida, and Michigan.

Mindful Care accepts most commercial health insurance plans. It even takes Medicare and Medicaid. You can find full insurance and payment information here.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • It’s easy to see a therapist right away.
  • Intake from a social worker puts new patients on the right trajectory.
  • Same-day and next-day appointments are possible.
  • Accepts most commercial insurance.
  • Takes Medicare and Medicaid.
  • Support is highly personalized.

Cons

  • Only available in six states.
  • No dedicated app.
  • Quick scheduling is only possible with micro-therapy appointments.

Best for CBT: Online-Therapy

Online-Therapy.com logo.

Why We Chose It

Online-Therapy is a subscription-based virtual therapy platform providing cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) from licensed therapists.

Ideal for both couples and individuals, this resource-rich platform offers whole-life support through worksheets, yoga sessions, and personal journaling.

While this isn’t the platform to focus on if you’re looking for support because you’re in the throes of a mental health crisis, it is an excellent option for working out unwanted habits, relationship issues, and work stress using proven CBT methods.

Overview of Online-Therapy

For those exploring therapy for the first time, CBT is an evidence-based talk therapy focused on shifting away from negative thought processes by replacing them with more realistic, positive, and helpful ways of thinking.

Online-Therapy can be ideal when looking for talk therapy for depression, anxiety, eating disorders, stress, relationship issues, and more.

While this fully online service does not have an app, members can access everything they need directly through the website.

Cost & Payment Process

Online-Therapy offers these four tiers for its monthly subscriptions:

  • Basic: $50 per week ($200 per month) for unlimited messaging with your therapist, an eight-section CBT program, worksheets, yoga videos, an online journal, an activity plan, and daily weekday worksheets replies from your therapist.
  • Standard: $80 per week ($320 per month) for one 45-minute weekly session added on top of everything in the Basic tier.
  • Premium: $110 per week ($440 per month) for two 45-minute sessions per week on top of everything in the Basic tier.
  • Couples Therapy: $110 per week ($440 per month) for a weekly 45-minute therapy session on top of everything in the Basic tier.

Therapy Details

All therapists on the platform are licensed cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) providers. However, this platform won’t offer psychiatry or medication management services.

Session frequency will be once or twice weekly, based on your subscription. Each 45-minute live chat can be done via video, voice only, or text. Currently, Online-Therapy is available internationally.

Insurance

Unfortunately Online-Therapy does not take insurance.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Every therapist specializes in CBT.
  • Subscriptions can be canceled at any time.
  • The worksheets are great for connecting with your therapist beyond your sessions.
  • While insurance isn’t accepted, consistent monthly subscription payments make budgeting for therapy predictable.
  • Features are easily accessed via the website.
  • You choose if you want voice, video, or text sessions.
  • The platform often gives you 20% off your first month.
  • Easy to sign up.
  • International access.

Cons

  • No app.
  • You must be 18 to use the platform—no family services.
  • You can’t pick your therapist.

Best for OCD: NOCD

NOCD logo.

Why We Chose It

NOCD is a highly specialized online platform offering access to an array of specialists focused on treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Unlike other platforms that bill through subscriptions or variably priced sessions, NOCD charges a flat rate per individual session with a therapist.

This platform is excellent for someone who wants to be matched with an OCD therapist to work on a particular issue.

Overview of NOCD

NOCD offers one-on-one therapy sessions for adults, teenagers, and children with confirmed or suspected OCD.

The two modes of therapy NOCD offers are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure and response prevention (ERP).

Patients will generally work with their therapists to delay engaging in compulsions or rituals over time while being exposed to triggers. Members can also partake in support groups and self-guided ERP exercises through the app.

While NOCD does have an app full of great OCD resources, actual sessions are conducted via Zoom.

Cost & Payment Process

Session cost can very, however a ballpark estimate would be $150 – $200 per session. Your credit card will be billed at the end of the session.

Therapy Details

Every single NOCD therapist is a licensed therapist specializing in exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy.

Telepsychiatry is available, however currently this is only an option for patients located in New Jersey. On the plus side, NOCD talk therapy is open to anyone in the United States with Zoom access.

Insurance

Yes, NOCD takes insurance from essentially all major plans. You can find the comprehensive list here.

NOCD also accepts some Medicare plans. However, it appears that NOCD will only work with some Medicaid-sponsored plans.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Access to OCD experts.
  • Accepts most insurance plans.
  • The app welcomes members into an OCD community.
  • One of the rare platforms to have an active message board. The staff will even chime in with tips and encouragement!
  • A great way to do exposure therapy without leaving the house.

Cons

  • The platform discourages switching therapists.
  • Canceling sessions can be challenging.
  • Sessions are pricey for those without insurance.
  • Limited telepsychiatry support.

Best for ADHD: ADHD Online

ADHD Online therapy logo.

Why We Chose It

ADHD Online can be an important resource for someone seeking an ADHD diagnosis online.

In addition to providing an online diagnosis for ADHD, this platform steers patients toward an appropriate physician-designed treatment path that includes teletherapy and medication.

Most people go from diagnosis to treatment in just seven days. This is a pay-as-you-go platform that charges for each evaluation and session.

Overview of ADHD Online

ADHD Online provides a comprehensive online assessment you can take at your own pace from the comfort of your home.

Once submitted, results can be expected within three days. ADHD Online assessments are analyzed by hand by doctoral-level psychologists.

If it’s determined that you have ADHD, you can consult with the platform’s physicians to set up a treatment plan. There’s no app to work through, and appointments are conducted through Zoom.

ADHD Online provides both adult and pediatric care. While the assessment is available for all ages everywhere, medication and therapy options for kids aren’t available in every state. The team will walk you through availability after the assessment is completed.

Cost & Payment Process

ADHD Online is clear about pricing. The assessment costs $179. After that, you’ll pay $199 for an initial consultation to help you create a treatment plan that includes therapy and medication.

Every appointment after that costs $169. Generally, patients make appointments every 90 days to adjust treatments as needed. Teletherapy-only sessions cost $99 for 50 minutes. Medication is never included in the cost of an appointment.

Therapy Details

ADHD Online uses licensed clinicians with a minimum requirement of a master’s degree. All prescriptions are done using board-certified physicians.

While medication-related appointments happen every 30 to 90 days, 50-minute telehealth appointments to discuss anxiety, stress, and other issues tied to ADHD are often scheduled weekly.

The good news? Assessments are available for everyone aged five and over in all 50 states. The bad news? Medication management is only available in 40 states.

Services are unavailable in Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Hawaii, Louisiana, North Dakota, Wyoming, Oklahoma, New York, and West Virginia.

Insurance

ADHD Online doesn’t take insurance. However, the company claims that most insurance plans will reimburse assessment services out of network up to 100%.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Provides both evaluation and treatment services.
  • Allows you to take an ADHD assessment online.
  • Doctorate-level professionals review assessments.
  • Medication management services.
  • ADHD medication prescriptions are available.
  • Refills can be requested by video appointment every 30 to 90 days.

Cons

  • You’ll need to take the assessment even if you already have an ADHD diagnosis.
  • While appointments may be cheaper than in-person visits, the cost is still a commitment.
  • No insurance coverage for services that different providers might easily cover.

Best for Alcohol Abuse: Monument

Monument logo.

Why We Chose It

Monument is explicitly geared toward people seeking therapy resources because they are troubled by their relationship with alcohol.

The platform shines for creating a supportive environment that combines therapy and medication management with free resources in a HIPAA-compliant format.

Overview of Monument

Monument offers medically assisted virtual alcohol treatments that can be completed online.

Once you complete a short survey about your relationship with alcohol, you can develop a plan focusing on talk therapy, medication management, or a combination of both.

Modalities offered include:

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
  • Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
  • Trauma-focused therapy
  • Motivational interviewing
  • Integrated modality approach

Unlike a rehab program, Monument simply helps you to change your relationship with alcohol by either reducing how much you drink or stopping altogether.

There’s also access to an anonymous 24/7 community forum available.

To use this platform, you must be in one of the below states:

  • New York
  • New Jersey
  • Connecticut
  • California
  • Pennsylvania
  • Washington
  • Virginia
  • Georgia
  • Colorado
  • Oregon
  • North Carolina
  • South Carolina
  • Texas
  • Kentucky
  • Florida
  • Ohio
  • Arizona
  • Iowa
  • Michigan
  • District of Columbia.

Cost & Payment Process

Monument is transparent about its pricing plans which can range from $14.99 per month to $249 per month.

For $14.99 per month you gain access to the Community Membership plan which has a dedicated forum, support groups and therapist access.

The Total Care weekly plan costs $249 for four therapy appointments per month and unlimited physician appointments.

The Total Care biweekly plan costs $149 for two monthly therapy appointments and unlimited physician appointments.

With the low-cost Physician Care plan, members are paying $10 a month to be able to book sessions for $45 each.

Therapy Details

Monument’s therapists and medical doctors are all licensed and credentialed. Medication prescribers are all medical doctors or registered nurses.

Each therapy appointment typically lasts 45 minutes. While physician appointments for medication appointments can be scheduled at any time without extra fees, Monument recommends booking an appointment at least every 90 days.

Insurance

Monument accepts insurance plans from Aetna, Anthem, Optum, United, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medicare, and Cigna.

The platform also claims that its out-of-pocket costs for uninsured users are competitive with copays.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Provides access to medication-assisted alcohol support entirely online.
  • All treatment plans are customized.
  • Group support with anonymity.
  • Multiple pricing tiers.
  • Accepts insurance.
  • Pricing is competitive for those without insurance.
  • Medications can be picked up at a pharmacy partner or mailed to your home.

Cons

  • Medicaid is not accepted.
  • Only for ages 18 and up.
  • Only available in 20 states.

Best Couples Therapy: Council for Relationships

Council for Relationships logo.

Why We Chose It

This innovative platform provides quality therapy focused on fostering healthy relationships.

With therapists specializing in over 45 areas, users can explore therapy options for individuals, couples, and families.

What we appreciate most is that prices are set on a sliding scale. Nobody is turned away for financial reasons! However, there’s a small catch you need to know about.

Overview of Council for Relationships

The Council for Relationships experience starts with a simple questionnaire.

While the platform will match you with a clinician based on your answers, you can also browse the therapist/psychiatrist directory to find the right fit. Unlike most other platforms on this list, Council for Relationships isn’t primarily an online therapy platform.

It’s instead a vehicle for booking in-person appointments at an office near you.

Online therapy that can be used alone or with in-person appointments is only available in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Virtual appointments must be conducted through a software program called Doxy.

Council for Relationships clinicians are experienced in working with clients from a variety of backgrounds as far as gender, sexuality, culture, race, and religion.

Some interesting specialized techniques offered by therapists on the platform include emotionally focused therapy, EMDR, medication, and mindfulness. Therapy options include psychiatry, sex therapy, group therapy, and relationship workshops.

Cost & Payment Process

This platform offers low-fee therapy for users willing to work with graduate and post-graduate interns. Senior staff closely supervise every intern.

The cost is $15 to $45 per hour. Payment can be made by cash, check, or credit card.

The regular sliding fee schedule for working with non-intern providers ranges from $50 to $200 per hour.

Therapy Details

While general counseling services may be enough for some people, the fact that Council for Relationships provides access to psychiatry services that include evaluation, treatment, and medication management is excellent.

However, providers will not treat individuals with active addiction or couples with active violence/abuse.

Services are provided by licensed couple and family therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers.

Backgrounds range from LCSW to Ph.D. For those opting for low-fee services, you’ll be working with someone on their way to licensing under the supervision of a licensed professional.

Insurance

Council for Relationships isn’t in a network with any insurance plans.

However, you can request monthly statements to see if your insurance company will reimburse out-of-network fees.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Offers psychiatry and medication management.
  • Low-free service is available.
  • The choice to either be matched or pick your provider.

Cons

  • Minimal virtual services.
  • Online counseling is only available in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
  • You have to work with an intern to get low-fee services.

Best for Family: Little Otter

Little Otter family therapy logo.

Why We Chose It

One of the only online mental health resources for kids aged 0 to 14 and their families, Little Otter, is leading early prevention, identification, and treatment using outcome-based therapy.

We love that an online proprietary screening tool makes it easy for overwhelmed families to start the process from the comfort of their homes.

Little Otter also has a great app that makes booking appointments simple!

Overview of Little Otter

Little Otter offers entirely virtual therapy and psychiatry services for kids up to 14 years.

This platform shines for making the therapeutic process an actual family process. Parents can sign up for parental coaching or couples counseling while their kids enroll in teletherapy.

It’s ideal for kids dealing with anxiety, sadness, relationship conflicts, aggression, sleep issues, eating disorders, ADHD, behavioral challenges, OCD, grief, and parental issues.

Little Otter does not assess for autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

The Little Otter app is fantastic because it does a great job of simplifying appointment scheduling and communication.

Users can book appointment times, access session recaps, message therapists directly, retrieve documents, and use special resources. Actual sessions are conducted via Zoom.

Cost & Payment Process

Little Otter is a pay-per-session teletherapy platform with some bundling options that aren’t subscriptions. Under its transparent pricing schedule, the platform charges the following:

  • $90: 30-minute welcome session with the care team.
  • $200: 45-minute session with your therapist.
  • $540: One 90-minute session and one 45-minute session.
  • $2,040: Bundle of 12 45-minute sessions.
  • $500: Child psychiatry evaluation.
  • $250: 30-minute medication management appointment.

Services are charged to the credit card on file 23 hours before the start of a session.

Therapy Details

Little Otter employs licensed therapists trained in child and family mental health.

That includes child psychiatrists capable of providing psychiatric evaluations and medication management.

Once a new patient has completed the intake process, regular 45-minute sessions can be scheduled weekly or biweekly.

Little Otter is only available to children and families in:

  • California
  • Colorado
  • Florida
  • Illinois
  • Maryland
  • North Carolina
  • New York
  • Pennsylvania
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Virginia
  • The District of Columbia

While Little Otter takes insurance, only Kaiser Permanente is in the network.

That means users must submit out-of-network claims to their insurance providers to see if services will be reimbursed.

Sessions are also eligible for HSAs and FSAs.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Specifically for children from birth to 14 years.
  • Tons of parent resources.
  • Offers psychiatry and medication services.
  • Excellent customer service and communication.
  • Free info call is available.

Cons

  • It only works with one insurance plan.
  • Services can be pricey.
  • Provider bios aren’t published.
  • It can only be used in 12 states.

Best for Group Therapy: Grouport

Grouport group therapy logo.

Why We Chose It

What if you specifically want online group therapy?

While many teletherapy platforms lump group therapy into the mix as an afterthought, Grouport is a premier online group therapy platform.

This is the pick if you want your therapy journey to be sponsored and supported every step of the way. The affordability of each session is a huge plus!

Overview of Grouport

Fill out a short survey, select a group, do a 20-minute consultation with a counselor, and start chatting with your group online at the same time every week. It’s really that simple!

With Grouport, you get to select the group that fits your needs.

However, your counselor will confirm that you’ve selected the right group before your first session.

Group categories include:

  • OCD
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Grief
  • Trauma and PTSD
  • Borderline personality
  • Relationship issues

There’s also a dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) category for people who want to identify and change negative thinking patterns.

All sessions are conducted directly through the website using meeting links.

Cost & Payment Process

Grouport’s group sessions cost $35 per week. Your credit card will be billed $140 at the start of each monthly billing cycle.

Grouport’s dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills group is $25 weekly.

For this group, you will be billed $299 for an initial 12-week billing cycle before switching to a regular monthly billing cycle at $100 per month.

Subscriptions can be canceled at any time.

Therapy Details

Licensed mental health professionals oversee all meetings. While a few doctorate-level providers are on the platform, most are licensed clinical social workers.

Online sessions are typically scheduled once per week and last 60 minutes.

There’s no need to feel like you will be lost on a crowded screen because each session is limited to 12 people.

Insurance

Grouport does not accept insurance. However, you can request invoices you submit to your insurance provider to see if they qualify for out-of-network reimbursement.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Sessions are very affordable.
  • Licensed providers oversee all groups.
  • Fully virtual.
  • Addresses a wide range of mental health issues.

Cons

  • Doesn’t work with insurance.
  • No one-on-one support aside from the initial evaluation.

Best LGBTQ: Gay Therapy Center

The Gay Therapy Center logo.

Why We Chose It

Every single therapist at Gay Therapy Center identifies as LGBTQIA+. However, patients don’t have to identify as LGBTQIA+ to use this platform.

Both online and in-person therapy services are available in select cities around the United States. You also get a free introductory call with the therapist you choose.

Overview of Gay Therapy Center

Gay Therapy Online publishes a directory of available therapists allowing new users to book appointments.

You can take advantage of a free 15-minute introductory call before booking a full appointment.

Therapists are trained and licensed to address and treat:

  • ADHD
  • Anxiety
  • Addiction
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Depression
  • Panic disorder
  • Relationship concerns
  • Sexual compulsivity
  • Trauma
  • And more.

Individual therapists on the platform can specialize in treatments such as:

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
  • Somatic therapy
  • Addiction counseling
  • Emotionally focused therapy
  • Eye movement desensitization
  • Reprocessing therapy (EMDR)
  • The Gottman Method.

There’s no need to interface through an app with Gay Therapy Center.

Phone numbers and email addresses are available under each provider’s profile. All teletherapy sessions are conducted via 3rd party online video call software.

Cost & Payment Process

Gay Therapy Online charges per session with zero long-term commitment. Fees start at $185 per 50-minute session, with little variation among providers. Payment can be made online via PayPal or credit card.

Therapy Details

This platform only offers talk therapy without an option for psychiatry or medication management.

One downfall of Gay Therapy Online is that there isn’t much clarification or verification regarding each therapist’s credentials.

Only the provider’s first name is provided to the client. This can make it hard to verify credentialing or licensing.

While in-person sessions can be booked through the Gay Therapy Center in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and the District of Columbia, telehealth sessions can be booked worldwide.

Insurance

While Gay Therapy Center doesn’t work with any insurance companies, you may be able to be reimbursed for out-of-network services.

However, this only applies to California, New York, or the District of Columbia patients.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • All therapists are LGBTQIA+.
  • Free 15-minute trial call.
  • You can choose your therapist.
  • No subscription.
  • Wide range of therapy options.

Cons

  • No clear policy on switching therapists.
  • Lack of transparency on therapist credentials.
  • Doesn’t work with insurance.

Best Therapy for Inclusiveness: Inclusive Therapists

Inclusive Therapists logo.

Why We Chose It

Inclusive Therapists helps you get matched to a therapist using a directory of nearly 4,000 providers.

This platform offers access to a wide range of specialty providers who are all culturally responsive, LGBTQ+ affirming, and social justice-oriented therapists.

What we like most about this platform are the robust set of filters you can use to prioritize your search by location, insurance, specialty, culture, and other particular categories.

Overview of Inclusive Therapists

You simply fill out an online form that provides the platform with the information needed to match you with a therapist.

Unlike platforms hosting therapists, Inclusive Therapists is a directory service that matches you with your provider.

That means all scheduling and billing will be worked out between the patient and therapist outside the platform.

Cost & Payment Process

You’ll handle this with your therapist. Inclusive Therapists doesn’t handle payment or processing for mental health support.

Therapy Details

Inclusive Therapists offers access to:

  • Licensed psychotherapists
  • Counselors
  • Relationship/marriage therapists
  • Family therapists
  • Social workers
  • Psychologists
  • Psychiatrists
  • Psychiatric nurse practitioners
  • Speech-language pathologists
  • Coaches

Depending on your chosen provider, you can access everything from diagnostic services to medication management.

Inclusive Therapists can provide access to licensed professionals in 46 states, six Canadian provinces, and Hong Kong.

Insurance

This will vary based on the provider you choose.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Free to use.
  • Easy matching based on location, social identity, sexual orientation, treatment specialty, etc.

Cons

  • More of a directory service than a full-service therapy platform.
  • Can take up to five business days to be matched.
  • You must work out pricing, insurance, and session scheduling once matched.

Best for Eating Disorders: Veritas Collaborative

Veritas therapy logo.

Why We Chose It

While most online therapy platforms will treat patients with eating disorders, most don’t specialize in the treatment of eating disorders.

Veritas Collaborative offers online and in-person eating disorder treatment for children, adolescents, and adults.

More than therapy, Veritas Collaborative is an intensive recovery program that offers flexible ways to get help.

Overview of Veritas Collaborative

First, it’s helpful to know that Veritas provides a partial hospitalization program (PHP) and intensive outpatient program (IOP) at locations in Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia.

For this review, we’ll focus on the online option. Like in-person eating disorder treatment, virtual treatment includes individual, group, and family therapy.

Patients also receive virtual therapeutic meal support, nutritional counseling, psychiatry sessions, and medical appointments, as appropriate.

There’s also a related With Me When app available through Google Play or the App Store that features food logs, feelings logs, behavior logs, mindfulness exercises, tools, and more.

Veritas Collaborative treats:

  • Anorexia
  • Bulimia
  • Binge eating disorder
  • Other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED)
  • Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)

Cost & Payment Process

Veritas Collaborative doesn’t publish its fees. This mostly has to do with the fact that care plans are individualized.

However, we know that payments can be made online with a credit card or check.

Therapy Details

Veritas Collaborative’s team comprises psychiatrists, therapists, registered nurses, registered dietitian nutritionists, medical providers, and other professionals.

Virtual programs typically consist of at least 12 hours per week focused on therapeutic meals, skills-based therapy, individual therapy, and nutrition therapy.

Before treatment can begin, an eating disorder assessment is used to establish a patient’s relationship with food and their body, evaluate symptoms, and offer personalized care recommendations.

Insurance

Veritas Collaborative works with several insurance providers. The complete list can be found here.

If your insurance provider isn’t included, Veritas can help create a single-case agreement and a care plan to help remove barriers to treatment.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Can be done entirely virtually.
  • Access to a medical team of therapists, nurses, and dieticians.
  • Personalized, flexible options.
  • Accepts insurance.
  • App is helpful for day-to-day progress.

Cons

  • Lacking online resources that give transparency on price.
  • Virtual services may not be adequate for extreme circumstances.

What Is Online Therapy?

Also known as teletherapy, online therapy allows patients to work with therapists, psychiatrists, counselors, and other licensed professionals using video, voice, or text.

The therapy process is identical to in-person therapy.

However, patients are matched to providers through a platform or app that may also include group support, direct messaging with care providers, journaling tools, and much more.

Patients will either pay via monthly subscription or per session.

According to an analysis of 17 studies looking at the use of online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for depression, virtual CBT may be more effective compared to in-person counseling.

The study also found online therapy to be the more cost-effective option. What’s more, studies have found that online therapy leads to significant decreases in symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Online Therapy vs In-Person Therapy

One should never be pitted against the other when discussing online and in-person therapy. Both are incredible resources.

In fact, many online therapy platforms offer the option to book in-person appointments if you choose.

However, you may benefit from one more than the other based on your goals, lifestyle, and preferences.

Online therapy can be a great alternative to in-person therapy if you:

  • Have difficulty getting to appointments because you live far from therapy resources
  • Lack reliable transportation
  • Frequently travel for work
  • Have a difficult work schedule
  • Suffer from phobias and anxiety that make leaving the house difficult.

You may also be interested in online therapy because in-person therapy simply feels too intimidating.

While online therapy is gaining popularity, there may be cases where in-person therapy is the better option.

For instance, someone seeking couples or family therapy may benefit from getting everyone in the same room.

If you're seeking psychiatric or medication services, online platforms sometimes have limitations regarding the care that can be delivered virtually. It's also tough to get acute psychiatric services online.

Final Thoughts

These 12 online therapy picks represent what we believe to be the best teletherapy platforms. Not every platform will suit you.

Of course, that’s the point. Many of these platforms each provide “niche” therapy options from licensed specialists offering a variety of treatments.

As our top pick, BetterHelp offers the broadest range of therapy services. While BetterHelp offers the best access to support overall, our other picks shine when providing access to intensive and specialized support.

How We Select Products

Product reviews, comparisons and write-ups are based on personal testing experience, customer review analysis and/or product research.

All product review information is liable to our product review process.

For Emergencies

In the case of an emergency, online therapy is not suitable. If you are at risk of self-harm or require emergency mental health assistance, contact your country/states emergency or suicide hotline.

If you are in the US, your emergency line is: 911. US Suicide Hotline: 988.

For an international list of suicide hotline numbers, visit this link here.

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About Emily Mendez

Emily Mendez (M.S., Ed.S) is a former therapist and mental health author. Emily is one of the leading voices in mental health, having been frequently interviewed by Healthline, Fatherly, INSIDER, Family Circle, and other national media for her advice and expert opinion on the latest mental health topics.