The Fast Facts
- We vetted, reviewed, and scored over 36 platforms that offer online therapy, online psychiatry, affordable therapy, and more.
- These online therapy services are the best in their categories, from best for insurance coverage to best for couples and families.
- Talkspace made the top of our list for a variety of reasons. Read on to find out why.
In the ever-changing landscape of online therapy, it can be difficult to know what platforms are trustworthy, what to consider when choosing a therapist, and a lot more. No matter if you’re new to therapy or a seasoned expert, you’ll find that researching a platform and your potential therapist is almost unavoidable.
So, we did the brunt of the work for you.
After gathering more than 30 online therapy platforms, we carefully vetted and reviewed each one, and then put them through our intensive scoring process. Based on these standards, these seven online therapy platforms emerged as the best in their category.
Online therapy is NOT for emergencies
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, call your local emergency services, or dial 911.
*Some names have been changed at the request of testers.
The gist
- Looking for culturally competent LGBTQIA+ online therapy options? Check out Grow Therapy, Inclusive Therapists, and the National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network.
- The platforms that accept insurance are Grow Therapy, Talkspace, and Brightside Health.
- Less tech savvy? Grow Therapy offers in-person sessions and does not have an app, with all interactions happening through its website.
While most of the therapy platforms we scored had great results, we couldn’t include all in our roundup. Below, we list some honorable mentions that are still worth it, but were missing that one ‘wow’ factor to get it on our Top 8.
- Therapy for Black Girls | HL Score: 4.4: Therapy for Black Girls is a podcast and therapist directory that gives Black women and girls access to and start conversations about mental health and wellness. You can search by insurance provider, location, in-person or online sessions, group therapy, medication, and by free consultations. It’s a great starting point for Black women, girls, couples, and families who want a therapist who can understand their lifestyle with sensitivity and awareness.
- Postpartum Support International | HL Score: 4.4: Postpartum Support International is a therapist directory, online support group, and crisis hotline. We didn’t include it on our list since there was information missing from its privacy policy about its encryption process and safeguard for personal health information.
- Inclusive Therapists | HL Score: 4.1: Inclusive Therapists is another option for underserved identities. It also has search filters for sliding scale, insurance, and more. Because it is a directory and you must contact the therapist outside of its platform, we mentioned Inclusive Therapists as an honorable mention.
*Price is estimated out-of-pocket cost. Fees and copays may vary by professional and location.
We considered many criteria when selecting the best online therapy platforms. In addition to our vetting team’s standards, we also took into account licensed mental health professionals, positive customer feedback, flexible payment options, insurance coverage, affordability, and platforms that offer professionals with a wide range of expertise.
We also took into consideration our 2022 study on online therapy. It measured what online therapy users value most when looking for a service. Some of the key components we got from the results of this study were:
- Pricing and insurance are key when choosing the best online therapy platform.
- Common complaints from online therapy users include not feeling like they’re being heard and feeling like there’s a lack of trust.
- Convenience, accessibility, and immediate access to a therapist are all important factors in picking a good online therapy program.
Our Medical Standards and Insights team has carefully researched and vetted over 11,000 products and services. We evaluate services for consistency with standards of care and best practices, and we look into each brand’s reputation before sharing products and services on Healthline.
To choose the online therapy platforms on this page, we considered all the platforms that passed our vetting process. Then, we personally tested some of them to narrow down our list even further. Read more about how we review online therapy platforms.
Choosing an online therapy platform is similar to finding a therapist who suits your needs. First, you want to consider your needs: how do you like to communicate? Do you want to use insurance? Do you prefer subscription-based or pay-by-session models?
If you’re a first-time user, make sure to check the platform’s policy on changing therapists. Most platforms make it easy to switch therapists if you’re not feeling a connection, but others require you to email or call customer service to make that change.
2025 study
research from 2021
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online platform you’re using takes insurance
Teletherapy is good for people who prefer a range of communication formats and are comfortable using technology to communicate and disclose personal information. It’s important to have a quiet, private area, a functional device, and a strong, reliable internet connection.
“Anyone who is seeking outpatient support for mental health difficulties would be a good candidate for mental healthcare,” said expert Dr. Matthew Boland, a licensed clinical psychologist.
It can address several types of issues and feelings, including anxiety, depression, stress, life changes, and more.
Online therapy is also suitable for people who:
- feel more comfortable in their environment
- can’t leave their home due to a disability or health condition
- don’t have access to transportation
- live in a rural or remote area
- have a busy or changing schedule
- want an affordable therapy option
Read our in-depth comparison of Talkspace vs. BetterHelp.
Online therapy is making mental health services accessible and more affordable for many people.
With the ability to choose a therapist by attributes that matter most to you, online therapy becomes more personalized to you and your needs.
Several online therapy platforms have partnered with major insurance companies to cover the cost of mental health services. If not, many licensed therapists can offer therapy sessions on a sliding scale to accommodate your financial circumstances.