Our 9 Picks for Families Looking for Affordable Online Therapy

Get help for your and your kids’ mental health without breaking the bank

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Mental health care in the United States can cost a pretty penny, with average therapy rates ranging from $100 to $200 per visit.Because these fees can be prohibitively expensive, it’s little wonder that so many people lack access to the therapeutic support they need. In fact, 80% of families that include a child with mental health needs don’t receive the care they require, citing barriers such as cost and inconvenience.幸运的是,近年来,负担得起的网络erapy has emerged as an effective and convenient option for bringing quality mental health care to anyone, anywhere.

Online therapy is typically more budget-friendly than in-person visits and offers the same standard of care for treating conditions such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress (PTSD).“It’s been shown that, for many conditions, online therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy,” saysHannah Owens, LMSW, “and because many companies offer subscriptions or are in-network with many insurance plans—a rare thing in the mental health industry due to the high administrative burden of accepting insurance—it is often more affordable than in-person services.” So to help you find affordable online therapy, we evaluated over 80 therapy companies online, surveyed over 10,000 users, and tested the services ourselves to ensure our recommendations offered everything parents and families need.

Our 9 Picks for the Most Affordable Online Therapy of 2023

Our 9 Picks for Families Looking for Affordable Online Therapy
Our 9 Picks for Families Looking for Affordable Online Therapy

Most Accessible:Talkspace


Talkspace logo

Talkspace

Key Specs
  • Self-Pay Price:$69–$109 per week
  • Insurance Accepted?:Yes
  • Types of Therapy:Individual, teen, couples; psychiatry and medication management
Why We Chose It

The subscription plans at Talkspace start as low as $69 per week, making this company one of the most affordable we reviewed. Parents will appreciate 24/7 access to mental health resources—and the fact that Talkspace serves children as young as 13.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Plans start at $69 per week

  • Treats clients 13 and up

  • Accessible in every state

  • User-friendly, HIPAA-compliant app

  • Accepts FSA/HSA payments

Cons
  • No family therapy

  • Shorter, 30-minute visits

  • Can’t choose your therapist

Overview

Since its founding in 2012,Talkspace为近三百万人提供了容易吗and convenient access to mental health resources for the whole family. With this platform, clients 13 years and older may attend therapy appointments by video, audio, or live chat from anywhere in the U.S. or Canada. Additionally, unlimited text messaging is available 24/7, guaranteeing one response per business day from a licensed therapist.

For those in need of even more support, Talkspace offers live weekly workshops as part of its highest-tier subscription plan. Led by therapists, these anonymous and educational group sessions explore plenty of topics relevant to families, such asempathy building,burnout,stress, andparenting.

What’s more, Talkspace’sspecialized teen counseling programextends a lifeline to kids ages 13 to 17. With teen mental health struggles on a sharp incline in recent years, teen counseling at Talkspace aims to reach kids in any method they choose—from emoji-laden text messages to face-to-face video.

Plans & Pricing

While Talkspace offers a self-pay option, it also partners with most major insurance carriers to help lower out-of-pocket expenses. Prospective clients can easily check their coverage during the sign-up process. Talkspace often runs discounts and promotions, which are always prominently displayed across the top of the homepage or on pop-up banners.

There are three individual therapy subscription packages that users can choose to pay for monthly, quarterly, or biannually:

  • Messaging:$69+ per week; includes unlimited messaging 24/7 with a guaranteed response from your therapist every weekday
  • Video and messaging:$99+ per week; includes one live video or audio appointment and unlimited messaging 24/7 with a guaranteed response each weekday
  • Video, messaging, and workshops:$129+ per week; includes one live session by video or audio, unlimited messaging, and weekly anonymous, educational workshops

Talkspace also offers couples therapy sessions for $109 per week, and psychiatry for $249 for an initial visit, with each follow-up costing $125.

User Satisfaction

In our survey, Talkspace earned overall ratings of good, very good, or excellent from 90% of users. A total of 53% found the platform to be either affordable or very affordable, and a full 97% said Talkspace was at least a bit better than therapy they’d received in the past (with 53% rating it “much better”). One reviewer’s teen liked that her therapist could send voice note responses during live chat sessions, as this seemed more personal than text alone. That said, another reviewer expressed disappointment in the length of therapy sessions, noting that 30 minutes was too short to feel beneficial.

For Culturally Competent Therapy:TherapyDen


TherapyDen

TherapyDen

Key Specs
  • Self-Pay Price:Varies by clinician
  • Insurance Accepted?:Varies by clinician
  • Types of Therapy:Individual, child, teen, couples, group; psychiatry and medication management
Why We Chose It

Inclusivity is core to TherapyDen’s mission, making this therapist directory a smart choice for parents seeking affirming, non-shaming mental health care for the whole family.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Free to use

  • Search by specialty, experience, identity, and more

  • Committed to inclusivity and diversity

  • Available for all ages

Cons
  • Therapist directory, not a therapy platform

  • No standard rate scale

  • Less quality assurance on therapists

Overview

TherapyDenis a directory of progressive mental health providers, each of whom agrees to adhere to the company’s commitment to providing inclusive care. With counselors, social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists, TherapyDen brings together a nationwide provider network for the whole family.

What sets TherapyDen apart from other directories is the wide array of filters that help narrow your search for specialized care. Choose from more than 140 options—such asqueer-competent, trans-competent,racial justiceframework, and more—for identity-affirming support from a provider who understands your experience.

A pillar of the TherapyDen mission is to increase accessibility for mental health care. It does this by allowing any provider to list their services for free, without first undergoing a thorough screening process. Paid directories may have the resources to rigorously vet providers and verify credentials and qualifications.

As such, there may be less quality assurance with TherapyDen than other paid therapy directories, like Good Therapy. Despite this, 70% of our surveyed users were either satisfied or very satisfied with the selection of providers they found through TherapyDen.

Plans & Pricing

TherapyDen is a free service to help you find an inclusive, independent therapist that fits your family’s unique needs. There is no cost to connect with a provider. Because each therapist works within their own private practice, prices vary. While TherapyDen does not offer a standard rate scale for clinicians in its network to follow, the company states that it is committed to “making access to mental health care easy and affordable.”

To get a sense of providers’ pricing, we surveyed TherapyDen practitioners and found their rates were generally on par with national averages, ranging from $60 to $250 per session (though some went as high as $350) with sliding scale options available.

User Satisfaction

Overall, 80% of our surveyed users were pleased with TherapyDen. Interestingly, 48% identified as LGBQA+, 7% reported being trans, and almost 10% reported identifying as intersex. In total, 61% said it was important for them to find either an affirming therapist, or one with a similar identity or cultural background. Furthermore, 70% said they were either likely or very likely to recommend the directory to a friend.

“Finding a culturally informed therapist is especially important for those with marginalized identities, like BIPOC and LGBTQIA+, who often face discrimination in both their daily lives and even in therapy,” says Owens. “If a provider is not only able to understand the challenges you face as a member of your community but might also have experienced those challenges themselves, it’s often easier to develop a trusting rapport with your therapist. This is where TherapyDen shines.”

For Family Therapy:Thriveworks


Key Specs
  • Self-Pay Price:$99+ per session
  • Insurance Accepted?:Yes
  • Types of Therapy:Individual, adolescent, family, group, addiction counseling; psychiatry
Why We Chose It

Family therapy at Thriveworks offers the flexibility and convenience busy parents need, with easy-to-schedule early morning, evening, and weekend appointments that fit into the family calendar.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Treats clients ages 11 and up

  • Flexible scheduling that works with school and activities

  • Accepts most major insurance plans

Cons
  • Limited search filters

  • No text messaging option

  • Most providers don’t accept Medicaid

Overview

Thriveworkshas been a solution for overscheduled families in need of mental health support since 2008. Working around school, activity and work schedules, Thriveworks offers convenient and flexible in-person and online appointments during typical business hours, as well as early mornings, evenings, and weekends. Parents can work to improve family dynamics and communication with a licensed provider who is trained in offering family therapy. While age eligibility varies by location, many therapists in the Thriveworks network offer individual therapy forpatients as young as 11.

According to the company, clinicians are rigorously vetted and include licensed and credentialed clinical social workers, professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists. Therapy sessions run about 50 minutes and take place either by phone call or secure, encrypted, and HIPAA-compliant video call.

Plans & Pricing

While rates vary by therapist, session fees start at $99; no subscription plans are available. The company is in-network with most major insurance companies—including Blue Cross, Anthem, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Humana—and notes that the average copay insured clients pay is $20.

In our survey, 67% of Thriveworks users were able to use their insurance coverage to lower their out-of-pocket expenses, bringing their total down to a $10 to $40 copay for each appointment.

User Satisfaction

Thriveworks was a top performer in our user survey, with a total of 90% giving it an overall good, very good, or excellent rating. Seventy-eight percent of users were pleased with their therapist, reporting that their provider met either most or all of their needs. What’s more, 80% said they were either likely or very likely to recommend the platform to a friend. One of our reviewers in particular noted how easy it is to schedule, cancel, and reschedule appointments through the patient portal.

For Families With Insurance:Amwell


Amwell

Amwell

Key Specs
  • Self-Pay Price:$109–$129 per session
  • Insurance Accepted?:Yes
  • Types of Therapy:Individual, couples, kids; psychiatry and medication management
Why We Chose It

Amwell is in network with 126 major insurance providers, which helps bring down out-of-pocket expenses for therapy sessions. Furthermore, Amwell has a roster of clinicians trained to treat childhood issues, such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and challenges at school.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • In-network with 126 insurance carriers

  • Treats clients ages 11 and up

  • Fixed, transparent prices with zero hidden fees

Cons
  • Not intended for ongoing care

  • Must call to schedule children’s visits

  • Sliding fee scale is not available

Overview

Amwellhas offered individual, couples, and children’s therapy, as well as psychiatry and medication management, since 2006. With a specialized care team experienced in treating common childhood issues such asanxiety,depression,school issues, andADHD, Amwell is well positioned to offer affordable, in-network online therapy to families with children ages 11 and up throughout the U.S.

Parents can easily schedule therapy appointments for themselves through the Amwell website. However, when signing a minor up for services, you will need to call and provide parental consent before proceeding. Sessions generally last 50 minutes and take place via secure video or phone call. The Amwell website notes that most therapy is solutions-focused, with patients receiving an average of six visits before terminating.

Plans & Pricing

Amwell boasts partnerships with 126 major insurance providers, such as Anthem, Cigna, and Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Users pay per session, and the price is dependent upon the credentials of your therapist. If you choose to work with a master’s-level clinician, the out-of-pocket cost is $109 per visit. Sessions with a doctoral-level therapist cost $129 each.

Of course, your insurance plan may help lower these costs further—a benefit reported by 61% of our surveyed users.

User Satisfaction

Eighty-eight percent of Amwell users we surveyed felt positively about their experiences using the platform, rating the service good, very good, or excellent overall. Sixty-six percent said Amwell was either affordable or very affordable, and 78% were either likely or very likely to recommend the service to a friend.

While 64% of our surveyed users stuck with the first Amwell therapist they met with, one reviewer found the process to switch clinicians was easy and seamless, noting that the new therapist was very encouraging and offered helpful solutions.

One of our reviewers experienced some technical difficulties while getting individual therapy for her son; from her month of testing, though, she got the impression that the therapist would have been able to meet her child’s needs.

For Teens:Teen Counseling


Teen Counseling

Teen Counseling

Key Specs
  • Self-Pay Price:$60–$90 per week
  • Insurance Accepted?:No
  • Types of Therapy:Individual, teen
Why We Chose It

Specializing in offering teens mental health support via an affordable subscription model, Teen Counseling treats issues that matter to young people most—like eating disorders, bullying, and anxiety.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Specializes in teens’ mental health

  • Streamlined app for iOS and Android

  • Unlimited 24/7 text messaging

Cons
  • Insurance not accepted

  • No transparent pricing

  • Shorter appointments

Overview

Since the pandemic began, teens’ mental health has been under the microscope, with the CDC reporting a sharp rise insadness and suicidal thoughts among teenage girlsin particular.For parents seeking support for their children ages 13 to 19,Teen Counselingoffers a solution with audio, video, live chat, and text messaging sessions.

Owned by the online therapy companyBetterHelp, Teen Counseling provides mental health care for both teenagers and their parents. Sessions range from 30 to 45 minutes long and are meant to treat teenagers individually, parents of teens individually, or parents and their teens together.

Teen Counseling is equipped to handle the everyday challenges of teenage life, such as bullying,self-esteem issues, stress, and relationship troubles, as well as mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.

Plans & Pricing

Teen Counseling offers just one subscription plan that includes four live therapy sessions per month, plus unlimited text messaging with your therapist. You can easily cancel your subscription at any time.

While the company states that the price of this subscription varies by location, availability, and therapist preferences, the average cost falls between $60 to $90 per week.

One of our reviewers found that Teen Counseling practices surge pricing, increasing costs as local demand rises. Despite this, 49% of our surveyed users still found the cost of Teen Counseling services to be either affordable or very affordable. What’s more, 70% felt that the support they received was a good, very good, or excellent value.

User Satisfaction

百分之八十五的受访用户额定Teen Counseling as overall excellent, very good, or good, while 71% reported being likely or very likely recommend the service to a friend. Additionally, 88% said Teen Counseling was either a little better, better, or much better than therapy they’d received in the past.

When we signed up for Teen Counseling, one of our testers highlighted the ease of messaging her therapist, and was pleasantly surprised by how personalized the responses were to her experiences.

For Addiction Recovery:Mindful Care


Mindful Care

Mindful Care

Key Specs
  • Self-Pay Price:$49 per month for substance use treatment; $35–$100 per therapy session; $75–$175 per psychiatry session
  • Insurance Accepted?:Yes
  • Types of Therapy:Individual, group, addiction recovery; psychiatry and medication management
Why We Chose It

注意保健为家长提供了一个为期一年的每sonalized recovery plan at a flat monthly cost, as well as pay-as-you-go individual therapy. Kids 12 and up can use the platform’s psychiatric services, making it a good choice for families affected by substance use disorders.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Affordable

  • Insurance accepted, including Medicare and Medicaid managed plans

  • Psychiatry for ages 12+

Cons
  • Only available in six states

  • Must be 18+ for therapy or substance use counseling

  • Can’t choose your therapist

Overview

Studies have shown the detrimental effects that substance use can have on families.From impairing the caregiver-infant bond toincreasing marital conflictto impacting children’s academic success, substance use disorders have the potential to upend family dynamics, making qualified treatment all the more urgent and necessary.

Since 2018,Mindful Carehas offered a medication-assisted substance use treatment program for individuals ages 18 and up who want to address problematic opioid and alcohol use. For a flat monthly fee, you’ll gain access to nurse practitioners and certified physician’s assistants experienced in treating substance use. As part of your recovery, your provider will draft a treatment plan tailored to you and your unique goals, offering options for individual and group therapy, as well as progress monitoring, and medication management, if necessary. Mindful Care recommends continuing with the program until at least one year of sobriety.

In addition to its substance use program, Mindful Care also provides psychiatry and medication management for individuals ages 12 and up, as well as individual and group therapy for adults.

The company has easy, flexible scheduling with same-day and next-day appointments available Sunday through Friday. All therapy sessions are conducted by secure video chat.

Plans & Pricing

注意保健与大多数insuran网内ce providers, including Medicare and Medicaid managed plans, and insurance companies will often include addiction counseling as part of your coverage. In fact, 63% of those we surveyed said their insurance helped them cover the cost of services at Mindful Care.

The company’s pricing varies depending on your therapeutic needs. Offerings include:

  • Addiction recovery:$49 per month
  • Group therapy:$35 per session
  • Individual therapy:$50 per 20-minute “MicroTherapy” session, or $100 per 40-minute session
  • Psychiatry:$175 for the initial evaluation; each 20-minute follow-up is $75
User Satisfaction

Mindful Care earned an overall rating of either good, very good, or excellent from 92% of our surveyed users. When compared to services they’d received in the past, 84% said Mindful Care was a little better, better, or much better; 74% said it offered a good, very good, or excellent value for the money.

When we signed up for the service, one of our testers was impressed by the group sessions at Mindful Care, reporting that the group dynamic was supportive and nonjudgmental.

For Couples:ReGain


Regain

Regain

Key Specs
  • Price:$60–$90 per week
  • Insurance Accepted?:No
  • Types of Therapy:Individual, couples
Why We Chose It

恢复网络的治疗师是专用的那个ively to treating relationship issues. The company partners with providers who have expertise in handling challenges that impact many families, such as parenting, coming out as LGBTQ, conflict, and addiction.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Offers therapists with expertise in family issues

  • Flexible communication options

  • Ability to meet individually or as a couple any time

Cons
  • Must be 18 or older

  • No standard pricing

  • Only offers one subscription

  • Does not accept insurance

Overview

Research has long shown the connection between marital stress and poor family well-being. Frequent conflict at home, in fact, may impact a child’s sense of emotional safety and the secure bond they share with their parents.Fortunately, couples counseling atReGainoffers an affordable solution.

Founded in 2016 and owned by BetterHelp, ReGain guides couples and individuals through relationship challenges, such as infidelity, poor communication, and other stressors. The company features an extensive roster of licensed and credentialed therapists, including practitioners who are trained to offer specialty care to address unique issues affecting relationships, such as family conflicts and parenting struggles.

ReGain’s therapy services are available to adults by phone or video, as well as via unlimited messaging. Sessions are meant for both individuals seeking support in their relationship and for couples looking to work through issues together. The company also allows users to mix individual and couples’ sessions as needed.

Plans & Pricing

ReGain operates on a subscription basis with just one price plan; your total monthly cost will be based upon factors like your location, therapist availability, and preferences for specific types of therapists.

For $60 to $90 per week, users gain access to unlimited text messaging and live sessions via video or audio. We asked ReGain users to rate the company’s affordability, and 61% of our surveyed users found the service either very affordable or affordable.

User Satisfaction

ReGain performed well in our survey, earning an overall rating of good, very good, or excellent from 77% of our users. Eighty percent said the company offered a good, very good, or excellent value for what they had spent, and 71% were either likely or very likely to recommend ReGain to a friend.

When we tested ReGain, one of our testers said she was satisfied with her ReGain therapist, and found the clinician to be helpful in creating therapeutic goals for her relationship.

For Medication Management:Wellnite


Key Specs
  • Self-Pay Price:$62–$450 per month; sliding scale available
  • Insurance Accepted?:Yes
  • Types of Therapy:Individual, couples; psychiatry and medication management
Why We Chose It

Wellnite provides psychiatry and medication management for children as young as 13. Parents will appreciate its flexible, family-friendly scheduling.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Family-friendly scheduling outside of normal business hours

  • Treats clients 13 and over

  • In network with some PPO plans

  • Sliding scale rates available

Cons
  • Treatment limited to anxiety and depression

  • Primarily CBT focused

  • Does not accept HMO insurance

Overview

Wellnite发现2019年开始以来,汇集及rk of licensed psychiatrists, therapists, and physicians to treat anxiety and depression in clients age 13 and older. Wellnite makes talk therapy, psychiatry, and medication management available in 40 states across the U.S. via secure, HIPAA-compliant video or phone call.

Big on flexibility—a perk for overscheduled families—the platform invites users to choose from 30-, 45-, or 60-minute sessions. Wellnite’s appointment scheduling accommodates same-day requests, as well as appointments during early mornings, late nights, and weekends. The company’s monthly subscription cost includes access to online support groups and free shipping on medications.

Plans & Pricing

Wellnite offers three packages for psychiatry, medical care, and therapeutic support.

医疗护理和治疗费用每月245美元(如果paid monthly), $196 per month (if paid every six months), or $159.25 per month (if paid annually). It includes one consultation per month with a physician, your choice between two 30-minute therapy sessions or a single 60-minute therapy session, and free shipping and wholesale cost on prescribed medications, if needed. Add-on therapy sessions are available for an extra fee.

A medical care plan is $95 per month (paid monthly), $76 per month (paid biannually), or $61.75 per month (paid annually). It includes one consultation per month with a physician, in addition to wholesale medication prices and free shipping.

To access therapy only, fees are $450 per month (paid monthly), $360 per month (paid biannually), or $292.50 per month (paid annually). The plan includes your choice of therapy packages: six 30-minute sessions, four 45-minute sessions, or three 60-minute sessions. Additional therapy appointments available for an added fee.

Forty-seven percent of Wellnite users, when asked to rate the company’s general affordability, considered its plans to be either affordable or very affordable; an additional 35% described the plans as somewhat affordable. It’s worth noting, however, that 73% went on to rate Wellnite as a good, very good, or excellent value for the money.

User Satisfaction

A total of 75% of respondents rated Wellnite’s psychiatry services as good, very good, or excellent, while 80% said the same about the company overall. Furthermore, 78% said they’d recommend Wellnite’s psychiatry services to someone like themselves.

When we tested the service, our tester was very pleased with the therapist selection process at Wellnite, noting that choosing a provider is up to the user—not an algorithm.

For Sliding Scale Pricing:Open Path


Key Specs
  • Self-Pay Price:$30–$80 per session; one-time $65 membership fee
  • Insurance Accepted?:No
  • Types of Therapy:Individual, adolescent, couples, family
Why We Chose It

Open Path is a directory of mental healthcare providers, each of whom has agreed to sliding scale per-session rates of between $30 and $70. The directory exists for people in financial need, making it a reliable resource for affordable therapeutic support.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Low session fees

  • Providers offer in-person or virtual visits

  • Child/adolescent and teen therapy available

  • Offers comprehensive, court-approved wellness courses

Cons
  • Must demonstrate financial need to use

  • Must be uninsured or underinsured

  • Some providers are pre-licensed

  • Does not list psychiatrists

Overview

According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, nearly 30,000 adults and children in the U.S. are living without the mental health support they need—a troubling issue thatOpen Pathseeks to remedy.

As a nonprofit collective, Open Path aims to connect people in financial need to high-quality, low-cost therapy services. It brings together an extensive network of licensed and vetted counselors, marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, and more for a robust, diverse directory of affordable therapists. Each of the providers agrees to Open Path’s guidelines for low rates, offering therapy for $40 to $80 per session. For an even more cost-friendly option, $30 appointments are available with student interns.

In addition to providing a searchable therapist directory, Open Path also has a full wellness course program. Topics covered includeco-parentinganddivorce education, parenting 101, anger management, and burnout prevention. Many of these social and emotional video courses meet court requirements.

Plans & Pricing

Open Path is a searchable directory of therapy providers. It does not offer a subscription plan, but instead gives users access to a host of therapists who agree to its low-cost rates. Costs associated with Open Path include:

  • A one-time membership fee of $65
  • Per-session fees ranging between $30 and $80
  • An all-access pass to social and emotional wellness courses for $5

Open Path is meant for people with a demonstrated financial need. These individuals must be uninsured or underinsured, with a household income that falls below $100,000. If your financial or insured status changes, Open Path asks that you find therapy elsewhere to allow for people in need to find affordable support.

User Satisfaction

People in our user survey were overwhelmingly pleased with Open Path, with 90% rating the therapy collective as overall good, very good, or excellent. Seventy-one percent found the process of searching for a therapist either easy or very easy, and a total of 97% said they found a therapist that met all or most of their needs.

We had a good experience testing this directory. In particular, one of our testers noted that she appreciated the detailed, personalized therapist bios and “seamless and stress-free” search process.

Final Verdict

Online therapy may be a smart choice for people seeking budget-friendly mental health care. In addition to its affordability, seeing a therapist online may also be an easier, more convenient option for families juggling school, activities, and work.

Talkspace获得我们负担得起的和可访问的首选online therapy. The company offers individual, teen, and couples therapy, as well as psychiatry and medication management in every state across the U.S. Whether seeking mental health care for themselves or their children 13 and older, parents will find flexible communication options and 24/7 text messaging access—though the 30-minute session length may be too brief for some.

If you’re looking for longer appointment times for your teenager, you may want to considerTeen Counseling. With this platform, parents and children ages 13 to 19 will find therapy sessions that run up to 45 minutes each.

Need care for a younger child? Take a look atAmwell, which offers talk therapy for children ages 10 and older.

Compare the Most Affordable Online Therapy

Company Price Insurance Accepted? Types of Therapy
TalkspaceMost Accessible $69–$109 per week Yes Individual, teen, couples; psychiatry and medication management
TherapyDenFor Culturally Competent Therapy $60–$250 per session, sliding scale available Varies by therapist Individual, child, teen, couples, group; psychiatry and medication management
ThriveworksFor Family Therapy $99+ per session Yes Individual, adolescent, family, group, addiction counseling; psychiatry
Amwell
For Families With Insurance
$109–$129 per session Yes Individual, couples, kids; psychiatry and medication management
Teen Counseling
For Teens
$60–$90 per week No Individual, teen
Mindful CareFor Addiction Recovery $49/month for addiction recovery; $35–$100 per therapy session; $75–$175 per psychiatry session Yes Individual, group, addiction recovery; psychiatry and medication management
ReGain
For Couples
$60–$90 per week No Individual, couples
Wellnite
For Medication Management
$62–$450 per month, sliding scale available Yes Individual; psychiatry and medication management
Open Path
For Sliding Scale Rates
$30–$80 per session + one-time $65 membership fee No Individual, adolescent, couples, family

How to Choose the Best Affordable Online Therapy

Comparing Affordable Online Therapy Platforms

There are various factors to consider when choosing which online counseling is best. These include:

  • Price: Online therapy companies typically charge in one of two ways: via a subscription plan or a set rate per session. You may find that a subscription plan, which charges weekly or monthly fees, is a more cost-effective method. Some online therapy companies allow therapists to set their own session rates, so the cost varies across providers. Some therapists may offer a sliding scale option, which allows you to pay a lower fee based on financial need. Additional costs for online therapy may include add-on services, such as workshops or supplemental support groups, missed appointment fees, and prescription costs. If you have health benefits, your insurance may even help cover the cost of therapy. To determine your insurance coverage, and how much of your mental health care it will pay for, consult your insurance company directly.
  • Topic: Online therapy exists to treat a number of common mental health concerns, such as anxiety, depression, or trauma. Many therapy companies also list specific communities therapists specialize in treating, such as people who identify as LGBTQIA+ and parents. Online therapy may not be a good fit for you if you are in a crisis situation or have a complex or serious mental health condition, such as schizophrenia. If you are in an emergency situation and are having thoughts of harming yourself, dial 988 to reach theNational Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
  • Scheduling: Many online therapy companies make it easy and convenient to plan virtual visits that fit seamlessly into your schedule. If you’re working around school and after school activities, for example, you may want to consider finding a platform that offers evening or weekend appointments. For more urgent needs, some therapy companies even offer same-day or next-day appointments. These visits are not for emergencies or crisis situations, however, as online therapy is not designed for crisis care.
  • Location: Many online therapy services offer mental health care across the country, while some may only treat patients in a select number of states. Check your eligibility for services with the therapy company. If you live beyond its service area, an online therapy company cannot legally provide treatment. Therapists may only treat patients in the states they are licensed in.
  • Method of counseling: Online therapy is designed to meet you where you are in a method that feels comfortable to you. Many companies offer a number of communication methods, such as secure video chat, audio, live text-based chat, and even text messaging. If finding a private space to attend therapy is a concern for you, you may want to look into sessions that take place by chat or text systems.
  • Ease of switching therapists: It can take time to find a therapist you connect with. Don’t be afraid to switch therapists until you find a good match. Many online therapy companies make this process simple and easy, allowing users to start the process either within a patient portal, or by calling customer service.

Who Is Online Therapy Right For?

Online therapy makes mental health care more available and affordable to anyone in need of support. It may be particularly beneficial for parents of young children who can schedule appointments during nap times. Additionally, online therapy is a good fit for people in areas which lack adequate resources for in-person mental health care.

But online therapy isn’t a match for everyone. “Anyone who is experiencing severe mental health issues should not seek online therapy and instead, opt for in-person therapy,” says Nick Bach, PsyD, a psychologist in Louisville, Kentucky. “Online therapy can be useful for milder mental health issues, but severe mental health issues require the more personal connection that in-person therapy provides.”

What Can You Do If You Can’t Afford Online Therapy?

Everyone deserves access tomental health care, even when the cost of therapy is prohibitively expensive. “Many local providers offer telehealth and sliding scale fees based on income,” says Arianna Boddy, a licensed psychologist in Knoxville, Tennessee. “There are some who might even see someone for free for a few sessions.”

If you’re struggling to find support you can afford, Boddy suggests checking in with local organizations—like community hospitals—for therapy and support groups that offer low-cost or free services.

What If You’re Having Thoughts of Harming Yourself?

Online therapy companies are not crisis centers and cannot help in emergency situations. If you or someone you know is experiencing severe mental health symptoms, including thoughts of self-harm or suicide, contact these resources for urgent support:

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How Do Mental Health Issues Affect Families?

    Having a family member struggle with a mental health condition can be hard on the whole family. In fact,witnessing a loved one experience depressionmay lead to feelings of burnout, guilt, stress, and anxiety in family members. Furthermore, research has proven a link between parent’s anxiety and childhood risk for anxiety disorders, but new evidence also suggests that proper treatment for caregivers may lower the risk of anxiety in kids.There’s plenty of evidence that shows untreated mental health conditions have ripple effects across families, making accessible and affordable care all the more important.

  • How Much Does Online Therapy Cost?

    The cost of online therapy depends on several variables, such as the platform you choose, therapist credentials, insurance coverage, and treatment plan. Some online therapy platforms, like Open Path, prioritize low-cost services, seeking to bring accessible care to people in financial need.

  • How Often Should You See a Therapist?

    The frequency of your therapy visits is a personal decision, best made in partnership with your clinician. According to Boddy, there are several factors to consider when deciding how often to see a therapist, such as your symptoms, schedule, and financial situation. Most therapists will suggest weekly appointments for the first four to six months in order to establish a good relationship.
    “Research supports that the therapeutic relationship is the most important factor above treatment modality like cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, etc,” Boddy adds, noting that scheduling visits twice each month can be beneficial if time and money are concerns.

  • What Percentage of People Cannot Afford Therapy?

    According to a 2022 survey from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, 37% of people in the U.S. could not access mental health care due to prohibitive costs and insurance barriers. An additional 31% did not receive the support they needed for substance use disorders because they could not afford the out-of-pocket expense.For these people, online therapy may extend a lifeline, providing quality virtual mental health support that’s typically less expensive than in-person care.

Methodology

To fairly and accurately review the best online therapy programs, we sent questionnaires to 55 companies and surveyed 105 current users of each. This allowed us to directly compare services offered by gathering qualitative and quantitative data about each company and its users’ experiences.

Specifically, we evaluated each company on the following factors: website usability, the sign-up and therapist matching processes, therapist qualifications, types of therapy offered, the service's quality of care, client-therapist communication options, session length, subscription offerings, client privacy protections, average cost and value for money, whether it accepts insurance, how easy it is to change therapists, overall user satisfaction, and the likelihood that clients would recommend them.

We also signed up for the companies in order to get a sense of how this process worked, how easy to use the platform is, and how therapy takes place at the company. Then, we worked with three subject matter experts to get their expert analysis on how suited this company is to provide quality care to therapy seekers. Read our full methodologyhere.

Teenage Girl On Online Psychotherapy

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Article Sources
Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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ByLizzie Duszynski-Goodman
Lizzie Duszynski-Goodman is a writer and editor whose work explores the intersection of mental health and family life.

Edited by Ray Finch
Ray Finch

Ray is a health special projects editor on the performance marketing team.

Learn about our editorial process
and Simone Scully
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Simone is the health editorial director for performance marketing at Verywell. She has over a decade of experience as a professional journalist covering pregnancy, parenting, health, medicine, science, and lifestyle topics.

Learn about our editorial process