Our editors have personally used and benefited from online talk therapy — these are our top choices for inclusive, affordable, and accessible care.
With everything happening in the world, many of us find ourselves more stressed than ever and in need of support — we’ll be the first to admit we often feel this way. That’s why we’re huge fans of online therapy and virtual counseling to get the help we need, especially when face-to-face sessions aren’t always possible.
What is the benefit of online therapy?
Online therapy is not only more affordable, but it’s also an accessible and convenient service that provides high-quality support with trained therapists, anytime and anywhere. Rather than being limited to therapists in your area, you’ll have access to a wider range of therapists from various experiences and backgrounds who can better understand your emotional, physical, and psychological needs. Many even have chat therapy options if you find yourself needing to talk to someone right away.
What to look for in a therapy service:
There was a real boom in telehealth and virtual therapy services during the pandemic, and due to its accessibility and affordability, it has only continued to grow. But unlike in-person sessions, there is a security risk that needs to be considered when sharing sensitive information online. Security and privacy should be top concerns for any provider you choose, so be sure to discuss safe technology practices and data privacy protocols with your therapist. (The American Psychological Association provides specific guidance for online providers.).
The therapy provider you select should also mention the licenses and qualifications their therapists possess and whether or not they accept insurance (or offer lower-cost services). Once you meet with your therapist, making therapy goals, discussing therapy techniques, and above all feeling comfortable and confident with your therapist is essential to the success of your growth during therapy.
“Virtual therapy is an accessible, convenient, and adaptable option.”
Remember: There is no shame in therapy, whether you simply need to talk with someone or are interested in exploring treatment and prescription medication for mental health. From anxiety to OCD to marital challenges, these therapy websites and apps can set you up with a preferred counselor directly from your home (or car — because, well, sometimes it’s the only quiet space, right?).
Our criteria
After testing, researching, and vetting customer reviews for a variety of online therapy platforms, we’ve selected the best options for accessible virtual care. We regularly update this list with new platforms that meet our criteria.
- INCLUSIVE | This list compiles therapy providers offering both individual and couples therapy for people of all ages, as well as an inclusive range of therapists from various backgrounds and life experiences (including BIPOC, disabled, neurodivergent, and LGBTQIA+ communities).
- AFFORDABLE | These online therapy services offer low-cost therapy with flexible plans and/or accept insurance.
- ACCESSIBLE | You’ll be able to stay in touch with your therapist via flexible options like text, messaging, phone calls, and video calls.
Also, if you’re in the United States and looking to have your counseling sessions covered, here’s a great guide on finding online therapy that works with your insurance. (And for those in the UK, My Therapist Online is a great option!)
Whether you’re interested in phone, text, or video options, we hope these resources will guide you in finding the support you need.
Not sure where to start? Check out our guide to finding a therapist. And if you’re looking for therapy options for you and your partner, we love these online couples therapy platforms and this guide on sex therapy.
Best Overall | Most Affordable | Best For Couples
1. Talkspace
Features | Employee assistance programs available, resource library, psychiatry options
HIPAA Compliant | Yes
Accepts Insurance | Yes, accepts select insurances
Price Range | Starts at $436 per month (live sessions & unlimited messaging)
With over a million users, Talkspace is one of the most accessible virtual therapy programs around. The subscription-based service accepts select insurance and works with several employee assistance programs and schools. Start messaging with your suggested therapist right away through its encrypted platform or schedule a live counseling session via video. Talkspace also offers free mental health tests and resources, discounted subscriptions, and specialty services for veterans and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Check out their privacy policy to learn about how they are protecting your data and information.
Talkspace Review | “I like that my Talkspace therapist is always checking up on me through text. She refers back to the issues we talked about” – Anonymous (See all reviews)
2. Calmerry
Features | Full licensed therapists, evidence-based approach, convenient daily support available
HIPAA Compliant | Yes
Accepts Insurance | No, offers lower cost therapy
Price Range | Starts at $50 per week (online, text & video chat therapy)
Calmerry is an e-counseling platform on a mission to provide accessible and affordable counseling for all. Starting from only $50 a week, Calmerry offers the best of online therapy from professionally licensed therapists, alongside daily support, a flexible schedule, worksheets, and video sessions. With all these offerings and their effective counselor-matching process, Calmerry is one of the most affordable options on this list with great wraparound support. Both HIPAA compliant and DMCA protected with a secure SSL Encrypted integration throughout, you can feel comfortable and confident about your privacy during your sessions.
Calmerry Review | “My counselor often checked in on me and helped guide me through some tough times while helping me work towards being more confident. There were also times where I did not feel like talking about my experiences and she helped have conversations, which was helpful.” – Christopher W. (See all reviews)
3. BetterHelp
Features | Bilingual options, 20K+ licensed therapists, financial assistance available, monthly subscription service
HIPAA Compliant | No
Accepts Insurance | No (financial aid is available)
Price Range | $65–$90 per week (billed every four weeks)
For tailored, flexible online counseling — including unlimited access — check out BetterHelp. Start with a personalized survey to find the best-trained counselors for your unique circumstances, then message them anytime, anywhere. You can even schedule a live therapy session over phone, tablet, or computer, giving you a range of communication options. We’ve used BetterHelp, to help support us through anxiety, depression, and family issues — we especially recommend it as a bridge service into working directly with a psychiatrist or therapist IRL. (Signing up for therapy is hard! BetterHelp is a great first step to get a therapist on your side).
Betterhelp Review | “Marissa has helped me so much ever since I joined BetterHelp! She’s patient and understanding, and she’s great at taking what I tell her and then reiterating in a more simple, straightforward and objective way. She understands and takes into account all my thoughts and concerns, no matter how frequently they reoccur, and her help has helped me progress a lot over the time we’ve worked together.” – Anonymous (See all reviews)
4. ReGain
Features | Options for individuals or couples, all therapists have a Master’s Degree or a Doctoral Degree
HIPAA Compliant | No
Accepts Insurance | No, offers lower cost therapy
Price Range | $65–$90 per week (billed every 4 weeks)
If you’re looking to regain companionship or affection, or need to address some tough relationship issues, ReGain is our suggested platform for online relational therapy. You can choose to participate as an individual or as a couple, and after taking a questionnaire to identify your shared goals, you’ll be paired with a licensed counselor. Done primarily through video sessions (and via messages anytime), it’s a flexible, virtual option that will help you tackle challenges straight on.
ReGain Review | “We are so thankful for therapist Darryl, he is very empathetic, takes his time in listening to our concerns and needs. He’s been very good with helping us set goals, I would highly recommend him to anyone for couples or personal therapy.” – Anonymous (See all reviews)
5. Online-Therapy.com
Features | Qualified therapists, online therapy toolbox, CBT approach, financial assistance available
HIPAA Compliant | Yes
Accepts Insurance | No, offers lower cost therapy; itemized receipts available
Price Range | Starts at $50 per week (unlimited messaging & therapy program)
For therapy on your terms, we recommend checking out Online-Therapy.com. No matter where you are in the world or what device you use, Online-Therapy.com offers resourceful and accessible care to help support you during your time of need on your schedule. Each subscription gives you access to their online therapy toolbox, which includes guided videos, worksheets, journaling, diary entries, and even yoga recommendations. You’ll also have unlimited communications with your therapist from Monday to Friday to help you with your process (and a one-on-one live session with certain subscriptions). If you’re seeking a service you can work through at your own pace, Online-Therapy.com is the solution for you. View their comprehensive privacy policy here.
Online-Therapy.com Review | “I love the format. I feel like the worksheets gave my therapist and I opportunities to become familiar and established context and understanding before we ever had our first session.” – Jahshh (See all reviews)
6. Alma
Features | All identities and diverse backgrounds welcomed, free 15-minute consultation calls
HIPAA Compliant | Policies steady with HIPAA regulations
Accepts Insurance | Yes, accepts select insurances
Price Range | Set by therapist
For online therapy that covers a wide variety of needs—including talk therapy and medication management—Alma may be a great option for you. Whether you’re seeking individual, couples, family, or teen therapy, Alma gives you access to a diverse network of highly qualified therapists. Many of Alma’s therapists offer free 15-minute consultation calls so you can find out if your therapist is a fit before committing. Alma also accepts a number of insurance plans and communication is done through their HIPAA-compliant messaging channels.
Alma Review | “For me, the best part of @withalma_ has been the quality + diversity of their therapist network. bc we moved to Florida, i needed to find a new virtual therapist who specializes in ADHD. 9 folks recommended: – 5 were women of color – 2 of them were LQBTQ ” – Anonymous (See all reviews)
7. Open Path Collective
Features | Sliding scale, bilingual options, wellness courses available
HIPAA Compliant | No (not a healthcare company)
Accepts Insurance | No, offers lower cost therapy
Price Range | One-time $65 membership fee; starts at $40 per session
Open Path Collective, a nonprofit, supports clients who lack health insurance or cannot afford typical pricing for therapy sessions. For a lifetime membership fee, you can find affordable therapists in your area who may offer online therapy in addition to IRL counseling. Open Path welcomes all identities, backgrounds, bodies, and orientations. Pro tip: If you’re looking for family, group, or couples therapy, you can usually share one membership fee.
Open Path Review | “Open Path may have truly saved me in a very desperate time of needed guidance. I needed perspective and a safe place to figure out how to direct the next part of my journey. Open Path allowed me to easily find someone who matched my needs and I feel very grateful for Open Path and my counselor, that I otherwise could not afford. It’s still tough but it’s worth every bit of every cent spent taking care of myself. Thank you to all of you who provide this service on a sliding scale, truly grateful!” – Jasmine (See all reviews)
8. Inclusive Therapists
Best For | BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, Neurodivergent & Disabled communities
Features | Bilingual options, centered on marginalized identities, reduced fee virtual teletherapy
HIPAA Compliant | No (account data is encrypted)
Accepts Insurance | Yes, accepts select insurances
Price Range | Varies; sliding scale available
Inclusive Therapists is a wonderful directory focused on celebrating all identities and abilities. This online platform centers BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent, and disabled communities with a specific focus on social justice, liberation, and decolonization. That means every therapist here has been carefully verified to meet the needs of these communities. You can expect culturally responsive and supportive feedback with every counseling session.
Inclusive Therapists Review | “What don’t I love about Inclusive Therapists!? […] Use their database to search for therapists by the usual stuff (location, training, sliding scale rates, accepting new clients) AND by the therapist’s identity, cultural or spiritual knowledge, languages spoken, areas of focus…aka search filters that help you find someone who won’t gaslight you and will prioritize social justice.” – Alexis Rockley (Read the full review)
9. Teen Counseling
Best For | Teens
Features | Therapists who specialize with teens, app-based communication
HIPAA Compliant | No
Accepts Insurance | No, offers lower cost therapy
Price Range | $65+ per week (billed every four weeks)
Teen Counseling offers support to teens ages 13 through 19 looking for professional help. Using an app, teens can communicate with licensed and trained therapists via text, live chat, and video — with flexibility around scheduling. Counseling is confidential but rest assured that the therapist will alert a parent if a serious action is required. If your teen is struggling — with bullying, self-esteem, an eating disorder, or anything else — there is help available.
Teen Counseling Review | “Abigail is engaging, caring, and has a good approach with my son. She delves deep without being off-putting. I have certainly noticed a positive difference in him – something I hadn’t seen after a couple of years with his previous psychologist.” – Anonymous (See all reviews)
