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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.
Why should you try online therapy?
Going through life struggles is tough — especially if you’re dealing with it alone. A therapist provides the much needed one-on-one support that can help you navigate tough times, with someone by your side. Online therapy especially is a wonderful option for getting support at your convenience. It’s not only more affordable, but it’s also an accessible 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 should you look for in an online therapy platform?
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. Most of the services we’ve listed below also allow you to swap therapists if you’re not happy with your first meeting, ensuring a seamless match to your perfect provider.
“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 researching, vetting customer reviews, and trying many online therapy options personally, we’ve put together the best options for accessible virtual care. You deserve to have a nonjudgmental therapist that’s a good fit for your wellbeing, and we hope you find that here. We regularly update this list with new platforms that meet the criteria below.
- 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
Best For | Individuals, couples, & psychiatric needs
Features | Employee assistance programs available, resource library, psychiatry options, teen therapy, veteran therapy
HIPAA Compliant | Yes
Accepts Insurance | Yes, accepts select insurances
Price Range | $69 – $109 per week (video chat, workshops & messaging therapy)
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 (Read all reviews.)
2. Calmerry
Best For | Individuals, couples, psychiatric needs, or LGBTQIA+ communities
Features | Full licensed therapists, evidence-based approach, convenient daily support available
HIPAA Compliant | Yes
Accepts Insurance | No, offers lower cost therapy
Price Range | $57 – $90 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 $66 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. For the latest on Calmerry’s privacy policy, click here.
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. (Read all reviews.)
3. BetterHelp
Best For | Individuals, couples, teens, LGBTQIA+ communities
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 – $100 per week (in-app, chat, phone & video therapy )
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). Read up on their privacy policy here.
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 (Read all reviews.)
4. ReGain
Best For | Relationship therapy
Features | Options for individuals or couples, all therapists have a Master’s Degree or a Doctoral Degree
HIPAA Compliant | No (encrypted chatroom & database, alias use available)
Accepts Insurance | No, offers lower cost therapy
Price Range | $65 – $90 per week (phone, text, & video therapy)
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. View their privacy policy here.
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 (Read all reviews.)
5. Online-Therapy.com
Best For | On-demand therapy
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 | $50 – $110 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 (Read all reviews.)
6. Alma
Best For | Talk therapy & medication management
Features | All identities and diverse backgrounds welcomed, free 15-minute consultation calls
HIPAA Compliant | Yes
Accepts Insurance | Yes, accepts select insurances
Price Range | Set by therapist (virtual & in-person care available)
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. Read up on Alma’s privacy policy here.
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 (Read all reviews.)
7. Open Path Collective
Best For | Low-cost sessions; family or group sessions
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 (virtual & in-person care available)
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. For Open Path’s privacy policy, click here.
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 (Read 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 (virtual, teletherapy & in-person care 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. Check out Inclusive Therapists privacy policy here.
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 | $70 – $100 per week (text, phone, & video therapy)
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. Read Teen Counseling’s full privacy policy here.
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 (Read all reviews.)
10. OurRitual
Best For | Self-guided relationship therapy
Features | Weekly expert sessions, digital exercises, convenient sessions
HIPAA Compliant | No (encrypted platform)
Accepts Insurance | No
Price Range | $32 – $52 per week (video & in-app care available)
OurRitual is a modern alternative to traditional couples therapy, offering a flexible blend of expert-led sessions and personalized, science-backed digital exercises. You’ll begin by sharing details about your relationship to then be matched with licensed professionals — who are available 24/7 — and will guide you and your partner in achieving your relationship goals through tailored pathways. These pathways focus on key areas like conflict resolution, communication, and emotional intimacy, and are supported by additional videos and exercises to reinforce progress. With plans available for various needs — including long-distance, military, LGBTQ, and parents — OurRitual adapts to your lifestyle with short, convenient sessions. View OurRitual’s updated privacy policy here.
OurRitual Review | “We needed some help getting important messages across but we really didn’t want to feel judged for our lifestyle. Finding something as private as this has been a true blessing.” – Maria (Read all reviews.)
Bonus: Headspace Care
Best For | Employers & organizations
Features | Psychiatry, therapy, coaching, work/life services, mindfulness
HIPAA Compliant | Yes
Accepts Insurance | Yes
Price Range | Starts at $129 per month; No cost through employer, university, or organization (text-based coaching, video therapy, psychiatry services, mindfulness exercises)
Meditation app Headspace and former mental health coaching app Ginger have come together to create Headspace Care — a comprehensive mental healthcare platform with on-demand coaching, therapy, psychiatry, and mindfulness resources like guided meditations, sleep aids, and focus tools. Tailored to meet diverse needs, Headspace Care supports both employees and organizations by providing accessible, high-quality mental health support. By offering evidence-based care through a diverse network of experts, Headspace Care allows businesses to foster a resilient and healthy work environment. If your interested in Headspace Care, be sure to check if you’re covered for services under your employer! See Headspace’s full privacy policy here.
Headspace Care Review | “Being the benefit professional that I am, I wanted to test-drive Headspace Health myself, and I haven’t stopped using it since. People need resources to get immediate help anywhere, anytime, without the shame that comes with needing help.” – Tracy Clemente (Read all reviews.)
