Thinking about trying online therapy, but are not sure which platform to choose to connect with a licensed mental health professional? With many new online counseling services appearing in recent years, the number of choices is huge, so finding the right fit for you can feel overwhelming. But therapy is far from a one-size-fits-all, so it’s crucial to do extensive research, compare different providers, and look for a therapist or online therapy platform specific to your needs.

We hope this task will be easier with our list of the best online therapy options. Here are our top five picks for online therapy in 2022 with a quick summary of what they offer and what sets them apart.

Calmerry – Best Online Therapy Platform Overall

Pros:

• Unlimited messaging and live video sessions
• Flexible subscription plans to choose from
• Licensed therapists with experience in different fields
• Clients get matched with a therapist by Calmerry staff, not algorithm
• Option to change therapists at no charge
• Good resources available on the website
• Free mood tracker and journaling app

• Excellent support team
• Easy-to-use mobile apps for iOS and Android

Cons:

• No medication management services
• Does not take insurance

Calmerry was launched in October 2022, and now this relatively new online counseling platform provides services in all 50 states. It connects clients who are looking for individual or couples therapy with thoroughly vetted licensed mental health professionals. You can choose from different subscription plans that include unlimited messaging and live video sessions. While you can’t choose your therapist (you get matched with a provider by Calmerry staff based on the info you provide in the survey), you can switch to a different provider without paying an additional fee to find a perfect fit.

Calmerry therapists are experienced clinical psychologists, licensed professional counselors, clinical social workers, or marriage and family therapists with a master’s or doctorate degree in their field. They are trained in a variety of evidence-based therapies and can provide support with different mental health issues, including but not limited to anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, stress, burnout, trauma, PTSD, grief & loss, and family conflicts. This platform is a good option to find a self-esteem therapist and a counselor with experience in working with the members of LGBTQ+ community.

Users can communicate with their therapists, manage their subscription, and track therapy performance through their personal portal. After you sign up, you’ll get access to Reflection Helper, a free chatbot that can help you track your mood and create journal entries.

Betterhelp – The Largest Pool of Therapists

Pros:

• Unlimited messaging with a therapist and live video sessions
• A large provider network
• You can switch counselors for free
• Financial aid is available for those who qualify
• Optional weekly group therapy sessions
• Informative website

Cons:

• Does not accept insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid
• Therapists can’t diagnose conditions or prescribe medication
• Response time depends on the individual therapist

With 25,000+ licensed therapists available, BetterHelp is among the largest, and certainly most recognized online therapy services in the USA. The therapists provide therapy through video, messaging, live chats, or telephone calls and specialize in treating a range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma & grief, substance use, eating disorders, and family problems. Many mental health professionals specialize in working with couples, teens, members of LGBTQ+ community, and people looking for faith-based counseling. But currently, BetterHelp does not offer psychiatric services and cannot provide medication.

There is only one subscription plan available, and the price you are offered is based on your location (your IP address) and your therapist’s qualifications. Although the platform doesn’t accept insurance, the services are reasonably priced, and they offer financial aid for those who qualify. You can send a message to your therapist at any time, but counselors typically reply to messages once a day. You can also schedule weekly 30-minute live video or phone sessions. Besides, there are additional services like journaling and group therapy.

Online-Therapy.com – Best Guided CBT Therapy Program

Pros:

• The treatment is based on cognitive behavioral therapy
• A variety of communication options: messaging, text chat, phone, and video
• Unlimited messaging with your therapist
• Users can pause their subscription
• Daily journal, worksheets, tests, and yoga/meditation videos
• Offers a discount for the first month of therapy

Cons:

• Limited to 30 minutes of live sessions per week
• Doesn’t accept insurance
• The Basic plan does not include live video sessions with a therapist

Online-Therapy.com is a subscription-based online therapy platform for individuals (18+) and couples. The whole program focuses solely on CBT, which is highly effective in treating, depression, anxiety, phobias, eating disorders, alcohol and drug issues.

You can choose from three subscription plans: Basic, Standard, and Premium. Each of them includes unlimited messaging with a licensed therapist, and Standard and Premium plans also include live 45-minute therapy sessions available over video, phone or text. Therapists respond to users messages from Monday to Friday.

All subscription plans also include access to a toolbox of resources that include worksheets, yoga and meditation videos, a digital journal, an activity plan, and tests. As there is no set time limit for completing the program, you can work on your own pace, and your therapist will give you feedback on your progress after you finish any of the activities in the portal.

Talkspace – Best Online Therapy Covered by Insurance

Pros:

• Unlimited message communication with a professional therapist
• Multiple counseling options: text, audio, video sessions
• High professional standards for therapists
• Psychiatry options
• Medication management services
• Resource library
• Employee assistance programs available

Cons:

• Can only choose a counselor from algorithm-selected matches
• No free trial
• No group counseling available

Talkspace provides their users with access to live, individual, therapy sessions via video conferencing and unlimited messaging. The platform has a large network of licensed therapy providers that cover a range of specialties who can treat a variety of mental health conditions or concerns, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, OCD, ADHD, stress, trauma, bipolar disorder, chronic illness, substance abuse, relationship problems, LGBTQ+ issues, and more. There is also an eight-week behavioral health program to treat insomnia.

After you sign up and choose your subscription plan, you can pick your therapist from recommended suggestions, and if they aren’t a good match, switching is easy. You can communicate with your therapist in a private therapy room, open 24/7. You can send text, video, or voice messages to your therapist at your convenience in this space.

The platform can also connect you with a psychiatrist licensed in your state who can prescribe medication that you can pick up from your local pharmacy. Talkspace partners with several health plans and employee assistance programs (EAPs), which means that you can talk to a counselor without breaking the bank.

Doctor on Demand – Best for Single Video Sessions

Pros:

• Offers therapy and psychiatric care
• Medication management services
• Free screening tool for mental health assessment
• You can choose your mental health provider
• Accepts many insurance plans
• Therapists are available seven days a week

Cons:

• You may need to wait a few days for an appointment
• Rather expensive without insurance
• Video chat is the only communication option

Doctor on Demand is one of the fastest-growing telemedicine providers in America that offers access to primary care doctors and also psychologists and psychiatrists. The platform can be a good option for people who don’t want to subscribe to a plan and are looking for a single therapy session or those who want an all-in-one platform for their medical and mental health needs.

The services are covered by some insurance plans, including such popular insurers as Aetna, Cigna, and Humana among others. Finally, the services are also a covered Medicare Part B benefit. Users need to create an account in order to see whether their insurance is accepted, as well as begin to search the platform’s online therapist directory.

Therapists and psychiatrists from Dr. on Demand offer support for plenty of mental health symptoms and conditions. These include anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), ADHD, substance use disorders, and insomnia. Doctor on Demand’s psychiatrists can also prescribe medications and can order electronic prescriptions to the pharmacy of your choice. Therapy sessions are called consultations, and they may last for 25 or 50 minutes, but you can also add an additional 15 minutes to either session option for an additional fee.

Final Thought

Online therapy has become one of the top ways people seek mental health services because of it convenience, accessibility, affordability, and added perks. It’s the best alternative for anyone with busy work schedules or living far from mental health providers. Besides, multiple studies have shown that teletherapy can be as effective as traditional in-office psychotherapy sessions in treating different mental health issues and can produce similar therapeutic outcomes.

When you are searching for online therapy providers, you should look for platforms that employ only licensed mental health professionals and follow the best practices to ensure privacy and security and keep your information safe. But you should also remember that in many cases, it’s all about finding the right therapist you click with and who will provide you with emotional support and guidance to help you achieve your goals.