In fact, a study by the American Psychology Association revealed that 39% of people cite cost as their main reason for avoiding counseling. Thankfully, online therapy techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy are cost-effective, especially for stress-related disorders.
I'm a licensed clinical psychologist with 20+ years of experience and I evaluated the five cheapest online therapy platforms. In conjunction with our editorial team, I thoroughly vetted each online therapy service's features so you can get the help you deserve. Take a look at our expert picks below.
» Find out which online therapy services are covered by insurance.
Our 5 Best Most Affordable & Cheap Online Therapy Services in 2024:
- Talkspace - Best affordable and cheap online therapy service overall
- Calmerry - Best for data-driven therapy with trackable progress
- Online-Therapy.com - Best one-stop shop for all your telehealth needs
- Regain - Best for busy couples seeking therapy on their own terms
- Brightside - Best for people with severe depression and anxiety
How We Reviewed the Best 5 Most Affordable & Cheap Online Therapy Services
Evaluation Process
Led by an experienced clinical psychologist, our team assessed the features of multiple online therapy services. These evaluations involved exploring online therapy websites, utilizing third-party platforms, and researching users' experiences with the services.
Evaluation Criteria
- Cost: We assessed the pricing transparency, ensuring all costs were clearly stated upfront, including any possible subscription or per-session charges.
- Insurance compatibility: We checked each service's compatibility with insurance plans and their process for handling claims and billing.
- Therapist qualifications: We verified therapists' credentials, focusing on their licensing, qualifications, and experience in specific therapeutic areas.
- Range of services: We evaluated the variety of services offered, including types of therapies available for individuals, couples, and specific mental health issues.
- Platform usability: We explored each platform's user-friendliness, considering factors like ease of scheduling, customer support quality, and the stability of their online systems.
- Privacy and security: We confirmed that each service adheres to relevant privacy regulations, such as HIPAA, ensuring strong data protection and session security.
- Client reviews and testimonials: We reviewed feedback from users on Trustpilot and BBB to understand their satisfaction levels and the effectiveness of the therapy provided.
- Accessibility features: We examined each service's accessibility features, including options like text therapy, asynchronous messaging, and flexible therapist availability across different time zones.
A Closer Look at Our Best 5 Most Affordable & Cheap Online Therapy Services in {year}:
1. Talkspace
Eliminates therapy jargon with library resources
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- Best for - Therapy for teenagers
- Pricing - From $30/week
- Modes of communication - Text, video, and voice messages and live chat, phone, and video sessions
- 24/7 chat access - Yes
- Accepts insurance - Yes
Talkspace's comprehensive mental health care approach includes therapy and psychiatry services for singles and couples. The platform addresses a wide range of needs, like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and mood disorders. It also ensures specialized, non-judgmental support for the LGBTQIA+ community. Talkspace is also free through your employee assistance program (EAP) benefits package.
Why we chose Talkspace: One of its unique features is its iOS app, which provides guided exercises and tools tailored for unique or challenging situations. You can access exercises for deep breathing, focusing, sensory awareness, journaling, overcoming worry, and navigating negative thoughts.
Our experience: We appreciated that Talkspace provides an extensive online library of Mental Health Conditions for free. It explains key psychology terms and delves into diagnoses and treatments. Learning more about these aspects helped us feel less intimidated and more prepared.
Pros
- Free online therapy for NYC teens through Teenspace
- Can prescribe an assortment of medication
- Provides therapy tailored to veterans' needs
Cons
- Psychiatry services are only available to individuals over 18
- Can't pay with PayPal, personal or business checks, or ACH payments
Read the full Talkspace review
2. Calmerry
Facilitates self-help therapy solutions
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- Best for - Actionable and practical counseling approaches
- Pricing - From $50/week
- Modes of communication - Text messages and live video sessions
- 24/7 chat access - Yes
- Accepts insurance - No
Calmerry's therapy plan offers value for money with its rich resources. Alongside traditional online therapy sessions, you can access a vast self-help tips library at no extra cost. This includes insightful articles, quizzes, checklists, and audio journaling prompts for deep reflection. It focuses on measurable therapy outcomes, with plans aiming for progress within six to 12 weeks.
Why we chose Calmerry: It stands out for its reflection features, including mood trackers and journaling tools. You can share your introspection notes with your counselor, and the platform will provide weekly reports on your mood patterns and overall progress.
Our experience: We liked that Calmerry's app includes a Therapy Plan, which serves as a roadmap with actionable steps toward better mental health. Tracking milestones in the app gave us a sense of accomplishment and significantly boosted our motivation.
Pros
- You can choose between 30, 60, and 90 minutes video sessions
- Provides corporate mental health plans for employees
- Supplies free mental health screening tests
Cons
- Can't provide official diagnoses
- Doesn't prescribe medicine
3. Online-Therapy.com
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- Best for - Alternative therapy options
- Pricing - From $40/week
- Modes of communication - Text messages and live video and voice sessions
- 24/7 chat access - Yes
- Accepts insurance - No
Online-Therapy.com uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a proven approach that helps with several mental health conditions. It provides a full therapy toolbox with activities and resources to support this method Available worldwide, its business therapy plans only require payment for active employees, with discounts of up to 33% based on the number of users.
Why we chose Online-Therapy.com: It offers a unique hypnotherapy program. Skilled therapists use immersive video sessions to help reshape thought patterns, reduce stress and anxiety, and manage phobias. This approach taps into the subconscious to encourage emotional healing and increased self-awareness.
Our experience: We enjoyed Online-Therapy.com's free guided meditation and yoga class feature. Our instructor, Petra, had a very calming personality and was open about her own mental health journey. The online classes and breathing exercises helped us cope with anxiety and stress, providing a refreshing approach to mental health support.
Pros
- Extends financial aid to students, veterans, and low-income individuals
- Accepts health savings account and flexible spending account cards
- The platform allows anonymous usage
Cons
- Can't pay per session, subscription only
- Can't assist minors
Read the full Online-Therapy.com review
4. Regain
Helps build strong marriages with premarital counseling
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- Best for - Couples therapy
- Pricing - From $65/week
- Modes of communication - Text messages and live chat, phone, and video sessions
- 24/7 chat access - Yes, your therapist will respond based on their availability
- Accepts insurance - No
Regain is Betterhelp's sister site for online couples therapy. It helps you address your unique relationship problems and goals to foster long-lasting and loving connections. It allows total discretion, letting you and your partner choose aliases for the therapist to use. You can access all previous messages for reference during therapy to encourage clear communication.
Why we chose Regain: You share a joint account with your significant other, meaning you save money by sharing a single subscription. This setup also ensures clear transparency between you, your partner, and your therapist in the chat feature.
Our experience: We found that our therapist was fantastic at blending direct feedback in a caring way while remaining supportive and encouraging. The platform can really help couples rebuild trust and emotional connection.
Pros
- Offers three-way calling for location flexibility
- BetterHelp’s Platform is HITRUST Risk-based, 2-year (r2) Certified
- You can switch to a different therapist for free
Cons
- You can't use its services to fulfill a court order
- Not meant for individuals in physically abusive relationships
5. Brightside
Covers most prescription needs with online psychiatry services.20210114062643.png){kind=icon}
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- Best for - Online therapy that takes insurance
- Pricing - From $95/month
- Modes of communication - Text messages, live video sessions, and interactive lessons
- 24/7 chat access - Yes
- Accepts insurance - Yes
Brightside offers a combination of therapy and psychiatry, allowing it to prescribe most medications that aren't controlled substances directly through your insurance. It boasts that 86% of its members report significant progress within 12 weeks. The service treats a variety of severe conditions, including panic disorder and bipolar disorder. Plus, you can connect immediately to a crisis counselor by messaging its helpline.
Why we chose Brightside: It uses AI-powered prescribing software to analyze 100+ data points and 1,000+ potential medication and dosage combinations. This ensures you receive the most tolerable and effective prescription plan tailored to your needs.
Our experience: We were impressed by Brightside's Crisis Care plan. It's one of the only online therapy services equipped to help individuals with severe depression and elevated risks of suicide. This first-of-its-kind service is built on the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality framework, which is backed by three decades of research.
Pros
- Accepts health savings account cards for copays and prescriptions
- Can treat minors over the age of 13
- You can make appointments within 24 hours
Cons
- Can't diagnose ADHD, only treat it
- May charge a no-show fee of $70 if you miss an appointment
Read the full BrightSide review
Compare the Best 5 Most Affordable & Cheap Online Therapy Services:
Who Is Online Counseling Best For?
Online counseling is ideal for individuals managing mild to moderate mental health issues such as anxiety, stress, or depression. It suits those who value convenience, including people with busy schedules, limited transportation, or those living in remote areas.
Online counseling also offers greater access for individuals who prefer digital communication or have physical disabilities making office visits difficult. However, it is not suitable for those with severe psychiatric conditions requiring immediate intervention or intensive supervision, nor is it ideal for situations needing close observation of physical reactions, or for those without a private and stable internet connection.
What to Know Before Purchasing a Subscription
Before purchasing an online therapy subscription, it is crucial to understand the costs, billing cycles, and auto-renewal policies. Prospective clients should be aware of how to cancel the subscription and any associated fees or notice periods.
It's important to clarify what the subscription includes, such as the number of sessions, communication methods (video, text, call), and any additional resources. Verifying the qualifications of therapists and ensuring they are licensed to address specific mental health issues is also key. Lastly, confirm the platform's commitment to privacy and data protection, adhering to relevant privacy laws.
What Can Online Therapy Help With?
Online therapy can address a wide range of conditions and disorders, including anxiety, depression, stress, and relationship issues. Many online therapy platforms also offer psychiatry services that can prescribe medications for mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
This integration of therapy and medication management provides a holistic approach to mental health care. Benefits of online therapy include reducing loneliness, providing a continuous support system, and enhancing emotional resilience through regular mental health check-ins and coping strategies.
How to Choose an Online Therapist
Choosing the right online therapist involves verifying their credentials and ensuring they have the proper specialization to address specific mental health concerns. Compatibility with the therapist's personality and therapeutic methods can significantly enhance the effectiveness of therapy.
It is essential to be open and honest about one’s needs and expectations, helping set clear therapy goals. Also, check the therapist's availability to ensure it aligns with your schedule, taking advantage of flexible scheduling and emergency session availability to better fit your lifestyle.
Invest in Your Mental Health
In our search for the most affordable online therapy services, we focused on options that accept insurance, offer free services, or provide extra features. These telehealth solutions strive to make quality support accessible to all.
Don't let a thin wallet stand in the way of your emotional well-being. You deserve to look after yourself and gain the support needed to manage life's challenges. Consider online therapy a flexible, effective, and economical way to boost your mental health.
» Learn more about how online therapy works here.
FAQs
Is online therapy more affordable?
Online therapy often costs less than traditional in-person therapy. It has lower overhead costs, so it can offer lower session rates. Many services provide flexible pricing models, such as subscriptions, which can be cheaper than paying per session. Some also accept insurance, reducing out-of-pocket expenses.
Is it better to see a therapist in person or online?
The best choice between online and in-person therapy depends on your personal preferences and circumstances, such as convenience, accessibility, comfort level, and specific needs. However, studies show that telehealth therapies are just as effective as in-person sessions for treating conditions like anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
How do I prepare for an online therapy session?
To ensure a productive online therapy session, find a private, quiet space where you won't be interrupted. Test your internet connection and any required software or apps beforehand to minimize technical issues. Lastly, have materials like a journal or therapy worksheets ready before the session begins.
