In a Nutshell
pros
- Text message, live chat, phone, and video chat
- Option to choose Christian-based counseling
- Single flat fee—no limit on the number of sessions
cons
- No devoted youth counseling option
- Unclear what level of security is provided for your data
iCounseling at a Glance
Affordability
Therapist Network
User Access
Communication Tools
Customer Support
Therapist/Counselor Screening Process
According to iCounseling, all of the site’s counselors are “licensed, trained, experienced, and accredited psychologists (PhD / PsyD), marriage and family therapists (LMFT), clinical social workers (LCSW), or licensed professional counselors (LPC).” All of the counselors have a Masters Degree or Doctorate in their field and are approved by the professional board in their state of residence. The site states that every counselor has at least 3 years and 2,000 hours of hands-on experience. And with more than 3,000 counselors available, there’s no reason you won’t be able to find one that clicks with you well.
Get Help With
The iCounseling website includes 6 guides written by counselors about some of the top issues facing users. These are also 6 of the main problems you can get help with:
- Anxiety
- Eating disorders
- PTSD
- Depression
- Grief
- Stress
Types of Sessions Available
While many online counseling services are rather limited when it comes to your session options, with iCounseling you can speak to your counselor by message, chat, phone, or video. When you’re matched with a counselor, you and the counselor are given a dedicated “room” which will be your private and secure place to communicate. The room is open 24/7 and you can send a message and get a response later on. You can also scroll back over your chat history.
With a live chat session, or the phone and video sessions, you’ll need to schedule with your counselor ahead of time so that you’re both available.
With phone sessions, you’ll give the system your phone number, and the site will call you and patch you through to the counselor. Your number is never shared with the counselor.
Video sessions require scheduling ahead of time with your counselor, and double-checking that you have a reliable internet connection. In addition, you’ll want to use Chrome or Firefox—the video sessions are not supported by Internet Explorer or Safari.
Pricing & Special Offers
iCounseling doesn’t offer a free trial or promise any money-back guarantee if you’re unhappy with the service. That said, it does have a very simple and transparent pricing structure that is a good bit more affordable than in-person therapy.
While face-to-face counseling can cost $150 to $250 for a single session, the cost of counseling through iCounseling ranges from only $40 to $70 per week for unlimited access to your counselor.
You have access as much as your counselor is available, and you can cancel at any time.
What’s Unique About iCounseling?
More than anything else, what sets iCounseling apart from the competition is the sheer level of options for how you can speak to your counselor. You can send messages to view later, or get real time counseling by text, phone or video. In other words, with iCounseling you can easily have one-to-one sessions at all hours of the day and night, for less than you’d pay for a non-digital therapist.
What Our Expert Says About iCounseling
Therapy at your fingertips: That should be the motto for iCounseling. Just answer a few questions and you will be matched with a therapist and you will be off and running. You can choose from video sessions, phone calls, and live chats, and in between those, you can write to your therapist in your dedicated chat room as often as you wish. Sounds simple? Well it is, and intuitive too. You can access your chat room using an app on your smartphone or using your computer, depending on where you are at the time or where you feel most comfortable. Those providing therapy are all licensed masters or doctoral level therapists with experience in the field. So if you are in need of mental health support around areas of anxiety, depression, and family issues, or if you have other pressing concerns, don’t wait—You should contact iCounseling and meet your new therapist today!
What Users Are Saying About iCounseling
“She is understanding and non-judgemental, and I look forward to my journey with her to gain clarity.”
- J.R., review of Dr. Tara Matthews
“Rachia has been a tremendous help to me while going through a difficult breakup.”
- K.Y., review of Rachia Wellner
“Sarah is such a great listener, I feel like she is a friend. She always encourages me.”
- C.R., review of Sarah Sutherland
“I’ve found the sessions with Dr. Ortiz extremely helpful so far.”
- N.I., review of Dr. Leila Ortiz
Scheduling Live Chats/Video Chats
Scheduling a session with a counselor is quite simple, as is the entire sign-up process for iCounseling. When you go on the site, you’ll fill out a questionanire that asks you a series of questions, such as your gender, age, history with therapy, financial status, and the like. There are only about a dozen questions, and at the end, you are given the option of selecting if you’d prefer a male or female counselor, or a counselor who does christian-based therapy or is gay. When you’re finished, the company works to match you with a licensed counselor within 24 hours. When we signed up for a membership, a counselor was paired with us in less than an hour.
You then work out with your counselor when they’re available. You should see at the bottom of your counseling room a list of dates and times when your counselor is available. After you schedule the session you’ll receive an email confirmation with the date and time.
Customer Support
iCounseling has an extensive online FAQ section where it lays out how the site works and what you can expect. You can also reach customer service by way of an online form or an email address.
Bottom Line
When it comes to getting some help, the first—and sometimes the most important step—is admitting to yourself that you need some help, and you’re ready to reach out. Online counseling can be a good first step in this process, as it allows you to find a counselor you can speak to on your own terms, without the same high costs or hassle of going to an in-person meeting. iCounseling.com can make this process even easier simply through their very impressive range of counseling options—including text, message, phone, and video chat.