The 12 best online therapy services for 2024

Cost: $160-$240 per session | Insurance accepted: Yes | Time until the first appointment: Same-day appointments available | States available: District of Columbia and all states except Vermont | Types of therapy offered: Individual, couples, teen, children, family, groups, psychiatry 

It can take a lot of courage and strength to decide to attend therapy. When you decide to get help, you likely will want to get started as soon as possible. Thriveworks offers same-day and next-day appointments in all states except Vermont. Researchers state that access to timely services is a key component of quality health care and Thriveworks meets that criteria.

Thriveworks offers services for individuals, couples, children, teens, families, and groups. It also offers psychiatry with medication management for those who need talk therapy along with medication and psychiatry services. You can expect to get support for a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, grief, PTSD, eating disorders, addiction and ADHD. Its therapists are also well-versed in well-known and proven treatment modalities such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Plus, if you decide online therapy isn’t a fit for you, in-person services through Thriveworks are available in many states. Thriveworks also has in-person children's therapy centers in select states.

Cost: $95-$349 per session | Insurance accepted: Yes | Time until first appointment: Within 24 hours | States available: All 50 states | Types of therapy offered: Individual therapy and psychiatry for adults

Psychiatry services can be cost-prohibitive, with session fees at competitors costing upwards of $300. However, Brightside offers affordable medication management not only for the insured; its plan for those without insurance or who are underinsured is just $95 for the initial intake appointment. The process is simple and you may be able to book an appointment within 24 hours. You’ll fill out a brief questionnaire on your needs, get matched with a provider, have an intake appointment, monitor your symptoms once you receive your medication, and then have follow-up appointments. Brightside doesn’t specify initial intake session length, but generally you can expect follow-up appointments to be about 15 minutes. If you’d like more support, you can add on weekly, 30-minute therapy sessions for an additional $299 a month.

Cost: $15-$29 a month (7-day free trial) | Insurance accepted: N/A | Time until first appointment: Less than 24 hours | States available: All 50 states | Types of therapy offered: Emotional support groups for a wide range of topics including divorce, grief, codependency and depression

Let’s be real: Therapy is expensive. A recent study stated a single session of cognitive behavioral therapy costs more than $100, and if you need weekly sessions, that adds up. Circles is an organization offering free, 24/7 support groups for a wide range of topics. You can expect access to groups led by peers and mental health clinicians that focus on topics like addiction, grief, divorce, depression, anxiety, trauma, codependency and more. While it isn’t necessarily individualized therapy and is instead a series of support groups, you can also access educational seminars to learn actionable tools to help support your mental health goals. We especially love that you can tap in for support, regardless of where you live, what your time zone is or the hour of the day, thanks to groups that are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Cost: $95-$199 per session for out of pocket | Insurance accepted: Yes | Time until first appointment: Varies based on location, provider and service needed | States available: All 50 states | Types of therapy offered: Individual, couples, children, teens, psychiatry

If you are paying for insurance, you are probably going to want to make use of it. Unfortunately, many mental health providers do not accept insurance, and that can often be the case for online therapy. However, Amwell accepts over 125 different insurance plans, providing a level of accessibility that is nearly unheard of. 

Amwell’s therapists and psychiatrists are available to treat a multitude of conditions: anxiety, social anxiety, depression, stress management, LGBTQ counseling, bereavement and grief, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), trauma, couples therapy, panic attacks, insomnia and life transitions. The sign-up process is fairly easy, beginning with which insurance carrier you’ll be using. From there you’ll choose a therapist and the day and time of the appointment, according to the therapist’s availability. And if you find your therapist is not a good match, you can easily switch to a new one.

The only downfall we found was that your location dictates how many therapists there are to choose from. So while someone in the Los Angeles area has a choice of well over 50 therapists, one of our editors in Kentucky found the selection was fewer than 15. Those in L.A. can get a same-day appointment, while the editor in Kentucky had to wait a little over a week. 

Cost: $30-$70 per session, one-time membership fee of $65 | Insurance accepted: No | Time until first appointment: Varies by provider availability | States available: All 50 states, Canada | Types of therapy offered: Individual, couples, family and group

If you don’t have insurance or have extremely limited coverage, chances are you’re stuck paying at least $100 per therapy session. Open Path Collective is an online therapy directory that remedies this, offering sessions for $30 to $70, which is often how much a copay can cost. The $30 sessions are with student interns, while the more expensive sessions are for couples therapy with a licensed therapist. A major pro is that this directory lists over 23,000 providers throughout the country and also includes therapists in Canada.

As a therapist myself, I can enthusiastically share that this is an excellent resource — I know many therapy-seekers who have found incredible care through this directory. Furthermore, I personally know seasoned colleagues who offer their services at significantly discounted prices through the directory.

Cost: $150-$200 per session | Insurance accepted: No, but reimbursement may be possible | Time until first appointment: 2-6 days | States available: All 50 states | Types of therapy offered: Couples

Ours offers couples therapy for a variety of relationship issues, including premarital counseling, discernment counseling, communication, major life changes, conflict resolution, intimacy and more. Therapy is available in all 50 states from fully licensed mental health providers, all of whom have experience working with couples. Every therapist in the network has specialized training in evidence-based couples therapy techniques, such as the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). The clinical care team also thoroughly vets and selects therapists, ensuring that you will be matched with a high-quality provider.

Although couples can work on any type of relational issue, Ours places a strong emphasis on proactive work and relationship maintenance. Along with therapy, the platform offers free digital tools that couples can use in between sessions, including a weekly reflection exercise, journal prompts and virtual card decks that can facilitate deeper conversation.

Therapy sessions are 50 minutes long and held over video. Insurance isn’t accepted, but depending on your policy, you may be able to get reimbursed. Ours offers the first session for a discounted rate of $50. After that, you can either purchase sessions individually or as part of a package:

Individual sessions — $200 per session

Four-session package — $180 per session

Monthly subscription — $150 per session

Cost: Varies based on therapist | Insurance accepted: Yes | Time until first appointment: Varies based on therapist | States available: All 50 states | Types of therapy offered: Individual, couples, teens, children, family, groups, psychiatry

It’s very common for Black, indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) to seek mental health providers who have a similar identity. Inclusive Therapists makes it a breeze to find culturally sensitive providers, thanks to its expansive directory that prioritizes therapists with diverse identities. The directory provides an array of options to filter the search for a provider. From provider identity, fee and insurance acceptance, to cultural knowledge, spiritual orientation, and specialty, there is truly something for everyone. While we love how expansive the directory is, we admit that it can get a bit overwhelming. Take your time, and don’t be afraid to hold multiple consultations with therapists, and be patient. We have no doubt you’ll find your best match.

Cost: $185-$250 per session | Insurance accepted: Only for those in Calif., N.Y. and D.C. | Time until first appointment: 2-3 days | States available: All 50 states | Types of therapy offered: Individual, couples

According to a national survey from the U.S. Census Bureau, LGBTQ adults are significantly more likely to experience symptoms of anxiety and depression compared to non-LGBTQ adults. Gay Therapy Center offers individual and couples therapy from highly qualified LGBTQ providers. Therapists are all members of the LGBTQ community, with an average of 10 years of experience providing therapy services. The therapists also have expertise in treating a variety of issues, including anxiety, depression, trauma, obsessions, polygamy and more through a variety of modalities, such as psychodynamic therapy, mindfulness-based therapy and affirmative therapy.

Like many other online therapy platforms, Gay Therapy Center matches you with a therapist based on your needs and location. But unlike most platforms, which use an online form and an algorithm to match you, Gay Therapy Center personalizes the process. To find your match, you first engage in a free 15-minute consultation with the company’s founder or the client intake coordinator where you discuss your therapy needs and what you’re looking for in a provider. Then, once you receive your match, you can schedule your first appointment, which is generally available within two to three days.

Therapy is available online in all 50 states and in person in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. Insurance isn’t accepted, but if you live in any of those cities, you may be able to receive reimbursement. One downside is that Gay Therapy Center is on the pricier side, with sessions ranging between $185 and $250.

Cost: $110-$210 per session | Insurance accepted: Yes | Time until first appointment: Not listed | States available: All 50 states | Types of therapy offered: Individual

Prior to 2013, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) was classified as an anxiety disorder, but the DSM-V added the diagnosis to a new category: obsessive-compulsive and related disorders. Still, anxiety is common in OCD, with up to 75% of those with OCD also experiencing anxiety. 

NOCD is an online therapy platform that focuses exclusively on the treatment of OCD. As such, providers are all licensed therapists specializing in OCD and related conditions, including anxiety and depression. What sets NOCD apart is its comprehensive training program and continuing education. Therapists are trained in exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy, a research-backed approach that is considered the most effective form of therapy for those with OCD. Before they begin working with clients, therapists also undergo evaluation.

Along with ERP, many providers have specialized training in treatments for PTSD, hoarding disorders and body-focused repetitive behaviors, such as hair-pulling and skin-picking disorders.

NOCD offers therapy in all 50 states and accepts insurance. The cost of therapy depends on the session length. A 60-minute live video session is $210 and a 30-minute session is $110. NOCD includes unlimited messaging between sessions.

It’s worth noting that the rates aren’t readily available on the website. However, I reached out to the customer care team by email and found them to be incredibly quick to respond. They answered all of my questions in a timely manner and offered additional information. What’s more, they weren’t pushy. Instead of prompting me to sign up for treatment, they simply asked if there was anything else they could help me with, which I appreciated.

Cost: $15-$249 per month | Insurance accepted: Yes | Time until first appointment: Varies | States available: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Washington, D.C. | Types of therapy offered: Support groups, self-paced courses, individual therapy, medication-assisted treatment

A national survey found that 29.5 million people over the age of 12 struggled with alcohol use disorder in 2022 alone. In a culture that prioritizes bars as gathering places and alcohol as the celebratory drink of choice, it can be extremely hard to reduce your alcohol intake. Thankfully, Monument makes this simple with an inclusive approach to alcohol use disorder treatment. Its affordable $15 monthly membership offers access to a 24/7 support forum, moderated support groups, daily affirmations, and self-guided courses that provide tools and education on alcohol use. Plus, you can add therapy and medication-assisted treatment if you need extra support. While Monument accepts insurance, out-of-pocket therapy fees range from $149 to $249 per month. Medication-assisted treatment is $100 per appointment.

Cost: $166-$500 per session | Insurance accepted: Yes | Time until first appointment: Varies based on provider availability | States available: California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. | Types of therapy offered: Children and adolescent therapy, medication management, parent coaching

When one member of the family is facing a challenge, all members of the family face a challenge. Little Otter keeps this in mind, offering therapy and medication management for kids ages zero to 14, as well as parent coaching. This combination of services positions Little Otter as our top pick for best online therapy for children.

It’s the parent coaching that makes this service truly stand out. When sending your child to therapy, it’s natural to have concerns. You want to understand the therapy your child is receiving and what you can do to help your child thrive. Little Otter understands this, and the parent coaching sessions provide resources to parents who need some extra help with their little one.

This platform has a unique sign-up process that includes receiving a family mental health assessment. Essentially, you answer a few questions and receive a report summarizing the overall picture of what is happening within your family unit. This alone is of great value — having a picture of your various children, their ages, and what behaviors they’re struggling with can be helpful for gaining perspective.

Once you’ve received your family mental health assessment, you’ll book a 30-minute kickoff session that costs $20, where you’ll receive a customized care plan. Throughout treatment, you’ll use the Little Otter app to see your child’s treatment progress. This detail-oriented approach is fantastic and sets the company apart from its competitors. Unfortunately, it has high out-of-pocket fees and only accepts a limited list of insurance providers: Independence Blue Cross, AmeriHealth and Sana insurance plans.

Cost: $69-$109 a week for therapy, billed monthly; $65 for additional sessions | Insurance Accepted: Yes | Time until first appointment: One week | States available: All 50 | Types of Therapy Available: Individual talk therapy, couples therapy, individual teen therapy, medication management for adults

Getting counseling for your teen may feel like an uphill battle, but it's one that may be life-changing or even life-saving, according to a recent CDC report on youth risk behavior. Talkspace understands the immense need for teen therapy and meets your teen where they are — in both treatment modality and location, which is why it's our top pick for online teen counseling. Talkspace's reputation centers on its talk and message-based therapy, which is right up most teens' alley — live video sessions are available as well. Teens can attend their therapy sessions in a live chat room with the therapist or through text messaging or live video sessions, giving them the freedom to take part in the sessions how they want and from wherever they feel comfortable. Best of all, if your teen needs medication in addition to talk therapy, Talkspace allows you to combine talk therapy with medication management appointments all in one place, giving you the flexibility to add or remove medication management from your teen's treatment as you navigate what works best for your family. Appointments are flexible and you can cancel anytime.