Top 10 Best Online Therapy Sites of 2020

Want to get right to the point? The best online counseling site for most folks is Betterhelp.

Mental health therapy comes in many forms, from in office, to outcall, to phone sessions. Now comes counseling from your computer, E-counseling. Get professional help from anywhere in the world, all you need is a computer and an internet connection.

There are numerous online therapy platforms available as online therapy becomes an essential need, especially during the current pandemic. With so many choices, picking one might be tricky. So, we created a list of the top 10 online therapy platforms that you can choose from with ease.

BetterHelp: Live Sessions and a Free Trial

BetterHelp is one of the most popular platforms in the US, and it claims it offers e-counseling to more than 5000 people each day in the US. They provide counseling to teens, couples, and individuals. They have an easy-to-use app that you can access through your laptop, tablet, or Smartphone. They have more than 4000 licensed professionals that abide by strict local laws and regulations. They also have all the needed credentials and certifications to offer a top-tier service. Therefore, you are guaranteed confidentially, privacy, and professionalism. The subscription at BetterHelp is $65 per week for the initial month, and then it varies between $35 and $80 per week, depending on the contract period.

Pros:

Ability to stay anonymous and use a nickname
Many therapists offer worksheets and encourage live sessions
Financial aid is available if you are eligible
Free 7-day trial period
You can easily change the therapist whenever you want

Cons:

Response times vary significantly from one therapist to the next
Some replies from the therapist can feel a bit generic

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Talkspace: for all Your Therapy Needs

Talkspace has been around since 2012, and it boasts that fact and its record of accomplishment of helping over one million people. They even have Michael Phelps as their spokesperson who talks about how the platform helped him. Talkspace has over 3000 licensed professional therapists that specialize in plenty of fields. Therefore, you can get the help you need with depression, insomnia, trauma, addiction, or other mental health issues. They use numerous treatment approaches, such as CBT, psychodynamic therapy, and dialectical behavioral therapy. The subscription costs between $65 and $99 per week.

Pros:

It supports live sessions
Easy-to-use app
1-Week free trial
Easy communication through text, video, or audio
Prompt replies with e-mail notifications

Cons:

If you can cancel the subscription, you will get billed for the month regardless
Some therapists tend to offer short replies
Matching you with a therapist can take a couple of days

Regain.us: Specializes in Couples Therapy

Regain is an online therapy platform that specializes in counseling couples. They can address a wide array of challenges in the relationship, from communication issues to infidelity and trust. All its counselors are trained, accredited, and experienced psychologists and licensed marriage and family therapists with at least 2000 hours of hands-on therapy experience. It offers a safe space for you and your partner with the ability to talk privately to the therapist. It costs $65 per week, which includes unlimited messaging and one live session each week.

Pros:

Focuses on couple’s therapy and problems
No extra fee if it is a couple or an individual in the sessions
Couples can attend therapy even when they are not physically in the same location
Live sessions are encouraged and available

Cons:

No live customer support
No 3-way live video sessions available
No free trial available
Some therapists reply after 24 hours

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TeenCounseling.com: Teens are The Priority

Teen Counseling specializes in treating individuals that are aged between 13 and 19. They have professional therapists that have the experience needed to deal with issues like self-esteem, bullying, eating disorders, stress, and anxiety. It was founded in 2013, with more than 1000 licensed counselors. It has two plans that come with a price tag of $45 and $65 per week.

Pros:

Sessions are confidential
Counselors are well-equipped to deal with teen-related issues
Private “room” for teens and their therapists
Live sessions available on-demand or a part of the plan
Ability to attend the therapy as a parent with no extra charge
Various communication methods with live sessions

Cons:

The platform will not provide diagnosis
It does not fulfill court orders

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Pride Counseling: Supporting the LGBTQ+ Community

PrideCounseling was launched in 2017 as a part of the BetterHelp therapy platform. It provides the LGBTQ+ community with the support they need. All the professionals are aware of all the issues that the members of the LGBTQ+ community suffer daily. They are well-trained, understanding, friendly, and, most importantly, licensed and HIPAA compliant. It offers its services at a flat fee subscription of $65 per week. It includes unlimited text, audio, and video messaging, and one live session each week.

Pros:

Live chat and sessions available
Specializes in all mental health issues of the LGBTQ+ community
Affordable, with available financial aid to those who are eligible
Easy and accessible treatment via phone, laptop, or tablet
HIPAA compliant

Cons:

Long questionnaire when signing up
Matching with a therapist can take up to 24 hours

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AmWell: For All Your Medical Needs Online

AmWell is a comprehensive online telemedicine website. It offers you access to specialists, therapists, and doctors alike. It has a user-friendly app that enables you to reach professionals at any time, 24/7/365. It works both ways, as it also provides doctors and specialists with the ability to connect with patients online, especially during this Coronavirus pandemic. So, whether you need medical or mental support, AmWell is here for you. The fields of experience include cardiology, mental therapy, urgent care, and dermatology, to name a few. The platform charges per visit, with a price tag between $59 and $99. The cost depends on the credentials and the experience of the chosen therapist.

Pros:

Offers medical support in a variety of fields (cardiology, mental health, dermatology, and more)
Connects doctor and patients
Competitive pricing and easy access to online medical aid
Accepted by numerous insurance companies
Doctors and specialists available 24/7
Doctors can prescribe medication

Cons:

No free trial
Prices vary depending on the therapist you get

7 Cups of Tea: A New Approach with a Free Therapy Option

7 Cups of Tea offers an original approach to online therapy. While it has licensed and trained professionals under its paid service, it offers free therapy. You can get the opportunity to talk with volunteers, or you can volunteer yourself. Of course, it has its pros and cons, but it is an exceptionally good and unique approach. The licensed online therapy costs $150 a month, and it includes accessible communication with the therapist, including live chat and sessions.

Pros:

Affordable online therapy
Chat for free 24/7 with volunteers and listeners
Allows you to grow and progress at your own pace
Group support sessions available (anxiety, LGBTQ+, relationship, etc…)

Cons:

Newcomers might be confused about how to start at first
Free therapy is with unlicensed and untrained volunteers

Doctor on Demand: Support is only a Few Clicks Away

Doctor on Demand has a great variety of mental and physical health services. It was founded in 2012 with a fantastic track record. They have a massive team of psychiatrists and psychologists who offer the support and aid you might need. They also have free mental health assessment through the screening tool. It will not take more than a few minutes to finish. The prices vary between $129 and $299 per visit, depending on the session’s time and purpose.

Pros:

Upfront and transparent pricing
Effective medication management and emotional support
24/7 availability
Plenty of options to get the help you need
Free screening tool available

Cons:

No e-mail or chat customer support
There are minor delays in replies from support
Video chat is the only option
Higher-priced when compared to other platforms

MDLive: Get a Consultation Online and Via Phone

MDLive is a telemedicine website that was founded in 2009. It provides patients, health systems, health plans, and self-insured individuals with access to a broad range of certified doctors. It also provides access to licensed therapists and pediatricians. The consultations are carried out via phone, video, or through the mobile app. It is a very popular service, which vouches for the quality of the service it offers. As for pricing, it costs $99 for a single session with a therapist. A session with a psychiatrist begins at $259 for the first session and $99 for follow-ups.

Pros:

Accepted by numerous insurance agencies
Offers a wide array of services including psychiatrist and counselors
Can prescribe medication
Treating numerous mental health problems (stress, depressions, intimacy, and more)
Easy communication via phone and video

Cons:

The platform might not be able to match you with a therapist/psychiatrist immediately
You must plan and schedule an appointment
Can be a bit costly

Top 5 Benefits of Online Counseling

Online counseling gives you access to a larger directory of mental health professionals who might be more culturally competent and diverse than local counselors.
Online counseling gives you the choice on how often and what method of communication you would like to use, helping you feel in control and safe.
You can refer to old text messages and emails between you and your therapist as a form of reference. They remain secure in your messenger app or email for you to review at any time.
Online counseling is great for those who struggle with such things as severe trauma, depression, social anxiety, and trust issues. This is a safe way to talk about sensitive issues while in the comfort of your own home. It is often easier being vulnerable when you trust your surroundings.
Treatment is more flexible because you are not limited to traditional office hours. It is also a terrific way to stay connected with your therapist while traveling for work or family event. It can be beneficial for couples who are having relationship issues, as well. They can participate in couples therapy online and never have to stop treatment.

Online Counseling Concerns

Though online counseling is effective, there a few disadvantages that come with the online platform:

Privacy Issues: Online therapy should be done in a private setting. Make sure your therapist is not outside in public to make sure your conversation remains private and just between you and your counselor. Likewise, if participating in a video conference call, make sure you are in a quiet and private place, as well. This will help you feel more secure.
Severe Mental Illness: Though online counseling is effective, studies have shown that if you are dealing will sever mental illness, traditional therapy is a more effective form of treatment.
Internet Connection: To take advantage of the telehealth platform, you will need access to the Internet.
Lack of Real Human Relationship: You will not feel this too much with video conferencing sessions, but texting messaging and emailing will limit your connection with the person. There are many benefits in learning how to read someone’s body language for both you and the counselor, especially for those who are looking to work on building stronger relationships and better communication skills.