Also known asonline therapy, the first virtual mental healthcare program—Ask Uncle Ezra—appeared in the late ’80s. And still today, many are looking to the internet to care for their social and emotional needs. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious, and wondering howonline therapyworks, including the best online therapy programs and therapy apps to try, how much it costs and more, here’s what you need to know.
What is online therapy?
Online therapy is any mental health service which occurs over the internet. The medium can vary. Online therapists can conduct sessions via email, text messaging, video conferencing, online chats and/or over an internet phone; however, this type of therapyis always virtual and remote.
How does online therapy work?
There are two types of online therapy—ones offered by general practitioners (i.e. your regular service provider) and those offered through e-therapy-based apps, websites and programs—however, the basis of both is the same. “Online therapy works much in the same way as traditional talk therapy,” Katie Lear, a licensed therapist currently practicing telehealth, says. “Depending on your therapist’s style, you may explore events from your childhood, tackle problems using practical coping skills, or learn and practice mindfulness and meditation techniques in session. Online therapy can be used for healing even when meeting face-to-face isn’t possible.”
How much is online therapy, and is it covered by insurance?
There is no set rate for online therapy, and unfortunately, many providers are not covered by insurance. “The cost of online therapy will vary depending on whether you’ll be using insurance, paying out of pocket or working with a therapist who provides a sliding scale,” Sharon Yu—a licensed marriage and family therapist from Los Angeles, California—tells Parade. However, the average session costs anywhere from $100 to $250 per hour/month. To start, check with your provider for current rates and/or payment plans.
What are the best online therapy sites?
While TalkSpace and BetterHelp are (arguably) the most popular and well-known online therapy programs, there are countless virtual mental healthcare providers, including: For adults:
TalkSpace
Cost: plans start at $65/week Description: After completing an assessment and selecting a plan, TalkSpace will work with you to find a trained, vetted and (most importantly) licensed therapist.
BetterHelp
Cost: plans start at $40/week Description: According to BetterHelp, “you deserve to be happy” and their therapists can help you get there. In fact, BetterHelp promises to match you with a counselor “who fits your objectives, preferences and the type of issues you are dealing with.”
AmWell
Cost: rates start at $69/session Description: With the Amwell web or mobile app, you can see a psychologist, psychiatrist and/or counselor “face-to-face” to address common behavioral health challenges or concerns.
ReGain
Cost: plans start at $40/week Description: Designed specifically for partners and couples, ReGain helps individuals address relationship issues. For teens:
Teen Counseling
Cost: plans start at $40/week Description: Teen Counseling connects teens and young adults (aged 13 to 19) with licensed therapists to help them deal with common adolescent issues, like anxiety, stress, depression, self-esteem issues, bullying, anger and/or eating disorders.
What are the best therapy apps and how do they work?
Most therapy apps work like web-based therapy programs and sites—i.e. individuals can use these programs to access mental health resources and/or professionals—however, many therapy apps are lower in cost than online therapy sites. What’s Up, for example, uses cognitive behavioral therapy techniques and acceptance commitment therapy to help individuals cope with depression, anxiety, and stress—for free! MoodKit gives subscribers more than 200 mood improvement tools and activities for just $4.99 a month, and for $49 a week, TalkSpace Online connects users to a therapist with the push of a button. Other popular therapy and mood-tracking apps include:
MoodTools (free): Specifically designed for individuals with depression, MoodTools helps users track their moods and behaviors and analyze their thoughts using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) principles.SuperBetter (free): Do you like video games? Are you not a fan of traditional therapy? If so, SuperBetter may be for you, as this app allows you to create your own “character” and “adventure” while teaching you coping strategies and skills.Mindstrong Health (free): Unlike many other web-based apps and programs, Mindstrong Health is designed for people living with serious mental illnesses.PTSD Coach (free): Designed and developed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, PTSD Coach offers advice and coping strategies to those living with anxiety, depression and/or PTSD.Woebot (free):Built by psychologists, storytellers, data scientists and engineers, Woebot is an AI program designed to help individuals achieve mental health.
Is my privacy protected with online therapy?
While there is always a small chance your security could be compromised, Lear tells Parade online therapy is (more or less) safe: “Online therapists typically use platforms with extra protections in place to combat security breaches and cyberattacks. These online platforms differ from services like Skype in that they have been designed to comply with HIPAA laws and privacy regulations.”
What are the cons to online therapy, if any?
According to Dr. Gail Saltz, an associate professor of psychiatry at the New York Presbyterian Hospital Weill-Cornell School of Medicine and the host of the “Personology” podcast from iHeart Media, the biggest con of online therapy is the fact that (in most cases) doctors lose the ability to see their patients. “From body language to facial expressions, doctors get a lot of information from seeing patients in therapy,” Dr. Saltz says, “and that is lost online.” And Lear agrees. “It can be little harder to pick up on nonverbal cues like body language, subtle facial expressions, and even issues like hygiene issues over a screen,” Lear says. “Online therapy may also not be the best choice for clients who are very high risk and/or who are actively suicidal.” That said, during a time of crisis, online therapy is better than no therapy. “Online therapy is the next best thing and far better than no therapy,” Dr. Saltz explains. “It has ease, availability and lower cost on its side.”
Are all online therapy programs on video?
While some online therapy programs use video—TalkSpace, BetterHelp and ReGain, for example, all have video chatting capabilities—others do not, and that is because online therapy (or teletherapy) is any mental health service which occurs outside the office. This means online therapy can technically transpire via text messaging, a chat window, conference call and/or on the phone. If face-to-face interaction is important to you, be sure to find a provider who utilizes video calling or messaging.
How do I know if I am chatting with a real person or a bot?
The easiest way to determine who you are talking to is to read the fine print. Woebot, for example, explicitly states it is an AI-based platform while other apps and sites promote real-time conversations with therapists, psychologist, psychiatrists and counselors. Is one better than the other? It depends. Many of us crave human interaction but, for some, guidance and advice is key. The key is to find a program which works for you. Curious about meditation? Here’s what to know about how to meditate for beginners.
