Best Affordable Online Therapy Options in 2024: Insurance, Sliding Scales, and More
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A quick look at the best affordable online therapy services
Mental health emergency
Some of the mental health care options listed below may not be suitable in an emergency. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health emergency and is at immediate risk of self-harm or hurting another person:
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, get help from a crisis or suicide prevention hotline. Try the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988.
Finding a therapist is a huge step in managing your mental health. But unlike a cold or the flu, mental health conditions — such as anxiety and depression — can take time to heal.
This means that finding treatment via support groups or talk therapy can be a commitment. Depending on your budget and health insurance coverage, it can also be costly.
Even with health insurance, you may still need to pay up front for therapy. Plans with high deductibles won’t cover any medical costs until the deductible has been met. Until that time, you’ll need to pay out of pocket for your appointments.
Unlike a $10 to $30 insurance copay, many therapists may charge between $65 and $150 per session. In most areas, the cost of therapy is $100 to $200 per session.
Luckily, cost-effective mental health services are available.
To help you get started, we’ve provided a list of affordable mental health care options.
Healthline’s picks for the best affordable therapy
Best overall
Online-Therapy.com
4.8 (3.2k+) from online-therapy.com
Healthline visitors get 20% off the first month. Discount is applied automatically.
GET STARTED WITH ONLINE-THERAPY.COM*Price may vary.
Healthline's review
This online therapy platform bases its entire foundation on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a form of talk therapy that can help people better identify negative thought patterns and behaviors.
Not only can you meet with mental health professionals via teletherapy appointments, but you can also use the site’s array of resources, including worksheets, an online journal, and messaging with your therapist.
There are different subscription plans available, with a price range of $39.95–$79.95 per week. New subscribers also receive 20% off their first month.
Pros & cons
Product details
Best for insurance coverage
Talkspace
4.8 (29.2k+) from App Store
Use code "HEALTHLINE85" for $85 off.
GET STARTED WITH TALKSPACE*Price may vary.
Healthline's review
Talkspace is one of our top picks for online therapy apps, thanks to its array of subscription plans and payment plans. There are more than 3,000 counselors available with expertise in conditions and concerns, such as depression, anxiety, and addiction.
According to our 2022 online therapy survey, 49% of Talkspace users would recommend the platform and their therapist to others.
With insurance, copays average to $30. Prices without insurance range from $69 to $129, depending on what subscription you opt for. Plans include text, video, audio messaging, and live sessions.
The service also offers psychiatry, which costs $249 for an initial evaluation and $120 for follow-up sessions. However, some apps might have hidden fees or additional subscription fees.
What our tester says
“This was the first online mental health platform that I tried, other than telehealth with my traditional therapist and psychiatrist via the secure app they use (Blue Jeans). Overall, I liked the flexibility of Talkspace, but because I am so used to a more traditional model, some of the features were not to my liking.
“The sign-up process was quick and easy. The survey asked the right questions about my mental health history, and the therapist I was matched with was in touch pretty quickly. She was helpful in discussing the situation at hand; however, many messages she sent me sounded automated, which made me feel a little bit like a number rather than her patient.
“I also found the service to be pretty pricey, even compared to using mental health services with insurance.
“With traditional therapy you can schedule on your preferred frequency and pay as you go, such as one session every other week. With Talkspace, you do have scheduling freedom, but you’ll pay weekly for services.
“That’s not my preference (and it adds up quickly!), though it is great that you can have weekly sessions or daily messaging for when a deeper level of support is needed.”
— Christy Snyder, Healthline editor
“This was the first online mental health platform that I tried, other than telehealth with my traditional therapist and psychiatrist via the secure app they use (Blue Jeans). Overall, I liked the flexibility of Talkspace, but because I am so used to a more traditional model, some of the features were not to my liking.
“The sign-up process was quick and easy. The survey asked the right questions about my mental health history, and the therapist I was matched with was in touch pretty quickly. She was helpful in discussing the situation at hand; however, many messages she sent me sounded automated, which made me feel a little bit like a number rather than her patient.
“I also found the service to be pretty pricey, even compared to using mental health services with insurance.
“With traditional therapy you can schedule on your preferred frequency and pay as you go, such as one session every other week. With Talkspace, you do have scheduling freedom, but you’ll pay weekly for services.
“That’s not my preference (and it adds up quickly!), though it is great that you can have weekly sessions or daily messaging for when a deeper level of support is needed.”
— Christy Snyder, Healthline editor
Pros & cons
Product details
Best for flexibility
BetterHelp
4.8 (374k+) from BetterHelpHealthline visitors get 20% off the first month. Discount is applied automatically.
GET STARTED WITH BETTERHELP*Price may vary.
Healthline's review
BetterHelp is an online teletherapy platform and app that offers 24/7 access to your mental health professional. You can have therapy appointments via texts, live chat, phone calls, and video calls. Insurance doesn’t cover the cost of BetterHelp, which can be $65 to $90 per week, depending on which plan you choose.
From our survey, we found that 67% of BetterHelp users felt they were getting the best value from their service.
You can also apply for financial aid, which will adjust your pricing based on your income and economic situation. You’ll be asked to fill out a questionnaire to check your eligibility.
Learn more with our hands on BetterHelp review.
What our tester says
Our two testers had a good experience with BetterHelp. Laramy Applekamp, Healthline content project manager, said, “Signing up for BetterHelp was fairly straightforward (I can’t speak to selecting a subscription or financial setup, as I used a code directly from BetterHelp, but the rest was easy).
“In under 20 minutes I was able to answer a detailed questionnaire to match me with a relevant therapist. I felt the questions did a good job being thorough … I was matched in about 18 hours, and was prompted to schedule my first session.”
Parisa Syed, Healthline editor, also had a seamless onboarding for BetterHelp but found the process “a bit tedious because it was pretty detailed, but it helped me match with a pretty good therapist.”
Syed stayed with her therapist for 3 months and thought she was good overall, but “there were definitely times where she was not 100% present. She seemed distracted though she chimed in and said insightful things when it felt right.”
Applekamp switched therapists about four sessions in, citing that she “wasn’t meshing with them on a personal level. “Being able to switch therapists quickly and easily was very convenient, and reduced any anxiety that surrounded having to ‘fire’ my first therapist. After the initial session you’re then free to schedule up to three sessions at a time.”
Our two testers had a good experience with BetterHelp. Laramy Applekamp, Healthline content project manager, said, “Signing up for BetterHelp was fairly straightforward (I can’t speak to selecting a subscription or financial setup, as I used a code directly from BetterHelp, but the rest was easy).
“In under 20 minutes I was able to answer a detailed questionnaire to match me with a relevant therapist. I felt the questions did a good job being thorough … I was matched in about 18 hours, and was prompted to schedule my first session.”
Parisa Syed, Healthline editor, also had a seamless onboarding for BetterHelp but found the process “a bit tedious because it was pretty detailed, but it helped me match with a pretty good therapist.”
Syed stayed with her therapist for 3 months and thought she was good overall, but “there were definitely times where she was not 100% present. She seemed distracted though she chimed in and said insightful things when it felt right.”
Applekamp switched therapists about four sessions in, citing that she “wasn’t meshing with them on a personal level. “Being able to switch therapists quickly and easily was very convenient, and reduced any anxiety that surrounded having to ‘fire’ my first therapist. After the initial session you’re then free to schedule up to three sessions at a time.”
Pros & cons
Product details
Best for people who are new to therapy
Calmerry Online Therapy
4.2 (5+) from App Store
*Price may vary.
Healthline's review
Calmerry offers two subscription plans from as low as $50 per week. You can choose between a text therapy plan ($50 for the first week and $57 per week after that) and a live video therapy plan ($67 for the first week and $80 per week after that).
After signing up for the platform, you’ll be assigned to a licensed therapist. All your information is protected by HIPAA.
According to Calmerry, the mental health professionals available can address a myriad of mental health concerns or needs, including:
What our tester says
“Compared to Lyra and SimplePractice (my only other online therapy experiences), Calmerry was similar. The user interface was a tad clunky and took a couple more clicks to navigate.
“However, I really liked the option to keep a therapy journal and choose to share each entry with my therapist (or not). I found that useful for tracking my progress and completing therapist-assigned ‘homework.’
“I also liked the additional resources/handouts available. There seemed to be wide availability of therapists for specific needs.”
— Crystal Hoshaw, Healthline editor
“Compared to Lyra and SimplePractice (my only other online therapy experiences), Calmerry was similar. The user interface was a tad clunky and took a couple more clicks to navigate.
“However, I really liked the option to keep a therapy journal and choose to share each entry with my therapist (or not). I found that useful for tracking my progress and completing therapist-assigned ‘homework.’
“I also liked the additional resources/handouts available. There seemed to be wide availability of therapists for specific needs.”
— Crystal Hoshaw, Healthline editor
Pros & cons
Product details
Most affordable
Open Path Psychotherapy Collective
*Price may vary.
Healthline's review
This nationwide network of mental health professionals provides mental health assistance for $40 to $70 per session. Unlike more extensive mental health directories, this website includes only sliding-scale therapists in its searchable database.
You can choose to see a counselor in person or online. When using the database, you can narrow your search down by filtering for:
Pros & cons
Product details
Best sliding scale resource
FindTreatment.gov
Healthline's review
Part of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), FindTreatment.gov is a website that allows you to search for sliding-scale therapists and addiction treatment options in cities across the United States.
The resource is free to use, and rates will be determined by your income. There’s also an option to search for free services.
You can also call SAMHSA’s helpline any time at 800-662-HELP (4357).
Pros & cons
Product details
Best group therapy
Mental Health America
Healthline's review
Mental Health America lists specialized support group resources on its webpage. If you or a loved one has recently received a diagnosis of a health condition such as cancer or diabetes, hospital social workers can also provide a list of support groups in the community.
Specialized support groups available on the Mental Health America website cover a wide range of experiences and conditions, including caretaking and living with ADHD.
What else to know about mental health support groups
People experiencing eating disorders, postpartum depression, alcohol and substance use disorders, and grief or loss may benefit from attending a support group.
Pros & cons
Product details
Best for crisis help
Crisis Text Line
Healthline's review
The Crisis Text Line is a free service available to anyone who is experiencing a mental health crisis. You can use this service if you’re feeling like you need or want to talk with someone about something that’s causing you stress, anxiety, or discomfort or if you’re considering self-harm or having suicidal thoughts.
Crisis Text Line responders are all volunteers, which means they’re not mental health professionals. They can’t offer medical advice, but they are trained to listen, support you, and possibly provide advice and help you feel calmer.
People in the United States, Canada, and Ireland can access it in a few ways:
If you’re in the United Kingdom, text SHOUT to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line.
Pros & cons
Product details
Best for therapy and psychiatry
Amwell Online Therapy
4.9 (43.1k+) from App Store
*Price may vary.
Healthline's review
With Amwell, you can meet with a therapist for talk therapy and a psychiatrist. The site provides counseling for many mental health concerns, including:
Visits start at $99, and insurance may cover some of the costs.
Pros & cons
Product details
Best for in-person and online therapy
Grow Therapy
4.1 (1.7k+) from Trustpilot*Price may vary.
Healthline's review
Grow Therapy offers a wide search database so you can be as specific as you want when you’re trying to find a good therapist match, or a person for medication management. Their platform allows you to search for a therapist by specialization, identity, location, and whether you’d like the session in-person, virtual, or both.
Once you find a therapist you think matches your criteria, the profile shows you how much that therapist charges per session without insurance. No digging around for prices here.
Though insurance is accepted, Grow Therapy also allows payments from health savings account (HSA), Medicaid, Medicare, and Employee Assistance programs.
Pros & cons
Product details
Comparison table of best affordable therapy services
| Cost | Insurance | Type of therapy available | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online-Therapy.com | $39.95 to $79.95 per week | not accepted | virtual |
| Talkspace | average $30 copay with insurance | yes; covered by many plans, FSA/HSA also accepted | text, video, and audio messages |
| BetterHelp | $65 to $90 per week | no, but may be eligible for reimbursement | messaging, live chat, audio, and video |
| Calmerry Online Therapy | $50 to $80 per week | not accepted | text, live video |
| Open Path Psychotherapy Collective | $40 to $70 per session | not accepted | in-person or online |
| FindTreatment.gov | free | not needed or accepted | connects people with treatment options |
| Mental Health America | free | not needed | — |
| Crisis Text Line | free | no | virtual |
| Amwell | $99 to $199 per session | check with network | video |
| Grow Therapy | varies by professional | yes | in-person, online, or both |
Our experts have carefully researched and vetted over 35 online therapy platforms to make sure everything we feature meets our standards. We fact-check health claims, evaluate ingredients, and look into each brand’s reputation before sharing products on Healthline.
Additionally, our team has personally tested 8 online therapy platforms out of the 35 we have vetted.
How we chose the most affordable therapy options
To narrow down our list of the best affordable therapy options, we took a few factors into account:
Accessibility
Some affordable therapy platforms are available online, allowing users to talk with their counselor from the comfort of their home. However, this isn’t the most accessible option for everyone, so we made sure to include an array of directories, apps, support groups, and more.
Mental health expertise
Each platform, site, and app on our list is guided by folks who are well-versed and trained to offer mental health assistance.
In 2022, we conducted an online therapy study to find out how and which platforms were most used and what factors drew them to those particular online therapy services.
Medical review
Our team of medical experts carefully vetted each option in our roundup, and a mental health professional from Healthline’s Medical Network reviewed this article to provide insights, offer advice, and verify that all information is correct.
Nothing stand out to you on this list?
Here are some more places to get started:
How to choose a therapist
Even if you find a platform or mental health professional in your budget, they might not be the best fit for you.
It’s important to know this is completely OK and actually quite normal. It can take some time to find someone who is a great match for you, whether that means they’re culturally competent, are a person of color, are familiar with specific traumas, or have different specialties.
You’ll know your therapist is a good match when they consistently make you feel comfortable and welcomed.
If you don’t think they’re a good match, communicate that to them by asking them not to schedule another appointment. This can be done face to face or over a text, call, or email.
Other affordable mental health care and therapy options
You can find free or low cost therapy in a number of different places. The following list includes resources for one-on-one appointments, group therapy, online offerings, and more.
Posted : 2024-05-28 14:16
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