Therapy is for everyone. Therapy is a great place to talk through anything that might be on your mind. If you're worried about relationships, job situations, or feeling anxious in public you can start therapy. Many people attend to find solutions to mental health concerns like anxiety and depression, but you can pop in just to check up on yourself and have a non-biased listener to talk to for a while.

How is online therapy different from in-person?

If you've got a good therapist or psychologist, it's not at all different. You can still talk exactly the same way you do in person, especially if you have video call appointments. However, logistically there are a few differences: you don't need to drive anywhere, but you do need to find a quiet and secluded place where you feel safe talking and won't be interrupted; there can sometimes be a little lag if your internet is slow, so save extra time for technical difficulties; and it can be harder to read expressions over the internet, so it might require a little adjustment for the first or second session.

Psychiatrist, Counselor, Therapist: what's the difference?

All of these need to be licensed to practice; however, between a counselor and a therapist, the main difference is the focus. Both have Masters degrees and licenses for their particular state and type of therapy. Psychiatrists, however, have to have a medical degree, and only they are able to prescribe medication (though some certified nurse-practitioners have also taken extra coursework to be qualified to write prescriptions too).

What's the benefit of online over in-person therapy?

Time and money. Before online options, in-person sessions required a drive and the cost of gas just to get to therapy. Depending on your local options, you were also limited to who was near enough to make the drive worth it. Now, you don't have to worry about traffic or the cost of gas, and you're not limited to your immediate area, opening up the therapy options considerably.

How long are online appointments?

This entirely depends on the therapist and the platform. However, the average appointment is 45 minutes long with some appointments as short as 30 minutes or as long as 50.

How often are sessions offered?

This varies based on the platform you choose and the therapist you schedule with. Everyone has a different schedule, and some programs only offer one therapy session per month while others offer weekly sessions as part of the plan. If you work with an individual therapist instead of a platform subscription, this is something you'll talk about with your therapist during the first session.

How often do I need to go to therapy?

This is something you and your therapist will discuss. If it's a matter of money, many session-by-session therapists are willing to spread out appointments for you. However, many plans offer a subscription that provides you with four sessions a month. Attending once a week is a good place to start, especially if you're coming in to work on something specific.

What should I expect from my first appointment?

After submitting your intake forms, the first appointment is normally just a discussion between you and your therapist to get to know each other better. If you've never been to therapy before, it can be hard to know what to talk about, so your therapist may start by asking questions. No matter what, don't worry. There are no wrong answers in therapy. The session is for you and nobody else.

Best Online Therapy for November 2025

Item: The Best Online Therapy - Summary Reviews
Rating: 5
Author: Top Consumer Reviews

Monday, November 10th We evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.

2025 Online Therapy Reviews

What is the Best Online Therapy Service? If you're looking for therapy but don't want to leave the comfort of your home, you're not alone. Online therapy is a growing resource for getting the support you need, right where you are. Whether you're going through stress, anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, or any other mental health challenges, online therapy can help you get the support you deserve at a price you can afford.

5.0

EXCELLENT

Best Option

Sesame

Pricing: Starting at $45 to $68 per session depending on location, discounts with Sesame Plus membership ($10.99/month)
No direct matching to therapist - you search and filter available providers yourself
Video appointments

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EXCELLENT

5.0

On the Sesame website

Sesame connects you directly with board-certified doctors across all 50 states for video appointments, often available within hours. You can access therapy sessions starting at just $45 to $68 (even less with a Sesame Plus membership), and since they cut out insurance middlemen, you'll save up to 50% compared to traditional care. We're most impressed with their transparency - you'll see upfront pricing and can choose your own provider from their marketplace of verified professionals. We highly recommend starting your search for online therapy with Sesame, especially if affordability and quick access to care are your priorities.

4.0

VERY GOOD

Very Good

Mindbloom

Pricing: Starting at $209 per session, with 6-session package for $1,254 (can be split into 3 monthly payments of $418)
At-home sessions with virtual support through app, voice journaling, guide check-ins
Ketamine therapy for anxiety, depression, grief, emotional processing, and self-love

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VERY GOOD

4.0

On the Mindbloom website

If you're looking for a unique approach to mental health treatment, Mindbloom offers at-home ketamine therapy that's completely legitimate and clinician-supervised. You'll get a carefully-structured program that combines medication with therapeutic support and community connection, all managed through their user-friendly app. While it's pricier than traditional therapy at $418 monthly and requires a treatment monitor, the 89% success rate for anxiety and depression is impressive, especially for those who haven't found success with conventional treatments. While Mindbloom isn't our first-choice recommendation for everyone, it could be a game-changer if you're seeking an alternative to traditional talk therapy and are comfortable with this unconventional approach.

3.9

VERY GOOD

Very Good

Brightside Health

Pricing: Starting at $299/month for therapy (4 video sessions + messaging), $95/month for psychiatry, or $349/month for combined services
Licensed therapists with master's or doctorate degrees, psychiatrists and PMHNPs for medication management
Available for ages 13+, response within 2 days

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VERY GOOD

3.9

On the Brightside Health website

If you're looking for online mental health care and can afford the high monthly costs, Brightside Health offers both therapy and medication management through their platform. You'll get matched with licensed providers who use AI-powered tools to personalize your treatment, along with self-guided lessons and progress tracking to keep you moving forward. Their services focus mainly on anxiety and depression using a structured CBT approach, but they've expanded to treat other conditions too. While they accept insurance, some users report unexpected billing issues and coverage problems that can leave you with hefty surprise costs. Given the number of negative reviews and potential billing headaches, we'd recommend Brightside only if you have thoroughly verified your insurance coverage or can afford payment out of pocket.

3.5

GOOD

Good

MyWellbeing

Pricing: $100 to $300 per session (some sliding scale rates as low as $100, partner clinics as low as $35)
Matches you with three compatible therapists based on budget, location, and therapy style preferences
Over 50 different specialties including anxiety, relationship problems, career changes, identity questions, breakups, burnout, family planning, and personal growth

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GOOD

3.5

On the MyWellbeing website

If you're looking for a personalized way to find a therapist (especially in NYC), MyWellbeing could be your perfect matchmaker. Through a thoughtful questionnaire, they'll connect you with three compatible therapists who match your needs, preferences, and budget - and the matching service won't cost you a dime. While the session fees ($100 to $300) are on the pricier side compared to other online therapy platforms, many therapists offer sliding scale rates, and you might get significant insurance reimbursement if you have PPO coverage. The lack of customer reviews gives us pause, but since the matching service is free, we think it's worth a shot if you're in their service area.

3.0

AVERAGE

Average

Online-Therapy

Pricing: Starting at $192/month (Basic) up to $480/month (Premium/Couples)
Matches you to a therapist based on needs and profile, option to switch therapists if needed
Video and voice sessions (45 minutes) plus unlimited messaging with therapist

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AVERAGE

3.0

On the Online-Therapy website

Looking for online therapy that's more than just video chats? Online-Therapy offers a complete CBT-focused package with daily worksheets, yoga videos, and messaging alongside weekly sessions. However, you might face frustrating technical issues and long wait times for live sessions. The monthly billing system and lack of therapist choice could be deal-breakers, especially since you're paying around $200 upfront before knowing if it's a good fit. Given the platform problems and limited independent reviews, this service is decent but not exceptional.

2.5

FAIR

Fair

PlushCare

Pricing: $169 per session
Video sessions
Available in 44 states, secure online platform

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FAIR

2.5

On the PlushCare website

PlushCare might catch your eye with their promise of healthcare that's as easy as ordering takeout. You can connect with therapists through video sessions and even get prescriptions if needed, all from the comfort of your home. However, at $169 per session that might only last 20-25 minutes, you're not getting much bang for your buck. When you add in the concerning reviews, unclear therapist qualifications, and potentially limited state availability, we recommend looking elsewhere for your mental health needs.

2.4

FAIR

Fair

BetterHelp

Pricing: $70 to $100 per week, subscription-based
Matches you to a therapist through detailed questionnaire
Messaging, live chat, phone, and video (with limits: word cap on messages, 45-60 minutes weekly limit for phone/video)

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FAIR

2.4

On the BetterHelp website

If you're looking for online therapy that's easy to start and won't break the bank, you might first think of BetterHelp. They'll match you with a professional through a detailed questionnaire, and you can chat, text, or video call them based on what works for you. However, they have a sketchy history of sharing user data with advertisers and potentially unethical limits on messaging that make us seriously hesitate to recommend them. While their weekly rates of $70 to $100 might seem reasonable, you'll probably want to look elsewhere if privacy is a top concern or if you need consistent, unlimited support.

2.0

SUBPAR

Subpar

Calmerry

Pricing: Starting at $247/month for unlimited messaging + 1 video session; higher tiers available up to $295/month for more video sessions
Matches you to a therapist based on a mental health questionnaire and preferences
Text messaging (5 days/week responses) and 30-minute video sessions

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SUBPAR

2.0

On the Calmerry website

If you're looking for online therapy, Calmerry might seem appealing with its mix of text and video sessions starting at $247 per month. You'll get matched with a therapist who supposedly specializes in your needs, whether that's anxiety, depression, or relationship issues. However, there are serious red flags about therapist credentials - some "licensed therapists" turn out to be life coaches with minimal training. While the platform offers convenient features like mood tracking and flexible scheduling, the short 30-minute sessions and reports of unresponsive therapists make it hard to justify the cost. Our verdict: Skip Calmerry and look for a more trustworthy online therapy platform.

1.9

SUBPAR

Subpar

Cerebral

Pricing: Starts at $95/month for medication management, up to $365/month for therapy and medication
Communication: Video sessions and messaging (responses within 2 business days)
Specialties: Individual therapy, medication management, couples counseling, mental health support

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SUBPAR

1.9

On the Cerebral website

Cerebral is an online therapy platform that provides virtual therapy and medication management. While it offers the convenience of telehealth services and flexible scheduling, its history of privacy violations and data sharing with companies like Facebook is a significant concern. Pricing isn't particularly competitive, and with only two therapy sessions per month on its basic plan, the level of care may not be sufficient for many users. Add to that past prescription-related controversies and mixed customer reviews, and we can't recommend Cerebral for online therapy. There are better, more trustworthy options available.

1.5

WEAK

Weak

Talkspace

Pricing: Starting at $69/week for messaging therapy, up to $109/week for complete package. Monthly, quarterly (10% off), or biannual (20% off) billing available
Matches you to a therapist through an initial questionnaire about your needs, preferences, and background
Text messaging, video sessions, audio messages, live video sessions available

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WEAK

1.5

On the Talkspace website

If you're looking for online therapy that's convenient and works with insurance, Talkspace might seem appealing at first glance. You can message your therapist anytime through your phone or computer, and they offer everything from individual counseling to psychiatry services with medication management. However, their questionable privacy practices, reports of unprofessional therapists, and history of fake reviews are major red flags that shouldn't be ignored. While Talkspace could work as a last resort if you're in immediate need of affordable therapy, we recommend exploring other options first.

Continued from above...

What is the Best Online Therapy Service?

If you're looking for therapy but don't want to leave the comfort of your home, you're not alone. Online therapy is a growing resource for getting the support you need, right where you are. Whether you're going through stress, anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, or any other mental health challenges, online therapy can help you get the support you deserve at a price you can afford.

If you find it hard to make it to in-person sessions due to a busy schedule, transportation challenges, or if you simply prefer more privacy, you might find online therapy useful. However, choosing the right online therapy service can feel overwhelming. Not all platforms are the same, and it's important to know what you're looking for.

Some services provide therapy through video or chat with licensed therapists, while others offer self-guided courses or digital tools for managing your mental health (with video appointments available, but meant more as check-ins on your progress). The differences can affect the experience, cost, and results of your therapy, so it's key to understand what you need before making a decision.

Most online therapy platforms offer some combination of one-on-one sessions via video, text, or voice calls with licensed professionals that closely mirror the experience of face-to-face therapy. Others simply act as a tool to connect you with an affordable therapist near you.

Beyond conventional forms of online therapy, alternative therapies are emerging as promising options for specific mental health conditions. For example, some services are beginning to explore innovative treatments like virtual ketamine-assisted therapy, which can help people with treatment-resistant depression.

While many online therapy services can prescribe medications, there are some limitations on what they can offer. If you're dealing with more complex mental health challenges, you might benefit from in-person care. This is especially true if you're experiencing severe depression, schizophrenia, PTSD, or having thoughts of self-harm. Remember, there's no shame in needing more intensive support - in these situations, face-to-face sessions can provide you with the immediate, comprehensive care you deserve. You might find that online therapy works well as an additional support tool alongside your in-person treatment.

When looking for the right service for your needs, here are some things to keep in mind:

Licensing of therapists. Make sure the therapists are licensed professionals and are qualified to offer legitimate support. It's always a good idea to research your therapist's credentials yourself, especially if the platform doesn't allow you to choose your therapist.
Availability and flexibility. Check the platform's (and their providers') availability for appointments. Do they offer therapy outside of normal office hours? Can you message your therapist anytime? How soon after registering for the service can you get an appointment?
Privacy and security. Make sure the platform uses secure methods for communication and that your personal information is protected. Some platforms may be well-known because they invest in marketing, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're trustworthy.
Cost and insurance coverage. Consider whether the platform accepts insurance and what their out-of-pocket costs are. Some services charge weekly or monthly subscriptions, while others bill per session. Look for transparent pricing and flexible payment options that fit your budget.

We understand that finding the right therapy service can feel like a big step. That's why we at Top Consumer Reviews have carefully evaluated and ranked the best online therapy services available today, taking into account factors like quality of care, accessibility, and affordability. We sincerely hope this review helps guide you toward finding the perfect match for your mental health journey and personal needs.