You’re ready to get started and connect with top online counselors of 2024. But you may be wondering about how Online-Therapy.com compares with BetterHelp. What about BetterHelp vs. Talkspace and Calmerry? Read on to get the information you need.
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Finding the best online therapy for you
Taking the first brave step to start online therapy can be intimidating. You want to make sure you’re getting the best online therapy possible. But it can also be confusing to know where to look and what type of help is best for you. It’s important to find the best online therapy available. We want to help you understand your options and get access to the highest level of care.Â
We understand that everyone’s unique, so you’ll need to think about what works best for you. But we’d suggest that you use our comparison as a starting point on your journey toward greater wellness and happiness.
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Future Psychology Digital Magazine has done the research and Online-Therapy.com is our #1 pick
After careful research of the leading online therapy providers, we were most impressed with Online-Therapy.com. Why? Because they have an established reputation and they specialize in a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to therapy.
We’re partnering with Online-Therapy.com to be able to offer a 20% discount on your first month when you sign up through our links.
"So convenient. I've tried other online therapy services and online-therapy.com is the best."
Online-Therapy.com Review By: Nikki, September 2023
Online-Therapy.com: One of the Best Online Therapy Platforms for CBT
Online-Therapy.com Plans and Pricing
Basic Plan: $40 per week for the first month then $50 per week. Includes an 8-section CBT program with 25 worksheets. Unlimited messaging, including daily replies on your worksheets Monday-Friday. Yoga and meditation videos, journal, activity plan, tests
Standard Plan: $64 per week for the first month then $80 per week. Includes everything in the Basic plan plus: one live 45-minute therapy session per week using video, voice, or text
Premium Plan: $88 per week for the first month then $110 per week. Includes everything in the Standard plan, but you get two live sessions per week and express replies
Best for Couples: $88 per week for the first month then $110 per week. Includes everything in the Standard plan, but you get your live session as a couple
Online-Therapy.com is one of the best online therapy programs because it is fully based on CBT, which stands for “cognitive-behavioral therapy.” This is a structured, educational type of therapy, making it well-suited to form the basis of an online therapy service. With their comprehensive online therapy program, you’ll have access to 8 personalized sections with video and audio instructions from Dr. Elizabeth Lombardo. You’ll learn at your own pace and in a way that best suits your needs. As part of your online therapy subscription, you’ll receive daily support from certified therapists, Monday through Friday. You’ll also have access to yoga & meditation videos for extra self-care, plus tests that measure progress.
With a standard plan, you’ll also get a 45-minute live session with your therapist via video chat, voice call, or text. If you upgrade to their Premium plan, you’ll have access to two live sessions per week.
What Kinds of Therapists Are On Online-Therapy.com?
Online-Therapy.com describes their therapists as highly qualified and experienced professionals who have attained various credentials including degrees, licenses, or certifications. You can learn more about your therapist’s qualifications by logging into your dashboard and clicking on “Your Therapist”.
How Are You Matched With a Therapist on Online-Therapy.com?
Once you join their online therapy service, Online-therapy.com will partner you with a therapist who will remain by your side as you work through the CBT program. If you do not find your therapist to be a good fit, you can easily change therapists on your dashboard.
How Is Therapy Delivered on Online-Therapy.com?
Therapists at Online-Therapy.com are available 8 hours a day Monday-Friday, and you are matched with a therapist that works best with your timezone. You can connect with your therapist through feedback on your worksheets, live video/voice sessions, and unlimited messaging. Usually, you can expect to hear back within a few hours.
You’ll need to balance your everyday commitments with the CBT therapy program offered by Online-Therapy.com. Plus, you’ll need to remember that change can take time. You’ll need to set yourself reasonable goals as you embark on your journey toward personal growth and development.
What Is the Sign-Up Process Like on Online-Therapy.com?
The Online-Therapy.com sign-up process is straightforward. Although it does ask for some personal health information before you have signed up, what we like about this platform is that you can simply decline to answer these questions and proceed straight to the registration page.
Is There a Minimum Commitment on Online-Therapy.com?
As with all of the top online therapy services in this review, subscriptions at Online-Therapy.com are all based on a monthly model. As they point out, some clients only need help from them over relatively short time periods, while others remain with them for the longer term.
What Sets Online-Therapy.com Apart?
Online-Therapy.com specializes in CBT. This is a well-researched evidence-based therapeutic approach. And because it is a structured and results-based type of therapy, it is the kind of approach that works well with an online therapy service.
"Really enjoying this site! Much more affordable than BetterHelp. I feel like I can take my time more because of that and not feel so rushed. I like being able to have the structured lessons and exercises instead of just 100% freeform chat, and I also really appreciate the thoughtful comments I get back from my therapist to dive deeper into certain things. For me (someone who doesn't really want to do live sessions and likes to be able to take their time and think about things) it's one of the best services I found!"
Online-Therapy.com Review By: Erin, September 2023
Messaging therapy: starting at $69 weekly. Daily responses 5 days/week
Messaging plus video session: starting at $99 weekly
Messaging, video session plus workshops: starting at $109 weekly
Like the other best online therapy services discussed in this article, Talkspace enables you to stay connected with a licensed therapist no matter where you are or what time it is. It features private asynchronous messaging, voice calls, video sessions, plus workshops on mental health and well-being.
What Kinds of Therapists Are On Talkspace?
Talkspace offers a robust network of highly credentialed mental health providers located throughout the United States. Every provider is extensively vetted and trained in the platform so that they’re able to help clients from anywhere around the country. Talkspace reports that its online therapists have an average of 7-10 years of experience. It is committed to quality assurance standards set by the National Committee for Quality Assurance.
How Are You Matched With a Therapist on Talkspace?
Talkspace continually gathers and monitors its data on engagement and clinical outcomes. They make use of this data in refining their process of matching clients with mental health professionals.
How Is Therapy Delivered on Talkspace?
With Talkspace messaging, you’ll have access to a private chat room 24/7. This gives you the freedom and flexibility to share what’s at the front of your mind whenever it strikes, even if that’s during your commute or late at night in bed. Your messages will receive attention from your provider within one working day, five days per week. Live chat and video sessions allow you to have weekly 30-minute real-time sessions with your therapist as a supplement to messaging.
Talkspace also offers confidential, interactive digital workshops led by licensed therapists to help couples, parents, and individuals strengthen their relationships or better manage difficult emotions. Talkspace is proud to offer more than 100 classes on demand, plus several therapist-led live online sessions per week on a range of topics. These include communication and empathy building, gender identity, anxiety, depression, burnout, and work stress. These sessions help you learn strategies to help with your mental health and relationships.
What Is the Sign-Up Process Like on Talkspace?
Some personal information is required when you sign up on the Talkspace website. This includes questions about your sleep habits and physical health.
Is There a Minimum Commitment on Talkspace?
Talkspace offers several recurring subscriptions, with a minimum commitment of one month. Other than monthly plans, you also have quarterly or biannually billed online therapy subscription plans.
What Sets Talkspace Apart?
This review article focuses on the best online therapy – and it is clear that therapy can help address many kinds of personal challenges. But there are other kinds of mental health professionals who can also be helpful. Therapists cannot provide or manage prescriptions for medication, but other mental health professionals such as nurse practitioners and psychiatrists can offer medication management.
With Talkspace, you have the option to integrate psychiatry into your therapy and counseling plan. According to Talkspace, its psychiatry network is comprised of leading mental health professionals in the field offering specialized psychiatric services and individualized medication management to those who may benefit from these treatment options.
BetterHelp has a single plan that costs between $60 to $90 per week. According to BetterHelp, the cost depends on your therapist, where you live, and your personal preferences. Their online therapy plan includes:
One 30-minute or 45-minute session per week
Unlimited messaging between you and your therapist
A personal journal that you can use through its Apple or Android app
Webinars on mental health topics led by experts
Worksheets assigned to you by your therapist
What Kinds of Therapists Are On BetterHelp?
BetterHelp is proud of its team of mental health professionals, which they claim is made up of psychologists (Ph.D./PsyD), marriage and family therapists (LMFTs), clinical social workers (LCSWs, LICSWs), and professional counselors (LPCS). BetterHelp states that members of its network of online therapists have a minimum of 3 years of hands-on experience as well as a Master’s Degree or Doctorate qualification in their respective fields. BetterHelp maintains that in bringing therapists into its online therapy network, it scrutinizes mental health professionals’ credentials and has them complete case study exams.
How Are You Matched With a Therapist on Betterhelp?
If you subscribe to BetterHelp, you can expect to be matched with an online therapist within a few hours to a few days. Like other top online therapy services, BetterHelp offers clients the opportunity to switch therapists if they are not satisfied with the initial match.
How Is Therapy Delivered on Betterhelp?
You’re assigned a room on the BetterHelp platform in which to write back and forth with your therapist to talk about your concerns. With live chat sessions, you schedule a time to chat with your online therapist in real time. If you would like to have a phone session on BetterHelp, you’ll schedule a time to talk with your therapist and provide them with the phone number you’d like them to call. Similarly, video sessions are scheduled in advance, and at your session time, you’ll log in for your virtual therapy session.
What is the Sign-Up Process Like on BetterHelp?
The sign-up process is more involved on BetterHelp than on the other online therapy platforms we’ve discussed. There seems to be no way to opt out of answering very personal questions prior to actually registering. Questions you’re asked to answer include:
Religion/Spirituality
Whether you’ve had past therapy
Physical health
Eating habits
Whether you’re experiencing various symptoms of depression
Whether you’ve had suicidal thoughts
Difficulties you have functioning in your life
Employment status
Problems or worries about intimacy
How often do you drink alcohol
Whether you have anxiety, panic attacks, phobias
Whether you’re taking any medication
Whether you have chronic pain
Current financial status
Current sleeping habits
As mentioned above, for privacy and data security reasons, not everyone will be comfortable providing all this data to the BetterHelp platform before they even decide to enter into a relationship as a customer with the BetterHelp company.
Is There a Minimum Commitment on BetterHelp?
As with other online therapy services, you’re monthly and your subscription is renewed every 4 weeks until it is canceled.
What Sets BetterHelp Apart?
One of the most impressive features of BetterHelp is that it has a very comprehensive network of online therapists. Depending on your situation, having a large network of therapists to draw on could make it more likely that you’ll find someone who specializes in working with your concerns.
"Online-Therapy was not my first experience with therapy, but it definitely was the best experience I had. The combination of the worksheets and discussing with the therapist in online sessions was a wonderful experience. I would definitely recommend this platform to everyone in the future."
Online-Therapy.com Review By: Mona N, September 2023
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Choose your areas of concern and your preferences to get matched with the best therapists for you
2.
Pick your therapist from a list of recommendations. You can always change later if you don’t click
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You’ll get instant access to your individual online therapy program with worksheets, journal, activity plan and more
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Start communicating with your therapist as a couple through live video, voice or text chat sessions and messages
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With the help of the tools and the support of your therapist, you will start getting happier, day by day
Online-Therapy.com offers a toolbox that has been reviewed and approved by the best
Dr. Steven Gans, MD, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital
“It’s exciting to be associated with Online-Therapy.com and its mission to bring high quality therapy access throughout the world, to those who might otherwise not be able to obtain necessary emotional support.”
Dr. Elizabeth Lombardo, Phd, Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Lombardo is frequently interviewed by today’s top media outlets including; The Today Show, Dr. Oz, The Steve Harvey Show, Fox News, CNN, Forbes, Wall Street Journal, Money Magazine, Health, MSNBC, USA Today and National Public Radio.
Why should you choose Online-Therapy.com?
Complete Toolbox
Online-Therapy.com is not like other therapy websites! You get all the tools and support you need to be happier – now and in the future.
Top Quality Therapy
Online-Therapy.com’s program is based on proven, well-researched treatments drawn from CBT. It is delivered by highly qualified therapists with a wide range of credentials.
Affordable
Your therapist is here for you whenever needed, Monday-Friday. You pay much less than you would with a face-to-face therapist.
Anonymous & Private
Your privacy is important! There is no risk of exposing yourself face-to-face in the therapist’s office or waiting room.
Secure & Confidential
All your information is transferred end-to-end encrypted to Online-Therapy.com’s secure server, where you and your therapist can access it.
Accessible & Time-saving
There is no hassle with traveling or keeping an appointment. You can get help from wherever you are in the world. All you need is a computer, tablet or mobile phone.
Online-Therapy.com and Future Psychology are here to help you get happier NOW!
Your therapist is ready to start the journey with you today. So what are you waiting for?
Claim your Online-Therapy.com savings today!
Discover your special 20% discount at checkout
"I am so happy with the experience so far. My therapist is so helpful and I can't believe how much help I've gotten in the first month already. I have tried other online therapy websites and this one is, by far, the best of them all!"
Online-Therapy.com Review By: Nathan, November 2023
Costs for online therapy range from $40 weekly on platforms like Online-Therapy.com to $200+ per session if you work online with an experienced private practice therapist.
Is online therapy covered by insurance?
It’s impossible to make a blanket statement about insurance coverage for online mental health care because different insurance policies vary so much. If you’re hoping to get insurance coverage for your online therapy sessions, the best first step you can take is to get in touch with your insurance company. Ask them whether they cover any of the leading online therapy platforms, and also ask them what credentials a private practice therapist needs to have in order to be covered.
What kinds of help do people look for from online therapy and counseling?
People look for the same kinds of help from online therapy as they do with in-person therapy. This includes help for anxiety, depression, trauma, and various mental health disorders; as well as teen counseling and couples therapy.
Is online therapy secure?
The best online counseling platforms make clear that they are committed to privacy and mental health data security. Still, many online therapy users are concerned about the privacy and security of their data. If you’re concerned, you should ask your online therapy provider exactly what data about you they store, what steps they take to keep it secure, and whether it is shared with any third parties.
How long are online therapy sessions?
In our review, we have found that an online therapy session typically lasts anywhere from 30 minutes to 45 minutes, if you’re using an online therapy service. If you’re working online with a private practice therapist, your sessions will typically last between 45 to 50 minutes.
Is there research on online therapy vs. seeing a therapist in person?
There is compelling evidence from research studies that online therapy and virtual counseling can be as effective as in-person therapy for many types of concerns. The trend is for healthcare services to be increasingly offered online – from seeing your therapist online to seeing a doctor on demand using a telemedicine platform. All this can now be done from any location, including from home, saving you time traveling to and from appointments.
How frequently do online therapy sessions occur?
Many of the best online therapy services structure their plans around weekly online therapy sessions.
