It’s common for people to go through rough patches or challenging events at some point during their lives. And sometimes, these events are so challenging that you may feel like you need to seek professional help. When this happens, you may find yourself wondering about online counseling services and which one is the best.
Online counseling services are a good choice no matter what is going on in your life. When it comes to choosing an online service, you want to pick one that has licensed therapists that suit your needs and offer the style of services that you desire. Some of our favorites include Betterhelp and Talkspace, among others.
There is a large selection for the type of services and licensed professionals that host their services online. This is why many people choose to use a service that will match them with a professional that is a good match for them and facilitate the entire process. Keep reading to find out more about the best counseling services currently available on the internet.
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What Is The Best Online Counseling Service?
When it comes to online counseling services, the best service available will vary from individual to individual. This is because everyone benefits from a different type and style of service. Some people may want help through a messaging function, while others may prefer phone calls, and some people will desire a mix of the two.
Additionally, different platforms will require payment at different rates, and depending on how frequently you wish to speak with your therapist, this will affect which site has a better option for you. You also will want to find out if there is an online counseling service that your insurance covers, as it will lower your out-of-pocket cost.
Regardless, when it comes to picking the best online counseling services, you need to find one that has licensed therapists with trusted reviews. You also may need to try a couple of different services before finding the one that is a good fit for you.
Currently, seven online counseling services are considered the best, and they are:
These services are rated as the best because of factors, including reviews, how easy they are to use, and how much they cost. However, remember that counseling is highly personalized, so while you may find one serving as the “best,” someone else may feel differently.
What Do Online Counseling Services Typically Provide?
In a world that quickly adapts from a brick-and-mortar-based society to several digital equivalents, it can be difficult to know what to expect from online counseling services. In theory, you should expect the same counseling help from an online service that you would receive during an office visit. And in some cases, you may be able to expect more options in online counseling for getting help.
The exact services available for online counseling will vary based on the website, but most offer everything from video meetings with therapists to messaging a therapist through text, email, or platform-based chats. You should expect that services will put you through a brief matching process to find a therapist that is best suited for you.
Even though you see a therapist digitally, you should expect the same level of care, confidentiality, and quality of advice that you would receive during an in-person therapy visit.
Unlike traditional therapy services, you can expect online counseling services to be easy to schedule as they are available at a wider range of times throughout the day, rather than having to abide by traditional office hours. And because you aren’t visiting a physical location, if you want to switch providers, it is much easier to do so through an online platform.
Overall, when it comes to online counseling, the services vary widely based on the website you choose, but they should include almost everything that you would expect to receive from an in-person therapist visit and then some. Do note, however, that most online therapists cannot diagnose conditions, nor can they prescribe or refill medication.
Is Online Counseling Covered By Insurance?
Everyone knows that therapy sessions can sometimes get expensive, leaving many asking if their insurance will cover online therapy. And honestly, it depends on your insurance provider and the online counseling service you choose.
In some cases, insurance companies may not pay for your online counseling up front, but rather you will pay the initial costs, then the online counseling service will submit information to your insurance for you to be reimbursed. If your insurance typically covers mental health visits, then it is likely that online counseling services may be covered to some extent.
It’s always best to take a look at your insurance before you seek out online counseling services. This is because your insurance may only cover a certain online service. Additionally, they may require a pre-approval before you have your first session, or you may be required to pay a copay for each visit. It is a good idea to know all of this before you search for that perfect counselor.
Additionally, your insurance may require that you select a counselor based in your state, even if you will only be seeing them digitally. This is for licensing regulations. In some states, it is required that your insurance cover online counseling services. It can be helpful to know if you live in one of these states before you call your insurance company.
You will also want to verify that the online service you are using can submit information to your specific insurance. This is because all insurance plans are different and may require specific information to be submitted. If you are unsure of when and how your insurance will be billed, always ask before you begin sessions.
You may discover that you are unfortunately not in a state where digital counseling services must be covered by insurance. But you don’t have to worry because online counseling services are typically very affordable, even on a budget.
The 6 Best Online Counseling Services
Are you ready to experience the ease of using an online counseling service for all your therapy needs? Well, picking the service that is a good match for you and your lifestyle is also important. Below is more information about the seven best counseling services currently online so that you can narrow down your selection.
Don’t be afraid to try one service, and if you find that it is not for you, switch to another. Successful counseling is all about building a bond with your provider, even if you only see that provider digitally.
1. Online-Therapy
Online-Therapy has a different setup than most online counseling services. While they still have a great network of licensed providers, when working with Online-Therapy.com, you will need to be self-motivated. This is because much of the therapy provided is emphasized in the creation of positive coping behaviors.
Although Online-Therapy.com is an online service, typically, your therapist will only be available during office hours Monday through Friday. This means you won’t get the care you need if you work a normal office job.
Online-Therapy.com is also a subscription service, and you will pay by the week. Included in this cost, you will be able to message your therapist as often and as much as you want. However, you will only be able to schedule 30 minutes of live chat with your therapist per week. This makes this service non-ideal for those talking about large problems that may need to be talked through with more frequency or in larger blocks of time.
A subscription to Online-Therapy.com does include access to yoga videos and other tools to help you maintain mental health. You will also be asked to journal and will have worksheets to complete to help guide you through your mental health journey.
Online-Therapy.com does not offer any options to bill your insurance, but their services may be covered depending on your plan and coverage. Be sure to call your insurance for more information before you start their services. But even if they don’t cover it, their services start at the low price of $35 per week.
Online-Therapy.com Pros:
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- Extremely affordable
- Additional services like yoga videos and worksheets
- Teaches positive coping behaviors
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Online-Therapy.com Cons:
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- Limited hours of service
- Limited chat time with your provider
- You need to be self-motivated for their service to make a difference in your life
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2. Betterhelp
Betterhelp is one of the largest e-counseling services on the internet, and this isn’t an accident! Betterhelp prides itself in providing the highest level of care using some of the best-licensed therapists in the business. They vet their professionals through a lengthy process that reviews their abilities, licensure, and schooling.
Betterhelp offers care through several different mediums. You can choose to speak to your counselor through email messages, phone calls, video calls, or a live chat service. When you sign up for their service, you will select a counselor based on the type of help you need and your preferences.
When it comes to emailing your counselor, this can be done at any time of the day, and your counselor will reply when he or she is available. You will be able to look back through these messages at any time you so choose. The other services listed, such as phone and video calls, do require that you make an appointment with your assigned counselor
The website is easy to use, and the best part is, if you would like to stay anonymous during your treatment, you can. You will create a nickname when you sign up, and everything you discuss between you and your counselor is always kept confidential. You do need to give the website emergency contact information in case of an emergency, but this information will not be shared with your counselor.
The only thing not preferable about Betterhelp is that they do not bill insurance companies. This means that you will have to submit to get reimbursed or pay out of pocket for your counseling services. Betterhelp isn’t expensive, costing only $60-$80 per week depending on the type of care you select. This can be paid using a credit card or PayPal account.
Betterhelp Pros:
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- Large selection of highly-rated online professionals
- Care available in any medium you desire
- Inexpensive
- Great support staff, easy to use website
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Betterhelp Cons:
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- No option to bill insurance
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You pay via a subscription structure that is billed monthly.
3. iCounseling
The third service on this list is also one of the larger ones, with over 4,000 licensed therapists in their system. They are known for their speed, being able to match you with a counselor using their survey within 24 hours of signing up.
Once you are matched with your therapist, you will be able to contact them via text, video call, phone call, or via chat on their website. iCounseling is unique in that if you schedule a video call with your provider, there is no time limit, so if you are tackling a difficult subject, you won’t feel as if you need to rush.
The scheduling process for time with your counselor is ideal with iCounseling, as you will see dates and times your therapist is available, and you can choose one of those times if you see one that works for you. And if you don’t see a time that fits your schedule, you can always message your therapist and ask for additional availability.
Like many other services on this list, iCounseling is based on a subscription service, so you pay a flat fee each week, no matter how much counseling you need. You will pay a flat fee for unlimited access to your counselor.
Unfortunately, iCounseling does not bill your insurance. This doesn’t mean that their services won’t be covered by your insurance, but it does mean that you will need to call your insurance and find out if you have options for covering their services.
iCounseling offers complete anonymity, meaning you don’t have to disclose your identity to the service and that you can be known to your provider by only a nickname if you so choose.
iCounseling Pros:
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- Unlimited video/phone/messaging contact with your therapist
- Large selection of highly-rated professionals
- Inexpensive
- Easy scheduling
- Quick set up
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iCounseling Cons:
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- No option to bill insurance
- They select the therapist on your behalf
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4. Ginger
Ginger is a great online counseling service for those on the go. This is because they are known for offering care around the clock, whether you need help on the weekend or even in the middle of the night. When you log on to their app, Ginger boasts that they can match you with help, and you will get a response within 60 seconds.
You do have to use the Ginger app to speak to a licensed therapist, and you will not speak with the same therapist each time. This is because of Ginger’s care model, offering help around the clock, and thus you will speak to whichever therapist is available at the time you message. If you do need a video chat, this can be arranged as well.
Unlike most other online platforms, the care providers at Ginger are licensed psychiatrists, they can diagnose conditions, and they can even prescribe medication that can be delivered to your doorstep.
The cost of Ginger will vary depending on the service package you choose, and Ginger does bill your insurance if they are covered under your plan. Many insurances will cover part of the cost of Ginger. Do note that Ginger is intended only for short-term solutions requiring 12 sessions or less. If you want a long-term therapist, you should choose another service on the list.
Ginger Pros:
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- Accepts insurances
- Immediate responses
- Can diagnose and prescribe medication
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Ginger Cons:
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- No personal selection or connection with a therapist
- Must use Ginger App
- Short term solution only
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5. Regain
Regain is an online counseling service that is specifically designed to work with couples. The chat feature on the app is set up so that both parties can chat in the same window with their therapist, as well as on a one-to-one basis as needed. This is great for partners who are struggling but are unable to find a common time to schedule in-person appointments.
When you sign up for Regain, you will be matched with a licensed therapist based on the survey you fill out. You will also have the opportunity to invite your partner to the platform at any time during or after your sign-up. And if you need to change therapists later, this is no problem.
Although you and your partner can chat with the therapist from any location via chat room, you and your partner do need to be in the same location as there is no setup for three-way video calling at this time.
Because Regain specializes in couples therapy, there is no option for this to be covered by insurance. The service is very affordable, though, only costing $60-$80 per week depending on the type of service and the number of meetings you and your significant other want to have.
Regain Pros:
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- They specialize in couples counseling
- Three-way chat feature with a licensed therapist
- You will be matched with a therapist that is right for you
- Inexpensive
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Regain Cons:
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- Only for relationship counseling
- Not covered by insurance
- Must use the provided chat room for conversations
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6. Amwell
Amwell is an online medical service where you can virtually see a doctor when traveling and maybe away from your local primary care provider. But besides just typical issues, Amwell is well known for its mental health services.
Specializing in depression, Amwell has a full roster of online therapists and psychiatrists that can work with you on managing and overcoming your depression. When you sign up, you will be given a list of available providers and pick the one that works best for you. They can also prescribe medication if needed.
Your visit with your doctor will likely happen over video chat, but there is a phone call option as well. They are available 24/7 but do note that they are typically not available via text or email for frequent chatting, though you may be able to schedule an appointment that way. You will not be able to chat with your therapist whenever you need.
The best part about Amwell is that it is covered by most insurances, so you typically will be covered. Because of this, however, if you do not have insurance, the cost could be quite high.
In general, Amwell is more of a hybrid between online therapy and in-person visits, as it doesn’t offer the freedom of the other services on this list, but for someone with insurance and the time to schedule and keep appointments, this service could be a solution for you.
Amwell Pros:
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- Accepts most insurances
- You pick your provider
- Can prescribe medication
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Amwell Cons:
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- Appointment required
- No 24/7 access to your therapist
- Doesn’t meet all counseling needs
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Which Is Better, Talkspace or Betterhelp?
The two best of the above-mentioned online counseling services are Talkspace and Betterhelp. But this can make it difficult to choose between the two. The one that is best will honestly depend on your personal needs when it comes to counseling.
If you prefer to talk with a counselor, you can see, as in, in a video chat, then Betterhelp is the choice for you. This is because both services provide around-the-clock chatting, but Talkspace only focuses on the in-app messaging service with occasional video chats, while Betterhelp allows frequent video chats depending on the service package you choose.
However, if cost is an issue, then it may be worth looking into Talkspace first, as they may be covered by your insurance or employer. And if this is true, it may make it cheaper than Betterhelp, but both services are relatively inexpensive.
The final thing you should consider when deciding between the two is how confident you feel about selecting your therapist. On Talkspace, one is assigned to you as a survey result, and on Betterhelp, you get to choose. Which one you would rather do all comes down to personal preference.
Regardless of the service, you select, you can rest easy knowing you will be well cared for at Betterhelp or Talkspace.
Is Online Counseling Effective?
Online counseling is effective for managing long-term conditions such as anxiety and depression or relationship issues. Many studies have found that online counseling can even be more effective than traditional therapy, depending on the issue you are working through because of its ease of availability.
If you are experiencing a psychiatric emergency, such as feeling like you will harm yourself or others, it is never recommended to use online counseling. Rather you should dial the emergency number in your country for help.
Outro
No matter what condition you may be facing in your life, online therapy can help you to overcome these issues and deal with them more effectively on a day-to-day basis than traditional therapy can.
Picking an online therapy service can be difficult, and you should pick a therapist that will offer the style and frequency of service you desire. Just ensure that the therapist is licensed and is available at times that will work for you.
Whether you decide to go with a service like Betterhelp, or one that is more text-driven like Talkspace, online therapy truly is the way to go, as it will enable you to get the help you need on the go or from the comfort of your own home.
