UNDERSTANDING ONLINE THERAPY:

There are many names for what we call online therapy: e-counseling, cyber counseling, virtual therapy, teletherapy, etc. Essentially, it just means that you receive counseling and support from therapists using text, email, phone and video services, without having to be physically in their presence in an office.

According to many sources, such as the World Journal of Psychiatry, online therapy can result in very high levels of satisfaction when discussing issues and struggles. Even though you are not there in person, you can talk to your therapist and discuss the challenges you are facing in real time on the phone, or in a video chat or even texting just as you would in person.

The acceptance of online therapy has grown substantially since the beginning of the Covid-19 Pandemic, and that has encouraged people who otherwise might not have felt comfortable with in person counseling to seek help.

When choosing any therapist, whether in person or online, you want to make sure they are licensed professional mental health care providers. The most reputable online firms use only licensed people, so be sure to check before choosing a service.

The best firms also offer you the choice to change your therapist if for some reason you are not feeling comfortable or connected to the person with whom you are first matched. Do not hesitate to find the therapist who makes you feel supported and understood.

You can also choose the method of communication that makes you feel most at ease: live chats, phone calls, video conferencing—or messaging and email. Just make sure that the online therapy group you select gives you options that feel right for you.

THE COST OF ONLINE THERAPY

Most online therapy groups charge between $60 and $120 per week, depending on the program you select. Some limit the amount of time per week you can spend with a therapist, so be sure to check on this. In general, though, online therapy will be less expensive than in-person therapy.  With regard to insurance coverage, you will need to make sure the online group accepts insurance, and you’ll need to be sure that your insurance policy covers mental health counseling.

Below are some of the highest-rated online therapy groups:

BETTERHELP
https://www.betterhelp.com/

TALKSPACE
https://www.talkspace.com/

ONLINE THERAPY.COM
https://www.online-therapy.com/?ref=238771

7 CUPS
https://www.7cups.com/

Note: 7 CUPS Is unique in that it also offers free 24/7 online chat support with volunteer listeners

AMWELL
https://amwell.com/cm/?correlationId=b685f7b8-a005-4a40-924e-b443ce2c8e9b

Note: AMWELL offers both physical and mental health support from licensed doctors

CALMERRY
https://calmerry.com/

REGAIN (For couples counseling)
https://www.regain.us/

TEEN COUNSELING (For both teens and parents)
https://www.teencounseling.com/

PRIDE COUNSELING (For the LGBTQ community)
https://www.pridecounseling.com/